Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26046, Thomas Willcox, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I. 

Wilcox, Thomas
Keziah

NUMBER
W.26046

CONTENTS
Page 2

15699
Rhode Island
Thos Willcox
of Newport in the State of R. Island
who was a Private in the company commanded 
by Captain Adams of the Rgt. commanded by Col Elliott in the Rho Island 
line for 1 Year Private of Infantry 
'' '' ''  Calvary
------
------

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 90 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

-----
-----
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of July, 1833 and sent to him 
? Portsmouth, R.I. 
-----
-----
arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $180.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending ?
$45.00
-----
-----
$225.00

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by D. Addison, Clerk,
Book 2
Vol. 2
Page 135
Page 3

4657
Rhode Island
-
Keziah Willcox
widow of Thomas Wilcox R I
who was a [illegible] Inff artr
in the R.I. Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
90 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
twenty fourth day of Janury 1844
and sent to
Franklin Greene
Providence
R. I.
Act of March 3, 1843
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 98
Page 4

Keziah Wilcox
9669
Page 5


State of Rhode Island
County of Newport

On this 16th day of August 1843 [illegible]
affirmed before me Joseph, Chief associate
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within
&
for said County. Keziah Wilcox of
Tiverton in said County aged 83 years who
being duly sworn according to law doth
on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of [illegible] [illegible] on July 7 1838 entitled an act granting half of pensions to certain widows
Sir [?] that she is the widow of Thomas Wilcox
who served as a private during the war of
the Revolution, that he was a pensioner
under the act of Congress of June 7 1832
on the Roll of pensioners payable at
Providence & to his declaration which
he made to obtain said pension, [illegible]
refers, which is now in the War Department,
for the amount & evidence of his services.
And she further declares that she was
married to the said Thomas Wilcox
on the Eighth day of June 1782 as will
appear by the records of said town of
Tiverton a copy whereof is hereto annexed
Her husband the said Thomas Wilcox
departed this life on the 26 day of May 1843
and since then she has remained unmarried
Page 6

she was not married to him prior to his
leaving the service but the marriage took place
previous to the first of January
seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit
at the time above mentioned
attest
Joseph Childs

Keziah Willcox
Marke

Newport Sc Tiverton August 16 1843
Then came the above named Keziah Wilcox
Signer of the fore [illegible] declaration and
and made
oath to the
truth of the same. 
And I certify that a
grant and agree about information. she is unable to attend court and that full credit is due to 
 to
his statement therein
Joseph Childs [illegible] GEP
Page 7

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas within and for the
County of Newport (being a Court of Record) do
hereby certify that Joseph Childs is a Justice
of the Court of Common Pleas within and for
said County and that Job Durfee is Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court for the State of
Rhode Island and that they are duly authorized to act in their said capacities. And
that their signature afore written are Genuine
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and the seal
of said Court on this eighth day
of September A.D. 1843.
Daniel C. Denham Clerk
[14 pointed seal]
Page 8

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND.
COUNTY OF. Newport SS.
On this Eighth day of Septemr 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges
or Justices of the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton now sitting, Thomas Willcox
a resident of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State of Rhode-Island, aged
Seventy four 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. [Illegible] in the month of May 1775 enlisted at
Tiverton aforesaid as a private soldier, into Captain William Cook
Company Hob Church's Regiment for eight months- Manchester was Lieut. of said Company and Israel Church was Ensign
and Thomas Church was Leut led of the Regiment. He
was soon after marched to Jamaica Plains near Roxbury and
from there to Prospect Hill just after the Battle of Bunker Hill
He thinks he was under the command of General Putnam,
He said here engaged in fortifying the said Prospect Hill and the
vicinity late in December 1775 when his time being ohttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngut he was then discharged and he returned home-
He then in the month of January 1776 enlisted at [Illegible]
as a private, into Capt John Carrs Company [illegible] Lippetts Regiment for
one year-- Adam Comstock was Lieut [illegible], and James Tew was Major
of the Regiment - and Alexander Thomas was Leut. of the Company and
Stephen Borden was Ensign (when we were ordered to the western
Stephen Borden resigned his commission and Branton Blin became
ensign, we were soon marched to the neighborhood of Newport
where we staid till late in the summer, when we were ordered
to the westward, we crossed the ferry, westward from Newport
and took up our line of March for New York, passing through
New London, New Haven, &. we joined the Americans under
General Washington at Kingsbridge and Harlem a short time
after their retreat from Long Island. We were then marched north
to the white Plains. He was in the Battle fought there, we then
retreated northerly and staid a short time and then to Peekskill on
on the North River, here we crossed over the North River, and
and marched for Easton on the Delaware, before we reached Easton
we lost General Lee who was taken by surprize-- we crossed over the
Delaware at Easton and Marched down South on the Pennsylvania
side till nearly opposite Trenton- we then crossed over in the night
of Christmas Eve. and to the Hessians by surprise early in the
Page 9

