Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2246, for Nathan Rathbun, Rhode Island
Page 1

R.I. 
Rathbun, Nathan
or Rathburn
Sarah

Number W2246
B.L. Vt 28578-160-55
Page 2

27146 Rhode Island
Nathan Rathbun
of Washington Co. in the state of R.I.
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Barber of the regiment commanded by Colo. Brown in the line for 1 year 10 months
Private
 Inscribed on the roll of R. I. at the rate of 73 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of February 1834 and sent to Nathan Wilcox Esq. Brand Iron Works River Birch

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833         $183.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34    36.66
                                                           $219.99

Revolutionary claim, Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by George Taylor, clerk, Book E Vol. 2 page 127
Page 3

(left hand side of document)

Increase  No. 1385
Rhode Island
Sarah Rathburn
widow of Nathan who served in the revolutionary war, as a private

Providence agency
Rate 96 dollars 00 cents per annum. Commencing July 27th '68
Ded. payments made since

Certificate dated Sept. 27 '69 and sent to claimant care of Buriah Rathburn Norwitch Conn.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under ac February 3, 1853, Page 202 Vol. [illegible]
July 27/68
(remainder of document is torn)

(right hand of document)
Nov 5/69 Cert, returned [illegible]
sent & remailed
Dec 12th
Page 4

(left side of document)
148.505 Act. Mar 3\55
May 25th
Sarah Rathburn widow of Nathan Rathburn Private
Revolutionary Pension
Widow has been pensioned

R. I. Feb 53-1383
[illegible notation] May 26/ 56
[illegible signature]

C. J. Lanman
Norwich Conn.

(right side of document)

Cir C. J. Lanman Mar. 21/56
Vol r. page 6
Page 5

Nathan Rathbun
Hopkinton - Washington Co. 
29466

Adm'd 1 year 10 month private
Capt. Barber Colo. Brown

Nathan Willcox
Brands Iron Works Col
Richmond R. I.
Page 6

declaration
In order to obtain the act of Congress passed Jan. 7th AD 1832
State of Rhode Island
Washington County ss.

On this 1st day of January AD 1834 personally appeared before me Joseph T. Barber one of the justices of the peace for the Town of Hopkinton in the County and State above written Nathan Rathbun of Hopkinton aforesaid and at his dwelling house aged 80 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 7th AD 1832.
That he entered the services of the United State under the following named officers and served as herein stated. that he entered the service in the state of Rhode Island and in year AD 1776 in the month of November under Capt. Daniel Barber and was attached to Col. Robert Brown's regiment that was commanded by Charles Dyer then a Major in actual service. Was drafted from the 8th company in the town of Exeter in Said County of Washington in R.I. was stationed in Boston Neck near Point Judith and was in actual service as a soldier in guarding the shores of the Narragansett Bay in South Kingstown and was there on duty when the British fleet came into the harbor of Newport in December of that year & was in thins tour of service 3 months at least ending in February AD 1777. I was then Drafted in September AD 1777 under Capt. Samuel Gorton and was attached to Col. Charles Dyer's regiment & was stationed on the shore of the Narragansett Bay I was at North Kingston near Wickford Landing and at the South Ferry so called and near Point Judith in guarding said shores in this
Page 7

 tour I was four months at least and in said town I was in what is called General Spencer's Expedition in October of that year. In the year 1778 in August of that year I was drafted under Capt. George Wilcox and was attached to Col. Charles Dyer's regiment went to Wickford Landing in Washington on the Narraganset Bay from there to Providence in said Rhode Island. Then to Bristol Ferry and Crawford on the Island of Rhode Island and was in Gen. Sullivan's Expedition and was in this tour at Tiverton and again at Briston Ferry four months at least. In the year AD 1779 I was drafted under Capt. George Willcox and was attached to Col. Charles Dyer's regiment was stationed in Boston Neck on the Narragansett Bay. I was in this tour 2 months ending in July of that Year. I then went as a substitute for my brother Simon Rathbun in September and October of that year and was stationed on the shores of said Narraganset Bay in South Kingston and was in this tour two months. In the year AD 1780 I was drafted and was placed under command of Major Samuel Bissell and was attached to Col. Charles Dyer's regiment went first to the south ferry so called on the Narragansett Bay from there on said Bay near Point Judith was in this tour guarding said shores 3 months at least. In the year AD 1781 I volunteered under Lieutenant Samuel Bissell then in a command and was attached to Col. Charles Dyer's regiment and was at Wickford Landing Quicknesset Neck the south ferry and at Point Judith guarding said shores of the Narraganset Bay was in this tour four months at least and for these services I claim a pension I have no record of my age only our family bible record. I was born in
Page 8

