Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 159,79, for William B Shearman, Rhode Island
Page 1

[doc is printed and written]
[upper left corner]
(3-1776)

SERVICE        |     |NUMBER
R.I     | Shearman, William B.     |S.15979
Vt     |or Sherman     |
carded
[double line]
CONTENTS
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[doc is printed, written, folded & damaged]

[left fold]
date of death not on AR [written vertically along left margin]
[writing in center of left fold is illegible]

[right fold]
15272
Massachusetts
[double line]
William B. Sherman
of Williamstown in the State of Mass[illegible]
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain [illegible] of the Regt commanded
by Col Cornwall in the Mass[illegible]
ine for 13 mos [illegible] day [illegible]
R.I. and Vt. and
R.I. Mil & [illegible] Troops
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass
at the rate of 44 Dollars 10 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of June
18[illegible] and Sent to C A
B[illegible] Burke County
[double line]
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 183[illegible]   |$88.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sepr    |$22.05 [figure double underlined]
*Shearman [illegible]   |$110.25 [figure double underlined]
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by J.H. McBlair Clerk,
Book 6 Vol 2. Page 77.
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[doc is written & folded]
17443
William B. Sherman
Mass

Private
13 months & 4 days
Admd

$[illegible]
44.10

Henry [illegible] Bishop [illegible]
County Berkshire
Massachusetts
Page 4

[doc is printed & written]
BRIEF in the  case of William B. Sherman
of Williamstown in the State of Mass
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the Declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
[following is a table consisting of 4 columns identified for convenience as 1, 2, 3, 4]
Col 1 line 1 = Period
Col 2 line 1 = Duration of Service
Col 3 line 1 = Rank
Col 4 line 1 = Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Cols 1-4 line 2 = --- |Years, Months, Days. |As a |Gen.
Cols 1-4 line 3 = In 1776 |---1---|private |Capt Gibbs Col Cornwall
Cols 1-4 line 4 = 77 |---1---| " |"--"--"--"
Cols 1-4 line 5 = " |---1---| " |"--"--"--"
Cols 1-4 line 6 = 78 |---9---| " |" Crane--" Chorney
Cols 1-4 line 7 = 79 |--- " --7 or 8| " |------
Cols 1-4 line 8 = 81 | ---1---| " |" Briggs
5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Situate Ned
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness & traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly
Connected.
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
JW Clagett Examining Clerk,
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[doc is written & damaged]
I John Sherman of Pownal County of Bennington
& State of Vermont do depose testify & say that I knew
William B Sherman in the year AD 1777 & that the said
William B Sherman served as a soldier in the State troops
in the State of Rhodeisland as a Substitute for Joshua
Sherman & Francis Harrington at Several different times
& further say that in 1778 that I saw the said William B
Sherman inlist in the servis under Clark Parker then
a recruiting officer & in August the same year I saw
the said William B Sherman on New port Island in
actual Servis at the time of Sullivans Expedition
& further say that in January 1779 I saw the said
William B Sherman in actual Servis at Foglan Ferry
[damage] State of Rhodeisland & further say that I was
knowing that the said William B Sherman in the year
1781-or 82 - was in actual Servis at Castleton in the State
of Vermont & further say that I am 76 years of age
the 11th day of April last & further the Deponant
sayeth not--   John Shearmon [different handwriting]
State of Vermont}
Bennington County} Pownal Sept 24th AD 1832--
Then personally appeared John Sherman
& made Solemn oath that the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed Contians the whol truth & nothing but the truth
before me   Joshia Wright Justice of Peace [preceding 5 words in different handwriting]
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[doc is written & damaged; remnant of seal in upper left corner]
State of Vermont [line underlined]
[seal remnant] To all to whom these presents Shall
Come --- Greeting [underlined]---
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County 
Court within & for the County of Bennington,
do hereby certify that Joshia Wright Esqr whose
Signature appears to the foregoing, was at the date
thereof & Still is a Justice of the Peace within & for the
sd County of Bennington, duly qualified by law to act
as such, & that his Signature, I believe to be genuine--
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Subscribed my official Signature & affixed
the Seal of our said County Court, at
Manchester this 25th day of October
Fees 50c [written in left margin] A.D. 1832. & Of the Independence [damage]
United States the Fifty Seventh [damage]
Henry Robinson [name underlined]
Page 7

