Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22373, for John Taber, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE R.I.

Taber,
John
Nancy
NUMBER
W. 22373
Contents
Page 2

Rhode Island 957
Nancy Taber
widow of John Taber decd
R.I.
who died on the 1st December 1797
of Newport in the State of R.I.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Manchester of the Regt 7
commanded
by Col Crary in the R. Island
line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

G
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of June
1837 and sent Asa Gray
Tiverton
R. Island
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $259.98
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 21.66

$281.64

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836 ⎬
in the 3d
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book A. 
Page 119
Vol. 1
Page 3

745.
3. Sec
Nancy Taber
widow of
John
R. Island
On roll of Depreciation
John Labor. 215.0.1.
having enlisted in spring 78
could have served but 12 mo
to March 79
-
Militia service except
1 mo in 87 not specified

and
3 mo
4333-
no deduction-
Asa Gray Esqr
Tiverton
R. I.
Page 4

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, a Court of
Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray is a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County of Newport in
the State aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned and
sworn thereon, and fully authorized to act in his said
capacity. And I further certify that the signatures of
his name to the certificates on the annexed Depositions
of Abner Simmons, of Ichabod Simmons and of David
take are his genuine Signatures -
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of Office this twenty fourth day
November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six. And of
American Independence the
Sixty first
Asa Gray, Clerk of Prob. Court
Page 5

declaration
of Nancy Taber
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the
act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

On this Seventh day of November 1836, personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the town of Tiverton
in said County of Newport, a Court of Record, now
sitting, Nancy Tuber, a resident of Tiverton in the
County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged
Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to
law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by
the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836.
That she is the widow of John Taber late of said Trton, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war,
she and the said John Taber, were both born and
always resided in said Tiverton, they always lived
near neighbors from their childhood, and long before
their marriage, they were mutually engaged each to the
other
That according to the best of her knowledge
and belief the said John was in the Company of
Militia under Capt. Isaac Cook, in the Regiment
of Col John Cook at Newport when the British took
it in December 1776 - this was the first or lower company of Militia in said Tiverton and within the bounds
of which he resided; she has often heard him tell of
being there at that time, and that he had purchased
some tools with which he intended to work at the chair
making business when he should be discharged, but
that the enemy came so suddenly, that they were
ordered away, and he lost his tools, she always believed
that he was away much more than a month in the
service at that time she remembers that in
the winter of 1776 & 7 after he came from Newport, he
was stationed at a house belonging to Col Pardon Gray
which she believes was wholly occupied by soldiers,
and stood a little Southerly and near the dwelling
house of said Col. Gray, when he was at this station
she saw him frequently her residence was as then
two miles off, and she believes he was still in the Company
Page 6

of Captain Cook in the Regiment of Col Cook. she believes
he performed other military services in said Militia
Company stationed at other places in said Tiverton
while the enemy held Rhode Island, but of these
she has not so distinct recollection - he in 1777 and
ever after while the war continued was in the service.
away from Tiverton much of the time, and to the
best of her knowledge and belief he enlisted in the
spring of the year 1777 into Capt. Christopher Manchester's 
Company in Col. Crary's Regiment, in the Rhode Island
State troops, in the fifteen months service, and served
in said Company till discharged in 1778 she very well
remembers that he was absent in the service on Rhode
Island a good many months the year before they were
married, he once and she believes more times got away
from the camp at night, crossed over to Tiverton and
returned back before morning; he told me afterwards
that one of his officers whose name was Shorburne, but
whether he was an officer of his company or Regiment she
does not remember, came to the knowledge of it, and took
him aside and cautioned him, reminding him how
some deserters from the Regiment had just been whipped
and some shot; she believes this service was in the Continental Regiment under Col Green - soon after he was
discharged from this last named service, and in March
1781 they were married, and in the summer of said year
after their marriage, or in the autumn, her said husband
was in the service not less than two months at Newport
a part or all of said two months in the company of Capt
Joseph Bailey all the above services she believes was
performed as a private Soldier, except the two months
service at Newport in 1781, after their marriage, when
he was a sergeant, she has no documentary evidence of
any of said services, but she respectively refers to the proof hereto
annexed.
She further declares that she was married to the said
John Taber on the Eleventh day of March in the year Seventeen hundred and eighty one at said Tiverton, by Walter
Cook Esq. that her husband the aforesaid John Taber
died on the first day of December Seventeen hundred and
ninety three, at said Tiverton, and that she has remained
a widow ever since that period, residing in said Tiverton
as
Page 7

as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto
annexed - he never was a Pensioner

