Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,718, for Daniel Sunderlin, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn. 
R. I. 
Sunderlin, Daniel
NUMBER  S. 17.718
carded
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4974 
Rhode Island 
Daniel Sunderlin  
of Washington in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain – of the Regt commanded by Col Wadsworth in the R. I. & Conn  line for 8 Mos  27 Days 
Inscribed on the Roll of R I at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of Jany 1833 and Sent Hon D. J. Pearce of H. of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832   $44.49 
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar ‘33 14.83    
$59.32 
[Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by J. H. McBlair Clerk 
Book D. Vol. 3ra Page 134.
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14,172
Dan’l Sunderlin
Private
8 Months & 27 days
Admd [admitted]
W.C.E.
$29.66
Ob 10 & 16
Jany 22 ’33
P 209
Hon D. J. Pearce
H. of Reps
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14,172
BRIEF in the case of Dan’l Sunderlin 
of Washington in the State of R. Island
(Act 7th 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?   76
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  Spring of ‘76    Duration of Service.  Rank.  private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Bissell, Col. Wadsworth
Period.  Augt ’76   Duration of Service.   27 days   Rank. private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt R’t Bailey, Col. Harvey
Period.  fall of ’76   Duration of Service.   3 months   Rank.  private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt. Parker, Col. Cooke
Period.   5 or 6 weeks afterward   Duration of Service.   3 months   Rank.  private Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Lt. Coon, (don’t remember the captain), Col. Potter
Period.  fall of ’77   Duration of Service.  1 month   Rank.  private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Capt Bates, Col. Dyer
Period.  spring of ’78   Duration of Service.  1 month  Rank.  private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Reynolds,  Col. Dyer
Period.  August ’78   Duration of Service.  #   Rank. private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Reyolds,  Col. Dyer
5. In what battles was he engaged? Battle of Rhode Island under Gen’l Sullivan
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   Hartford Ct,  Richmond R.I.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  4 living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
The declaration is improperly put together.  The seal has no distinguishing mark in them on the declaration or affidavit.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
N. C. Easton
Examining Clerk
# His whole term of service he say was 9 months} 17 Jan 1833
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Island by the General Assembly of this State, as he understood at the time.  They were engaged in getting in readiness to go on to the Island, getting or there taking care of collecting together and bringing off the Stock.  Twenty seven days and they were dismissed. In the fall of the year 1776, he then being in the twentieth year of his age, he enlisted into a company of State troops commanded by James Parker Captain and attached to the Regiment of Colonel John Cooke, and marched on to the Island of Rhode Island, and encamped on the Point so called in Newport and were encamped there, when the British Fleet came into Newport. The matches we lighted, to fire upon the Enemy, but before the firing the Enemy forces being as much superior to the American troops stationed there, we were ordered to retreat, to Howlands Ferry.  At the expiration of his term of three months, he was discharged, but had no written discharge.  He staid at home five or six weeks, and then he enlisted into the three month service again, into a Company of which a Lieutenant Coon was commander.  He does not remember the name of the Captain at the Company, were kept under the command of Coon. The Company were embodied and marched to [unreadable]  Neck North Kingsford & there guarded the coast for three months, the enemy being in possession of Newport.  There he served out the whole three months, and was quartered at the house of one Daniel Hall.  Their was three or four companies or parts of companies, stationed at the same place, and were all under the command of Col Thomas Potter.  At the end of the three months, he was discharged, but had no written discharge.   In the Fall of the year 1777, he was drafted out of the Militia, and placed into a company commanded by [unreadable], Jonathan Porter Captain, Stephen Whitman Lt., & Daniel Tillinghast Ensign,  Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment.  The part of the Regiment which was called out, was marched through Warren in the County of [unreadable]  and embarked at Harriet Neck and crossed over to Trenton, where General Spencers forces were encamped for the purpose of landing on Rhode Island to take the same from the Enemy.  No landing was made on the Island, but the Army was discharged, he was absent on this expedition one month. In the Spring of 1778, he was drafted into Capt Robert Reynolds Company of Infantry, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
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Connecticut, several miles above Hartford, in the Connecticut River. At the time, the British sallied out from Boston, and the Lexington Fight took place, he belonged to a Company of Militia, in the State of Connecticut, of which one Aaron Bissell was Captain in Colonel Wadsworths Regiment, the Company was ordered out, and marched towards Lexington but halted at Concord, where they remained for about twenty four hours, after being out in this manner some days, he returned home.  That in the spring of 1775 as he thinks, or about that time or afterwards he left Connecticut and came back to Rhode Island settled in Richmond, the town adjoining to the Town of Exeter, where he now lives.  And there at the age of Nineteen years, he enlisted out of Captain Elisha Bailey Company of Militia, to which he belonged the month of August of that year, into a company of troops raised by the State, command by Lt.  Newman [unreadable]  for the purpose of taking off the stock of the Island of Block Island, and went on to the Island, and was there, under the command of Captain Ethan Clarke, who commanded another Company on the Island, on and likewise he having the oldest or highest Commission, their was about three hundred & Fifty men that were armed on the Island. Their was many British Cruiser on the coast there & it was apprehended, that they would land on the Island take & carry off the stock, & it was ordered to remove from the
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DECLARATION. 
