Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15701, Joseph E Westgate, R.I.
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SERVICE
R.I.
Westgate, Joseph E.
NUMBER
S.15701
CONTENTS
Carded
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Left side:
Date of death not on AB
Right side:
Vermont   28.437 (?)
Joseph E. Westgate
of Orleans in the state of Vermont
who was a pr:&Ser: in the ___ command_ 
by Captain __ of the R(?) commande_
by Col: Elliott in the R. I
line for 2 years -

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont -
at the rate of 107 Dollars 50 Cents per annum
_o commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of June '34  and (?) Hon H. Hubbard - N. B.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar : 34                $322.50
Semi-anl allowance ending 24 Sept         $53.75
-                                              [TOTAL]  $376.25
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
_ok E Vol 3 Page 99
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Joseph Earl Westgate
Affidavits &
Selectmens Certificate
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I Joseph Earl Westgate of Morristown, Vermont depose and say that I now have at the War Department a pending claim to a Pension for upwards of two years service in the Army of the Revolution, agreeably to a Declaration made before Hon Court of Probate for the County of Orleans VT, which was transmitted to the War Department by S.A. Willard Esq-  That(?) my said declaration as regards to the length of time that I   served, is true; and it is also true, that I did  the duty of a Sergeant for the term of one year in  the Company commanded by Lieutenant Howe - and also that I had a Sergeants Warrant which has been mislaid or lost -  I further say that I know of no one living by whom I can prove the service I so performed as Sergeant - 
Joseph E. Westgate
Sworn and subscribed to this 21st day of January 1834
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my my hand and fixed my Notaries Seal at Plainfield in the County of Sullivan and state of New Hampshire this 21 day of Jany 1834
John Bryant Notary Public
I further certify that I have been acquainted   with
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with Joseph E. Westgate the deponent for nearly thirty years and believe him a man of strict integrity and of course a credible witness -
John Bryant Notary Public
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We the subscribers two of the Selectmen of Plainfield, N.H. do hereby certify that from a long acquaintance with the deponent, Joseph E. Westgate formerly of this town but now of Morristown in the State of Vermont, we believe him to be an honest man & think his declaration relative to his Revolutionary services are entitled to full credit.  
Shamas Chellis Jr
Len Bryant 
Sworn and subscribed to this 21 day of January 1834
In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarized Seal at Plainfield in the County of Sullivan in the state of New Hampshire this 21 day of January AD 1834 - 
John Bryant Notary Public
I further certify that the deponents are credible witnesses
John Bryant N. P.
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Joseph E. Westgate
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DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of New Hampshire,  } ss.
County of Sullivan 
On this twenty fifth day of February 1834, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judge of the Court of Probate, now sitting, ~ Joseph E. Westgate ~ a resident of Morristown in the County of Orleans and the State of VT, aged 72 years, who being 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 names officers and served as herein stated, First enlisted Tiverton R. I. on or about the 20th of February 1777 into Capt Giffords company of R.I. militia wherein (edge torn) served at Howlands & Foglins Ferry in said R.I. Four month, does not know of being attached to any (edge torn) Regiment during said four months service.  He again enlisted on or about the 20th June 1777 in (edge torn) company commanded by Capt Duvol of the R. Island line and served therein within the jurisdiction of said (edge torn) till the 16th day of March 1778 eight months & twenty six days.  Again enlisted some time in the month of June 1778 for the term of nine months in Capt Adams company of Artillery of Col Elliott R.I. Regt and was stationed at Howlands Ferry and (?) and in that vicinity as a private served out the full term of his engagement of nine months.  in the course of which he was an actor in Sullivans Battle on Rhode Island in the month of August 1778.  In the month of March 1779 again enlisted by agreement as a Sergeant in Capt Sawyers company of Artillery then under the command of Lieutenant Howe for the term of one year wherein he served and did the duty of a Sergeant one year agreeably to his engagement and was discharged at Newport, R.I. in the month of March 1780.  This company during said year was stationed at Bristol & Newport _said Col Sherburne was at same time stationed at said Bristol.  Has no documentary evidence, knows of no person living who served with him whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  In answer to the several interrogations put to him he states in reply to the 1st that he was born at Portsmouth in the State of R.I.  on the 10th of June 1760 and has borne the name of Joseph E. Westgate from his earliest recollection.  2nd that he has no other than a family (?) of his age, 3rd was living in Tiverton when called into service as above stated and has since the Revolutionary War lived in Plainfield, NH from 1785 to 1820 since 1820 in Morristown, Vermont where he now lives or generally resides 4th That he was called into service as above stated. 5th that during the fore part of his service was acquainted with Col Toppam, Col Barton, Major Hendrix, Adjutant Chal Hendrec, also Capt Dyer. -- (edge torn) the latter part with Col Toppan, Col Sherburn & Major Bradford, 6th that he had a written discharge for his last years service as a Sergeant, which discharge was signed by Col Elliott and was preserved by the (edge torn) (?) till after his remove to Plainfield N.H. but has since been mislaid or lost.  And to the 7th that he is known in the neighborhood where he formerly lived to Rev Ariel Kendrick of Cornish N.H. and John Bryant Esq of Plainfield who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.  The reasons assigned by him for making this declaration in the State of N.H. is that he is now making a temporary residence among his friends there & is in hopes there to be able to make some circumstantial evidence of his services named in this declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to aa pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, signed Joseph E. Westgate
Sworn to and subscribed, the twenty fifth day of February 1834, Frederick A. Sumner Judge of note