In the Town of Exeter in said County of Washington
and State of Rhodyland and hired there being the
War of the Revolution and serve that period untill the Fort
seven years I have levied in Hopkinton in said County of
Washington and now live in said Hopkinton I have no-
Written Discharge of my services and dent Recollet of Ever
Having and the Hereby Relingustas any claim whatever to a
Pension or annuity Except the present and declares that his
name is not on the portion book of the agency of any
State I herewith annex a Tabular Statement of my
Sewins
Pinder
Service was
Son
1776
1777
1778
1780
1781 -
to M.
┃ 10
.
●
●
Soldie
F
One year 18 Worth
●
State of
Washington
Webber
Nathan F
To the ha⌨
Hopkinton
this to
of
James and Park
the field office
of Robert Brown
Capt Daniel B
of Charles Dyer
Capt Samuel Gorton
of Page Co
George William
8
Col Dyermon
Samuel et
Cohen
son
-
Present
Joyes
to
---
-
●
or by the
Declaration is
South fifty feet and
Joseph Crandall--
Rover Matthew Hillman
Edwin Barber
Gardener Lillibridge
Nathan Rathbun
Rhodisland &c. Hopkinton January 15 AD 1834
County
Personally appeared before me the
one of the parties of the peace for the Town of Hopkinton
father Signer to the above declaration and made oath
the of the same taken at his place of Residence in said
and by Reason of his old age and bodily infirmity
able to attend at a Court of Record -
Joseph T. Barber Justice Peace
Page 9

We Matthew Stillman minister of the Gospel residing in Hopkinton and Edward Barber of said Hopkinton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Rathbun who has subscribed and sworn to the above written declaration that we believe him to be eighty years of age that he is reputed and believe him to be a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year before written
(signature) Matthew D. Stillman, minister of Gospel
(signature) Edward Barber

Washington County of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Hopkinton January AD 1834

Personally appeared Matthew Stillman and Edward Barber signers to the above certificate and made oath to the t ruth of the same and I further certify that the above named Matthew Stillman is a Minister of the Gospel and in good standing and that the said Edward Barber is a person well known to me and is entitled to credit.

(signature) Joseph L. Barber, Justice of the peace
Page 10

We Jeffery Hazard and Joseph Crandall of Exeter in the County of Washington & state of Rhode Island, being carefully examined cautioned and sworn, testify and say in the matter of Nathan Rathbun formerly of Exeter aforesaid now residing in Hopkinton in said county of Washington on his application for a pension that in his declaration and that he is a person entitled to credit and we have no doubt of his having been a soldier of the Revolution.

(signature) Jeffery Hazard
(signature) Joseph Crandall

The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Washington County SS at Exeter October the 18th day AD 1833 personally came the above named deponents and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me the subscriber and I further certify that the above named deponents are persons well known to me and are entitled to full credit.

(signature) Isaac Greene, Justice of the Peace
Page 11

Gardiner Lillibridge of Exeter in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation aged 74 years being duly cautioned and sworn testify and say in the matter of Nathan Rathbun formerly of Exeter now resident in Hopkinton in said state of Rhode Island that him the said Nathan Rathbun is a person well known to him the deponent he knows him to have been a soldier of the Revolution War Knowing to the said Rathbun as served as a soldier in Boston Neck on the Narraganset Bay so both in Guarding the shore of that neck in South Kingstown in guarding the shores of that bay I think this was in February AD 1777 and prior to that date the least length of times I don't not recollect I know by general reputation in the neighborhood that he served as a soldier in most part of the Revolution.

 (signature) Gardner Lillibridge
Page 12

Washington County ss

Personally appeared before me the subscriber Gardiner Lillibridge and made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition subscribed and that he is a man well known and is justly entitled to credit.
(signature) Thomas Phillips, Justice of the Peace
Exeter January the 10th AD 1834
Page 13

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's office January 17, AD 1834

I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said state holden on the first Wednesday of May last, Joseph J. Barber was elected a Justice of the Peace for the town of Hopkinton - and Isaac Greene and Thomas Phillips, Justices of the Peace for the town of Exeter, all in the county of Washington for the term of one year and that they have been severally commissioned accordingly as appears of record in this office.

