Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 11,112, for Isaac Read, Rhode Island
Page 1

Service
Continental
Navy
R.I.

Read, Isaac
Diodama or
Deidamia

Number
W.11.112
Page 2

[verso]
Vermont 18811
Isaac Read of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont who was a pri Inf & Marines in the Company commanded by Captain Brown of the reg't commanded by Col. Babcock in the R. I. ma. line for 15 mo for Infy.
3 " marines }
_______
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of ^0 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Oct'r: 1833 and sent to G. W. Harman. Pawlet.
______
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833  $150.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 34 - 30.00
$180.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3. Page 88

[recto]
let to S Swift Aug 23, 1844
Page 3

Reed
Isaac Reed
No 4.557
George W. Harman, Agent 
Pawlet Rutland County Vermont
Page 4

State of Vermont,
County of Rutland} ss  
On this fourteenth day of August AD 1832. personally appeared in open Court, before Almon Warner, Esquire, sole Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairhaven, in the County of Rutland afor'd, now sitting, Isaac Reed, a resident of the town of Pawlet, in said County of Rutland, in the State of Vermont, aged seventy seven 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, & served as herein stated.
[margin note: 1 Year] 1. That in February or March 1776. residing then in the town of Freetown now called New Troy, in the State of Rhode Island, where he continued to reside, when not in service, during the whole period of the revolutionary war, he voluntarily inlisted in a Regiment of State troops of the State of Rhode Island, for one year, which he served out. 
This Regiment was, at first, commanded by Col. Henry Babcock, who being removed from command, was succeeded in the command of the Reg't by Col. Lippit (Lippitt). The company to which the declarant belonged, was, at first, commanded by Capt. Jonathan Browning, with whom, personally, he inlisted. This company was, afterwards, during the campaign, commanded by Capt. William Jones. He inlisted at Freetown & rendezvoused at Newport, from whence, in about 3 months the corps marched  & joined the main army on York Island, under the commanded of Gen. Washington, early in the summer of 1776. & continued with it, except when occasionally detached, during his whole term of service. Says he cannot, by reason of his great age & infirmity, remember other Corps, or officers of the army, except as herein after mentioned. When the army was compelled to leave York-Island, he marched with it, to White Plains; & after the operations at that place, & in its vicinity, he crossed the Hudson, with the division of the American forces under the immediate command of Gen. Washington and
Page 5

& the army continuing its retreat, hard pressed by the numerous enemy, by turns, passed through New-Jersey, & crossed the Delaware - a considerable detachment of it, to which the declarant belonged, under the command of - (He cannot remember the name) crossing that river at a place called the "Forks of Delaware." Here, on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware, after much suffering from the cold, & by reason of many privations, the Regiment to which he belonged, or a part of it, was directed to march down the river, along with Pennsylvania militia under Gen. Irvine, for the purpose of crossing over into Jersey, about the 25th of December, in the night, for the purpose of co-operating with the main army under Gen. Washington, in an attack upon the Hessian Cantonment at Trenton, But the ice made in the river, & the severe inclemency of the weather, prevented this division of Gen. Irvine, from crossing the Delaware at that time. Gen. Washington, nevertheless, captured about a thousand of the Hessians. He was afterwards (but cannot name the precise time) with the army under Gen. Washington, at Trenton, when Lord Cornwallis, arriving about sunset on the opposite side of the creek, the small American force was in great danger. But the  army, having raised a line of fires, to deceive the enemy, Gen. Washington marched them off, over the frozen ground, many of us barefooted; & next morning we met, fought & captured some hundreds of British troops near Princeton. At the expiration of this term of service, in February, he with others, who did not, again inlist, was discharged - but without writing. 
[margin note: 3 mo.] 2. In the summer of 1777. he says, as near as he can remember (being, thro' age, forgetful of dates) he inlisted on board the Continental Sloop, Providence, of 12 guns, Capt. John Rathbone Commander, at Bedford, Massachusetts. The crew consisted of sixty-three men; on board of which, he served three months, & was discharged, without  writing, at Bedford, when he inlisted. 
Cruised of the banks of Newfoundland, & Newyork, Off Sandy Hook, the Providence fell in with a Ship, a Brig, a Schooner & a Sloop - three of them armed; - attached them & captured the Schooner, the rest escaping - lost only one man - the sailing-master. His pay & prise money amounted
Page 6

