Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,532, for Gardiner Tefft, Rhode Island
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Tefft, Gardiner

NUMBER
S.11,532

Carded

CONTENTS
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10480
Rhode Island
Gardiner Tefft
of Washington in the State of R Island who was an Ensign in the company commanded by Captain Waite of the Regt commanded by Col Potter in the Rhode Island line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 180 Dollars --- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of April 1833 and sent W Updike Kingston R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $360.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending Sept 4 " 90.00
$450.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2d Page 132
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13468
Gardiner Tefft
Ensign 18 months
Admd by order of Mr E 
W.C.E
$180 - 

ob 4, 5, 6, 10 & 16 (illegible)

p 209

Wilkins Updike
Kingston RI

(crossed out)
W Pearce
H. R.
Hon D.. J. Pearce
H of Reps
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13468
BRIEF in the case of Gardiner Tefft
Of Washington in the State of Rhode Island
 (Act 7th June, 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he?   86

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

        Period.                Duration of Service.                Rank.            Names of General and Field Officers
                                                                                                           under whom he served.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
      at the beginning of the war                                 Private         Capt John Gardiner. Col [strike out]
      in  1778                                                                Ensign          Capt Waite
           1779                                                                Lieut


5. In what battles was he engaged?   none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   South Kingston

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   3 living witnesses and authentication of evidence not property connect

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Seal without device

    X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

   Wm C Easton    Examining  Clerk   19 January 1833
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DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
COUNTY OF WASHINGTON} sc

On this 6th day of September 1832 personally appeared [crossed out:  in open court, before] before Ezbon Sanford [illegible] of the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas [crossed out:  now sitting], for the County of Washington, at South Kingston, in said County, Gardiner Tefft a resident of South Kingston in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, aged 86 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.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, he joined an Independent Military Company, having a Charter from the General Assembly of this State, and called the Kingston Reds in South Kingston.

John Gardiner, was Captain, with the rank of Colonel, Thomas Potter 1st Lieut, Rouse J Helme 2d & Rowland Brown Ensign.  In 1778, John Waite was chosen Captain of said Company, Nathan Taylor 1st Lieut, Samuel Eldreds 2d and this Applicant Ensign.  And had a commission, which is lost.  In 1779, he was chosen second Lieutenant of said Company; and had a commission which is gone, he held said Office, two or three years. during the war of the Revolution, said company was kept in active service, and under arms a great part of the time, particularly so, when the Enemy held possession of Newport.  The Company, and he with it, was stationed at many places along shore, to guard the same from landings, of the British, and he reccollects in particular, of being stationed in said Company, at Barbers Heighths in North Kingston some time, & at the House of Silas Gardiner & Rowland Robinson in Boston Neck, and many other places, on the Boston Neck & Point Judith shores.  He was with said Company at Tiverton in Spencers Expedition in 1777, and on Rhode Island, in the expedition of General [crossed out:  Spenser,] Sullivan.  He was also stationed at [illegible] in said Company one tour of duty as much as a Month, but cannot specify the
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the date.  He and the Company, were called upon, in many alarms, and performed service, they were at the taking of the Cyrene and burning of the Columbus.  From his [illegible], it is impossible for him, to be particular as to dates [illegible], but he knows, that he was in actual service, under arms during the war, exclusive of alarms, as much as, eighteen months - in the whole- 

