Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21165, Richard Durfee, R.I.
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE  R.I.
Durfee, Richard

NUMBER S. 21165
CONTENTS
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June 22-1845 AB-[ written vertically on left 
margin]

21.214
Rhode Island
________________________[double line]
Richard Durfee of Newport in the State of R Island who was a R Captain in the Company commanded by Captain Peck in the Rgt commanded by Col. Lippitt in the R Island line for 12 mos & 15 days   Private
 11"[mos] & 15 "[days] Captain
________________________________[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 271- Dollars -67- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
________________________________[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day Aug
1833 and sent John Cross Portsmouth R.I.
________________________________[double line]
Arrears to the 4th o March (33     $ 543.34
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Spt   135.83
                                                        ________
                                                       $679.17
                                                        _________

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7,1832}
Recorded by DD Addison Clerk,
Book E Vol. 2d  Page 107
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1
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 Septem[?] 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or
Justices of the Court of Probate of for the town of Tiverton, now sitting, Capt. Richard Durfee
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.
That is to say. In the year 1775, when the British Troops under General Gage
were in Boston- and the English vessels of War, Rose, King Fisher, and
Glasgow, under the command of the notorious, Capt or Commodore Wallace, occupied the waters of Narragansett Bay, and were
harassing our shores- and menacing with destruction, the town of
Newport, Bristol, and other places in Rhode Island bordering on
the shores of said Bay-the Militia, the only sort of defense that
we then had, were called out to defend the most vulnerable [illegible]
on the shores- to guard the towns, and watch the movements of
said vessels of War- I then belonged to a company of militia in said
Tiverton under the command of Capt Benjamin Durfee - he was in the--
Autumn
of this year ordered into the public service and
marched to Newport and attached to a Regiment under the command
of Col. Babcocks of which he believes and Richmond was Lieut Col.-
in this service he continued six weeks
---
In December 1775 or in January 1776 he enlisted into Capt. Loring
Pecks Company, at Bristol [town "Tiverton" lined through], in Col Lippitts Regiment for one year-
in the early part of this service he was stationed at Bristol, from there
in the spring he with the company to which he belonged, were marched to Bristol Ferry on the Portsmouth side of the Ferry, and worked for some
time on the fort there- then marched to Newport-and worked on the fort on  Brentons Point- & other places in the vicinity of the town-
there we staid till sometime in Augt or September when the Regt. was
was ordered on to the westward. We crossed from Newport to
the South ferry on Boston neck and there by land through, New[illegible]on, New Haven &c. to Kingsbridge & Haerlem[Harlem] when we joined the American Army under General Washington. Staid there but a short
time-we then retreated North to White Plains.-he was in the
action fought there-- after the action we situated a short distance
northerly where he was encamped in the rear of the main Army on a
Hill. We then marched to Peekskill on the north river where
the Army immediately prepared to crossover-- here he was taken
sick, and was no longer able to follow the Army. After staying
here some time, I sufficiently recovered my health to travel, a short
distance in a day, and when my time was about out, I received my
discharge, and through much suffering and distress, and almost with
out, shoes, money, or clothing, reached home, after having been absent
in the service a full year or more- from the time he entered into
Captain Pecks Company as aforesaid. ~
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After his return home and in the month of February 1777 he was
again enrolled in the militia company in Tiverton to which he
belonged then under the command of Captain Jonathan Davol-He was from that time, till the month of December 1777, or Jany
1778 drafted from said company of Militia, at divers times for one
month at a time, to guard the shores of Tiverton, from the cursions  of the enemy who were now in possession of Rhode
land and the waters of Narragansett Bay= and who were waging
war of more than common vindictiveness of feeling against private
property, and the persons of all who were opposed to the Royal Master.
Although he can not now, state with precision the number of
times that he served during said period-- yet he is conscious,
and always has been, that he served in the Militia in actual public
service for one half of the time-- and be solemnly declares that to
the best of his knowledge and belief he served as aforesaid, for one half
in the time-- for the period aforesaid and in the manner aforesaid-- and for
that time received pay therefore from the state-- he was during this period
when in the service under some of the offices of his own company-- attached
to the Regiment of Col Cook-- but he thinks that Genl Ezekiel Cornell
who then had the command at Howlands ferry had the
main direction of the militia on this side of the NBay.-
In Dec. 1777 or Jan 1778 he received a Captains Commission over the third Company of Militia in said Tiverton, signed by William
Greene the Governor of the State of Rhode Island. He from this
time untill[until] the British left Rhode Island in November 1779
commanded said Company as Captain thereof , and was continually
in the Public service, in the manner aforesaid during said time.
From the great length of time elapsed since these services were
performed he is unable to state exactly the- number of times that
he was called out into the public service- but he does declare that
according to the best of ^his knowledge and belief, during the period last
mentioned and while he was capt of said Company he was in action at military service- doing duty in guarding the shores of Tiverton
and the adjoining [illegible] on the eastern shore of the Bay for
at lest[least] one half of the time-- The times were generally for
month[illegible]- when the places of those in the service,
supplied by others-- these drafts took about half of the company-
my Company was small, having been much diminished in numbers
by enlistment into the State service, or flotilla service for the defense of Narragansett Bay- or into the continental line-
The fact was, that many of the men belonging to the Company under my command, as well as
other militia of the town who were under similar
circumstances, were compelled to enter the service
to get a subsistence for themselves and families, during
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the time the enemy held the possession of 
Rhode Island-
During all this time the militia of Tiverton
had to perform a duty, more laborious and harassing
than that performed by the men who were regular
soldiers in the Continental line or State troops-this
your declarant knows by experience, as he
served in both capacities.
While the enemy were in possession of the Island
as aforesaid, the Town of Tiverton was very little
if any better than a military encampments --the
want of men to do the works, who had mostly
gone into the public service, was not the only
or main difficulty in the way to the tillage of
of the Earth. The beasts of the plough, had been
carried off by the enemy from the shores, or were
removed back into the Country out of their reach
or had been converted, for food, to the use of our
own Army. And if from some more favorable
circumstances the farmer, could plant his land,
he was never sure of receiving his crop in the
common and ordinary course of things,
but was in constant jeopardy of losing it, through
the hostile attacks of the enemy on one side, who
paid no respect to the common and legitimate
usages of war- but whose principal doin appeared to be, to distress the inhabitants as much as possible- and on the other side by the numerous
wants and necessities of our own Army, which lay encamped for the whole of said time in said
Town of Tiverton. There were among some of the
causes, that
impelled so many of the male population of said town -to enter into the Regular
Army, and to lessen the number of the militia,
and consequently, to throw a quater comporative [comparative]
amount of duty on those who remained-

