Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,555, for James Lapham, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
RI
Lapham, James
Jemima
NUMBER
W21555
CONTENTS
Page 2

Reported

1673
Rhode Island
Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham RI who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of Sept 1848 and sent to Franklin Greene Providence RI

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, page 13 Vol 3
Page 3

27561
Rhode Island
James Lapham of Cumberland in the State of RI who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regmt commanded by Colo Mathewson in the RI line for 12 Months private

Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1841

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of August 1834 and sent to Benjamin Cowell Esqr Providence RI

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 $120.00
Semi=anl allowance ending 4 Sept 20-
[total] $140.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 9 Page 119

Let to B Cowell Augt 13 1843
Page 4

Rhode Island District ss
County of Providence
On this [illegible] day of August AD 1834 personally appeared in open Court being the municipal Court of the City of Providence James Lapham of Cumberland in said County & District aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 He entered the War of the Revolution and served as herein stated. In answer to the seven Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he answering says
to 1st He was born in said Cumberland Jany 5th 1762
2. His birth he thinks is recorded in the town Clerks office in said town, but he is not certain whether it is or not.
Page 5

3d He lived in said Cumberland when he was called into service & has always lived in said town
4th He volunteered for his father
5th He served under General Sullivan Captain Reuben Ballan Captain Jeremiah Scott Col George Peek Capt Amos Whipple
6. He never received any written discharge
7. George Dexter, Stephen Chace the Revd Leonard Wakefield & Seth Arnold are his witnesses & can testify in his behalf.
Page 6

And the said James further declares that between January AD 1778 & August of that year he remembers of serving three months as substitute for his father who was enrolled as a private in Captain Amos Whipples Company of the Militia, his fathers name was Abner. He cannot remember the names of the months but he recollects the places they were stationed at one month in Warren, one in Bristol & one month is Sullivans Expedition on Rhode Island. this he thinks was August. The company according to his best recollection was attached to Col John Mathewsons regiment he served as a private

And the said James further declares that being enrolled as a private in the same company with his father. shortly after he returned
Page 7

home from Sullivans Expedition he was detached from said Company by Major Fiske, to gard [sic] a Magazine belonging to the United States & placed in said Cumberland In this service he continued until September 1779 altho [sic] not in constant service. There were generally three or four or five who took their turn in the night on the gard And he avers that between August 1778 & September 1779, he served five months at least in said service, and he further avers afterwards he was drafted twice in the same year in said Whipples company but he cannot remember the months but one month he served at Providence & one at Bristol he served as a private
Page 8

And the said James further declares that in the year 1780 he was again drafted for a month as a private to go to the Island of Rhode Island and he adds that he went & served out his time in Capt Jeremiah Scotts company & Col Peek Regiment, This was in the month of August. And the said James further declares that in March 1781 he enlisted as a private for a month to go to the Island of Rhode Island. the same Capt Scott had the command of the Company & it was put with Col Peeks Regiment. And he avers that he went & served out his time accordingly And he the said James declares that during the war of the Revolution he served twelve months at least in the years & in the companies
Page 9

& Regiments aforesaid for which he claims a pension & he further declares that he has no documentary evidence to prove his services but he relies on the testimony here in Court products. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State
James Lapham

Municipal Court of the City of Providence August 19 1834
Sworn to by James Lapham in open Court
AG Green
Clerk
Page 10

I Stephen Chace of Cumberland in the State of Rhode [sic] being 77 years of age on oath do testify and say that I am well acquainted with James Lapham of said Cumberland & have always known him both before & since the Revolutionary War. I further testify I am well knowing to some of his military services I distinctly remember of serving with him a tour at Bristol of a month. we were in different companies but stationed near each other. I think it was in 1778. I also remember of serving with him at Providence a month after Sullivans Expedition I also remember of his serving in 1780 on the Island of Rhode Island in the month of August I think. This was at the time the french fleet came into Newport harbor I
Page 11

have not the least doubt he served as full as much as he states in his declaration. I well remember of his serving as a gard [sic] to the magazine which was established in Cumberland & often saw him on duty & have no doubt he served as long as he states
Stephen Chace + his mark
Attest Thomas Pargess

Municipal Court of the City of Providence 
August 19th 1834
Subscribed & sworn to by Stephen Chace in open Court
A.G. Green Clerk
Page 12