morning, after a short resistance on their part, we then recrossed the Delaware
with the prisoners and Cannon, and small arms we had taken from
the enemy. a few days afterwards we again crossed the Delaware
and proceeded to Trenton. Here we again had a brush with the enemy, but
we stole a [illegible] in the enemy left Trenton in the night, marched
to Princeton, where we also had considerable fighting - here we
drove the enemy into the Town where a number were slain
and many taken Prisoners- from there we were marched to
Morristown in New Jersey where, after suffering very great privations and hardships, owing to a want of food and clothing
we were discharged on the 18th day of January 1777 - having
served for a longer term than one year for which he enlisted
He then returned home to Tiverton and was enrolled in the
first or lower company of Militia in said Town, and was drafted
therefrom to stand guard on the shores, for one month at a time
and he should think for one half of the time till he enlisted again
during this time Captain Isaac Cook commanded said company-- It was while he was in this militia service in July 1777
that he volunteehttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngred under Col. Boston from Howlands Ferry to
go on to Rhode Island to bring off. General Prescott. He went with
Col. Barton and safely landed Genl. Prescott at Warwick neck.
among our own people. For this However, he wishes it distinctly
understood he charges his country nothing in a pecuniary point
of view, as he is more than paid for the danger accompanying
the expedition, by having his name associated with the brave
men who composed that band - In March 1778 he again
enlisted at Tiverton aforesaid into Capt Ebenezer Adam's Company, Col.
Elliotts Regiment of Artillery for one year- in this Company one
[illegible] was Lieutenant [illegible] Lamphier was Ensign - We were
stationed the first part of this term at Fort Berton near Howlands ferry
till Augt of this year, when one Regt was crossed over to Rhode and
under General Sullivan and was on the Island throughout the
whole campaign and was in the Battles fought there. He then
Saw Genl Greene and Col. Laurens after the retreat of the Americans
in the Island, he was again encamped near Howlands
ferry till his time was out on the 16th day of March 1779. when he
was discharged at said Tiverton. He then returned home & was again
enrolled in [illegible] jointt company of Militia in 1st Tiverton, then under the command of Capt Peleg Simmons. and served by [illegible] for a month at time
as near as he can recollect, for one half of the time until the enemy left
Newport- and was employed as before in guarding the shores, from [illegible]
ferry Northward. And the said Willcox avers that he truly and faithfully, performed the aforesaid services as a private soldier, in the war of the Revolution
being almost continually therein from May 1775 to Nov. 1779.
Page 10

He further declares that he was born at said Tiverton on the 28th day of
August 1758. where he resided at the time he was called into the service afore
said. and where he hath ever resided and still doth lives-- that he
hath no record of his age. that he never received any written
discharge from the service, but was discharged therefrom verbally
by his commanding officers- that he has no documentary
evidence of said services- that there is no Clergyman living in
his neighbourhood or vicinity-- but he refers to Hon Job Durfee
and Abner Simmons Esquires who are his neighbours, and citizens
of said Town of Tiverton, who testify to his character for
veracity and to their belief that he was a soldier of the
Revolution, and also to the accompanying depositions.-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his
name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforsaid.
Asa Gray Clerk
Thomas Willcox [signature]
We, Job Durfee Esq. 
residing in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid
and
Abner Simmons residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted
with Thomas Willcox- who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
seventy four 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 to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Asa Gray Clerk
Job Durfee
Abner Simmons

