Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,597, for Silas Moore, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Moore, Silas

NUMBER 
S. 17597

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

4489.
Rhode Island 
Silas Moore
Washington in the State of RI
Who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain -----------of the Regt commanded by Col Potter in the RI line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of R I at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Jany 1833 and Sent from DS Pearce H of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120- Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33. $40 [equation showing total] $160
Revolutionary Claim [cut off]
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by JHM Blair Clerk
Book D Vol. 3rd Page 124
Page 3

George James of Richmond in the County of
Washington in the State of Rhode Island being
duly engaged according to Law [illegible] & says
That I am seventy seven years of age- that 
in December 1776 Simeon Clarke was [illegible] 
of the Company of [illegible] infantry, and that said
Silas Moore belonged to said company and was a
soldier therein, and that he was one of said company when stationed at the [illegible]  House near the South Ferry in South Kingstown R.I. and that the whole company staid then at the George Brown House during the winter & said Silas Moore was with them and served there during that time-and that said Moore in 1777 was drafted if my recollection serves me and served under Captains, Clarke, Richard Baily & Joshua Webb severally, until the British left Newport, the draft were fifteen days at a time first one half of the company fifteen days and then the other half fifteen days. I was one of said company & saw said Moore there.
George James
Page 4

State of Rhode Island
Washington County
So Kingston Feb 3rd 1832
Personally appeared the within deponent
George James and made solemn oath to
the [illegible] of the within Deposition by him
subscribed before me
Wilkins Updike
Peace

[Black x through this text]
Page 5

Deposition of Benjamin Barber of Richmond
in the County of Washington R Island on oath [illegible] & says that I am 77 years of age that in December 1776 Silas More now an applicant for a pension was a soldier in Captain Simeon Clarke's company of infantry in R Island and served therein during that winter in guarding the shores and was stationed at the [illegible] House near South Ferry and that Silas Moore was there doing duty in said company And that in 1777 he was drafted in Captain Baily's company & in Captain Webb's company severally about four years. and did duty against the common enemy untill the British left Newport. I was in said service at the same time & saw said Moore there doing duty under these three captains for the aforesaid term of about four years.
Benjamin Barber
Page 6

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, & c.
Washington County,}  Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 2 1832

Personally appeared the aforementioned Benjamin Barber and George James
and before deposing as aforesaid, were by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing depositions, which were reduced to writing by me, in the presence and they sighed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponent are well known to me and that they sustain fair characters for truth, and that the depositions are entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS. 
Washington County, sc.
[illegible] 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 were 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.
Sam Helme Clk
Page 7

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Washington County on this 3rd Day of September AD 1832 Personally Appeared in an open Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington aforesaid Now Sitting in South Kingstown on the 3rd day of September 1832
Silas Moore A Resident of Richmond in the 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 the 7th AD 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following Named officers and served as herein Stated in December AD 1776 he was called into the service in the Militia under Captain Simeon Clarke in A Regiment Commanded By Col Thomas Potter he was called upon an alarm with the rest of the Militia down in South Kingstown to guard the shore and that at that time he belonged to and lived in the Town of Richmond in the County and State aforesaid and quartered at the house of Silas Gardner for a few days from there 
Quartered at the house of George Brown during the winter where all of Capt Clarke & Company quartered & they left a part of the time when they quartered at the Smith house
Making nearly four months and in the month of April AD 1777 the Militia came to a Draft and served by terms [illegible] one half to serve fifteen days and then the other half would serve fifteen days and that he served in his [illegible] 
Quartering at the house occupied by Godfrey Hazard in Boston neck except one month of the time when he was called on the Island of Rhode Island and served in the Battles then under Major Jonathan Maxson on Col Charles Dyers Regiment on General Sullivans action
Making another term or period of one year for himself and in the other part of the time he served two months as a substitute for his father in the Militia [illegible] Richard Bailey then he served from about 1778 to [illegible].
Page 8

42
Declaration of Silas Moore
[illegible] of Mr. Potter
Sam Helme

13877

When this declaration or the certificate is
sent back, please enclose to Thomas P. Taylor Esq. Kingston, R.I.
Page 9