It should be further remembered that sd
town had twelve miles of shore to protect, which
lay contiguous to the Island of Rhode Island
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while the enemy held it, that the strait or channel
separating it from the main, is sufficiently narrow
to be within the range of musket shot at one place
and cannon shot might reach across, at almost any point
in the whole distance- thus situated as we were, under the
very guns of an enemy of qreat force on the Island
and having also the complete command of the Bay
with them heavy ships, galleys, and barges-our own flotilla and two Galley's being always obliged to keep along
shore and in situations to be protected by the fortifications
on the land, when in the presence of the enemy -we were
not only compelled to bear arms, against the common Enemy- in actual military service, but we were
at a given signal as the firing of a gun- to assemble in
masse, at a post appointed, to repel any sudden attacks.
These occasions of sudden attacks, by the
enemy were numerous- having the power to harass us
they did not scruple to use it, to our great  annoyance
when it was of no possible advantage to them-- he will
mention a five ^ occasions when the whole company were called out,
that is, the part who were not on duty at the time
were called out to assist in expelling the Enemy.
Sometime in the year 1777 when the Enemy attacked
the village of Fall River and burnt some houses and
the grist Mill there-
At another time he thinks when they came up
and took one of our Galleys- lying in the upper part of Mount Hope Bay [illegible] Swanzy and Troy in Massachusetts this happened within one ^ half miles of his
house-- this was before Sullivan Expedition, he thinks in the spring of
1778- At another time when the Enemy planned an
expedition against the Boats ^in Kickemuit River that had been carried
there for a place of saftely  [safety], after Spencers Expedition
on to Rhode Island had been given up-- this river or inlet from the northerly part of Mount Hope Bay is
opposite to the location of the company at that time
under my command, -the enemy partially succeeded
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and the boats were burned. this was a short time before
Sullivans expedition in Augt. 1778-
At another time, a place just north, of the north end of Rhode Island, being left unguarded, or
the
not guarded sufficiently to repel an attack-and the
evening, being apprized [apprised]of the circumstance by their friends the Torys who were among us-- they landed at this
place -and from the secrecy and celerity of their
movements were enabled to carry off several is
of our near neighbour prisoners- this he believes
was in the year 1779~
Then were some of the times in which there
was a general alarms as regarded his company, but they
were not all- in fact so completely had the military
life abound the time of the whole militia, that the
people were reduced to very great distress, for want
of food- It would now hardly be [illegible] but
such was the fact, that at that time some
people were under the necessity of grinding
flaxseed and Cobbs together to make bread,
and of making potatoe [potato] Bread- and of stewing down sweet apples and grinding corn stocks to obtain the juice to boil down as a 
substitute for molasses-during
this said
period of about three years- at divers times, but
more particularly in the times of Spencers and
Sullivans Expeditions- our dwelling houses were converted  into Barracks by the american Army, our
gardens, meadows and tilled fields (such as we had)
hardly furnished the necessary forage for the
houses of the troops of our own Army - and this
State of things drove away all the arts, occupations,
and comforts of peace~
In the month of August  ^1778 in one of the
drafts aforesaid, he was ordered with a detachmente [detachment]
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of his company to a place called the four corners in sd Tiverton, here he staid for a short time, and was then ordered to cross over to Rhode Island under General Sullivan, he crossed over with his company from Sipowitt Neck to place between Howlands ferry and Ragland ferry and joined the main army at Butts Hill. My Company was at this time attached to Col Cooks Regiment, we staid on the Island till the Americans retreated off, when we again took our stations in the guard duty on the shores in manner as before stated, my Lieutenant in said Company of Militia was Humphery Sherman, and Thomas Durfee was Ensign, they both served in said Company till after the British evacuated Rhode Island. His company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Col. John Cook and Lieut. Col. Pardon Gray, He thinks also that he was some times under Col. Nathaniel Church of Little Compton then being his superior officers, the orders to him were through them or some of them, though he understood at the time that General Ezekiel Cornell of the State line - or Gen’l. Varnum, who was also at Howland ferry during a part or all of said time, had the command of the militia when called into the service the same as the other troops. In the Guard service on the shores for a month at a time as aforesaid the drafts were commanded more than half of the time by himself, and the rest of the time by the said subaltern officers, Lieut. Sherman or ensign Durfee. And your Declarant avers and solemnly declares, that according to the best of his knowledge and belief he served in Capt. Pecks Co as afores’d for one year as a private soldier. in Capt. Davols Co of Militia as aforesaid for one half of the time from Feb. 1777 to Dec 1777 or Jan. 1778. being five months as a private soldier, and from said last mentioned time till the month of Nov’r 1779 as capt of s’d Company of Militia in actual public service one half of the time being eleven and an half months - and six weeks as a private soldier under Capt. Durfee at Newport in the year 1775 - all the above service he faithfully and truly performed in his country’s defense in the war of the Revolution.