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries
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 Job Durfee Esq.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in
the said Town of Tiverton and that
Abner Simmons Esq.
who has signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton
and credible persons, and
that their statement is entitled to credit, and said Court further certifies that the annexed
Depositions of William Borden & William Shearman were sworn to and
Subscribed this day before this Court, and that said [illegible] are credible
persons, & their statements are entitled to credit
I, Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of, Probate in the Town of Tiverton in the 
County  & state aforesaid, a Court of Record

do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of 
Thomas Willcox
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office,
this eighth day of September in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Eight
hundred and thirty two
And American Independence
the fifty seventh
Asa Gray Clerk of Court,
of Probate
Page 11

I William Borden of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island of lawful age, on solemn
oath depose and say: That I am now and have always
been acquainted with Thomas Willcox of said Town of
an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress-
is the month of May 1775 I belonged to Capt Cook
Company Col. Churchs Regiment and was marched to
Jamaica Plains near Roxbury- and them on to
Bunker Hill in the vicinity of Boston - said Thomas Willcox
belonged to said Company at the same time, and during
said Campaign which lasted till about the first day
of January 1776. I perhaps saw him every day that we were both fit for duty-- I know that said Willcox staid in
1st Company till 1st Company were discharged and further
south watch
William Bordon
Sworn to and subscribed this 8th day
of Sept. 1832 before the Court of Probate
of Tiverton, in said County of Newport
now sitting

Asa Gray Clerk
Page 12

I William Shearman of Tiverton in the County of Newport &
State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty years on solemn oath, depose
and say, that in the year 1776 I became acquainted with Thomas
William of the same Tiverton aforesaid now an applicant for a
Pension under the late act of Congress. In the year 1776 In the
month of January I enlisted into Capt John Carrs Company, Col.
Lippitt Recement for one year, and I recollect that said Willcox entered
said Company at or about the same time, we were stationed at fort near Newport on Rhode Island, from thence we
were marched to the westward and joined the army under Gen. Washington. & were discharged at Morristown New Jersey in January
1777. I saw said Willer nearly every day during said year, except
when either of us were detached on Seperate service
after my return from the Westward in the year 1777  I entered into
Capt Devils Company, stationed mostly at Howlands Ferry in
Tiverton and serving in the boat & flotiller used as guard boats
while I was in this service I frequently saw said Willer on duly
in the troops or guards, that were constantly kept on the
shores of Tiverton, opposite R. Island, while the enemy had possession
of said Island. It was this year that said Willcox, was engaged
in the enterprise of taking Gen. Prescott, as I understood at the
time, though not being in the enterprize myself, I have no further personal knowledge of it, than that he was absent from Tiverton about a fortnight at that time, and when he returned
he stated that he had been so engaged, nor has it been questioned
to the present time; and further this Deponent saith notice
William  Shearman 
his mark X

Sworn to and subscribed this 8th day 
of September 1832 before the Court
of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in
the County of Newport, State of Rhode
solum, now sitting
Asa Gray Clerk
Page 13

Thos Willcox
24763
Page 14


The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby
Certify that Charles Durfee whose signature is affixed
to the enclosed Depositions of Thomas Remington and John
Manchester, is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of
Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, and
fully qualified to act in his said capacity, and I further
certify that the signature of his name to said Depositions are his hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal
of said Court,[OFFICIAL SEAL AFFIXED TO DOCUMENT]  this twentieth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred & thirty three
And of American Independence
the fifty seventh
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
Page 15