He was born in South Kingston, and has always resided there, he has no record of his age.  He knew [illegible] Charles Dyer and Col Thomas Potter Militia Colonels & served under them some.  He has no written evidence of his services.  He knows of no Clergyman in his county, who can testify to the report on behalf in his neighborhood, of his having been a soldier of the Revolution, as to his character for truth, but refers to Elisha B Potter & Thomas S Taylor - who are acquainted with him.  William C Clarke and Daniel Tefft, were members of said Company, and can testify to his services, as part of the same.  He hereby relinquishes his every claim, to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name, is written not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Gardiner Tefft
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I, Elisha R. Potter residing in the Town of South Kingston
And Thomas S. Taylor residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Gardiner Tefft who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 85 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 Elisha J Potter
Ezbon Sanford [illegible] 
And the said Ezbon Sanford one of the judges of the court of common pleas in the county of Washington do hereby declare my 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 further certifies, that it appears to me that Elisha Potter who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
resident in same town and are credible persons and  that their statement is entitled to credit and I further testify that the said Gardiner is unable from old age and bodily infirmities to attend court-
Ezbon Sanford [illegible]
I, Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Washington County do hereby certify the above subscribed Ezbon Sanford is one of the justices or judges of court given to his official acts and signature is [illegible] and that he also [illegible] that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of Gardiner Tefft for a pension-
In testimony whereof I have [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] and seal of office this eighth day of [illegible] 1832.
Samuel Helme, Clerk
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Applied Sept. 6, 1832
South Kingston, Wash. Co. R.I. In 1832.
86 years.
Joined Kingston Reds at South Kingston R.I.
Company of Rev. War. Capt. John Gardner rank of Col.
1777 Same Co. was in Spencer's & Sullivan's Co.
1778 Ensign Capt. John Waite
1779 2nd Lieut same co.
Was at taking of Cyrene & burning of hte Columbus
Served 18 mos.
Served under Cols Charles Dyer & Thomas Potter
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11532
Invalid
Revolutionary War
File Number 11532
Gardiner Tefft
Ensign. Revolutionary War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index : Volume A, Page 371
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Sept. 20, 1905
History to  H. E.  Church
V. L. M.
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Bureau of Pensions
Washington D C
U
Old War Navy
Sep 12 1905
Files

Will you kindly send me the military history of my gr-gr-grandfather Gardiner Tefft of So. Kingstown R.I who was placed on the Rhode Island Pension List, Washington County, April 10, 1833 at the age of 87 years.

Very truly yors,
Hannah E. Church

Address
Mrs. Hannah E. Church
The "Arlington"
Narr. Pier, R. I.

Pension
A
Sept 11 1905
U. S. Office
Page 12

I William C Clarke of South Kingston, in the County of Washington, on oath do testify and say, that I am seventy six years of age, that before the war of the Revolution, & during said war, [crossed out:  and since the same], I was acquainted with Gardiner Tefft the Applicant for a Pension, whose Application is hereto annexed, that in the early part of the Revolutionary war, I know that said Tefft joined the Independent Company in South Kingston called the Kingston Reds, of which John Gardiner was Captain.  I was a member of said Company likewise, afterwards said Tefft was elected Ensign of said Company, when John Waite was chosen Captain, and afterwards he was elected Lieutenant and served as such.  During the war the Company was called out, & did duty in many places, guarding the shores of Point Judith and Boston Neck from the sea side up to Wickford, and was also stationed one month at East Greenwich, and also was out in Spencer's Expedition, and in General Sullivan's.  And I am confident that the said Tefft served at least Eighteen months actual service in said Company during the was as private and as an Officer, he was out with the company at the times and places above mentioned to my knowledge.  He was very forward during the whole war, in the service of his country, and never hung back in the least.  I have resided with him ever since the war, and he is believed by his neighbors to be a Man of truth.
William C. Clarke
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND &e Washington County,
Se. South Kingstown, Sept 13, 1832
Personally appeared the aforenamed William C Clarke and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined, and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which was reduced to writing my 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 the his deposition is entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. Washington County, 8c.
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 with and for the county of Washington in said State and that his at 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 13th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam Helme Clk
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I Timothy Peckam of South Kingston, in the County of Washington, on oath do testify and say, that I am Seventy Five years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I was acquainted with Gardiner Tefft the Applicant for a Pension, whose Application is annexed.  In the year 1777 I joined the Independent Military Company in South Kingston, called the Kingston Reds, of which John Waite was Captain, and the said Gardiner Tefft was then Ensign of the same, it was in the Fall of that year, the Company was called out and stationed at the shores to guard the same, in many places, and Gard Tefft was with the Company, and acted as Ensign, We were on Rhode Island in General Sullivan's Expedition, and said Tefft was there.  The Company was stationed on the lower land, next to the Enemy.  After the Enemy evacuated Newport, the Company was carried over to the Island of Rhode Island and left there some time on duty, but cannot say how long, and said Tefft was there.  The Company was always kept in readiness, to march at any time and to any place, when or where it should be ordered, and was always called on in alarms, and said Tefft always went with the Company, and was always very forward and zealous on such occasions.
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State of Rhode Island, &c. Washington County,
Sc South Kingstown, Sept 14, 1832.
Personally appeared the aforenamed Timothy Peckham
and before deposing as aforesaid, was by me, carefully cautioned, examined, and sworn 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 name in my presence.  And I further certify that the 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 Count, this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.
Sam Helme Clk
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I, Richard Gardiner, of Warwick in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty three Years on solemn oath testifies and says that in the Year 1775 I joined the Independent Chartered Company called the Kingston Reds in South Kingstown (I at that time lived in said South Kingstown) commanded by CaptainJohn Gardner and afterwards by Captain John Waite that I did duty in said Company because of the Revolutionary War and that to my certain knowledge Gardner Tefft of South Kingstown was a member of said Company all the time that I was and did duty in said Company.
Richard Gardner