Witness Henry Bowen, secr'y.
Page 14

By His Excellency
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name "Henry Bowen" to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforementioned, duly elected and qualified according to law:  Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four and of Independence the fifty-eighth.

(signature) John Brown Francis

By His Excellency's Command.
(signature) Henry Bowen, Secr'y

(note: Document contains a seal)
Page 15

(left side of document)
148575
The proof of marriage is attached to a previous application Jonah Pennison and Mary Rathbun does not remember the precise day of the marriage

(right side of document)
Bounty Land Claim of Sarah Rathbun Act of March 3, 1855.
Widow of Nathan Rathbun a pensioner and on account of the service of her said husband in the War of the Revolution & who now receives a pension under the Act of February 3rd. 1853 from certificate dated August the 18th AD 1853.

Chas. Jas. Lanman
Attorney
Page 16

Bounty Land Claim--Act March 3, 1833
Form of declaration to be made by the Widow of a deceased person who has not had a Land Warrant.
State of Connecticut
County of New London  33.
On this 21st day of May AD 1885 personally appeared before me, a notary public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Sarah Rathbun aged 66 years a resident of Hopkinton, in the state of Rhode Island who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Nathan Rathbun, deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain (left blank) in the regiment of (left blank) commanded by (left blank) in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain, that her husband enlisted (left blank) at (left blank) on or about the (left blank) day of (left blank) AD for the term of (left blank) and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his service for which said service a pension was granted him which he received till the time of his death. 
She further states that she was married to the said Nathan Rathbun in Exeter R. Island on (date blank) AD. 1811 by one Elliot Lock a minster of the gospel and that her name before said marriage was Sarah Bolton; that her said husband died at Hopkinton on the 27th day of April AD 1841 and that she is now widow.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3, 1855 and for the service of her said husband's now deceased a pension under the Act of February 3rd 1853. [illegible] certificate dated the 18th day of August AD 1853.

her mark Sarah Rathbun

We, Beriah S. Rathbun and Gurdon A. Jones Jr., residents of Norwich, New London County, in the state of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Sarah Rathbun in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
(signature) Beriah S. Rathbun
(signature) Gurdon A. Jones Jr.

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

(signature) Chas. Jas. Lanman, Notary Public

State of Connecticut
County of New London  ss.
I James Stedman Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby verify that Charles Jas. Lanman whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration and affidavit & [illegible] the office on whom [illegible] is and was, at the time of the signing the same a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly Commissioned and sworn; that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court, is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction. Given under my hand and seal of the Count Court at Norwich said county & state the twenty first day of May AD 1855
(signature) James Stedman, Clerk

A seal is attached to document.
Page 17

State of Connecticut
County of New London ss.
We Beriah S. Rathburn and Martha D. Rathbun residents of Norwich in the county of New London and State of Connecticut of lawful age, being sworn according to law upon oath do say--that for many years we have been acquainted with Sarah Rathbun (who signed the foregoing application for Bounty Land) the widow of Nathan Rathbun deceased, and that since the death of said husband, she has never married and now is a widow and further that on account of the services in the War of the Revolution of said Nathan Rathbun, the said Sarah Rathbun his widow now receives a pension from the United States. We further state that in the application for Bounty Land of the said Sarah Rathbun, we have no pecuniary interest. 

(signature) Beriah S. Rathbun
(signature) Martha D. Rathbun

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of May AD 1855--and I further certify that I am acquainted with the aforenamed Beriah S. Rathbun and Marth D. Rathbun and that they are credible persons and entitled to full belief. Witness my hand
(signature) Chas. Jas. Lanman, Notary Public
Page 18

State of Connecticut County of New London ss

On this 26th day of February AD 1853 before me a Notary Public in and for the said County & State, personally appeared Sarah Rathbun aged sixty five years residing in the county of Washington in the State of Rhode Island, who being sworn according to law upon oath declares that she is the widow of Nathan Rathbun deceased - that she was married to her said husband at Exeter in said State of Rhode Island on the fifteenth day of September in the year 1811, by Ellet Lock a Baptist clergyman and Elder - that she lived with her said husband from the time of said marriage until his death and brought up a family of children - that on the 27th day of April in the year 1841 her said husband died at Hopkinton in Washington county in said state of Rhode Island aged eighty eight years - and that she has remained and still is a widow and that her name before her said marriage
Page 19

