Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,676, Richard Bush, R.I.
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Service R.I.
Bush, Richard
Number S. 21,676
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Died Nov. 4 - 1835 (A.B)
6929
Rhode Island
Richard Bush
of Newport in the state of R.I. who was a Sergt in the company commanded by Captain Potter of the Regt commanded by Col Sands in the Rhode Island line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Map Rhode Island at the sale of 65 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of March 1833 and sent to [illegible] D J Pearce Fb. Re
Arrears to 4th of March, 1833 130.00
Semi anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 32.30
162.50
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd, Clerk
Book D Vol. 3 Page 104
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12.268
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State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Newport [illegible] Newport
On this fifteenth day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the court of probate, now holden in and for said town of Newport. Richard Bush a resident in said  Newport, aged seventy seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath declared in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 that in December 1776 the British having taken possession of Rhode Island, he removed from Newport to South Kingstown in said state and was there enrolled in Capt. Samuel Potter's company in Col Ray Sand's regiment of Rhode Island Militia & for four months was actually employed if not for a longer time in guarding the Narragansett shore that during this period he served in three companies of the same regiment commanded by Captains Potter, Babcock, and Albro several times drafted & was a substitute often in the places (among others whose names he has forgotten) of James Robson & Robert Browning both of South Kingstown [illegible] - that in the year 1778, but in what month he cannot remember, he enlisted for nine months under one Major Williams in the State Service, and during the term of his enlistment was employed in the commissary Store at North Kingstown under commissary Joseph Spencer Taylor but he is unable to state with certainty into what company or regiment he enlisted as he never joined the regiment - that he believes that during part of his time of service as last mentioned, a massachusetts company, in the
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[continued from previous page]
Continental Service was stationed about two miles from said commisary store & he was acquainted with John Yonmans a Lieutenant in said Company - he further states that he was born in Jamestown in said state on Nov. 24th 1754 as appears by the record here produced in court - that he has no documentary evidence of his services aforesaid & never received any written discharge tho twice regularly discharged from service - that since the Revolutionary War he has resided wholly at said Newport - that he knows of no person living who can testify to his service further than appears in evidence by the annexed testements  of Ebeneze Can and Samuel Young ["and Samuel Young" was inserted later above the line] - he refers to Col. Benjamin Fry [written above a cross out of Lentac G. Pence, Esq.] and the Reverend Michael Eddy, for his veracity & their belief of his service first aforesaid he acted as sargeant but for how long a time he is unable to remember.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signature] Bley B Howland  Peobtalk 
[signature] Richard Bush
We Michael Eddy, clergyman & Benjamin Fry, merchant [written above scratched out Lentac G. Pence, Esquire & Benjamin Fry, merchant] both residing in Newport [illegible] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Bush who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age: that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we [illegible]  in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signature] Bley B Howland 
[signature] Michael Eddy, Pastor of 1st Batist Church in Newport
[signature] Benjamin Fry
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and the said Count do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatones prescribed by the war Department, that the above Named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the Count further Certifies, that it appears to them that Michael Eddy who had signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Newport aforesaid, and that Benjamin Fry who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Newport, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I Benjamin B Howland clerk of the Count of Probate, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said count in the Matter of the application of Richard Bush for a pension. 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this Fifteenth day of September AD Eighteen hundred and thirty two. Benjamin B Howland. Probate Clerk
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12. 268
Richard Bush
Sergt
13 Months
Ach
ob 14
Jan 26. 1833
Ha DT Pearce
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Brief in the case of Richard Bush 
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? 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period: In 1776 enlisted 1778, 
Duration of Service: -- years, 4 months, -- days
                                    --years, 9 months, -- days
Rank: As a Sergeant, A Lieutant Commissary
Name of General and Field Officers under whom he served: Capt. S. Potter Col. Ra Sands; Capts. Babcock & Albre----- Major Williams; Commissary S. S. Taylor
5. In what battles was he engaged? None
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Kingston, R. I
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary & 2 witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as a form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
x Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. S. Waugh Examining Clerk. Jany. 21. 1833.
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June 11. 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/MMHF/eel
Richard Bush-S.21676
Miss Irene Tate
15 Joy Street
Boston, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Richard Bush, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, of Newport County, Rhode Island, who received pension because of his services.

The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claims, S.21676, based upon the military service of Richard Bush in that war.

Richard Bush was born November 24, 1754, in Jamestown, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not shown.

In December, 1776, he moved from Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, to South Kingston, Rhode Island, where he enlisted and served four months or more as sergeant in Captains Samuel Potter's, Babcock's and Albro's Companies, under Colonel Ray Sands in the Rhode Island Troops, and guarded the Narragansett shores: He again enlisted and served about nine months during 1777 and 1778, as assistant commissary under Commissary of Stores, Joseph Spencer Taylor, at North Kington, Rhode Island.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 15, 1832, while a resident of Newport, Rhode Island, where he had resided since the Revolution.