Nancy Taber
X hermark
Witness Joseph Barden (illegible)

Sworn to and subscribed by said Nancy Tabor on the
day and year above written before and in open Court
Asa Gray Clerk of Prob. Court
And the said Court, do certify, that said Nancy Taber
is a credible person, and that they believe the statements
herein made are true, and that said Nancy was legally
married to said John Taber at the time she has above
stated, and is his widow never having married since the death of her said husband
I Asa Gray Clerk of the aforesaid Court of Probate
a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Nancy Taber for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Seal of said Court this Seventy
day of November in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty six
And of American Independence
the Sixty first-
Asa Gray, Clerk of Prob. Court
Page 8

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Town Clerk's Office,
Tiverton November 4, 1836
I Asa Gray Town Clerk of the town of Tiverton, in
said County of Newport, do hereby certify that John
Taber, son of Paul Taber and Sarah his wife, was
born January 28th A.D. 1760, as appears of record
in this Office-
Asa Gray Town Clerk
I do hereby certify that John Taber son of Paul Taber
of Tiverton & Sarah his wife & Nancy Lake Daughter
of Philip Lake and Eunice his wife, were lawfully
joined together in marriage in said Tiverton on
the
day of March A.D. 1781, by me the Subscriber
Walter Cook Justice Peace
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Town Clerk's Office, Tiverton, November 4, 1836
I Asa Gray Town Clerk of the town of Tiverton in said
County of Newport do hereby certify, that the above
is a true and exact copy, taken from the book of the
records of marriages in this office
Asa Gray Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
On the Seventh day
of November 1836 before the Court of Probate of the
town of Tiverton in said County personally appeared
the above named Asa Gray, known to this Court
to be the Town Clerk of said town of Tiverton and
as such to have the keeping of the books of Records
of Marriages and births in said town, and was
duly sworn to the above certificates, by him severally
subscribed in open Court,

Countersigned
Asa Gray Clerk of Prob. Court
Abraham Barker President of said County Probate
Page 9

I William Albert of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and
State of Rhode Island of lawful age being duly sworn
do testify and say that previous to the Revolution and
up to his death I was well acquainted with John Taber
of said Tiverton, we were related by my mother's side
we were second cousins and lived about two miles from
each other till after the War. he used frequently
to be at my father's. In the year 1777 said John and
my father, the late John Albert of this town, both enlisted into the same Company Capt Christopher Manchester's, in Col. Crary's Regiment of Rhode Island
State troops, and continued in said Company till the
spring of 1778. they were stationed mostly at Bristol
and some part of the time in 1777 they were at Tiverton
I have seen said Taber in said Company at Tiverton,
and in 1778. before their time was out I went over to
Bristol, to the camp to see my father, and I will
remember said Taber was then there a soldier in said
Company - my fathers residence in Tiverton was
within Six miles of the camp at Bristol, and he and
other soldiers, used sometimes to have permission to
come over to Tiverton to see their families for one or
two days- my father and said John Taber and one
Recompence Gifford used to come together, said Taber's
path home was direct by our house, and when
they were to return to camp said Taber would
come and stop for my father to go with him-
.
said Taber after the war worked at the chairmaking
business, and I will very lately had a chair in my
house of his making. I am acquainted with
Nancy Tuber of this town, she is the widow of said
John Taber - I am unable to say positively how long
said Taber served in said Company, but to the
best of my recollection and belief he served not less than
one year-
Signed in my presence
William X (his mark) Albert

Signed in my presence Moses Hunt

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport. On the Seventh day of
November 1836. before the Court of Probate of the town of
Tiverton, in said County, a Court of Record, personally
(illegible)
Page 10

appeared the above named William Albert, who is known
to be a credible witness, and was duly sworn to his aforegoing
Deposition by him subscribed in open Court-
Asa Gray, Clerk of Probate Court
Page 11

I William Cook of Tiverton, in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty years on my
oath do testify and say, that I was always acquainted with
John Taber of Tiverton, from our youth up till his
death at the commencement of the Revolutionary war
we were together in Capt. Isaac Cook's Company
of Militia in Tiverton in Col. John Cook's Regiment,
I was in the service of my country with him not less
than one month in the winter of 1776 & 7. in said militia
Company, stationed at the house of Ephraim Davenport
in Tiverton in the summer of 1777 I joined the Rhode
Island Brigade and I do not recollect of being on service
with him in the militia after said month - I frequently
heard of him in the service, and he has told me of his
being in the Revolutionary Army a good many times,
I knew of his being away much in the time of the
War and it was understood that he was in the service
of his country, and I fully believe he performed a
great deal of military service in the war of the Revolution. I was a near neighbor to him, and it is believed in the neighborhood where he resided that he
was a soldier of the revolution and did much service
he was a chair maker by trade, he died above forty
years ago and I was with him when he was dying
Nancy Taber of this town, who lives a near neighbor
to me, was the wife of said John Taber, she has never
been married since his decease and remains his
widow. she is a very credible woman, and has brought
up a family of small children with which she was
left a widow-
William Cook

