Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,227, Gideon Gifford, Privateer R.I. R.I. Sea Service
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Privateer
R.I.
R.I. Sea Service

Gifford, Gideon

NUMBER
S.21.227

CONTENTS
b. at Portsmouth, R.I. Jan. 2, 1767 son of David still residing there in 1832
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[left-hand page]
27412
Rhode Island
Gideon Gifford
Portsmouth in the State of R.I. was a Seaman in the Galley Spitfire commanded by Captain Gifford of the [blank] commanded [blank] in the [blank] RI

23 Months Seaman

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 92 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of May 1831 and sent to Hono. D. J. Pearce H of Rep

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834. Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 "Sep" 

$276
46
$322

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by George Taylor Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2 - Page 111

[right-hand page]
dead. Sea letter 10 March 1836 to Hon. J. Cross
Let. to Jno Cross Feb 7, 183[illegible]
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[stamp]
[illegible]
MAR
5
R.I.

[stamp]
FREE

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City

[vertical hand-writing]
Gideon Gifford Mar 10.
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Portsmouth R.I. March 5, 1836.

Sir,
I would respectfully enquire Of what may be due from the Government of the United States, to Pensioner, at the time of his death, under the act of the 7th of June 1832, is assets generally in the hands of an admr [administrator] or must be paid to his child or children if he leave any, and he leaves no widow.

By answering the above you will confer a favour on the heirs of Capt. Gideon Gifford, late a pensioner of the town who died on the 7th of last month, leaving no widow but one child, and grand children by another child died.

I have the honour to be with great respect, your obdt. [obedient]
John Cross

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comr. of Pen.
W. City
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Gideon Gifford
17008
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I Samuel Cory of Portsmouth in the County of Newport and state of Rhode Island, of lawful age on Solemn oath, depose and say, That I have been acquainted, with Gideon Gifford of said Portsmouth now an applicant for a pension, ever since his childhood. We have ever lived in the same town, and within a short distance of each other. In the time of the Revolutionary war, and in the early part of the year 1777 [or it was soon after my return from the service under Col. Lippett [Lippitt] - and I was discharged from said service on the 18th day of January 1777] he belonged to a company at Howland's ferry, in which company his father David Gifford was an officer. In this Company he staid [stayed] I do not know how long. His Father, said David Gifford went afterwards on board of the Galley and said Gideon went with him - and was afterwards taken prisoner as I understand at the time, but of this I do not know. and he further saith not -
Samuel Cory

State of Rhode Island &c
Newport Ss [flourish bracket] At Portsmouth this the 6th day of October 1832 personally appeared the above named Samuel Cory, and was duly sworn to the truth of the above deposition, and at the same time subscribed the same - I further certify that sd Samuel Cory is well known to me, and is a person entitled to credit.-
Before me Oliver D. Greene Justice Peace
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.

NEWPORT, ss. Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas for said County, 6th October A.D. 1832
Hon Joseph Childs, whose signature is affixed to the annexed attestation is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid, and -

I hereby Certify, that O. D. Greene & Asa Gray Esqs whose signatures in their own proper hand writing are affixed to the foregoing attestation were at the time thereof and now are Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and otherwise qualified as such:

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, the day and year aforesaid:

H. Y Cranston Clerk
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I William Sherman of Tiverton in the County of Newport of lawful age on Solemn oath do testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Capt. Gideon Gifford of Portsmouth in this County and have always been acquainted with him from his youth- In the time of the Revolutionary War, after my return from the [Westward?], under Col. Lippett [Lippitt] - I enlisted into a corps or company at Howlands ferry in the boats service some time, and some time sd [said] service was on the land. I entered said Company in Feb. 1777 - when I found said Gideon Gifford then a boy doing duty in said Com. as a servant to David Gifford his father, and such other service as he could well do on board of the boats-

He said Gideon was a thick set, smart boy, and able to do much more than boys of his age in general, he had always been used to boats - his Father sd [said] David Gifford, having been at that time at the owner of the ferry between Portsmouth and Bristol

While I was in said Company, said Gideon Gifford, and he believe in the summer (some time) of 1777, it was before Spencers Expedition went with his father on board of the Galley Spitfire - Capt. Crandal - David Gifford was Lieut. of the Gally - and said Gideon as he under stood entered on board in the capacity of powder monkey and sev't [servant] to his sd. Father - Said Galley Spitfire was taken by the Enemy in the Spring of the year 1778 when, said Gideon was taken prison as he was informed at the time - and as he verily believe to be true - and to his further services he knows not-

