Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,765, Benjamin Gardner, R.I.
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(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
R. I.
Gardner, Benjamin
or
Gardiner
NUMBER
S. 21.765
CONTENTS
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[left page]
16
45
30
___
91

182
4550
____
22700
[right page]
21.907
Rhode Island
Benjamin Gardiner
of Washington in the State of Rh. Island
who was a Ensign in the Comp commanded 
by Captain Ashbury of the Regt commanded 
by Col. Dyer in the R. I. 
line for 6 months an Ensign
9 " a Sergeant
9 " " Private
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 91 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of Nov
1833- and sent to J. Hall
North Kingston
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $227.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Mar '34 45.50
_____
$273.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2 Page 111.
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State of Rhode Island &c.
I hereby certify that Benjamin Gardiner
Son of Jeremiah Gardiner Junior, by Tabitha his Wife
was born in North Kingstown the 9th day of November
A. D. 1746
Town Clerks Office
North Kingston
August 28, 1832.}
as appears of Record
Jon. Reynolds T. Clk
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84
Decon
Benjamin Gardiner
E. P. J. Hall    rec
22816
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
County of Washington Sc
on this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared in
open Court before John G Clarke
the Court of Common now sitting
Benjamin Gardiner a resident of North Kingstown in the County
and State aforesaid aged eighty six years in November last
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on
his oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7
1832. That he entered the service of the United States
and served under the following officers as herein stated
viz, some time in the year 1776 I belonged to
the company of Capt. John Congden in the above
[illegible] company of Exeter Col. Dyer’s Regiment and
served about one year as near as I can recollect on
was discharged. In August 1780 according to the
best of my recollection. I volunteered in Capt. James
Alsbury’s Company of light Horse attached to
to Col. Lyons Regiment as a private solder and
served about nine months and was discharged.
I a tour in North Kingstown guarding the shore 
of Narragansett Bay against the depredations of the
British shipping. I was born in Exeter, lived there
when I was called into the service, have lived in
North Kingstown since the Revolutionary war and now
live there. I have no written discharge from the
service. I was born in Exeter in the year 1746, I have
no documentary evidence relating to my services. I served 
a part of the time under a Lieut. commission, do not know
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what has been done with it. There is a record of my
age in the Town Clerk’s Office North Kingstown. 
Oliver Spink and Isaac Hall Esq. who live in said
North Kingstown are I presume acquainted with some
portion of my services.
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 of the agency
of any State.
Benjn Gardner
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
in Open Court. Winn Saml Helme Clk
We John Gardiner a Clergyman residing in Exeter
and Oliver Spink residing in North
Kingstown hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Benjamin Gardner who has subscribed and sworn to the 
above declaration that we believe him to be eighty six
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.
Oliver Spink
John Gardiner
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in
Open Court
Winn Saml Helme Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion 
that after the investigation of the matter and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department that the above named applicant was a
soldier of the Revolution and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that John Gardiner who has signed the
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preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Exeter and that Oliver Spink who also signed the same is a resident in the Town of North Kingstown and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit and that Oliver Spink and Samuel Cole who have given deposition in this case are credible persons and their testimony is entitled to credit. 
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Gardiner for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eighth day of September Saml. Helme Clk.
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22816 Benjamin Gardiner R Island Ensign 6 months Lieut 9 Private 9 The claimant must produce some evidence of his having been commissioned by proper authority as Lieut. This may possibly be obtained from the office of the Secy of the State of Rhode Island. Augt 20 1833.
attn Jno Hall North Kingston RI
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WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, 183
Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department; send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request; greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement shewing the Service of Benjamin Gardiner Washington Co R. Island. 
Period when the service was rendered. - Vol. 1776, " 1780, 1779
Duration of the claimant's service. Years - about 1, ". Months - ", 9, 1. Days - ", 
Rank of the claimant. [illegible], Calvary [illegible], Private. 
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capt. Congden Ashbury. 
