Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21329, Abraham Hicks, Navy (R.I.)
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SERVICE -Navy (R.I.)                           

NUMBER - W.21329

Hicks, Abraham
Mary
Page 2

3887

Rhode Island
Mary Hicks widow of Abraham who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Seaman

Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 48 dollars -- cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1848.

Certificate of pension issued the 15 day of February 1849 and sent to Franklin Greene
Providence Rhode Island.

Recorded on roll of pensioner under act February 2, 1848, page 11 vol. 3


Reported
February 15 / 49 [1849]
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15671
[Two columns]
[Left column:]
15671
Rhode Island

Abraham Hicks of Newport in the state of Rhode Island who was a seaman in the ship commanded by Captain Harding of the --- commanded by ---- in the Rhode Island line for 12 months.

Inscribed on the roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 48 dollars -- cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of July 1833 and real John Cross Portsmouth Rhode Island 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $96.00
Semi-anual allowance ending 4 September 24.00 [1833]
$120.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D.D. Addison clerk, 
Book E, Volume 2nd page 112

[Right column:]
Died 6 Dec. [18]38. See letter to John Cross, January 15, 1839

Letter to Asa Gray 3d August 6th. April 1840

Paid at the treasury under the act of the 6th April 1838 from 4 September to 6 December 1838 the day of his death. Agent notified 27 April 1840

Letter to Honorable B. Burnell 
March 19, 1842
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Abraham Hicks

17009


(writtenon the right margin)
I Gabriel Hicks of Tiverton.
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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 of Justices of the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton now sitting, Abraham Hicks a resident of Tiverton in the County f Newport and state of Rhode Island aged seventy five 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 is he in the early part of the Revolutionary War was engaged in the merchant service as a seaman from the port of Providence in this state to the Spanish main to Surinam. 

That on his return from a voyage to Surinam the month of March, as near as he can recollect but what year he is not certain as his recollection is much impaired by bodily infirmities - but thinkin the year 1777 or 1778 the vessel in which he sailed being bound to Philadelphia on the Delaware  - he at that time entered on board of the United States ship Confederacy of thirty nine guns then lying in the Delaware at a plan called Chester, for the term of twelve months - Seth Harding Commanded said ship during said time but that he cannot with certainty remember the names of the other officers - that during the time your declarant was on board of said ship for the most part of the time she cruised on the coast of the United States from the meridian of New York southerly to the West Indies  - that some part of said time said ship Confederacy cruising in Company with the United Ship Boston -- That during this service we fell in with off to the southward of Sandy Hook - the enemy's armed ship Pool of equal force with ourselves (though their crew had been much reduced by the many captures they had made) and after a short but severe action we captured her and carried her to the Delaware - that during said service we also captured two Schooners from Jamaica loaded with rum and cocoa and ordered them also into the Delaware -
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     That after he had served out his said term of twelve months, he was discharged from said ship Confederacy at said place called Chester on the Delaware below Philadelphia.  He at the time received a written discharge, with directions to call on the Continental storekeepers for provisions he on his way home.
     He then returned home by land through Philadelphia and Trenton, to West Point where he saw General Washington. There to Middletown, Connecticut, there to Providence and there to Tiverton - on his way home as aforesaid, he called on the military storekeepers and received aid from them in provisions and  according to the tenor of his written discharge and order - This discharge which was signed by Captain Harding has been lost for a long time, as he took no pains to present it after he got home.  He got home in planting time.  And  the said Hicks avows that he faithfully and truly performed the aforesaid services in the defense of his county in the War of the Revolution.  But there is at present no person alive, to his knowledge, who was with him on board of said ship Confederacy, the crew at the time having been composed of men who belonged to other parts of the country there that where your declarant has ever resided. 
     He also states that said Captain Harding, as he has been informed, resided, and if still alive, perhaps in the city of New York - and that he, said Captain Harding, had the papers of said ship Confederacy whereon was the name of your declarant, and the amount of pay money that was due to him for the prizes taken by said ship which he was on board of her.   This information was received by him about twenty years ago as near as he can recollect.  That he has, for a number of years before this time been endeavoring to find some persons who were with him on board said ship - but it has been thus far unavailing - that he on the 23rd day of August A.D. - 1831 before the Superior Condemned Court of the County of Newport made his declaration and surrendered his inventory of all his property according to law in order to save the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 and the acts in amendment thereof - but that because he was required to produce  to credible witnesses who was with him in a ship - he has been unable to obtain that which he honestly and truly merits. 
     He further declares that he was born in Tiverton aforesaid on the 14th day of April 1757- where he lived when at home at the time that he entered the aforesaid
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service - and that be hath ever since resided therein, except a few years that he lived in the town of New Bedford, in the adjoining county of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts - and that he now doth lives in said Tiverton - that he was discharged in manner aforesaid - that he has no documentary evidence of his services aforesaid nor any record of his age. 
- that there is no clergyman living in his neighborhood or vicinity, but he refers to them Job Durfee and Elihu Hicks, Esquires who are his neighbors and citizens of said Tiverton who testify to his character for veracity and to their belief of that he was a soldier of the Revolution. 