We, Ariel Kendrick residing in Cornish N.H. and John Bryant residing in Plainfield N.H. hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph E. Westgate, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he ^used to reside, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Signed Ariel Kendrick, John Bryant, Frederick A. Sumner Judge of Probate

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 certifies, that it appears to them that Ariel Kendrick who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Cornish NH and that John Bryant, who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Plainfield NH is a Magistrate and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.  Signed Frederick A Sumner Judge of Probate

I, Aaron Nettleton Jr, Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joseph E. Westgate for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and seal of office, this 25th day of February  1834,  Signed Aaron Nettleton Jr Register of Probate
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9408
Joseph E. Westgate
5
claimant
Moristown
VT
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BRIEF in the case of Joseph E. Westgate
Orleans of District in the State of Vermont 
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 71
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed;
Period ~ Duration
A. March in 1777 ~ 1 year
B. in June 1778 ~ 9 months
C. in March 1779 ~ 1 year

Rank ~ Names under whom he served
Gen. Varnum
A. Private ~ Capt Gifford, Capt Deval
B. do ~ Capt Adams, Col Elliot
C. Sergeant ~ Capt Adams
The last term of service as a Sergeant
5. In what battles was he engaged? Rhode Island
6. Where did he reside when he entered service?  Rhode Island
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses,  by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  The court has given an opinion but-it-is not-digued(?) by the Judge.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  Sam J Potts  Examining Clerk
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9408
Hon H Hubbard
31 Mar(?) 1831
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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 Joseph E. Westgate was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears in them that Albert Stone who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in (Morristown aforesaid is crossed out, insert is illegible) County, and that Moses Weld and Samuel Cooke who have also signed the preceding certificates are residents of said Morristown - and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled  to credit -
I John H. Kimball Register of the Probate Court for the district of Orleans aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing Court in the matter of the application of Joseph E. Westgate for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have (illegible phrase) and seal of office this 23rd day of August 1832 - 
John H Kimball Register
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State of Vermont Orleans District  ss } At a Probate Court holden at Morristown within an for the District of Orleans