State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport
On the Seventh day of
November 1836. before the Court of Probate of the town of
Tiverton in said County, a Court of Record personally
appeared the above named William Cook, who is
known to be a credible witness, and was duly sworn
to the above Deposition, by him subscribed in open Court Asa Gray, Clerk of Probate Court
Page 12

I Abner Simmons of Tiverton in the County of Newport
aged Seventy four years, on my oath do testify and say,
that previous to the war of the Revolution and at the
commencement of it I was living in Dartmouth, now
Westport in the State of Massachusetts; I returned to said
Tiverton, in the State of Rhode Island, in 1777 and in the
Spring of 1778 I enlisted for a year in Col. Crary's Regiment of
State troops, in July 1780 I enlisted for months into Col.
Green's Regiment, I joined the Regiment at Providence
and soon was marched to Rhode Island. I there became
acquainted with John Taber of said Tiverton, he belonged
to and was serving in Col. Green's Regiment. I do not recollect whether he was in the same company with me or
not; our enlistment into said Regiment was for six months
and I believe he served not less than that time I was
always after this till the time of his death acquainted with
him; I have no recollection of him before the time
we were in Col. Green's Regiment together. I am acquainted with
Nancy Taber, she resides in Tiverton, within two miles
of me, and at the same place where she and her husband
lived at the time of his death, she is the widow of said
John Taber and has never been married since his decease,
said John Taber died a great many years ago, I think not
less than forty; Col. Green's Reg. was in the Continental
service.
Abner Simmons
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

Be it Known, that on the 31st day of October 1836
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and
for said County of Newport, personally appeared
Abner Simmons Esquire and subscribed his
above Deposition and was duly sworn to the truth
of the same, And I further certify that said
Deponent is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 13

I, Ichabod Simmons of Tiverton in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy five
years on solemn oath do testify and say, that I was
always acquainted with John Taber of this town who
married Nancy Lake. we both belonged to Capt
Isaac Cook's Company in Tiverton at the commencement of the war, and in the first part of the year
1777 in the winter we were stationed together at the
Widow Palmer house in Tiverton, I also remember
said Taber was on duty and with us when we drove
the ship out below Fogland our tour of duty were
for a month at a time in the militia, and said
Taber served I believe not less than two months in
said Company in the winter and spring of 1777
In September 1777 I enlisted into the Continental
service for three years. I was discharged and returned
to Tiverton in the fall of 1780. I in 1781 the next
year after I came out of the Continental Service I served
three or four months, under different Captains, and
in the Summer of said year, but do not recollect the
month, I served one month in the Company of Capt.
Joseph Bailey, and said John Taber was a Sergeant in
said Company during said month, I do not recollect
the Colonel at this time but think it was Nath Church
we were stationed the month we were under Capt. Bailey
on Brenton's Point near Newport. According to the
best of my recollection and belief said Taber served
one other month in 1781, after the month he was
with me in Capt. Bailey's Company, but not in the same
company with me, this last month referred
to he was stationed at Newport-- I am acquainted with
Nancy Tabor of this town, she is the widow of
said John Taber, and has never been married since
the decease of said John Tabor
Ichabod Simmons

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport. Be it known that on
the 31st day of October 1836, before the Subscriber a Justice
of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, personally appeared Ichabod Simmons and subscribed his
aforegoing Deposition and was duly sworn to the truth of
the same, and I further certify that said Deponent is a
credible person before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 14

