Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,018, for Samuel Thurber, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE   Conn.
R. I. [Rhode Island]
Thurber, Samuel
NUMBER  S. 22,018
Page 2

6750 
Rhode Island 
Saml Thurber 
of Providence in the state of R. Island who was a Stew’d & Commis’y in the Company commanded by Captain - of the Regt commanded by – in  the Rhode Island line for 
14 months Hospital Steward
10 months Hospital Commissary 
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island the rate of 460 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Dec 1833 and sent Hon J Burgess House Representatives 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $1150.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mar ’34  230.00
$1380.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book D. Vol. 3 Page 135
Page 3

State of Rhode Island &c 
County of Providence 
Personally appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence a Court of Record Isaac Thurber of said Providence who declares & says that his father Samuel Thurber late of said City departed this life on the 6th of November AD 1839, that at the time of his death he was a pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Rhode Island agency,  that he left no widow but left the following surviving children each of whom is now twenty one years of age to wit;  Dexter Thurber,  Lydia Salsbury, widow, Mehitable Potter wife of Phineas Potter, Rachel Smith wife of Thos Smith & Isaac Thurber.  That he is informed that said Samuel did not receive so large a pension as was his due,  wherefore they pray that all arrears of pension may be allowed & paid over them.  
Isaac Thurber
Municipal Court of the City Providence, September 23, 1845. 
Subscribed and sworn to by Isaac Thurber in open Court} for self and others
Albert G. Greene Clerk
Page 4

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said State, exercising Probate Jurisdiction
September 23, 1845 
Be it remembered, that satisfactory testimony has been this day produced before this Court, that Samuel Thurber late of said Providence, deceased a pensioner of the United States, died on the sixth day of November AD. 1839, that at the time of his death he left no widow, and that he left the following named surviving children, to wit Dexter Thurber, Lydia Salisbury, widow, Mehitable Potter, wife of Phinehas Potter and Isaac Thurber, all of said Providence, and Rachel Smith, wife Elias Smith, of Lynn in the State of Massachusetts, who are all now living and are over twenty one years of age.  
In Attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 23d day of September AD 1845 
Albert G. Greene Clerk
Page 5

Samuel Thurber
18841
Admd [admitted]
2 years Hospital Steward
120$
Hon Burgess
Page 6

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence 
On this Ninth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session - Samuel Thurber a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode aged 75 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, viz. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. 
That he was born February 15th 1757 in Providence the Connecticut which is recorded in the Family Bible, that he lived in Connecticut when first enlisted into service and has always resided in Providence both before and since the war except a short time in Pomfret Connecticut.  
And the applicant further states that in September 1776 when living in Pomfret he entered as a drafted Soldier in the Connecticut Militia on a tour of duty in the army of the Revolutionary War for three months in Capt Clarks company & Col Williams regiment.  During said three months said Regiment was marched to New York and New Jersey and was dismissed at Fort Lee after the time of service had expired.  3 mo 
And the applicant further states that upon his return early in the month of January 1777 The Government were about establishing a Hospital in Providence under the superintendance and care of Doct Jon Arnold.  He applyed to him (Doct Arnold) to officiate as Steward to which he agreed and as such entered the service and continued untill the 3d of August 1778.  After that he was called to officiate as Commissary and received a warrant as such from the Superintendant and was so continued in till the 31st of March 1778 when he was discharged, but at the request of the Surgeons he continued untill the first of June following.  In the latter part of 1778 if he recollects right Doctor Porter was sent on by Government for the purpose of examining the Hospital concerns, with him he had a settlement to that time of the Commissary accounts, after that Mr. Jno De La Master came on for a similar purpose with whome he had a further Settlement - and in the year 1786 if he recollects right Edward Chinn Esq. came on for the purpose of settling all accounts, with whom he had a final settlement and received a balance which was and due him.  He refers to the papers of those settlements which are in the War Office for Rhode-Island District, for proof
Page 7

