Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21761, for Abraham Manchester, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.

Manchester, Abraham
Anna

NUMBER
B.L.Wt. 19626-160-55

CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

[illegible] 3/55
134.791 May 1 G/553 - 

Ann Manchester [illegible]
Abraham Manchester,
Pri':
R.I. [illegible];
Revl War

Pensioner
[faded] R.I. [illegible] 48-4920
A O; 160 AC[illegible] Mch: 22d/56

[signature]
[illegible]

[written across the above from lower left to upper right]
No 19626 [rest illegible]

[on left page]
Cir'l A. [illegible], Feb: 22d/56
Page 3

21.422
Rhode Island
Abraham Manchester
of Newport in the State of Rh: Island who was a Private in the Camp. commanded by Captain Cooke of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cook in the Rh: Island line for 16 mos.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rh Island at the rate of 5[appears to be a 6 written over original 3] Dollars [appears to be 66 written over 33] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18. day of Sep, 1823 - and [illegible] J. Cross Portsmouth

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '23  $133"33
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 mo. '24  26"66

[Total] $159"99

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 [above in brackets]
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 120
Page 4

4920
Rhode Island
Ann Manchester
widow of Abraham Manchester who served in the Revolutionary was, as a Private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the [crossed through] 27th day of [crossed through: March] April, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June, 1849
and sent to W. P. Sheffield
Fall River, R.I.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under Act February 2, 1848, Page [14?] Vol. 3

[on the right]
[illegible]

[lower page, vertical] Reg 5 m 55 - 174791
Page 5

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and state aforesaid I, Asa Gray Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Abner Simmons whose signature is affixed to the enclosed Depositions of Godfrey King, Sanford Almy and David Lake is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid duly commissioned under the Seal of said State and fully qualified to act in his said capacity, and I further certify that the signatures of his name to said several Depositions are his handwriting

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three And of American Independence the fifty seventh
[signature]
Asa Gray Clerk of Court of Probate
[seal affixed to left of above paragraph]
Page 6

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,
COUNTY OF Newport [in brackets] ss.
On this fourth day of March 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton now sitting, Abraham Manchester a resident of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy one 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, He in the month of August 1777 was enrolled in the first or lower Company of Militia in the said town of Tiverton then under the command of Capt Isaac Cook - of this Company Philip Cory was Lieutenant and Philip Manchester was ensign - 
The Enemy then held possession of the neighboring Island of Rhode Island, and said Militia Company to which I then belonged, had for some time before been called into the public service, by drafts, to guard the shores of the town, opposite to said Island of Rhode Island, where the British Army were encamped, and from whence, they were continually sending armed detachments or parties to harass our people and to destroy their lives and property - a history of the [border?] was that the enemy waged against us for the three years they held possession of Rhode Island, would be, but a continued repetition of the most, flagrant, injustifiable and wanton attacks, of a licentious soldiery, upon the persons and property of unoffending individuals, whose only crimes were that they prefered the liberty of their Country - to the shackles of a foreign dominion
He in said month of August 1777 was drafted from s^d [said] Company of Militia for one month to guard the shores - and was marched to Bogland ferry under Capt Cook - and from this time till the Enemy left Rhode Island in November 1779 he was drafted continually from s^d Company for one month at a time and according to the best of his recollection, for at least one half of the time - he kept no account of the days or times that he was drafted.= but that he was drafted as often as every other month he is quite certain - or as certain as an old man can be of ^any thing transacted so long ago - and for this time he solemnly declares.
During the period aforesaid and in the second draft that your declarant was on duty he was in the forces raised for to go on to Rhode Island under Genl. Spencer, a continental officer in the month of October 1777 - but the enterprise was given up as impracticable and the militia and other troops that were not stationed in Tiverton after staying a short time returned home -
Page 7

Again during said time and in one of said drafts, in the month of August 1778, he was crossed over to Rhode Island under Capt. Cook in Sullivans Expedition. his company was attached in their service to the Regiment of Col John Cook - while in this service he saw General Greene and General Sullivan of the Continental line - he also saw the Negro Regiment commanded by Col Greene - and Lt Col Ward - 
In the month of May 1781 he was again drafted from s^d [said] Company of Militia then under the command of Capt Peleg Simmons for one month and was marched to the vicinity of Newport, and stationed on Brenton's [cut off: neck?] at the house of one Widow Harris - he was marched under Capt. Simmons but he does not recollect the Col. who commanded the Militia there at that time - he thinks it was an officer from Massachusetts but he does not now remember the name - there were at that time French troops in Newport which he saw - Again in the month of September 1781 he was again drafted from s^d Company of Militia for one month and marched as before to Newport - where he was stationed in the Barracks near the fort on Bentons Point - at this time he does not remember the officers they were strangers to him - his company were made up of men from different parts of the State - in both of these last mentioned services he served out his term and was discharged at Newport - this was his last service in the revolutionary War - 
And said ^Manchester avows that he truly performed the aforesaid term of service in the Militia in the revolutionary war, in his countrys cause making in all Sixteen months
In the drafts aforesaid, except the two last in which he was to Newport, he was engaged in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay bordering on Tiverton at divers places from fogland ferry northward to Howlands ferry - but oftener than elsewhere at fogland ferry this being a station for the s^d Militia on that section of the shore= the monthly drafts were accompanied generally by one or more of the commissioned officers of the Company and during said service he has served ^under all ^of the aforementioned officers of said Company of Militia - the Company belonged to the Regiment Commanded by Col. Cook - but they never met by any larger number than one company - except in Spencer's and Sullivans Expeditions - and we had no regimental officers - your declarant believes that this guard [crossed through] duty performed by the militia in the public service was under the direction of General Cowell who Commanded the State troops - or in his absence of some other officer who had the command of the  officers stationed at Howlands ferry in said Town of Tiverton - 
And he further declares that he was born in said Tiverton on the 8th day of August 1761 - and that he hath a record of his age - that he lived in s^d Tiverton at the time he entered into the services aforesaid - that he has ever lived there since the Revolutionary War - where he still resides -
Page 8