William Sherman
x his mark

Newport Sc. At Tiverton September 8th 1832.
Personally came the above named William Sherman and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing Deposition and subscribed the same.
And I further certify that said William Sherman is to me personally known and sustains a good character for truth and veracity. Before me
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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I Pardon Lake of Tiverton in the County of New-port & State of Rhode Island of lawful age under Solemn Oath depose and say- That in the early part of the year 1777 when I was encamped in the lower fort at Howlands Ferry under Capt. Vaughn- I was well acquainted with Gideon Gifford then a boy in the flotilla service who rendezvoused at the same place- his father with whom I was well acquainted was an officer in said Corps or company who was on board of the boat- he was an active boy, and much better qualified to do service on the water than boys of his age as he was well acquainted with boats- I saw him while he was in this company almost every day when said boats were at their usual place of rendezvous-which was a short distance from the said lower fort at said Howlands Ferry- in the Summer of the same year 1777 said Gideon Gifford with his father was put on board the Galley Spitfire which also lay at said Ferry for head-quarters- Said Galley was often at said ferry and I saw Gideon while he was on board of her. Said Galley was afterwards taken by the Enemy near Fall River in the Spring of the year 1778 as near as he can recollect- he at the time understood that Gideon was taken Prisoner and carried to Newport- he has always been intimately acquainted with said Gifford from the time of said service up to the present period- and that in conversations with him for many times within the last fifty years- he has heard him recount their revolutionary acts- and tell about him a prisoner in Newport at the time of Sullivans Expedition in August 1778--
                                         Pardon Lake 

Newport Sc. At Tiverton Septemr 8th 1832
Personally came the above named Pardon Lake and made solemn oath to the truth of the aforegoing-
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deposition and subscribed the same in my presence. And I further certify that said Pardon Lake is to me personally known and sustains a good character for truth and veracity. Before me,
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, Passed June 7, 1832 -
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport [flourish bracket] ss. On this 13th day of Sept 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges or justices of the Court of Probate, for the Town of Portsmouth in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, now sitting, Gideon Gifford a resident of said Portsmouth aged Sixty five years and upwards, 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, 1832.-

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.

That is to say, He was born at Portsmouth aforesaid on the 2d day of January 1767, and lived with his father at Bristol ferry in Portsmouth at the commencement of the Revolution - His father David Gifford was an officer in the Militia and was at Newport in the Public Service when the enemy arrived and took possession of Rhode Island in December 1776 - He directed his family to remove to Tiverton, which they did, taking with them such things only as were most valuable, or were of the first necessity - and leaving the rest - His Father David Gifford immediately repaired to Tiverton where he entered a corps or company engaged in the Public service, for the protection of the shores on the borders of the Bay - The duties of this company were performed on board of the flotilla of Boats, for the chief part of the time, though they also served in the land service - of this Company Danil [Daniel] Davol was Capt - My Father David Gifford was Lieut. untill [until] he went on board of the Galley Spitfire, which rendezvoused at Howlands ferry, which was the place where the Boat Company had their head quarters - He thinks this Company was not attached to any Regt but was under the immediate direction of Brigadier Genl Cornell, who had the Command at Howlands ferry, and was quartered at that time at the House of Abraham Barker - Major Monroe also had command in the affairs of the Corps in the flotilla service - In this Company said Gideon entered in the month of January 1777 in the capacity as servent [servant] of waters, to his Father and continued in said service till the month of June Following - when his said Father David Gifford, was transferred or entered our Lord of the Galley Spitfire a Schooler carrying ten guns, and when full, a crew of about fifty men and boys - said David Gifford entered on board of said Galley as Lieutenant - The said Gideon at the same time in said month of June 1777 entered on board of said Galley Spitfire as Powder Monkey and Servant his father, and continued on board of the same untill [until] the day she was taken by the enemys [enemy's] [berge?] the day that Bristol was burnt by them, which was the last of May or the first of June 1778, as near as he can recollect - at the time that he was taken Prisoner, said Galley was laying at Anchor, between January and Fall was in the upper part of the Mount Hope Bay. very Early in the morning on the day that the Town of Bristol was burnt as aforesaid by many [around?] barges from the enemy shipping which lay in the Bay below - He was then
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carried to Newport and put on board of the Brittannia Prison Ship moored in the Harbour of Newport. He was kept on board of said Prison Ship untill The French fleet arrived at Newport in the month of July or August 1778, when he and the rest of the Prisoners were carried on Shore and put in the jail of that place, which was then called the Provo - he was not put into close prison at that time with the other prisoners, being himself sick - Now he remained a prisoner till some time in the last of November or start of December he with others were encharged, and were carried in a coastal Sloop, and were landed at Warwick Neck on the west Side of the Bay below Providence - He then returned by the way of Providence home to Tiverton -

During said Service on board of said Galley, she was employed in conjunction with the boats of the flotilla to guard the shores of the Bay - to convey provisions and troops from different parts of the Bay to watch the movements of the enemy and to oppose their predatory excursions, against the towns and property on the shores - she was commanded during said time by Joseph Crandall Captain and said David Gifford as Lieutenant.