He further declares that he was born in said town of Tiverton on the seventh day of September 1758, where he resided at the time he entered into the services aforesaid and where he hath ever resided since and still doth live-- that he hath a record of his age the discharge which he received at Peekskill, and his commission
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signed by Governor Greene have long since been lost or destroyed among and with other papers which were considered as of no consequence, and further that all the documentary evidence in relation to said Company of Militia of which there was considerable, has also in the manner aforesaid, been lost or destroyed. A lapse of more than half a century, filled, as it has been with the toils of a busy life, occupied with cares and activity that demanded all his attention, and being also ignorant that these papers would ever be useful to any body, are among the reasons why they have not been preserved. He must therefore depend for proof of his revolutionary services, upon his statements from recollection, and from the testimony of a few surviving companions in arms. He also refers to Job Durfee & Elihu Hicks 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 and an officer in the War of the Revolution and also to the accompanying depositions. He served as Capt. of said three Companys of Militia in Tiverton for the Term of Sixteen years.
[following is preprinted form with handwritten entries]
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.
Richard Durfee
Asa Gray Clerk
We, Jonathan King a clergyman residing in the Town of Tiverton [obscured] residing in (the same)  hereby certify, that we are well acquainted [obscured] to the above declaration; that we [obscured]
State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport} Ss
Town Clerk’s Office Tiverton September 7, 1832
I hereby certify that Richard Durfee, son of Richard Durfee & Rebeckah Durfee his wife, was born on the
Seventh day of September 1758 as appears of Record in this Office-
Attest,
Asa Gray Town Clerk
I, Asa Gray Clerk of the Court [obscured] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Richard Durfee of Tiverton for a pension, and that said Court is a Court of Record.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eighth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two and of American Independence the Fifty seventh
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
[seal]
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signed by Governor Greene have long since been lost or destroyed among and with other papers which were considered as of no consequence, and further that all the documentary evidence in relation to said Company of Militia of which there was considerable, has also in the manner aforesaid, been lost or destroyed. A lapse of more than half a century, filled, as it has been with the toils of a busy life, occupied with cares and activity that demanded all his attention, and being also ignorant that these papers would ever be useful to any body, are among the reasons why they have not been preserved. He must therefore depend for proof of his revolutionary services, upon his statements from recollection, and from the testimony of a few surviving companions in arms. He also refers to Job Durfee & Elihu Hicks 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 and an officer in the War of the Revolution and also to the accompanying depositions. He served as Capt. of said three Companys of Militia in Tiverton for the Term of Sixteen years.
[following is preprinted form with handwritten entries]
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.
Richard Durfee
Asa Gray Clerk
We, Jonathan King a clergyman residing in the Town of Tiverton and Job Durfee and Elihu Hicks Esquire,  residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Capt. Richard Durfee 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.
Jonathan King
Job Durfee
Elihu Hicks
Asa Gray 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 & officer and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Jonathan King who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid and that Job Durfee & Elihu Hicks Esq who have also signed the same are residents in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Richard Durfee of Tiverton for a pension, and that said Court is a Court of Record.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this Eighth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two and of American Independence the Fifty seventh
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
[seal]
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16999
Richard Durfee
Portsmouth RI
Capt 11 Mos 18 days
Private 12 -15
4. 5. 1 06 
July 6 1833
230.
41.17
271.17
Jno. Cross G
Portsmouth R. I.
[following lined out]
Hon. D. J. Parce
Newport
R. I.
Jno Cross
Portsmouth RI
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[preprinted form with handwritten entries]
BRIEF in the case of Capt Richard Durfee County of Newport in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | Rank As a| Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1775 1 | 1 Months. 15 Days. | _ | Genl Washington Capt Durfee Cl Babcok
Enlisted 1776 2 ┃1 Years | - | Capt Peck Col Leppett
1778 3 | time not defined half of this time he was Captain | Capt Davol Col Cook
5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rhode Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
in Jany In Dec 1777 [following 3 words lined out]or Jany 1778
he recd a Captain Commission and acted
as Capt from 1778 to Nov 1779
his time of service not
Clearly Stated
