Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3940, Caleb Gates, R.I.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Gates, Caleb

NUMBER
R.3940.

CONTENTS
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Caleb Gates
No. 531

Certificate to be sent to 
Francis P. Johnson
Springfield, Ill
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Connecticut
County of Windham S.S.
On this 28th day of June 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for the District of Voluntown in said County now sitting Caleb Gates a resident of the Town of Voluntown in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut 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 7th 1832. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herin stated.
That in the month of November 1776. I was drafted in Captain John Angells Company, in Col. Nathaniel Brown's Regiment of R.I. State Troops or Militia, Staff and field officers,
Isaac Johnson Adjutant, Loren Finley
Sergeant Major, Archibald Kasson
Lieutenant Colonel, officers in said Captain Angells Company. Joseph Draper
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Lieutenant, Thomas Young Ensign
Benedick Coop and Timothy Hall
Sergeants. Judah Ellsworth was Clerk
in said Company, and in the month of said November, I marched to
East Greenwich in the State of
Rhode Island and there remaining in actual duty in said Company and Regiment in guarding the shores, until some time in the Month of February 1777, when we marched to North-Kingston, in the same State, and there remaining in said Company and Regiment in guarding the shores; at this time the British ships lay off from the shore, and the officers and soldiers belonging to the same frequently attempting to come on shore, having in object to take (sometimes by stealth) our provisions, and at other times to purchase articles of the farmers who occasionally brought their produce at that place to sell. But our object was to keep them off at all times. I here remaining in duty
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as aforesaid, until some time in June 1777, when our Regiment was dismissed, and our places occupied by a Regiment of troops belonging to Massachusetts. I was then honourably discharged and came home, making full Six Months that I was in service in this my tour of duty. In proof of my services I refer to the affidavit of Sheffield Story hereunto annexed. I have no documentary evidence of my services and know of no person living, saving and excepting the said Sheffield Story, who was with me in this my tour of duty. I have given the names of the officers and the general circumstances of my service as fully as I am able, and have produced all with the best evidence in my power.
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He hereby relinquishes any 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.

The following interrogatories were by said court propounded to said applicant, viz:

1st. When and in what year were you born?
Ans. In West Greenwich in the State of R.I. on the 1st day of September 1760.

2nd. Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Ans. I have a record of my age in my father’s family Bible.

3rd. Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans. When called into service I lived in West Greenwich R.I. and since the Revolutionary War I have lived in Voluntown, Windham County, Ct.

4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute for whom?
Ans. I was drafted.
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5th. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service.

It is not in my power to give the names of the officers, nor the general circumstances of my service more fully than I have in my declaration. I therefore can say no more.

6th. Did you receive a discharge from the service? And if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Ans. I never received a written discharge, but was honorably discharged.
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7th. 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 in your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

Nathaniel Sheffield and David R. Potter.

Caleb Gates
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Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the Probate Court for the District of Voluntown in Windham County and State of Connecticut.
Kinney Gallup, Judge of Probate for the District of Voluntown.
We Nathaniel Sheffield, a clergyman residing in the Town of Voluntown in said County and State, and David R. Potter, residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Caleb Gates who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the Probate Court for the District of Voluntown in the County of State aforesaid.
Kinney Gallup, Judge.
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And the said Court do hereby author 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 certify that it appears to them that Nathaniel Sheffield, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the town of Voluntown, and that David R. Potter, who signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Voluntown and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit; and that the person who has subscribed the within affidavit is well known to the Court to be a witness whose testimony is entitled to credit.

Kinney Gallup Judge
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I Daniel [illegible] Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Voluntown in the aforesaid county and state, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Caleb Gates for a pension.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 28th day of June 1833.
Daniel [illegible] Clerk
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I Sheffield Story of Voluntown in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut, aged 83 years a soldier in the war of the Revolution, do testify and say that in November 1776 I was drafted in Capt. John Angell’s company, in Col. Nathaniel Brown’s Regiment of R.I. State Troops or Militia. Joseph Draper, 1st Lieut.; Thomas Young, Ensign; Benedick Story and Timothy Hall, Sergeants; Micah Ellsworth was Clerk in said Company; Isaac Johnson was Adjutant; [illegible] was Sergeant Major; Clanton Wait was Major; Archibald Kasson was Lieut. Col.; and I marched in said Company to East Greenwich, R.I., and there remained in said Company Regiment in guarding the shores three months, and we were then marched to North Kingston in the same state and there remaining in service in said Company, in guarding the shores to keep the British who were in ships which lay off the shores, from coming on shore to take our provisions &c., and here remaining in duty as aforesaid, until some time in June 1777, when our Regiment was dismissed, and I was discharged and came to West Greenwich, Rhode Island
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where I then lived; and I do further testify and say, that Caleb Gates, then of West Greenwich aforesaid, now residing in Voluntown aforesaid, and the identical person who has signed the foregoing declaration, was drafted in the aforesaid company and regiment at the same time I was and marched with me in said company to East Greenwich aforesaid, and continued me in service aforesaid until the same month of June 1777, when we were both of us discharged at North Kingston and came home to West Greenwich aforesaid, where we then resided and further the Deponent saith not.