And said Gideon swore that he truly served his country for the term and in the manner aforesaid in the Revolutionary War, and rec'd pay for the same - and here he begs leave to state - that the first money that he never had, was employed in defense of his country in the Revolution - about the time he left the Corps of Capt. Davol on board of the Boats - in June 1777 - the money that was paid to him for his wages upto [up to] that time, his father said David Gifford invisted [invested] in a Sloop, which they bought at Greenwich and fitted out as a Privateer - Said Sloop was bought by a number of officers and others at Howlands ferry - for the purpose of cruising off Sandy Hook to intercept the enemys [enemy's] commerce with Newyork [New York] - She was commanded by one Paul Cartwright of Newport - She took no purses, and was driven on Shore on the Coast of New Jersey, by the enemy and destroyed -

And he further declares that he was born in said town of Portsmouth on the 2d day of January 1767 - as a copy of the records of said Town, herewith accompanying, will show - that he now resides and always has resided in said Town, except during the time the English held the Island from the year 1776 to 1779, when he lived across the bay in the Town of Tiverton - where he resided when he entered the public service as aforesaid -
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The birth of the Children of David Gifford and Abigail his wife is as followeth ~
Gideon Gifford was born the 2nd day of January 1767
Above copy extracted from the record book No 24 page 17 for registering marriages births +c
Attest A. Anthony Town Clerk
Portsmouth June 1st 1820
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That he never received any written discharge from the service he performed as aforesaid - that he has no documentary evidence of said services - that there is no Clergyman living in his neighbourhood or vicinity - but he refers to Joseph Childs and Stephen B. Cornell Esquires who are his neighbours and citizens of said Town of Portsmouth, 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. 

[may be a second sheet]
[following is typewritten unless noted]

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 aforesaid.
[handwritten: Gideon Gifford Richard Sherman Jr Probate Clerk]

We, [handwritten: Joseph Childs Esq] residing in the [handwritten: Town of Portsmouth] and [handwritten: Stephen B Cornell Esq] residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [handwritten: Gideon Gifford] who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be [handwritten: sixty five] 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.
[handwritten: Joseph Childs Stephen B Cornell
Richard Sherman Jr Probate Clerk]

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 [handwritten: Joseph Childs and Stephen B Cornell Esquires] who has signed the preceding certificate, [handwritten: are] residents in the [handwritten: Town of Portsmouth and are] credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[handwritten: Richard Sherman Jr Probate Clerk]

I [handwritten: Richard Sherman Jr] Clerk of the Court of [handwritten: Probate of the town of Portsmouth} do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [handwritten: Gideon Gifford] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [handwritten: thirteenth] day of [handwritten: September 1832 and of American Independence the fifty seventh
Richard Sherman Jr. Probate Clk]
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I Deborah Earle of Portsmouth in the county of Newport and state of Rhode Island, of Lawful; age, on solemn oath depose and say: That I have been acquainted with Gideon Gifford of said Portsmouth, an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress, for more than sixty years, and ever since he was a child- I have always lived a near neighbor to him.
   In the early part of the revolutionary ^war I resided near where I now reside, within a few rods of Bristol Ferry so called for the ports mouth side = David Gifford, the father of said Gideon, then lived at said Ferry, being owner of the Portsmouth side thereof, and at the
time that the Enemy took possession of
Rhode Island was a Captain and away from him and had been for some time
At this time we had either to stay at home, and be made prisoners by the the enemy, and to suffer what they might please to inflict, or to leave our homes and find a shelter somewhere else-- My husband the late Capt John
Earle chose the last and we with great precipitation [sic] left the Island and one homes carrying with us only a part of our most valuable and my domestic furniture-- the family of Capt David Gifford, with sd [said] Gideon his eldest son, went with us, at the same time in the ferry boat that belongs
to Capt David Gifford-- this was in the latter part of the year 1776.
We first went to Fall River, but staid [stayed] there a short time, before we found
a more permanent residence in Tiverton, where we continued to be near neighbours [neighbors] to each other- and families had frequent communications with each other, and more intimate than is usual under different circumstances, as we came from the same
place. After we removed to Tiverton as aforesaid Capt David Gifford the father of said Gideon, still continued an officer in the service- and sd [said] Gideon who was then a stout
boy of his age, was away with his father in the service he understood that they were on board of the Galley, and were taken by the enemy and carried and put in prison in Newport
and she understood at the time, and has no doubt of the fact-- They were absent from home a long time, but how long she does not remember-- she further saith not
hir [her]
Deborah X East
Mark
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[written on the back of another document] 

Newport SS portsmouth October 5 1832

[unintelligible] the within Named Deborah Earl and Made Solemn oath to the within deposition and signed the same by making their mark before me.

Joseph Childs justice of the peace
for the County of Newport

I further hereby certify that I am personally acquianted with said Deborah Earle and that she is a person of unimpeachable sincerity.

Joseph Childs J.C.C.P
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INVALID

