Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21620, William Ballou, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R. I.
Ballou, William
NUMBER
S.21620
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

15522
Rhode Island
William Ballou
of Providence in the State of R Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Waterman of the Rgt commanded Col. Moury in the R Island for 21 months & 25 days
Inscribed on the Roll of R Island at the rate of 72 Dollars 56 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of June 1833 and sent Benj'n Cowell Providence R. I.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $145.12
Sem-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept [1833] 36.28
[total] $181.40
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. B. Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 Page 103
Set^s Pens^r & Pen. Agt. 13- Sep^r '39 -
1888 March 8 Fred. M Ballou that this pensioner was born & lived in Cumberland R. I. & no one found as an applicant claiming rank of major
Prior
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No 18874
William Ballou Providence
County Rhode Island
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United States of America
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this ninth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session William Ballou a resident of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island 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, viz. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born in Cumberland Dec^r 24th 1755 which is there recorded lived in Cumberland when he entered the service and has always resided there and this applicant further States that in August 1775 he enlisted for 12 months as a private into Cap Andrew Watermans company of Minute Men & served on Rhode Island about three months from September to December and also about six months more of actual service before the time of Enlistment was out and this applicant further states that in the fall of 1776 he was drafted & served one month as a private on Rhode Island & Block Island in Cap Elisha Watermans company of Minute Men - and this applicant further states that in February 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a private in Providence in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Elisha Mowrys regiment of R. I. Militia - 
and this applicant further states that immediately following he was drafted & served four months in guarding Military stores in Cumberland under Sergeant Jeremiah Inman by command of Col Daniel Tillinghast - 
and this applicant further states that in the fall of 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a private at Bristol and in Capt Ballous Company the other Officers he cannot recollect - 
and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1777 he enlisted & served as a private at Bristol & Warren these terms of one month each - who his officers were he cannot recollect -
and this applicant further States that in May 1778 he was drafted [remainder of document cut off]
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and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1777 he enlisted & served as a private at Bristol & Warren these terms of one month each - who his officers were he cannot recollect - 
and this applicant further States that in May 1778 he was drafted & served as a private one month at Providence in Cap Amos Whipples Company & Col Simon Whipples regiment of Militia - 
and this applicant further states that in August 1778 he was drafted & Served as a private twenty three days in Sullivans expedition in Cap Reuben Ballou's company Col Mathewsons regiment of Militia - 
all which several enlistments & drafts he served out & was honourably discharged - but never had a written discharge - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name does not appear on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
[signature] William Ballou
attes [signature] B Cowell Clk
We, [blank] a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] [obscured] residing in [blank] hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [torn] who has subscribed [obscured] to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [torn] [blank] years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
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William Ballou Providence
County Rhode Island
Private 21 months & 23 days
adm'd