[doc is written & folded]
William B Sherman
Williamstown Ms
Application fo Pension
Oct 10. 1832
17442 [written in pencil]
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[doc is written; page 1 of multi-page doc]
State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire ss  On this tenth day of October
AD 1832 before the Hon. ?William P Walker Judge of
before [crossed out] the Court of Probate for said County
now sitting William B Sherman of Williamstown
in the County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts aged
Seventy four [crossed out] three [written above] years who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act 
of Congress passed June 7th 1832. I entered
the service of the United States in the latter part
of December AD 1776-- I took the place of one
Francis Harrington. I was hired by him for a
month & staid a month. Our Captain was Josiah
Gibbs of Coventry in the State of RhodeIsland. Colonel
Cornwall commanded the regiment. I lived
at this time in Scituate in the State of Rhodeisland
now called Foster. I went from Scituate to
East Greenwich & there joined the regiment.
In AD 1777 I went as a substitute for one
Joshua Spencer for one month & staid one
month. -- At this time I went to Warick Neck near
East Greenwich--It was in the month of July--
Josiah Gibbs was our Captain & Colonel
Cornwall command the regiment.
At this time I went under Colonel [next 3 letters smudged] Cornwall [inserted] to Prudence
Island at which place we took twelve of
the British Soldiers & killed four more of them [preceding 2 words crossed out]
I took the equipment from off one of the British
Soldiers the blood still streaming from his
wounds.  Some of the barges from a vessel belonging
to the British called the Flora attempted
to take us at this time-- In the same year 1777
in the month of September I entered the services
went a a substitute again for Francis Harrington
of Coventry--We went to East Greenwich.
Josiah Gibbs was our Captain & Colonel Cornwall
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[doc is written; page 2 of multi-page doc]
commanded the regiment. I went for one
month & staid one month & returned home.
I the year 1778 I enlisted as a soldier under a
recruiting officer named Clark Parker for the term
of nine months. I in company with several
others who had enlisted went to Providence as we
were directed at which place we received our
equipment & regimentals or rather clothing. From
thence we were sent to Obdikes Newtown now called
Wickford in the State of Rhode Island. from thence
we proceeded to South Ferry in North Kingstown
we staid there a short time & were ordered back
to Providence. from there we went to Bristol
near New Port from thence we went to a place
called Howlands Ferry at which place we joined
the army. At this time [3 words inserted] we were [illegible] at South Ferry & Providence Bristol
we guarded the shore. John Carr commanded our
company. Wares was our Lieutenant. Colonel
Archibald Cherary commanded the regiment.
General Sulivan commanded the army. We
crossed from Howlands Ferry to Newport & staid
there Several days. The French Fleet lay in sight of
Newport-- I saw them when they went off--we were
on Butts Hill on the Island of Newport--we were on
the north part of the Island--the British on the
south part--we marched down near the
British lines & there built a Fort this was in the 
night. In a few days after this I was taken sick
& carried to the hospital--while I was at the
hospital a battle was fought between the British
& Americans. I was in sight [word inserted] of the Army at the time of the
battles & saw the engagement.  [ink smudge] American
retreated off from the Island. I in company [preceding 3 words crossed out]
I then was taken with the wounded to Providence
The colleges were converted into hospitals  & we
were taken to them. When I recovered I joined the 
army at Howlands Ferry--we there remained
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until cold weather & then went into winter quarters
at Fogland Ferry four or five miles south of
Howlands Ferry & there remained until the six-
teenth day of March AD 1779 at which time my
term of enlistment expired & I returned home.
I left my arms at General Sulivans head
quarters at Howlands Ferry.
In the year 1778 when I was [inserted] at Howlands Ferry guarding
its commissary stores General Sulivan, General La
Fayette, Count de Grass came near me
I I heard them taking about the most convenence
place of landing certain troops--This was
called Sulivans expedition-- In the AD 1779
I resided in Pownal in the State of Vermont in
[word crossed out; illegible] the fall of which year I was called out an
alarm to Castleton in the State of Vermont--I was
out at this time seven & eight days. I was then 
discharged & returned home to Pownal--In AD
1781 in the fall I volunteered [crossed out] went as a volunteer
to Castleton under command of Captain Briggs
Allen commanded the regiment at this time
From Pownal we went to Bennington and from
Bennington--Arlington & from thence to Dorset &
from thence to Poultney & from thence to Castleton
I was out at this time one month--I have
no record of my age--At the time I entered
the servis of the United States I was a resident 
of Scituate in the State of Rhodeisland--I was [crossed out]
moved from Scituate to the town of Pownal in
the State of Vermont in AD 1779. From Pownal
I came to this town, Williamstown, AD 1782 where
I have since resided--I never had a written
discharge--And I hereby relinquish every claim
whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present
I declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the
agency of any State. I have no documentary evidence in
regard to my services & I know no person by whom
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they can be proved except by a Brother of mine
who resides in Pownal in the State of Vermont
That he has no record of his age. That he refers to
the deposition of John Shearman for proof of his
services & to the Rev Ralph W. Gridley and 
Reyes Danforth who both testify as to his character
for veracity & their belief of his services as a 
soldier in the Revolution.   Wm B Shearman
S.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
W.P. Walker [name undelined] J. Probate