21,227

Gideon Gifford
Seaman Rev War

June 7th 32

Vol. 2, Page 13-3
Page 18

N.B. For the 4th and 5th sections of the Brief "No" I respectfully refer to the 1st and 2nd pages of Giffords Declaration - and more especially to the 2nd page of his Supplementary Declaration - where he [illegible] mentions and recapitulates His services [illegible] &c.
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Portsmouth R.I May 12th 1834
Hon. Dister J. Pearson,
I herewith return the Pension Application
of Capt. Gideon Giffords of this Town and have followed the directions
the Hon. Commr. of Pensions. I herewith forward the depositions of Hon. Jno D. Wolf and other Gentlemen of Bristol, refered to in W. E. and Letter to you of the 23d ult And of seventeen citizens of this [illegible] and neighbors of said Gifford, who testify to his unquestionable character for truth. His case is now made out, as fair.  Perhaps, as it can be done by human testimony - and places the fact of his being in the service beyond the possibility of a doubt.  Although at the time a boy, he proves that he was able to perform many things aboard of an armed ship as well as man, and to supply the place of one.  He proves that it was the universal practice in the Revolutionary Was to enlist more or of less boys on board of Armed vessels who supplied the place of men.  He states upon his oath, that he was entered of the ships company, and rec'd [received] pay from the State as a common mariner while he was in the service. And his character for truth, whether under both or not
under oath, was never questioned, and is unquestionable.  For the facts referred to above, I refer to the depositions in the case, more particularly pointed out in my letter of Nov. 19 1833. attached to the Supplementary Doc. herewith.

His case, I think a very meritorious one - if we asides the harassing and laborious nature of it - the length of times that he was in it - and what he suffered while prisoner of War.

You are yourself somewhat acquainted with the character
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the Applicant, and of the witnesses in his case. and can assure their respectability.  I wish you to present this again to the Department as soon as convenient.

I have the honor to be with
direct respect, your friend 
John Cross



Hon. D. J. Pearce [MG]
Washington City
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                                    Giffords

                                triangle image


Portsmouth RI
June 31                                   from

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commt. of Pensions


Washington City
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Portsmouth R. I. Jan.y 29, 1838

Sir, 

Will you know the goodness to inform one the names of all the Witnesses, who deposed in the case of the late Capt. Gideon Gifford of this town for a pension. I make this request, as the connection with the settlement of his estate.


With just respect I have the honor to be
your obdt.[obedient] Servant.
John Cross

I wish to include all who testified to his
good character &c. 

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commr [Commissioner] of Pensions
W. City
John Cross
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Gideon Giffords
Suppl. Doc 
Pension
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                              State. of Rhode Island US
                           County of Newport ss

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the
Peace, within and for the County of Newport, Gideon Giffords of Portsmouth
in s County, an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that my 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 at the periods of
the war therein mentioned in the following grades - namely - In January 
1777 he entered in the Boat Service, in the Flotilla of Boats, that were
employed to watch the movements of the enemy, and to protect the shores
of Riverton from Howlands Ferry northwarly to Hall River, and the shores of Somerset and Swaney on the northerly side of Mount Hope Bay
around to Mount Hope Point.  The company was raised by order of 
the State of Rhode Island and was under the command of Capt.
Daniel Davol an experienced nautical man, and my Father the late
Capt. David Gifford, who was a captain in the States service up to that
time was Lieutenant on board of the Flotilla. Our Head Quarters, or
where we used to harbor, when not cruising along shore, was at Howlands
ferry, and at Hall River in Massachusetts. Gen. Cornell had the supreme
Command of it, as it belonged to the Brigade Raised by the
State of Rhode Island. In this service it was my duty to help row the 
boats, and steer, and to wait on my Father, who had selected me for that due. And to do such things as I was ordered to do by my Commanding officers, 
which I did do and more than some of the men. In this service I 
staid till the month of June 1777 ~ when some of our sd. [said]
company on board of the Flotilla, were transferred to the Spitfire Galley
and myself among the rest ~ the Spitfire Galley was a Schooner of ten
guns - two 18' - two 12' - four long 6' - two 3'  - and some swivels. She carried
topsails and top gallant sails, and for a complement required 
fifty men and boys to man her ~ I entered on board of said Galley in June 1777 as a powder
monkey and common mariner - Capt Joseph Crandall had the Command
and David Gifford my Father was Lieutenant on board of her, my duty
on board of her was to pass ammunition in time of action, help tend the
swivels - to help clean the guns - to help row the boats, she had two that,
belonged to her, and to go aloft to do such things as I was ordered to do,
and to help clean the decks, and to wait on the officers - we all had double
duty to perform for at the time we were taken.  I think their were not more 
than fifteen of us on board, the times of the men were out, and we could not
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get others to supply their places - we arrived in Mount Hope Bay from Bristol Ferry on the West to Howlands ferry on the east, and on the northerly side to Fall River - our principal harbor was at Fall  River - In this or we I continued till the last of May 1778, when on the morning that
Bristol was burnt, we were taken by the enemy's Rangers and carried 
to Newport, and put on board of the Britannia Prison ship, then
lying in Newport Harbour ~ on board of this ship we were kept
until the French Fleet came in in August of that year, when
we were removed on shore and kept a Prisoner until the first
of December 1778 when I was exchanged, and carried in a Cartel Sloop
and landed in Marwick Necks ~

And I further declare that, that while I was a prisoner on board
of sd. Prison ship Britannia and a prisoner in Newport, I was many
times offered, a Bounty and full pay, if I would enter on board
of the enemy's ships then lying in Newport, but I refused there offers
with disdain.

and I further declare, that for all the times I was in the 
Flotilla Services as aforesaid under Capt Dovol, I ranked and received
pay as a private or common mariner and for all the times I was on board 
of the Spitfire Galley, I ranked and received
pay from the state as a common mariner.

