Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13054, for Benaiah Sweet, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I

Sweet, Benaiah
Mary

Number
W.13054

CONTENTS
Page 2

Rhode Island 1554
Benaiah Sweet of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Lippitt in the R Island line for 
2 mos Private
19 mos Fifer
2 mos Fife major
1 mo Sergeant

Inscribed on the Roll of R Island at the rate of 90 Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of Jan'y 1834 and sent Hon N R Knight Senate U.S.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $225.85
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 45.17
[total] $271.02

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by D D Addison Clerk
Book D Vol. 3rd Page 134

The certificate issued [illegible] of one dated Nov 6 1832
Cancelled
Page 3

2
2.S.D

Rhode Island
Mary Sweet
Providence in the State of RI
who was a [blank] in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank]
him for widow of Benaiah Sweet dec'd late a Private Fifer & Sergeant in the Revolution R.I.

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I at the rate of 90 Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Amtpd to 9 Oct 1834 to be deducted.

Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Feby 1837 and sent to Hon N. R. Knight Senate U.S. 

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 $496.87
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar '37 45.17
[total] $542.04

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol 1 Page 117
Page 4

No. 8665
Benaiah Sweet of Providence R.I.

1 year musician
8 months Private

Admitted

$70.66

Benjn Cowell
Providence RI
Page 5

Brief in the case of Benaiah Sweet of the County of Providence in the State of R. Island.
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 
Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 
73 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[following is in table format in original document]
Period: In 1775
Duration of Service
Years: [blank]
Months: [blank]
Days [blank]
Rank: As a minute man
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served: -

Period: In 1776 Jany
Duration of Service
Years: 1
Months: -
Days -
Rank: As a musician
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served: Col. Lippitt, Capt. Fenner

Period: In 1777
Duration of Service
Years: -
Months: 1
Days -
Rank: As a Private
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served: Col. Brown, Capt Waterman

Period: In 1779
Duration of Service
Years: -
Months: 6
Days -
Rank: As a dt [private]
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served: Col Dougil or Durgil or Dirges Capt. Rice

Period: In 1778
Duration of Service
Years: -
Months: 1
Days -
Rank: As a dt [private]
Names of General and field Officers under whom he served: Sullivan's expedition on R.I.

5. In what battles was he engaged: 
Naragansett Bay

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? 
does not state

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 
living witnesses lost his discharge

8. Are his papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
no certificate of a Clergyman

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Sevin Belt
Examining Clerk
Page 6

Benayah Sweet
Benaiah Sweet
8665
Page 7

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Rhode-Island District, sc.
County of Providence
On this 11 day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session Benaiah Sweet a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 73 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, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following names officers, and served as herein stated
Soon after the battle of Lexington in 1775 he joined a company of Minuet men & was on duty in that capacity during the remainder of that year & was in the fight on Prudence Island in Naragansett Bay when the enemy landed to pillage that Island. That in January of 1776 about the middle of the month he enlisted as a musician in the company of Arthur Fenner & in the regiment of Col Christopher Lippitt of the Rhode Island Troops for one year & he continued to serve in said Company untill [sic] his time expired. said Regiment was first stationed at Newport but marched afterwards in September to New York & New Jersey, that he was discharged at Peekskill in New York & came home barefoot in the snow in February 1777 & beged [sic] his living on the way. Soon after in said year 1777 he served also in Spencers expedition to drive the British from Rhode Island one month in Capt A Watermans company of minute men & col Chad Browns regiment. After this he again enlisted in Capt Rice's Company & in the regiment of Col Durgie of the Connecticut line as a recruit to the continental army he was six months in this service ending January 1780. He was also in Sullivans Expedition one month on Rhode Island as a minute man in 1778. At the expiration of all his aforementioned services he was honourably discharged but all his discharges were lost when his mothers house was burnt.