[following is printed & written]
We Ralph W. Gridley [name written] a Clergyman, residing in the town of Williamstown [preceding 3 words written] and Reyes Danforth [name written]
residing in Williamstown [written] hereby certify that [next words illegible] acquainted
with William B Shearman [name written] who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three [2 words written] years of age; that he is repu-
ted and believed, the the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the
revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Ralph W Gridley [written]
Reyes Danforth [written]
S.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W.P. Walker J. Probate [name & title written]

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 Ralph W Gridley [name written]
who signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, res-
ident in the town of Williamstown [written] in the County of Berkshire [written]
and Commonwealth [written] of Massachusetts [written] and that 
Reyes Danforth [name written] who has also signed the same, is a resident
in the town of Williamstown [written] in the County of Berkshire [written]
and the Commonwealth [written] of Massachusetts [written] and is
a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W.P. Walker J Probate [name & titled written & underlined]

I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate within and for the Coun-
ty of Berkshire in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the ap-
plication of William B. Shearman [name written] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
of said Court of Probate, this tenth [written] day of October [written]
in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two [written] 
Henry W. Bishop--Register of Probate [name & title written; different handwriting]
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[upper right corner]
William B. Shearman
S. 15979
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Fred Tanner
75 Commonwealth Avenue
Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you
request information in regard to William Bissel
Sherman, soldier of the Revolutionary War, from the
State of Rhode Island, and died in Williamstown,
Massachusetts.
The record of William B. Shearman which follows
was obtained from papers on file in pension claim
S. 15979, based upon his service in the War of the
Revolution. The name is not shown William Bissel
Sherman or Shearman.
The date and place of birth of William B. Shearman
were not given, nor were the names of his parents shown.
While a resident of Scituate, Rhode Island, he
[next word illegible] sometime in December 1776, served one month as
private in Captain Josiah Gibbs' company, Colonel Corn-
wall's Rhode Island regiment; served in the summer of
1777, one month under same officers; and in the fall of
1777, one month under same officers. He enlisted some-
time in June, 1778, served in Captain John Carr's
company, Colonel Archibald Crary's Rhode Island regiment,
and was discharged March 16, 1779.
He moved in 1779 to Pownal, Vermont, and in the
fall of 1779 was out on an alarm to Castleton, for
seven or eight days; and in the fall of 1781, he served
one month in Captain Brigg's company, Colonel Allen's
Vermont regiment.
He moved from Pownal, Vermont in 1782 to Williams-
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town, Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
The soldier, William B. Shearman, was allowed
pension on his application executed October 10, 1832,
at which time he was aged seventy-three years and
a resident of Williamstown, Massachusetts.
The papers on file in this claim contain no
reference to wife or children.
John Shearman (as his signature is shown),
brother of the soldier, was born April 11, 1756, and
in 1832 was living in Pownal, Vermont.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly
the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply
to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, 
Records Division, Washington, D.C., and furnish the
following data-
William B. Sherman (as he was pensioned)
Certificate # 15272
Issued June 5, 1833
Rate $44.10 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Massachusetts Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 14

[doc is printed, folded & written]
[left fold]
P [underlined, upper left corner]  15979 [written]
INVALID. 
[line]
File No. 15979 [number written]
William B. Sherman [word crossed out] Shearman * [inserted] [line written]
Pri Rev War [line written]
[line]
Act: June 7th 32 [date written]
Index:--Vol. 1 [number written], Page 348 [number written]
"[Arrangement of 1870]"
* W.D.G. Feb 21. 1908