That he never received any written discharge from said service or any of them, but was discharged verbally by his commanding officers - that he hath no documentary evidence of any of said service - 
There is no clergyman in his neighborhood or vicinity - he therefore refers to George Lawton & William Norton Esquires who are his neighbors and citizens of s^d Town of Tiverton who testify to his character for veracity and to their belief that he was a soldier of the revolution and also to the accompanying depositions. - 
All the foregoing service performed as a private soldier. - 
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.
[signed]
Abraham Manchester
[signature]
Asa Gray Clerk
We, George Lawton Esq. residing in the Town of Tiverton aforesaid and William Norton Esq. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abraham Manchester who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy one 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.
[signatures]
George Lawton
William Norton
Asa Gray Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that George Lawton Esq. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a [blank] resident in the said Town of Tiverton and that William Horton Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the same Tiverton and [crossed through] credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit, and said Court do further certify that the deposition of Abner Simmons hereto annexed was sworn to & subscribed this day before this Court and that said Deponent is a person of truth & veracity.

I Asa Gray Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton in the ^County & State aforesaid a Court of Record do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court, in the matter of the application of Abraham Manchester for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this fourth day of March in the Year of Our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty three - And of American Independence the fifty seventh - 
Asa Gray Clerk of Court
of Probate
[seal to the left of above]
Page 9

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
[above in bracket] ss.
Town Clerk's Office, Tiverton, in said County of Newport. this 4th day of March 1833 - 
I the undersigned Clerk of said Town of Tiverton, do hereby certify, that Abraham Manchester, of this Town, the son of Isaac Manchester & Abigail his wife, was born the Eighth day of August AD. One thousand seven hundred & sixty one as appears on record in this office
Asa Gray Town Clerk.
Page 10

24 [illegible] /12
Abraham Manchester
Rhode Island
Private [illegible] Monthly
5[illegible]
106.66
26.66 [last 6 looks like zero but see total]
133.33
John Cross
Portsmouth RI
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular from. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
[Table follows]
[Table heading] A Statement, shewing the Service of Abraham Manchester County of Newport Rhode Island
[Headings L to R]
Period when the service was rendered./ Duration of the Claimant's Service./ [under duration] Years/Months/Days/ Rank of Claimant./ Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served./ Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service./ Proof by which the declaration is supported.
[Row 1] Est^d 1777/1[years]/2[months]/[blurred]days/[blurred]/Capt. Cook Gen^l Spencer Col Cook/71 years Tiverton Rhode Island [across all rows]/Living Witnesses [across all rows] 
[Row 2] [Draft?] 1781/" [years]/1[months]/"[days]/"/Capt Simmons/
[Row 3] [Draft?]"[1781]/" [years]/1[months]/"[days]/"/[crossed through]/
[end of table]
I am, respectfully, Your Obedient Servant
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
[handwritten to the left] We 'Est^d' the Service Aug^t 1777 and Continued to Nov 1779
Serv^d half that time.
Page 12

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service. but not those who were occasionally employed with, the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops. Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of }ss.
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years
 of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 13

3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace. the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance. [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
" Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 14

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office, Providence
August 28th A.D. 1818
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State; Keeper of the Records and the seal thereof; DO CERTIFY, That on the seventh day of August instant, the date of his Official Certificate to the Paper annexed William P Sheffield was, and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport, duly elected and commissioned, as appears of record: and as such by law authorized to take Depositions, the Acknowledgement of Deeds and other Instruments, and administer all necessary oaths.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Providence, the day and year above written.
[signature]
Henry Bowen
[seal affixed upper left of document]
Page 15