was Sarah Boldon.
She further states that she is not aware of any record of her said marriage except a certificate hereto attached which is the original one given by said Ellet Lock, and which from the time of its date has remained in possession of her husband and herself to this present moment.
She further states that under the Act of Congress as is [illegible] of the 7th of June 1832 a pension was granted to her said husband Nathan Rathbun for services in the War of the Revolution and that he continued to receive the same at the Pension Agency at Providence in said state of Rhode Island until his death, after which the pension certificate was surrendered at said agency and is supposed to be on file in the pension office at Washington.  She further states that under the act of February 3rd, 1853, she is entitled to a pension of the same amount which her said husband received in his lifetime, and for which she [illegible] applies. She further states that she has not received any pension on account
Page 20

of the services of her said husband and except under said last national act she is not aware that she is entitled to any. She further appoints Charles Jas. Lanman, her attorney, to obtain said claim, authorizing him in all aspects to represent her and to bind her by his act in prosecuting and receiving said pension.

Her mark Sarah Rathbun

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written and I certify that I believe the said Sarah Rathbun is the widow of said Nathan Rathbun and further that I have no interest in the prosecution of her claim or in the result thereof and that in no respect whatever am I concerned in the same.
Witness my hand and official seal at Norwich in the county of New London and State of Connecticut.
(signature) Thomas Harland,
Notary Public
Page 21

We Benjamin R. Locke aged sixty-one years and Mary Palmer formerly Mary Locke aged fifty-six years, both residing in Norwich in the county of New London & state of Connecticut, being sworn according to law upon oath do say - that we are acquainted with Ellet Locke, having been brought up in his family as his reputed children - that in the year 1811 he resided in the town of Exeter in the state of Rhode Island and was a Baptist Clergyman and elder - that he was authorized and in the practice of performing the rites of marriage - that we are familiarly acquainted with his said  ministry - that we have carefully examined the annexed certificate of marriage of Nathan Rathbun and Sarah Bolton - that we believe the same to be his genuine hand writing, executed at the time of the date - and from its [illegible] verified - that the said Ellet Lock has been dead for many years and we are not aware of any public or private [illegible] of the marriage which he performed
Page 22

the certificate of Nathan Rathbun Marriage Sept. 15 AD 1811
Page 23

Exeter September 15, 1811 I hereby certify that Nathan Rathbun of Exeter [illegible] and Sarah Bolton of Charleston was lawfully married before me the subscriber. 

Ellet Lock, Cler.

witness
Page 24

except the annexed certificate and others of a similar kind - that we are acquainted with Sarah Rathbun - that her husband Nathan Rathbun is dead and that since his death she has not married and still is a widow. We further state that we believe the allegation in the Declaration of Sarath Rathbun to be true and that in her claim for a pension we have no interest or in the result thereof and that as a matter of justice to her, we truthfully give our testimony.
(signature) Mary Deelon
(signature) Benjamen Locke

I Elizabeth Carr aged 55 years residing in Norwich in the county of New London and state of Connecticut being sworn according to law upon oath do say that I was well acquainted with Nathan Rathbun and Sarah Rathbun his wife having for many years lived as neighbors - that from the time of their marriage they lived together as husband
Page 25

and wife until his death and know they had a family of children - that they were reputed to be married and I never heard the fact questioned - that I have examined the annexed certificate of their marriage and believe the name to be genuine as put forth - that I knew the said Ellet Locke and that he was in the habit of performing the rite of marriage - that the said Nathan Rathbun is dead and his said wife Sarah Rathbun since his death has remained and still is a widow and I further state that I have no interest whatever in the application for a pension of the said Sarah Rathbun or in the result thereof.

(signature) Elizabeth Carr

State of Conneticut
County of New London  ss.

On this 26th day of February in the year 1853 before me, a notary public in and for said county and state, authorized to administer oaths, personally appeared Benjamin Locke and Mary Palmer and Elizabeth Carr, and signed and swore to the foregoing
Page 26

several affidavits, to which their names are affixed, and I further state they are tome well known and that they are entitled to full and entire credit - and further that I have no interest in the prosecution of the claim for a pension of the said Sarah Rathbun or in the result thereof and that in no respect whatever am I concerned in the same. Witness my hand and affixed seal [illegible] in said county and state.