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. 
Abraham Hicks

Asa Gray             
Clerk 

We, Job Durfee, Esquire residing in the town of Tiverton aforesaid and Elihu Hicks, Esquire residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Hicks who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-five 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. 
Job Durfee
Elihu Hicks

Asa Gray
Clerk 





And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Job Durfee Esquire resident in - who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident of the said Town of Tiverton and that Elihu Hicks Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.   And the said Court further certifies that the Deposition of Elihu Hicks Esquire which is hereto annexed was sworn to and subscribed this day, before said Court, by the said Elihu Hicks, and the said Court further certifies, that said Deponent is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit. 
I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County and state aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Abraham Hicks for a pension and I further certify that said Court is a Court of Record. 
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. 
Asa Gray
Clerk of Court of Probate
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    I Elihu Hicks of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island of lawful age on solemn saith, do testify and say - that I was always acquainted with Abraham Hicks of said Tiverton, an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress - said Abraham was a brother of mine, two years older than myself - I would remember that my said Brother Abraham in the early part of the Revolutionary War was engaged as a seaman in the Merchant service from Providence to the West Indies or somewhere there abouts - that he was absent from home for period of time so long that they feared he never would return - and that they had actually received intelligence that he was dead. 
     According to the best of your deponent's attestation, said Abraham Hicks was absent from home at this time for one year and a half - he returned home in the Spring of the year but what year, your deponent is unable to say with certainty but thinks from circumstances within his memory that it must have been the Spring in which to the enemy's leaving Rhode Island.  This must have been in the year 1779 - but as to the year he begs to be understood that he cannot be certain - Said Abraham on his return now states that he had been in the public service on board of the United States ship Confederacy Captain Harding for a year during his absence.  He also states that he had the honor of being on board the first American frigate, which even took from the English - a ship of equal force - he states at that time, and her uniformly since that time, to the present period that he was on board of the Confederacy at the time that she took the enemy ship Poole of thirty six guns - I have heard him state the same story for the last fifty years and for myself, have no doubt of the truth of his statements.   Said Abraham, at that time, lived, when at home, with myself in my father's family - (the late Samuel Hicks of this town).  I also attest that during the time said Abraham was absent from home, the time aforesaid, I heard in the public papers of the Capture of said ship Poole by an American frigate. 
Elihu Hicks
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State of Rhode Island
Newport County ss

On the eighth day of September 1832, before the judges of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, now setting, personally came the within named Elihu Hicks, and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing Deposition and Subscribed the same -

Asa Grey  
Clerk
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17009
Abraham Hicks
Rhode Island


Seaman 12 Months


John Cross Rhode Island 
Asa Gray Clk. [clerk]
Court. Tiverton, Rhode Island
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BRIEF in the case of Abraham Hicks County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he? 75 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
In 1777 or 8 [1778]

Duration of Service.
Years,
1
Months, Days,__

Rank. As a {a seaman ship Confederacy}

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Captain Harding

5. In what battles was he engaged? Captured the British Ship Pool also 2 schooners

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  [illegible], Rhode Island

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

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

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

J.W. Clagett Examining Clerk.
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State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} SS