I Charles Durfee Town Clerk of the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport do certify and say, that by virtue of my office, I have the Custody of the Records of Births and marriages of said Town, and further certify that it appears by the Records, that Abraham Manchester and Anna Cook were lawfully joined in marriage on the thirteenth day of December in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Two and that the following is a Copy of the Record, word for word figure for figure as it stands -
I hereby Certify that Abraham Manchester of Tiverton Son of Isaac Manchester deceased and Anna Cook of Tiverton daug^r of W^m Cook deceased, were lawfully joined together in marriage in s^d Tiverton on the 13^th of Decem^r 1792
By me Peleg Burroughs ordained Pastor of a Church [illegible]
All which duly appears
Witness Charles Durfee Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island. August 7^th 1848
Newport [illegible] In Tiverton Personally appeared before me the above named Charles Durfee, known to me as the Town Clerk of the Town of Tiverton and made oath to the truth of the above Certificate by him signed - [five words crossed through in pencil]
[Added in pencil] Before me Wm P Sheffield Justice of the Peace
Page 16

[document faded]
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Newport County ss. On this seventh day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and forty eight [year underlined] Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton a Court of Record Anna Manchester a resident of said town of Tiverton, aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July Seventh AD1838. Entitled "An Act  granting half pay and pensions to certain widows - that she is the widow of Abraham Manchester, late of said Tiverton deceased who was a private in the Militia and served  as such in the American Revolution as fully appears from the evidence accompanying this application of him, said Abraham Manchester, made to said [illegible] [crossed through: with] in the Office of the Secretary of War or other proper office at Washington, for a pension, the certificate of which issued from said office of [illegible] said Secretary of War under date of Eighteenth of  [September?] A 1843. ["4" underlined with "?" below] as fully appears in said certificate so issued to said Manchester herewith returned to said office said Anna [illegible word crossed through] upon her said oath further declares, that her dead and buried [illegible] Abraham Manchester drew a pension of Fifty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum [underlined] as appears from said certificate issued from the office of the Secretary of War and herewith returned. She also declares and upon her oath says that she was lawfully married to and became the wife of said Abraham Manchester at said Tiverton where she has always resided on the thirteenth day of December Seventeen hundred ninety two as appears from the accompanying copy of the Record of her said marriage - and that her said husband said Abraham Manchester died
Page 17

at said Tiverton on the twenty seventh day of April now just past - and [illegible] she said Anna is now his widow and unmarried. And that she has never before made application for a pension, and that she was ^not^ married to her said husband previous to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four, vis, at the time above stated. 
[signature]
Anna Manchester
State of Rhode Island &c Newport County ss,
Tiverton August 7^th 1848
Then came Anna Manchester above named and in open court made oath to the truth of the Statement by her subscribed. I also certify that said Anna is personally known to me and is a person of credibility - 
[signature]
Charles Durfee Probate Clerk
Newport County [smudged: ss.?] Tiverton August 7^th 1848
This may certify that the aforenamed Charles Durfee is Clerk of this Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton and is duly authorized to certify all orders and decrees of this Court given under my hand [smudge above] and the Seal of said Court the day and year aforesaid.
[signature]
Robert Gray President
[seal affixed to left of signature]
Page 18

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport 
[above in brace] ss.
On this twenty sixth day of April 1855 before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Ann Manchester aged eighty two years a resident of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid, who made oath in due form of law that she is the identical Ann Manchester, to whom under the provisions of the Act of February 2d, 1848, a pension of Fifty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum has been allowed for the services of her late husband Abraham Manchester a private of the Revolutionary War and late of Tiverton aforesaid deceased - She further states that her pension certificate under the aforesaid Act of February 2d, 1848 is numbered 4920, bearing date the 29th day of June 1849 and is made payable at Providence in the State of Rhode Island She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which she may be entitled under the Act of 3d March 1855, never having received or known herself entitled or made application under any previous Act of Congress.
In evidence of her marriage and proof of service of her said husband, she respectfully refers to the proofs heretofore adduced, now on file in the Pension Office and upon which her annuity as aforesaid was granted - that since being placed on the list of Revolutionary Pensioners she has not intermarried, but continued the widow of the said Abraham Manchester.
Page 19

She requests that any communication for her and her Bounty Land Warrant when issued be sent to Asa Gray Esq. at Tiverton aforesaid
[signature]
Ann her X mark Manchester
Attest.
Isaac Sanford
Oliver Manchester
Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I know the aforesaid Ann Manchester to be the identical person she alleges herself to be a pensioner of the United States, and at the date of the execution of this declaration a widow; and that I am not interested in her claim as agent, Attorney or otherwise
Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
[above in brace] ss.
On this twenty sixth day of April 1855, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared, Isaac Sanford and Oliver Manchester [blank space] residents of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid, known to me as credible persons, who made oath in due form of law, that Ann Manchester who in their presence has sworn and subscribed to the aforegoing declaration, is to their personal knowledge, the identical person to whom under the provision of the Act of February 2d, 1848
Page 20

a pension of fifty three dollars and 33 cents per annum has been granted for the services of her late husband Abraham Manchester deceased, a private of the Revolutionary War. That since being placed on the Roll of Pensioners, she the said Ann Manchester has not intermarried but remains, and now is, a widow. That they have known her for fifty years and derive their knowledge of the facts herein named from the following circumstances, to wit, they do now and have for most of the period above named resided within one mile of the said Ann Manchester, have seen her Pension Certificate in her possession, and heard her talk of her pension - We were well acquainted with her husband the late Abraham Manchester, and heard it often said that he drew a pension as a Revolutionary Soldier - they further state that they are disinterested witnesses
[signature] Isaac Sanford
[signature] Oliver Manchester
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year above written
[signature] Asa Gray Justice of the Peace
Page 21