ed to one hundred dollars; which he received in Continental paper.
[margin note: 2 1/2 years.] 3. After returning from the cruise in the Sloop Providence, in the fall of the year 1777. the town of Freetown being required to furnish its portion of the State quota of men for the army, the select-men of the town performed the duty of procuring them, & declarant voluntarily inlisted, or engaged with them, to serve in the army for nine months, & went from Freetown & joined the army at West-Point. 
It was there offered him, that if he would agree to serve one year, instead of nine months, he might have the privilege of driving a team for the army, in lieu of carrying arms. This offer he accepted, & continued in that employment, two years & a half; sometimes foraging, sometimes conduction baggage wagons, in the States of Pennsylvania & Newjersey, but principally, in the latter. He remained with the army, during this tour, three years in the whole; but was in the employment of a commissary the last six months. In the fall of 1780, he received a Passport to return home, & returned accordingly - but the Passport has been lost or destroyed, many years. 
[margin note: 3 mo.] 4. He forgot to mention, in its place, that in the fall of the year 1775. he, with a militia company from Freetown, went to Boston, while that place was besieged by the Americans, & served there three months, from early in October, but cannot remember the names of any of the officers. 
Being interrogated, agreeably to the directions of the Hon. Secretary, the declarant saith that he was born in Swansea, in the State of Massachusetts, on the 26th day of December, AD 1754 - that his birth is recorded in an old Almanac, now in his possession, given him by his father - knows not of any other record of his age. - That he resided in Freetown, as before stated, at the several times of his engagements in the service of his country; & continued to reside there, during the whole period of the revolutionary war, when not inservice, & for several years after its close. 
Thence he removed to Pittstown, Rensellaer County, State of Newyork, where he resided six years - from that place he removed to Bennington, in Bennington County, in the State of Vermont; & having resided there, one year, he thence removed to the town of Pawlet, in Rutland County, in the State of Vermont; where he has resided, with his family, during the last twenty four years, & still resides there. - 
That when he went into the service of  his country, he always volunteered, or inlisted - never was drafted, nor engaged as a
Page 7

substitute for any other. He has stated the names of the officers in the army & navy, with whom he served, & was acquainted, as far as he can recollect them; & also the several corps; but, on account of his great age his memory of these things is very imperfect. That he never had a written discharge, from either term of service, but on one occasion, as he has, already, stated, he had a Passport, which has long been lost or destroyed. Among the respectable gentlemen, in the vicinity, to whom he is known, & who can testify as to his character for veracity & to their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. - he names Grove Moore Esq & Dr. John Sargent of Rupert in Bennington County, & Nathaniel Harman Esq. & Phinehas Strong of Pawlet. - but as he lives in a remote corner of the town, & in a very sequestered place, he does not think there is any clergyman who can attest these particulars concerning him. And also, having, for more than thirty years, been absent from the place of his engagements in the service of his county, he does not know that there is any person who can testify to his knowledge of such his services, or any of them. If there are any such, he knows not where they are to be found, & his poverty does not admits of his travelling to distant places in search of them. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid -} /s/Isaac Read.
We Nathaniel Harman & Phinehas Strong residing in the town of Pawlet, in the County of Rutland, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Isaac Reed (Read), who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. - that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is respected & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid}
/s/N. Harman
/s/P. Strong
Page 8

And the said Court does, hereby, declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, & served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to it, that Nathaniel Harman Esq. & Phinehas Strong, who have signed the preceding certificate, are both residents in the town of Pawlet, & are credible persons, & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Selah H. Merrill Register of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairhaven, in the County of Rutland, in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Isaac Reed for a pension
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office, this 14th day of August A.D. 1832. 
/s/S. H. Merrill
Page 9

[verso]
33
Burlington, Vermont
Diodama Read, widow of Isaac Read, Mass who was a Pri. Infy & Marine, in the Rev. War.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the ['4th' crossed out] 11 day of ['March' crossed out] April, 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued this 5 day of March 44 and sent to S Swift Manchester Vt.
[Act of JUNE  17, 1844]
Recorded in Book A Vol 2 Page 66