On this 23d day of August AD 1832 (struck through: personally appeared in open court before) present the Hon John Kimball Judge personally appeared in open court Joseph E. Westgate a resident of Morristown in the County of Orleans and State of Vermont aged Seventy one years who first being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain a benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 -
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That in July or March 1777 one Capt Gifford who commanded a Company of Militia on Rhode Island when the British troops took possession in 1776 and who with many of his townsmen left the island in consequence of that event at the suggestion of Genl Varnum enlisted a Company and was commissioned by Genl Varnum and the Company called Varnum's Lifeguards. and he the applicant enlisted into
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that company and was stationed at Howlands Ferry in the State of Rhode Island when General Varnum then held carn mount (?) - that Genl Varnum left that place sometime in the Spring and soon afterwards the Company to which he the applicant belonged and in which he was doing duty marched to Fogland Ferry and was stationed there.  That after staying a short time at Fogland Ferry he enlisted under Capt Devol in a Boat company belonging to the State Troops of Rhode Island - that the Company was under the command of Major Munroe - that the Boat he went on board of had formerly  been a ferry boat at Bristol Ferry - mounted eight swivel guns and was used as a guard Boat.  That he was on board and on guard in Mount Hope Bay the night Col Barton made a prisoner of Genl Prescott and two men went from the Boat as guides to Col Barton- 
That in the Fall of that year an expedition was planned to take Rhode Island called Spencers Expedition - that Boats were built in a place called Kukamuet to transport troops in and were taken to Fogland Ferry and were placed in a cove to keep them out of sight - That the Expedition failed and he returned to  
Howland and did duty there till his time of Enlistment expired in March 1778
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That in April 1778 he engaged to go on Board a row Galley lying in Taunton River but while getting in readiness the Galley was captured by the British and taken to New Port -
That in June 1778 he enlisted under Capt Adams in a company of Artillery and was attached to Elliotts Regiment of Artillery and stationed at Howlands Ferry - (?)When there was a Regiment of State Troops under Col Tappan and he thinks was under the command of Genl Cornell - that during that Summer an attempt was made to retake Rhode Island called Sullivans Expedition.  That a large force collected for the purpose of crossing to Rhode Island and while getting in readiness the French Fleet came in and fired upon the British Forts and the Island.  a heavy cannonade took place and some  vessels(?) were blown up one on the west side of the Island with a large quantity of Powder on board and and two others in Secunnet (Sakonnet) Bay a little below Fogland Ferry.  that a British Fleet appeared at sea and the French went out to meet and give them battle - That the American Troops crossed over to the Island and himself with the rest and a very severe storm immediately came on. the fleet had  an engagement and separated and the French put into Boston to repair -- that the American army advanced near the British lines and encamped.  thinks the British retreats in to New Port before the Americans crossed -
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That the American troops threw up Batteries in the night and drew in Cannon and in the morning the men went in and mounted the cannon and he did duty in one of the batteries and a nine inch Brass mortar was split - Says a deserter was Taken he thinks by the same Regiment team(?) which he deserted and was shot - thinks another was hanged - the company to which he belonged and he with them were ordered to Butsis(Butts') Hill Barracks to make Cannon Cartridges - On Friday(?) of the same week he was ordered with a detach from Butsis Hill to Howlands Ferry to get some Cannon - that they did not accomplish their business till evening and concluded to stay all night and return in the morning - that he returned soon after daylight and found all in confusion and understood the army had retreated in the night to Butsis Hill -  crossed and went to the Fort when he found his company outside the fort with their Artillery and with their knapsacks slung the enemy driving hard upon their rear and keeping a pretty smart firing.  he joined his company and    they stood till nearly noon when they were ordered to unsling their Knapsacks and put them into the baggage waggon which they did and the driver was ordered to drive a little back and wait for further orders . but he drove off the Island with all their provisions.  That the enemy advanced towards the Fort on Brownells ^hill a little west of Butsis Hill . when  the action commenced . about the same Genl Sullivan with his aid
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returned from a circuit he had taken round the west side and passing their artillery made a lott and ordered them immediately into action on to the scene of action and rode upon their right till they came onto the ground where they placed their pieces and commenced firing -  that the English Frigate Cay about three fourth of a mile from them which kept up a firing when the American troops.  that the fighting was severe that after noon and after making two or three attempts the enemy retreated to a hill on Sunday night after and after dark both armies retreated - that in consequence of losing their provisions on Saturday morning his company had nothing to eat untill Sunday night when they drew one days allowance in Beef and Bread and (cot, eat?) it as it was new from the Barrel and thought it a good meal - that General Layfayatt went went to Boston to intercede with the French Admiral to return to New Port but without succeeding returned in season to bring off the rear guard -  that he the Applicant returned to his former station at Howland Ferry and continued there the most of the time till he was discharged in March he thinks the 16th day 1779 - 