State of Rhode Island
Newport Sc. Clerks Office Supreme Court
I William Gilpin Clerk of the Supreme Court within and for the County of Newport do hereby certify that Asa Gray before whom the within affidavits were attested is and was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace within and for the Town of Tiverton in said County - and that his signature thereto affixed is genuine - 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this thirtieth day of April AD 1855
[signature] Wm Gilpin Clerk
[seal affixed to the left with margin note] 134.791
Page 22

[typed letter]

[top right] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/ady [illegible note in pencil]
[in pencil] Abraham Manchester [underlined]
W.21761

Mr. Alden C. Manchester
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War of Rhode Island: John Manchester, born March 23, 1757 and died January 23, 1838; John Manchester, born July 27, 1752 and died May 14, 1794; John Manchester, born November 7, 1749, and married March 1, 1772, Sarah Church Bailey; Barzella Manchester, of Bristol County, Massachusetts; Edward Manchester of Bristol County, Massachusetts; Philip Manchester, born February 11, 1722; Stephen Manchester, born May 23, 1717, and died in 1807; Christopher Manchester; Gideon Manchester, private under Captain Squire Millerd and Colonel Waterman; Isaac Manchester, served as private under Captain Jesse Saunder and Colonel Paul Dudley Seargeant;  Isaac Manchester, private in Captain Peleg Peck's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment; Isaac Manchester, born August 5, 1759; Thomas Manchester, born 1726, and died October 13, 1817; Thomas Manchester, born in 1739, and died in 1779; and Abraham Manchester, born August [8?] 1761, and died April 27, 1848.
The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the services in that war of John Manchester, who was born July 27, 1752, and died May 14, 1794; John Manchester, who was born November 7, 1749; Stephen Manchester, who was born May 23, 1717, and died in 1807; Gideon Manchester, or any Thomas Manchester as described above, or of Philip Manchester, Christopher Manchester, or any Isaac Manchester, all spellings of the names searched.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for
[in pencil note lower left]
his note on blue file folder attached
Page 23

furnishing such information it is impossible to comply in full with each request pertaining to soldiers of that war.
The record of John Manchester, who was born March 23, 1756, and died January 23, 1838, and the record of Abraham Manchester are furnished you herewith.
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 24

[handwritten in pen]
[5 or s?]
19.626
[brace]
[illegible]
Page 25

13.822
Ann Manchester
widow of Abraham Manchester
Rhode Island
Suspended
[lett?] May 1st 1849 to
W. P. Sheffield
& same June 21, 4[9?]
Act of July 1838
Page 26

Pen: Act 2^d Feb: 48. R.I.
[signature illegible]
Page 27

[top part of document may be cut off]

Esq^r has been referred to me for reply.
The land warran[t cut off?] sent to W^m. McGill dated November 17^" 1855.
Page 28

$53.33/100
Abraham Manchester R.I. Act 7 June 32
to what time paid?
Pension Office
April 30, 1849

[in different handwriting]
Paid to 4^th March 1848.
[Initialed possibly BLB

[to the left in faint pencil]
Jus 38
Page 29

[written upper left]
1926 - June 24 - Hist. to Henry P. Burt [illegible]
1940 Jan. 22. Hist. to Alden C. Manchester AD Y

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21761
Ann Manchester
wife of
Abraham Manchester
Priv. Rev. War
Act Feb 2^nd /48
Index: Vol M, Page 11

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 30

[letterhead]
Mr. Henry P. Burt
355 Union Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts

June 15/26
Gentlemen;
I wrote you sometime ago in relation to Abraham Manchester a Revolutionary pensioner, asking you to please give me his military service & why he is called Capt. on his grave stone. Also if his father Isaac [written in margin: no Isaac] Manchester was also a Revolutionary Soldier - In my other letter I went more into the details so kindly look it up & report as soon as possible as I wish to file my papers.
Yours very truly
H. P. Burt

[Overwritten at beginning of letter: Send [three words illegible] ]
Page 31

[letterhead]
Mr. Henry P. Burt
355 Union Street
New Bedford, Massachusetts

May 27/26
To the Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Can you give me the record of Revolutionary service & pension claim of Abraham Manchester of Tiverton R.I. he was born 8/8 1761 & died 4/27 1848 - in Tiverton R.I.
Thank you in advance for the information I remain - 
Yours very truly
[signature]
Henry P. Burt
[below in same handwriting]
Was his father Isaac Manchester a Revolutionary soldier also his wife was Abigail Brown & he was born 6/27 1731

[stamped near signature]
[round ink stamp]
U.S. PENSIONS OFFICE
U.S.
MAY 23 1926
Page 32

Fall River June 23^d 1849
Dear Sir
Yours of the 21^st instant is at hand. In reply, allow me to say, I rep^lied to your letter under date of the 1^st  on the 7^th of that month, enclosing the Deposition of Clarke I. Manchester, who testified that he knew Mrs Ann Manchester, the applicant for the pension and clearly established the fact of her identity as the widow of the soldier -
Page 33

