Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,719, John Cranston, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
RI
Cranston, John
NUMBER
S 21.719
CONTENTS
[blank]
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21.905
Rhode Island
John Cranston [torn] Kingston in the State of Rhode Island
who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain Wait of the Regt. commanded by Col. Potter in the Rh. Island line for 18 Months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 60 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Nov 1833 and sent to R. Babcock [illegible] Westerly
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $150
Sem-anl. allowance ending 4 M. '34 [$] 30
[Total] $180
{Revolutionary Claim, Act, June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Gr. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E Vol. 2. Page 105
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[Circular stamp: The National Archives of the United States]
State of Rhode Island
County of Washington } sc.
On this sixteenth day of October AD 1832 personally appeared before Hoxsie Perry one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas ^& General Sessions of the Peace^ within and for the County of Washington, John Cranston, a resident of Westerly in said County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged seventy two 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 7th AD 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 in Jamestown, State aforesaid November 17th AD 1759 the same being entered in his Bible. - At the age of about eleven, removed to North Kingston and afterwards lived on Rhode Island, and in South Kingston and AD 1800 removed to said Westerly, where he has always since lived. - And the Applicant further states that when he resided in South Kingston in the Fall of the year 1776, he joined the independent Company of Militia commanded by Capt. John Wait, in Col. Thomas Potter's Regiment afterwards commanded by Col. Charles Dyer, and was stationed in the Guard from said Company on Point Judith: afterwards at various times on Boston Neck, and early in the Fall of 1777 marched to Bristol, and thence to Tiverton in Spencer's expedition. He continued said service until about the time of his enlistment in the summer of 1778. - 
He states that in the month of June 1778 he enlisted in the Company the Captain of which he cannot recollect. The name of the Lieutenant was Barber Peckham in Col. John Toppin's Regiment and for some accommodation, we in a few days transferred to the Company commanded by Capt. James Parker in Col. Archibald Crary's Regiment - Matthews was Lieutenant of said Company, Samuel Northup Ensign, and William Northup Drum Major for said Regiment - (said William Northup is now Pastor of a church in North Kingston ) - This enlistment was for nine months. Our Company joined the Regiment at Bristol, then marched to Tiverton, and was for a time placed on a Boat Guard, thence on to Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition

CRANSTON, JOHN (A1) S-21719
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and was there at the Battle in August 1778 afterwards returned to Tiverton and remained a short time, and thence to Seconnet in Little Compton, and there served until his time expired, and was discharged on the 16th day of March AD 1779, but had no written discharge - He hereby relinquishes any 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. - 
Before me, Hoxsie Perry, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace. - 
[signature] Hoxsie Perry Justice aforesaid  }  [signature] John Cranston
I William D Wells residing in the town of Westerly Rhode Island and Silas Maxson residing in the same town, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Cranston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy two 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 and year aforesaid - 
[signature] Wm. D Wells
[signature] Silas Maxson
Before me
Hoxsie Perry Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace
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On this twenty second day of April AD 1833, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the town of Westerly and County of Washington, John Cranston, who being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the Fall of 1776 (he thinks in October), he entered the service in the Militia Company commanded by Capt. John Wait in Col. Thomas Potter's Regiment afterwards commanded by Col. Charles Dyer, and in this company performed service (not constantly) until the summer of 1778. - but by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory (which has been much impaired by sickness) he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his aforesaid service - but according to his best recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below - viz. Four - five months stationed as a Guard on shores in Point Judith, and two months [illegible] Guard on shore in Boston neck in South Kingston - also at Tiverton and on Rhode Island [illegible] the former in Spencer's expedition not less than one month at each place - Amounting to nine months service in the militia - 
The said applicant also states that he served nine months in Capt. James Parker's Company in Col. Archibald Crary's Regiment as stated correctly in his declaration, having enlisted in this service in June 1778, all of which time he faithfully served (according to his best recollection) and for said service he claims a Pension. - 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid - 
In Open Court - 
[signature] John Cranston
Witness [Jesse?] Maxson P Clerk
I Jedediah W. Knight a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Westerly County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify that William [Ernst?] of South Kingston whose Deposition was taken before Matthew Waite Esq. and is before annexed, is personally known to me, and that his Statement aforesaid, is entitled to credit and ought to be received in full faith and confidence. -
Given under my hand at Westerly aforesaid the 22nd day of April 1833. -  [signature] Jed. W. Knight Justice of the Peace. - 
I Amos R Wells a Clergyman residing in the Town of North Stonington Connecticut adjoining the Town of Westerly in Rhode Island hereby certify that I am well acquainted by reputation with John Cranston who has subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing declaration that I believe him to be seventy two 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 I concur in that opinion
[signature] Amos R Wells
[illegible] April 22 AD 1833
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Washington County sc
At a Court of Probate holden in Westerly in said County April 22nd AD 1833 personally appeared the above subscriber Amos R. Wells and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the foregoing affidavit and the said Court hereby Certify that the said Amos R. Wells is at this time a respectable Clergyman and weekly officiates as such in this Town. And I Jesse Maxson Clerk of the Court aforesaid hereby Certify that the above contains the proceedings of said Court in reference to the foregoing Certificate of Amos R Wells and further that is also the opinion of said Court that the [the rest of the sentence is cut off]
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[the beginning of this document is the same as the preceding document and where that document ends in a sentence that is cut off, this transcription begins]