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.
Benaiah Sweet
Witness B Cowell Clk
Page 8

I Simeon Ingraham of Providence being now 83 years old & upwards on oath do testify & say that during the Revolutionary war I was an enlisted soldier in Col Duges regiment of the Connecticut line & enlisted for eight or nine months & served untill my time expired. This was I think in 1779 & think it was in the spring of the year that I enlisted. And I further certify that I well knew Benajah Sweet of said Providence who was a soldier in said regiment also he belonged to it the same time I did and I never knew any thing but that he served untill his enlistment expired.
Simeon Ingraham

July 11 1832
Personally appeared before me the above named Simeon Ingraham & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed & I further certify that said deponent is well known to me & is a credible witness in the premises
Benja Cowell
Commissioner of Deeds & Court R I Dist
Page 9

We Abial Brown of Providence & Job Keach of Scituate do on oath certify and say that they are well acquainted with Benajah Sweet of Providence & we do testify that said Benajah served in Col Tippitts regiment during the whole of the year 1776 we having served in said Regiment during the same period. this last is within our recollection
Abial Brown
Job Keach
July 123 1832 Sworn to in open court
B Cowell Clk

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

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 Simeon Ingraham Abial Brown & Job Keach who testified as aforesaid are residents in the County of Providence and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benaiah Sweet for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17th day of September 1832
Benjamin Cowell, Clk
Page 10

1017
Mrs Sweet 
Mary Sweet
widow of Benajah
R. Id


Hon. N. R. Knight
Senate U.S.
Page 11

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence City ss

On this Third day of January AD 1837 personally appeared before the municipal Court of the City of Providence being a Court of Record Mary Sweet, a resident of said City of Providence in the County of Provident & State aforesaid, in the Eightieth year of her age, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July the 4th 1832:
That she is the widow of Benajah Sweet late of said city of Providence deceased, who was a soldier in the Army & Militia of the Revolution and a pensioner under the act of Congress of 1832, and the services performed by him are fully stated and set forth in his application for a pension and now on file in the Pension office in the City of Washington: She further declares that she was married to the said Benajah Sweet on the twenty ninth day of April in the year seventeen hundred & eighty one: that they were published by Elder Joseph Winsor and married by Judge Abraham Mathewson, then a Justice of the Peace: that they then resided in Gloucester County & State aforesaid: that there is not to her knowledge a person now living who was present at the time of their marriage: that her husband the aforesaid Benajah Sweet died on the ninth day of October AD 1834 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Mary Sweet X her mark
Attest Robert Knight
Page 12

Municipal Court of the City of Providence, January 3d 1837
the aforegoing Declaration is duly sworn to by said Mary Sweet in open Court.
Albert G Greene 
Clerk

In attestation whereof and also in attestation that satisfactory testimony has been adduced to prove that the said Mary Sweet is a credible person, and that her statement is entitled to credit, the said Court have caused their seal to be hereunto affixed, on the day and year first aforewritten.
Albert G Greene
Clerk
Page 13

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Be it known, that the name, "Henry Bowen," to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this tenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven
John Brown Francis

By His Excellency's Command
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 14

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office Jany 10 1837
I Certify that at the session of the General Assembly on the first Wednesday of May last, Horace Prior was elected a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence: and Asa Winsor as a Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield - each for one year and that they have been severally Commissioned accordingly: as appears of record
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
Page 15

I Caleb Williams, of the city and County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, on oath depose and say: that I am in the seventy third year of my age, (according to information received from my parents:) that I have been well acquainted with Benajah Sweet and his wife Mary for about forty years; that I have lived in the neighborhood with them ever since the year 1792; that they have always lived together as man and wife till the death of the said Benajah which was two years ago last fall; that the said Mary has not again married; that her character for truth and veracity is good; that the said Benajah and Mary have always been reputed to be lawful man and wife in the community in which they have lived; that I have never heard or believed anything to the contrary.
Caleb Williams

Sworn to and subscribed this ninth day of January AD 1837. furthermore I certify that the above named Caleb Williams is a man of respectability, that he is one of the aldermen of our City, and that his character for truth and veracity is good; and that full confidence3 can be placed upon the above statement by him subscribed.
Horace Prior Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I Charles Salsbury of Smithfield in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island being of lawful age and engaged according to law do testify and say That I am in the seventy ninth year of my age and That I have been acquainted with Benajah Sweet and Mary Sweet, of Providence in said State from childhood, and were brought up together in the same neighbourhood, that said Mary Sweet, widow of said Benajah, was formerly Mary Hudson, I well remember the time they were married and think it was in the year 1780 or 11781. and that they have always lived together as man and wife, till the death of said Benajah which was two years ago last October, and that the said Mary has not again married and that the said Mary's Character for truth and veracity is good.
Charles Salsbury X his mark
Attest 
Asa Winsor

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc
In Smithfield on the 9th day of January 1837 then personally appeared the above named Charles Salsbury and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Charles Salsbury, he is a credible witness in the premises.
Asa Winsor
Justice of the Peace
Page 17