I Thomas Remmington of Tiverton, in the County of
Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy two
years, on solemn oath, do depose and say, that
in the war of the Revolution and ever since I have
been well acquainted with Thomas Willcox of the said
Town of Tiverton, in the year 1778 I belonged to Capt.
Adams Company of Artillery, stationed chiefly at Fort
Barton, near Howlands Ferry, and the said Thomas
Willcox belonged to the same company, said Willcox and
myself who together in a detachment under Lucient
Howe of said Company in the small fort below and
nearer the Ferry than fort Barton, we were together
also in said Company on Rhode Island in Sullivans
expedition, and after we retreated of the Island we were stationed together again at the lower fort above named
and at fort Barton, said lower fort being an appendage of
Fort Barton, I enlisted into said Company in March 1778
for one year, and I recollected said Willcox enlisted near
the same time, and served a year according to the best
of my recollection, and belief - Thomas Remington
State of Rhode Island
Newport County
Tiverton March 12th 1833
Be it known that on this day personally came Thomas
Remmington and made solemn oath to the truth of the
aforegoing Deposition and subscribed the same; And
I further certify that said Deponent is personally known
to me, and that he is a credible person, and his statement
is entitled to full credit Before me
Charles Durfee Justice of ┃
the Peace
Page 16

I John Manchester of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy one years, on
solemn oath depose and say, that I am now and was
in the war of the Revolution, well acquainted with
Thomas Wilcox of the same Tiverton aforesaid. I in
the year 1778 enlisted into Capt Ebenezer Adams Company
of Artillery, stationed near Howlands Ferry I enlisted in the month
of June and said Willcox was then in said Company, but
how long he had belonged to it, I know not, we were
together in said Company on Rhode Island in Sullivans
expedition, I after we retreated off we were together stationed
at the lower fort at said Howlands Ferry, and were
both discharged at the same time in March 1779. The
Lieutenant of this Company was named Howe, and we
were generally under his immediate command-
further I say not-

John
Manchester
his cross X

State of Rhode Island
Newbert County
[illegible]
Tiverton, March 18th AD. 1833
Then personally came John, Manchester, and made solemn
oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition and subscribed
the same; And I further certify that said Deponent is well
known to me and is a credible person, and his statement
is entitled to credit-
Before me
Charles Durfee [illegible]
Justice of the Peace-
Page 17


24763
Thomas Willcox
Rhode Island
[illegible]of [illegible] 1 year
[illegible] Arty 1Do
2- years
Found on the rolls
of Lippetts & Elliotts
Regts 12 months each
[illegible]
Portsmouth Ret [?]
Page 18


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. Those 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.


A Statement, Shewing the Service of Thomas Wilcox County of Newport Rhode Island


[Column Headings: Period when service was rendered. Duration of the
claimant's service. sub column Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, an place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

Enlisted 1775. 1775 8 0. [illegible].  Capt Cook Col Church. 74 years Tiverton Rhode I. Living Witness
for the service

" [Enlisted] 1776. 1776
12 0. [illegible] Capt Carns Col Lippett.

Draft 1777. 1777 1 0. [illegible]. Capt Cook.

Vol-time not chg For?. Col Bardon

[illegible] 1778.-for Artillery. Capt Adams Col Elliott.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 19

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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, 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.
Ste, 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
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 days 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 [blank]
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.
I, [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-
Page 20

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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 exexpected
. 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.