If this is insufficient pray inform me of the fact that I may supply any deficiency in the proofs for I can communicate them, so they will be at once forthcoming
Yours truly
W^m P Sheffield

[below to left]
J.L. Edwards Esq
Page 34

Fall River (Mass) April 8^th 1849
D,Sir,
Yours of May 1^st is before me, I was [illegible] happy on being informed that the papers of Mrs Manchester were not lost, as I had been previously informed by our Senator, Gen^l Greene, that they had been, and as I had good reason to suppose in not having heard from them before. I forward the affidavit of C. S. Manchester to prove the identity of the applicant as the widow of Abraham Manchester who was a Revolutionary soldier, - you have the certificate accompanying his decla[ration]
Page 35

[decla]ration that I am a Justice of the peace which I apprehend is sufficient.
Mrs M - is a very poor woman, and entirely dependent upon charity for her support. I therefor commend her case to you with full confidence that it will receive the immediate attention of your department - If there should appear to be any deficiency in the evidence or application pray advise me of the fact at your earliest leisure, that I may remedy it if possible, as I am tired of the old lady's importunity -
Yours Truly
W^m P Sheffield
Page 36

Fall River June 18^th 1849
D.Sir,
I have repeatedly addressed you in relation to the Pension of Mrs Manchester, something more than six months after I first wrote you I rec^d an answer to my first letter - Genl A.C. Greene U.S. Senator, from R.I. called at your office, in relation to this matter, where he was told that the papers I had forwarded were lost - afterwards, you informed me me that they were found But that the papers were deficient, that deficiency I endevoured to remedy by forwarding a delinquent affidavit - at that time I requested
Page 37

you to inform ^me^ if the amended proofs were ^not^ satisfactory - This was three months since. - and from that time to the present I have heard nothing from you - 
At this, I must say I am somewhat surprised I supposed, as a matter of right, I could expect the courtesy from a public officer which I asked from you, yet to my astonishment I have been nearly a year [crossed through: in] engaged in unsuccessful efforts to obtain a pension for a poor widow who has scarcely the means of sustaining life, or property enough to procure for her a decent burial in case of her death - 
I intend to call the attention of our delegation in Congress to this matter and to urge upon them the propriety of enacting such laws as will prevent these delays  - 
Yours Truly
W^m P. Sheffield
Page 38

I Cornelius {Lurbury?] Jr of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island sc., upon solemn oath depose and say that I was at the funeral of Abraham Manchester late of Tiverton deceased, a revolutionary Pensioner, and that of my own knowledge I know that the demise of said Abraham took place in the month of April now just past, 
[signature faint]
Cornelius {Lurbury?] Jr
Newport sc. Tiverton Aug. 7^th AD 1848
Came Cornelius [Lurbury?] Jr and made solemn oath to the truth of the above statement by him subscribed and signed the same.
Before me
W^m P Sheffield
Justice of the Peace
Page 39

Payments to be made at Providence by Pres. U.S. Br. Bk.
Agent for paying pensioners, in the Agency og
Rhode Island
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E. Vol. 2. Page 130 by [Go?] C. Stiles Clerk
Page 40

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abraham Manchester of the State of Rhode Island who was a private in the Revolutionary Army - is entitled to receive Fifty three dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4^th of March, 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 18 day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
[signature]
Lew [Lewis] Cass
Secretary of War
Examined and
Countersigned [in brace]
[signature]
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 41

I Clarke Manchester of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, upon solemn oath depose and say that I am personally acquainted with Anna Manchester, of said Tiverton, and that I was acquainted with Abraham Manchester late of said Tiverton deceased; that said Abraham was a Revolutionary Pensioner, and that said Anna, was the wife of said Abraham, at the time of his decease, and now is his widow, that said Abraham was never married but once - & that he died about one year since, that said Anna is the person who applied for a Pension under Act of Congress of July 7^th 1838 as the widow of said Abraham, I know this fact, because I was a member of the Court of Probate for the town of Tiverton, before which she made oath
Page 42

to her declaration, and was present at the time she subscribed to the same. She is a distant relative of mine, and I have always been acquainted with her family from my childhood - 
[signature]
Clark S Manchester
Tiverton April 7^th 1849

Newport County ss.
Tiverton 7^th April 1849 [in brace]
There came Clark S. Manchester, who is personally known to me as the person who signed the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. I further certify that said Manchester is a credible witness and that his statements are entitled to full confidence
Before me
W^m P Sheffield
Justice of the Peace
Page 43

