Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9576, for Zarah Simmons, Rhode Island
Page 1

Simmons, Sarah R9576
Hannah B[illegible] Wt 47966-160-55
Page 2

End P
Vol St. page 118
250.103 [illegible]
June 28th /56
Hannah Simmons [illegible]
Zarah Simmons
Pri

Capt Simmons
Capt D Hilliard
Est Dec 7th 1776
to Oct 25 1779
R.J. Mil
Private, R Island M
Rev War
160 Acres
Nov 15/56
Triplett
D Preston & Co
Detroit
Mich
Page 3

250.103
Application for Bounty Land
Under Act of May 3d. 1855
or May 14/56
By Hannah Simmons
[illegible] of Zarah Simmons
A Soldier in the Revolutionary War
[illegible] Little Compton R.I. See
Proof filed for Pension in
Oct 1853 & [illegible]
SON & CO., Attorneys,
Detroit, Michigan.
David Preston
Page 4

WIDOWS' DECLARATION FOR LAND.
8
STATE of Illinois
COUNTY OF Key
On this Twentieth day of June
A. D. 1856 personally appeared before me, a
Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Hannah Simmons
aged sixty years, a resident of Ellisville
in the county of Fulton and
state of Illinois
who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of
Zarah Simmons deceased, who was a Private
in the Company commanded
by Captains Geo Simon & S. Hillard Stelle the north or [illegible] of [illegible]
at Little Compton R.I. Regiment of R.I. Militia
in the Revolutionary War
That her said
husband served as a Guard at different times from Dec in the
7th 1776 to Oct 25/79 as set forth in proof now on fill
at the Pension office being filed in 1852 by D Preston
and
different times that
date in support of my claim for the Pension [illegible] refers to said
evidence for proof of [illegible] 
She further states that she was married to the said Zarah Simmons
in the County of Madison in the State of New York
on the 20th day of March A.D. 1827 by one Thomas Wylie
Justice of the Peace
and that her name before the said marriage was Widow Hannah Stebbins
And that her said husband died at Madison
in the state of New York
on the 2nd day of June A.D. 1827 died of a fall from a wagon
And that she is now a widow. She further declares that she has never before made application for Bounty Land under
any Act of Congress acres,
For proof of her husbands service and her marriage she refers to evidence now on
file at the Pension office filed by D Preston
in Oct, 1853 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the
"Act approved March 3rd, 1855." or May 1856
Deponent further says that she has no record evidence of her marriage, and does not know of any in existence.
-- If you have record evidence, send it, and some on above paragraph
Hannah Simmons Claiment's Signature Print name in full
We Thomas Simmons and [illegible] Simmons the former aged sixty five
years, the latter into five years, both residents of Knox County in the state of
upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Hannah Simmons in our presence, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
Deponent further say, that they have known the said Hannah Simmons for the last
20 years, and that they knew the said Hannah
and her said husband to live together as man and wife from the time of their marriage till 
his death; and deponents verily believe that the said parties were legally married as stated in the declaration of the said Hannah Simmons

Deponents further say that they both Thomas Simmons Mary Simmons knowing of the death of Zarah Simmons, living in the same house with the same Hannah Simmons at the time of his death.

Deponents further say that the said Hannah Simon is now a widow, & has been
since the death of their said father, 
Thomas Simmons
Mary Simmons   signature of witness

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written.
And I certify that I know the affirmants to be credible persons, and the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Chauncey White    signature
DAVID PRESTON & CO. are hereby authorized to receive my Land Warrant, and for me to sign any receipt or other paper, in order to receive the same, which I could do were I personally present.
Signed, sealed and delivered this
day of                 A.D. 185
Hannah Simmons   claimant's signature
Chauncey White      signature    
STATE of  Illinois
COUNTY OF Knox
I hereby certify that Chauncey White
Esq., who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and also officially subscribed the foregoing power of attorney, was at the time
of so doing, a Justice of the Peace
in and for the county of Knox and State of
Illinois duly authorized to administer oaths and to take acknowledgments, and that the foregoing are his signatures.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the County Court of said county and State to be affixed
at Knoxville the 21st day of June A.D. 1856.
[illegible] Cooley Clerk.
Joseph W. Gaston Dep
If you have not applied or received land, strike out this paragraph
If either or both of the deponents were at the marriage, state the fact
If one or both of you were at the death or funeral stat the fact. If not state why you think he is dead.
Page 6