[that the] before mentioned John Cranston has made a true statement of his Revolutionary service according to his best recollection And I the said Jesse Maxson, further Certify that Jedediah W. Knight also signed the foregoing Certificate is a Justice of the Peace in said Town & legally qualified to act on said Certificate. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 22nd day of April AD 1833
[signature] Jesse Maxson P Clerk 
[seal affixed to the right]

On this twenty eighth day of October AD 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the town of Westerly and County of Washington, John Cranston who being duly sworn doth depose and say that in the Autumn of 1776 he thinks in the month of October, he commenced service in the Militia Company commanded by Capt. John Wait in Col. Thomas Potter's Regiment afterwards commanded by Col. Charles Dyer, and was stationed as a Guard on Shore on Point Judith in South Kingston and served one month. He further states that he served in said Wait Company, stationed on Point Judith frequently afterwards, as often as called out. from the period aforesaid until the summer of 1778 - the number of times he cannot recollect, used to serve half a month and sometimes a month at one time. - 
He was also ordered in said Company at three different times to Boston neck, in the Spring and Summer of 1777 and served there stationed as a guard on Shore two months - Also in said Company to Tiverton in Spencer's Expedition in the Autumn of 1777, and there served one month - And also in the same Company one month on Rhode Island, he thinks shortly after the British had evacuated that place - The said applicant further states that by reason of old age and more particularly
[document ends]
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On this twenty eighth day of October AD 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the town of Westerly and County of Washington, John Cranston who being duly sworn doth depose and say, that in the Autumn of 1776 he thinks in the month of October, he commenced service in the Militia Company commanded by Capt. John Wait in Col. Thomas Potter's Regiment, afterwards commanded by Col. Charles Dyer, and was stationed as a Guard on Shore on Point Judith in South Kingston, and served one month. He further states that he served in said Wait's Company stationed on Point Judith frequently afterwards, as often as called out from the period aforesaid until the summer of 1778 - the number of times he cannot recollect, used to serve half a month and sometimes a month at one time - He was also ordered in said Company at three different times to Boston neck in the Spring and Summer of 1777 and served there stationed as a Guard on Shore two months - Also in said Company to Tiverton in Spencer's Expedition in the Autumn of 1777, and there served one month - And also in the same Company One Month on Rhode Island he thinks shortly after the British had evacuated that place - The said applicant further states that by reason of old age, and more particularly the loss of his memory caused by ill health, he cannot swear positively as to the precise number of times he was ordered on to Point Judith nor the exact length of his service but according to his best recollection, he served not less than the following mentioned periods. - Five months stationed on Shore on Point Judith - Two months stationed on the Shore on Boston neck - One month at Tiverton, and one month on Rhode Island as above stated, making nine months active service in the Militia - The said Applicant further states, as before stated in his Declaration, that he served nine months in The Continental service in Capt. James Parker's Company in Col. Archibald Crary's Regiment in which he enlisted in
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June 1778 & joined the army at Bristol, thence marched to Tiverton, afterwards on to Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition, thence returned to Tiverton, and lastly to Seconnet in Little Compton, and there served until his time expired, and was discharged but no written discharge for any of the aforesaid service - for all of which he claims a Pension - 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. - 
In Open Court - 
[signature] John Cranston
Witness Jesse Maxson Probate Clerk
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
At a Court of Probate holden in Westerly in said County Oct 28th 1833,
personally appeared the above subscriber John Cranston and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Statement. And I Jesse Maxson Clerk of the Court aforesaid hereby Certify that it is the opinion of said Court that the before mentioned John Cranston has made a true Statement of his Revolutionary services according to his best Recollection. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office the day & date aforesaid
[signature] Jesse Maxson Probate Clerk
Newport Nov 14 1833. I certify that Jesse Maxson is Clerk of the Court of Probate for the town of Westerly and that the above signature is in his proper hand writing & that the seal of s^d Court has [no device?]
Justice of the Peace
[a seal and ribbon attached]
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I William Lunt of South Kingston in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty Seven Years on Solemn Oath testifies and Says that in the Year 1776 I think in the latter part of said Year I Belonged to the Independent Chartered Company in said South Kingston called the Kingston Reds commanded by Capt John Waite and that John Cranston now residing in Westerly in said County of Washington did belong to said Company at said time, and after, and did duty in said Company as a private Soldier but the exact time he belonged to said Company I cannot remember I was a Private in said Company at said time and enlisted out of said Company in Col John Toppins Regiment of States Troops in the fifteen months service so called, and when my term of service had expired in said Toppins Regiment I again joined said independent Company
[signature] W^m Lunt
State of Rhode island sc