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. 
Saml Thurber
attest B Cowell clk   
I  Stephen Randal of Providence in the State of Rhode and on oath do testify and say that during the Revolutionary I was an assistant and belonged to the Medical Staff of Doct Jonathan Arnold who was director and purveyor of the Hospital Department of Rhode Island from 1776 to the close of the War and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Samuel Thurber of said Providence, said Samuel was steward of the Hospital and Commissary for several years while I belonged to the Medical Staff which was under said Dr Amold.   I remember very well of having supplied his order for Medical Stores &c by order the said Jonathan Arnold.  
Stephen Randal 
In Providence Aug 6 1832 
Personally appeared before me the above named Stephen Randal & made oath to the above deposition by him signed and I further testify that said deponent is well known to me & he is a credible Witness in the premises.   
Benj Cowell  Commss Distr Court R I Dist.
Page 8

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 Stephen Randal who has testified for the said applicant is a resident in the City of Providence and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit. 
BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Thurber for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 14 day of November 1832 
Benjamin Cowell Clk
Page 9

In reply to your request of – received – for a statement of the military history of  Samuel Thurber  
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his  application for pension on file in this bureau.   S. File 22018  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   Sept ’76   LENGTH OF SERVICE  3 mos. RANK.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Clark Colonel Williams    STATE.   Conn.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  Jan ’77   LENGTH OF SERVICE  1 yr 7 mos.  RANK.  Hosp. Steward   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  under Dr. Jonathan Arnold STATE in Rhode Island  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  Aug 3 ’78   LENGTH OF SERVICE   to Mar. 31 1779  RANK.  Hospital Commissary  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  under Doctor Jonathan Arnold  STATE. in Rhode Island
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,   Pomfret Conn.
Date of application for pension,  Aug 9, 1832. Placed on roll Mar 8, 1833
Residence at date of application,   Providence, R.I.  [Rhode Island]
Age at date of application,  born Feby 15, 1757 at Providence R. I.
Remarks  sol. died Nov 6, 1839 leaving no widow and only the following children – Dexter, Isaac, Lydia Salisbury widow, Mehitable whife of Phinehas Potter of Providence, and Rachel wife of Elias Smith of Lynn Mass., all living in 1845.
Page 10

Samuel Thurber 
S. 22018
W book of Expense accounts of Hospital Stores has been removed from the claim to be forwarded to the War Dept. 
AW. 
Nov. 1. 1912 sent to War Dept. Jan. 16. 1913
Page 11

Revolution 22018 
INVALID. 
File No. 22018 
Samuel Thurber 
Steward Rev War & Commissioner of Hospital Stores
Act: June 7" 32" 
Index: - Vol. 2 Page 417 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1909 Mch 19 History to Mrs. H. A. Brigbee c
1922 Sept 19 Mr. H. O. Brigham fur mil hist.
Page 12

6750   Rhode Island 
Samuel Thurber 
of Providence in the State of Rhode Island was a Hospital Steward, in the Company commanded by Captain  - of the Regt commanded by Col - in the R. Island line for 2 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of R Island the rate of 120 Dollars  per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Mar 1833  and sent to Hon T Burgess Providence R I
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. ’33   $240.00 
Seminal allowance ending 4 Sept ‘33 60.00 
$300 00 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk 
Book D Vol. 3  Page 135
Page 13

Let to Ben Cowell Jany 21 ‘46
To same Apl 14 ‘46
Page 14

Samuel Thurber 
R I 
Hospital Steward 14 mos.
Hospital Commissary  10 mos.
24
Field pay of Steward $360
Field pay of Commry 600
J Cromwell
Hon Tristan Burgess
Page 15

Samuel Thurber
Payments to be made at Providence R.I. by the Presd. U.S. Br Bk. Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of  Rhode Island 
$360
1838 Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, in Book D Page 135. Vol. 3
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Samuel Thurber of the State of Rhode Island who was an Hospital Steward in the Revolutionary Army is entitled to receive One hundred & twenty dollars 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 8th March day of one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Lew Cass  
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.  J L Edwards
Page 17

Enclosed are Orders and Receipt for Hospital supplies previous to and during the month of April and May 1779.  Many more such scraps may be had if necessary. 
In the Journal of Congress for the year 1777. Apr. page 125 may be found the pay as allowed the Hospital department
Page 18

Jan 29, 1846
Rec’d 
Saml Thurber
10
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Page 19