(signature) Thomas Harland, Notary Public

State of Connecticut County of New London ss 
 I certify that Thomas Harland is a Notary Public in and for said county & State duly commissioned and sworn and whose signature is his genuine handwriting and that I have no interest in the prosecution of a claim for a pension of Sarah Rathbun or in the result thereof. 
Witness my hand and the seal of the county Court for said county and state this 26th of February AD 1853.
Wm. G. Brewer, adjutant clerk of the county court for said county
Page 27

January 3, 1927

Mrs. Lena G. Perkins
53 Cliff St.
Norwich, Conn.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 2246 it appears that Nathan Rathbun was born in Exeter, Washington County, Rhode Island, date not stated, where he lived until about 1826.
He enlisted and served as a private in the Rhode Island Troops as follows:
November 1776, three months in Captain Daniel Barber's Company, Colonel Robert Brown's regiment.
September 1777, four months in Captain Samuel Gorton's Company, Colonel Charles Dyer's regiment, and was in General Spencer's Expedition
August 1778, four months in Captain George Willcox's Company, Colonel Charles Dyer's regiment and was in General Sullivan's Expedition.
May or June 1779, two months, and September 1779, two months, both tours in the last named company and regiment. He
Page 28

also served three months in 1780 and four months in 1781 in the same regiment.
He moved from Exeter, Rhode Island to Hopkinton, Washington County, Rhode Island where he was allowed pension on his application executed January 1, 1834, aged eighty years. He died April 27, 1941, in Hopkinton, Rhode Island.
Soldier married September 15, 1811, in Exeter, Rhode Island, Sarah Dalton. She was allowed pension on her application executed February 26, 1853, while a resident of Washington County, Rhode Island aged sixty-five years. In 1889 she was living in Norwich, Connecticut.
They had a large family of children, names not given.

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 29

Rev.
Widow, &c.

File No. 2246
Sarah Rathbun  (Rathburn)
Widow
Nathan Rathbun (Rathburn)
Priv. Rev. War

Act Feb. 3, 1853 
Index__, Vol M. ,Page 148
Page 30

Dec 12 '76  Transf. from Providence
to Hartford @ $8 June 4, '76
C.P.A.Y.O.I

(initialed) J.M.W.

1905 Nov. 6 Hist to M. A. Lothrop (initialed) AW

1927 Jan 3 Hist. to Mrs. Lena G. Perkins (initialed) MMH
Page 31

(notation on left of document) Req. From 55-148505  CJL

1383
Rhode Island Sarah Rathburn widow of Nathan Rathburn who served in the revolutionary war as a private Rhode Island militia
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 73 dollars 33 cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Aug. '53 and sent to Chas. J. Lanman, Norwich, Ct.

recorded on roll of pensioners under act (document torn) Page 54, Vol. A

3/53
Page 32

28,579

[illegible]
Page 33

520
Sarah Rathbun
widow of Nathan
Conn.

Let. to Jas. Lanman, May 19/50

Act Feb. 3rd 1853
Page 34

(note: document overwritten in several areas, some writing very faded)

520 March 1st. 1853
Appl. of Sarah
Rathbun widow of Nathan
R.I. or Conn 32 Act 3rd Feby. 1853
27,143 R.I.
Revolutionary War
Jas. Lanman
Norwich Connecticut

J. Minot [illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
[illegible]
Page 35

Additional evidence
Hon. J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
[illegible]

148505
Sarah Rathbun
Boyntons

postmark and receipt stamps largely illegible
Page 36

Additional Evidence
Hon. J Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
[illegible]

148505 Sarah Rathbun
Nathan
Free

postmark Norwich May 13, 1856

(note: additional notations to faded to read)
Page 37

148505
Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City 
[illegible]

FREE

postmark: Norwich Ct. May 23
Page 38

1853 [remainder of number illegible]

Sarah Rathbun
wid. of Nathan
R.I Washington Co. 
Oct. 3rd. Feby. 1853
 $73.33 per annum

Commended 3rd. Feby. 1853
Presumed to be Rev.

Chas. Jas. Lanman
Norwich Ct. 

Department of the Interior
Pension office, official business
Page 39

Additional evidence
Claim No. 148,505
of
Sarah Rathbun
a
Revolutionary Pension
Page 40

Norwich Connecticut
May 13th 1856

Sir, 
The objection to the claim for Bounty land of Sarah Rathbun widow of Nathan Rathbun - A pension will be removed by the act of congress recently proposed and that there will be no necessity of resuming the application, as she is now a pensioner. Should it be required [illegible] advise me.