On the statement within taken in connexion with the other evidence, I think the claim should be allowed.
B.F. Smith
Feby 4th 1837
Page 18

I have known Mrs Sweet about forty five years, she was married at the time I first knew her & had children about my age, perhaps a year or two younger. I am now in my fifty seventy year. Mrs Sweet was married at the time stated in her affidavit I have no doubt. In corroboration of that opinion I have seen at her house a needle work done by one of her daughters when a little girl at school stating that Benajah Sweet and Mary Hudson were married in April 1781. I knew all their children except the two eldest who died young. Their eldest son (whom I believe was the fourth child) commanded the private armed vessel called the Blockade and was lost at sea in the year 1814 supposed to be foundered. All the other children are dead except one who is married and lives in the County but at what place I do not recollect. I will further state that I know Mrs Mary Sweet to be the widow of the said Benajah & has not been married since his death.
N R Knight
January 30th 1837
Page 19

War Department
Pension Office
January 30 1837

Sir, I have submitted the case of Mrs Mary Sweet, widow of Benajah Sweet dec'd to the Secretary of War. He is of the opinion that if you will state your own age in your certificate that it will be sufficient. I herewith return the certificate in order that it may be amended.
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
J L Edwards

Hon. N. R. Knight
Senate U. States
Page 20

Sent 21 Dec 1835
Hon N. R. Knight

1554
Rhode Island
Benaiah Sweet of Providence in the State of R I who was a fifer & pt in the company commanded by Captain [blank] of the regt commanded by Col Lippitt in the RI line for 
1 year musician
8 mos Private

allow $90.34 per an

Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 70 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Nov 1832 and sent Benjamin Cowel Providence R.I.

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $105.99
Semi-anl. allowence ending 4 Mar 33 35.33
[total] $141.32

Hon N. R. Knight
Senate U.S.

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J H McBlair Clerk
Book D, Vol. 1st, Page 134
Page 21

R. I.
Rev Widow, &c
File No. 13054
Mary Sweet
Wid of 
Benajah Sweet
Priv REv War
Act: June 7th 18[obscured]
Index: Vol. M, Page 25[obscured]

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 22

To what time was Benajah Sweet, of R.Island, act June 1832, last paid?
JL Edwards
Feb. 4, 1837

Died 9th October 1834 paid to that period
JH
Page 23

Mary Sweet
widow of Benajah 
Sweet - R.Island
3d ser act 7 July 1836
(Adm'd by Sec War)
$90.34 per an)
[icon of hand pointing to left] Benajah was paid to 9th Oct 1834

Hon N. R. Knight
Senate U.S.
Page 24

Benaiah Sweet
Payments to be made at Providence R I by the Pry US Br Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of R I

Recorded by J H McBlair
Clerk, in Book D Vol 3rd Page 134
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th of June, 1832, Benaiah Sweet of the state of Rhode Island who was a fifer & Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive seventy dollars and sixty six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1832, 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 sixth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned
J.L. Edwards
Page 26

Nov 3
[illegible] Mrs. Sweet
Knight

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commis'r pensions

Hon N R Knight
Senate US
Page 27

Friday Feb'y 3 1837
Dear Sir
On Tuesday last I sent you the certificate in the case of Mrs Sweet which you requested, but have not rec'd the certificate for a pension. Will you have the goodness to send it to me to morrow?
Respectfully yours
N R Knight

J.L. Edwards Esq
Page 28

Providence R.I. July 1st 1820
The undersigned certifies that according to his best recollection Benajah Sweet of Providence served in Capt Job Olney's Company in a Regiment raided by this State. Commanded by Capt Christopher Lippitt. Sweet served as a fifer. The regiment was raised for one year & was discharged May 1777

Wm James their commander at Peekskill
Page 29

when thou vowest a vow unto god defer not to pay it 
when thou seest the opresion [sic] of the poor 
13 if there is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun and this also is a sore evil that in all points as he came so shall he go and what profit hath he that thy labours for the wind
Consider the words of god for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked is 
19 a feast is made for laughter and wind maketh merry but money and wealth all things
a poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food which leaveth no food

what should be understood

in much wisom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow
I said of laughter it is mad and of mirth what doeth it, I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice and do good in his life behold the tears of such as were opresed and they had no comforter better is a handful with sweetness than both their hands the full with travil and vexation of spirit
keep they foot when those goest to the house of god and be more heavy to hear than to give the [illegible] of fools


in much Wisdom is much
wisdom is
Page 30

J L Edwards Esq
Sir
I enclose you the certificate of Benajah Sweet of Providence R.I. when you make out the other for him would thank you to enclose it to me.
Yours
N R Knight

