Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 2871, for John Sisson, Rhode Island
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(8-1776).
SERVICE
R.I.
Sisson, John
Susan
NUMBER
W2871

CONTENTS
[none added]
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[darkened and some text obscured by blotches]

Rhode Island
John Sisson
Bristol in the [obscured: State of?] R.I.
He was a private in the company [obscured: commanded by?]
of Captain [blank] of the regt^ [obscured: commanded by?]
Col J Cook in the R.I. [line?] for 15 Mos 20 Days
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of [obscured]
at the rate of 52 [obscured: Dollars?] 22 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 17^th day of Dec^r 1832 and [two words illegible]
 illegible] Warren R.I.
[double line]
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 $78.33
Semiannl [semiannual] allowance [obscured] [illegible] $26.11
[short double line]
[Total] $104.44
[short double line]
Revolutionary claim,
Act June 7, 1833 
[above two lines in braces]
Recorded by I [illegible] Blair Clerk,
Book [Do?]  Vol. 3rd  Page [134 or 184]
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2232
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7^th, 1832.
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, County of Bristol ss. [word crossed through] On this sixteenth day of July A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting at Bristol within and for said County of Bristol, John Sisson, a resident of Warren in the County of Bristol in said State, aged seventy four years and upward, 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^th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.  In the fore part of the month of October A.D. 1776 he enlisted into Captain Thomas Allin's Company in Colonel John Cook's Regiment of said Rhode Island line for the term of three months, and he served as a private soldier in said Company [obscured] Newport in said State until the British fleet arrived at said Newport, when he retreated with said company to Bristol in said State, where he served until the expiration of said three months, when he was discharged.
On the sixteenth of March A.D. 1777 he enlisted into Captain Caleb Cain's Company in Colonel Archibald [Cavany's?] Regiment in the Rhode Island line, and served as a private soldier in said Company until the sixteenth day of March A.D. 1778, being one year, when he was discharged. He served in said Company about two months in Tiverton near Howland's Ferry, and thence marched to Bristol where he served until about the time of General Spencer's Expedition on Rhode Island, whence he marched with said Company from Bristol to Little Compton in said state and remained there about one month, when he again came back with said Company to Bristol, where he served until said 16^th of March A.D. 1778. Walter Channing was Lieutenant of said Company. John Topham was Lieutenant Colonel of said Regiment; and said Regiment was attached to the Brigade under the Command of Brigadier Ezekiel Connell. He was drafted and served as a private soldier in General Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island for the term of [twenty?] days in August A.D. 1778, and was there during the great storm. He served in Capt. Curtis Cole Company of Militia.
He was born in Warren in said State on the 17^th day of February A.D. Seventeen hundred fifty eight, and his age is recorded in the Town Clerk's office in said Warren, a copy of which record is here produced to the Court. He lived in said Town of Warren when he entered said service, [obscured] lived in said Town since the Revolutionary War, and still lives in said Town of Warren.
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no written discharges were given to the private soldiers, he was discharged verbally by the commanding officers. He has no documentary evidence of his service and he knows of no person but James Goff, [two words crossed through] James [W.?] Brayton whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He is known to the following persons in his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution, viz. Col. Benjamin Cole and Ebenezer Luther Esq. He is not personally acquainted with any clergyman in his neighborhood. 
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 & Year aforesaid.
[signature] [Attor?] Ichabod Dennis Clerk  
[signature] John Sisson
We Benjamin Cole and Ebenezer Luther both residing in Warren in the aforesaid County of Bristol, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Sisson, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age and upwards; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
[signature] [Attor?] Ichabod Dennis Clerk
[signature] Ebenezer Luther
[signature] Benji Cole