J W Clagett examining Clerk
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March 27, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Richard Durfee - S.21165
Henry Johnson-R.5660
BA-J/AWF
Daisy Heavilon
Frankfort
Indiana
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of several soldiers.
of the
Because of the very large number of requests similar to yours and the limited clerical force available
for furnishing such data, the office is unable to make a series of investigations and reports on so many soldiers.
You are furnished herein the Revolutionary War records of Richard Durfee and Henry Johnson, as found in pension claims based upon service in that war.
Richard Durfee-S.21165
Richard Durfee, the son of Richard and Rebeckah Durfee, was born September 7, 1758 at Tiverton, Rhode Island.
While residing at said Tiverton, Richard Durfee served in the Rhode Island troops, as follows:
In October and November, 1775, six weeks as a private in Captain Benjamin Durfee's company, Colonel Richmond's regiment, guarding the sea coast; from the fall of 1775, one year in Captain Loring Peck's company , Colonel Babcock's and Lippitt's regiments, was in the battle of White Plains; from February, 1777, five tours of one month each until December, 1777, in Captain Jonathan Davol's company, under Colonels John
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Cooke, Church and Gray; he was commissioned late in 1777 or early in 1778, captain, served at various times under Colonels John Cooke and Richmond, was in Sullivan's Expedition, and served until the close of the war.
Richard Durfee was allowed pension on his application executed, September 2, 1832, at which time he was living in Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he had lived always. He died January 23, 1845.
It is not stated that he was ever married.
Thomas Durfee was ensign in Captain Richard Durfee's company; Job Durfee was living in 1832 in Tiverton, Rhode Island; Joseph Durfee in 1832 was living in Troy, Bristol County, Massachusetts; Charles Durfee was Justice of the Peace in 1833 in Tiverton, Rhode Island. No relationship to each other nor to the soldier is shown, and it is not stated that the Captain Benjamin Durfee in 1775, was a relative.
Henry Johnson-R.5660
The date and place of birth of Henry Johnson are not shown in the claim, nor are the names of his parents given.
Henry Johnson enlisted in the state of New Jersey in 1776 or 1777, served in Captain John Burrowes' New Jersey Company, and as corporal in Captain Hendry's company, Colonel John N. Cumming's Second New Jersey regiment; he was in the battles of Monmouth and Springfield, in the latter battle was wounded, nature of wound not stated; he was discharged June 5, 1783 at Snake Hill, New Jersey.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 5, 1818, then living in Middletown, Monmouth
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County, New Jersey, aged “sixty-three years and two days”. He died October 13, 1841.
The soldier, Henry Johnson, married in October, 1780, Sarah Morford. In 1843 she was living in Middletown, New Jersey, aged about eighty-nine years. She died prior to April 30, 1824, definite date not given.
They reared a family of children; the following are the only names given: Rebecca, their oldest child, was born August 23, 1781, died April 28, 1827; Lambert was born December 9, 1795, he was living in 1843 in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
William Morford in 1843 was Judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in Monmouth County, New Jersey; his relationship to the widow, Sarah Johnson not shown.
Very truly yours
A.	D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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21165
Revolution 
File No 21,165
Richard Durfee
Capt. Rev. War
Act June 7 39
Vol. 2 Page 113
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July 14 '90 recd
[illegible] to E. Durfee
Providence R. I.
1834 [illegible] 2 [illegible]
Daisy Heavilon
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I William Borden of Tiverton in the county of Newport
of lawful age, being duly sworn depose and say that
I am and have been acquainted with Captain Richard Durfee
of Tiverton, now an applicant for a pension from my state
hoods and more than sixty years.  In the the [repeated] Revolutionary
war [illelgible] the year 1775 both belonged to the same company of
militia in Tiverton under the Command of Capt. B. Durfee.  I
know that he served at Newport in the autumn of this year, in this
company for a number of weeks but I cannot say how long.
I know that he enlisted into Capt. Peck's Company leut
Lippetts Regiment in Jany 1776-but how long he served I can
not say.  I only know that he was absent from home
a full year.  On his return home and early in the year 1777
we were together as soldiers in the militia company of which
said Richard afterwards had the command.  I have been
with him in this year and before he had the command
I was with him at least twice in the public service for
a month at a time.  In the latter part of the year 1777
said Durfee was appointed the captain of the third
company of militia-and served in the same as captain
till the close of the war and long afterwards.  I lived
at that time, and always have, a near neighbor to
said Richard- and know that he was in the service
much more than half of the time. during the whole time
the enemy held the Island of Rhode Island he served more
than either of the other officers.  I have served under him,
on the shore of the river and Bay at several times.  I should think
as many as eight.  our most important places on the shore were
at Bailys shore, Borden's Boat House, and at Howlands ferry
at these places north of Howlands ferry we had barracks when the
company quartered when on guard duty.
William Borden