We Leonard Wakefield a clergyman residing in Southfield & Seth Arnold of said Smithfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Lapham who has sworn and subscribed to the preceding declaration we believe him to be 72  years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighbor [sic] where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Leonard Wakefield
Seth Arnold

Municipal Court of the City of Providence
August 19th 1834
Subscribed and sworn to by Leonard Wakefield & Seth Arnold in open court
A.G. Greene Clerk
Page 13

Mr Lapham
Page 14

I Lewis B Arnold Town Clerk of the Town of Cumberland do Certify that I have the Custody of the records of Births & marriages which have been recorded in the Books kept for that purpose and it appears by said records that James Lapham and Jemima Ramsdill was married at Cumberland on the [blank] day of July A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty five 1785 by Jotham Carpenter Justice of Peace

Said record is in the following words and figures tow wit
I hereby certify that James Lapham and Jemima Ramsdill was married at Cumberland on the - day of July AD 1785. By Jotham Carpenter Justice of Peace
Recorded May 3d A.D. 1792 Attest Jotham Carpenter Town Clerk

All of which only appears of Record
Attest Lewis B Arnold Town Clerk

Providence sc
In Providence on this second day of June A.D. 1843 personally appeared the above named Lewis B. Arnold Town Clerk of the Town of Cumberland and made oath that the above certificate by him signed are correct
Before me
William J Pabodie
Justice of the Peace
Page 15

State of Rhode Island
County of
On this 6th day of June AD 1843 personally appeared before me Zurial Potter Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County Jemima Lapham now resident in the town of Cumberland in said County aged 77 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the at of Congress of July 7 1832 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows viz that she is the widow of James Lapham late of said Cumberland deceased who was a soldier of the Revolution and served as a private during said war, that when the act of June 7 1832 was passed he made a declaration of his services & obtained a pension under said act & to his declaration which he made to obtain the same she refers for her right to the same. 

And she further declares that she was married to the said James Lapham in July 1785. the day of the month she doe not recollect but she believed it is recorded in Town Clerks records
Page 16

of said town and she further declares that her husband the said James Lapham departed this life the 16 day of November 1839 & since then she has remained unmarried & a widow. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred & ninety four to wit at the time above mentioned
Jemima Lapham X her mark
Attest
Zuriel Potter

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence Sc In Cumberland June 6th AD 1843
Personally appeared before me Jemima Lapham who signed the preceeding [sic] declaration by making her mark and made oath to the truth of same and I further certify that said Jemima from age and infirmaties [sic] is unable to attend Court
Zuriel Potter Just. C.C. Pleas for said County of Providence
Page 17

I Elizabeth Nickerson of the town of Cumberland in the County of Providence, State of Rhode Island &c aged thirty one years on oath do testify & say that James Lapham husband of Jemima Lapham departed this life in Nov. 1839 and since that period the said Jemima has remained unmarried
Elizabeth Nickerson

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence sc In Cumberland June 6th AD 1843
Personally appeared before me Elizabeth Nickerson who signed the above affidavit in presence (said Elizabeth apologizes for the imperfection in her hand writing saying it was caused by a nervious [sic] affection occationed [sic] by a late fit if sickness )and made oath to the truth of the same and I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness
Zuriel Potter Just. C. C. Pleas for said County of Providence
Page 18

Rev
Widow, &c
File No. 21555
Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham 
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2d 48
Index: Vol. A,Page 421
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 19

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence sc
I Albert G. Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence, in the State aforesaid do hereby certify, that Josiah Westcott, who has signed the within Certificate, was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for said County of Providence duly elected.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Municipal Court this 31st day of August A.D. 1843
Albert G. Greene
Clerk
Page 20

No. 3
Provisions del'd by Gen'l Orders
Time delivery | Whom delivered to | No Day | Rations per day | Whole Rations | Rations Retained | Rations Drew | Fres [sic] Beef | Salt Beef | Pork | Bread | Soap | [illegible] of RIce
1778 Jan. 14 | Thos Joslin for Cumberland Guard | 30 | 9 | 270 | - | 270 | - | 405 | - | 270 | - | - 


I Benjamin Cowell of the City of Providence do hereby certify that I have in my possession some of the old documents & account Books which belonged to Asa Waterman a Commissary of the Army of the United States during the War of the Revolution stationed at Providence And I further certify that the above is a true extract from one of said accounts of provisions delivered by General Orders
Benja Cowell