[recto]
Rep'd Date of death not on A B
Page 10

[verso]
Isaac Read was Borne December 26th yr 1754 in the twenty seventh year of his age Deidamia Read the wife of Isaac Read was born the 21 Day of January yr 1765
the [illegible] was of her age September 16th the yr 1782 then David was born the sone of Isaac Read 

[recto]
September 25 yr 1781 then Isaac Read and Didamia Shearman was married
1829-1781=48
September 16th the yr 1782 then my son was born
Page 11

[verso]
Isaac Read was Borne December 26th yr 1754 in the twenty seventh year of his age Didamia (Diodama) Read the wife of Isaac Read was born the 21 Day of January yr 1765
the [illegible] was of her age September 16th the yr 1782 then David was born the sone of Isaac Read

[recto]
September 25 yr 1781 then Isaac Read and Didamia Shearman was married
1829-1781=48
September 16th the yr 1782 then my son was born
Page 12

15
Diodama Read widow of Isaac Vt 
act 17 June 1844
Page 13

State of Vermont, Bennington County ss. On this 7th day of September 1844 personally appeared before the Hon. Leonard Sargeant, Judge of the Probate Court within & for the Probate District of Manchester, in the County & State aforesaid, Diadamia Read, a resident of the town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland in said State, aged seventy nine 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 Provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 17, 1844. entitled "An Act to continue the Pensions of certain widows" - that she is the widow of Isaac Read late of said Pawlet deceased, who was a Private in the army ['of the' crossed out] also in the marine of the United States during the revolutionary war & for which service he received & enjoyed during his lifetime a Pension, under the Act of Congress of the United States of June 7, 1832. of sixty Dollars per annum or about that sum & for the specification of whose said services, the refers to his Declaration on file in the Office of the Pension Department, on which his said Pension was granted.
She further declares that she was married to the said Isaac Read at Freetown in the County of Bristol & State of Massachusetts, by Elder Lewis of the Baptist Denomination, on the twenty fifth day of September in the year seventeen hundred & eighty one - that she has no knowledge of any public Record of their said marriage having been preserved either by the said Clergyman who married them, or in the town records of said town of Freetown, or in any other way, but a record thereof was made & kept by the said Isaac Read in a small Book which he appropriated to his family Register, the leaves of which containing said record, she forwards herewith - 
That her husband the aforesaid Isaac Read, died on the 11th day of April 1844 - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four (viz) ta the time above stated.
/s/Deidamia Read
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me 
/s/H. K. Fowler
I Solomon Read a resident of the town or Pawlet, County of Rutland  & State of Vermont aged forty two years, do testify depose & say, that I am the reputed sone of the above named Isaac Read & Deidamia Read - that I have ever lived in the same house & in the immediate vicinity with my said Parents until the death of my father the said Isaac Read which took place on the 11th day of last April AD 1844 - Since which time she has resided in the same house with me & has remained & continued a widow, single & unmarried - that ever since my first recollection I have frequently seen the record or entry of the marriage of my said Parents, which was made by my said Father, & in his hand writing in a small Book ['in' crossed out] which he kept as a family Register, in which he recorded the marriages births & deaths of  his family, & other memoranda, & on the two leaves which are hereunto attached by [illegible] & which were detached from the said Book in my presence, & I have ever understood from my Parents, that said Record states the true time of their marriage 
/s/Solomon T Read
Page 14