Very respectfully your obedient servant
Chas. Jas. Lanman

Hon J. Minot
Comm. of Pensions

the no. of the application of Mrs. Rathbun is 148,505
Page 41

No. 148,505

Sarah Rathbun
Additional Evidence
Page 42

Act of March 3, 1855
Revolutionary claims

Pension office
March 21, 1856

Sir:
the claim of Sarah Rathbun for bounty land under the act of the 3rd. March 1855, No. 148,505 has been examined and suspended.  the revolutionary service of Nathan Rathbun the husband of the applicant does not appear of record in this office. the 3rd section of said act requires a service of "fourteen days" to be established by "record evidence." Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will be favorably considered. It should be observed that the recorded action of this office, admitting a revolutionary soldier to the list of pensioners upon parole proof, is not considered "record evidence" within the meaning of the act aforesaid. In all applications for bounty land under this act, the papers of the soldiers, or their widows who have applied for or received pensions, as well as the rolls in this office, are carefully examined for record evidence of service, before this circular is issued.
Respectfully,
J. Minot, Commissioner

C. J. Lanman Esq
Norwich Ct.
Page 43

Norwich Connecticut
March 25th 1856

Sir,
I reply to the written letter I beg to refer you to a response of the secretary of War, published by Duff Green in1835 containing a list of pensioners of the United States. In that list, among the number of pensioners in Washington County in the State of Rhode Island will be found the name of Nathan Rathbun who is stated to have served in the Continental Militia and who was placed on the pension roll Feb'y 6th 1834. I should suppose this fact and the additional one that his widow draws a pension on account of his service in the War of the Revolution would furnish some evidence of his service.  It would seem that a pension granted for services in the War of the Revolution would furnish the highest evidence which could exist and that it would also constitute a positive
Page 44

presumption that evidence of service had been furnished, or the pension would not have been granted. It is not probable any survivors of the company of Mr. Rathbun is in existence and the Secretary of War in his report to which I allude of the date of June 27th, 1832, says to require from the applicant positive proof of service from a temporary survivor would after the lapse of so many years be to deprive many of them of the benefits of the same.

Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Chas. Jas. Lanman

Hon. J. Minot, Comm of Pensions
Page 45

Norwich Connecticut
May 21st 1855

Sir, I enclose the claim for Bounty Land under the Act of March 3rd 1853 of Sarah Rathbun a pensioner and widow of Nathan Rathbun, who also was a pensioner.

Very respectfully your obedient servant
Chas. Jas. Lanman

Hon Loren P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions
Page 46

Norwich Connecticut
March 21st. 1853

Sir,

Some weeks since I forwarded to the pension office an application for a pension of Sarah Rathbun widow of Nathan Rathbun under the act of February 3rd 1853

I have heard nothing from the claim since it was forwarded and as the claimant is aged and needy I beg to call your attention to it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant
Chas. Jas. Lanman

Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Comm. of Pensions
Page 47

Payment to be made at Providence by Parish Hill Esq., Agent for paying Pensioners, in the agency of R. Island.

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March

Recorded in the pension office on the roll of pensioners under act February 3rd, 1853, Page 54, Volume A.

H. R. Weightman, clerk
Page 48

(note--ink blot obscures some words in the center of the document).

Department of the Interior
Widow's pension

I certify that in conformity with the 2nd section of the act of February 3, 1853, Sarah Rathburn, widow of Nathan Rathburn who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at a rate of Seventy three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, commencing on the 3rd. of February 1853, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Given at the Department of the Interior, this eighteenth day of August one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.

R. McClelland,
Secretary of the interior

Examined and countersigned, 
L.P. Waldo, commissioner of pensions
Page 49

Rathburn
Page 50

Brief in the case of Sarah Rathburn widow of Nathan, Washington County and State of Rhode Island act 3rd February, 1853

Claim "original"
Proof exhibited if original

Is it documentary, traditionary, or support rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband was a pensioner under the act of  7th June 1832.

[illegible] proof
& record evidence of marriage.

Chas. Jas. Lanman Esq. 
Norwich Ct.

S. C. Boynton, Examining clerk
Page 51

Increase 1183

Brief in the Case of Sarah Rathburn widow of Nathan Private Rev. War Norwich, New London County and State of Connecticut
Act. 2nd sec. Feb. 3, 1853

claim for new pension certificate

proof exhibited,
pension on the roll of Rhode Island at $73.33 per annum Certificate surrendered. Claim for [illegible] act 13th sec July 27 1868

Identity Known

Admitted Sept. 21, 1869 to pension of $96 per annum to commence July 27, 1868 [illegible] pay since.