Jany 10th '34
Page 31

Benaiah Sweet

For increase of Pension

Fifer 19 Mos 69.67
Sergt 1 Mo 5.00
Fifer & major 2 mos 9.00
Private 2 mos 6.67
[total of time] 24
Increase to [total] $90.34
Page 32

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Rhode-Island District, sc.
County of Providence
On this 5th day of February A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open Court, being a District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session, Benaiah Sweet a resident of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 74 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, dot on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born November 9th 1758 in Gloucester, Rhode Island, this birth is recorded in his Family Bibble, [sic] lived in Gloucester when he entered the service * since the War has resided part in Gloucester, part in Smith field & for the last thirty years in Providence his present place of residence. 
and this applicant further states that hee last of April 1775 he enlisted as a fifer into Capt Andrew Watermans Company of Minute Men to serve when called for, & on the first of June, was called into service & served untill about the middle of December of that year & did duty on Block Island, Rhode Island, Prudence Island, and Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay, making six months service

and this applicant further states that in the first of January 1776 he again enlisted for one year as a fifer to Cap Job Olney's company & Col Babcocks regiment of Rhode Island State Troops and served six months on Rhode Island, at the end of which Col Lippitt was appointed Col of the regiment & Arthur Fenner Cap of the Company to which he belonged & immediately this regiment marched to New York & he, this applicant, continued with it & served seven months under the last named officers at Harlaem  [sic] heights, and at different places along North River as far up as Peekskill where he was discharged some time in February 1777 & received a written discharge signed by Cap Loring Peck, who then commanded at Peekskill.. Which said discharge & other papers relating to his services were burnt when his mothers house was destroyed by Fire. At the time the above enlistment was out, the whole regiment at the request of Gen Washington volunteered to serve one month & which makes
Page 33

when his mothers house was destroyed by Fire. at the time the above enlistment was out, the whole regiment at the request of Gen Washington volunteered to serve one month & which makes thirteen months under the above enlistment. This was at a very critical period in the Revolutionary War 

And this applicant further states that in October 1777 he again enlisted & served one month as Fife Major to Col Chad Browns regiment of Rhode Island Militia, this was in Spencers expedition against the British of Rhode Island in the months of October & November of that year.

And this applicant further states that in August 1778 the regiment last named was called out & he served one month as Fife Major to said regiment, this was in Sullivans expedition on Rhode Island.

And this applicant further states that from August 1779 he served as a private soldier & substitute in Cap Rices Company & Col Durgies Regiment of Connecticut Continental Troops & served in New York & New Jersey & was discharged at Morristown New Jersey & received a written discharge, which was burnt in the fire above mentioned.

And this applicant further states that in June 1781 he served one month as a volunteer & orderly Sargent at Newport in Cap Peter Lewis' company & Col Stephen Kimbells regiment of Rhode Island Militia.

Now this applicant further says that he has no documentary evidence. that Fenner Angell & Simeon Ingraham & Abial Brown are knowing to his services. That he made application for a pension under the act of June 7th 1832, in which he did not state all his services, & thinks he is entitled to a greater pension than he now receives. He knows of no clergyman who can testify in his behalf
Page 34

evidence. that Fenner Angell & Simeon Ingraham & Abial Brown are knowing to his services. That he made application for a pension under the act of June 7th 1832, in which he did not state all his services, & thinks he is entitled to a greater pension than he now receives. He knows of no clergyman who can testify in his behalf

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
Benaiah Sweet
Witness B Cowell Clk

I Abial Brown of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath do testify & say that I served thirteen months during the Revolutionary war in Col Christopher Lippitts Regiment of R Island State Troops this service was from January 1, 1776 to Feb 1777 and I further testify and that I was well acquainted with Benaiah Sweet who is now present before me & know that he served the same length of time in Capt Arthur Fenner Company in the same Regiment said Sweet was a fifer & his service [illegible] & ended when mine did
Abial Brown
Page 35

Feb 19 1833. Sworn to before me by the said Abial Brown above written
Benja Cowell
Commissioner Dist Court R.I. Dist