[right fold; various handwritings]
1894 Dec 10th Hist to
Con A.B. Wright
House of Representa
Feb 23/9[illegible] Mil Hist to Jackson
Temple No Adams, Mass
Gen Balitulder War Dept
Apr 20/[illegible] Mil Hist to H.W. [illegible]foffer
QM [illegible] Office Washington
1908 Feb 18 Hist to Bertha E
Williams [illegible] L. [illegible]
1925-Dec 3- Hist to Miss Josephine
B. Reed M&F
[line]
37-Dec-7 hist to Mrs
Fred Tanner [illegible]
Page 15

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17442
William B. Sherman
Page 16

[doc is printed & written; page 1 of multi-page doc]

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
  William B Sherman [name written] 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? Yes
VI.	Has he given the names of 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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2
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 revolu-
tionary service? Yes
XII.	If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it? [scrolling mark]
XIII.	If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one 
living witness, has he stated his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV.	+If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness 
or witnesses as to his service?  
If he has produced direct proof as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, 
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  Yes the Court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the 
regulations direct? Yes
XV.	Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such situation, or of such an age, 
as to have personal knowledge of the applicant’s service? Yes
XVI.	++Are the papers authenticated as regulations direct? No
XVII.	Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered?
[line]
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 recol-
lection 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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3
It is important in all such 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 in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions 
merely state 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 declaration is highly objection-
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration 
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; and 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 that for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In the 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 for the 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magis-
trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate 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.
[drawing of pointing finger] In every case the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 19

[dos is stamped, typed & written]

[upper right]
[stamped]
FIRST DEPUTY
APR 15 [illegible]
COMMISSIONER      1a [typed]

William B. Sherman
1779
-------
Respectfully referred to the Chief of the Old War and Navy
Division for proper attention.
 [stamped]
O.W. & N. DIV
APR 15 1895
CHIEF'S DESK

[lower right]
D.J. Murphy [name written]
First Deputy Commissioner. [typed]
Page 20

[doc is printed & folded]
Bureau of Pensions.
Page 21

[doc is stamped, written & folded]

[left fold] 
in Scituate, in Rhode Island,
in 1759, but whether or not he
enlisted in that State, we do not
know. I need the information for
which I ask, to gain membership
for my brother in the Society of
the Sons of the American Revolution
and shall appreciate very much
anything you can do to help me.
Sincerely--
(Miss) Josephine B. Reed--
159 Pleasant Street--
North Adams--
Massachusetts--
October 25, 1925

[right fold]
[upper left corner] 
Pension Bureau--
Washington D.C.--

[upper right corner; stamped]
PENSION
A
OCT
U. 28 S.
1925
OFFICE

Gentlemen--
Can you please give
me or tell me where I can obtain the
official record of the service in
the Revolutionary War of
William Bisil Sherman. He
served as a private, I know, under
both Washington and Lafayette,
and from what we know was
in the Continental Army for five
or six years-- He was born
Page 22

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[left margin stamp of 3 letters is illegible]

RECORD 
FEB
11
1908
DIVISION
Page 23

[doc is written & stamped; page 1 of multi-page doc]
[upper right corner; stamped]
PENSION
A
FEB
U. 10 S.
1908
OFFICE

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,--
I wrote to the
Adjutant General of the War
Department of your City to see
if he could send me any
record of William Bissel
Sherman who was in the
Revolutionary war, he said
he could'nt find much, but
said that if I wrote to you
Page 24

[doc is written; page 2 of multi-page doc]
that I might obtain the
desired information.
Will you please help me as
I am making out papers for 
the National Society of the
Daughters of the American
Revolution, and want to be
sure of dates, places, and what
he did. I found this short
record, on his gravestone, in 
East Town Cemetery, Williamstown,
Mass, which is near my home.
William Bissel widr. b. R.I.
farmer, consumption, Mar 13. 1846. a 
86. [Sherman, "He was a soldier
under Washington, also under
Page 25

[doc is written & stamped; page 3 of multi-page doc]
Marquis de Lafayette, enlisted 1779,
under Gen Sullivan. He also
served in Vermont under Gen
Ethan Allen. G.R.3
Yours truly,
Miss Bertha E. Williams
Blackistone,
Mass. Box 14.
Feb. 7. 1908

[stamp]
PENSION
A
FEB
U. 10 S.
1908
OFFICE
Page 26

[doc is blank]
Page 27

[doc is written & printed; written on printed company letterhead]

W.G. Cady         S.H. Fairfield
W.G. Cady & Co.
[company banner; illegible]
Boston Office       North Adams, Mass. Nov 23, 1894 [date written]
83 Bedford, St.