AD 1780 to guard the shores at A Number of Places Namely part of the time under Captain Richard Baily and part of the time under Captain Richard Bailey and Part of the time under Captain Joshua Webb Part of the time at Bisells Mills in North Kingston and Part of the time at Boston neck in South Kingston and part of the time at Bristol and Part of the time at Warwick. A fifer and one Month on the Island of Rhode Island A substitute for Thomas James under Elish Potter an Ensign from South Kingston Making another Term of Nine months making in the whole two years and [illegible] months and that he has no dockumentary evidence 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 or agency of any State Sworn to and subscribed the Day and year afore said, that Benjamin [illegible] and George [illegible], will testify to most of his services. He is acquainted with no Clergymen, who can testify to the reputation of his services, [illegible] the Court to [illegible words crossed out] Robert Reynolds & Nathan Wilcox [crossed out "Samuel Tillinghast"], who will testify to the [illegible] of his service-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Ross of the Agency of any State.  Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We, Robert Reynolds Jr- residing in the town of Richmond and Nathan Willcox---residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acqainted with Silas Moore---- who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two- years of age; that is 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.
[signature] Robeert Raymond Jr
[signature] Nathan Willcox
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 the________and that Robert Reynolds Jr. & Nathan Wilcox who have also signed the same is a resident in the____________ and is a credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit. 
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Gen. [illegible] of the [illegible] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Moore for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of September AD. 1832
[signature] Saml Helme Clk
Page 10

No. 13877
Silas Moore
Private
2 years
[illegible]
$80-
Hon D J Pearce

[line drawn through "Thos J. Taylor Esq. Kingston R.I."]
Page 11

BRIEF in the case of Silas Moore of the County of Washington in the State of R. Island (Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 72 years. 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Column Headings
Period.; Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days; Rank.; Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

In 1776; nearly 4 (months); Private; Col. Potter, Capt Clarke

'77 Apl.; 1 (year); ditto; Jame & Col. Dyer

'80; 9 (months); ditto; Capts. Bailey & Webb

2 months, substitute for his Father and 1 month " for Tho. James

5. In what battles was he engaged? R. Island 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Richmond 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no Clergyman's Certificate 
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sevin Bell
Examining Clerk.
Page 12

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
[upper right corner is initialed with "aw"]
September 31, 1936

Mrs. W.F. Torreyson,
Care Mrs. Ross Browning,
Ocean View,
Charlestown, R.I.

Madam; 

I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 17597, it appears that Silas Moore while living at Richmond, Washington County, Rhode Island, enlisted in December 1776 and served at various times, when called out, amounting to two years and one month, as a private, under Captains Simeon Clark, Richard Bailey and Joshua Webb and Colonels Thomas Potter and Charles Dyer. He was in the battle of Rhode Island. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, while living at Richmond, Rhode Island aged seventy-two years. There is no data on file as to family, except that his father, whose name is not stated was alive during the Revolution. 
Respectfully, 

E. W. MORGAN, 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 13


No 13.877
Silas Moore

Thos J. Taylor Esqr
Kingston R. I.
Page 14

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Silas Moore which require further proof or explanation.

1. 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? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes 
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 15

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? No 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes 
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? No

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."
Page 16

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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 17

Atlantic, Iowa 10/22/26

Pension Office,
Washington, D.C

Will you please send me the pension record of Silas Moore born 1760. Became a pensioner in 1840. Son David, Daughter Jerusha. And greatly oblige
Yours Resp.
Mrs. Effie Locke Hancox
907 Locust St. Atlantic, Iowa,
Page 18

[Rubber stamp in upper left corner reads "O.W.&N. DIVISION, DEC 7 1900, RECEIVED"]

1691 Pleasant St.
North Adams, Mass.,
December 3rd 1900 ---

Mr. H. Clay Evans of Pension Bureau 

Dear Sir, 

Will you kindly inform me if there are any records in your department of any Revolutionary service of one Eliezer Gould, born May 29, 1720 died after June 1795 moved to Douglas Mass 1761 - Also Bezaleel Gould, born 1756 July 4- died March 18, 1818 - lived in Douglas Mass until 1790 then moving to Woodstock, Conn.
Also -
Silas Moore of Douglas or Woodstock, Conn. 

Respectfully
Jennie G. Hopkins
Mrs. G. Hopkins
Page 19

[Handwritten letters at top left corner of page read "OW&N"]

Shannock, Rhode Island

Commissioner of Pensions     [Large handwritten "M" on right side of page]
Washington, D.C. 

Dear Sir:- 

I would like to obtain a copy of the record of Silas Moores services during the Revolutionary War.

Said Silas Moore was a resident of Richmond, Washington (formerly Kings) County & State of Rhode Island.

What will be the fees to obtain such a copy?
Yours truly,
N.L.C. Moore
Shannock, R.I.