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport ss
Be it known that on this 20th day of July 1833
Personally appeared the above named William Borden and
made oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed
and I do hereby certify that the Deponent is a credible
person.  Before me-Charles Durfee Justice of the Peace
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I Gardner Thomas of Tiverton in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Richard Durfee of said Tiverton for more than sixty years last past, that in the year of Seventeen hundred and seventy five the said
Richard was a soldier in the Revolutionary war in the company commanded by Captain Benjamin Richmond and Babcock stationed on Rhode Island in the same Regiment in which I was then doing but how long the said Richard was doing duty as a soldier at that time I am unable to state-that the said Richard Durfee sometime in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy seven or seventeen hundred and seventy eight I believe the former received
a Captains commission and commanded a company of militia in the war of the Revolution in the Rhode Island state service, that he was actively engaged with the company under his command more than three years stationed some part of the time on the
shore of the Taunton river in Tiverton between
Howlands Ferry and Fall River in actual service
with half his company and relieving each other by taking turns untill the British troops evacuated Rhode Island but at all times when a signal or an alarm by fire from some high land or the report of cannon or musket from the sentinel he with his company acting as minute men had to do duty as much as when enlisted in actual service Some part of the time he was with his company engaged in actual service on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition that during some part of the
time in which said Richard was stationed to gard [guard] the shores of the Taunton River I was a soldier in his company and did duty under him. that the said Richard was a part of the time in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Richmond a part of the time under Colonel John Cook and
part of the time in the regiment commanded
by Colonels Gray and Church that I was engaged as a soldier in the company commanded by said Richard Durfee from the time Sullivans expedition
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expedition on Rhode Island untill the close of the
Revolutionary war and further the deponent
saith not
Garner Thomas
Newport at Tiverton July 16th 1833
Personally came the above named Deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition and subscribed the same - and I further certify that said Deponant is 
personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity. Before me Wm Coggeshall Justice Peace
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State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County of Newport Capt Richard Durfee, an applicant for a pension
who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that not of age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as the precise length of his service and according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in periods of the war therein mentioned, in the following grades: namely: In Capt. Benjamin Ingles Company of Militia, as a private, at Newport in October and November
one month & fifteen days - In Capt Giring Pecks company as a private, January 1776 to January 1777 twelve months in Capt Davis Company of Militia from February 1777 to December 1777 as a private for all five tours of one month each and that he was captain of the third Copany of Militia of Tiverton from December 1777 the sixteen succeeding years
from December 1777 to the first of Sept. 1778 the close of Sullivans Expedition
I was in the public service as Capt of said Company not less than five months and fifteen days. And from said Sept. 1778 to Novemb
1779 I was in actual service, as capt of said Company not less than six months making in all last thirty months service for which I am a pension-
And I further declare that during all the aforemention time I was in actual service, and was not employed in any civil pursuit
and that the company to which I belonged were ordered into the public service by the State of Rhode Island in the militia were called out by virtue of an act of the General assembly passed in the year 1776, which pro
vided for calling out all the militia, by turns, for the defence of the State-
Richard Durfee
Subscribed and duly sworn at New Tiverton in said County of Newport on this 20th day of July 1833-
Before me in Charles Durkee Justice of the Peace
Page 22