Gen. Bacheller
--- War Department
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir.
At the request of
Mr. E. R. Tucker I write to you
asking you to request the
Pension department to send me
a copy of the pension record
of William B. Sherman who
enlisted under Gen Sullivan
in 1779. He enlisted I think
from Massachusetts. If you
will favor me with this
request, it will greatly oblige.
Your Very Truly
Jackson L Temple
No. Adams
Mass
Page 28

[doc is stamped & folded]
[stamp]
OLD WAR & NAVY
APR 16 1895
FILES
Page 29

[doc is written, typed & stamped]

[upper right corner; stamp-upside-down]
FIRST DEPUTY
APR 15 1895
COMMISSIONER

Washington D.C. Apr. 14, 1895
Hon. D.I. Murphy,
Assistant Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My Dear Mr. Murphy:
I am anxious to obtain, if possible, the pension record
of William B. Sherman, who enlisted under Gen Sullivan in the
War of the Revolution - 1779.
I wrote to Col. Ainsworth of the Record and Pension Divi-
sion, and he referred me to you,
Very sincerely yours,
H.W. Spofford [name written]
Q.M.G. Office [line written]
Page 30

[doc is typed, written & stamped]

[top center mail-room stamp]
[arrow pointing to 1215]
RECEIVED
NOV 23 1937
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS ADM 44
READER

[upper right corner]
November 22, 1937

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you kindly send me the war record and family data if any,
of William BisselSherman, [name underlined in pencil] who was a soldier & pensioner of the Revo-
lutionary War,from R.I.,born in North Kingston,R.I. and died in Will-
iamstown,Massachusetts,1846, to 

No signature? [written in pencil]
Mrs. Fred Tanner
75 Commonwealth Ave.,
Pittsfield
Mass.
Page 31

[doc is printed & written]

information as contained in his (or his widow's0 application for pen-
sion on file in this Bureau. William B. Sheraman G.F.15979 [name & file # written]
pensioned as Sherman [line written]
[line]
[following is a table consisting of 5 columns & 2 sub-columns with following headings]
Col 1 - DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Col 2 - LENGTH OF SERVICE.
Col 3 - RANK.
Col 4 - OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
Col 4a - CAPTAIN
Col 4b - COLONEL
Col 5 - STATE
[data in the following lines is written]
Line 1 - Dec 1776 | 1mo. | Pvt. | Josiah Gibbs | Cornwall | R.I.
Line 2 - July 1777 | 1mo. |  | " | " | "
Line 3 - Sept 1777 | 1 mo. |  | " | " | "
Line 4 - June 1778 | Mar 16 1779 |  | Joshua Carr | Archibald Crary | "
Line 5 - Fall 1779 | 7 or 8 days | - | In an alarm to | Castleton | Vt
Line 6 - Fall 1781 | 1 mo. |  | Briggs | Allen | Vt

Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate, R.I. [inserted writing illegible]
Date of application for pension, Oct 10, 1832 was allowed [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Williamstown, Mass
Age at date of application, 73 years
Remarks: Resided in Pownal, Vt in 1779, moved to Williams
town, Mass. 1782
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[upper right corner]
MWF [written in pencil]

[upper left corner]
RRev.&1812 Wars Section

December 3, 1925

Josephine B. Reed
159 Pleasaat St.,
North Adams, Mass.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim S. 15979 it appears that
William B. Shearman (pensioned Sherman) while a resident
of Scituate, Rhode Island enlisted in December 1776,serv-
ed one month as private in Captain Josuah Gibbs' Company,
Colonel Cornwall's Rhode Island Regiment, enlisted in July
1777,served one month in said company and regiment, and
enlisted again in September 1777 and served one month as a
private under the same officers.
He enlisted in June 1778,served as a private in Cap-
tain John Carr's Company, Colonel Archibald Crary's Rhode
Island Regiment and was discharged March 16, 1779.
He moved to Pownal, Vermont and in the fall of 1779
and was out on an alarm to Castleton,Vermont for seven or
eight days.
He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served one month
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as private in Captain Brigg's Company, Colonel Allen's
Vermont Regiment.
In 1782 he moved to Williamstown, Berkshire County,
Massachusetts where he was allowed pension on his appli-
cation executed October 10, 1832,aged seventy-three years.
It is not stated whether he was ever married.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

Date of death
unknown AB [preceding 2 lines written in pencil in left margin]