Sept. 27th 1897

[Rubber stamp in middle of bottom of page reads "US Pension Office Oct 2 1897"]
Page 20

17597
INVALID

File No. 17,597
Silas Moore
Pri Rev War [Private Revolutionary War]

Act: June 7 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page  266

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 21

Aug 30/95 Hist to C. P. Moore, c/o Rev E.C. Mitchell, 534 Summit Ave., St. Paul, Minn

Oct. 8/97 N. L. C. Moore, Shannock R.I.
Decr. 11-1900- Mrs. G. Hopkins, No Adams, Mass.
1926, Sep. 21. Hist to Mrs W.F. Torreyson 
Dec. 21, 1921 Hist to Mrs. E. L. Hancox [initialed "aw"]
Page 22

Spelling Reform Print. 
Webster's International Dictionary, lat edishuns, contans 3000 words in amended spellin. Gud bi, Old Spellin, gud bi. I no yu are redy tu go.
Prohibishun of the licor traffic. Fre coinej of gold & silver. Amended and fonic spellin. Scool books shud be publisht in amended spellin.
"The Golden Robin" songbook
55 cents postpaid.
State University,
Minneapolis,
M
[crossed out] Lamberton, Minn.,
Aug 20, 1895.
Hon. William Lochren,
Washington, D.C.,
My dear Sir:
I am a great-grand-son of Silas Moore, Washington, Co., R.I., who was in the Revolutionary War. I hav made application by the assistance of Rev. E. C. Mitchell, St. Paul, to Hon Wm. H. Grant, St. Paul, to becum a member of "The Sons of the American Revolution."
Mr. Grant has bin informed by the historian in Providence R.I. that the name of Silas Moore of Washington Co., R.I. is on the Pension Roll of 1835, as a private soldier in the Rhode Island Militia, at the age of 74. He was pensioned in January 21, 1833. 
Mr. Grant has askt me to
Page 23

Spelling Reform Print. 
Webster's International Dictionary, lat edishuns, contans 3000 words in amended spellin. Gud bi, Old Spellin, gud bi. I no yu ar redy tu go.
Prohibishun of the licor traffic. fre coinej of gold & silver. amended, and fonic spellin. Scool books shud be publisht in amended spellin.
"The Golden Robin" songbook 55 cents postpaid.
Lamberton, Minn., , 189 .
2
iorite to you and get a statement of the service of that Silas Moore in the Revolution for which he recd a pension.
If you wil please send me the required information, you wil confer a very precious favor.
Please address me at 534, Summit ave. St. Paul Minn. in care of Rev. E. C. Mitchell, and oblige,
Yours very respectfully,
Orrin P. Moore.
Page 24

[rectangular stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY AUG 26 1895 FILES
[round stamp] PENSION O. AUG 23 1895 U.S. OFFICE
[handwritten] J
Page 25

Spelling Reform Print. Webster's International Dictionary, 1st edishuns, contens 3000 words in amended spellin. gud bi, Old Spellin, gud bi. I no yu ar redy tu go.
Prohibishun ov the licor traffic. Fre coinej ev gold & silvor. Amended, and fonic spellin. Scool books shud be publisht in amended spellin.
"The Golden Robin" songbook 55 cents postpaid.
[handwritten] State University, Minneapolis,
Minn., Aug 20, 1895
[handwritten] Hon. Wm. Sochren.
Dear Sir, 
I am attending the Teacher's Summer Training Scool which is in session now at the University. 
The scool closes this week. I wil be with Mr. Mitchell visiting next week and wil go back to Lamberton at the end of next week. 
If anything turns up to hinder you from replying in time for me to get the letter at Mr. Mitchell's, you had, in that event, better direct the letter to Mr. Mitchell for if you send it to Lamberton, Minn., it wil make that much more delay. Mr. Mitchell is the one who is helping me in the matter.
Yours very respectfully,
O. P. Moore.
Page 26

Ocean View, Charlestown, R.I.,
July 26, 1926.
Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please Let me Know if soldiers (names enclosed) or any one in their families drew a pension, if so will you kindly send me papers of same.
Thanking you, I am
[handwritten] Mary Torreyson
(Mrs. W. F. Torreyson)
Care of Mrs. Ross Browning
Ocean View
Charlestown
R. I.
Pvt. Thomas Barber D 1796 Served in Rev. about 7 yrs.
M.
Mary Barney
0 Ensign Ezekiel Barber
M
Hannah Webster
[handwritten]S17597 [typed]Pvt. Silas Moore
M.
Chloe Phillips
[handwritten]S17254 [typed] Pvt. Benj Barber B Feb 7-1755
M
Susanna Boss
Capt Thomas Kenyon B. Nov 7-1729
M.
Ruth Tefft
These soldiers were all of Rhode Island, in Rev.
[round stamp] PENSION L JUL 27 1926 U.S. OFFICE