(a)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.
(b)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.
(c)The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d)The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer of other must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every clamant 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
pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The 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 claimant's 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. The notes from (a) to ( t) are all equally be able to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) 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 21

I Daniel Willcox of Tiverton
in the County of Newport and State of
Rhode Island
aged fifty one years do
cirtify and say that Keziah Willcox who has
signed and sworen to the preciding declaration
She is my mother and his housbant st Thomas
Willcox was my father T Willcox Departed
this life May the 26 1843 and sence then
she has remand unmarried and is now
a widow
Daniel Willcox

Newport [illegible] Tiverton Augt 16 1843
then came the aforesad Daniel Willcox and made
oath to the truth of the above afidavet by him

Signed Before me [illegible] & I  am acquainted with
Daniell and think him a creditable witness
Before
me
Joseph Childs Justes CCJ
Page 22

I Charles Durfee, Town Clerk of the Town of
Tiverton County of Newport, do certify and say;
that by virtue of my office, I have the custody of
the Records of births and marriages of said town,
and further certify, that it appears by the Records
that Thomas Willcox & Kezia Bennet were lawfully
joined in marriage, on the Eighth day of June,
One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Two -
The following is a copy of the Record, word for word,
figure for figure as it stands - "I hereby Certify, this
Thomas Willcox, son of William Willicox of Tiverton
and Betty his wife, and Kezia Bennet daughter of
Robert Bennet of said Tiverton and Hannah his wife
were lawfully joined together in marriage in
said Tiverton on the 8th day of June AD. 1782 By
me this subscriber Walter Cook Justice Peace"

all which duly appears -
Charles Durfee Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Newport [illegible] In Tiverton August 17th 1843
Personally appeared before me the above
named Charles Durfee, known to me as the
Town Clerk of the Town of Tiverton, and made oath
to the with of the above certificate by him signed.
Job Durfee -Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of the
State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Page 23

Rev. War Section
Hon. Walter F. Lineberger
House of Representatives
 [illegible initials] MMST [?]
February 10, 1933

This corres, belongs
in--->
In re: Thomas Willcox -- War of Revolution
W. 26046
Pardon Willcox or Wilcox -- War of Rev.
S. 21574
John Wilcox --
War of Revolution
You are advised that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 26046 it appears that
Thomas Willcox, son of William and Bettey Willcox, was
born August 28, 1758 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode
Island.
While a resident of said Tiverton he enlisted in
May 1775 and served as a private eight months in Captain
William Cook's Company, Colonel Church's Regiment.
In January 1776 he enlisted in Captain John Carr's Company
, Colonel Tippitt's Regiment and served until January
18, 1777, when he returned home and was then enrolled
in a Company of Militia under Captain Isaac Cook
and served alternately one month at a time until March
1778; during this service, in July 1777 he volunteered


[[handwritten in margin]
Letter from 
H.G. Wilcox dated Apr. 15, 1843 placed in this case Apr. 13, 1937 [illegible initials] MST [?]
Page 24

under Colonel Barton and was at the capture of General
Prescott.
In March 1778 he enlisted in Captain Ebenezer
Adams' Company, Colonel Elliott's Regiment and served
as a Private until March 18, 1779 when he returned
home and was again enrolled in a Company of Militia
under Captain Peleg Simmons and served alternately one
month at a time until November 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
September 8, 1832 while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode
Island. He died May 38, 1843.
Thomas Willcox married June 8, 1783 in Tiverton,
Rhode Island, Keziah or Kezia daughter of Robert and
Hannah Bennet of said Tiverton. She was allowed pension
on her application executed August 16, 1843 while a resident
of said Tiverton aged eighty-three years. A son
Daniel Willcox was living in Tiverton, R. I. in 1843
aged fifty-one years. There is no further family data on
file.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim S. 21574 it appears that Pardon Willcox or Wilcox
was born January 12, 1762 in Tiverton, Rhode Island.
While a resident of said Tiverton in January 1778
Page 25

he enlisted and served three months as a Private in
Captain Christopher Manchester's Company, Colonel Archibald Crary's Regiment, Rhode Island Troops.
In September 1778 he enrolled in a company of Militia
under Captain Isaac Cook in Colonel John Cook's
Regiment and served as a Private alternately one month
at a time until end of November 1779.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
February 3, 1834 while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island. The date of his death is not stated. There is no
family data on file.
A careful search of the records of this Bureau
fails to afford any information in regard to John Wilcox
who was a Lieutenant and took part in Barton's expedition
from Tiverton to Portsmouth, Rhode Island which captured General Prescott.
Very truly yours,
Commissioner.
Page 26

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.
County of Newport
On this Sixth of December A. D. 1843, personally appeared
before me a Justice of the Peace in said County Keziah Wilcox
now resident in Tiverton
in said County, aged Eighty three years, who being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order
to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress, passed March 3d, 1843, granting pensions
to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, viz: That she is the Widow
of Thomas Wilcox- deceased, who served in said War as a [illegible]
That she received a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, at the
rate of $90- per annum, payable at the Agency for paying pensions at Providence.

