Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,877, for Richard Mathewson, Rhode Island
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Mathewson, Richard S.21.877
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10.L112
Rhode Island

Richard Mathewson 
of Kent in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain (illegible) of the (illegible) commanded by Col. Fry in the R.I. line for 2 (unknown). 

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 80 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, is commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of April 1833 and (illegible) R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of April 1833        $160-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept       40-
                                                         _______
                                                          $200-

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by (illegible) Blair Clerk,
Book (unknown) Vol. (illegible) Page 120
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(unknown)
Richard Mathewson
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State of Rhode Island, County of Kent, Court of Common Pleas
August Term, AD. 1832

On this twenty third day of August AD. 1832 personally appeared in (line of text crossed out) before (unknown) (unknown) (unknown) Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Richard Mathewson, a resident of East Greenwich which is in the County of Kent and State aforesaid, aged ninety years, who being first 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he was born on the thirteenth day of February AD. 1742 at Scituate in the County of Providence and State aforesaid, where he resided until the year 1763, when he removed to said East Greenwich, where he resided until after the year 1783 and at the time he entered the service. That he moved to Warwick in said County of Kent in the year 1784 and resided there eight years, and then returned to said East Greenwich, where he has resided ever since. That he has (word "no" is crossed out) record of his birth, that he believes that it is recorded in the Town Clerk's office (illegible) aforesaid. That he was a (words crossed out ) cadet or volunteer in the Independent Company of Kentish Guards, established at said East Greenwich in the year 1774, from the first formation of said war. That the first commanding officer of said company was James M. Varnum, with the rank of Colonel, afterwards a Brigadier General (word crossed out) in the Continental Army.  That said Company, at their own expense and labour erected a fort at the entrance of the harbour of East Greenwich in the early part of the war for the de (document ends here)
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...defense of said town, towards the building of which this claimant, besides his labour, contributed in money the sum of Twenty five Dollars. That said Company kept a regular guard at said East Greenwich (except when occasionally relieved by the Militia), for more than three years, until after the enemy evacuated Rhode Island. That said Company was frequently called, not only in the day time but in the night, to Quidnesett Neck and other points of the shore to  protect the inhabitants and to prevent the landing of the enemy. That said Company were not attached to any Regiment, but were, by their Charter, under the immediate direction of the Commander in Chief of the then Colony, now State of Rhode Island, and were specially employed in the War for the defence and protection of the State within its territorial limits, but were not authorized to go out of the State upon any expedition. That in the summer of the year 1778 this claimant was on Rhode Island with said Company, then commanded by Col. Richard Fry about one month in Genl. Sullivan's Expedition. That he saw there General Nathaniel Greene & Varnum, and some other general officers with whom he was acquainted. That he also remembers being on Rhode Island with said Company under the command of the said Col. Fry, at another time in the (word "following" crossed out) year 1780, but does not remember how long he staid (sic) there, (word crossed out) and he well recollects that most of his time, for (word crossed out) about five years of the war devoted to the publick (sic) service as a (words crossed out) volunteer in said Company, (unknown), as he believes to as much as four years of actual service in the whole. He also well...
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...well remembers that his horse was often taken by order of the commanding officer of said Company to carry expresses to different parts of the State; and that he suffered the loss of a valuable horse, that way so taken and employed in the publick (sic) service, for which he received no renumeration. Nor has he ever received anything for any of his services & sacrifices during the War. He has no documentary evidence. 

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. 

(Signature of Richard Mathewson)

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before Jos Tillinghast, Jus (of the) Peace

And I the said Joseph J. Tillinghast do hereby declare my (unknown) after the investigation of the matter and after (unknown) the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. I also certify that said applicant from bodily infirmity attend the court. Although the same is now in session near his residence and that he is and has been for several months past confined to his house and wholly unable to walk out. 
Jos. I. Tillinghast
Just (of the) Peace
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Kent Co. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that the (unknown) signed Joseph L. Tillinghast is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Kent, that the within is his proper signature in his own writing. That full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts. 
In Witness thereof I have set my hand and seal of office the first day of  September in the year 1832.
John Brown Clk

(vertically written in center right margin)
(unknown)
Richard Mathewson
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I, Wanton Casey of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that Richard Mathewson of said East Greenwich was a member of the Kentish Guards, an Independent Company established at said East Greenwich in October AD 1774 from it's first formation until the deponent left the Country in the last of December AD 1778 for Europe. And that he did duty therein as a volunteer in the Revolutionary War up to that time; and he (unknown) after this deponent went away. That this deponent cannot recollect particularly whether he was with said Company in all the Expeditions when he was on service in said Company, but believes that he did the same duty as the rest of the Company generally. 
(signature) 
Wanton Casey 
(unknown) State of Rhode Islands & (unknown) 
Aug. 24th 1832
There appared before me the aforementioned Mr Anton Casey and under solemn oath declared the facts stated in the aforegoing deposition is are just and true & whose character for truth and veracity is good. 
Jos. (unknown) Tillinghast
Jus (of the ) Peace