State of Vermont, Bennington County ss. Be it known, that on this 7th day of September 1844 before me personally appeared the within named Solomon Read & made oath in due form of law, that the facts stated in the within Affidavit by him subscribed in my presence are true according to his best knowledge & belief.
/s/H. K. Fowler Register
And I do hereby further certify that the within named Deidamia Read & Solomon Read, as has been fully made to appear to me, and both credible Persons, & their respective state records entitled to full credit
Attest /s/Leonard Sargeant Judge of State Court
I David Fowler resident of the town of Rupert in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, aged seventy years, do testify depose & say, that I lived between thirty & forty years a near neighbour to the above named Isaac Read & Deidamia Read, & that they lived together, & were respected as husband & wife, until the time of his death, which took place on the 11th day of April, AD 1844. that since that time, she has remained unmarried & single.
/s/David Fowler
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written before H. K. Fowler Register And I further certify that the above named David Fowler is a credible person, & his statement is entitled to full credit.
Attest /s/Leonard Sargeant Judge of the Probate Court
State of Vermont Bennington County Probate District ss.
I Henry K. Fowler Register of the Probate Court within & for the Probate District of Manchester   in the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said County in the matter of the application of Deidamia Read for a Pension.
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my official signature & the Seal of said Court at Manchester this 7th day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & forty four & of the Independence of the United States the sixty ninth. 
/s/H. K. Fowler, Register
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Bristol, Town of Freetown.
I Joseph B. Weaver Clerk of Freetown, by examination of the records of said town do find the following record in the 2d Vol. of said records page 243. 
Isaac Read and Diadama Shearman both of Freetown were joined in Marriage September the twenty fifth in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one by Abner Lewis Minister of the Gosple.
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is assessed on the record in fair legible figures as follows: September yr 25th 1783.
I Joseph B. Weaver above named depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town County and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named as certified by me. 
/s/Joseph B. Weaver Clk of Freetown. 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County }ss.
Dec'r 2d 1844 - Sworn to, Before me, Elnathan P. Hathaway Justice of the Peace}
Bristol ss - I, James Sproat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Elnathan P. Hathaway Esq'r whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, is a Justice of the Peace, in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths - 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, at Freetown this second day of ['January' crossed out] December, in the year Eighteen hundred and forty four
/s/J. L. Sproat
Page 16

No 4557 Vermont
Page 17

BRIEF in the case of Isaac Reed of Pawlet County of Rutland in the State of Vermont
(Act 7 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? [blank]
3. How old is he? 77
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period.|Duration of Service.(Years,|Months,|Days.)|Rank. As a|Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.|]
In 1775|([blank]|3|[blank])|Private|['Capts' crossed out] cols Babcock & Lippitt|
1776|(1|[blank]|[blank])| do |Capts Brown & Jones|
1777|([blank]|3|[blank])|*Marine|Capt Rathbone|
 " |(3|[blank]|[blank])|Waggoner|Genls Washington & Irvin|
[end of columns]
5. In what battles was he engaged? Princeton & capturing some British vessels.
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Freetown, now called New Troy, Rhode Island.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? [blank]
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? - Defective Not attached together as required by the Regulations
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
*Sloop or War Providence
/s/Jas Wilson
Examining Clerk.
Page 18

[typewritten letter]
April 3, 1931
[margin note: where is her letter no [illegible] on jacket]
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL [initials: own]

Miss Rachel C. Wilkins
36 Ferry Street
Troy, New York

Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary
War pension claim, R.11112, that Isaac Read was born December 26, 
1754, in Swansea, Massachusetts.
While residing in Freetown (later New Troy), Bristol County, Massachusetts, he enlisted in October, 1775, and with his father and a
younger brother, whose names are not stated, marched to Boston and
served three months as a private during the siege of said city, names
of officers not given.
[margin note: Dec'tion & a witness said Mch & spring of 1775, but I read sol's statement, & the Siege of Princeton did not begin until June 1775] 
He volunteered in February or March, 1776, served as a private in Captains Jonathan Brownell and William Jones' Company, Colonels
Henry Babcock and Lippitt's Rhode Island Regiment and was in the
battle of Princeton.
In the summer of 1777, he enlisted at Bedford, Massachusetts,
and served three months as a marine on board the sloop "Providence",
Captain John Rathburn. During this service, while cruising off Sandy Hook, the "Providence" fell in with four British vessels, three of them armed, and captured one, a sloop, name of this vessel not given.
He volunteered in the fall of 1777, and served until the spring of 1780, as a private and teamster attached to Colonel Jackson's Regiment.
After the Revolution, he continued to reside in Freetown for
several years, then removed to Pittstown, Rensselaer County, New York,
resided there for six years; then moved to Bennington, Bennington
County, Vermont, where he lived for one year; and then moved to
Page 19

[typewritten letter]
Pawlet, Rutland County, Vermont, where he had resided for twenty-four years when he was allowed pension on his application executed August 14, 1832.
He died April 11, 1844.
The soldier married September 25, 1781, Deidamia or Diodama Shearman, who was born January 21, 1765. Both were then of Freetown, Massachusetts, and their marriage was recorded on the town records of said Freetown.
She was allowed pension on her application executed September 7, 1844, while residing in Pawlet, Vermont
Two children are referred to David, born September 16, 1782, and Solomon, aged forty-two years in 1844, and a resident of Pawlet, Vermont.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
[margin note: Sol sister Mary Collins was a resident of [illegible] Mass. in 1833.]
Page 20