Signed in my presence

Keziah  Willcox
her mark X
Hellen Willcox
Robert Wilcox
Newport Sc.
In Tiverton December 6th A.D. 1843.
Personally came before me the above named Keziah Wilcox
and made oath
to the truth of the above declaration by her signed, I also certify her statement entitled to full credit
Asa Gray Justice of the
Peace
Page 27

State of Rhode Island ⎬
County of Newport
I Daniel C Dunham, Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid, being a
Court of Record, do hereby certify that Asa Gray
is a Justice of the Peace: in is for the town of Tiverton
and County aforesaid: and is legally qualified to act
in said capacity. and that his signature within
written is genuine.-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of our
said Court this nineteenth
December A.D. one thousand eight hundred & forty three.
[seal imprinted on page]
 Daniel C Denham Clerk
Page 28


Providence Sept 14, 1843
Sir
I herewith enclose the applications of
Keziah Wilcox widow of Thomas & Ruth Cook
widow of William for pensions under the
act of Congress of July 7, 1848-
I am respectfully
Your alt out
Benja Cowell
J L Edwards, Esq
Page 29

Kez. Willcox
$90 per Anum
Franklin Greene
Providence
R.I.
Page 30


Providence December 20th,  1843
Sir
I herewith transmit the declaration of
Keziah Wilcox, who was a pensioner on the R. Island
Roll under the act of July 7. 1838 at the rate of
$90 per annum: claiming the benefit of the act
of March 3 1843: be pleased to forward her
certificate when prepared to my address.
Very respectfully
your obs [illegible]
Franklin Greene
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 31

No 9669.
Keziah Willcox
R. Island
Act July 7th 38
Admitted
year proof
1
year pr, Act 7
$90
Benjamin Cowells
Providence
R I.
Page 32

1921.
Rhode Island
Keziah Willcox
widow of Thomas Willcox
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 26th May, 1843
of Newport in the State of R. Island
who was a Pri In [illegible] & Pr Ascn in the Company
commanded by Captain Adams
of the
Regt
commanded by Col Elliott in
the
R. Island line for 1 yr pri. In.
1 yr. Pri. Arty.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 90 Dollars
 --Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of
Nov. 1843 and sent to Benj.W. Cawell
Providence R. I.


Total amount,

$450
{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by 
Tho Sumpkin,
Clerk,
 Book D. Vol. Page 119
Ret Nov 25
Page 33

H. G. Wilcox
Thos Wilcox,  [illegible]
 of R. Island, line.
[illegible] NY
16 Apl
Paid 1D
NuGordon

Hon S.L. Edwards
Washington City
D.C.
Recd. 22d April 1846.

No. 160

#31,609-120
Apl 22nd 46
Thomas Wilcox
Review
Page 34

South Bristol  April 15 1846
Hon. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
I am induced to
to trouble you with our enquiry respecting
the revolutionary claims of Thomas Wilcox of
who served in 
in the war of the revolution.
I am refered to your office and your
politeness ,of the pensions [illegible]out of this
part of the state Thomas Will was a
soldier from Rhod island and
I have heard him speak of serving under
Gen Pruss & Capt Love, Wilcox is now
dead but informed me in his lifetime
that he is entitled to a tract of land
from the military or County and or Government, awarded from all you -
to refer to the [illegible] in your office
for the evidence of his claims or of his
services He never drew a pension or
had any land from the Government
if he was so entitled I would be [illegible]
of the fact I do not know in what
manner the land claims of the provisions [illegible] is situated but if he was
entitled and the land to which he
had claim is assignated I would
learn its location and whereabouts
If he was entitled to, check. [illegible] on [illegible]
in any visable forms pleas inform me
and Oblige a progenator of Wilcox
Respectfully Yours
●
H. J. Wilcox
not returned in the Rhode Island List. her or his name on the
Muster Rolls of that State
Page 35