I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice of the Peace in the Town of Tiverton in the County aforesaid was appointed by the Town of Tiverton and commissioned by the Governor of this State and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity. And that his signature written on the first and third pages of this sheet is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this eighth day of January AD. eighteen hundred and forty four. Daniel C. Denham, Clerk,
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State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} S.S.
On this eighth day of September A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county of Newport John Hicks and Mesebah Hicks of Tiverton in said County of Newport, known to me to be credible persons, who being first duly sworn according to law do on their oaths testify and say, That Mary Hicks, an applicant for a pension is the widow of Abraham Hicks late of said Tiverton a pensioner deceased. that her husband the said Abraham Hicks died on the sixth day of December eighteen hundred and thirty eight and that she has not married since his decease.
   his
John X Hicks
     Mark
Mesebach Hicks
Signed in my presence
R. Tesdale 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me. 
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I Charles Durfee, town clerk of the Town of Tiverton, do certify and say, that by virtue of my office, I have the custody of the records of births and marriages of said Town, and I further Certify, that it appears by the Records, that Abraham Hicks and Mary Hart were lawfully joined in marriage some time in the month of December in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty one. The following is a copy of the record, word for word and figure for figure, as it stands. "I do hereby certify, that Abraham, son of Samuel Hicks of Tiverton, and Mary Hart, daughter of Nicholas Hart of Little Compton and Mary his wife, were lawfully joined together in Tiverton aforesaid on the    Day of December A.D. 1781. By me the subscriber
Walter Cook. Justice Peace"
all which duly appears
Witness Charles Durfee Town Clerk.
State of Rhode Island etc.
Newport Ss In Tiverton September 4th 1843
Personally appeared before me, the above named Charles Durfee, known to me as the town Clerk of the Town of Tiverton, and made Oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed.
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} S.S.
I Charles Durfee, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton in the County of Newport a Court of Record do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice of the Peace in Tiverton in the County of Newport, duly appointed commissioned and sworn and fully authorized to act in his said capacity and that the signature of his name on the within affidavits are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this sixteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and forth three.
Charles Durfee Probate Clerk
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10500
Mary Hicks
Rhode Island
Act 7 July 38
husband died in 38! [1838]
married [17]81_ died[18]38
Admitted
12 months seaman
$48
from 6 December [18]38 the day of her husbands death 
also act 3 March [18]43
$48.               1365
Asa Gray Esquire
Tiverton
Rhode Island.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."

State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} S.S.
On this Eighth day of September A.D. 1843 personally appeared before me Joseph Childs, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Newport a court of Record, Marry Hicks, a resident of Tiverton in the County and state aforesaid, 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 by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838. entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." 
That she is the widow of Abraham Hicks late of Tiverton deceased, who was a pensioner under the law of the United States of the 7th of June 1832. at the rate of Forty eight dollars per annum for services on board the U. States Ship Confederacy in the war of the Revolution, on board of which ship he entered in 1777 or 1778 at Chester on the Delaware and whereof Seth Harding was Captain. For proof she would respectfully refer to the evidence on file with her husbands Declaration made in 1832.
She further Declare that she was married to the said Abraham Hicks on the twenty fifth day of December in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty one in said Tiverton by Walter Cook Esquire. That her husband the aforesaid Abraham Hicks died at said Tiverton on the sixth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four. Viz [namely], at the time above stated and that she has not married since his decease.
        her
Mary X Hicks
         mark
Witness Asa Gray
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year above written before me, and I further certify that said Mary Hicks cannot, from bodily infirmity attend in Court and that said Mary Hicks is a credible person.
Joseph Childs Justice Court of Common Pleas
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State of Rhode Island}
County of Newport} SS
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid being a Court of record do hereby certify that Joseph Childs is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Newport was appointed by the General Assembly and commissioned by the Governor of this State and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity. And that his signature aforewritten is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Newport on this thirtieth day of October on thousand eight hundred and forty three.
Daniel C. Denham, Clerk
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Widow, Etc
File Number 41329 
Mary Hicks Widow of Abraham Hicks Seaman Revolutionary war
Act February 29,[18]48 
Index: Volume A. Page 336
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Record Division,
Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions

Briefed by Marion B. Hudson
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Abraham Hicks or Hix
Service  Revolution

additional Service
No.    Claim, State records,   , 191
No. Claim, Combination records, 191

