Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21949, for William Rhodes, Rhode Island
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service  Number
Rhodes, William  S.21949

_______________________________
Comments
Page 2

[column 1]
N.857
Rhode Island
William Rhodes
of Westerly Co in the State of Rh. Island
who was a Private in the [Conf.] commanded  by Captain Noyed of the [Dept.] commanded
by Col. Pendleton in the Rhode Island
line for 2 years ----"----"----"

__________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of 80 Dollars --- cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
__________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Nov
1833 and [illegible] B Cowell
Providence
__________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33       $200
Semi-an. allowance ending 4th '34  40
                                                           _____
                                                          $240
                                                           _____
Revolutionary claim
[illegible] June 7,1 842.
Recorded by Go. C Stetes Clerk
Book [8.] Vol. 2 Page 127

[column 2]
Letter 30 [illegible] 1899
to Hon D J Pearce
Certificate in this case
Sent to Hon D. J.
Pearce January 9, 1834
See letter of the same date
Page 3

Willaim Rhodes
14167.
Page 4

State of Rhode Island:
ss
County of Washington 

On this tenth day of October A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Supreme Judicial Court of south state now sitting William Rhodes as resident of the town of Westerly in the south county and state aged seventy nine years, who being [illegible] sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declamations, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered into the service of the United States under the following named officers and served herein stated [illegible] that in February A.D. 1776 he one of a company of Rhode Island State militia which company was commanded by Joseph Pendleton of said Westerly captain. Joseph Noyes was Colonel of the Regiment of which said company was post. he was one of a guard (crossed out) stationed at Watch Point in said county, and employed in watching that part of the coast, giving alarms to the vicinity and driving the [illegible] back into the boundary out of the reach of the enemy who were there and for about three years in possession of the town harbour of Newport, with their frequent landings at different points along the coast, their depredations kept that part of the country in a continued state of (crossed out) danger. He served in said company 
& service untill February A. D. 1779, two years, when a continental guard was stationed in the same place. He still continued in said Regiment & was (crossed out - drafted) and served as a volunteer on the Island of Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition in august A. D. 1779. That while on the station at Watch (crossed out - Hill) point several vessels were driven on shore by two British ships of war [illegible] a sloop with valuable cargo owned by Van Black the Captain named [illegiible], the mate David Henderson, the vessel & cargo
Page 5

were both rescued & saved. The other vessel was a schooner called the Butter Schooner loaded with provisions and butter for the British Army. This vessel had been captured by an American privateer owned by Nathaniel Shaw of New London & while a [illegible] was driven on Shore by the British Ship of war & set fire to. The guard extinguished the fire & saved the cargo. The said guard had two double fortified four pounders furnished to them by the State of Rhode Island. Capt. [illeigible] Pendleton did duty as gunner. The Guard house was at Jonathon  Foster's House whose son George Foster was one of said guard & now owns the same House. The said Col. Noyes and both the Captains Pendleton are long since deceased. This appiant was born in Charleston in said state in the year 1753. and has resided in said state, principally in said Westerly, all his lifetime except three years during which time he resided in the adjoining Town of Stonington in the State of Connecticut. He never received any certificate of discharge & has no documentary evidence in his possession. There is a record of his age in the family Bible of his father which Bible is at his house in Westerly. He is well knowninto all the inhabitants of the Town of Westerly & of the county generally, he believes & he names Honorable Elisha R. Potter & Thomas S Taylor Esquire as persons who can testify to his [illegible] for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
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. Wm Rhodes
Sworn to & subscribed the Day & year aforesaid in open court
[illegible] Matthew Waits [illegigible]
The Elisha R. Potter & Thomas S. Taylor both residing in the Town of South Kingston, County of Washington [unintelligible] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Rhodes who has [illegible] and sworn to the above declamation, that we believe him to be
Page 6

seventy nine years of , that he is a man of unblemished character for truth and [unintelligible] & that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he (crossed out - lives) resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Elisha R Potter
Thos S Taylor
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Open 
Court [illegible] Matthew Waite [illegible]
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories proscribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Elisha R. Potter and Thos. S. Taylor who have signed the proceedings certificates are resident in the Town of South Kingston in S? County of Washington and are credible persons and that their statement is intitled to credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said court established by law, this tenth day of October A. D. 1832.
Matthew Waite [illegible]