Washington sc at South Kingston this 15th day of August AD 1832 Personally came William Lunt Subscriber to the foregoing Deposition and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the same [fold in paper] Mr Matthew Waite J Peace
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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington sc} Clerks Office Court Common Pleas & Gen. Sessions of the Peace Oct. 8th A.D. 1832
I certify that Matthew Waite Esq whose Certificate is hereto annexed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of South Kingston legally chosen and qualified as the law requires that full faith & credit ought to be given to his attestation throughout the United States of America.
I also certify that this signature is his proper hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Courts aforesaid
[signature] Sam Helme Clk
25th
[vertically at right] Mr Lunts Deposition
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And I, Hoxsie Perry one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington aforesaid, do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that, the before named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And also further certify that it appears to me that Wm. D. Wells and Silas Maxson who have signed the ^ preceding Certificate^ are residents of the town of Westerly, both of whom are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. - And I also further certify the the aforesaid Applicant from his bodily infirmity cannot attend the Court, which is the reason of my taking his declaration.
[signature] Hoxsie Perry Justice aforesaid
I Hoxsie Perry Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in the Matter of the Application of John Cranston for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of October AD 1832. - 
[signature] Hoxsie Perry Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington sc. } Clerks Office Court Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace. I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court Aforesaid do hereby Certify that the Hon'ble Hoxsie Perry whose signature is hereto prefixed is a Justice of the Courts Aforesaid Legally chosen and qualified as the Law requires, that full faith & credit ought to be given to his Attestation throughout the United States of America & that the signature is his hand writing. - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this Eighteenth day of October AD 1832
[signature] Sam Helme Clk
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[This a a duplicate of the previous statement signed by Hoxsie Perry Justice  and Sam Helme Clk]
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Record Division
Revolutionary War Section
[initials] MMW
S21719
3-525
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. Aug.19, 1922
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of John Cranston a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed through: (or his widow)] application for pension om file in this Bureau.
[Table follows]
[Column headings] / Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. / Length of service. / Rank. / Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. / State. / 
[row 1] / Oct. 1776 / {9 mos. at various times / Pvt. / Capt John Wait Cols Thomas Potter, Charles Dyer / R.I. /
[row 2] / June 17 1778 to March 16, 1779 / / [Pvt] / Capt not stated, Capt James Parker / Cols. John Lapham, Archibald Crary / [R. I.] /
[end of Table]
Battles engaged in, Rhode Island
Residence of soldier at enlistment, South Kingston, R.I.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 16, 1832 His cl. [claim] was al. [allowed]
Residence at date of application, Westerly, Washington Co., R.I.
Age at date of application, Born Nov. 17, 1759 in JamesTown, R.I.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to family.
Respectfully, [no signature] Commissioner.
[Form] 5-2856
[note at bottom] (Spencer's & Sullivan's Ex. [Expedition] omitted because R.I. battle [illegible]
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15.765
John Cranston
R.I.
Return i
Private 18 mos
aom'd[?]
Romeo[?] Babcock Jr
Westerly
R I.
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War Department
Pension Office
8 Nov^r 1833
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 compling [complying] with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
[Table follows]
[Table heading] A Statement, shewing the Service of John Cranston
[Column headings] / Period when the service was rendered. / Duration of the claimant's service. / Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. / Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. / Proof by which the declaration is supported. /
[row 1] / Oct. 1776 / 5 [months] / priv / Capt Wait, Col Potter / 73 years, South Kingston R.I. / Living Witnesses [spans all rows] / 
[rows 2-4] / From 76 to 78 in towns { / 2 mos, 1 mo, 2mo / [no officer names] / [same as above] / [same as above / 
[row 5] / 1778 / 9 [mos] / [blank] / Cap Parker, Col Crary / R.I. / [blank] / 
[row 6] [Total time in service] 18 mo
[row 7] [Note:] on roll of Col Crary Rgt
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, Teamsters, 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 military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.
The Regular Troops.
Q.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
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, make 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 } ss.
On this
day of
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, Teamsters, 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 military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.
The Regular Troops.
Q.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.
Indian Spies.
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, make 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 } 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 officers;) the
town or 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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 and subscribed the days 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
Page 17