Tiverton March 17, 1856
Sir:
Enclosed you will find an original Document being a Pay Roll for Bounty Land to the soldiers in Capt Cooks com. in the Revolutionary War. on this Roll is the name of Abraham Manchester and it is sent to support the claim of Ann Manchester, the widow of said Abraham for Bounty land under the Act of March 3, 1853. - You will observe, it states that they were in the Reg. of Col. Miller - And know not what the said Abraham stated in his Dec. - but I recollect of hearing others of this Com. say that Col. Miller commanded them a part of the time when they [went?] on to Rhode Island, in Sullivan's Expedition.
This old Roll I found at the late residence of Cap^t Isaac Cook, in the possession of his son Godfrey - as he was  very reluctant to part with it, I have taken a copy and forwarded it also.. that you might return the Original, after having examined it, if consistent
Respectfully 
Asa Gray

J. Minot
Commissioner
Washington D.C.
Page 44

Sept 4/48
Anna Manchester
Widow of Abram Manchester [illegible]
[in pencil] Mr Ames
[circular ink stamp over the above] Newport R.I. Sep. 1 

William P. Sheffield
[below vertically] To 
Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington
D.C.
[stamped vertically] FREE
Page 45

To the Com. on Pensions
Washington
[Dear?] Sir
Enclosed is the papers of Mrs Anna Manchester of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island  -  applying for a pension. If there is any deficiency in the papers,
Page 46

January 22, 1940.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/ady
Abraham Manchester
W.21761

Mr. Alden C. Manchester
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
Dear Sir:
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claims for pension and bounty land based upon military service in that war of Abraham Manchester.
Abraham Manchester, son of Isaac and Abigail Manchester, was born August 8, 1761, in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
While a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, Abraham Manchester enlisted in August 1777, served in alternating tours of one month each, until November 1779, fourteen months in all, as a private in Captain Isaac Cook's Company, Colonel Nathan Miller's and John Cook's Rhode Island Regiments and was in General Spencer's and General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expeditions. He enlisted in May 1781, and served one month as private in Captain Peleg Simmons' Rhode Island Company. He enlisted in September 1781, and served one month in the same company. It is not stated that he ever rendered service as a captain.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 4, 1833, while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island.
He died April 27, 1848, in said Tiverton.
Soldier married December 13, 1792, in Tiverton, Rhode Island, Ann or Anna Cook. She had always lived in Tiverton, and was the daughter of William Cook, the name of her mother not stated. Soldier had not previously married. Isaac Manchester and William Cook, their fathers, were then deceased.
Soldier's widow, Anna Manchester, was allowed pension on her application executed August 7, 1848, while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island, and aged seventy-five years.
Soldier's widow, Anna Manchester, applied for bounty
Page 47

land April 26, 1855, at which time she was living in said Tiverton. She was allowed one hundred sixty acres of bounty land, on account of the Revolutionary War service of Abraham Manchester, on warrant No.19626, under the Act of March 3, 1855.
In 1855, one Oliver Manchester, was residing in Tiverton, Rhode Island, his age and relationship not given.
In 1848, Clark S. Manchester, was a member of the Court of Probate for Tiverton, Rhode Island, his age not given. He was a distant relative of soldier's widow, Anna Manchester, degree of relationship not shown. There are no further family data.
For information in regard to the location of the land you should address the Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, D. C., and furnish that official the number of the warrant, acreage, and the date of the act.
In order to obtain the date of 1st payment of pension, the name of the person paid and possibly the death date of widow, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "Ann Manchester, widow of Abraham Manchester, Certificate No.4920, issued June 29, 1848, rate $55.33 per annum, commenced April 27, 1848, Act of February 2, 1848, Rhode Island Agency".
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 48

Rev.&1818 Wars Section
June 24, 1926
Henry P. Burt
355 Union St.,
New Bedford, Mass.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 21761, it appears that Abraham Manchester, son of Isaac [handwritten and inserted above] {& Abigail} [line drawn to additional handwritten text] {abigail was not [underlined] in original letter but found later [illegible] omitted} was born August 8, 1781 in Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island.
While a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island he enlisted in August 1777, served in alternating tours of one month each, until November 1779, fourteen months in all, as a private in Captain Isaac Cook's Company, Colonel Nathan Miller's and John Cook's Rhode Island Regiments and was in General Spencer's and General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expeditions.
He enlisted in May 1781 and served one month as a private in Captain Peleg Simmons' Rhode Island Company, then enlisted in September 1781 and served one month in the same company. It is not stated that he ever rendered service as a Captain.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
Page 49

March 4, 1833 while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island. He died April 27, 1848 in said Tiverton.
Soldier married December 13, 1798 in Tiverton, Rhode Island, Ann or Anna Cook, always of Tiverton, daughter of William Cook. Soldier had not previously married. Isaac Manchester and William Cook, their fathers, were then deceased.
Soldier's widow Anna was allowed pension on her application executed August 7, 1848 while a resident of Tiverton, Rhode Island aged seventy-five years.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of an[handwritten: y] Isaac Manchester.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
[to the left in pencil] Clark S. Manchester relative of widow
No other [illegible] data
Page 50

Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida
January 7, 1939
Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
[Circular ink stamp to the right of address] [around circle's edge: numbers 1-12 with segments representing 15 minute increments] [Circle center: arrow pointing to 2:30, RECEIVED/ January 10 1940/ MAIL SUB-DIV/
Reader No. 5/ VETS ADM 
Gentlemen:
I would like to get any information that is available on the following Revolutionary Soldiers and their families: [handwritten notes in margin in braces { }]
{Sent} JOHN MANCHESTER, born Little Compton, R.I. March 23, 1757, died Jan. 23, 1838, Tolland, Mass. Married 1781, Phebe Stedman, resided Rhode Island, and after 1779 Tolland, Mass.
{here} BARZELLA MANCHESTER, on the pension roll of Bristol Co. Mass., June 4, 1833; pension commenced Feb. 4,1831; a Private in the R. I. State Troops; ae [age] 72 when placed on the pension roll.
{here} EDWARD MANCHESTER, on the pension roll of Bristol, county, Mass., March 3, 1833, ae [age] 73; pension commenced Mar. 4, 1831; Private, R. I. State Troops and Militia.
{O + check mark} PHILIP MANCHESTER, probably born Feb. 11, 1722, Tiverton, R.I. and lived in Tiverton all his life. He was an ensign in the Tiverton Militia Company in 1775.
{O + check mark} STEPHEN MANCHESTER, born may 23, 1717, Tiverton, R. I., died 1807 Windham, Maine, married (1) Grace Farrow, (2) Seafair Mayberry, (3) Mary Bailey. Resided Windham, Maine; served in Capt. John Brackect's company. 
{121 O + check mark} JOHN MANCHESTER, b. July 27, 1752, Tiverton R. I., died May 14, 1794, Cranston, R. I.; m. Mary Whitman. Supposedly was a Lieutenant.
{O + check mark} CHRISTOPHER MANCHESTER, Major. Col. Archibald Crery's (R. I.) Regiment stationed at Bristol, R. I.
{ O + check mark} GIDEON MANCHESTER, private first division, Capt. Squire {faint]illerd's company, Col. Waterman's regt.; service from Jan. 9, 1777, to Feb. 3, 1777, 31 days. Also, service from Jan. [9 typed over 1], 1777, to Feb. 8, [underlined] 1777.
{ (3) any O + check mark] ISAAC MANCHESTER, Providence. Private, Capt. Jesse Saunder's comp., Col. Paul Dudley Seargeant's regt; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted June 1, 1775.
Page 51

[Circle ink Stamp] [outer circle numbers 1-12 with 15 minute lines denoting increments] [circle center: arrow pointing to 2:30/ RECEIVED/ JAN [illegible] 1940/ MAIL SUB_DIV/ Reader No. 5/ VETS ADM
[handwritten notes in left margin in braces { }]

{O + check mark} ISAAC MANCHESTER, Swansey. Private, Capt. Peleg Peck's comp., Col. Thomas Carpenter's regt.; enlisted Aug. 5, 1780; discharged Aug. 9, 1780; company marched to Tiverton, R. I., on an alarm; by order of Col. Slead all the men in Swansey were joined into one company under Capt. Peck.
{2/O + check mark} THOMAS MANCHESTER, born 1726 - Tisbury, Mass., died Oct. 13, 1817 - Tisbury, Mass.; married Eunice Norton; a private in Capt. Nathan Smith's comp., stationed at Martha's Vineyard.
{O + checkmark} JOHN MANCHESTER, born Nov. 7, 1749 - Tiverton, R.I.; married March 1, 1772 - Sarah Church Bailey; resided Tiverton, R.I.; in 1775, was a soldier in Capt. Jeremiah Olney's comp., Hitchcock's regt., in the Army of Observation and in 1776 served on coast guard duty.
{O + check mark} ISAAC MANCHESTER, born Aug. 5, 1759 - Tiverton, R.I.; married Alice Taber; resided Tiverton, R.I.
{sent + check mark} ABRAHAM, Captain (?). Born Aug. 8, 1761 - Tiverton, R.I.; died April 27, 1848; married Charlotte Durfee (and perhaps Anna Cook); resided Tiverton, R.I. and Broadaloin, Fulton co,. N.Y.
{O + check mark} THOMAS MANCHESTER, born 1759 - Tiverton, R.I.; died 1779 - Ticonderoga, N.Y.;  married (1) Hannah Bailey; resided Windham, Maine and Haverhill, N.H.; private Capt. Samuel Young's comp., Col. Bedel's regt. under Gen. Stark in 1776 and was at capture of Ticonderoga, where he died in 1779.
Thanking you in advance for any information which you may be able to give me, I am,
Very truly yours,
[signature] Alden C. Manchester
Alden C. Manchester
Rollins College
Winter Park, Florida

[initials to left] ACM
Page 52

State of Rhode Island sc.
County of Newport [in brace] [word to right illegible]

