Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,506, Yelverton Wait, R.I.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I

Wait, Yelverton or Waite
Siporah

NUMBER
W.22506

CONTENTS
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1666
Rhode Island
Siporah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait R I who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Capt & Major 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 135 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Sept 1848 and sent to B Cowell
Providence RI

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 29 Vol 3

Reported
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This Certify that Yelverton Wait Esq of Coventry and Siporah Colvin of said Coventry both in the County of Kent Ware [sic] Lawfully Joined together in Marriage this Twenty Eighty day of January AD 1782
Witness Isaac Johnson Just Peace
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This Certifies that the within Certificate is Recorded in the Book for the purpose of Registering Marriages Births and Deaths page 115
Witness William Stone Clk

12 1/2 cents
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Sipporah Wait
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State of Rhode Island
County of Kent
On this 6 day of November AD 1838 personally appeared before me Stephen Waterman one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County Siporah Wait now resident in the town of Coventry in said County aged 82 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 Congress passed July 7th 1832 entitled an act granting half pay & pension to certain widows viz that she is the widow of Yelverton Wait late of said Coventry deceased who was an officer during all the War of the Revolution, that he was appointed & served but she cannot specify his services but must rely on the documentary evidence hereto annexed & on the evidence of those who served with him or had a personal knowledge of them. And she further declares that she was married to the said Yelverton Wait on the twenty eighth day of January AD 1782. as will
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appear by the original certificate of marriage hereto annexed which has been in her possession ever since. that her husband the said Yelverton died on the 29 day of February AD 1816 & ever since she has remained a widow & unmarried. 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 stated.
Siporah Wait + her mark
Attest Stephen Waterman
Kent sc In County November 6 1838
Personally appeared before me the above named Seporah Wait and made oath to the above declaration by her signed in my presence and I further certify that she is too old and feeble to attend a court I also certify her statements are entitled to full credit
Stephen Waterman Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
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I Obadiah Johnson of Coventry in the County of Kent being near 65 years of age on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Seporah Wait who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration. Her husband, the said Yelverton Wait died in February 1816 & ever since then she has remained unmarried & is now his widow.
Obadiah Johnson

Kent Sc in Coventry this 6th day of November 1838 personally appeared the within named Obadiah Johnson before me and made oath to the above affidavit by him signed and I further certify that he is a credible witness
Stephen Waterman Justice of the Court of Common Please [sic]
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Rev Widow, &c
File No. 22506
Siporah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait
Major Rev War

Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: Vol. M, Page 312
(Arrangement of 1870)
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5746
Rhode Island
Siphorah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait, decd who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 20th Feby 1816 of Kent Co in the State of R Island who was a Capt & Maj in the [blank] commanded by Captaiin [blank] of the Expd Commanded by Genl Spencer in the R Island line for 
3 months Capt
3 months Major

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 135 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of September, 1840 and sent to Benjamin Cowell, Providence, R Island

amt Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 [blank]
Semi-annual allowance ending [blank]
[total] $675.00
Act Jul 7, 1838.
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk
Book A, Vol. 2 Page 28
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Repd July 1

666
Rhode Island
Siporah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait who was a Capt & Major in the R Island line
3 months Captain
3 months Major

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 135 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of July, 1842 and sent to B Cowell Providence R.I.

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 98
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5845
Sen let to Benjamin Cowell
Oct 25 1839
do: to same Augt 5th 1840

Act 7 Jul 38
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Marriage Record
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By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the English Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America.
To Yelverton Waite Esq Greeting.
You Yelverton Wait being by the General Assembly of this Colony appointed Major of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent in the Colony aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said Colony, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to have, take and exercise the Office of Major of and over the Regiment aforesaid; and to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof: and in Case of an Invasion, or Assault of a Common Enemy, to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Regiment under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time, be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council, or other your superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the said Colony, the Sixth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-six.
Nichs Cooke

By His Honor's Command
Henry Ward Secry
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By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations
Yelverton Weight Esquire, Greeting
[the said] Yelverton Weight being elected and chosen to the Place and [office] Major of the second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent in the State aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Major of and over the Regiment aforesaid: And to command, guide and conduct the same or any Part thereof: And in Case of an Invasion, or Assault of a common Enemy, to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Regiment under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill, and destroy the same, in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council, or other your superior Officers. And for you so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

Given under my Hand, and Seal of the said State, the Twenty-ninth Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven.
Nichs Cooke