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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 your 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 lives 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 been 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
inquiry 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 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 title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[footnotes]
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will to
conforming to the rule.
(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 clamant 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 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 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
served as a For---- months, and --- days, I served as a ------and for such service I claim a pension
It is important in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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,
indefinite, and all such quantifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in them, without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
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 fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has not 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.
In 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 who
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[illegible] 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) applies 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 18

Revolution
21719
Invalid.
File No. 21.719
John Cranston
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7, '32
Index: - Vol. 2[?], Page 85
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[on facing page]
Mch. 24. 1897. History
Mr. Charles A. Dubosq[?]
4233 Regent Square
W. Philadelphia Penna
1922 Aug. 21 - Hist. to Mr. Herbert O. Brigham. [initials] MM D[?]
Page 19

I William Northup of North Kingston in the County of Washington and State of Rhode [Island] of the age of Seventy two years on Solemn oath do testify and say that I am now at this time personally acquainted with John Cranston now residing in the Town of Westerly in the County of Washington aforesaid and have been so acquainted with said Cranston for Sixty years past, and to my certain knowledge the said Cranston did serve as a private soldier in Capt James Carters Company in the Regiment commanded by Col Archibald Crary said Regiment being state troops in the Revolutionary war. I at said time belonged to said [illegible] Company and was Drum Major of said Regiment
[signature] William Northup
State of Rhode Island sc Washington sc South Kingstown August 14th AD 1832
Personally came Elder William Northup and made Solemn affirmation to the truth of the above deposition and that his testimony is entitled to full credit - 
Before me Matthew Meade Ju. Peace
Cranston, John (R.I.) S-21719
Page 20

Elder Wm Northup
Deposition
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Washington sc} Clerk's Office Court Common Pleas & Gen. Sessions of the Peace Oct^r AD 1832
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court Aforesaid do hereby certify that Matthew Waite Esq whose Certificate is hereto annexed is a Justice of the Peace for Town of South Kingstown legally chosen and qualified as the Law requires that full faith and Credit ought to be given to his Attestation throughout the United States in Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court Aforesaid I also certify that the Signature of Matthew Waite is his proper hand writing.
[signature] Wm. Helme Clk
Page 21

[Oval stamp: Office of The Commissioner U. S. Bureau of Pensions, July 21 1922]
Herbert O. Brigham Commissioner
[State seal of Rhode Island]
State Record Commissioner
State House
Providence
July 20, 1922.
Washington Gardner, Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: - 
Will you kindly furnish the pension record of John Cranston, Private, Rhode Island Militia, placed on the Pension Roll 1833, age 74, residence Washington County, noted in the Census of Pensioners, 1840, as residing in Westerly, age 87.
Thanking you for previous favors,
Very truly yours,
[signature] Herbert O. Brigham
State Record Commissioner.
HOB-D