And I further declare, that during all the time aforesaid, I was absent from home,
and in actual naval service, and during all that time was not
engaged in any civil pursuit or business whatever - namely - 
in Capt. Davols Flotilla Service from Jany 1777 to June 1777 - five months
and on board the Galley Spitfire and on board the enemy prison Ship Britannia and in Newport a prisoner of war, from June
1777 to December 1778 Eighteen months - making in all twenty three
months, in the grade of a common mariner for which I claim
a pension.--

And I further declare that I was born, and brought up, at Bristol
ferry and being the oldest son of my Father was at an early age, made to help tend the
ferry boats.  I had been in the ferry boat for two years before I entered the service, as
aforesaid, and at the time I entered the Service, in the Boat Company, and
on board of the Spitfire, I could well row or scull a boat alone, which I did
The first then do many a time ~ The first property I ever possessed was that paid for my
wages in the Boat Company under Capt. Davol. ~ For further particulars I refer to 
my declaration on file in the Department, and to the proofs accompanying
the same ~ and also to the depositions which I have further obtained
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substantiate the fact, and of the universal rule which prevailed at the time
this state, as to the admission of boys in the naval service, and of my
ability to perform the duties and to supply the place of a man.
I further state, that there is no one, now living to my knowledge,
who was with me on board of said Galley Spitfire, by whom, if living. I could
more particularly prove my services and ability at that time.-
Gideon Gifford
State of Rhode Island
Newport Is. County of Newport
That [crossed out] On this 13th day of November 1833
Personally appeared before me the above
Named Gideon Gifford and duly gave
oath that the above and foregoin Deposition
relative to the things therein mentioned
contained the truth the whole truth and nothing
but the truth-
Before me Charles Durfee Justice
of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
County of Newport SS.
Clerks Office of the
Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in said County
Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Charles Durfee is one of the Justices of the Peace
for the Town of Tiverton in said County of Newport, appointed
by the General Assembly and Commissioned by the Governor of this State and fully authorized to act in his said
capacity-- And I further certify that the signatures
of his name above written and to the certificate upon the Deposition of Peleg Cranston hereto annexed are in
his own proper hand writing -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the Seal of said
Court at said Tiverton this fifteenth day
of November in the year of our Lord one
thousand Eight hundred and thirty three
of American Independence the fifty Eighth
Asa Gray, Clerk
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I Patience Durfee of Tiverton in the County of Newport
and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy one years
being duly sworn depose
That during the Revolutionary
war and when the enemy held possession of Rhode Island
I lived with my father Stephen Borden in the village of
Fall River, the Town of Freetown in the State of Masssachusetts ["I well remember" crossed out] my said Father the 1st
Stephen Borden then kept a tavern at Fall River during the
whole of the Revolutionary War. I well remember
when the Galley Spitfire was taken on the last of May
1778 - she did not lay more than half a mile from our
house. I saw her when the enemy towed her away by
five of the enemy's boats - I at that time was acquainted with
or frequently saw many of the persons on board of said
Galley - as they used to rendezvous much at Fall River, and
to be frequently on shore, and at the house of my father
for provisions and refreshments -
I was then well acquainted with
Capt David Gifford who was on board of said Galley
and with his son Gideon who is now an applicant for
a pension who was also on board of the same. Before said Galley was taken by the enemy I have seen said Gideon,
come with others from [said] vessel, to my fathers, many times
he was a large stout boy at that time. Patience Durfee
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation County of
Newport at Tiverton this the Twenty third day of October 1833
Personally came the above named Deponant and made solemn
oath to the truth of her aforegoing Deposition and subscribed the same -
and I further certify that said Deponant is personally
known to me and say that she is a Lady of the first respectability
Wm Coggeshall Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
Clerks Office of
the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton
in said County - 
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court of Probate, do hereby
Certify that William Coggeshall is one of the Justices
of the Peace for said Town of Tiverton & County of
Newport, appointed by the General Assembly Commis-
sioned by the Governor of this State, and is fully author-
ized to act in his said capacity. And I further cer-tify that the signature of his name affixed to the certificate on the within affidavit, is in his own proper
handwriting -

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of our said Court at Tiverton this
twenty fifth day of October in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & thirty three -- of American
Independence the fifty eighth
Asa Gray, Clerk
Page 29

I Peleg Bronston of Portsmouth in the County of New-
port and State of Rhode Island of lawful age, being duly
sworn, depose, that I have been acquainted with Gideon
Gifford of sd Portsmouth, who is now an applicant for a
pension from the 1778, up to the present time. In the
Spring of the year 1778 I was on board of the Privateer Green
with which sailed from Howlands ferry, Capt Joseph Gardner
and was taken by the British Frigate Maidstone. Capt Allen
Gardner, and was carried into Newport and put on board
of the Enemy prison ship Brittannie, moored in New-
port Harbour, I was a prisoner in Newport, eight months
-at this time sd [said] Gideon was also a prisoner on board
of sd ship. I also saw at the same time on board of sd [said]
ship Capt. Crandall and Lt. David Gifford, whom I well
knew, that were taken on board of the Spitfire Galley
The sd ;said] Gideon was at that time, a strong, robust boy, and from his activity and knowledge of a seaman
was able to perform most of the duties of a man.
I further state it was usual, at that time, to take
boys of his age and capacity into the public service
on board of armed vessels, as powder monkeys, and
for doing many things, in which they supply the place of a man.