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers. Col. Dyer, Dyer 
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through with he marched. North Kingston, Naragansett Bay.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 86 years, Exeter R Island
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary 12 Living Witnesses [illegible] certified is credible
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatment, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. 
DECLARATION, In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory, or District of County of SS. On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers: [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the county through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of .. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c. 
If on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commissiono; but if neither of these can be obtained, the part will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such survivng witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, on of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidiance. 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precise 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 - mounths and - days, I served as a - ; and for such service I claim a pension. It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is alway required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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. 
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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In reply to your request of , received for a a statement of the military history of Benjamin Gardner a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. F. 21765
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Spring 1776, 1777, 1778, 1779, Aug. 1780
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 4 mo, 5 mo, 4 mo, 6 mo, 9 mo.
RANK. Pri, ", ", Ensign, Sergt. 
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN. John Hoxsie, David Harrington, " ", Walter Clark, James Alsberry
COLONEL. Charles Dyer, ", ", ", Lt. Hoxie Co. Dyer.
STATE. R.I. 
Battles engaged in, 
Resident of soldier at enlistment, Exeter, R.I. 
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5, 1832
Residence at date of application, b. Nov. 9, 1746 Morth Kingston R.I. son of Jeremiah Gardiner Fr. & Tabitha his wife
Remarks:
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
1565b3m10-08
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This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States. 
O.W.&N. Div. REVOLUTIONARY. 
L. W. B. I. 21765.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C., August 13th, 1898.
Madam:- Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Benjamin Gardiner made an application for pension on September 5th, 1832, at which time he was 84 years of age and residing at North Kingston, R. I., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private, sergeant, and ensign in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Ashbury and Col. Dyer. He enlisted at Exeter, Mass. Very respectfully, Commissioner. Mrs. H. Carleton, Omaha, Nebraska.
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Dr. albert J. Winebrake 608 North Main Avenue Scranton, Pa. Apr 2nd 1912
Pension Bureau Wash. D.C. Dear Sirs Am desirous of information of one Benj. Gardner Ensign Wash County R.I. Pensioner 1834. Any information concerning same will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance. Mrs. A. J. Winebrake 808 N. Main Ave. Scranton Penna.
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Omaha Neb. July 11, 1898. H. Clay Evans. Dear Sir. Will you please have the pension records examined for the name Benjamin Gardner or any Garnder from Nantasket Mass, or Hingham that enlisted in the Revolution or has applied for pension and when, or anything that will prove my eligibility to the society of the Daughters of the Revolution also the name of Parkhurst looked for from the Northern part of Vermont or New York in hopes that I shall soon hear from you. I am Resp't. Mrs. H. Carleton. 218 S. 14th St.
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Revolution 21765 INVALID. File No. 21,765 Benjamin Gardiner Ensign Rev. War. 
Act. June 7" 32" Indes: - Vol. 2, Page 148 [Arrangement of 1870.]
Aug 13'98 Mrs. H. Carleton Omaha Neb. 
12 Apl 10 History to Mrs. a. H. Winebrake
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BY HIS EXCELLENCY, John Brown Francis 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 twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord on thousand eight hundred and thirty-three and of Independence the fifty-eighth. John Brown Francis BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND. Henry Bowen Secry.
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Secretary's office Sept. 20th AD 1833. I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden in June one thousand seven hundred seventy nine, Benjamin Gardner was applived as "Ensign" of the Alarm Company in the town of Exeter, in the County of Washington in said State, as appears of record in this office. Witness Henry Bowen Secry.
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Washington County Sc. I, Thomas P. Wells, Clerk of the Suprerme Judicial Court, within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid; do hereby certify that I believe the signature to the papers hereto attached which purports to be Sylvester G. Shearman's Esq. to be in his own proper hand writing; and I further certify that the said Sylvester G. Shearman is a duly commissioned and qualified Justice of the Peace of the town of North Kingstown in said County. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 25th day of October in the year 1833. Thos. P. Wells Clerk.
