Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23370, for Cary Pitman, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
R. I
Pitman, Cary
S.23370
CONTENTS
Page 2

New York (Alb 7) 31.260.
Cary Pitman
of Augusta in the Provence of U. Canada,
who was a fifer in the compy command
by Captain Thomas of the regt commanded
by Col Topham in the 
line for 2 years fifer infy & arty.
Inscribed on the Roll of N. York (Albany)
at the rate of 96 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of November, 1837 and sent to A.C.
Brown, Ogdensburg, N. York.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $634.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M. '38 48:00
$682.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by S. A. Elliot, Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 54
Page 3

33,768
Cary
Pittman
of Canada
N. York
Fifer on rolls of Capt
Thomas of Tophams
regt for '78 and also
Fifer on Capt Wescotts
roll of Elliotts regt
of Artillery C
Admd
12 mo fifer Infy
12  "      " Artillery
96$
A.C. Brown
Ogdensburg
N.Y
Page 4

State of New York
St. Lawrence County SS. On this Twentieth day of December 1836 personally appeared in
open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county, now sitting, Cary Pitman, a resident of Augusta in the province of Upper Canada, aged 76 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 first enlisted in the summer of 1776, as
near as he can recollect, in Captain Barton's company, Colonel Richmond's Regiment of State troops at Newport in the State of Rhode Island, under whom he served one year; that he then enlisted in Captain Manchester's company of the same regiment, in which
he served about nine months. That he then enlisted as fifer to the marines on board the ship Providence commanded by Captain Abram Whipple, on which he served 9 or 10 months; after which he enlisted in a company commanded by the same above mentioned
Captain Manchester under whom he then served one year and was stationed a part of the time at Howlands ferry and a part of the time at Fogland ferry. That he then enlisted in a company of Artilery commanded, first by Capt. Pitman, and afterwards by Captain Gurzee, under Colonel Elliot, in which
he served one year. That he then enlisted for six months in a company of Rhode Island "six months men under Lieutenant Sherbon, which company was afterwards commanded by Captain Holder under Colonel Green. That at the time he entered the service he resided in New Port in the State of Rhode Island. That he has no documentary evidence, and that he can recollect no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present, &
Page 5

declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the 
day & year aforesaid
Cary Pitman
AC Low Clk
State of New York
St. Lawrence County Ss.
Samuel Brown being duly sworn says that he resides in Augusta in the province of Upper Canada that he is well acquainted with Cary Pitman who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration and has been
acquainted with him for the space of
years last past, that he believes him to be 76
years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and this deponent has no doubt of the truth of the fact. That he the said Cary Pitman has ever sustained a good character for truth and veracity.
Samuel Brown
Sworn & subscribed the
day and year aforesaid 
ACL
AC Low Clk
Page 6

State of New York
St. Lawrence County SS. 
James Harrington being duly sworn deposes & says that he resides in the town of Oswegatchie in said county; that he is now seventy two years of age; that he has been well acquainted with Cary Pitman the pensioner named in the foregoing declaration and who has subscribed the same, for the space of about forty years last past; that the said Pitman has ever been reputed and believed to have been a revolutionary soldier and is so reputed in the places where he has resided, & this deponent has no doubt of the truth of this fact. That he the said Cary Pitman has
ever sustained a good character for truth and
veracity; and that this deponent believes him to be seventy six years of age.
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
James Harrington
Dec 19 1836
John Fine
First Judge 
[illegible] by
C [illegible]
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
and James Harrington who signed the foregoing affidavits are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
State of New York
St. Lawrence County ss. 
I Alvin C Low Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of
Page 7

St. Lawrence do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Cary Pitman for a Pension. And I do further certify that
John Fine Esquire before whom the foregoing
to affidavit of James Harrington purports
have been made was at the time of taking
the said affidavit First Judge in and for the
County aforesaid, commissioned and sworn
and duly authorized to take the same. And further that I am well acquainted with the hand
writing of the said Judge and verily believe
that the signature to the said affidavit purporting to be his is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal
of office this 24th day
December 1836
AC Low Clk
Page 8

State of New York
Washington County ss
Be it known that on this 15th day of
September 1837 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County personally appeared Samuel Pitman of the Town of Fort Ann in said County
and being sworn in and oath in due form of law that he resides in said town of Fort Ann County and State aforesaid, that he was seventy four years old in July last past, that he was born in New Port in State of Rhode Island, 
that Cary Pitman is a brother of his, that said Cary Pitman was also born in New Port in
May one thousand seven hundred and sixty one; that he knows his said Brother Cary Pitman served in the Revolutionary war, under different commanders
knows he served under Captain Barton in Colonel Richmonds Regiment on Rhode Island
and knows his said Brother served under captain Christopher Manchester at Howlands Ferry in Tiverton in state of Rhode Island,
and that he also served under Captain Alexander Thomas at said Howlands Ferry thinks in Colonel John Sopher Regiment.
That he visited his said Brother several times while he was stationed there, and knows his said Brother served another tour on Rhode Island but under what commander he does not recollect. That he also visited his said Brother while he was there during said last Tour - that
he cannot say with certainty what length
Page 9