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid -
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Charles Burfee whose signature is affixed to the within
Deposition is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton & County of Newport in the State aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State, engaged thereon according to law and fully qualified to act in his said capacity, and that the signature of his name affixed to the within Deposition is
his genuine signature. And I further certify that William Borden's Deposition hereto annexed, has the true and genuine signature of the same Charles Durfee, the above said Justice
of the Peace, therein And I do further certify that William Coogeshall is one of the jusstices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton & County of Newport aforesaid, duly commissioned under the seal of said State, engaged thereon
of according to law, and fully qualified to act in his said capacity, and that the signature of his name on the annexed Deposition of Gardner Thomas is the genuine signature of said William Coggeshall In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at said Tiverton this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred & thirty three
And of American Independence the
fifty eighth
Asa Gray, Clerk
Page 23

I Stephen Shearman of Broadalbin in the County of Montgomery and State of New York of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say, that I have been acquainted with Capt. Richard Durfee of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island for more than sixty years last past, that previous to and during the Revolutionary war my place of residence was in said Tiverton and when not in the service of my country, lived a near
neighbor to the said Durfee, that I well remember the said Richard Durfee enlisted in the Revolutionary war, in the Rhode Island State service, sometime in the fall of the year
of seventeen hundred and seventy five, as a soldier and that he was absent in that service at Bristol and Newport in the State of Rhode Island, and at York Island and White Plains
in the State of New York until sometime in November or December of the year seventeen hundred and seventy six. It was well understood at the time, and I have no doubt of
the fact, though not then an eye witness, that the said Richard Durfee was in the famous battle at the White plains - I understood at that time and have so understood since that the
said Durfee during the time of his service as above stated was in the company commanded by Capt Loving Peck and in Col Lippetts regiment-- I well remember also that the said Richard Durfee was called out with the
Tiverton militia and marched to Newport to guard that place against the threatened invasion of some British sloops of war then lying at that place the said Durfee continued
in this service in Capt. Benjamin Durfee's 
company and in Col. Richmonds regiment about six weeks an two months-
 I further testify and say that sometime in the latter part of seventeen hundred and seventy seven on the beginning of the year seventeen hundred seventy eight, the said Richard Durfee commanded a company of soldiers in the Rhode Island Militia in Revolutionary war
and held a Captains commission-- he was stationed
Page 24