W. E. Frasher, examining clerk

Name and residence of agent
Claimant
Care Beriah Rathburn, Norwich Conn.
Page 52

O.W 2246

183 Sarah Rathbun

Stamped: U.S. Pension office Dec 3 1881
Page 53

3-405
Pensioner dropped

U.S. Pension Agency
Boston, Mass
Oct. 28, 1881

Hon W.W. Dudley,
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:
I hereby report that the name of Sarah Rathburn who was a pensioner on the rolls of this agency under Certificate No. 1383 formerly Hartford and who was last paid at $96 per annum to 4 June 1878, has been dropped because of her failure to claim pension for three years.

Very respectfully,
D. W. Gonte,
Pension Agent

Every name dropped to be thus reported at once.
Page 54

Norwich, Connecticut
February 26th 1853

Sir,
I enclose the application from a pension of Sarah Rathbun widow of Nathan Rathbun a pensioner deceased under the act of February 3rd 1853. It is supposed that her husband was pensioned under tha act of June 7th 1832 but the certificate [illegible] on file in the Pension office, will
Page 55

Norwich Connecticut
Aug. 4th 1853
Sir,
The claim of Sarah Rathbun widow of Nathan Rathbun for a pension under the Act of February 3rd, 1853, having been suspended because the application was not made before a court of Record. I now enclose one as required.

Very Respectfully
Your obedient servant, 
Chas. Jas. Lanman

Hon. Loren P. Waldo
Commissioneer of Pensions

the testimony was forwarded with the previous application.
Page 56

520 Mar 1/53

Sarah Rathbun
widow of
Nathan Rathbun
deceased --Conn.
application for a pension.

Act February 3rd, 1853

James Lanman
Norwich, Conn.
Page 57

Norwich Connecticut
M,ay 25th, 1853

Sir

Your printed letter of the 17th I note states that the claim of Sarah Rathbun for a pension as the widow of Nathan Rathbun under act of July 3rd. 1853 is [illegible] because the declaration was not made before a "Court of Record." I do not understand the expense and trouble of providing th eproof
Page 58

State of Connecticut    )
County of New London)
District of Norwich       )

     At a Court of Probate held at said Norwich on the 9th day of August A. D. 1853 - before the Hon George B. Ripley, Judge - presonally appeared in front of Court - Sarah Rathburn visiting in Washington County in the State of Rhode Island - aged 65 years, who being sworrn according to law upon oath declares that she is the widow of Nathan Rathburn deceased - that she was married to him (illegible) husband at Exeton in County of Washington on or about the year 1811.  (illegible) by Ellett Locke a minister of the (illegible) and that her name before was (illegible) marriage was Sarah Halton, that her said husband died at (illegible) in said County of Washington on or about the month of April A. D. 1841 and that she has (illegible) and still is a widow.  She further states her said husband at the time of his death received a Pension from the U. Sates on account of his services in the War of the Revolution and that
Page 59

Under the Act of February 3d - 1853-she is entitled to a renewal of the same in her own right for which she makes this application.  She further states that except the Certificate of marriage on (illegible) of his name in the Pension Office at Washington she is not aware of any Record evidence of her said marriage.

                                     her
                          Sarah    X   Rathburn
                                      mark

Sworn and subscribed before me , and I certify that I believe the above married Sarah Rathburn is the widow of said Nathan Rathburn and that she is of the age stated.
                          George B. Ripley (signature)
                            Judge of Probate

I certify that the Hon George B. Ripley a Judge of Probate in and for the District of Norwich in the County of New London and State of Connecticut and that the foregoing signature is his .  Witness my hand and the seal of the said county on the day and year first before named.

                           Othniel Gager (signaure)
                                     Clerk
Page 60

Declaration for Increase of Pension
Under section 12, Act of July 27, 1868

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence  ss.
On this sixteenth day of September, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, personally appeared before me Charles Blake, Clerk of the Supreme Court within and for the county and state aforesaid, Sarah Rathburn aged 94 years, a resident of Norwich in the State of Conn., who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the identical Sarah Rathburn to whom was granted pension certificate No. 1383 payable at Providence R.I. at the rate of $73.33 dollars per annum issued under the act of Feb. 3rd., 1853; that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the act of July 27, 1868.
My post office address is as follows:
Norwich Conn.
care of Briah Rathburn
(her mark) Sarah Rathburn

Also personally appeared Calvin W. Rathbone and Clarinda Amsbury, residents of Pawtucket, R. I., persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Sarah Rathburn, make her mark to the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. Erasure of month sign & name made before signing hereof.