By His Honor's Command,
Henry Ward Secry
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Providence July 17 1840
Sir
In answer to so much of your letter of Oct 25 1839 as respects the claim of Mrs Siporah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait I herewith enclose some further documentary evidence consisting of scattering daily returns of the division under Major Wait through April May & June 1777 which together with those transmitted with her application clearly shews that the service was continuous & fully sustains the evidence of Job Harrington & others. It will be seen by the returns a "Major" was always present. In addition to this I enclose a certified copy of an order of the General Assembly passed October 1779 dismissing such Militia gards for reasons therein stated which shews such gards were kept while the enemy had possession of Newport &c. It will be seen also by a certified copy from the records of the Council of War that Major Wait was selected Sept 30 1777 for the "intended expedition"
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This was Gen Spencers expedition against the enemy, intended to drive the enemy from the Island of Rhode Island & fully corroborates the evidence of Judge Greene who testifies to the fact.

In addition to all this I now enclose new and further evidence proving 2 or 3 months service as Captain in the winter of 1775 before his appointment as Major at the time, Wallace of the British Navy made an attack on & burnt the houses on Prudence Island. The Militia were then all the force that could be sent against him & they were on duty pretty much all the winter you have generally allowed 3 months for this campaign and I ask the same allowance for Mrs Wait
I am respectfully your
obt sevt
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
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Providence Aug 10th 1840
Sir
I have received your letter of 5 inst respecting the claim of Mrs Sipporah Wait widow of Yelverton Wait. You observe that 3 months as Captain & 3 months as Major may be allowed in the adjustment of her claim. I have to req1uest that a certificate may be granted to that amount if no more service can be allowed. It is not so much as Mrs Wait thinks she is entitled to, nor quite so much I think as the evidence would warrant in addition to the documentary evidence of the daily returns at North Kingstown the witnesses prove he served one or two tours at East Greenwich & one at Tiverton in 77 one at Quidnesset neck in the summer of 76 & one on R Island (Sullivans) i 78. all these as Major all I ask in her behalf is the amount of service that is deemed sufficiently proved and if no
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more than months can be allowed I wish for a certificate to that amount. hoping that more testimony may hereafter yet be found & her pension increased
I am respectfully
your obt sevt
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards, Esq
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Job Harrington
Nov 76 | Hopkins | E Greenwich | 1 mo.
Dec 76 | Hopkins | E Greenwich | 1 mo
Jany 77 - Feby (E.G) March (N. Kingston) Apr May | [blank] | 4 mo
Oct 77 | [blank] | Tiverton | 1 mo
Sep 78 | Hopkins | Sullivans expdn | 1 mo

Benjn Green
June 77 | Capt Weaver Major Wait | E Greenwich | 1 mo
Aug 77 | [blank] | Quidnesset | 1 mo
Oct 77 | Spencer's Expdn| 1 mo

Oliver Wickes
76 Summer | Quidnessett | 1 mo
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I Abel Wickes of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island being Eighty three years of age do Testify and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and belonged to Col Watermans Regiment and Yelverton Wait was Major of 2d Regiment. I served one month at Tivertown in October 1777 (Spencers Expedition) and the said Major Wait went on to Tivertown with us at that time but most of my service was done under other officers as my tours of duty did not come at the same time that our Majors did.
Abel Wickes

State of Rhode Island &c
Kent sc Coventry November the 19th 1838
Personally appeared Abel Wickes signer to the above written affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that the said Abel Wickes is well known to me and that his testimony is entitled to full confidence in all cases
Asa Stone Just Peace
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I Jobe Harrington of West Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island being now seventy nine years of age on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Yelverton Wait formerly of Coventry in the county of Kent who was a Major in Col Nathaniel Browns regiment during the war of the Revolution. I was a private in Capt Alexander Hopkins company which was in said regiment. According to my best recollection the first tour of duty I did under said Wait was at East Greenwich in November 1776 where our company was stationed about ten miles from home. In December 1776 about the time the British army landed in Newport we were again called down to said East Greenwich and we served there a month. In January 1777 our detachment continued to serve stationed at East Greenwich through said month and the month of February under Major Wait who was our commander and present in the month of March
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following we were stationed at North Kingston and where we were stationed through said month and April and May the said Wait all the time commanding us and present. In October 1777 said Wait served a month stationed at Tiverton in Spencer's expedition. I was then at the same time under him in Capt Benjamin Gorton's company. In the year 1778 we were stationed at East Greenwich and went from there to Rhode Island and were engaged in Sullivan's expedition where we served a month. During all of which time said wait was Major. In this expedition I served in Capt Samuel Hopkins company
Job Harrington