Providence Jany 28 1846 
Sir
In answer to yours of 21 inst, respecting the claim of Samuel Thurber Hospital Commissary I have to say, that Mr Thurber had the reputation of a very honest man in this community none more so, and I do not believe "he held back his commission" when he applied for a pension knowingly.  I believe when he made his application his commission was either lost or mislaid or could not be found and that his statements of his services were made according to the best of his recollections, and at all events had it been produced his declaration would have been made out in conformity to it & the Commission and his discharge would have been sent with his papers as the best evidence that would have been produced.   Mr Thurber was a man of the first respectability and of hansome property at the time of his death an exemplary member of a Christian Communion and if his warrant or Commission had been before him at the time he would not have stated he served ten months when he had only served eight. The discrepancy therefore between his discharge & his statement of his services was, I sincerely believe; wholly 1 unintentional & without the slightest disposition to defraud the Government
Page 20

I remember I transmitted his papers in the first instance for it appears by my minutes which I kept and he was at first allowed $100 per annum. Afterwards he made an application for an increase of pension.  I am not certain whether I sent the papers the second time or not.  I did unless he himself sent them to you or the Hon Tristam Burges then a member of Congress who I believe assisted him but am not certain.   
The reason why I advised the children to make the claim recently sent was this. You may remember that at an early period after the act of June 7 1832 was passed Commissaries were allowed only $480 per annum or at the rate according to the time they served as in the case of Charles Lippett whose claim I sent, but afterwards by another decision $600 per annum.  I told the children I thought their father entitled to the difference on the eight months service.  And after all if Mr Thurber was entitled at the rate of $600 on the 8 month service in point of fact the Government has not paid too much for 8 months service at the rate of $600 produces the same amount as 10 months at $480 per annum. I mention this not by way of any Justification for a wrong statement but only to show the fact
Page 21

I think it proper to add that I never have aided knowingly any one in "overreaching" the government and I trust I never shall while at the same time I shall always use my best endeavours to get all claimants their just dues who think proper to employ me, and further, when any one through my instrumentality does overreach the Government I shall not refuse my “aid” to detect the fraud when I find I have been imposed upon. But in the present instance I do not believe any fraud was intended.   
I am very Respectfully your obt svt 
Benja Cowell 
Since writing the above I find I was mistaken in saying Mr Thurber was a member of a Christian Communion, upon further enquiry I find he was not, but he was a very consciencious man 
J L Edwards Esq
Page 22

Providence Dec 4 1845 
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of the children of Samuel Thurber deceased for the arrears of pension due to their father at the time of his death. Mr Thurbers name was placed on the pension Roll of this State as Hospital Stewart, I believe his name was first placed on the Roll at $120 per annum but was afterwards increased to $460, I believe also he stated in his declaration that he served as Commissary a part of the time but whether any evidence was produced or not, of such service I do not remember.   
I now enclose the original warrant which he received to serve as Commissary & on the back of which is endorsed the time of her discharge. It will appear he served as Commissary 8 months lacking 2 days only.  According to the decision of your department he was entitled at the rate of $600 per annum for this service which, with his services as Hospital Steward, in all more than two years would have entitled him to a much larger pension per annum, during his life.   
By the land Warrant which is signed by Jonathan Arnold, [unreadable] & Purveyor General it will appear that he served
Page 23

from August 3d 1778 to March 31 1779 for which time I believe he ought, agreeably to your decisions to have been allowed at the rate of $600 per annum, or about $200 more per annum, (if he did the duties of both offices at the same time)  than he was allowed.   
I have therefore to request, that the Pension Agent he may be directed to pay to the children the arrears that are above
I am respectfully your Obt Svt
Benja Cowell 
J L Edwards Esqr
Page 24

Tuesday April 8th 1777. 
Resolved 
That the establishment of the Medical Department be as follows 
Director General   6 dollars a day 9 rations    
Deputy director General  5 dollars a day 6 rations
Assistant deputy director 3 dollars a day 6 rations
Physician General & Surgeon General } each 5 dollars a day 6 rations  
Physical & Surgeon  General of the Army 5 dollars a day 6 rations
Senior Surgeons each    4 dollars a day 6 rations
Second Surgeons each   2 dollars a day 4 rations    
Surgeon mates each       1 1/3  dollars a day 2 rations
Apothecaries General each 3 dollars a day 6 rations    
Commissary    2 dollars a day 4 rations    
Clerk who is to be Paymaster 2 dollars a day 4 rations    
Assistant Clerk each – 2/3  dollars a day 1 ration    
Stewards each – 1 dollar a day 2 rations    
[unreadable] 3d State of the proceedings of old Congress page 126.
Page 25

