Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8,988, James Wells, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE    RI
NAME    Wells, James     Nancy
NUMBER   W.8988
Page 2

1233
Rhode Island
James Wells of Hopkenton in the State of RI
who was Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Wells of the Rgt commanded
by Col Noyes in the RI
line for 21 mos & 5 days
died April 29 1835
at Hopkenton RI

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island 
at the rate of 70 Dollars 36 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Aug 1833 and sent
Asa Potter [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833             $141.12
Semi-anl, allowance ending 4 Sept '33         35.28
                                                                  $176.40

(Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.)

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk,
Book C Vol. 2 Page 135

Mard Dec 10 1820 Nancy Love
born 1760 in Hopkenton & always lived there.
Page 3

(left column)
4 Jany 5  Heber [illegible] that no James Wells found who served in RI line - This case he served in the militia & in no battles.

(right column)

4.121
Rhode Island
Nancy Wells widow of James Wells who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
RI

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 70 Dollars 56 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.

Certificate of Pension issued 6 day of May 1834 and sent to 
Hon. B. B. Thurston
House of Reps

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act February 3, 1853, Page 56, Vol. A.

32
Page 4

DECLARATION. of James Wells
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,
COUNTY OF Washington

On this fifth day of September personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, James Wells a resident of Hopkenton 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated

That at the age of sixteen years I entered the service of the United States in the militia of the State of
Rhode Island & private soldier in the regiment of Col. Joseph Noyes, in the company commanded
by Capt. Barker Wells at the time the British fleet appeared off the coast of Rhode Island I think in Dec. 1776 and served at all times when the Regiment was called out, also at all times when drafted.  When not in the Regiment I alternately was on guard duty in Boston Neck sometimes quartering at the four chimney house
(so called) & sometimes at the Smith house- & sometimes on the Bennett farm then belonging to Col. John Gardner - was also quartered one or two tours at the John Robinson house in Point Judith & in the Stephen Potter house in the same neighborhood, & the lowermost house on Point Judith Point then called the Niles house, where I was stationed two months to the best of my recollection.  I was substituted for my father
on guard duty on Noyes's neck in the Town of Westerly I think about one month.   I also served in Genl Sullivans expedition on the Island of Rhode Island under Capt Henry Wells in the Regiment then commanded by Col. Jesse Maxon - Benjamin Hull was our Quartermaster and Thomas Sheffield Major - a part of the time. The whole time my service either in the Regiment of on guard duty I think, as near as I can calculate, was
about twenty one months, the precise length of each term of service it is not in the power of my memory to recollect. The first time the Regiment was called out was when the enemy appeared off the coast of Newport as above stated & the 2d time ordered to march to New town now Wickford with an intention to cross the
ferry to Newport, but did not.   in this town Henry Wells was our Capt.  Jesse Maxon Col & Joseph Pendleton Major.
Page 5

At another time one half the Regiment were ordered to Tiverton in this State but I did not go with them but was detached from the Regiment & stationed with others to guard the shores of Westerly for the depredations of the enemy under Thomas Noyes commander of the guard at that time-
I was born in Hopkinton aforesaid and have always resided there since
my birth-- had no written discharge at any time during the war - was born
in the year 1760 in Jany - I have a record of my age which was kept by my father.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present & declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. I always served as a substitute for my father when he was drafted and I was not-
James Wells
sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid

in Open Court
Wm Saml Helme Clk
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.

I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common pleas & General
Sessions of the Peace for the County of Washington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Mr James Wells for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this
Eighth day of September A.D. 1832
Saml Helme Clk
Page 6

I certify that on examination of the tomb stone at the
grave of Capt James Wells formerly of Hopkinton R.I. I
find the date of his death thereon stated to be April 29
1835 - Also that I assisted in laying out the body of the deceased and that the above date is according to my best recollection and belief.
[illegible] Pardon Lewis
Hopkinton R.I.