Remarks:
No O.W.N. [Old War Navy], O. W. I. or ref. Except W.F. 21329
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Rep'd.
8691
Rhode Island
Mary Hicks
widow of Abraham Hicks
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 6th December 1838 of Newport County in the State of Rhode Island who was a Seaman in the Ship commanded by Captain Harding of the commanded by in the Rhode Island line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 48 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 6th December 1838.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of September 1844 and sent to Asa Gray Tiverton Rhode Island
Total amount, $
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book D. Volume 1. Page 109.
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[Two columns. Left column:]
6063
Rhode Island
Mary Hicks
widow of Abraham Hicks
who was a Seaman
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 48 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence of
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
6. day of Sept 1844
and sent to Asa Gray
Tiverton, Rhode Island
Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book A.
Volume 1
Page 89

[Right column]
Rep’d
letter to A Gray September 27. [18]45
December 19. 1845, certificate
issued for arrears under act 7.
July, 1838 and joint resolution of
January 23d 1845, and  sent to
Asa Gray,
Tiverton, Rhode Island,
20th December [18]45—
Rep’d 20 December [18]45
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Portsmouth Rhode Island   free
January 7

Honorable James L. Edwards
 Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Commissioner [illegible]
Abraham Hicks
Rhode Island MC 32
15671
Page 24

Portsmouth R.I. Jan. 7. 1839-

Sir,
Abraham Hicks of Tiverton in this county died on the 6th ultimo leaving a widow, Mary Hicks, who intermarried with said Abraham before the 1st of January 1794. The said Abraham was put upon the pension roll, under the act of June 7, 1832.

I would therefore enquire if the said Mary Hicks is entitled to a continuation of said pension under the resolution of Congress of the 7th of July last.

I have the honor to be, with great respect, your Most obedient servant.

John Cross

Honorable James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office
April 14th, 1840.

Sir: Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An  act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and uthorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the widow of Abraham Hicks, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of Forty eight Dollars and ---- Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. to the 6th December 1838, the day of his death,

Respectfully yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller

To the Commission of Pensions,
Present.
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House of Representatives
March 16, 1832

Sir: I enclose a letter to you, making certain inquiries. I should be obliged by your answers to them. Will you please return the letter?
Your Obedient servant
Barker Burnell

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner Etc
Washington 
DC
Page 27

Mary Hicks,
widow of Abraham, 
Private
Revolution January 23 1898
$48 per annum
Husband died December 6 1838,
from which time she was pensioned under act 1838
Rhode Island Roll
letter to Asa Gray
Tiverton
Rhode Island
Page 28

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the resolution of Congress of the 23d January 1845.

Whereas the Act of the 30th of April 1844 prohibited me from drawing a pension for the same period during which my husband was a pensioner. I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefits of the resolution above mentioned. I am the widow of Abraham Hicks who was a Seaman in the Navy in the War of the Revolution.

I have drawn a pension at the rate of Forty eight dollars per annum from the sixth day of December 1838 and now ask for the amount due me from the fourth day of March 1836 to the sixth day of December 1838 when my former pension commenced. I made my declaration before the 30th of April 1844 and it was filed in the Pension Office before the 23d of January 1845.
        her
Mary X Hicks
       mark

Signed in my presence
Joseph Fisk

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this tenth day of October in the year 1845 at Tiverton in the County of Newport
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

I certify that the declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represents herself to by in the foregoing affiadvit
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

I William Gilpin Clerk of the Supreme Court do hereby certify that Asa Gray who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and that the above is his Signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office this Thirteenth day of October in the year 1845 at Newport in the state of Rhode Island
William Gilpin Clerk
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Mary Hicks
au
6063
Page 30

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport, } S.S.,

On this Sixteenth day of September, A.D. 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Newport, Mary Hicks a resident of Tiverton in the county of Newport aforesaid, aged about eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d of February, 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war: That she is the Widow of Abram Hicks who was a Private in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of Forty-eight dollars per annum, under the act of 17th June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.

her
Mary X Hicks
mark

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me,} SS.
William G. Borden Justice of the Peace

Subscribed in presence of 
William Hunt
Lemuel Brightman

I certify that the above name affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
William G. Borden, Justice of the Peace.

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport } SS.
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify, that William G. Borden is a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Newport on this 29th day of September 1848
Daniel C. Denham Clerk.