I Simeon Ingraham of Providence in the County of Providence on oath do testify & say that I was a private in Capt Rin Company & Col Durgies Regiment from May 1779 eight or nine months, and I well remember that Benaiah Sweet of Providence who is now before me was a privae in said Regiment also. Said Sweet entered the regiment about August & served six months following. This fact is within my perfect recollecting
Simeon Ingraham
In Providence Feb 6 1822
Sworn to before me
Benja Cowell
Commissioner
Dist Court
Page 36

me was a private in said Regiment also. Said Sweet entered the regiment about August & served six months following. This fact is within my perfect recollecting
Simeon Ingraham
In Providence Feb 6 1822
Sworn to before me
Benja Cowell
Commissioner
Dist Court
R I Dist

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 Abial Brown Simeon Ingraham and Fenner Angell who have testified for said applicant are resident as they state and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Benjamin Cowell, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benaiah Sweet for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 19 day of February th 1822
Benjamin Cowell Clk
Page 37

And now on this 2th day of July 1833 Benaiah Sweet maketh further oath in explanation of his declaration made Feb 5th 1833 in Court. Said Benaiah says that he served six months in Capt Watermans company as stated. He then served thirteen months in Col Babcocks Regiment & Col Lippitts Regiment as stated. In the above services he was fifer. He then served one month as fife Major in Col Browns Regiment as stated in Spencers Expedition in October 1777 & August 1778 another month in same capacity in Sullivans expedition. His next service as a private and substitute for one Mitchell in Continental Troops of Connecticut in Col Dergies Regiment. He enlisted in August 1779 & served six months then next following in June 1781 he served one month as Volunteer & orderly Sergeant in Col Kimballs Regiment of Rhode Island Militia as stated.
He served as fifer  19 months
as fife Major: 2 months
as private: 6 months
as orderly sergeant: 1 month
[total] 28 months

He served
Page 38

twenty eight months in all & all of which are proved by the testimony of living witnesses & in addition to which he now produces the testimony of the Revd Wm C Manchester & Mnason Allen as to his reputation of having served
Benaiah Sweet
July 25 1833
Sworn to before me
Benja Cowell
Commissioner Dist
Court of R I Dist
Page 39

The subscriber has personally know the aforenamed Benaiah Sweet about forty years, has lived in the same neighborhood nearly thirty years, & believes the said Sweet is of the age he states in his application for a pension and that said Sweet has always been reputed to have been a soldier in the war of the Revolution
N R Knight
Providence July 19 1833
Page 40

We William C Manchester a clergyman residing in Johnston & Muason Allen residing in Providence hereby certify and say that we are well acquainted with Benaiah Sweet who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed declaration that we believe him to be 74 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.
Wm C Manchester
Muason Allin


Rhode Island District 
In Providence July 29th 1833
Personally appeared before me the above named Wm C Manchester & Muason Allen & made oath to the same and I further testify that said Manchester is a clergyman residing in Johnston & that both he and the said Muason are credible witnesses in premises
Benja Cowell
Commissioner Dist Court
R I Dist
Page 41

I Fenner Angell of Providence in the State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and that in the year 1775 I joined a company of minute men which had been raised immediately after the battle of Lexington. said company was an independent company chartered by the General Assembly of Rhode Island. I continued in company over two years then next following/ And I further testify that Benaiah Sweet who is now present before was a fifer in said Company from June 1775 to December following when he left it & as I understood enlisted into Col Lippitts regiment of Continental Troops. He was in actual service on duty in defence of the Country during the time the said Sweet was a fifer in our Company

And I further testify that during Gen Spencers expedition against the British Troops on Rhode Island in the fall of the year 1777 I was with said Sweet in Capt Andrew Watermans Company & Col Chad Browns Regiment
Page 42

of Rhode Island Militia. I was a private part of the time & part of the time was Sergeant. Said Sweet was then & during that month fife Major to said Regiment.

And I also remember very well of serving another month with said Sweet in the same Regiment in the year 1778 during "Sullivans Expedition" in the month of July & August said Sweet then served as fife Major to same Regiment

I also remember of serving another month with said Sweet in the year 1781 in June in Col Kimballs regiment of Rhode Island Militia we were then stationed at Brentons Point on Rhode Island. Said Sweet was then an orderly Sergeant in Capt Peter Lewis Company in said Regiment I was a private.
Fenner Angell

December 29 1832
Personally appeared before me the above named Fenner Angell & made to same before me
Benja Cowell Com'r Dist COurt
R I DIst