Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21133, Jonathan Congdon, R.I.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
R. I.

Congdon, Jonathan

NUMBER
S. 21 133

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

21.102
Rhode Island 
===========
Jonathan Congdon
of Washington in the State of R Island
who was a Pri Fifer & Sgt. in the Company commanded
by Captain West of the Rgt commanded
by Col Topham in the R Island
line for 12 mos Private
1 “ [month] Fifer
1 “ 15 days Sergeant
===============
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island 
at the rate of 57 Dollars 17 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
================
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 22d day of Aug 
1833 and sent D. J.
Pearce Newport R I
=================
Arrears to the 4th of 4 March 1835 $102.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept” 25.58
                                                             =======
$127.92     
=======
{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 2d.  Page 104

[penciled in at the bottom of document:]
d. Feb. 3. 1836
Page 3

103.  #
Jonathan Congdon    Decm
pd J. H.
J Hall
22809
Page 4

State of Rhodeisland and Providence plantation County
of Washington fs
On this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before [“John G. Clerk” is crossed out] [“the” is inserted] Court of Common [“pleas” is inserted] now
setting Jonathan Congdon resident of Exeter in the County
and state aforesaid age seventy one years in July 1832
who being first duly sworn sworn according to law doth
on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of an act of Congress passed the 7th, 1832 —
that he entered in the Militia as a Volinteer under the
folowing named officers Col. Dyers Regiment and Capt. Jonathan
Bates Company one month as a Volunteer as fifer and two months
as a Substitute, in the winter of 1776 and 77 in guarding the
shores in wickford and the narragansett shores while the British
had possession of Newport —
on or about the 1st of June 1778 I inlisted [sp] in Capt. Benjamin
West Company in Col. Tophams regiment and served from 
thence nine months in the states service when I was discharged
on or about the 16 of march 1779 my term of enlistment having
expired I have no written discharge, in august 1778 and in the 
time mentioned there was an engagement between the american
and British, at the time of my entering the service I resided in
the town of Exeter aforesaid and still reside in said town
I was stationed at Howlands ferry in the County of Newport.
I was at three different times in the Militia since the above
under Col Dyer once under Col. Wait and once under Capt. Clark
in all between two or three months.
Page 5

I was Born in Exeter in the County and state afore said 
in the 1761.  I have a record of my age [insert “at home”], I lived in Exeter at the time 
[“& at that time” is crossed out] I was Called into the Service have lived there
Since the Revolutionary war and now live there —
Samuel Tillinghast and John Congdon who live in the
[insert “neighborhood with”] me, are in possession of knoledge [sp] in 
relation to my Services.
 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that 
name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid. Jonathan Congdon [signature]
Wm’. Saml~. Helme Clk [signature]

We, John Gardiner a clergyman residing in the Town of Exiter
and Oliver Spink residing in [“(the same)” is crossed out] [“Northampton” is inserted]?? hereby certify that we are well acquainted 
with Jonathan Congdon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that
believe him to be 71 ?? 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.  John Gardiner [signature]
Wm. Saml.~ Helme Clk [signature]    Oliver Spink [signature]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the 
[in]terrogatries [sp] prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, a[nd]
served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Gardiner
who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a Clergyman resident [in]
the Town of Exeter and that Oliver Spink who h[as]
also signed te same is a resident in the Town of North Kingstown and [“is a” is crossed out] [“are” is inserted] credible person[s] an[d]
that their statement is entitled to credit.  ?? that Samuel Tillinghast. John Congdon
and Rufus Sherman who have given Depositions on this Case are
bridle ?? Witnesses and that their Statement is Intitled [sp] to Credit.

I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.
do hereby certify that he foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the 
application of Jonathan Congdon for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of offic[e]
this Eighth day of September
A.D. 1832 
Sam.~ Helme Clerk [signature]
Page 6

Saml Tillinghast
Page 7

Washington Sc. In North Kingston June 24th 1833. Personally appeared, before me  Sylvester G. Shearman of North Kingston in said County of Washington, one of the Justices of the Peace, for said North Kingston, Jonathan Congdon of Exeter, in said County, whose application for a Pension, is hereto annexed, 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 services, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods, mentioned below, and in the following grades. For one year, two months and a half, in the whole, In 1776 I served as a Fifer in the Company of Militia, belonging to the town of Exeter, of which Jonathan Bates was Captain One Month, and in 1777 I served as a substitute, in said Company, for Joseph Reynolds a private and one month in said Company, in the same year, as a substitute for someone else, whose name I have forgotten. In 1778 I enlisted as a Private in a Rhode Island State Regiment, of which John Topham was Colonel in a company commanded by one Benjamin West Captain for the term of Nine Months and served out the term and was discharged on the 16th day of March 1779. In the same year after my discharge I served one month as Substitute for a Private in the Company at South Kingston, commanded by Colonel Wait called the Kingston [illegible] and one month and half a Month I served as a sergeant in the same year, in a Militia Company belonging to the Town of Exeter in which I was enrolled, commanded by a Captain Clarke making in the whole Fourteen & a half months, and for such service I claim a Pension. Jonathan Congdon

Washington Sc. In North Kingston June 24th AD 1833 Personally appeared, before me, the
Page 8

Subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace, for said North Kingston, the Jonathan Congdon, whose name is hereto subscribed as after being by me duly examined, cautioned and sworn, to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, made oath to the Deposition, hereto annexed, which was by me reduced to writing, in his presence, and by him subscribed in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Jonathan Congdon is well known to me, that his character for truth & veracity is good, & that said Affidavit or Deposition, is entitled to full & implicit Credit. Sylvester G. Shearman Justice of the Peace.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Washington Sc. Clerks office Court Common Please. I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court Aforesaid do hereby certify that Sylvester G. Herman Esqr. whose Signature in his own proper hand Writing is hereto prefixed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of North Kingstown in the County of Washington Chosen by the General Assembly Commissioned by the Governor and otherwise Qualified as the Law requires that full faith and Credit ought to be given to his Attestation throughout the United States of America. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court Aforesaid this Twenty fourth day of June in the Year 1833. Saml. Helme Clk.
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I Samuel Tillinghast of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island &c. hereby testify and say on solemn oath that I am well acquainted with Jonathan Congdon of Exeter aforesaid and know that he served in the Company of Capt. Benjamin West of State Troops attached to Col. Dyers Regiment at least 9 months stationed at Tiverton and on Rhode Island. I believe Mr. Congdon to be 71 years of age and know that he sustain a fair character for truth and veracity. Samuel Tillinghast
Subscribed & Sworn to in Open Court Sept. 5. 1832 Witns. Saml. Helme Clk.
Page 10

22809
Jonathan Congdon
R. Island
Segt 1 month 15 days
Fifer 1 "
Private 12 "
14 15
June 15 1833
P416
526
250
758
40
3.69
7.5
21.14
D. I. Pearce
Newport
R. Island
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office, 183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jonathan Congdon Washington Co. R.I.

Period when the service was rendered. Vol 1776 Sub 1777 Enlist 1778
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.
1 2 9 Time not stated positively.
Rank of the Claimant. fifer
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Bates. Clo. West Clark
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers. Col. Dyers. Clo Topham Dyer Clark
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. 1 engagement
Country through which he marched. Wickford Newport Howland ferry Newport
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 71 years Exeter Rhode I. 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary Evidence & 2 Witnesses. 
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamster, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in the law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spied. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance made application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of } ss. On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officer;) the town of county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believe, 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. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And 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 and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of you services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lived in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have bee n a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in the case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, Showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the titles of the claimant, and the opinions of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c]  The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 wodrs; "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 her 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." If it important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law direct 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 wo apply for pensions merely state that 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 shown 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. [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 
Mode of authenticating papers. n 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 papers 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. Proof of Service. [j] 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 claimant's 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. The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and state Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] apples to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
S.F. 21,135
3 - 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ____, 19__
In reply to your request of ____, received ____
for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Congdon
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.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
1776 | 1 Mo. | Fifer | Jonathan Bates | Dyer | R. I.
1776 – 1777 | 2 mos. | Pvt. | Jonathan Bates | [checkmark] | 
June 1778 | Mch. 16. 1779 | “ | Benjamin West | John Topham |
1779 | 1 Mo. | “ | “in Kingston Reds” | Wait |
1779 | 1 1/2 mo | Sqt. | Clarke | [checkmark] |
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Exeter Washington Co. R. I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5 1832 His il. was al.
Residence at date of application, Exeter, R. I.
Age at date of application, b. July 1761 at Exeter R. I. d. Feby 3 1836 *
Remarks:
There is no data as to his family
Respectfully,
* from A.B.
Commissioner.
Page 15

Revolution
21133
INVALID.
File No. 21133
Jonathan Congdon
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32.
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[right side page]
1914 Oct. 10 Hist. to Mrs. O. P.
Newton, V. L. M.
Page 16

[printed emblem] DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Will you please send
me the date of death
of Jonathan Longdon
who was in the Rhode Island
Continental Line and
Whose pension was dated
Mch 4-1833, also the
name of his wife if you 
have it. Yours Truly
Mrs. O. P. Newton
37 Arnold Ave Providence R. I.
Page 17

John J. Congdon
Page 18

I John Congdon of Exeter in the County of
Washington and State of Rhode Island &c
on solemn oath do testify and say that I
am well acquainted with John Congdon
of Exeter in said County I was acquainted with
him before at the time of the of the Revolutionary 
war and am acquainted with him now
I believe him to be Seventy one years of age and
know that he served in the revolutionary
way I know that he served in the malitia
in Capt Jonathan Bates Company Col Dyers Regiment
and I think he served three months
or more as a malitiaman and as a substitute
for others in guarding the shores while the British 
were in possession of Newport. I served with him 
I know that he served nine months in Capt. 
Benjamin West’s company in the States service 
in Col Tophams Regiment I served with him
in the same company and same Regiment I
know that he served at other times. I should
think in the whole as much as two months
or more Mr. Congdon is a neighbor of
mine and I believe his [illegible] for truth and
veracity is good
John Congdon
Subscribed & Sworn to
in Open Court Sept. 5. 1832
Witns. Sam. Helme Clk
Page 19

Rufus Sherman
Page 20

I Rufus Shearman of Exeter in the County
of Washington and State of Rhode island &c
on solemn oath do testify and say that I
am well acquainted with Jonathan Congden
of Exeter and was acquainted with him before and
during the revolutionary war and have been acquard
with him ever since I know that he served in
the company of Capt Jonathan Bates
Col Dyers Regiment and served I think about
three months
Rufus Shearman his X mark
Witness John Hall
In person appeared Rufus Sherman & in Open Court
on the 3d of September 1832 on solemn Oath did declare
that the foregoing did contain the truth
witn.
Sam. Helme Clk