State of Illinois
County of Fulton
On this tenth day of October AD 1853 personally appeared before the Judge of the County Court of the County of Fulton aforesaid at Ellisville in said County Hannah Simmons
resident of said Ellisville she being unable to appear in Court aged Sixty years who first being duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following 
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed February 3d 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the Revolutionary War, that she
is the widow of Zarah Simmons who was a
private soldier in the North Company of
Militia Stationed at Little Compton in the County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1776, 7, 8 & 9 which company was commanded
at different dates by Captains George Simmons and David Hilliard, that the said Zarah Simmons served in said Company from about the
[illegible]th day of December AD 1776 to the 25th day of October AD 1779 or thereabouts; that the service
of said Company was to [illegible]
from their guard Houses that for said period
of time the said Zarah Simmons discharged
the duties of his station. She further de
clares that she was married to the said
Page 7

Zarah Simmons on or about the 20th
day of March AD 1827 at Lebanon in the
County of Madison and State of New York
by Thomas Wiley Esq. And that her said
husband died on the 2d day of June AD 1827
that she was not married to him prior to the
second day of January Eighteen hundred
but at the time above stated. She further
declares that she is now a widow
Hannah Simmons
I Erasmus D Rice Judge of the County Court of the County Fulton State of Illinois (which is a Court of record)
do hereby certify that the foregoing affidavit
was subscribed and sworn to by the affiant at
her residence in  Ellisville in said County (she
being unable to attend in Court this 10th day
of October AD 1853
Before me Erasmus D Rice Judge
Page 8

I Mary Pearce of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged ninety nine years do on my oath depose and say, That I was born and lived in Little Compton in the State until within about twenty years past. I was well acquainted with Zarah Simmons of said Little Compton, living near neighbors from our childhood up. He was the son of John Simmons. Said Zarah married my sister Phebe Brownell, she was m oldest sister. they went to keeping house near my fathers and I used to be frequently there and at the time of the Revolution I was there a great deal because my sister was alone. her husband said Zarah was away soldiering at the guard places on the shore and other places. How much said Zarah served as a Soldier in the Revolution I cannot now remember, but I do remember that he served a good deal as much I think as others who served at the guard stations in Little Compton. I think that I remember he went on the Island in Sullivans expedition to drive off the British said Zarah moved away from Little Compton a great many years ago to Madison in New York as I understand I heard of his death many years ago
Signed in my presence
Isaac Manchester

Mary her X mark Pearce
Page 9

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Newport ss
Be it known that on the twenty third day of August A.D. 1853 before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport personally appeared Mary Pearce and subscribed her within Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Mary Pearce and she is a credible person and a woman of veracity and of remarkable strength of mind for a person of her years. Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Newport ss.
Clerks Office, Supreme Court Septemr 2 1853
I hereby certify that Asa Gray Esqr before whom the deposition of Mary Pearce was sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Newport duly elected, commissioned and qualified to take depositions, and his signature thereto is genuine. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court at Newport on the day and year aforesaid.
Geo C. Shaw, Clk S.C.
Page 10

State of New York
Madison County ss
I hereby certify that on the fifteenth day of March in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven I duly and Legally married Zerah Simmons and Hanna Stibbins each to the other at the Town of Lebanon in said county,
dated Hamilton September 15th 1853
[Thomas obscured] Wylie
[obscured] Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
Clerk's Office, Madison County, ss.
I, Lucius P.. Clark, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that Thomas Wylie Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected or appointed, and qualified, and authorized by the laws of said State to take the same; and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting, and verily believe the signature to the said certificate is genuine, and that said instrument is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of said State.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, the 18 day of October 1853
Lucius P Clark Clerk
Page 11