Washington Ss. South Kingstown August 15th 1832 Personally came Richard Gardner subscriber to the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Before me Matthew Waite Justice of the peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence PLANTATIONS,
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the county of Washington, and state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Matthew Waite Esquire 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 Sixth day of September in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Samuel Helme Clerk
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Gardiner Tefft Commission to be filed in his declaration
Admitted 10th April 1833
Number of Certificate 10480
Rhode Island
Additional proof
This paper found in looking over a mass of old Papers in room Number 103
October 22/[18]57 
A Het.
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By His Excellency,
Samuel H Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known, that the name "Henry Bowen" to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this twenty eighth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three and Independence the fifty-seventh.
Lemuel H Arnold 
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Seavy
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's office March 28th 1833.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State Holden in May 1778 Gardner Tefft was returned as elected Ensign of the chartered military company called the Kingston Reds, (in King's County  now Washington) and approved by the Governor accordingly.
That at the sessions holden in June 1779-May 1780 and May 1781 the said Gardner was returned as second Lieutenant of said Company and approved accordingly.  All which appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secretary
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Declaration of
Gardiner Tefft - 

13.468


Transmit to W Updike

Kingston
R.I.
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Deposition of
Elisha R Potter

No. 13,468
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I Elisha R Potter of South Kingstown in the County of Washington, Rhode Island on oath  testify & say that I was born & have always resided at Kingstown in this town , that during the revolutionary war, I was well acquainted with Gardner Tefft an applicant for a pension as he said Tefft lived on a farm adjoining to the one I lived on. That I knew of said Tefft belonging to an independent Company  called the "Kingston Reds", then commanded by Col John Gardner, afterwards by My Father Col Thomas Potter and then by Col John Waite.  That I was well knowing to said Tefft's serving in said company as a private and as an ensign, the greater part of the revolutionary war that at one time, they were stationed at East Greenwich in the state about fifteen miles from this place on the Narragansett Bay, and of his going with said company on several expeditions on the Island of Rhode Island and of his doing duty on the shores of the Narragansett Bay in protecting the inhabitants and their property from the almost weekly depredatory of the British and the (Refugees) then in the possession of Newport.  As to the length of the time that he precisely and actually served, it is impossible for me to recollect at the distant day, but from what I have seen of the actual service of that company and being in a good situation to know of them I should judge that he served in all at least two years, Mr Tefft was an honest man and a zealous friend of his Country.

I was present when Mr. Tefft made his declaration for a pension; he was very old and his mind very much impaired and I verily believe from my knowledge of him & his believing in the revolution, that if he had not have lost his recollection of particulars that he would have honestly made out as clear a case as any man that has obtained one and that I know he was as deserving of a pension as any other person

Mr. Tefft has deceased since his pension application has been pending at Washington.
Elisha R Potter

The state of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Washington County ss South Kingstown 16th 1833
    Personally appeared before me the above named Elisha R Potter and before deposing as aforesaid was by me carefully cautioned examined and sworn to testify to 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 I further certify that the said Elisha R Potter is well known by me and that he sustains
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an irreproachable character for truth and that his deposition is entitled to compleat credit

I also certify that Richard Gardner a deponent to another deposition in this case is well known to me and that his said deposition is entitled to full credit
Wilkins Updike Just Peace

I Wilkins Updike a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island do certify that since the declaration of Gardiner Tefft for a pension, the said Gardiner Tefft has deceased, so that his supplemental affidavit cannot be obtained to his pension declaration 
Wilkins Updike Just Peace