15
Diodama Read widow of Isaac Vt.
Let. to S. Swift Nov 9 '44
act 17 June 1844
Page 21

[verso]
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 11.112
Diodama Read Widow of Isaac Read Mariner Rev War
Act: June 17th 44
Index: - Vol. M, Page 154
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[recto]
1913 Aug 7 Hist to George S. Stewart, V.L.M.
Page 22

[addressed envelope]
[postmark: MANCHESTER Vt. SEP 12] FREE
[margin note: Dec 16 1844 Add'l tes case Deidama Reed]
Hon. James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 23

[handwritten letter]
Manchester Dec'r 12th 1844.

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Hon'd Sir, Enclosed I send you the Town Clerk's Certificate & Affid'it to prove the marriage of Deidamia Reed, to Isaac Reed (Read), agreeably to your inquisition. At the time her Declaration was made out & forwarded on, I had supposed, from several other similar cases which had been presented & allowed (as if I recollect rightly, Mrs Abigail Wakefield, Mrs. Caroline Goodwin Mrs Judy Clark &c) that when an ancient family record of the marriage was preserved, & its exhibited, it supressed the necessity of a resort to the records of the town where the marriage took place & as the widow in this case was very poor, & it would be attended with very considerable expence to her, to make the application, which I tho't most likely would prove unavailing & as the family record appeared to me to bear intrinsic evidence of its antiquity & correctness, I supposed that would be sufficient & the T. Clk's Certifs dispensed with - But perhaps the rules for some reasons have been, in that particular, altered - or it might be, that some suspicion from some cause might have been raised, as to the genuineness of the record in this part'r case - It would be gratifying to me to know (were it consistent & convenient) which was the fact, so in two or three others & similar cases, I have been applied to in each of which, (the marriage having been performed in a very distant place & in another State) the expence, besides the delay & trouble, of producing the town Records, would be very considerable & inconvenient to the applicant. 
With very respect I am Hon'd Sir, Your most obed't &c - 
/s/S. Swift
Page 24

15 
Diodama Read widow of Isaac Vt
Act 17" June 1844
Admitted 
15 mo pr. Inf
3 months Marine
$60.00 per an.
S. Swift Esq'r
Manchester Vt.
Page 25

Pension Office Feby 45. 
Sir,
I have the honor to state that the papers in the case
Page 26

[handwritten letter]
Manchester Aug't 19, 1844. 

Hon J. L. Edwards,
Hon'd Sir, The widow of Isaac Read who died in the month of April late and who was pensioned under the Pension Act of June 7, 1832 & who resides in the town of Pawlet a short distance from the time of the line of the County applied to me some time proclaim the Pension which her late husband enjoyed to be extended to her - she states & shows that she was married on the 25 Sept'r 1781. - She further states that she understood that her husband served from previous to the marriage & that afterwards, she has knowledge that he was out in the service several months guarding some forts &c (as she express'd) - But she is not able to give a very definite & explicit statement of his services, except she names two of the Capts & some other of his off'rs under whom he serv'd & some battles in which he was engaged - but she says that when he applied for his Pension he was unable to prove some of his services, which were rejected, & he was allowed a Pension of only $60. per ann. - that she is ignorant as to what claims of services he presented, or what were ultimately allowed to him - & she further says, that all the witnesses to whom she might have applied for information, of whom she has any knowledge, are dead - By reason of these circumstances of her case, I am induced to apply to you Hon'd Sir in her behalf to enquire (if compatible with the rules & regulations in your department) what were the services, & at what time performed, for which he made claim & for which he was allowed, at the time his Pension was granted - I am very sensible, that it is improper as well as repugnant to the regulations which you have established, as a general rule, for persons to make enquiries for information from the rolls & Documents in your office, as well as gen'ly, on these subjects - but this as I view it, is somewhat a different case - 
The information I ask for, I presume would not be with hold, if she should present her claim by a Declaration, in ay form & the answer to  the enquiries, without, might save her the expense & also the trouble not only to her but equally to you, at the Department, of a second application & consequent investigation, & procedure would be required, than in that her case - Besides, there is a clause in the form of oath required under the five
Page 27