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace, within and for the county of Newport, [word crossed through] Abraham Manchester, an applicant for a pension, 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 [illegible] length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the periods of the War mentioned in the following grades: namely - In Capt. Cook's Company of militia, it being the 1st company in Tiverton in the months of August, October and December in the year 1777 - In October of this year he was in the army of Gen. Spencer and expected to have gone on to Rhode Island - in these three tours he served for at least three months - In the months of February, April, June, August, October and December, Six tours of one month each ^in s'd company of militia^ in the year 1778 - It was in the August tour of this year that he was on Rhode Island [illegible] General Sullivan - In the same company of militia in the [illegible] of February, April, June, August and October, for five times at one month at a time in the year 1779 - In May 1781 from Company one month under Capt Simmons at Brentons point near Newport - again drafted from s^d Company for one month at the Barracks on Brentons point near Newport in Sept. 1781 - making in all Sixteen months service, as a private soldier, for [cut off: which] he claims a pension - during these monthly services aforesaid besides being stationed at the Barracks at Fogland ferry - [crossed out and cut off] has been stationed at the Guard House on [illegible] Neck, at Howlands ferry and at the Houses of Gideon Almy and Otis Alin[cut off] on the shores - under the officers of s^d Company as mentioned in his declaration - And he further declares that said company was ordered into the public service by the State of Rhode island - and that during all the time aforesaid, he [cut off] in actual military service, and was not engaged during that [cut off] in any civil pursuits - 
[signature] Abraham Manchester
Sworn to and subscribed this 3^rd day of August AD 1833 at Tiverton in said County of Newport - 
[signature] Abner Simmons Justice Peace
Page 53

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town Of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State aforesaid
I Asa Gray Clerk of said Court of Probate do hereby certify that Abner Simmons whose signature is affixed to the within Deposition is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, duly commissioned under the Seal of this State engaged therein according to Law and fully qualified to act in his said capacity, and I further certify the within signature of his name to be his genuine Signature
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court at said Tiverton, this third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three - And of American Independence the fifty eighth
[signature] Asa Gray Clerk
[faint seal impression to the left of signature]
Page 54

I Godfrey King of Tiverton, County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged 82 years, do certify and say that I am well acquainted with Abraham Manchester of Tiverton, County & State aforesaid, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the Militia. I was with him on Rhode Island in General Sullivans Expedition in the Month of August 1778 in Capt. Isaac Cook Company, and I frequently saw him in the Militia at other times in said Company how long he served I cannot say. half of said company was on duty at a time while the British troops had possession of Rhode Island according to the best of my recollection.
[signature] Godfrey King
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport [in brace] Sc
Be it known that on the 5^th day of November 1832 Before the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the Said County, personally appeared the above named Godfrey King and made Solemn oath to the truth of the above Statement by him Subscribed - and I do hereby Certify that the Deponent is a Credible Person.
[signature] Abner Simmons Just. Peace
Page 55

I Abner Simmons of Tiverton, County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged 70 years, do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Abraham Manchester of Tiverton, County & State aforesaid & have for 53 years past or more, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the Militia in the year 1779 according to the best of my recollection. for I was in the Militia that year in Capt. Isaac Cook's Company stationed at Gideon Almy's on the Tiverton Shore on the Eastern borders of the Narragansett Bay, and I saw said Manchester there, but how long he Served I cannot say - for how long I served myself at that time I do not now recollect. This is all I know about said Manchester being in the Militia, for I the year previous was in Col. Gray's Regiment and the [crossed through] year preceeding in Col. Greens Regiment
[signature] Abner Simmons
Sworn to and subscribed this 4^th day of March 1833 before the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County of Newport & State of R.I. now sitting [in brace]
[signature] Asa Gray Clerk
Page 56

I Sanford Almy now resident in Little Compton in the County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged 73 years; in the time of the revolutionary ^War^ I resided in Tiverton in Said County of Newport, at the house with my father near fogland ferry do Testify & Say that I was then & am now well acquainted with Abraham Manchester of Tiverton, County & State abovesaid, at the time of the Revolutionary War Said Manchester & myself were both enrolled in the Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Isaac Cook & frequent drafts were made from Said Company to guard the Shore of Tiverton while the British had possession of the Island of Rhode Island, and also to guard Said Island after the British left it - I was with Said Manchester one tour on Rhode Island I believe the tour was one Month in the year 1781, in the Company Commanded by Capt. Peleg Simmons, Stationed on Branton's Point near Newport.
[signature] Sanford Almy
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport [in brace] Sc
Be it known that on the 20^th Day of March AD 1833 - Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, personally appeared the above named Sanford Almy and made Solemn oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed, And I do hereby Certify that the Deponent is a Credible Person
[signature] Abner Simmons Just. Peace
Page 57

I David Lake of Tiverton, County of Newport & State of Rhode Island aged 71 years, do Testify and Say that I am well acquainted with Abraham Manchester of Tiverton, County & State aforesaid, and am knowing to his being a Revolutionary Soldier in the Militia in the ^year^ 1781 according to the best of my recollection Stationed on Brinton's Point on Rhode Island. I was with him at the time, the tour I believe was one Month - the names of the officers we were under at that time I do not recollect.
[signature] David Lake
State of Rhode Island
County of Newport [in brace] Sc
Be it known That on the 5^th Day of November 1832 Before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County, personally appeared the above named David Lake and made Solemn oath to the truth of the above Statement by him Subscribed, And I do hereby Certify that this Deponent is a Credible Person. . . .
[signature] Abner Simmons Just. Peace