Town Clerk's Office Little Compton 
August 10 1853
I certify that Zarah Simmons the Son of John Simmons & Comfort his wife was born in Little Compton September 13th 1745
All which appears of Record in this office
Otis Wilbor
Town Clerk
Page 12

Galesburg April 14 1855

To the Pension Office
We the undersigned Thomas Simmons Son of Zarah Simmons and Mary Simmons wife of Thomas Simmons and Susan B Hichcock an adopted Daughter of Thomas and Mary Simmons are all and personally acquainted with the circumstances of the marriage of Zarah and Hannah Simmons that they lived together as man and wife in the same house under the same roof and the said Zarah Simmons died while with us and that Thomas Simmons was administrator of the estate of Zarah Simmons and selled the [illegible] belonging to said Hannah and that she is still living a widow in Fulton County State of Illinois, We individually knowing these facts do testify to the Same
Thomas Simmons [hand drawn seal]
Mary Simmons [hand drawn seal]
Susan B. Hitchcock [hand drawn seal]
Samuel Tompkins [hand drawn seal]

I Samuel Tompkins do corroborate the above facts & make oath & swear

Sworn before me this fourteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty five 
Galesburg Knox County State of Illinois
Chauncey White
Justice of the Peace
P.S We think that you have evidence in some of the papers on file, that Mr. White is a J.P. D Preston
Page 13

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
March 29, 1933

Zarah Simmons R.9576
RA-J/EEL

Honorable Robert. G. Simmons
1315 Farragut Street, N. W.
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Simmons:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Zarah Simmons, a soldier of the Revolutionary War who served from Rhode Island.

You are herewith furnished the history of Zarah Simmons as found in the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R.9576, based upon his military service in that war.

Zarah Simmons, the son of John Simmons and Comfort, his wife, was born at Little Compton, Rhode Island, September 13, 1745. The date of birth was recorded on the town records of said Little Compton, a copy of which is on file in his widow's claim for pension and was certified to b the town clerk of that town.

The soldier married Phebe Brownell: the date of the marriage was not given but it was stated that Phebe was his wife during the time of his service in the Revolutionary war: there are no further particulars in regard to her. He married March 15, 1827, as stated by the Justice of the Peace who performed the ceremony, or March 20, 1827, as stated by his widow, at Lebanon, Madison County, New York, Hannah Stebbins, a widow.

The soldier died June 2, 1827, in Madison County New York, as a result of a fall from a wagon. 

On October 12, 1853, at which time she was aged sixty years and resided in Ellisville, Fulton County, Illinois, Hannah Simmons applied for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of her husband, Zarah Simmons, in the War of the Revolution and stated that her husband enlisted at Little Compton, Rhode Island on December 7, 1776, and served until October 25, 1779, on monthly tours, every alternate month, for a period of over seventeen
Page 14

months in all, as a private in the North Company of Militia of said Little Compton, Rhode Island, under Captains George Simmons (no relationship to the soldier shown) [line from name of George Simmons and note written in margin "Found a Capt Geo Simmons also a Col Miller"] and David Hilliard and Colonel Miller and was engaged in guarding the shores of Rhode Island, and that he was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.

Her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of six months' service as was required by the pension laws.

She was allowed bounty land in full satisfaction for the services of her husband, Zarah Simmons, War of the Revolution, on her application executed June 14, 1856, at which time she was residing in Ellisville Knox County Illinois. In order to obtain the location of the land, you should apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Interior Department, this city, citing the following data: Warrant Number 47966-160-55.