Kent ss At Coventry July 1st 1839
Then personally appeared before me the aforenamed Job Harrington and was engaged on oath to the foregoing affidavit and I further certify that the said Job is a creditable witness Asahel Johnson Justice Peace
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I Oliver Wickes of East Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island aged eighty one years. On oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Major Yelverton Waite formerly of Coventry in said County  I well remember of serving one month in a detachment under his command, stationed at Quidnessett neck in North Kingstown. I was in Capt Wm Roy's company, & to the best of my recollection it was in the summer of 1776 as the weather was warm & Wallace's Fleet (so called) lay in our Bay of Narragansett. I well remember that said Mr Yelverton Waite was our Major & commander
Oliver Wickes

Kent ss At East Greenwich this seventh day of June AD 1839. Sworn to & subscribed before me and I also further certify that Mr Wickes is a credible witness
John Brown Just CC pleas
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I Benjamin Greene of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island &c being seventy eight years of age do testify and say that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and belonged to Captain Weavers Company. I think that Col Kasson Commanded the regiment and Yelverton Wait was Major. I further recollect that I did one months service under Major Wait stationed at East Greenwich in June 1777. I also did one months service under Majr Wait at a place called Quidnessett neck in the month of August of the same year 1777. and in the month of October following I was with Majr Wait one month at Tivertown at the time of Spencers Expedition (so called)
Benjamin Greene

State of Rhode Island &c
Kent ss Coventry November the 22nd 1838
Personally appeared before me Asa Stone a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Benjamin Greene a subscriber to the above written affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same. I also certify that the said Benjamin Greene is well known to me and that his testimony is entitled to full confidence in all cases.
Asa Stone Just Peace
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I Ezekiel Johnson of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations being Seventy eight years of age do testify and say I was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and served under Cols Nathaniel Brown and Archibald Kasson Yelverton Wait was our Major I was part of the time under Captain Colvin and part of the time under Captain Weaver. I was under Major Wait and with him one or two to9urs stationed at East Greenwich I think it was in the year 1777 and I was with Major Wait stationed at Quidnessett neck one month I think in September of the same year 1777 and I was with Major Wait one other month afterwards at the same place and in the same year. I also say that I was with said Wait at Tivertown one month at the time of Spencers Expedition which was in the month of October. 
Ezekiel Johnson

State of Rhode Island &c
Kent ss Coventry November 22nd 1838
Then Personally appeared before me Asa Stone a Justice of the Peace in and for said County Ezekiel Johnson signer to the above affidavit and made oath to the truth of the same and I further certify that the said Ezekiel Johnson is well known to me and that his testimony is entitled to full confidence.
Asa Stone Just Peace
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818
Zipporah Wait

Admit Capt & Major
$135
R. Island Agency
Send to B Cowell
Providence R. I.
Page 28

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Kent ss
On this 15th day of March AD 1843 personally appeared before me, the under signed a Justice of the Peace in said County Zepporah Wait of Coventry in said County aged 87 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 Congress passed March 3d 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Yelverton Wait deceased who was a Captain & Major of Militia during the war of the Revolution & that she received a pension under the act of July 7 1838 at the rate of $135 per annum payable at the agency in Providence
Zipporah Waite +her mark
Attest Benjamin H Horton

Kent Sc in Coventry March 15th 1843
Personally appeared before me the aboe named Zepporah Waite and made oath to the truth of the above declaration and I further certify that she is a credible person
Before me
Benjamin H Horton Just of the Peace
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State of Rhode Island &c
Kent Sc Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Benjamin H Horton Esqr is a Justice of the Peace in and for the town of Coventry in said County. that the foregoing is his proper signature in his own hand writing, and that full faith and credence is and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court at East Greenwich the 21st day of April AD 1843
Jer S Slocum Clk
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5845
Siporah Wait
5845
R.I.
Act 7 July 38

M82 d16
admd
3mo Capt
3 mo Major
$135 00/100

No deduction

Benjn Cowell
Providence R. Id
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office July 5, 1839
I Henry Bowen, Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof, Do certify that at the date of the annexed official certificates, the said John Brown and Stephen Waterman were severally Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Kent: Asahel Johnson and Asa Stone Justices of the Peace for the town of Coventry in said County; duly elected and commissioned as appears of record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State the day and year above written.
Henry Bowen
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Zepporah Wait

a d
CCC

admitted

Benjn Cowell
Providence
RI
Page 33

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,
County of Kent ss.
On this (18) Eighteenth day of July 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Kent Zepporah Wait a resident of Coventry in the county of Kent aged ninety two 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d of February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war: That she is the Widow of Yelverton Wait who was a Major & Captain in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of one hundred & thirty five per annum, under the act of the 17th of June, 184. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Zepporah Wait
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me ss.
James Warner Jr Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
James Warner Jr Justice of the Peace.

