Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,044, Reuben Weaver, R.I.
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Service.                                               Number
R. I.                Weaver, Reuben.         S. 22,044
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15604 [?]

Rhode Island 
 Reuben Weaver of Providence Co in the State of R Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Sheldon of the Reg’t commanded by Col West in the R.I. Line for 17 months

Inscribed in the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 56 Dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of July 1833 and sent Year of ____ Providence R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833.   $ 113.32
Semi-and, allowance ending 4 Sept.   28.33
                                                              ________
                                                              $ 141.65

Recorded by D D Addison
Book E.      Vol. 2.     Page 135

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
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21235
Reuben Weaver
R. I.

Private 17 months
AOM’D [?]

B. Cowell
Burger
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BRIEF in the case of Reuben Weaver
Co of Providence in the State of R. I.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?        Open Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he?  75

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
August In 1775 enlisted
Dec.          1776 drafted
Oct.           1777 drafted
                  At different times, 11 drafted

Duration of Service.
Years,                   Months,            Days.
                                 6
                                 5
                                 1
                                 5

Rank.
As a Private
            “
            “
            “
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

Gen.
Cap Sheldon.          Col forgotten
Cap Howard.           Col West
Cap Sheldon.          Col Kimball
Cap Harrington.      Co Cowell

5. In what battles was he engaged?   None

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?    Situate

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionally evidence, by incidental evidence, r by the rolls?           4 living witnesses 

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? 
 The papers are not properly attached

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence int the case above mentioned. 

George Payton
Examining Clerk.
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105

Reuben Weaver.         Reuben Weaver
F. 

21235
Page 6

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this 18th day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special [special is crossed out] District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session—- Reuben Weaver a resident of Foster in the County of Providence and the State of Rhode Island aged 75 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 7, 1832, viz. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

He was born in May 1757 in the town of Scituate  has no record of his birth, lived institute when he entered the Service & has always resided in Foster ever since the War— and this applicant further states that in August 1775 he enlisted served six months as a private at Block Island, Rhode Island, & on Connecticut Island in Cap Stephen Sheldons company who the Colonel was he does not know. It was in the Rhode Island Militia he served as a minute man and then applicant further states that in Dec 1776 he was drafted & served five months as a private at Bristol, under Capt Stephen Sheldon, Cap Wm Howard & Cap Simeon Harrington & Col Wests regiment of Rhode Island Mililtia— and this applicant further states that in October 1777 in remembers expedition he was drafted & served one month as a private at Tiverton in Cap Stephen Sheldons company & Col Kimballs regiment of R. I. Militia and this applicant further states that he was drafted & served five months at different times in the year 1777 as a private at Warwick in Cap Simeon Harringtons Company
& Col Cowell regime to fo R. I. Militia and this applicant further states that in August 1778 Sullivans expedition he was drafted & served one month as a private in Cap Simeon Harringtons company Col Cowell [2 words crossed out] regiment of R. I. Militia—all which drafts & he served out & was  honorably discharged but never had a written discharge—

Reuben  his  Weaver
                X
Page 7

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is no 0n the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Reuben       his.     Weaver
                      X
                     Mark
attest Blowell clk

I John Harrington of Foster aged 80 years on oath do testify & say that I have know Reuben Weaver ever since we were boys & served in the War of the Revolution under Cap Stephen Sheldon at Block Island, Rhode Island, & Connecticut in the fall & winter of 1775 about six months ago, & also in October 1777 at Liverton in Spencers expedition & further testify that the said Reuben Weaver is a man of truth & veracity this statement is entitled to credit —-

Sept 18 1832.         John Harrington 

Sworn to in open Court

Blowell clk

I Nathan Bennett of Foster aged 76 years on oath do testify that I have known Reuben Weaver of Foster more than 70 years & that I served with him in the Revolutionary War as near as I can recollect as follows, at Bristol 
[in Dec 1776 is crossed out] what month or year it was I cannot remember—also Spencers expedition also at Warwick under Cap Simeon Harrington also in Sullivans expedition, we were not in the same company every time, but were stationed at the same places & I further testify that the said Reuben is a man of truth & veracity this statement is entitled to credit—

Sept 18 1832 
Sworn to in open Court
Blowell clk
Page 8

I Asher Bennet of Foster aged 78 years on oath do testify & say that I have known Reuben Weaver of Foster more than 10 years & served with him in the War of the Revolution as near as I can recollect as follows, at Bristol under Cap Stephen Sheldon. Cap Wm Howard & Cap Simeon Harrington in the winter of 1776– also in Spencers expedition — also at Warwick in 1777 under Cap Simeon Harrington at different times two tours—— & also in Sullivans expedition & I further testify that the said Reuben is a man of truth & veracity & his statement is entitled to credit—.         Asher Bennet

Sept 18 1832

Sworn to in open Court 
B  Cowell clk

_____ the 3 of August AD 1832
I do hereby Certify that I have Bin personally acquainted with Reuben Weaver fifty years or more and have Bin in the Baptist Church with him above thirty years he has also served the Church as a deacon for the time above mentioned to the general satisfaction of the Church and has maintained a good moral Character:his confidence may be relyed [relied] on and word taken
                               John Hammond Payton [?]
O left [?]
Sworn in open court Sept 18th 1832
B Cowell clk

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 name applicant was a Revolutionary and served as he states. An the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Hammond who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman,  a resident in the town of Foster & that Nathan Bennett [‘and that’  is crossed out]
Asher Bennett & John Harrington who [‘also signed the same is a resident in the’  is crossed out] who have testified for said applicant are }
                                          Resident as they state}
And is a credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I  BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the originally proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Weaver for pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 28th day of November 1832

Benjamin Cowell clk
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21235

Reuben Weaver
Page 10

BRIEF objections to the admission of pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, and red ink, will apply to the claim of Reuben Weaver which require further proof explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  Yes

II. did the declaration 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 declaration 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 [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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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 annot be had?

XIV. If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
  If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  Yes
    Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as  the regulations direct?  Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, of 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

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 consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection her served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades;  For _________year________months, and _______ days, I served as a ___________ For _______ months and ____ days, I served as a ________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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                                 3

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 is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service, This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn [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 no employed in any civil pursuit.

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 authenticates 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 ends of which use pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

>>In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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22044

3-068
(Old No. 3—649)

Bureau of Pensions.

Reuben Weaver

Sept. 18, 1832 — 75
Foster R I

Aug. [?] 25 Scituate.            RI
Capt Step Sheldon
Cat — Pvt. 6 mos

Dec. 76 Capt Do
Col West
Pvt 5 m

Oct. 77 Capt Do
Col Kimball 
Priv 1 m

77 Capt Harrington
Col Cowell
P. 5 m

78
Capt Do 
Col Cowell
Pvt- 1 m
______
No Bat

Oct 15 694- 32
ISO- Inf 12, 33, R.I Agg
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22,044

INVALID.

Revolution

File No. [21,044 is crossed out]

Reuben Weaver
Pri Rev War

Act June 7” 32
Index: — Vol. 2, Page  441

{Arrangement of 1870}
Page 15

Feby.  3 1904.          His to H.R.

Hon. Wm. S Greene