The only name of a child of Zarah Simmons that is given is son Thomas, who in 1856, was a resident of Knox County, Illinois, and stated that his father died at his home in Madison County, New York. Thomas' wife named Mary, maiden name not given, and in above year both Thomas and Mary Simmons were aged sixty-five years.

In 1853, one Mary Pearce, then aged ninety-nine years and a resident of Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island, stated that she was a sister of Phebe Brownell Simmons, soldier's former wife. It was stated that Mary Pearce was the widow of Rouce Pearce. In 1855, Susan B. Hitchcock was shown to be the adopted daughter of Tomas & Mar Simmons.

There are no further family data.

It is not stated that Zarah Simmons served in Captain Gideon Simmons' Company, Colonel Cook's Regiment Rhode Island Militia from August 17, 1778 to August 31, 1778. However, it can be observed from the service noted above that he could have rendered that service also.

There is no claim for pension on file based upon the service of any other Zarah Simmons, under any spelling of that surname.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

-2-
Page 15

9576
P.O. [blank]
Hannah Simmons
Service: REJECTED
Enlisted: [blank], 18 [blank]
Discharged: [blank] 18 [blank]
Application filed: blank 18 [blank
Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]
Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank] Recognized
[blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. if Dis. 
Searched for [blank] 18 [blank]

[in left margin]
1933 Mar 29 Write to Hon Robt. G. Simmons EET
1933 Apr 14 Ad. Hon Robt G. Simmons of correct date of birth EET
1933 May 11 Hon Robt G. Simmons adv [illegible] MMH
Page 16

47.966
Newport
Page 17

No 3,474
Appl of Hannah Simmons
of Zarah
Let to D Presont Esq
Act 29/53 [struck thru]
Gray
Let to same Dec 3 1853 
[next 4 lines are struck thru with a note "Could not find"]
Let to D Preston July 19 1854
"""" Mar 13 "
"""" APr 4 1855
"""" " 24 "

9574
Act of Feb 3 1853
Page 18

[post mark]
DETROIT MICH
JUN 25

FREE

Hon J. Minot
C0m of Pensions
Washington DC

250.103
Page 19

He certainly served 14 days
Triplett
Page 20

There is no doubt but that Zara Simmons served as watch guard, but I do not think the length of service has been established.
Brownell should show her he fixes it at 17 months He should show [illegible] that he Brownell knows when he Simmons enlisted service and when he left
"Triplett"
I got "Triplett to ex. this case
July 18 /54 "Boynton"
Page 21

May 11, 1933

ZARAH SIMMONS
R. 9576
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Honorable Robert G. Simmons
1315 Farragut Street, N. W.,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Mr. Simmons:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request a copy of the certificate of birth of Zarah Simmons, Revolutionary War soldier, on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 9576.

A photostatic copy of this certificate, which is one page, will be furnished you for twenty-five cents.

Kindly make remittance by money order drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States, and the copy which is being made will be mailed to you.

Very truly yours

A. D. HOLLER
Assistant to the Adminstrator


[hand written note at bottom of page]
I called his res June 7, (he is not at Cap. [illegible] called that first)
To know if he had sent the money & Mrs Simmons said she wanted to speak to him about it.
Page 22

BA-J/MLB
Rev. & 1812
No. 158
May 11, [blank] 3.
541

Rev. War claim for pension of Zarah Simmons,
File No. R. 9576
Actual 1 [struck thru]of each page

25 cents 1 page

Congressional

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 in. at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.