of time his said Brother served in any one of the said Companies he thinks he served as much as three or four years in the whole.
That said services were all [illegible]
on Rhode Island, and in the State of Rhode Island.
Samuel Pitman
Sworn to and subscribed before [illegible] this
15th day of September 1837.
Henry Thom, Jus. Peace
B877
State of New York
Washington County ss.
I Edward Dodd Clerk of said county, do certify that I have been acquainted with Samuel Pitman above named for more than thirty years last past. that he is 
a man of truth and veracity and has
residence in the town of Fort Ann in said County for more than thirty years last past. 
Henry Thom
Jus. Peace
affidavit
davits
Jus Peace
State of New-York,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, SS. I, Edward Dodd Clerk of said county, do certify
that Henry Thom Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the affidavit of acknowledgment of the annexed paper was, on the day of the
date of the said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, dwelling therein, duly qualified, and authorized by law to take the affidavits. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Henry
Thom and verily believe the signature to said certificate to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county, this 16th day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Edward Dodd Clk
Page 10

of time his said Brother served in any one of the said Companies he thinks he served as much as three or four years in the whole.
That said services were all [illegible]
on Rhode Island, and in the State of Rhode Island.
Samuel Pitman
Sworn to and subscribed before [illegible] this
15th day of September 1837.
Henry Thom, Jus. Peace
B877
State of New York
Washington County ss.
I Edward Dodd Clerk of said county, do certify that I have been acquainted with Samuel Pitman above named for more than thirty years last past. that he is
a man of truth and veracity and has
residence in the town of Fort Ann in said County for more than thirty years last past.
Henry Thom
Jus. Peace
affidavit
davits
Jus Peace
State of New-York,
WASHINGTON COUNTY, SS. I, Edward Dodd Clerk of said county, do certify
that Henry Thom Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the affidavit of acknowledgment of the annexed paper was, on the day of the
date of the said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, dwelling therein, duly qualified, and authorized by law to take the affidavits. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Henry
Thom and verily believe the signature to said certificate to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county, this 16th day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
Edward Dodd Clk
Page 11

Susp.
[illegible] A. C. Brown,
1237 -
96
6
586
48
634
Page 12

23370
INVALID.
Revolution
File No. 23,370
Cary Pitman
Fifer Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 328
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Cary Pittman

Manchester. Topham -
Elliotts regt Capts Pittman, Wescott Garzia.
Sherburne Green 6 mo '80
July 79 Thomas - 
fifer
13 Sept or duty 78 Capt
on Westcotts roll for 79- Fifer
52
44
96
Page 14

B877.
Nov 8 1837
Pension Office
Cary Pittman
[illegible]
R. Poinsett.
Secretary of War
Washington D.C.
Page 15

[illegible]
FREE
[illegible] 
NOV 1
OGDENSBURGH NY
Hon: Joel R. Poinsett
Secretary of War
Washington D.C.
Page 16

Ogdensburgh, October 31st 1837
Dear Sir - 
Enclosed is a full supplemental Statement of Cary Pitman which embraces, in conjunction
with his original declaration all the particulars you required in your letter of objections of 11 may last. You have with the papers on file in this case the County Clerks certificate that John Fine is first Judge of our county - his handwriting is easily distinguished & 
I therefore think the expense of a new certificate would be unnecessary. Also enclosed is a deposition proving the service of the applicant. I have no doubt but that this evidence will be satisfactory - it is
as full as reasonably could be required. The
recollection of the witness is as clear as could be expected under the circumstances of age & the great length of time which has elapsed, Slite discrepances and mistakes in matters of so long standing, strengthen, rather than weaken, the substantial character of the leading facts. Technical criticism is generally
unfavorable to the cause of truth. We here have no doubt whatever of the applicant having been a soldier in the Revolution, and of the substantial correctness of his statements. Will you give as early attention to this application as you conveniently can
Respectfully yours
A. C. Brown
Hon: J. R. Poinsett
Page 17

of
The Hon Secretary of War 
City of Washington
Pension Papers
Cary Pitman
NY
Page 18


Ogdensburgh 31 December 1836
Dear Sir
I send inclosed the application
of Cary Pitman a Revolutionary soldier
for a pension under the act of 1831
This claim is undoubted I think
with proper search his name will be
found on the rools in relation to some
part of his long service
The reason he delayed so long before
making the application is on account of his
poverty & that he resided at the time of
the passage of the law out of the country &C
I hope his case will recieve immediate
attention
From Yours Respectfully
AC Brown
ag
Page 19