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I Oliver Shink of North Kingstown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island do hereby testify and say on solemn oath that I know Benjamin Gardiner of said Town and that he served in the company of Capt. James Alsberry attached to Col. Dyer's Regment. This was a company of light horse and was engaged in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay against the depredations of the British. It was in the year 1780 that Mr. Gardiner served in said company. I believe him to be 86 years of age and know that his character for truth and veracity is good. Oliver Spink Sworn to an Subscribed in Open Court Sept. 5 1832 Witness Saml Helme Clk
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I Samuel Cole of North Kingstown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, do hereby testify and say on solemn oath that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Gardiner of North Kingstown and know that he served in the Company of Capt. James Alsberry of light horse attached to Col. Dyer's regiment. I know that he served in said company in the year 1780 stationed in North Kingstown I should suppose Mr. Gardiner to be 86 years of age His character for truth and veracity stand fair and he is respected in the neighborhood where he lives as a soldier of the Revolution. And further the dept. saith not. Samuel Cole. Subscribed & Sworn to in Open Court Sepr. 5. 1832 Witns Saml. Helme Clk.
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Washington Sc. - In North Kingston. October 4th 1833. Personally appeared before me, the subscriber, one of the Justices of the Peace for said North Kingstown, Benjamin Gardiner of North Kingstown Applicant for a Pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that by reason of old Age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot aver [illegible] as to the precise lenght of his services but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. In 1776, in the Spring of the year, the Company of Militia, to owhich he belonged, in the Tour of Exeter, where then he resided, was called out. John Hoxie was Captain of the Company. George Sweet Lieut. & Eben Shearman Ensign. The Company was attached to the Regiment, of what Charles Dyer was Colonel. The Company of part of it, of what part he was one, was marched to the shores of Naragansett Bay, and stationed at [illegible] in North Kingston, to guard against landings and deprepdations of the Enemy who then [illegible] of was in the Bay and oftentimes landed thereupon. During this year the Company was divided into two parts, and east part had to serve Fifteen Days abd then were discharged. And I served in this way Fifteen days at a time, in said Company, under said Officers stationed at [illegible] Heighths Four Months. In the year 1777 David Harrington was Captain of the Company, John Rissell Gr. Lieut. & Elizah Case ensign and I served in that Company, under said Officers in that year three months, in terms of one month and at or
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time stationed at said Br[illegible] Heights and one month at the House of David Greene, in said North Kingston, and in the Fall of that year, I served one month more in said Company stationed at Trenton, in the time of the expedition of General Spencer. In 1778 I served in said Company under David Harrington Captain Four Months as a private stationed at Barber Heighths and the Houses in its vicinity. I was called on this year to serve six times, for a Month each time, but twice I [illegible] a [illegible] co that I only served in that year four months, in terms of one month each. In 1779 I was chosen Ensign of the [illegible] Company of the Town of Exeter, of which Company Walter Clarke was Captain and David Harrington Lieut. I was mistaken in professing myself to have been a Lieut in the Company. In this year I served six months, in tours of one month each, stationed at Barber's Heighths, and the Houses in its vicinity. In the Spring of the year 1780, I moved into the Town of North Kingston, where I have ever since resided, and which town I was born. I then joined a Company of Hourse, of which James Allen was Captain, I acted as Sergeant of the Company, in this year I served in said Company Nine Months, in tours of one month each stationed at the Villaage of Wickford in North Kingston [illegible] is the whole [illegible] months as private. Six months as a Lieut. & Nine Months as Sergeant, and for this service I claim a pension. Benjm. Gardner Washington Sc. In North Kinstron October 4th 1833. Personally appeared before me, the above inscribed Benjamin Gardiner, and after being by me duly examined, questioned and [illegible] gave the annexed affidavit, what was by me reduced to writing in
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his presence, and by him subscribed in my presence, and I further certify that he is well known to me, and that his character for truth is good. Sylvester G. Shearman, Justice of the Peace