23
"
[subtotal] 13
23
[subtotal] 253

711
2.56
[total] 72.56

B. Cowell Providence
R. Island
Page 7


WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed.
The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
[Table follows]
A Statement, shewing the Service of William Ballou, Providence County R. I.
[Column Headings] / Period when the service was rendered. / Duration of the claimant's service / Rank of the claimant. / Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. / Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. / Battles in which the applicant was engaged. / Country through which he marched. / Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. / Evidence by which the declaration is supported. / 
[Line 1] Enlisted 1775 Aug / 9 Months / Private / Cap Waterman / [blank] / [blank ] / R. Island / 76 years / [blank] / 
[Line 2] / Drafted 1776 fall / 1 Month / Private / Cap Waterman / [blank] / [blank] / R. Island / Cumberland / [blank] /
[Line 3] / Drafted 1777 Feby / 1 Month / Private / Cap Ballou / Col Mowry / [blank] / Providence / R. Island / [blank]
[Line 4] / Drafted [1777] / 4 Months / Private / Serg't Inman / Col Tillinghast / none stated / Cumberland / [blank] / [blank] / 
[Line 5] / Drafted 1777 Fall / 1 Month / Private / Cap Ballou / [blank] / [blank / Bristol / [blank] / [blank]
[Line 6] / Enlisted 1777 Winter / 3 Months / Private / [blank] / [blank] / [blank / Bristol & Warren / [blank] / [blank] / 
[Line 7] / Drafted 1778 May / 1 Month / Private / Cap Whipple / Col Whipple / [blank] / Providence / [blank] / [blank] / 
[Line 8] / Drafted 1778 Aug / 23 Days / Private / Cap Ballou / Col Mathewson Sullivans Expedition / [blank] / Sullivans Exp'd / [blank] / [blank] /
[Line 9] / Drafted 1780 July / 1 Month / Private / Cap Whipple / Col Mathewson / [blank] / Newport / [blank] / [blank]
[Total under duration of service] 21 Months 23 Days
[End of Table]
I am respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of} ss.
On this  [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under
the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank]
of the Court of [blank]
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank]
day of [blank]
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank]
and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank] who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank]
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank]
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
1I [blank]
Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank]
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this [blank]
day of [blank]
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
 To a soldier} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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."
It is important, in all 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 indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; 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 for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
{f} The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
{g} he opinion of the Court is always required.
{h} he Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
{i} The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers authenticated, the certificate 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
If the notes from (a) to {i} as are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
{k} This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
{l} If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
{m} The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration:
Page 10

Providence R.I. Mar. 3. 1888
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Will you kindly inform me if the petition of Maj. William Ballou of Cumberland R. I. (a Revolutionary Soldier) presented in 1832, was granted.
He died in June 1839
Very Respectfully
Fred. M. Ballou
Page 11

Revolution 
21620
Invalid.
File No. 21.620
William Ballou
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 21
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

I Jesse Brown of Cumberland aged 71 years on oath do testify & say that I know that in May or June 1775 William Ballou of Cumberland enlisted in Cap Elisha Watermans company of Minute Men how long he enlisted for I do not recollect if I ever knew & served one campaign of a month on Block Island & also on Rhode Island the other places he served at I cannot say - I also know that he was employed in guarding military stores in Cumberland, how long I do not know - 
[signature] Jesse Brown
August 20 1832 Sworn to in open Court
C Cowell Clk

I Absalom Ballou of Cumberland aged 80 years on oath do testify & say that he was a soldier at Bristol in the winter of 1776 & that he well remembers that William Ballou of Cumberland was there one month we were both in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Elisha Mowry had command of the regiment - he is a man of truth and veracity & full confidence can be placed in his word - 
[signature] Absalom Ballou
May 9 1832 Sworn to in open Court
B Cowell Clk
Page 13

William Ballou of Cumberland was there one month we were both in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Elisha Mowry had command of the regiment  - he is a man of truth and veracity & full confidence can be placed in his word - 
[signature] Absalom Ballou
May 9 1832 Sworn to in open Court
B Cowell Clk

I Noah Ballou of Cumberland aged 73 years on oath do testify & say that I was a soldier in Sullivans expedition in August 1778 & that I well remember William Ballou of Cumberland & that he was there - we were both in Cap Reuben Ballous company & Col Mathewsons regiment of Militia - & served about twenty three days - and we were also together one month in July & August 1780 at Newport in Cap Amos Whipples company & Col Mathewsons regiment of Militia - and I know that he is a Man of truth & veracity & full confidence can be placed in his word - 
[signature] Noah Ballou
May 9 1832 Sworn to in open Court
B Cowell Clk
And that 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 Ariel Ballou James Harrington John Fisk Jesse Brown Noah Ballou & Absalom Ballou who have testified for s^d [said] applicant are resident as they state and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Ballou for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 20th day of November  1832
[signature] Benjamin Cowell Clk
[seal affixed to the left]
Page 14