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832. 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF Washington } ss 
On this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Daniel Sunderlin a resident of Exeter in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy Six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as here stated. 
He has no record of his age. He was born in Exeter, where he now lives & had lived there ever since the Revolution.
In the 18th  year of his age, he died at East Windsor, in the State of [unreadable] 
& Eber Sherman of Exeter who is acquainted with him and will testify 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Daniel Sunderlin  
We William B. Bliven residing in the town of Exeter and Eber Sherman Jr. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Sunderlin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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. 
William B. Bliven 
Eber Sherman Jr.  
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 - who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a resident in - and that also – 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 Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Qtr Sessions of the peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Daniel Sunderland for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of September 1832.
Sam. Helme Clk 
I certify the above name to be the handwriting of Samuel Helme & the seal that of his court.   
Dexter J. Pearce
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59 Declaration of Daniel Sunderlin 
Danl Sunderlin
Recd [unreadable] of Mr. Potter
14172
S. Helme
Mr. Pearce
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Charles Dyer.  He and a part of the Company were marched to the shore in North Kingston, when he stood guard one month, and was discharged. In August 1778, he was again drafted or called out and placed under the command of the same Captain, in the same Regiment and carried over to Rhode Island, in the time of General Sullivans Expedition, and was united to the troops under his command.  He was in the engagement on R. Island. The whole term of service was nine months.  He never came under any Continental Officers except Spencer and Sullivans expedition.   John Austin, Paul Austin, Charles Dayton, & Samuel Browning, were with him in  Cookes Regiment and will testify to his service he gave.   John Vallet of Richmond was with him  in Coons Company, and is now living.   Giden Tillmadge of South Kingston, will testify to his going on to Block Island. He does not know of any Clergyman in his vicintiy who can testify to the reports in his neighborhood of having been a soldier of the Revolution or to his character for Truth, but refers the Court to William B. Bliven
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17718 
INVALID. 
File No. 17,718 
Daniel Sunderlin 
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32 
Index:- Vol. 1 Page 365 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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14,172
Dan’l Sunderlin
D. J. Pearce
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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 Sam Sunderlin further proof or explanation, which require further proof of 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? No
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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?  
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?   
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. 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? 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. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes 
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 months and days, I served as a - and for such service I claim a pension."
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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 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 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.
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 properly attached to the certificate.
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The Deposition of Charles Douglas of North Kingston in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island on oath testifies & says that he is 74 years of age that he knows Daniel Sunderlin now an applicant for a pension.   I know that in the year 1776 when the British took possession of Newport that Daniel Sunderlin was a private in the company of Capt. Parker of South Kingstown and that said Company was under the command of Col. John Cooke and was attached to his regiment and that he served in said company for the term of three months and that said company was stationed on the point in the town of Newport and during that time that said Sunderlin was in said Company as a private.  
Charles Douglas + his mark
Witness to said Douglas’s signing 
W. Updike J Peace
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A deposition of John Vallet of Richmond in the County of Washington R Island aged 76 years on oath testifies & says that he is well acquainted with Daniel Sunderlin now an applicant for a pension.  He said Sunderlin inlisted with Capt Bailey’s company at Richmond Washington County 1776 the day the British fleet came into Newport & marched to Providence & from there to North Kingston and staid there the winter.  When the time expired for which we were inlisted, we served three months.  We guarded the shores in  North Kingstown.  I know this for he & myself inlisted together.  
John Vallet 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &C.  
Washington County, }  Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4, 1839 
Personally appeared the aforenamed John Vallet of Richmond in County of Washington and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence.   And I further certify that said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character truth, and that his deposition is entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 
Washington County, sc. 
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. 
Saml. Helme Clk
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3 
Deposition of Lodowick Sherman of [unreadable] the County of Washington aged 73 years on oath testify & say that he well knows Daniel Sanderlin now an applicant for a pension.  That I know at Daniel Sunderlin was on R. Island as a private in Capt Reynolds Company in Sullivans Expedition in 1778.  I saw him there doing duty he was not in the same company with me but he was in the same regiment commanded by the Colonel Charles Dyer.  I have always understood that he was a private and did duty in the revolutionary war and such is the general reputation of the fact.   Lodowick Sherman 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &C.
Washington County, } Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 4, 1832. 
Personally appeared the aforenamed Lodowick Sherman and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and worn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that his deposition is entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 
Washington County, sc 
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.   
Saml. Helme Clk
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Gideon Lillibridge of Southington in the county of Washington and aged 70 years on oath testifies and says that I know that in the year 1775 Daniel Sunderlin was enlisted in the State service to go on the Island of Block Island to bring off the stock for fear the British would Carry it away.   
Gideon Lillibridge 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. 
Washington County, }  Ss. South Kingstown, Sept 1832 
Personally appeared the aforenamed Gideon Lillibridge and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined and word to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing by me, in his presence and he signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent is well known to me and that he sustains a fair character for truth, and that he deposition is entitled to credit. 
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace 
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 
Washington County, sc 
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.   In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.   
Saml Helme Clk