Chief, Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Page 23

ROBERT G. SIMMONS
6TH DIST. NEBRASKA
RAY W. NEDROW
SECRETARY
MEMBER
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
5 -6-33-
Administrator veterans adm.
Washington D.C
Sir
Under date of Nov(?) 29, 1933 you wrote me concerning Zarah Simmons
R. 9576-Ba-J./E.E.L. and referred in
the third paragraph to a certificate
of the town clerk of Little Compton R.I.
I will appreciate it much if you will furnish 
me with a copy of this certificate.
Yours
Roy G Simmons
1315 Farragut Dr NW
Received
MAY 8 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS ADM. PENSION 3
Page 24

158 pensions Margin 1 1/2" top
U.S. Veterans Bureau
Form 9 - Reb. Feb, 1924
U.S. Veterans' Bureau
Chief Clerk's Division
Requisition for Photostat Copying

BA-J/MLB
Rev. & 1812
No. 158

May 11, 1933
Phone No. 541
From Photostat Section, Chief Clerk's Division, Room 1123

Please furnish Photostat copies of the papers listed below:

Description of original Papers: 
Rev. War claim for pension of Zarah Simmons File No. R. 9576  
Congressional
 Desired size: Actual, one copy of face.
Total  25 cents

Remarks: Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inch at top of each page and return papers in folder with corresponding name and number.

M.M.H. Finch, Requisitioning officer
Chief, Rev. & 1812 wars section.

initialed J.H. Allen
date stamped May 12, 1933
Page 25

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON              

April 14, 1933

XXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MMHF/cel
Zarah Simmons-R.9576

Honorable Robert G. Simmons
1315 Farragut Street, N. W.
Washington D.C.

My dear Mr. Simmons:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request verification of the date of birth of Zarah Simmons whose Revolutionary War record was furnished you on March 29; also, information as to whether or not it would have proved advantageous for that soldier's widow, under the then existing pension laws, to have stated an earlier date of his birth.

The date of birth as shown in the papers on file in the claim for pension of Hannah Simmons, widow of Zarah Simmons (R.9576), is September 13, 1745.

There was no provision of the the pension law under which this soldier's widow would have benefitted by making an erroneous statement in regard to his birth date.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 26

ROBERT G. SIMMONS
6th DIST. NEBRASKA

MEMBER
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

RAY W. NEDROW
SECRETARY

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.

1315 Farragut Street. N. W.

(Stamped)
RETIREMENT SUB-DIVISION
APR 10 1933
S
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

April 8, 1933.

Veterans Administration,
Washington D. C.
Sirs:

Under date of March 29, 1933 you furnished me with the pension record of Zarah Simmons R 9576.  Your entire records fits the record I have except the date of birth.  October 1731 is the month shown in the vital statistics records of Rhode Island on file in the Library of Congress.  The baptism records of the Congregational Church there also show his baptism as of 1731-32.

The difference in dates raises this question:  Was there any provision of the pension laws that would have made it advantageous to his wodow (sic) to have shown a later date for his birth?  I will be pleased to have your comment upon it.

Yours very truly,

Robt Simmons
Page 27

Postmarked

RECEIVED
APR 10 1933
CONGRESSIONAL 1
MAIL SUB. DIV
U.S.V.B.
Page 28

ROBERT G. SIMMONS
6TH DIST. NEBRASKA

MEMBER
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

RAY W. NEDROW
SECRETARY

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
1315 Farragut Street N. W.

Veterans Administration,
Washington D. C.

Gentlemen:

I am informed that your records show that on Zarah Simmons served as a private 2nd or North Company, Militia, Little Compton R. I.  George Simmons, Capt., David Hilliard (Lt. Col.) from dec 7, 1776 to Oct. 25, 1779; born little Compton R. I. Sept. 15, 1745, son of John and Comfort Simmons; died June 2, 1827.

Please advise me as to to details of the records of your office as to parents, place of birth and in particular accuracy of date of birth.  The vital statistics of R. I. give the date of birth of Zarah Simmons as October 13, 1731 at Little Compton and no other Zarah Simmons is given.  Where did he die, who claimed his pension.  I am trying to clear up the discrepancy in the date of birth.

The war department records show a Zarah Simmons to have served in Captain Gideon Simmons Company, Col. Cook's regiment Rhode Island Militia from August 17, 1778, to Aug. 31, 1778.  Could the two men have been the same?

Your courtesy in this will be much appreciated.