State of New York
St. Lawrence County Ss:
On the thirty first day of October 1837,
before me, John Fine Esquire, First Judge of the Court of the Court of Common Pleas of said County of St. Lawrence, personally appeared Cary Pitman of Augusta in the Province of Upper Canada who being duly sworn
saith that he was born at Newport, Rhode Island, on the sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & sixty one, at which place he resided until he entered the service of the United States in the Rhode Island State troops, as after mentioned. That soon after the Battle at Bunkers hill -
Deponent does not remember the month or year - he enlisted in a company of State troops commanded by Captain Barton (Riggs Lieutenant) under Colonel Richmond for the term of one year to serve as a fifer at 7 1/3  dollars per month. That he served the whole of the term & was stationed part of the time at
Brontons point waching two Brittish vessels - the Rose & the Swan-- & to prevent them from landing, & the rest of the time he was stationed with the whole of the Regiment North of Newport & in sight of that town.
That at the end of the twelve month term Deponent with the rest of the Regiment was discharged, but no written discharges were given. Deponent does not recollect the names of any of the company or field officers
except those above mentioned; neither does he remember the year he enlisted or the time he was discharged. That soon after his discharge from said Burtons company
he moved to Tivertown, Rhode Island, where
his father had gone before him; and while there & deponent thinks, the next summer after his discharge from Bartons company, he enlisted, as a fifer in Captain Manchesters company in the Regiment commanded by the same Colonel Richmond
Page 20

That when deponent enlisted, the Regiment, which was raised for twelve months, had been some time in service & Deponent enlisted to serve until the end of the term that one Palmer was Lieutenant under Capt Manchester & Deponent thinks the Ensigns name was Devol, that there was a captain Dexter and a Captain Potter in the Regiment but does not remember the names of any of the other officers. That he was stationed a part of the time at Newport, afterwards at Connonecut, from whence he went with the Regiment to Long Island
in whale boats proceed at Newport & on the way & when they were near Seabrook they were joined by another Regiment commanded by one Livingston Deponent thinks. That when arrived on Long Island they took about twenty [illegible] prisoners, & left the Island the same
day for New London where the prisoners were placed in jail & the Regiment then returned to New Port & at the end of the term were discharged there & deponent returned to Tiverton.
That while deponent was in Capt Manchester company one of the officers of the ship Providence came to him and prevailed upon him to enlist as a fifer to the marines
of that ship, the officer agreeing to get him discharged from the company; but failed in procuring it. But afterwards, & after his discharge from said company, at the instance
of Lieutenant Chaffee of the Marines, deponent went on board the ship Providence, then in Providence river commanded by Capt. Whipple, Baron, first Lieutenant & one Channen, second Lieutenant. The marines were commanded by Captain Devol, Chaffer, Lieutenant, and William Earls Ensign.
Deponent served on board said ship as a fifer to the marines for about ten months, the ship laying all of the time in Providence river, at the
Page 21

manded by Captain Devol, Chaffer, Lieutenant, and William Earls Ensign. Deponent served on board said ship as a fifer to the marines for about ten months, the ship laying all of the time in Providence river, at the end of which time, the sailors and marines having most all deserted Deponent at his own request was discharged and returned to Tivertown, where after he had remained some months he again enlisted for one year, as a fifer, in Captain Manchester's Company, does not know what Regiment or whether there was one, nor the names of any officers of the company or
Regiment. The company was stationed first at Howlands ferry, Tivertown, where they remained two or three months & they then went to Hoglands ferry, Tivertown, opposite to which were a Brittish fort & ship, & Deponent
thinks he remained there until the company were discharged, when he went home. That afterwards, but how long or when deponent does not recollect, he enlisted for one year, as a fifer, in Captain Thomas's company, Colonel Toppins Regiment, Hawkins Lieutenant Colonel, Philops, major, & was stationed at
Tivertown where they remained until General Sullivan came on with his army with whom the Regiment was marched to near Newport, Rhode Island, which was then in possession of the Brittish with whom they had a
battle & then returned to Tivertown & remained there until they were discharged. That afterwards deponent enlisted for one year, as a fifer, in Colonel Elliotts Regiment of Artillery under Captain Pitman, first,
then under Capt. Wescott, & then under Capt. Ginzer, (does not remember the names of the other officers), he was stationed first at Howlands ferry, Tivertown, afterwards at Newport, some of the time at Connecticut &
then at Goat island where at the end of the term he was discharged. Soon after, & while the French troops were on Rhode Island he enlisted at Providence as a fifer in a Regiment of six months men commanded by
Colonel Green in a company commanded by Lieut
Page 22

Sherburn, & marched to Newport when they stayed a while & then encamped out near the town. That three or four months after he enlisted he was changed to Captain Holden's company with which he went to Providence, when, at the end of the term he was dis
charged, went back to Tivertown & never after entered the army. He further says that he never received a written discharge. That there is a record of his age in a bible now in the possession of his brother & sister at Fort Ann.
That after the war he moved to Danby, Vermont, and afterwards to Augusta, Upper Canada, where he now resides.
Sworn to & subscribed the day
and year aforesaid 
Cary Pitman
The said Cary Pitman was [illegible]
me by the [illegible] of Anthony Brown
Esq one of the [illegible] of this lease
each known to me who also proved the
said Pitman was a credible person
and I certify that in my opinion
the said declaration is [illegible]
Ogdensburgh [illegible] Oct 31 1837
John Fine
First Judge of
[illegible] by
my County