with the company under his command at the Tiverton four corners, so called, in the State of Rhode Island that he continued there until the latter part of summer in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight, when he with his company was ordered on to the Island of Rhode Island and engaged in Sullivan's expedition in guarding the said Island
until the American army commanded by Sullivan retreated from the Island, which I think was in September seventeen hundred and seventy eight the said Richard Durfee, from the last mentioned time was stationed with his company to guard the shores of Tiverton, opposite the said Island, where he continued on duty with his company until the British troops evacuated Rhode Island, which was late in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine or early in the year seventeen hundred and eighty
And further the deponent saith not
Stephen Shearman
Tiverton ss. Personally appeared the above named Stephen Shearman and made oath that the above statement by him made and subscribed is just and true
Before me
Wm Coggeshall Justice of the peace
Newport Ss Tiverton July 16 1833
I further certify that said Stephen Shearman is a Gentleman of truth and veracity -
Wm Coggeshall Justice Peace
Page 25

I, Joseph Durfee of Troy* in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say, that I have been acquainted with
Captain Richard Durfee from his childhood to the present time, about seventy years - he has lived in Tiverton in the State of Rhode heard the greatest part of the time since
my first acquaintance with him - The said Richard Durfee is a man of correct habits of unblemished character and whose word may at all times be depended upon the said Richard Durfee was a soldier in the war of the
Revolution in Colonel Lippetts regiment for some time The British troops had possession of the Island of Rhode Island little short of three years during the revolution and during that time the militia and State troops had to
guard the shore against the enemy from Secunett point so called, near Newport, R. Island, to Slade's Ferry, so called, in Troy, then Freetown, in the State of Massachusetts, a distance of about twenty miles. The guard aforesaid was composed principally of the militia of Freetown, Trenton and Little Compton - The militia of the above said towns were required to be on duty all the time the British troops had possession of said Rhode Island, to change their positions and relieve each other ^ as circumstances dictated, as the
British troops were continually harrassing our shores and towns, and carried off the inhabitants at several different times and at one time took a row galley from Fall River
and carried to Newport
 The said ^ Richard Durfee had a Captain's commission, and commanded a company of militia of what was then called minute men
and was doing ^ duty as an officer most of the time the British troops were in possession of the Island of Rhode Island, which as I before stated was a little short of three years, and
further the Deponent saith not-
Joseph Durfee
[* Fall River was at one time called Troy]
Page 26

Newport Ss. Tiverton Rhode Island August 16 1832
Personally appeared the within named Joseph Durfee and made oath that the within statement by him made and subscribed is just and true before me
Wm Coggeshall Justice Peace
Newport Ss at Tiverton July 16 1833
and I further certify that the deponant Col Joseph Durfee is a Gentleman of truth and veracity 
Wm Coggeshall Justice Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerks Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that William Coggeshall, whose signature is affixed to the certificate of character of Deponent, on the foregoing Deposition and on the preceding Deposition of Stephen Shearman, which is annexed to and now connected with these papers is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Newport in the State aforesaid duly commissioned under the Seal of said State, engaged therein according to Law and fully qualified to act in his said capacity and I further certify the signature of his name to the above said Certificate of Character and the certificate of character on said preceeding deposition to be his genuine signatures
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at said Tiverton this twenty fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
and of American Independence the fifty eighth -
Asa Gray, Clerk
Page 27

I Nelson Miller of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island &c. aged Seventy Eight years on Solemn Oath depose and say that I was acquainted with Capt. Richard Durfee of Tiverton in the County of Newport, who is now an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress, in the year 1776. He then belonged to Capt Loring Pecks Company, Col Lippetts Regiment as a private soldier. This Regiment was raised for a year. I belonged to the same Company at the same time. I remember him while said company was in Bristol in the early part of the year 1776. We were then marched on to Rhode Island and from thence some time in the summer, we were ordered to the Westward and joined the American Army on York Island near Kingsbridge - We then marched to the White Plains. I know that said Durfee was in the action fought there-- we then retreated Northward and sometime afterward reached Peekskill on the North River - here many in our Regiment were compelled to be left behind, being no longer able to keep up with the Army on account of sickness and for want of shoes and clothing-- I was left sick at Peekskill, and whether said Durfee marched with the Regiment further or not I am unable to say.
Nelson Miller
Bristol SS} at Bristol September 5th, 1832
Personally came the above named Deponant and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same.
And I further certify that said deponant is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity
Before me Wm. Throop Justice Court Common Pleas
Page 28