[handwritten letter]
years Act (so called) which seems to be incompatible with a knowledge on her part, that [illegible] performed service after their marriage, altho she may not be able to prove it. - 
I have one further favor to ask, Hon'd Sir, which is - to be informed, whether conformably to the existing laws d& regulations, there is any other distinct form of application established for a case of Pension similar to the one above referred to, provided there was no service performed subsequent to the marriage, & if so I should be pleased that one should be forwarded to me. 
I have the honor to be, Hon'd Sir, Very respectfully Yours &c - 
/s/S. Swift
Aug 23 '44
Isaac Read Vt Act 32
Page 28

DIVISION 3-525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
W. F. 11,112 Washington, D.C., [blank], 19[blank]
In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Isaac Read a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.|LENGTH OF SERVICE.|RANK.|OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVCE WAS RENDERED.(CAPTAIN.|COLONEL.)|STATE.|
[end of columns]
Mch 1775|3 mos|Pvt|([illegible]|[blank])|[blank]|
Feb or Mch 1776|Feby 1777|[blank]|(Jonathan Brownell|Henry Babcock)|R.I.|
Summer 1777|3 mos|Mariner|(John Rathburn|[illegible])|[illegible]|
Fall of 1777|3 yrs.|{Lieut [illegible]|(New Jersey & Penn.|Jackson)|[illegible]|
[end of columns]
Battles engaged in, Princeton
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Freetown (New Troy) Bristol Co. Mass
Date of application for pension, [illegible] 
Residence at date of application, Fairhaven, Rutland Co, Vt.
Age at date of application, {b. at Swansea Mass Dec 26, 1754 d. Apr. 11, 1844
Remarks: [illegible: copy too light]
Very respectfully, 
[blank]
6-2856
Page 29

[receipt stamp: U. S. PENSION OFFICE. D JUL 28 1913]
Page 30

[handwritten letter]
Concord, Mass. July 25, 1913.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir, - 
Will you kindly send me the military history of the following Revolutionary pensioners whose names appear in the Census of Pensioners taken in 1840;
Joshua Reed, Rockingham Vt., Windham Co.
Daniel Read,, Wardsboro Vt.,  "  "
Isaac Reed, Pawlet Vt., Rutland Co.
Huldah Reed, Putney Vt, Windham Co. 
& greatly oblige.
Yours Respectfully, 
/s/George S. Stewart
Concord, Mass.
Page 31

[addressed envelope] 
[postmark: MANCHESTER Vt SEP 10] FREE
[margin notes: No 15 Sept 13 44 Vt. June 1844 Diodama S. Read (Original)
Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 32

[handwritten letter]
Manchester Sept'r 9th 1844. 
Hon J. L. Edwards,
Hon'd sir, I herewith, inclosed, send you this application & evidence of Deidama Read for a Pension It would appear from the answer which I rec'd, to an enquiry on the subject, that a formal Declaration were not necessary in a case of this kine but as I supposed that some kind of application would be proper & requisite I have adapted the form established in cases coming directly within the Statute of July 1835 so far as applicable to a case embraced within the supplementary law of June 1844. 
Very respectfully I am Hon'd Sir, Your most obed't &c - 
S. Swift.
Page 33

4557 
Isaac Reed (Read) Pawlett Vt
claimant
2 1/2 years disallowed with letter 
Admit
15 mo Pri Inf.
3  "  "  Marines
G. W. Harman Esq.
Pawlet
Page 34

WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office.
May 1, 1833
Sir: 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, shewing the Service of Isaac Read of Pawlet Vt
[column headings: Period when the service was rendered|Duration of the claimant's service.(Years.|Months.|Days.)|Rank of the claimant.|Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.|Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers|1833. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.|Proof by which the declaration is supported.|]
Feb. 1776-Feb '77|(1|[blank]|[blank])|Private|Col. H. Babcock. Col. Lippit(Lippitt).|78 yrs|Mary Collins Thomas Butts}Traditionary, but knowledge gained at the time|
Summer 1777|([blank]|3|[blank])|Marine|Capt. J. Rathbone|Freetown Mass.|Mary Collins, aft.  do. |
1777 to 1780|(2|6|[blank])|Private|Col. Jackson|[blank]|J. Reynolds, Mary Collins afts|
1775|([blank]|3|[blank])|Private|Does not rember|[blank]|Mary Collins, Thos Butts aft.|
[end of columns]
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Isaac Reed
Page 35