He died November 4, 1835, place not shown.

There are no data as to soldier's family.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
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12.268
Richard Bush





(Dutee?) J. Pearce
House of Rep's
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Richard Bush 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 amout 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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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
2 resident [illegible] [crossed out] Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [something illegible crossed out]
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? witnesses
XIV. + 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
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No
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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

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. 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 he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: 
For ____ year ____months and ____days. I served as a ____. For ____year ____months and _____ days. I served as a ____. For ____ months and ____ days, I served as a _____; and forsuch service I claim a pension."
For months
and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension."
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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 about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 be 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
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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Revolution
21676
INVALID.
File No. 21676
Richard Bush
Sergt  [illegible]

Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 57
{Arrangement of 1870}

[Facing Page]
1925 Sept. 28 - Hist. to Mrs
N.R. Birch - [illegible]
1935, June 11 - Hist to Miss Irene Tate - EL
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I, Ebenezer Carr of Jamestown in the county of Newport in the state of Rhode Island, yeoman, on solemn oath declare, that I am well acquainted with Mr. Richard Bush of Newport in said state and that desiring must of the time in the years 1777 & 1778. Said Bush was an assistant to commissary Joseph Spencer Taylor where store was at the foot of the ten rods road in North Kingstown in said state and that I often received from said Bush provisions for Captain Edward Carr's company of Jamestown militia then going out on the Narrgansett Shore in which company I served as a private - but I do not know how long said Richard Bush served or whether he was enlisted.
[signed] Ebenezer Carr

State of Rhode Island
Newport se. Newport Sept 11, 1832. There personally appeared before me the above named Ebenezer Carr and the preceding statement being reduced by me to writing in his presence & read to him, made oath to the truth of the same and the same subscribed in my presence - the said Carr is represented to me by those in whose veracity I can confide as a person whose statement ought to be believed.
[signature] Wm. Ennis
Justice of the Peace
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I Samuel Young of Newport in the state of Rhode Island, fisherman, aged seventy six years was drafted in [crossed out]  substitute in the place of one Browning for one month in Capt Potter's company in Col. Ray Sands' regiment of militia and served during that period in guarding the Narragansett shore - and that during my said services which was soon after the British took possession of Rhode Island  [illegible]   Mr. Richard Bush, now of Newport aforesaid was a sergeant in said company but how long he served I am unable to declare.
[signature] Samuel Young

State of Rhode Island
Newport so. Newport Sep. 14, 1832. There personally appeared the above named Samuel Young before me & the above statement being reduced to writing by me in his presence and read to him, made oath to the truth of the same and the same subscribed in my presence - said Young is said by those men known to me as respectable man to be a person of veracity that his statement ought to be believed - 
[signature} Wm. Ennis
Justice of the Peace
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William Ennis [illegible] named is to my knowledge a Just. of the peace
Justice of Peace
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[round stamp] U.S. Pension Office 3 Aug 1 1925
P.O. Box 128
Kingston, R.I.
July 31, 1925.
Dear Sir, Please send me all information possible concerning Richard Bush, Jr. from Newport Nov. 24, 1754. moved to So. Kingston 1777. He was a pensioner and died Nov 1835. Where was he living at the time of the Rev. War? Thanking you in advance I am Yours truly
[signature] (Mrs) H.R. Birch
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[round stamp] Received May 28 1935 Mail (illegible] Vets Adm [illegible]
15 Joy Street
Boston, Massachusetts
May 27, 1935

Director
Veteran's Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the information contained in the application for Revolutionary Pension of Richard Bush, Newport County, Rhode Island.
I desire particularly any relationships and places of residence, with dates, and shall appreciate any item concerning these which you can give me.
Enclosed you will find a self-addressed, stamped envelope for your convenience in replying.
Thanking you for any information you may give me, I remain,
Yours very sincerely,
[signature] Irene Tate
(miss) Irene Tate.
encl.
[handwritten note at bottom] no envelope enclosed when rec. in Rev. 178 [illegible] [initialed] F
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section
September 28, 1925
Mrs. H. R. Birch
Kingston, P. O. Box 128
Rhode Island
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 21676 it appears that Richard Bush was born November 24, 1754 in Jamestown, Rhode Island.
In December 1776 he moved from Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island to South Kingston, Rhode Island, enlists and served four months or more as Sergeant in Captains
Samuel Potter's, Babcock's and Albro's Companies, under Colonel Ray Sands in the Rhose Island Troops guarding the
Narragansett Shores.
He enlisted and served nine months or more during 1777 and 1778 as Assistant Commissary under Commissary of
Stores Joseph Spencer Taylor at North Kingston, Rhode Island
.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
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September 15, 1832 while a resident of Newport, Rhode Island where he had resided always since the Revolution. He died November 4, 1835.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.