[Typed statements on separate paper attached to the above declaration at the bottom. Handwritten entries in braces { }]
And the 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 {Ebenezer Luther} who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in the {Town of Warren aforesaid}  and that {Benjamin Cole} who has also signed the same is a resident in the {Town of Warren aforesaid} and [word crossed through] ^are^ credible person{s} and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signature] [Attor?] Ichabod Dennis Clerk
I {Ichabod Dennis} Clerk of the Court of {Common Pleas} do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of {John Sisson} for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 1[5?] day of July AD 1832
[signature] [Attor?] Ichabod Dennis Clerk
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910
[torn] [R]hode Island
[torn] [S]usan Sisson
[torn] [wid]ow of John Sisson
who served in the Revolutionary
[torn] a Private
Rhode Island line
Inscribed of the Roll at the rate of 52 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4^th day of March, 1848.
[torn] [Cer]tificate of Pension issued the 24^th day of Febry 1852 and sent to B. Cowell Esq. Providence R.I.
[blotted out] on Roll of Pensioners under act [blotted out] 1848, Page 54, Vol [A?]
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[Typed certificate with border decoration. Handwritten entries in braces { }]

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations. [in brace]
[to the right] TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE, WARREN, {July 11^th, 1832} 18{32}
{John Sisson} son of {John Sisson} and {Mary -} his wife, was born on the 17^th day of {February} A. D. {Seventeen hundred fifty eight 1758.} A true copy of record.
Witness [signature] Samuel Randall
Town Clerk.
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No 1155
Susan Sisson
widow of John
R.I.
Act 29 July 1848.

Married 1797
Hus^d [Husband] died 1839.

Adm. 15 mos 20 days
[illegible] $$52:22 per ann.
Com g 4 March 1848

B. Cowell
Providence
R. I.
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State of Rhode Island
County of Bristol sc [scilicet, Latin for namely or jurisdiction]
On this the 27^th day of September AD 1851 personally appeared before me Levi Hail associate Justice of the Supreme Court of said State Susan Sisson now resident in Warren in said County aged 76 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress granting pensions to Widows of Revolutionary officers & privates passed July 28^th 1848, viz said Susan declares that she is the widow of John Sisson late of said Warren deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution & when the act of Congress of June 7 1832 was passed he applied for & obtained a pension under the provisions of said act at the rate of $52.22 per annum payable at the Agency for paying pensions of the United States in the City of Providence which pension he received up to the time of his death, and she further declares that her husband the said John departed this life on the twelfth day of January AD 1839 and since that period she remained his widow, and she
[continued on another page]
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[continued prom a previous page]

further declares that she was married to the said John Sisson on the Eleventh day of June 1797 in the town of Swanzy [today Swansea, MA] a town adjoining said Warren altho in the State of Massachusetts, she was married by Christopher Masason Esq a Justice of the Peace but she knows of no record of her marriage either public or private and she further declares, that by the Act of July 1, 1848 or joint resolve of Congress she is entitled to the same pension her husband drew in his lifetime for his services during the war of the Revolution, and she requests that a certificate may [be?] granted to her to receive it
[signature] Susan her X mark Sisson
Witness, [signature] Phebe T Simmons
The State of Rhode Island sc [scilicet]
Bristol sc in Warren, September 27^th AD 1851
Personally appeared before me, the above named Susan Sisson and made oath to the truth of the above declaration to which she affixed her mark in my presence and in presence of Phebe T. Simmons as the subscribing witness. And I further certify, that from infirmity of age said Susan is unable to attend [Court?] and  I also
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certify that her statements are entitled to full credit.
[signature] Levi Hail Justice of the Supreme Court [illegible mark beneath signature]
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I Malinda Usher of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island aged Seventy five years do on oath testify and say that I am well acquainted with Susan Sisson, widow of John Sisson a soldier of the Revolution, I was also well acquainted with him in his life time, I have distinct recollection also of his marriage with the said Susan, - I saw her when she went to be married, altho I did not see her married, yet according to my best recollection it was in the summer of 1797. I also remember when her husband died He died Jany 12^th 1839, & since that period she has remained his widow. I resided in Swanzey when the above marriage took place
[signature] Malinda her X mark Usher
Witness [signature] Phebe T Simmons
State of Rhode Island Sc.
Bristol Sc in Warren September 27^th 1851.
[illegible] the above named Malinda Usher made oath to the truth of the above deposition, to which she
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made her mark in my presence and in presence of Phebe E. Simmons the subscribing witness. And I certify that she is entitled to full credit. Before me,
[signature] Levi Haile Justice of the Supreme Court
[illegible notation below signature]
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The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence, sc.
Clerk's Office Supreme Court
Providence October 6^th A. D. 1851.
I, Edwin Metcalf Clerk of the Supreme Court of said State for the County of Providence do hereby certify that Levi Haile who subscribed the two foregoing certificates is and was at the dates thereof one of the Associates Justices of said Supreme Court, duly appointed commissioned and sworn and known and acting as such, and that both said signatures purporting to be his are genuine and true.
In attestation whereof I hereto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court the day and year abovewritten.
Edwin Metcalf Clerk.