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 et 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before [blank] A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers : 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers ;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. ⇒This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] 
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank] 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] 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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c. 
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. 
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: 
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a RevoIutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal [blank] of office, this [blank] day of [blank]&c. 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. 
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
[margin note: No such service as is stated in the continental army is thereon by the rolls in this office. His name may perhaps be found on the rolls of Col. Jackson's reg't Mass. line, in which he states he served.  The supplemental declaration has been made, in pursuance of that clause of a circular, in my possession which directs [continued on page 36]]
Page 36

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 most 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 loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making au affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith. that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below. and in the following grades:- For ____ year ____months, and ____days, I served as a ____ . For ____ months and ____days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held; as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of 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 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 place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f]The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion or the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if he has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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 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 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 [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [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.
[margin note: that "Amendments to declarations, or any additional proof which may be required, may be taken before any officer duly authorized to administer oaths"]
Page 37

Mary Collins
Page 38

I, John Reynolds of Troy in the County of Bristol and state of Massachusetts, of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Isaac Reed of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and state of Vermont, during the war of the Revolution, that I was myself in the same regiment with the said Isaac Reed, under the command of Col. Jackson from sometime in the summer of 1780 until the winter of 1781, in the ninth Regiment, in the Continental service, not less than six months - This service was rendered by the said Reed at West point and at White Plains in the state of New York - The said Reed was in the service of his Country when I enlisted, but how long he had been there previous to my enlistment I am unable to state
And further the Deponent saith not
/s/John Reynolds
Bristol ss. July 8th 1833 - Personally appeared the above named John Reynolds a disinterested and credible witness and made oath to the foregoing statement by him made and subscribed - 
Before me, /s/James Ford, Justice of the Peace
Page 39

Isaac Read
Thomas Butts Mary Collins & John Reynolds} afts.
['Thomas Butts' crossed out]
Page 40

I Thomas Butts of Troy in the County of Bristol and state of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Isaac Reed now living in Pawlet in the County of Rutland and state of Vermont, during the Revolutionary War, that the said Reed at that time lived in what was then Freetown, now Troy - I very distinctly recollect that in the spring of 1775 the said Isaac Reed enlisted into a company in said Freetown, now Troy, and with the company into which he enlisted, marched to Boston in the state of Massachusetts to assist i defending that town, then besieged by the British. 
I remember this fact the more distinctly because I went with the said Isaac Reed from Freetown to Boston - The said Reed was in the service of his county at Boston aforesaid - three months - 
I further recollect and state that sometime in the month of March 1776, the said Isaac Reed enlisted at said Freetown into a company commanded by Capt Jonathan Brownell, in the Rhode Island state service, and marched to Newport where he was stationed for a short time, when he was ordered with the company to which he was attached to New York - He was in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lippet (Lippitt) - The said Isaac Reed was at Newport under this last enlistment not less than three months, and he was absent from home under the last named enlistment not less than twelve months - but at what particular places he service in the state of New York, or how long at each, I am unable to state - 
And further the Deponent saith not - 
/s/Thomas Butts
Bristol ss. July 8th 1833 - Personally appeared the above named Thomas Butts, a disinterested witness and a credible person, and made oath to the foregoing statement by him made and subscribed - 
Before me /s/James Fort Justice of the Peace
Page 41

I, Mary Collins of Troy in the County of Bristol and state of Massachusetts of lawful age to give evidence, do testify and say that Isaac Reed of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and state of Vermont is my brother, that he is in his seventy eigth year, that in the Revolutionary war his home was in the town of Freetown, now Troy, that in the month of March 1775, the said Isaac Reed, with my father and a younger brother enlisted into his country's service and marched to Boston at the time that town was besieged by the British troops - He was absent from home three months.
In the spring of 1776, my brother Isaac Reed enlisted in what was called the Rhode Island state service, in a company commanded by Capt. Jonathan Brownell  and marched with the company to Newport - He was at Newport as near as I can recollect three months, when he was marched into the state of New York - He was absent in the service of his country under this last named enlistment one year - 
In the Autumn of seventeen hundred and seventy seven the said Isaac Reed again enlisted in his country's service and marched into New York - I am unable to state of my own personal knowledge, being a female, where he was on duty during his absence, but he was absent from home, under the enlistment last mentioned, not less than two years, and I think three years - I remember and state further that in the summer of 1777, the said Isaac Reed enlisted on board a vessel of war called the Providence, and was absent on this cruise three months - And further the Deponent saith not - 
/s/Mary Collins
Bristol ss. July 8th 1833 - Personally appeared the above named Mary Collins, a disinterested and credible witness and made oath to the foregoing statement by her made and subscribed
Before me /s/James Ford Justice of the Peace
Page 42