Yours truly,
Robt Simmons

Stamped:
RECEIVED
MAR 27 1933
Page 29

Detroit  Nov. 25/53

Hon L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions

Dr. Sir

You will recollect that a short time since we filed the claim of Mrs. Hannah Simmons widow of Zarah Simmons for Pension act Feb 3/ 53.  You informed us that there was no evidence of his service there on file we then wrote the Sec of State of R. I. & herein enclose his reply.  We also enclose a letter from Mr. Thomas Simmons stating that Stephen Brownell & Mary Pearce (whose affidavits were filed in this case) are Revo. Pensioners for the same service that Mr. Simmons performed at Little Compton.  Will you please reexamine the papers with regard to said affidavits & inform us if one or both of them will be of service in establishing the service of Mr. Simmons. 

Yours truly
David Preston &c
Page 30

April 24 / 55
Page 31

Pension Office
April 24th 1855.

Sir:

I have carefully examined the claim of Mrs. Hannah Simmons for a pension as the widow of Zarah in connection with the proof recently filed.

I cannot find sufficient evidence of the Service & the duration thereof of the Soldier under whom the applicant claims to justify the allowance of her claim.

(illegible)
Page 33

Rev War Office.
April 4th 1855.

Gentlemen,

In reply to your letter of the 30th (illegible).  You are informed that no additional evidence has been recieved (sic) & filed in this Office in Support of the claim of Mrs. Hannah Simmons for a pension since the 13th of November last the date of the last report in the Case.

(illegible)
Page 35

53
Pension Office
July 19th 1854

Sir

The Claim of Hannah Simmons widow of Zarah has been again examined & suspended.

It appears quite satisfactory from an examination of the claim that her husband was in service, but the length of his service is not established.

Stephen Brownell testifies he served 17 months as a Coast Guard but how he is enabled to fix upon this length of service he does not state.  

The amount of service performed by Said Zarah Simmons should be established satisfactorily .  If Brownell, can testify to 17 months service, he should show how he fixed upon this period of service & should show conclusively that he knows he (Simmons) entered the service & when he left.

(illegible)
David Preston Esqr.
Detroit, Mich.
Page 37

Pension Office
Dec 3 1853

Sir

It is impossible to admit the claim of Hannah Simmons for a pension under the act of February 3 1853 unless six months service is proven; the evidence now on file is not satisfactory, and her claim is necessarily suspended. 

Respectfully &c

David Preston & Co
Detroit
Michigan
Page 61

I Stephen Brownell, of Little Compton
in the County of Newport, State of Rhode Island
and aged Ninety One years, do depose, declare
and say that I was well acquainted with
Sarah Simmons, who died in the Town of
Madison, State of New York, in 1827, who was
formerly of Little Compton, and that he
during the Militia service of Little Compton
in the Revolutionary War; served as a
Private Soldier in the North Company, or
second Company of Little Compton, of
which company George Simmons, was
Captain a part of the time, and also David
Hilliard,-- that his service commenced in
the last part of the year 1776, at the time the
British took possession of the Island of Rhode-
Island, I believe December 7th and continued
until they evacuated the Island in the latter
part of the year 1779. I believe the 25th of October -- that there were four Guard Houses, being erected on the shores of Little Compton, by the Town; the two North Guard Houses, being be
occupied by the North Company, and the two
South Houses, by the South Company, or first
Company, that I belonged to and served in the
South Company, and Sarah Simmons, in the
North Company, The service that was required
of us was to traverse the shores each way from
the Guard House, a distance of perhaps a half mile being relieved once in two hours, and serving for a period of thirty days, and then being relieved by the next Division of the Militia (the
Militia being draughted in two Divisions) to do
duty every other month.-- that I was born and
lived in the same place where I now live,
Page 63