Providence ss on this 30th day of August AD 1843 Benjamin Cowell Esqr appeared before me and made oath to the Truth of the above Statement by him subscribed And I certify that he is a credible Witness
Josiah Westcott Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
Page 21

5099
Jemima Lapham

$40 per an

B. Cowell
Providence R.I.
Page 22

STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND
County of Providence
On this 24th of November A. D. 1843, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in said County Jemima Lapham now resident in Cumberland in said County, aged 77 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress, passed March 3d, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War, viz: That she is the Widow of James Lapham deceased, who served in said War as a Private That she received a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, at the rate of $40 per annum, payable at the Agency for paying pensions at Providence.
Jemima Lapham X her mark
Witness
Tilly Bartlett
Elizabeth Lawton

Providence Sc. In [illegible] A.D., 1843. Personally came before me the above named Jemima Lapham and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her signed. I also certify she is a credible person
Ariel Cook Justice Peace
Page 23

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence Sc I Albert G Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence in said State, do hereby certify that Ariel Cook, who has signed the within Certificate, was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace; within & for the Town of Cumberland in said County, Duly elected.
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the seal of said Court this 18th day of December A.D. 1843
Albert G Greene,
Clerk
Page 24

7526
Rhode Island
Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 16th Nov 1839 of Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regt commanded by Mathewson in the R. Island line for 12 months.

Subscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 23 Dollars & 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of August, 1843 and sent to Benja Cowell Providence R.I.

Whole amount due $116.65
(Act July 7, 1838,)
Recorded by Thomas Lumpkin, Clerk, 
Book A Vol. 2 Page 13

Rept
Aug 21

[struck thru] Reported Nov 14th
Page 25

Reported

11700
Rhode Island
Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham who was a Private in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Jany 1844 and sent to B. Cowell Providence R.I.

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 91
Page 26

7526
Rhode Island
Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 16th Nov 1839 of Cumberland in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Whipple of the Regt commanded by Col Matthewson in the R.I. line for 12 months

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Increased from $23.33.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of November, 1843 and sent to Ben Cowell Providence RI

Total amount $ [blank]
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by Tho Lumpkin, Clerk
Book A Vol. 2 Page 13

Reported Nov 14th
Page 27

Payment to be made at Providence by Paris Will, Esr Agent for paying pensioners in the Agency of Rhode Island.

Payable on the 4th March and 4th September each year.

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol 2 Page 13 by Tho Lumpkin, Clerk

Issue new Certific
12 mo pri
40$
Deduct what has been paid
Benja Cowell
Providence RI.
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT
Widow's Pension
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Jemima Lapham, widow of James Lapham, who was a Private, and died on the 16th day of November 1839 is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1836, and terminating on the 4th of March, 1841, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 21st day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty-three
J.M Porter
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 29

7526
Page 30

Providence Sept 4 1843

Sir
I received yours of 12 ult respecting the claim of Jemima Lapham widow of James Lapham in adjusting her claim you object to 5 months service which was allowed her husband, for service in the Cumberland Gard [sic] between August 1778 & Sept 1779 & observe that his statement shews that this was "not a military corps but a hired watch " & therefore a certificate for "seven months will be issued",
The enclosed evidence will shew that this was not a "hired watch" but a military gard and was allowed pay & rations &c, Soon after the British took possession of Newport General Spencer being the chief in command in this State under Washington, ordered the Military Stores or great part of them removed to Cumberland for safety & established a gard over there. This Magazine & gard was kept up until the enemy evacuated in November 1779. This service was considered a military service at the time, as the enclosed evidence will shew and since the Act of June 7,1832 you have allowed it that character, & have invariably allowed it in the computation of service
Page 31

for which pensions could be granted under that act

The statement of James Lapham might have been deficient in not stating the particulars with respect to this gard. [sic]  But such deficiency ought not to prejudice her claim if it is supplied by other testimony. He would have amended his declaration in his life time if any objection had been made & stated the fact as they were But no objection was made & he drew his pension until his death

The enclosed evidence shews that this Guard was established by order of Gen Spencer and received pay & rations as other troops in the pay of the United States at the time. I therefore take the liberty to return the Certificate & to request another embracing the "5 Months" may be granted
I am most respectfully
your obt sert
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esqr
Page 32