[indistinguishable image in bottom left corner]
Page 7

George Foster of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath testifys and says that he is well acquainted with William Rhodes of WEsterly and is knowing to [illegible] Rhodes' serving in a company commanded by Capt Joseph Pendleton as a guard stationed at and near Watch Hill in said Westerly from Feby 1776 to February 1778 in the Regiment commanded by Col. Joseph Noyes. The [illegible] gives this from his personal knowledge, having served in the same guard and under the same Officer.
George Foster
State of Rhode Island
Washington SC. Westerly Oct 5th 1832 Personally came George Foster signer of the foregoing, and after being by me duly examined, cautioned, and sworn, made solemn oath to the truth of the same, after having subscribed his name to the same. Reduced to writing by me in the [illegible illegible]
[illegible signature] Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations,
Washington [illegible] Supreme Judicial Court
October [illegible] [illegible] 1832
hereby certify that Jebediah N Knight
[illegible] is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Westerly in the County of [illegible]
enforced and that the above signatures of his names is in his own hand writing and that said Knight is hereby qualified to act in said capacity In [illegible] whereof I [illegible] hereto [illegible.
 the face of said Court
[illegible] Matthew Waite [illegible]
Page 8

  I,  Jedidah W. Knight, a Justice of Peace for the Town of Westerly County of Washington and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with George Foster and Lyman Hall of said Westerly whose Depositions were taken by me on the 24th September and on the 5th of October 1832 relating to the application of William Rhodes for a Pension for Revolutionary Service, and that they are both men of good standing, in society, and that full faith and confidence ought to be given to their Testimony
  Given under my hand at Westerly aforesaid the 24th day of April 1833
Jed. W. Knight Justice of Peace
Page 9

Lyman Hall of Westerly, County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, on oath says, that William Rhodes of Westerly served in the Company commanded by Capt. Joseph Pendleton in the Regiment of Col Joseph Noyes as a guard on the shore of, and near Watch Hill, and continued in said guard from 1776 to 1778 when he left said company as guard.  This Statement said Hall makes from his own personal knowledge having served in the same Company with said Rhodes.
Lyman Hall
Washington sc. Westerly September 24tg 1832 Personally appeared Lyman Hall signer of the foregoing and made solemn oath to the truth of, and Subscribed the same in my presence.
Jed. W. Knight Justice of the Peace

Washington sc Superior Court
October Term AD 1832
I hereby certify that Jedediah W Knight Esq is one of the Justices of the Peace for the town of Westerly in the County and State aforesaid and that the above signature of his name is in his own hand writing, and that he is duly qualified to act in said capacity in Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and the Seal of said Court this 10th day of October 1832
Matthew Waite Clerk
Page 10

14167
William Rhodes
R I.
Private 2 years
Adm
16 ob
March 26 1833
P. 314
5 ob Augt 5. 1833

Benjn Cowell
Providence
Page 11

BRIEF in the case of William Rhodes
of Westerly in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  79 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period  In 1776
Duration of Service.
 Years,  2--  Months----,   Days---
Rank  As a private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served  Capt Noyes  Col Pendelton
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  none mentioned
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Westerly R. I.
 7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  two living witnesses and traditionary evidence
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J W Clagett  Examining Clerk
Page 12

  This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for heir services.
  Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.

L. W. B. 
I. 21949

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
January 25th, 1899
Madam:-
  In response to your recent communication you are advised that a very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of Col. James Rhodes has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension or bounty land records on file in this Bureau.
  William Rhodes made an application for pension on October 10th, 1832, at which time he was 79 years of age and residing at Westerly, Rhode Island, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war.  He enlisted at Westerly, Rhode Island, and served under Capt. Pendleton and Col. Noyes.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mrs. Mary E. Young,
587 Chestnut St.,
Meadville, Penna.
Page 13

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. DIV.
MEMORANDA

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
William Rhodes
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Westerly, R. I.
Place of residence after service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Westerly. R. I.
Date of death (as near as possible):
Died in Westerly in 1835
Christian name of widow:
-----
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He was a pensioner
Remarks:
[illegible]
Your name and address:
J. A. Babcock
Westerly,
R.I.
6-870
Page 14

Our  idfa
Oct 5, 1897
Mr. H. Clay Evans
Dear Sir;
  Being an applicant for membership in the society of the Daughters  of the American Revolution, I am in want of a certificate, a paper of some kind to prove that my Great
Page 15

Great grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution.  His name was William Rhodes born at Charlestown R.I. Sept 13, 1753.  Enlisted Feb. 1776 in Captain Joseph Pendleton's Company, in Colonel Joseph Noyes regiment of Rhode Island troops.  Made application for pension Oct 10, 1832.  Resided at the time in Westerly R. I.
  Kindly furnish me as fully as possible, all the information necessary  for me to prove my claim.
And oblige
Yours very Respectfully
Mabel W. Rhodes.
6445 Green St.
Germantown
Pnila
Page 16