Mary Collins
Page 43

Isaac Read Supplemental Declaration
Page 44

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} Supplemental Declaration
At Pawlet, in said county, on this 14th day of August AD 1833. personally appeared before I Nathaniel Harman Esq'r one of the Justices of the Peace, within and for the county of Rutland, Isaac Read, a resident of Pawlet af'd aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in addition to and amendment of a certain declaration, sworn to and subscribed by him the said Isaac Read, on the fourteenth day of August AD 1832. before Almon Warner Esq sole Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairhaven in the county of Rutland af'd in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 
That during the Revolutionary War, he resided in the town of Freetown, now called Troy, in the county of Bristol, & State of Massachusetts; & not in the State of Rhode Island, as he erroneously stated in his declaration af'd. 
No. 1 In addition to the facts stated in said declaration, relative to his service from February 1776 to Feb. 1777. he says that he enlisted as a private soldier, & served as such, one full year. He served under the authority of the State of Rhode Island & of the United States; was in the field the whole of the time; & during the year af'd was not engaged in any civil pursuit. He has stated the names of all the Officers, whom he remembers. He refers to the affidavits of Mary Collins & Thomas Butts, which will corroborate his statements, and which is all the evidence he can procure.
No. 2. In addition to what he has stated, as to his service in the Continental Sloop Providence, he says, he enlisted and served as a marine under the authority of the United States, and during said three months, was not engaged in any civil pursuit. He is unable to obtain direct proof of his service, but refers to the affidavit of his Sister, Mary Collins. 
No. 3. In addition to the facts stated, as to his service in the Conti-
Page 45

private soldier, and carried arms and such, about two months*, when the proposal to drive the team was made and accepted. He continued to draw pay as a private.
And he now recollects (since he has been reminded by his friend John Reynolds) that the Colonel, under whom he served, was named Jackson, of the 9th regiment, Mass. line. He cannot recollect any other of the officers. He was never in garrison and during the period of two years & a half af'd was not otherwise employed, than as he has stated. He has made great exertions, and has been able to procure the affidavits of John Reynolds, & Mary Collins, but he knows of no other person who can testify as his service, at this time.
*Not less than two months, according to his best recollection.
No. 4 With regard to his service in 1775. at Boston, he says, that he went & served s'd three months as a private soldier, under the authority of Massachusetts; was in the field the whole time, & was not engaged in any civil pursuit. He recollects none of the officers. He refers to the affidavits of Mary Collins & Thomas Butts, which is all the evidence  he can procure. 
And he says, that he is unacquainted with any clergyman, who can testify as required by the War Department. 
Subscribed, and sworn to, the 14th day of August 1833. 
/s/Isaac Read
And the said Justice, does, hereby declare his opinion after the investigation of the whole matter, that the above named Isaac Read was a Revolutionary Soldier, & served as he states herein, & in the declaration to which the above is an amendment. And the said Justice further certifies that for twenty four years last past, he has been well acquainted with the said Isaac Read, and that the character of the s'd Read stand unusually fair, for truth, veracity & honesty - & that in the opinion of s'd Justice, the fullest credit ought to be given to the statements of s'd Read. 
I certify the foregoing to be the original proceedings of my court, in the matter of the application of Isaac Read, for a pension. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my official hand at Pawlet af'd this 14th day of Aug't 1833. 
/s/N. Harman Justice of Peace
Page 46

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss} I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of Rutland County Court, do certify, that Nathaniel Harman Esq'r before whom the foregoing declaration was made, was, at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, in & for s'd county, & that the preceding signature to be his own. 
[court seal affixed] In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court, at Rutland, the 16th day of August 1833.
/s/R. Pierpoint