[seal affixed upper left of document]
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I Susanna Mason of Swanzey in the County ^of Bristol^ in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy four years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with John Sisson late of Warren in the State of Rhode Island. I remember he married a woman by the name of Susan Reed ^the^ time of her marriage I remember from my own. I was married fifty years ago this present month and the said Susan was married four years at least before I was the said John was a pensioner at ^the^ time of his death they were married in said Swanzey according to my best recollection - - - - - -
[signature] Susannah Mason
Swanzey September the 15^th 1851 -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts - 
Bristol ss. September the 15^ 1851 -
Then personally ^appeared^ before me the Subscriber the above named Susannah Mason and ^made^ oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her signed and I further certify she is well known to me that the said Susannah Mason is a credible witness.
Thomas Peck Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Bristol
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol
Town Clerk Swansey October 1. 1851
I John Mason of Swansey in said County do certify that I am Town Clerk of said town and hold by virtue of my office the records of marriages which are recorded in the Books which are kept for recording them. And I further certify that after a careful examination I cannot find any record of the marriage of John Sisson to Susan Reed, and I further certify that I believe many marriages have taken place in said town which never have been recorded
John Mason Town Clerk of the Town of Swansey

Bristol SS. October 1^st 1851
Personally appeared before me the above named John Mason known to me as the town Clerk of said Swansey and made oath to the truth of the preceding certificate by him signed
[signature] George Austin
Justice of the Peace
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Swansea Ms
Oct 2
[to the right] 5
Benjamine Cowell Esq
Providence
RI
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I Clarissa Sadler of Deighton in the Count of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify & say that I am the  - eldest child of John Sisson late of Warren in the State of Rhode Island & Susan Sisson his wife, who is now his widow, and I further testify that I am now fifty three years of age, I was born in said Warren where my Father lived & died & where my Mother now lives, My Father was a pensioner when he died which was about twelve years ago & since that period my Mother has remained his widow I have no record of my age but the above is the correct Statement of it
[signature] Clarissa Sadler
Bristol ss September 25, 1851
Personally appeared before me the above mentioned Clarissa Sadler and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by her signed and I further certify that she is a credible witness in the [illegible: promises?]
[signature] Leonard Gooding [brace] Justice of the Peace
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { }]

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
[decorative line]
Secretary's Office, Boston, {October 4^th 1851}
I Hereby Certify, That {George Austin, Thomas Park and Leonard Gooding are now, and have been for the last six months, Justices of the Peace for the County of Bristol,} in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to {their} acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
[faint signature] {[Illegible] Walker}
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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[illegible writing at top: possibly 2232]
Jno Sisson
Private
R. I.
W.C.E
1 years 7 mos & 20 days
The papers not properly authenticated
Levi Haile
Warren RI.
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

{2232}
Brief in the case of {John Sisson of Warren Bristol Cy} in the State of {R. Island}
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? {a Court}
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? { - }
3.  How old is he? {74}
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Table.]
 [Column Headings:]Period / Duration of Service - Years, Months, Days. / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
/ In 17{76 fore part of October} / {- 3 [Months] -} / {private} / {Capt. Allen Col. Cook R.I. Line} [underlined]
/ {1777 - 16 march - 16 March 78 / { - 1 [Years] ------} / {" --} [private] / {Capt. Carr Col Cavany -- do} [R.I. Line]
/ {1778 Augt ---} / {--- ---- 20 [Days] } / { " } [private] / {Sullivan's expedition. Capt Col [illegible] }
[End of Table]
5.  In what battles was he engaged? {None mentioned}
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? {Warren}
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? {2 Living Witnesses}
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? { no clergymans certificate papers [word crossed through] [word substituted possibly served] [word illegible] but the Clerk signs them}
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] W.C. Easlar
Examining Clerk
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