April 27 1884
I certify that I have examined the tomb stone erected
at the grave of Capt James Wells formerly of this town and find the date of his death thereon stated to be the 29th April 1835.  Also that I was improving his farm and occupied a part of his dwelling house at the time of his death, and the above named date (April 29 1835) corresponds to the best of my recollection and belief.
Hopkinton R.I.
Elisha Sanders
April 27 1854

State of Rhode Island
Washington County Ss at Hopkinton April 27th 1834.
Personally appeared the above named Pardon Lewis and
Elisha Saunders signers to the above written certificate and made solemn affirmation to the truth of the statements therein contained. Before me, Nathan K. Lewis Justice Peace

I hereby further certify that the above named Pardon - Lewis and Elisha Sanders are both personally known to me and that I have full confidence in them as persons of strict truth and veracity and of the truthfullness of the statements by them signed.

Nathan B. Lewis Justice Peace
Page 7

State of Rhode Island &c
Washington County Sc
[illegible] Probate office
April 27th AD 1854
I certify that it appears of Records at this office that Administration was granted as the Estate of James Wells late of said [illegible] deceased on the 11th day of May AD 1835
Attest Chrisr C Lewis
Probate Clerk

The Sate of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington Sc
I Edwin H Chane [illegible] clerk of the Supreme Court within & for the County of Washington do hereby certify that Nathan K Lewis whose name is his order proper hand writing is subscribed to the within certificate, is a justice of the Peace within & for the County of Washington duly [illegible] & administered is his take acknowledgement of deeds & other [illegible] &c according to the laws of this state
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said supreme court [illegible] [illegible] town this 27th day of April AD 1854
EH Chane [illegible] Clerk
Page 8

10977
James Wells
RI
Private 21 Mon 5 days
4 5 6 11 12 16 of [this line struck thru]
Apr 15 1833
P338
70
Asa Potter E
Kingston
RI
Page 10

Declaration of Nancy Wells of Newport in the State of Rhode Island in order to obtain the benefits of the 2d Section of the Act of 3 February 1853 

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

On this sixteenth day of March AD 1854 personally appeared before the Hon George W. Taylor Judge of the Court of Probate of the City of Newport.  The
said Court being a Court of Record with a seal.

Nancy Wells of said City and County and State aforesaid aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according [illegible section] in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.  That she is the widow of James Wells who was a private in said war.  That her said husband was a pensioner of the United States for his services during said war and was paid his pension at Providence State of Rhode Island.  Which pension he enjoyed until his death. For proof of said services and pension, she refers to the evidence filed with his application.
She further declares that she was married to the said James Wells on the Tenth day of December AD 1820 eighteen hundred and twenty.  That her said husband
and on the twentieth day of April AD 1837. eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
That she was not married to him prior to the 2d of Jany 1800 but at the time above stated.
She further declares that she is now a widow
Nancy Wills
Page 11

State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport ss.

Newport March 16, 1854
Then personally appeared before me the Subscriber
George W. Taylor judge of the Court of Probate of the
City of Newport. Nancy Wells. who made oath in
due form of Law to the facts contained in the within
Declaration.  I also further certify that the said Nancy Wells from age and bodily infirmity was unable to attend court.
George W. Taylor
Judge of Probate

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport ss.

Clerk Office Court of Probate
City of Newport

I Benjamin B. Howland Clerk of the Court of Probate of
the City of Newport do hereby certify that George W. Taylor is
judge of the Court of Probate of the City of Newport duly
chosen and qualified to act as such; and that his
signature above written is of his own proper hand writing.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 18th day of March 1854
-
Benj B. Howland
Probate Clerk
Page 12

Wells James Nancy Love

Joseph Rogers of the City and County of Providence State of
Rhode Island do certify that the above is a true copy at the
record of marriage, made by Stephen Gano M.D. who was the
Minister of the First Baptist Church in said Providence, with
the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair
legible figures as follows-- "1820. Dec 10"
Joseph Rogers

I Joseph Rogers of Providence aforesaid, above named depose and
say that I am the son in law and Executor of the aforesaid Stephen
Gao and that I have the possession of the parish records of said
Stephen Gano, and that the above is a true extract from said
with the exception above named as certified by me
Joseph Rogers
Providence April 4, 1833
Subscribed & sworn to this day before me
Wingate Hayes Justice of the Peace
Page 13

[illegible] of Rhode Island &c.
Secretary's Office Providence, Apr. 4, 1853

I certify that Wingate Hayes of the City and County of Providence and State aforesaid whose signature is affixed to the next preceding certificate is a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence aforesaid, duly elected commissioned and sworn, and authorized by law to administer oaths, to take depositions, the acknowledgement of Deeds and other instruments under seal; and that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such, and that his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and seal of said State the day & year before written.