Providence Dec 21st 1843

Sir
I herewith enclose the applications of Frelove Smith widow of Jonathan, Olive Olney widow of James Jemima Lapham widow of James Anna Rounds widow of Simeon and Elizabeth Easthforth widow of Samuel Easthforth for pensions under the act of Congress of March 3d 1843.
I am respectfully
your obt sevt
Benja Cowell

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Page 33

Payment to be made at Providence by Paris Hill Esq Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Rhode Island

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol. 2 Page 13 by
Tho Lumpkin
Clerk
Page 34

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th July, 1838 Jemima Lapham, widow of James Lapham who was a Private in the Revolution at the rate of Forty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th day of March 1836, and terminating on the 4th day of March, 1841. This pension has been increased from Twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, which will be paid to the said Jemima Lapham upon the production of the proper vouchers after having deducted the amount already paid her.

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14th day of Nov. one thousand eight hundred and forty-three.
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.

Commissioner of Pensions
Page 35

7526
Page 36

Mrs Lapham
Page 37

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.

At a Meeting of the Council of War holden June 17 1778

John Fisk having presented abstract pay due to for ye Magazine guard kept in Cumberland by order of General Spencer being duly considered.

Ordered, that the Bounty only be paid and ye auditors having Certified that there is due for ye Bounty only on one of [illegible] due to [British pound sign] 6.08 Lawful money and also ye sum of [British pound sign] 18.12 on the other: It is resolved, that sd sum be paid to Squire Fisk out of e General Treasury, the said John Fisk having given him an order to received the same.

True copy of record - witness
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 38

10145
Jemima Lapham
R.I.
Act 7 July 38
M 85 d 39

Admd
7 mo pri
23.33

Benjn Cowell Esqr
Providence R.I.
Page 39

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations

Providence Sc.
I Albert G. Greene Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence, in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Luniel Potter who has signed two of the annexed certificates, was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Providence, duly elected; and that William J. Pabodie, who has signed one of the annexed certificates was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within and for said City, duly elected
In attestation whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Municipal Court this 13th day of June A. D. 1843
Albert G. Greene
Clerk
Page 40

I George Dexter of Cumberland in the County of Providence & state of Rhode Island being now 72 years of age on oath do testify and say that I am well acquainted with James Lapham of said Cumberland an applicant for a pension. I remember well of Serving with him in garding [sic] the Magazine in Said Cumberland as much as five months in the years 1778 and 1779 After this I remember well of serving with him in the Same Company as privates in 180 on the Island of Rhode Island. I think when the french fleet came into Newport we was in Captain Scotts Company & Col Peeks Regiment
George Dexter

Smithfield August 11 1834
Personally appeared before me the above named George Dexter & made solom [sic] oath to the truth of the above depposition [sic] by him signed in my presence and I further testify that the George is well known to me & is a credible witness in the Premises

George Aldrich Justice of the Peace


T [illegible]
Page 41

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence Sc. I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that George Aldrich 3d before whom the within affidavit was sworn is a Justice of the Peace within and for the Town of Smithfield in said County and that by Law he is authorised [sic] and empowered to administer oaths and take depositions; and that the signature to the certificate purporting to be his is the proper hand writing of the said George

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Providence this nineteenth day of August AD 1834
Dexter Randall Clk
Page 42

Jemima Lapham

Admitted

Franklin Greene
Providence RI
Page 43

State of Rhode Island,
County of Providence ss.
On this twenty fourth day of July 1848, personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Providence Jemima Lapham a resident of Cumberland in the county of Providence aforesaid aged eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2d of February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war: - That she is the Widow of James Lapham who was a Private in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of Forty dollars per annum, under the act of 17th of June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Jemima Lapham X her mark
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me, ss
Leonard Wakefield
Justice of the Peace

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

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence ss.
I John W Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify, that Leonard Wakefield is a Justice of the Peace in the county aforesaid, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Providence on this second day of August 1848
John W. Smith, Clerk
Page 44

31542

James Lapham
Cumberland R.I.

Adm'd
12 months pri
Cap Whipple
Col Mathewson

Benjamin Cowell
Providence R.I.
Page 45

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 Leonard Wakefield who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Smithfield: and that Seth Arnold who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Smithfield, and that Stephen Chace and George Dexter and who have signed the preceding certificates are both resident in the town of Cumberland: and that all of said persons are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit

I Albert G Green, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that the aforegoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of James Lapham for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, this 19th day of August S.D. 1834
Albert G Greene
Clerk