That he enlisted again in a few days under Capt How who was second Lieut in Capt Adams Company the year before and was called a
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Capt Lust when he enlisted under him.  That he and the rest of the company we returned to Capt Sawyers Company being the first Company in the Regiment - that they remained(?) at their old station at Howlands Ferry till sometime in April when they were ordered to Warren to join the Company - Capt Sawyer did not join the Company (phrase repeated and crossed out) and Capt Lust How commanded - Soon after he went to Warren a detachment was called for from the Company to which he belonged to relieve some Continental artillery men at Bristol Fort or the Fort at Bristol Ferry that he went with the detachment and took charge of the Fort(?) and used frequently to exchange shots with the enemys Fort on Rhode Island being about a mile distant - that he tarried(?) there about three months at which time he was relieved and joined his company again in the camp about one mile above Bristol [?] when Col Sherburn was in camp[?] with a Regiment of Continental troops and was the commanding officer and when he continued till the British left Rhode Island and was then marched to New Port and was stationed at Bristol Point.  Where he continued till the last of December and marched with part of his company to Howlands Ferry where he remained until discharged March he thinks about the 16th day 1780.
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That he was born on Rhode Island in 1761 and lived there when the British took the island, that after he left the army he returned and lived there till 1785 and then moved to Plainfield in New Hampshire and lived there until 1820 when he moved to Morristown in Orleans County Vermont where he has eversince lived and does now live.  That he has not been to Rhode Island for several years and knows of no person living by whom he can prove and part of his service.  That Moses Weld of Morristown and John Newland of Hydepark both in Orleans County aforesaid and both upon the pension roll (only Newland has been struck [?] an amount of his property as he says) will both certify they were in the service of the United States at the same place and time the Applicant states in his declaration and to some facts he has stated but neither these knew the other was there.  That he had a written discharge but has not seen it for a number of years and supposes it to be lost. Thinks it was signed by Col Elliot.
That he served as a Private only excepting the last enlistment [and was then a Sergeant is crossed out)  That during the last enlistment he was a Sergeant and entered as such
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declares
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That his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid     Joseph E Westgate

I Moses Weld of Morristown in the County of Orleans do certify that I have been acquainted with Joseph E Westgate who has made the foregoing declaration for about forty years past (but was not acquainted with him in the time of the Revolutionary War) and we have frequently before the year 1818 and since that time conversed relating to events which took place during the Revolutionary War and from what he relates as events which took place at Rhode Island at the time of Sullivans retreat I believe he must have been there as I myself was there at that time and am confident he must have been present or he could not have been knowing to what he related --- Sworn and subscribed in Open Court this 23rd day of August 1832      Moses Weld

We Albert Stone a Clergyman of the Baptist denomination of Johnson in the County of Franklin, and Samuel Cook of Morristown in the County of Orleans do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph E Westgate who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 71 years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion ----
Sworn and subscribed in Open Court the 23rd day of August 1832    Albert Stone, Samuel Cooke
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May 2, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxx
JOSEPH E. WESTGATE
S. 15701
RA-J/MLB

Mr C. E. Westgate
702 North K Street
Tacoma, Washington

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Joseph E. Westgate, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, who was receiving a pension in 1840 on account of his service, while living in Morristown, Vermont.
The date which follow in regard to Joseph E. Westgate were obtained from pension claim,s. 15701, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph E. Westgate was born June 10, 1761 in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.  The name of his parents were not given.
While residing in Portsmouth or Tiverton, Rhode Island, Joseph E. Westgate enlisted February 20, 1777, and served until June 20, of the same year, as a private in Captain Gifford's company in the Rhode Island troops.  He served from June 20, 1777, until March 16, 1778, as a private in Captain Duval's boat company under Major Munroe in the Rhode Island troops, during which he went on Spencer's expedition to Rhode Island.  He enlisted June 10, 1778, served as a private in Captain Ebenezer Adams' company, Colonel Elliot's Rhode Island artillery regiment, stated at Howland's Ferry, during the summer went on Sullivan's Expedition and was in the Battle of Rhode Island, and was discharged March 16, 1779.  He again enlisted in March 1779, served as sergeant under Captain Lieutenant Howe in Colonel Elliot's Rhode Island artillery regiment and was discharged March 16, 1780.  
After the Revolution Joseph E. Westgate returned to Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he remained until 1785, then moved to Plainfield, New Hampshire where he remained until 1820, when he moved to Morristown, Orleans County, Vermont.
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The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Morristown, Vermont.  His full name was Jospeh Earl Westgate, but he signed Joseph E. Westgate and his name was so borne on the pension rolls, however it was stated that during his service he was known as Joseph Westgate and Joze Westgate.
No reference was made in the claim to the wife of Joseph E. Westgate.  In 1833, reference was made to his son but no names of children were designated.
In 1834, one Wanton Westgate of Tiverton, Rhode Island, age not stated, testified that he served one year in the revolution with Joseph E. Westgate who was a "distant connection" of his but the relationship was not stated.  In the same year, one Willim Shearman of Tiverton testified that he was brought up in the same family with Joseph E. Westgate, the soldier, but did not state any relationship.
In order to obtain the last payment of pension, the name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of the soldier, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Joseph E. Westgate, Certificate #29451, Issued June 13, 1824. Rate $107.50 per annum, Commenced March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Vermont Agency.  
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator
~2~