I Ariel Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island & being 74 years of age do depose and say - That in the Summer of 1775 William Ballou of said Cumberland and myself enlisted into a Company of Minute men (so called) for one year, commanded by Captain Elisha Waterman of said Cumberland. The Company met often for drill and exercise untill the first of September when we were called into actual service - We were marched first on to Rhode Island and were stationed in different places on the Island - at Bristol and on Prudence Island till our year expired. I served the whole year and I am positive said William Ballou served with me, the year commenced at the time we enlisted, we considered ourselves liable to be called out at any time, and were under the command of Captain Waterman at this time - 
The said William Ballou and myself were both born in said Cumberland and have always resided there - 
Providence sc. Cumberland September 7th AD 1832
There appeared before me the above named Ariel Ballou and subscribed and solemnly affirmed to the truth of the aforegoing application. I further certify that the said Ariel Ballou is well known to me and is a credible witness in the [illegible]
Alex Ballou Justice of the Peace
Page 15

Providence State of Rhode Island &c
Clerks office Supreme Judicial Court
September 17 1832.
I the undersigned Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Alexander Ballou Esq whose name is by him signed on the other side of this sheet was on the seventh instant & still still now is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in this County duly elected & otherwise qualified to act in s'd [said] capacity & that full faith & credit are due to his official attestations as such.
Witness my hand & Seal of s'd Court by me hereto affixed
Wm H Smith Clerk
[seal affixed upper left]
[along right margin] Ariel Ballou
Page 16

I James Harrington of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island &c being now 72 years of age, do depose and say - That in the Spring of the year 1777 I attended a Beacon Pole erected in said Cumberland. I frequently passed by a store owned by Major Fiske in said Cumberland where a quantity of military stores were deposited, and saw William Ballou of said Cumberland, on sentry, guarding the said stores, at several different times - 
The said William Ballou is now before me and I am positive as to his identity - 
[signature] James Harrington
Providence Sc. in Cumberland September 12th A.D. 1832
Then personally appeared the above named James Harrington, and subscribed, and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition
Before me
Alex Ballou Justice of the Peace
Providence Ss. Sate of Rhode Island &c
Clerks office Supreme Judicial Court
September 17, 1832
I the undersigned Clerk of said Court do hereby Certify that Alexander Ballou Esq whose name is by him signed above was on the 12th instant & still is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in this County duly elected & otherwise qualified to act as such & that full faith & credit are do to his official acts in s'd capacity
Witness & my hand & seal of said Court hereto affixed by me
[signature] Wm H Smith Clerk
[seal affixed to left]
Page 17

I John Fiske of Northborough in the County of Worcester and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being now 72 years of age on oath do testify and say That in the Month of February A.D. 1777, I was drafted as a Soldier for one Month, to go to Providence RI in the Company under the command of Captain Amos Whipple of Cumberland RI. I well remember that William Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island served with me the whole time - 
Some time in the Fall of 1777 he and myself were drafted and served one Month under said Amos Whipple, in General Spencers expedition, in the Month of January, 1778 we were drafted and served one Month in Providence under the said Amos Whipple, in the month of July 1778 we were drafted and served one Month on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition under the same Captain and in the Winter of 1778 or 1779 we were drafted and served one Month in Providence under the said Amos Whipple - I am positive the said William Ballou served in the same Company with me all the aforementioned Time - 
There was a quantity of Government Stores deposited in a store belonging to my Father in said Cumberland, during the Revolution, and a Sergeants Guard was kept over there the whole time but I do not recollect the persons who comprised the Guard there were several different Guards - I remained in said Cumberland until 1794 when I removed to Westborough Mass, the said William Ballou is now before me and I am positive as to his identity
[signature] John Fiske
Providence sc
In Cumberland August 24th 1832
Personally appeared before me the above named John
Page 18

Fiske and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition - and I further certify that the said John Fiske is well known to me, and is a credible witness in the premises
[signature] Alex Ballou Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - 
Providence sc I William R Watson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence in said State, hereby certify that Alexander Ballou above named, is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said County - that the said Ballou is duly authorized to administer oaths and take depositions - that the signature above written purporting to be his, is  in the proper handwriting of said Ballou and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Ballou - 
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court at Providence this twenty fifth day of August in the year 1832
[signature] Wm R Watson
[faint seal affixed to the left]