1915, May 24: History to
[illegible-dark image]
J.B.Hill M-Botto
1923. Feb. 10-Kish
to Hon. [Illegible- dark image]
F. Luieberger MMSK

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 260,46
Keziah Willcox
Wid of 
Thomas Willcox
Priv R. I. In

Act Mar 3rd 1843
Index: Vol. 7, Page 340
Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 36

405 East Third St.
Northfield, Minn.
Stamp retd-w 
May 14th 1915.
one of atempted
 
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C. W1

Ok RWS
Recded  [Illegible]

Dear sir:
Will you please give me
all the data you can
regarding Thomas Wilcox
Tiverton, Rhode Island
He was a Revolutionary
veteran and served under
General Barton
He died at Tiverton, May
26 - 1843-
Page 37

I am desirous of becoming
a D.A.R. and it is hard
for me to find information
at this distance.
If possible would like
know where and when
he was married and the
names of his children.
Thanked you-
Sam Jones truly
Deborah Sayles Hill
Mrs. F. B. Hill
Page 38

Reviewed
Walter F. Lineberger
9TH  DISTRICT CALIFORNIA
COMMITTE: RIVERS AND HARBORS
Congress of the United States
Washington, D. C.
February 6, 1923.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
One of my constituents, Mr. Herbert A. Wilcox,
Route 3, Box 155, 1563 San Pasqual St., Pasadena, California, desires to have whatever information may be of
record concerning John Wilcox, Thomas Willcox and Pardon record concerning John Wilcox, who served with the Rhode Island Troops during the
Revolutionary war.
John Wilcox was a lieutenant and took part in
Barton's expedition from Tiverton Rhode Island, to
Portsmouth, R. I. which captured General Presoctt.
Thomas Wilcox was a private in the same party
and for many years drew a pension at Tiverton, R.I.
Pardon Wilcox was on the pension list at Tiverton
as late as 1840.

Is there anything in your records which indicates
family relationship of these three men. If there is nothing
in your records I will be glad to have you advise me where
it may be possible to obtain this

Very truly yours,
Walter F. Lineberger [Signature]
Walter F. Lineberger

[Date stamp and office]
U.S. Pension Office
Feb 8 1923
Page 39

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ,19

In reply to your request of received
for a statement of the military history of Thomas Willcox
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (& [or crossed out] his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau. W.F. 26046

[column headings] DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHO SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.

May 1775 | 8 mos. | Pvt. | William Cook | Church | R. I.
Jan. 1776. | Jun. 18, 1777 | Pvt. | John Carr. | Trippitt | 
1777 | [checkmark] | [checkmark | Isaac Cook. | |
March 1778 | Mch 16, 1779 | | Ebenezer Adams. | Elliott |
[checkmark] | [checkmark] | | Paley Simmons. | |
during this service volunteered under Col. Barton and was at the capture of General Prescott.

Battles engaged in, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Rhode Island.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Tiverton, Newport Co., R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 8, 1832 His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Tiverton, Newport Co., R. I.
Age at date of application, born at Tiverton, RI Aug 28, 1758. Son of William
[Remarks: crossed out] and Bettey Willcox; he married at Tiverton, June 8, 1782
Keziah or Ibrzia dau of Robert and Hannah Bennet, he died May 26,
1843 and she was allowed pension on an ap. Executed Aug 16, 1843
while a resident of Tiverton aged 83 years. Son Daniel was 51 years of age
in 1843. There is no further family data on file.

Respectfully,
6 -- 2856
Commissioner.