A. Potter
Secy of State.
Page 14

Newport Sc
I Benjamin B Howland of the City and County of Newport of Lawful age on solemn affirmation do depose and say
That I am well acquainted with Nancy Wells of said City and County. And was well acquainted with her late husband James Wells, during his life time. That said Nancy Wells is the widow of James Wells late dec who was a pensioner of the United States for his services in the War of the War of the Revolution. That the said James Wells died at Hopkinton, in said State on or about the time mentioned in the declaration annexed. I further certify that the said Nancy Wells is connected with me by marriage. And that the facts above stated are from personal knowledge I further certify that I have no interest whatever in this claim for pension
Benj B Howland

Newport Subscribed and affirmed to before me this 22 day of March 1854 I further certify that I have no interest in this claim for pension
Wm Gilpin
Just Peace
Page 15

Providence Sc
I Asa Potter of the City and County of Providence and state of Rhode Island of Lawful age on solemn oath do depose and say
That I am well acquainted with Nancy Wells of the City and County of Newport. This applicant for pension and was well acquainted with James Wells late of Hopkington in this State.
I further state that she is the widow of the said James Wells who was a revolutionary pensioner: and who died at said Hopkington at or about the time mentioned in her declaration.
I further certify that I have no interest whatever in this claim for pension
Asa Potter
Secy of State

State of Rhode Island
Providence Sc
Subscribed and sworn to before me this thirtieth day of March 1854. I further certify that I have no interest in this claim for pension.
Levi Salisbury
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

State of Rhode Island &c.
Providence Sc
Secretary of States Office
I Asa Potter Secretary of State of the State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that William Gilpin has been duly commissioned by the Governor of this State a Justice of the Peace in and for the City of Newport in the County of Newport. and that his signature affixed to the deposition Benj B Howland is genuine.
I further certify that Levi Salisbury has been duly Commissioned by the Governor of this State a Justice of the Peace in and for the City of Providence in the County of Providence and that his signature affixed to the deposition of Asa Potter is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said State this thirtieth day of March A.D. 1854
Asa Potter
Secy of State
Page 17

James Wells (File 14119)
Enlisted in Col Tuppers regt in 1780 serving as Fifer, sergt, & Lt (latter 3 month 5 days) to 1783
Married Lucy Bull of Hartford Conn Lived there & he died in 1805 She removed to Boston afterwards (probably about 1828) where a son was living E.M.P Wells

On the DLd Book is a NY Invalid, is James Wills - whether correctly or not cannot be determined without referring to 3d Auditor.

The RI Military returns have been Exd more particularly those just before & after June 1778 when Monmouth Battle occurred. They are not entirely complete but nearly so & also returns of Ret where [illegible] was in teh State Called the R I Brigade - 2 regt Infy & 1 arty

James Wells born in & always Hopkinton R I Died 1835 last Mard 1820 
Served in the Militia & on no battle
Page 18

Sir:
In response to your letter of recent date relative to your grandfather James Wells serving in the Rhode Island line Rev War, I have to advise you that no record is found of any James who served in that line Wells answering to the description
Page 19

2)

given by you.
It is proper to state that one James Wells who served in the Rhode Island Militia in the Revolutionary War, but who appears to have not to have been in any battle received a pension for that service, He was born and always lived in Hopkinton R.I. and died in 1832(5)
Herber Wells
Paterson, N. J.
Page 20

No 3824

Nancy Wells
wid
of James
Let to CG Perry
Dec 12/53
Wm Gilpin
Apr 4/54
Allowed $70.56 per an
to com Feb 3 1853
Act Fd 3/53
Page 21

James Wells Wid