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol
I do hereby certify that Wm Throop, whose signature is to the within Deposition is an associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the said County of Bristol, duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged thereon according to Law and I do hereby further certify that his signature thereunto affixed is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the seal of our said Court this the seventh day of September in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty two and of American Independence the fifty seventh-
Ichabod Davis Clerk
[vertically at right side] Nelson Miller for Richard Durfee
Page 29

I Simon Bullock of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island &c. aged Seventy two years on Solemn oath depose and say - that in the year 1776 I was well acquainted with Captain Richard Durfee of Tiverton an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress. He belonged at that time to Capt. Loring Peck's company in Col Lippetts Regiment, as a private soldier. I belonged to the same Company at the same time as a private soldier and saw said Durfee when we were both well and fit for duty every day-- We were marched from Newport Sometime in the summer of 1776 to Harlem near Kingsbridge from thence to the White Plains. Said Durfee was in the action fought there. We then retreated Northerly to Peekskill, where many of our men were taken sick and were no longer able to follow the Army. they were also very destitute of shoes and clothing
Simeon Bullock
Bristol Ss - at Bristol Sept. 5th 1832
Personally came the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing Deposition and subscribed the same, and I further certify that said Deponant is personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Before me Wm Throop Justice
Court of Common Pleas County of Bristol
Page 30

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol
I do hereby certify that Wm Throop whose signature is to the within deposition, is an associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the said County of Bristol, duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged thereon according to law, and I do hereby further certify that his signature thereunto affixed is his genuine signature
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set the seal of our said Court this the seventh day of September in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two and of American Independence the fifty seventh
Ichabod Davis Clerk
[vertically at right] Simeon Bullock for Richard Durfee
Page 31

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
Lemuel H Arnold
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known that the name, "HENRY BOWEN." to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
[seal]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence, this [obscured – “sixth” “---mber”? ] in the year of our [obscured] thousand eight hundred and thirty two and of Independence the fifty seventh
Lemuel H Arnold
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 32

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretarys Office Sept 6 1832
I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Monday of August last, William Coggeshall was elected a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport, until the first Wednesday of May next and has been commissioned accordingly.
as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
Page 33

[printed form with handwritten entries]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Capt Richard Durfee which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No
V. Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension
he is entitled? No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
Page 34

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? living witness
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? [illegible]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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.
Page 35

3

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 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 shewn 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.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.

In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 36

D
Prov. June 30, 1896
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,

Please furnish me with a copy of the papers on file appertaining to the claim for pensions made by Capt. Richard Durfee of R.I. Line Revolutionary War.  This information is needed in preparing the history and genealogy of the family and is not sought for the purpose of establishing any claim against the government

Yours Respy
F.E. Durfee
19 Spring St
Providence
Page 37

C. W. [illegible] N. Div.
[illegible]
L. W. B.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C. July 14, 1896.

Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Richard Durfee, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made application for pension Sept. 3, 1832 at which time he was residing in Tiverton, R.I. and 74 years of age, and his pension was allowed for twelve months and fifteen days' actual service as a private, and eleven months and fifteen days' actual service as a Captain in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary War.  A part of the time he served under Capt. Loring Peck and Col. Lippitt.  He enlisted at Tiverton, R.I.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner,
Mr F.E. Durfee,
19 Spring Street
Providence, R.I.
Page 38

Frankfort, Indiana
March 12, 1934

E.W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.S.

Dear Mr. Morgan:

I would like to know if you have any records of these men applying for pensions.  Did they give the names of any of there children?

John Woodward, private, Captain Thomas Knowlton's Co. Colonel Israel Putnam's (3) Conn. Regement.  He enlisted May 6, and was discharged December 16, 1775

Richard Durfee, Captain of a Company in Colonel John Cook's Regiment of Rhode Island Militia.  The record show service of five days between August 18, and August 31 ,

Abram Sutphen, who served in the miliutia of Monmouth Co.

Derrick or Dirck Sutphen of Freehold New Jersey.  He is supposed to be father of Abram Sutphen.  Claim

Hendrick Johnson in Lieut Colonel Barns Smock's Co of Light Dragoons of the 1st Regiment Monmouth Militia, New Jersey.

Hendrick Johnson also borne Henry Johnston sergeant of the co, "2nd New Jersey Regiment commanded by Col Elias Dayton.  Lieut Francis Barber and Lieut Col. John N. Cumming.

If the records give any names of children or parents list them.
Let me know if there is any charge for the above information.

Yours sincerely
Daisy Heavilon
signature?