I further say not.- Peleg Canton
State of Rhode Island
Newport County of Newport
let Tiverton on this 14th day of
November 1833 personally appeared
Peleg Cranston subscribed to the above
Deposition and oath that the same
in relation to the things therein contained
was the whole truth
truth and nothing but the truth
and hereby certify that the said
Deponent is a credible person-
Charles Durfee Justice of
the Peace
Page 30

I Nathaniel Monroe of Bristol in the County of
Bristol and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age
on solemn oath, depose-
That in the early part of the revolutionary war. In
the summer of 1776 I entered on board of the Privateer Lady
Washington at Newport and from that time until the
the close of the war. I had occasion to observe the crews of
armed vessels, particularly those of this State-- and I say
from my knowledge of the practice at that time, that it
was uniformly the practice, to have more or less boys on
board of all armed vessels-- There are many things, done
on board of men of war, more suitable for boys to do
than man, as they are quicker, more active, and lighter
in going aloft-- A boy that is large enough to row a boat, and
to go aloft and do things on ship board. or to pass ammunition
in time of action supplies the place of a man.
Nathanel Monroe
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol Ss Bristol Oct 17th, 1833-
Personally came Nathaniel Monroe, the above named deponent, and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing
deposition, and subscribed the same, before me,
and I further certify that said Deponent is personally
known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice Court
C. Pleas.
Page 31

I Henry Borden of Bristol in the County of
Bristol and State of Rhode Island, of lawful age, being
duly sworn depose-- That I have always been acquaintd
with Gideon Gifford of Portsmouth, who is now an
applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress
In December 1776 I lived with my Father in Portsmouth
near Bristol ferry, and a near neighbour, to said Gideon
who lived with his father at the ferry house, and
kept the Ferry. At the time the Enemy landed on Rhode
Island, I was engaged in helping drive off the stocks, and on
the 7th of December 1776 was taken prisoner by the enemy - we being
some of the rear in driving the stock, my fathers family had
just escaped off to the main. I was kept a prisoner by the Enemy
until August 1778, when in the time of Sullivan's Expedition on
to Rhode Island, and during the Battle I made my escape
and returned to my fathers family in Connecticut - While
I was on Rhode Island, a prisoner, I was not put in jail,
but was engaged in driving a cart to carry bread-- I was
compelled to do this, by the enemy. While I was with the
enemy as aforesaid, I heard many times that said
Gideon, was on board of the Galley Spitfire, which I could
after see in Mount Hope Bay, to the North of where I was.
After the British left Rhode Island, and in the year 1780, we
moved back again to our homes on Rhode Island, and I
lived a long time in the family of Capt. David Gifford
and with said Gideon-- I heard him at that time, a quite
many times, and have often since, relate incidents, pertaining
to his duty while he was on board of the Spitfire Galley, and
of his being taken a prisoner, and what the suffered while on board
of the Prison ship in Newport Harbour.
There is but a few weeks difference in the age of said
Gideon, and myself, but when we were boys, and at the time
that he was in the service he was much larger and stronger than
myself-- he was brought up at the ferry, and was engaged when
young in the ferry boat-- and he could manage a boat well at
that time alone-
I further say not -
Henry Borden
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol J Bristol Oct 17th 1833-
Personally came Henry Borden the above named deponent
and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition
, and subscribed the same before me.
and I further certify that said deponent is personally known
to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice Court,
C. Pleas
Page 32

I Coggeshall Butts of Bristol in the County of Bristol &
State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty two years, on Solemn
Oath depose-
That in the early part of the Revolutionary war
in the fall of the year 1775 (I think) I entered at Providence in
this State, into the Naval service of the United States, under Commodore Hopkins, as a Midshipman. We soon went to Philadelphia and I was put on board of the U.S. Ship Columbus of 32
guns, Capt Abraham Whipple - our whole squadron consisted of
two Ships, two Brigs, one Schooner and one Sloop, all under the
Command of sd [said] Commodore Hopkins - During my service on
Board of sd [dsaid] Ship, which was nearly a year, we took New Providence
and brought away the Governor, and much ordinance and
Military stores -
During the time aforesaid, I was well acquainted with
the composition of the crews of said squadron, and know that
every one of said vessels had more or less of boys, to make
up their compliment of men. We had on board of the Columbus
us several, and from all ages down to Eight years of age. The
smallest of our boys were useful at all times on board of armed
vessels, and particularly in times of action in carrying ammunition.
I consider that the services of a boy, large enough to row
or tow a boat, to be equal to a man on board of an armed
ship, some things they can do better, and some not so well
as a man. I further state, that as far as my knowledge
extended, it was the universal practice to enlist some boys
on board of our armed vessels during the revolutionary War. 
I further say not
his
Coggshall [x] Butts
mark
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol at Bristol Oct. 17-- 1833-
Personally came Coggeshall Butts, the above named deponant [deponent], and made solemn oath to the truth of his afore
going Deposition, and subscribed the same, before me
and I further certify that said Deponant [deponent] is personally
known to me, and sustains a good character for truth
and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice,
Court C. Pleas
Page 33