Rhode Island District – 
In Providence November 23 AD 1833 
On this 23d day of November AD 1833 personally appeared before me Samuel Thurber & made the following declaration in addition & supplemental to the declaration made by him in the District Court of the United States on the 9th day of August 1832 in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.  Said Samuel declares that in said declaration he stated according to his best recollection, that during the Revolutionary he performed the following service is that in the year 1777 in January he was appointed Hospital Steward and in that capacity he then entered the service of his Country at the Hospital of the Army established at Providence in the State of R Island & continued to act in said capacity one year & seven months then next following that the old paper hereto annexed Marked A in a settlement of his acct as steward for one year of that time.   
And the said Samuel further says that immediatly after his said service, as steward to wit in the month of August th 1778
Page 26

he was appointed Hospital Commissary of said Hospital and he continued to act in said capacity ten months then next following until the month of June the 1779, that he received his warrants of his appointment from Doctor Jonathan Arnold one of which is lost & the other is in the War Department.   And the said Samuel further says that his said declaration was transmitted to the War Department & he received a pension certificate dated March 8th 1833 and Numbered 6770 Now the said Samuel says that he believes his services entitle him to a larger pension than was granted him. That his pay while Hospital Steward was one dollar per day and rations & while Hospital Commissary two dollars per day as will appear by an act or resolve of Congress passed April 8th 1777, an extract from which is hereto annexed.  
And the said Samuel further says that & since his said declaration was made he has found among his papers the annexed documents which he avers have always been in his possession but which have been recently found. Wherefore he prays that his pension may be increased to what he is entitled by by the act of Congress aforesaid 
Sam Thurber
Page 27

Rhode Island District ss 
In Providence Nov 23d 1833 
Personally appeared before me the above named Samuel Thurber & made oath to the preceding declaration by him signed and I further certify that the old papers marked A & B by him produced & have been annexed by me.   In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court and day above written.   
Benja Cowell Commisr & Clerk of U. S. Dist Court for R I Dist
Page 28

Warrant
Samuel Thurber tertius
Hospital Commissary
Page 29

To Mr. Samuel Thurber tertius  
Greeting 
You being in virtue of the Powers sought in one as director of Purveyor General of Military Hospitals in and throughout the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations appointed to the place of Commissary of Military Hospital in said State, are hereby Authorized to hold exercise enjoy, and fulfil all the powers privilege and duties thereto appertaining, agreeable to the Rules and Regulations of the Hospital for the Armies of the United States, the Laws, and Regulations of said State, and such Orders as you shall from time to time receive from me or other, your superiors in Office.  And for so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant.  
Given under my Hand and Seal in the General Hospital in Providence this third day of August AD. 1778. 
Jon Arnold
Page 30

General Hospital  Providence, State of Rhode Island 
March 31st 1779 
The within Samuel Thurber tertius having so far as has come to my knowledge faithfully discharged the duties of the within appointment is this day discharged by me therefrom 
Jon Amold D L Purv Genl
Page 31

Per
EWIF 22018
EW
Putnam, Conn. Feb. 20, 1909. 
Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Will you kindly give me a copy of the pension record of SAMUEL THURBER of Providence, R. I. in the R. I. Militia, Revolutionary war.   
Very truly, 
(Mrs) F.A. Bughee
22018
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A FEB 23 1909
Page 32

HERBERT O. BRIGHAM 
COMMISSIONER 
[stamp] STATE OF RHODE ISLAND HOPE
STATE RECORD COMMISSIONER 
STATE HOUSE 
PROVIDENCE   July 27, 1922
Washington Gardner,  Commissioner 
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir:- 
Will you kindly furnish the pension record of Samuel Thurber, Lieutenant of Horse, Rhode Island Militia, placed on the Pension March 8, 1833, pension commenced March 4, 1831, age 77, resident Providence County.   
Thanking you for previous favors. 
Very truly yours, 
Herbert Brigham 
State Record Commissioner. 
HOB-D
Lt. of Horse This is an error on printed list  which shows Samuel Thurben, no Samuel Thurben in files.  
[unreadable] data omitted
Mr. B. furnished military record, b. & d. & advised no Samuel Thurber Lt. of Horse R. I. mil & no Samuel Thurben at all