(signature) Calvin W. Rathbone
(signature) Clarinda Amsbury

Sworn to and subscribed before me this sixteenth day of September A. D. 1869; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

(signature) Charles Blake
Clerk, Supreme Court
Page 61

duplicate document (see # 62)
Page 62

Sir:
In compliance with yours of the 29 February instant, notifying me of an application for transfer from this agency by Sarah Rathburn (widow of Nathan) Norwich New London Co. Conn., a pensioner under certificate No. 1383, the following report is made: 

Date to which last paid: June 4th, 1876
Rate at which last paid: Eight dollars for month
Rate at which to be paid: Eight dollars for month.
Date when last payment was made: June 12th, 1876

Respectfully,
(signature) Wm. H. Reynolds, Pension Agent

to: Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Page 63

US Postal Card

Mrs. Sarah Rathburn
Norwich Conn.

postmarked Providence June 24
Page 64

U. S. Pension Agency
Providence June 24, 1876

By order of Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 1876, you have been reported for transfer to the nearest U.S. Pension Agency in the state in which you now reside. If uncertain which that is, write to "Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington DC."

Should you change your "residence" to Rhode Island again, you will be re-transferred to this agency without expense, on application here in person or by letter.

Very respectfully
Wm. H. Reynolds
U. S. Pension Agent

document stamped:
Department of the Interior Pension Office Dec. ? 1876
Page 65

Norwich Conn.
Oct. 29, 1926
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sirs, 
Will you please send me a statement of the military history of Mr. Nathan Rathbun who I think was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. I also think he was a pensioner. His wife was Sarah Dalton Sept 15, 1815.
Any information you can give me will be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Lena G. Perkins
53 Cliff St.
Page 66

Norwich Conn Sept. 9th 1876

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions

Sir, the number of Sarah Rathbun's pension that she sent you last summer to be transferred from Rhode Island to Connecticut is 1383. I sent you the card he sent her.
Yours respectfully
B.S. Rathbun
Page 67

stamp partially obscured

Department of the[illegible] 
Pension Office 
Dec. 5 187-
Page 68

Norwich Conn Nov. 20th 1876

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I sent you Sarah Rathbun's pension paper last August according to your request for transfer from Rhode Island to Connecticut. You have not returned it. Will you please send it as she wants the money.

Yours,
B. S. Rathbun
Page 69

Stamp

Department of the Interior Pension Office
Nov. 21 1876
Page 70

Major Raymond H. Perry Circle No. 3
Ladies of the C.A.R.
Pawtucket, R. I. 

To: Commissioner of Pension Dept.
Sir, Will you kindly forward me my certificate for joining the Revolutionary Daughters. My Great grandfather was Nathan Rathbun his wife was Sally and drew a pension up to her death she died somewhere between 1875 & 1879. Nathan was born I think in 1754 and died in or about 1841. My grandmother was their daughter Mary who married Clark Champlain, my father was her eldest son Russell Clark Champlain who served in the tenth Conn Volunteers in our late civil war in 61 to 65 in Company F, so I am a true lineal descendent of Nathan Rathbun of the Revolutionary War. Trusting to soon hear from you and get my certificate I am very respect. 
(signature) Mrs. Mary A Lothrop
2184 North Main St.
Pawtucket R. I. 

My Great Grandfather I think got a pension before he died but I know his wife did for I saw her papers many times.

top of document stamped, only date legible: Nov. 3 1905

bottom of document stamped: U S Pension Office A Nov. 2 1905
Page 71

widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.
(Information in table format revised for ease of reading.)

enlisted Nov. 76 served three months under Capt. Daniel Barber and Col. Robt. Brown
Sept 77, served three months under Capt. Samuel Gorton and Col. Chas. Dyer
Aug. 78 served 4 months under Capt. George Willcox and Col. Chas. Dyer
May or June 79, served 2 months under Willcox and Dyer
Sept. 79 served 2 months under Willcox and Dyer
1780 served three months under Dyer
1781 served 4 months under Dyer.
All services listed were in Rhode Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Exeter R. I. 
Date of application for pension: Jan. 1, 1834
Residence at date of application: Hopkinton, Wash. Co. R.I.
Age at date of application: 80. born Exeter 
Wash Co., R.I. Died Apr. 27, 1841, at Hopkinton R. I. 
Remarks: He marr. Sarah Dalton at Exeter R. I. Sept 15, 1811. She was 65 in 1853 & then living in Wash. Co. R.I. children's names not listed. She living in 1876