I Lucy Pearcce Widow of Icha-
bod Pearce of Little Compton in the
County of Newport, and State of
Rhode Island, aged Eight-Three
Years, do depose, declare, and say,
that I draw a Pension Annually  of 
Forty Seven dollars, and Forty-four Cents,
for Service performed by my Husband
Ichabod Pearce, in the time of the Revolu=
tionary War, that I do not know of
my certain knowledge, the partic-
-ular kind of Service he then perform
-ed in Guarding the Shores of Little
Compton, when the British were in
Possesson of the Island of Rhode Island [inserted above] the same
description of Service upon which
Hannah Simmons, the Widow of
Zarah Simmons, now Founds, a
Claim for a Pension on account of
Services performed by her Husband
Zarah Simmons.
I also depose, declare, and say,
that there is no Other Person than
Stephen Bownell, living in Little
Compton, whio performed Service in the
time of the Revolutionary War, and
who draws a Pension for such Service.
And further deponent saith not.
Little Compton June 21, 1854.
Lucy Pearce

At a Court of Probate held at Little
Compton June 21, 1854- came Lucy
Pearce, and under solemn Oath, made
Page 64

the foregoing declaration and signed
the same in the presence of the Court.
Witness my hand and the
Seal of the Court of Probate
of Little Compton aforesaid
the day and year before
written
Nathaniel Church
Presiding Judge
Page 65

I Stephen Brownell of Little Comp-
ton, in the County of Newport, State of
Rhode Island, aged Ninety-two years,
do depose and declare, and say, that I
was well acquainted with Zarah Sim
mons, who died in the Town of Madison
State of New York, in 1827, who was for
merly of Little Compton, and that he
during the Militia Service of Little Comp-
-ton in the Revolutionary War, served
as a Private Soldier in the North Com-
-pany, or Second Company of Little
Compton, of which Company George
Simmons was Captain a Part of the
time and also David Hilliard.  that
his service commenced in the Last
Part of the Year 1776, at the time the
British took possession of the Island
of Rhode Island.  I believe December
Seventh, and continued until they
evacuated the Island in the Latter
Part of the Year 1779.  I believe the Twenty-
fifth of October, ---that there
were Four Guard Houses, erected on the
Shores of Little Compton, by the Town, the
Two North Guard Houses being Occupied
by the North Company, and the Two
South Houses by the South Company or
First Company, that I belonged to,
and served in the South Company,
and Zarah Simmons, in the North Com-
pany, the Service that was required
of us, was to Traverse the Shores, each Way
from the Guard House, a distance of perhaps
Half a Mile, being relieved once in Two
Page 66

Hours, and serving for a Period of Thirty
Days, and then being relieved by the
next Division of the Militia (the Militia
being Draughted in Two Divisions) to do
duty every Other Month, making the
time of actual Service of the said Zarah
Simmons a little over Seventeen Months,
during the Time the British were in
Possession of the Island of Rhode Isl.
and - - - that I was, born and 
lived in the same Place, where I now
live, which was within a distance of
about Two Miles of the Birth-Place and
Residence of the said Zarah Simmons,
and had the best opportunity of knowing
with regard to his Service, - having
frequent interviews, back and forward
with each Others' Company in the day
time, while during the night-season,
we were more closely confined within
our respective Guards, and that I
firmly believe that the said Zarah Sim-
mons, was never excused from his
regular Tour of duty, every other Month
during the whole time as above stated.
I also depose and say that there
is no other Person living in Little Compton
who did Service in the Revolution, for which
he draws a Pension
I further depose, and say that I 
draw a Pension of Eighty Dollars a
year for Twenty-four Months Service in
the Revolutionary War, about Sixty dol
lars of which was, for Seventeen Months
Service in Guarding the Shores of Little
Page 67

In a Court of Probate held at
Little Compton June 21.1854, came
Stephen Brownell, and under solemn
oath made the foregoing declaration
and signed the same in the presence
of the Court.
Witness my hand & the Seal
of the Court of Probate of Little
Compton aforesaid the day and
year before written.
Nathaniel Church
Presiding Judge