I Ezra Simmons of East Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I joined the Independent Company of Kentish Guards at said East Greenwich about the middle of December AD 1776 and that Richard Mathewson of said East Greenwich was then a member of said Company and did duty therein, according to the best of my recollection during the 
remainder part of the war. 
Ezra Simmons

Kent (unknown) 
State of Rhode Island (unknown)
East Greenwich Aug 24th 1832
Personally appeared the aforementioned Ezra Simmons and made solemn oath to the Truth of the aforegoing affidavit according to the best of his knowledge & beliefs. The (unknown) the deponant for Truth & waranty is good.
Jos L Tillinghast 
Justice (of the) Peace
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(unknown)363
Richard Mathewson
Private
Ketish Guards
2 years
$80
(indistinguishable words)
papers not properly authenticated, has (unknown) (unknown) with (unknown) the (unknown) of his (unknown) Mar 13 1832

N Whiting Esq
East Greenwich
RI
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Brief in the case of Richard Mathewson of the county of Kent in the State of Rhode Island.
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a court or a judge? Judge
2. If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? bodily infirmity-
3. How old is is? 90 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Name of General and field Officers under whom he served.
From In 1774 to the end of the war.
Years, Months, Days
4 - -
As a Volunteer
Gen.
In the Kentish Guard Command Col. Varnum & Col. Fry.
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? E. Greenwich
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
no. Clergyman's Certificate.
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Sevin Belt
Examining Clerk
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Revolution
21 877
Invalid
File No. 21877
Richard Mathewson
Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol 2, Page 239
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No 9343
Richard Mathewson

N. Whiting Esq.
E. Greenwick R. I.
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Richard Matthewson which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. Has he mentioned 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? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?(no answer)

XIV. + If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes

XVI. ++ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? (word crossed out) No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
_____
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
+ QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely 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 _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pensionto be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase (in italics) about three or four months (end italics) is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

+QUERE XIV. (begin italics) Proof of Service. (end italics)
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 claimants 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 wintnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed. 

++ QUERE XVI. (begin italics) Mode of authenticating papers (end italics)
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from improperly attached to the certificate.
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(upper left corner of document)
R. Mathewson
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State of Rhode Island &
County of Kent (unknown)

On this first day of December AD 1832 personally appeared Richard Mathewson of East Greenwich in the County of Kent before Joseph J. Tillinghast an Associate Jusice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, who being sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following statement supplementary to and in adendment of his Declaration (word crossed out) made (words "before the Court of Common Pleas in said County" crossed out) before said Justice on the twenty third day of August AD 1832. That in the year 1775 he did service and was on actual duty as a volunteer in said Company of Kentish Guards for the term of six months this (inserted above line of writing) or more, at East Greenwich Warwick and North Kingstown. That in the year 1776 he was on duty and in actual service in said Company at said East Greenwich, Warwick and Quidnesett Neck in North Kingstown at least six months in all. That in the year 1777 he served and was on actual duty in said Company, at said East Greenwich, Warick and North Kingstown six months or more. That in the year 1778 he served as a volunteer and was on actual duty (inserted above writing) in said Company, (continues)  at said East Greenwich, Warwick, North Kingstown, and on Rhode Island, for the term of at least six months. That in the year 1779 he served and was on actual duty (inserted above writing) in said Company (continues) at least six months, at said East Greenwich, Warwick and North Kingstown. That in the year 1780 he served and was on actual duty in said Company six months or more at East Greenwich, Warwick and North Kingstown and on Rhode Island. That in the year 1781 and 1782 he served and was on actual duty three months in each of those years at the places aforesaid for which he desires a pension. 

Richard Mathewson 
X his mark
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State of Rhode Island
County of Kent at East Greenwich Dec. 1, AD 1832
There Personally appeared Richard Mathewson subscriber to the within aforegoing declaration 
& solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me Jos J Tillinghurst
Jus (of the ) Peace

I James Miller of East Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with Richard Mathewson of said East Greenwich and applicant for a pension for more than fifty years; That he has always sustained a good character; That I believe his age to be ninety years or upwards; and that he is refuted to have served as volunteer in the Kentish Guards in the war of the Revolution and in this opinion I concur. 
James Miller
Kent (unknown) at East Greenwich
Dec 1st, 1832

Sworn to and subscribed by the said James Miller the day & year first written and I can cedrtify that the Deponents character for truth and veracity is good.
(unknown) Jos. J. Tillinhast, 
Just (of the ) Peace

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Joseph J Tillinghast is a Justice of the said county, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand writing.
In (unknown) whereas I have herinto set my name (unknown) of office at East Greenwich this third day of November in the year 1832. 
John Brown Clk