I John D'Wolf of Bristol in the County of Bristol and
of Rhode Island, of lawful age, being duly sworn, depose-
That during almost all the time of the Revolutionary War
I was in the service of my Country, either in the military or on
board of Privateers or Letters of Marque- and have since that time
seen much service on the sea-
During the Revolutionary War, it was customary in this State, and
as for as my knowledge and observation extended elsewhere, to take boys
into the public service in armed vessel for the purpose conveying ammunition, during action, and for going aloft to do many light thing
which they can do as well as man - In the vessel that I was in
during the Revolutionary War- there were more or less boys entered
on board in the public service. When I was a prisoner on board of
the Jersey Prison ship in New York, there were small boys on board
of her, that had been taken from different American vessels. The
fact was we wanted men to man our vessels of war, and a
proportion of boys, for certain purposes on board of an armed vessel
are equal to as many men
I further say not. John D'Wolf

State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol at Bristol October 17th, 1833.
Personally came John D'Wolf the above named deponant and made
solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing deposition, and subscribed
the same before me.-- And I further certify that said deponant
is personally well known to me, and sustains a good character
for truth and veracity, has held the officers, of a Judge of the Supreme
Judicial Court of this State, of a State Senator, and many other
places of responsibility and honour, and is now the President
of a Banking Institution.
Wm Throop Justice Court
C. Pleas.
State of
Rhode Island &c. Clerk's Office, Court of Common
Pleas for the County of Bristol
I hereby certify that Wm Throop, whose signature
is affixed, in his own proper handwriting, to the taking
of the aforegoing Deposition of Nathaniel Munro, Henry
Borden, Coggeshall Butts and John D'Wolf, is Chief Justice
of the Court aforesaid, duly commissioned under the seal of
said State, and engaged thereon according to Law
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand, and affixed the seal of our said Court this
Page 34

seventeenth day of October in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty three and of American In
dependence the fifty eighth.
Wm Branford [justice peace?]
Page 35

Portsmouth R.I. Nov. 19, 1833

Dear Sir,
I herewith enclose the supplementary declaration of Gideon Gifford of this town for a pension whose claim has heretofore been passed upon, and disallowed, for reasons stated in your letter, of the 12th of July last.  I take the liberty to return the letter, for the purpose of comparing the reasons assigned in the letter disallowing his claim. and his services as stated in his declaration.  His former declaration was drawn up in much haste, and probably he omitted to state things in to clear a name as to enable the department to judge of his case.  He prays then fore that your Honors will have the goodness to look into his case again, both the Declaration and the Supplement herewith forwarded which will render plain, the nature of his services, and what he did do.

By your letter herewith returned with the papers, it would seem that the fact of his being in the naval service is entirely overlooked, and he is represented as having belonged to a company which was only occasionally called into the public service, by signal, and when the alarm or occasion had ceased to exist, they returned to their houses.  This has reference to his services while in the flotilla or boat service under Capt. Daval from Jan 1777 to June 1777 but nothing can be further from the fact.  The boat company even a part of the military and naval defenses raised by the State of Rhode Island, and were under the orders of Brigadier Gen. Cornell, and were not only in actual service all the time, and all the time from home, but the service was more arduous, ---- and important, than  that of any other part of the army as it seemed to be a species of defense in  which our enemy admitted no rival and were continually harassing them by their superior force.  In this company on board of the boats he alleges to have served five months-and on board of the gally Spitfire, and on board of the Britannic Prison Ship and in Newport a prisoner of war for eighteen months.  Although there is no one living to his knowledge that was with him on board of this gally, yet the depositions of Peleg Cranston, who was with him on board of said
Page 36

prison ship and of Mrs. Patience Durfee wife of ---- Richard Durfee of Tiverton, who frequently saw him while he was on board of said gally-
also the wife of Henry Borden, Wm. Sherman, Sam. Cory, and Deborah Earle, bearing upon the fact -proves it-

He, it is true, was a boy when in the service aforemention, but in the boats and on board of the gally, he supplied the  place of a man - he tells what he did - and he proves what was able to do.  I respectfully refer to the depo. of Judge D Wolf-and to Coggshell Butts and to Wm. Monroe's all of whom were acquainted with the custom and practice of taking boys into the naval service of Rhode Island in the time of the Revolution.

I moreover refer to Capt. Gideon Giffords statements under oath of the pay received from the state for his services, at the time, which is the best evidence we can have of the fact.  And I am free to state that the applicant, as a man, and a gentleman sustains an irreproachable character and veracity.

In point of merit, Mr. Gifford did perform services in the revolution, which places him above the average of those who have survived to the present period.

I write this at his request, hoping that you will reconsider his case, and attach it to the papers in his case now forwarded on.