U.S.PENSION OFFICE
OCT 6 1837
Page 17

Owu
587 Chestnut St.
Meadville, Pa.
Jan. 9th 1899.
Pension Bureau
War Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,
  Have you any records of the service in the Revolutionary War of Col. James Rhodes?  I understand hat he was commissioned by the Gen'l Assembly of R. I., in 1775, as Colonel, and commanding officer of a body of men sent to New Shoreham (Block Island).  In 1777 ( I think) he was a member of the alarm
Page 18

List for Westerly, R.I..
  If you have no records of him, have you any records of William Rhodes, his son, who enlisted as a private in a Rhode Island company, during the later years of the Revolution, and a few years before his death was granted a pension as a soldier of the Revolution?
Respectfully,-
(Mrs.) Mary E. Young
Postmark
U.S.PENSION OFFICE.
Jan 11 1899
Page 19

Revolution
21949
INVALID
File No. 21,949
William Rhodes
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:---Vol. 2, Page 338
{Arrangement of 1870}

Apr. 2/95 Mil. Hist to J. Babcock, Wesley, R.I.
Oct.18/97 Miss Mabel W[illegible]
Germantown Pa.
Jany. 20 "99.
Mrs. Mary E. [illegible]
Meadville, Pa.
Page 20

O. W. & N. division
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
F. S. Bureau of Pensions,  M.E.C.
Washington, D. C. April 2, 1895.
Sir:-
  In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of William Rhodes 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.
DAATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  Feb. 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE  2 yrs.
RANK  PVT.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN.  Joseph Pendleton
COLONEL.  Joseph Noyes
STATE  R.I.
Also served a short time in the same regiment during Sullivan's Expedition.
Battles engaged in,  None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Westerly, R. I.
Date of application for pension,  October 10, 1832
Residence at date of application,  Westerly, R. I.
Age at date of application,  Born Charleston, R. I. in 1753 1832-1753__79.
Remarks: 
Very respectfully,
Commissioner

J.A. Babcock, Esq.
Westerly, R. I.
Page 21

  This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
  Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and he War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department.  Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
Inv.21,949
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D.C
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY
Madam:
  Replying to your request for information concerning William Rhodes, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made an application for pension on October 10, 1832, at which time he was seventy-nine years of age and residing at Westerly, R. I., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Pendleton and Col. Noyes.  Enlisted at Westerly, R. I.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Miss Mabel W. Rhodes,
6445 Green St.,
Germantown,
Philla., Pa.
Page 22

  William Rhodes of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, in addition to, and explanatory of his declaration, in order to obtain a Pension, by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 by him made, the 10 day of October 1832, and returned to him, by the War Department, being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath further declare, that the first of December 1775, when he was a private soldier of Capt. Joseph Pendleton's Company of Militia in said town of Westerly, he was ordered in said Company under Capt. Pendleton, whose Lieut. at that time was Joshua Pendleton, and Ensign is Ephraim Pendleton, in Col. Joseph Noyes' Regiment, to Boston Neck, in said County where he was posted, and served two months against the Enemy.  That in the month of January 1776, he then being still a a private of said Capt Pendleton's Company; pursuant to an order of the Council of War of Rhode Island, who had [illegible] and ordered a watch guard, of ten soldiers, on the sea shore to scout the Coast between Watch Point and Noyes' Neck in said town of Westerly, for the purpose of giving notice of the motions of the Enemy, whom they approached, and of any of their contemplated depredations, he the said William Rhodes, was selected with others to be of that Watch Guard; and as one of said guard as a private soldier, was posted at the Foster House so called on the shore of said Westerly, and so employed by the Government, in this service against the Enemy, from the last part of February 1776 until the month of February 1778; a period of two years, when he was discharged.  The first year of this service James Rhodes was Captain of the before named guard, and the second year the said Watch Guard was commanded by Samuel Thompson; and during the whole of this period Col. Noyes commanded all of the Military force in this section of the Country.
  In August 1778 this applicant served as a
Page 23

and for the aforementioned services he claims a Pension.
Wm Rhodes

State of Rhode Island
Washington sc. Westerly Sept 9, 1833.  Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the town of Westerly, William Rhodes who gave and subscribed the preceding additional and supplementary declaration, by me reduced to writing,  and was by me duly sworn hereto according to Law, I further certify that the said William Rhodes is personally known to me; that he is a person of veracity and that this, his declaration is entitled to credit.
Jed W. Knight Justice of the Peace
(Wm Rhodes is crossed out) Mistake

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.-
Washington County Ss  I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the State Aforesaid do hereby certify that Jedediah W. Knight Esq. was on the Ninth day of September AD. 1833. and now a Justice of the Peace in and for the  said County duly Commissioned and qualified and that Signature annexed to this preceding certificate regarding William Rhodes I believe to be his own proper hand writing
  In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this Seventeenth day of September in the year AD 1833.
Sam . Helme Clk.