David Lake of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy five years on my oath do testify and say, that when we were children and to the time of his death. I was very well acquainted with John Taber, of this town, we always lived within one half mile of each other, he was about two years older than me I do not recollect that I was ever on duty with him in the service, he was away from home a great deal in the time of the Revolutionary war, in the service of his country as I understood at the time, and do now verily believe. I remember he was absent for some months
at a time, and it was said he was in the Army.
and according to the best of my knowledge and
belief he served in the Rhode Island Brigade
he was a strong, active and bold man, and of a
disposition fully to engage in the service of his country. I have been with him a great deal since the war, and have worked with him and for him, and have talked over our Revolutionary adventures together often, my services were all performed in the Militia, except about
Six weeks in the artillery, said Tabor was a chair
maker by trade and after he came out of the service he worked at his trade and I assisted him, from what he told me at the time I worked with him and from my own knowledge of his absence in the service I fully believe he served much more than the usual Militia Service, and the militia service was not less than one half the time, or 17 months from December 1776 to November 1779. I watched with sons
Taber the night previous to his death, he died about
forty three years ago. I am well acquainted with Nancy
Taber, she has always lived one of my near neighbors
she has never been married since the decease of said
John Taber and now remains his widow. she was
left poor, with a family of five small children, which
she brought up with her own industry
David Lake
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport Be it known that on the twenty fifth day of October 1836
before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for
said County of Newport, personally appeared the above
Page 15

named David Lake and was duly sworn to his afore
going Deposition and subscribed the same, And I further
certify that said Deponent is a credible person
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 16

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL
October 22, 1930

Helen M. Bruner
California State Library
Sutro Branch
San Francisco, California

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.22373, that John Taber, the son of Paul Taber and Sarah, his wife, was born January 22, 1760, at Tiverton, Rhode Island.
While residing in said Tiverton, he enlisted and
served with the Rhode Island Troops as follows:
About one month as a private in Captain Isaac Cook's Company, Colonel John Cooke's Rhode Island Regiment and was at Newport, when that place was captured by the British
in December, 1776; in the winter of 1776 and 1777, he served other tours in the same regiment, dates not given.
From sometime in the spring of 1777, fifteen months in Captain Christopher Manchester's Company, Colonel Crary's Rhode Island Regiment.
In 1780, six months under Colonel Green.
From sometime in the summer of 1781, about two months, one month of this time as sergeant in Captain Joseph Bailey's Company, Colonel Nathaniel Church's Rhode Island
Regiment.
It was said that he was a strong, active and bold
man and of a disposition fully to engage in the service of his country."
He died December 1, 1793, at Tiverton, Rhode Island.
Page 17

The soldier married March 11, 1781, at Tiverton, Rhode Island, Nancy, daughter of Philip Lake and Eunice, his wife.
The marriage was recorded on the records of the Town Clerk of Tiverton.
She was allowed pension on her application executed November 7, 1836, at which time she was aged seventy-five years and resided in Tiverton, Rhode Island.
It is stated that they had five children, no names
are given.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

Date of widows
death not on AB
Page 18

Pension Office
Washington
Page 19

Tiverton, Nov. 25. 1836
Sir
herewith enclosed are the Declarations of Phebe
Manchester, and Nancy Taber for Pensions. I hope you
will find their proof sufficient-- it is much more difficult
to obtain proof now than it was four years ago, a great many
of the soldiers have died since then, one fourth of the number at least, that were then in this town, have gone
and the memory of many of those remaining is impaired
there is no living witness of the marriage of Phebe Manchester, but that she was married no one questions, and that
too at the commencement of the war. the
claimants
are both very poor but are very credible persons and
much esteemed in their neighborhood and where ever known
Very Respectfully
your most Obt. Prvt
Asa Gray
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 20

John Taber
77. Cap Manchester Col Crary 15th
81. Jos. Bailey

2 witness says mo-
Page 21

1930 - Oct 22 - Hist to
Helen M. Bremer EES
Rev
File No.
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22373
Nancy Taber
Wid of John Taber
Priv Rev. War
---
Act July 4th "/36
Index: Vol. M, Page 264
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

MILTON J. FERGUSON
STATE LIBRARIAN

CALIFORNIA STATE LIBRARY
SACRAMENTO
SUTRO BRANCH SAN FRANCISCO
Potpber 8, 1930
MABEL R. GILLIS
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN

Pension Bureau
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-

We shall appreciate it if you will
give us what information you have about John Taber who was born in Tiverton, R. I., in 1760 and died in Newport in 1797. His
wife was Nancy Lake Taber. We have a reference to your file No. 22, 373. What we are anxious to prove is that they had a daughter Cynthia Taber who married Borden Lake. This information is for one of our readers who wishes to join the
Society of Mayflower Descendants and must have proof of this generation.

Very truly yours
Helen M. Bruner
Helen M. Bruner

(stamp) Oct 13 1930 [illegible U.S. Office
Sutro Branch San Francisco
ADDRESS ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO
[illegible] CALIFORNIA