I have the honor to be, with great 
respect, Sir, Your Obedient Servant
John Crosse

NB I have tied a sheet of paper overr the different papers authenticated in order to keep them together.
J. Crosse

Hon. James L Edwards
Comt. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 37

War Department
Pension Office
July 12, 1833

Sir
The claim of Gideon Gifford has been examined and disallowed.   He alleges to have served as a porter to his father at the age of ten in a corps whose duty it was to protect the shores [Going?] on land or water as occasion might require.

This service particularly required that the instruction to recruiting officers should be strictly complied with which would have excluded any enlistments except of able bodied men.  It can not therefore be admitted that this claimant was received as a soldier at that age, and unless he was so received and taken ---- the ranks to perform the duties of waiter, his service cannot entitle him to the pension of the Act of June 7, 1833.

It is not understood that the corps in which he alleges to have served never at 
{over}
Page 38

My time embodied except for particular occasions of which they now notified by signal and as the occasion terminated, they returned to their respective homes.  The act provided for actual service in all embodied corps organized and commanded by the competent authority.

These papaers are placed on our --
I am very respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
J L Edwards [signature]]

John Cross Esquire [signature]
Portsmouth R. Island
Page 39

I, John D Wolf of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island &c. of lawful age, on solemn oath declare, that I am personally acquainted with Gideon Gifford
of Portsmouth in the County of Newport, who is now an applicant for a pension, for his revolutionary services, having resided since the Revolutionary war within three miles of each other.

He is a man of unquestionable veracity, and his statements may be relied upon as true.

John D Wolf

State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol ss. at Bristol May 9th 1834
Personally came the above named Deponant [deponent] and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition, and subscribed the same before me. And I further certify that said Deponent is personally well known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.

Wm Throop Justice Court C. Pleas.

We the undersigned, citizens of Bristol, in the County of Bristol, and State of Rhode Island &c. of lawful age being sworn according to law, depose, that we are personally
acquainted with Gideon Gifford, of Portsmouth in this State who is now an applicant for a pension, for his revolutionary
services, we declare he is a man of truth, on whose statements the fullest reliance may be placed.

Hersey Bradford
Ambrose Waldron
Wm Pearse 2d
George Barker
Coggeshall Butts
Nathaniel Munro

State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol fc. At Bristol May 9. 1834
Personally came the above named Hersey Bradford, Ambrose Waldron, Wm Pearse 2d, George Barker Coggeshall Butts and severally made solemn oath to the truth of their aforegoing Deposition, and subscribed the same, before me, and I further certify that said Deponants are all personally well known to me, and all sustain good character for truth and unacity.

Wm Throop Justice Court C. Pleas.
Page 40

State of Rhode Island &c
Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol.

I hereby certify that Wm. Throop, whose signature is affixed in his own proper hand writing, to the taking of the aforesaid Depositions of John D'Wolf, Henry Bradford, Ambrose Waldron, Wm. Pearse 2nd, George Busher, Coggeshall Butts and Nathaniel Munro, is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and qualified thereon according to Law.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this 9th day of May A.D. 1834, and of American Independence the fifty-eighth.

Wm. Bradford Clk.
Page 41

with each and every of the aforementioned deponents, and that they are individually persons of truth

John Cross Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island 
County of Newport
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate of the Town of Portsmouth in said County of Newport

I Richard Sherman Jr.  Clerk of said Court of probate do hereby certify that John Cross whose signature in his own perfect hand writing, to the taking of the aforegoing depositions, was at the time of taking the same, and now is a Justice of the Peace residing in said Portsmouth, duly appointed qualified and confirmed according to law.

In witness thereof I have hereunto set hand and affixed the seal said court this twelfth day of May in the year of our LORD one thousand eight hundred and thirty four and of American Independence the fifty eighth
Richard Sherman Jr
Clerk of the Court of Probate
[seal affixed]
Page 42

We the undersigned citizens of Portsmouth, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island vis being individually sworn according to law deposd-that we are individually personally  and were acquainted with Gideon Gifford who was born and always resided in this town- The said Gifford now being an applicant for a pension for Revolutionary Services. We state that the declaratons for said Gifford are entitled to full credit-as we believe him to be a person of unquestionable veracity.
Samuel Cory 
Thomas Borden
Pardon Corey
Andrew McCorrie
Oliver D. Greene
Gardner Thomas
George Faulkner
Henry Fish
Bateman Monroe
Peleg Almy
David Anthony
Richard Sherman Jr
Levi Sherman
Albert G. Cook
John Burrington
John Cory              [signatures affixed]

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
For Portsmouth in said County of Newport this 12th day of May 1824.
Personally appeared the above named deponants viz Thomas Borden, Andrew McCorrie, George Faulkner, Bateman Monroe, David Anthony, Levi Sherman, Albert G. Cook, John Burrington, John Cory, William E. Cook, Samuel Cory Jr, Pardon Cory, Oliver D. Greene, Gardner Thomas, Henry Fish, Peleg Almy, and Richard Sherman Jr. and were each duly sworn according to Law before me - 
I further hereby certify that I am personally and well acquainted