{Rev.} [On a slant at upper left]
WIDOW, &c.
[decorative line]
File No. {2871}
{Susan Sisson}
{Widow}
{John Sisson}
{Pri. Rev. War}
[decorative line]
Act: {July 29, 1848}
Index: - Vol. {M.}, Page {214.}
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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2232
Jno Sisson
Private
1 year 3 Mos & 20 days
ad[illegible]
$52.22
[at bottom]
Levi Haile
Warren R I
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in red ink, will apply to the claim of {Jno Sisson} which require further proof or explanation.
I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? {Yes}
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? {Yes}
III.  If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? {----}
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? {Yes}
V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? {Yes}
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? {Yes}
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? {Yes}
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion? {Yes}
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate? {Yes}
X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? {Yes}
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[page] 2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their brief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? {No}
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? {Yes}
XIII.  If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? {-----}
XIV. [footnote sign] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? {Yes}
XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? {Yes}
XVI.  [++ arranged as for a footnote] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? {No} [{Yes} crossed through]
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? {Yes}
[line]
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. R. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ---- year -----months and ------- days, I served as a ---------; and for such service I claim a pension."
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[page] 3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italics] about three or four months [close italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
[footnote symbol] QUERE XIV. [italics] Proof of Service. [close italics]
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
[++footnote]QUERE XVI. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [close italics]
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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Providence Oct 6 1851
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Susan Sisson widow of John Sisson for a pension under the Act of Congress of July 29 1848.
I am respectfully
your obt svt [obedient servant]
Benja [Benjamin] Cowell

[bottom of page] J E Heath Esq
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[Form with handwritten entries in braces { } ]

Brief in the case of {Susan Sisson, widow of John Sisson, Bristol} County and State of {Rhode Island.} act {29 July 1848.}
[line across page]
Claims, ("original" [or "for increase." crossed through] )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
{Husband was a pensioner}
{Marriage proved by living witness}
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
[blank]
Name and residence of Agent
{B. Cowell}
{Providence}
{R.I}

[to the right] { [S? Cole}
Examining Clerk.
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I James Goff of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations of the age of seventy two years and upwards, on solemn oath, do testify and say, that in the fore part of the month of October A.D. 1776, I enlisted into Captain Thomas Allin's Company in Colonel John Cook's Regiment of the Rhode Island line and served as a private soldier in said company during the term of three months; and John Sisson of Warren in the County and State aforesaid enlisted into said Company at the same time, and he served as a private soldier in said Company during the whole of said term of three months and was discharged at the same time I was, and I further testify and say, that on or about the 16^th of June A.D. 1777 I enlisted into said Captain Thomas Allin's Company in Col. Archibald Cavany's Regiment of the Rhode Island line and I served in said Company for the term of nine months. During all which time said John Sisson served as a private soldier in Captain Caleb Carr's Company in said Col. Cavany's Regiment; said Sisson had enlisted into said Company three months before I enlisted and he served twelve months in said Company and was discharged when said Regiment was discharged March 16^th A.D. 1778. I also served in Captain Curtis Cole's Company of militia forty days in July & August A.D. 1778, during twenty days of which time said John Sisson served as a private soldier in said Curtis Cobb Company we served on Rhode Island and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Waltham Miller.
[signature] James Goff
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 16 day of July AD 18[illegible:32?]
Attest Ichabod Dennis Clerk
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I James W. Brayton, of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, aged seventy four years and upwards on solemn oath, do testify [do testify repeated and crossed through] and say, that I enlisted on or about the middle of December A.D. 1776 into Captain Caleb Carr's Company in Col. Archibald Cavany's Regiment of the Rhode Island line, and served in said Company fifteen months; and that John Sisson, of Warren aforesaid enlisted into said Company on or about the 16^th of March A.D. 1777, and said Sisson served as a private soldier in said Company during the whole of the term of twelve months and was discharged with me when said Company and Regiment was discharged.
[signature] James W. Brayton ["B" in signature is fractured]
Sworn in open Court ^and subscribed^ this 16 day of July AD 1832
Attest Ichabod Dennis Clerk