STATE OF RHOSE ISLAND,
County of Kent ss.
I Jeremiah S Slocum Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that James Warner Jr is a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the leas of said Court, at East Greenwich on this twenty fifth day of July AD 1848
Jeremiah S Slocum Clerk
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Siporah Wait
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I James Greene of Warwick in the County of Kent on oath do testify and say that I am now in the eighty third year of age,. That I was well acquainted with Major Yelverton Wait formerly of Coventry and the husband of Sepporah Wait. I well remember that in the winter of 1775 when the British made an attack on and burnt the houses on the Island of Prudence in Naragansett Bay said Wait was a Captain and commanded a Company from said Coventry and was in the battle on the Island and his company and he as their Captain served as much as two months stationed on the Island and on Warwick neck, he was stationed through December 1775 and January 1776 according to my best recollection. I knew him very well and always up to the time of his death my father lived on Warwick neck during the war on the farm on which I now live. I was a private in Captain Thomas Rice's Company and was on duty some of the time myself. this was a year or two before I joined the Pawtuxet Rangers in which I served several years. There were may Troops on the Shores garding against the enemy at the time belonging to the State of Rhode Island and they were in service pretty much through that winter The British fleet lay in the Bay and often landed and committed depredations. Captain Wait was afterwards a Major and did duty as such but I cannot now specify his services but he was an efficient officer. The above two months I well remember
James Greene

State of Rhode Island &c
Kent County
In Warwick the first day of July AD 1840
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said county James Greene the above named deponent and was duly sworn to the truth of his said Deposition according to law and subscribed the same in my presence. I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said James Greene and that he is a credible witness
Wm Harrison Justice of the Peace
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I Nathan Miller of Warwick in the County of Kent on Oath do testify and say that I am now in the eighty ninth year of age that I was well acquainted with Major Yelverton Wait formerly of Coventry and the husband of Sepporah Wait. I well remember that in the year 1775 towards the last of the year at the time Wallace made an attack on Prudence Island Captain Wait was stationed at Warwick neck with his company from Coventry that he served as much as two or three months I frequently saw him I was there in another Company. I afterwards saw him on duty when he was Major of regiment. He served in Spencers Expedition in Oct 1777 Stationed at Tiverton a month. He also served seven or eight months as Major at Warwick neck. I belonged to the Kentish Gards at the time.
Nathan Miller his mark+

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Kent
In Warwick this  first day of July AD 1840
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said Town of Warwick in said County Nathan Miller the above named Deponent who subscribed and was duly sworn to the truth of his deposition according to law. I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Nathan Miller and that he is a credible Witness
Wm Harrison Justice of the Peace
Page 37

State of Rhode Island &c
Secretary's Office July 16 1840

I Certify that at a meeting of the Council of War Sept 30 1777 among the "officers appointed for the intended Expedition," Yelverton Wait was appointed Major of the Regiment for the Count of Kent as appears of record
Witness 
Henry Bowen Secry
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's office July 16 1840
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State and keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof:
Do Certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of the then Colony of Rhode Island &c holden on the Second Monday of June seventeen hundred seventy five, Yelverton Waite was elected Captain of the First Company of Militia in the Town of Coventry in the county of Kent for and until the first Wednesday of May then next, as appears of record.

I further Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday of May last, William Harrison was elected Justice of the Peace for the Town of Warwick in said County for one year, and Commissioned accordingly, as appears of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence the day and year first above written
Henry Bowen

State of Rhode Island &c
In General Assembly October 1779 whereas the Enemy have evacuated this State in consequence whereof the service of the Militia Guards that have been placed upon the shores thereof are no longer wanted, It is therefore noted and resolved,k that the said Guards be and they are hereby dismissed and the Commanding officer of Posts where such Guards have been placed, are hereby required to dismiss them accordingly; and that a copy of this Resolve be sent to each of the said Commanding officers.
True copy witness
Henry Bowen Secry