Sheffield Story

Windham County ss, Voluntown, June 28th 1833.
Personally appeared in open court Sheffield Story, signer of the above affidavit, who is personally known to this Court as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief, and made solemn
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oath to the truth of the same.
Before Me.
Kinney Gallup Judge of Probate for the District of Voluntown
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Caleb Gates 
[illegible] Act of Conn 
1832

A H Mackland
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State of Connecticut
County of Windham
Be it Known, that on this First day of December A. D. 1852 before me, the underdersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared 1 Samuel Gates resident of 2 Voluntown
in said County, and made oath according to law that 3 he is the legal Heir
of Caleb Gates who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of
the Pension Act of 4
that 5 he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint C.W. BENNET, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of 6 Caleb Gates
for any amount in Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D.C. Agency ; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
7 Samuel Gates

Sworn to, Subscribed and Acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said 8 Samuel Gates to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
9 John E Smilley Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } ss. Voluntown
County of Windham

It is hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the District of Voluntown, that Samuel Gates, the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the — reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that 11 John E. Lindley, Esq., before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this Eleventh day of December 1852.

12 Nathaniel S. Gallup, Clerk of Probate Court.
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Plainfield Ct. Oct 21st 1833

Sir,

Not long since the previous papers of Caleb Gates were returned to me, with Mr Edwards’ objection to the same, which was, that the period he has assigned in his declaration was understood to have been in alternate months; and [adding], that if that service was an exception the fact should be proved. To answer this objection I procured on Thursday last the affidavit of Noyes Barber, Esq., which I now enclose. On Friday last I received a letter from you stating that the claim of Sheffield Story had been rejected for the same objection relative to the declaration of Caleb Gates. Sheffield Story’s declaration is like unto that of Caleb Gates. They are witnesses for each other. I therefore return to you by this mail the papers of Caleb Gates, believing that the affidavit of Mr Barber will be satisfactory, in relation to the time and manner the services were rendered by the aforesaid applicants. Mr Barber, the witness, is a very intelligent old, gentleman, with whom I have had the pleasure of a slight acquaintance for a number of years past
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his reputation for integrity stands as high, perhaps among those who know him best as any other man. More proof can be procured, indeed, if it should be required; it is to be hoped that these claims may receive your earliest attention.

I have the honor to be
[illegible] very respectfully,
Your obt. servt.
Francis B. Johnson

Hon. Geo. Wm. [illegible]

P.S. You informed me that the papers of the aforesaid Sheffield Story were placed on file.
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affidavit of
Reynolds Barker Esq
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I Reynolds Barber of Exeter in the State of Rhode Island, aged 79 years and in [illegible], do testify and say, that I was well acquainted with Col. Nathaniel Brown, and with many of the officers in said Regiment, and well recollect that the logistics with his Regiment was stationary in the fall of 1776 and winter of 1777 at East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island, and at North Kingston in the same state and that soldiers were drafted in this Regiment for six months for this tour of duty; some were drafted for a less period, but six months drafting was not very uncommon in said Col. Brown’s Regiment. They were sometimes drafted for one period and sometimes for another; although most of the drafting service in R.I. was for a short period and alternate, but to this mode of drafting there were many exceptions.

Reynolds Barber
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Windham County in Voluntown Oct. 18th1833

Personally appeared Reynolds Barber Esq., signer of the within affidavit, who is personally known to the subscriber, and is sworn to the subscriber as is written, whose testimony is entitled to full credit, and who made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me,

Francis B Johnson, Justice of Peace.

I Armin Bolles, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Windham in this State of Connecticut, do certify that Francis B. Johnson Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, is duly entitled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Windham County; that the signature subscribed of his name is his handwriting, and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Brooklyn, in County, this 19th day of October A.D. 1833.

Armin Bolles, Clerk.
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[illegible]
3940
P.O.
Caleb Gates
Service:
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
REJECTED
Application filed: , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.
Contract.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for , 18
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Caleb Gates

Received

F. B. Johnson
Sent to A.T. Judson

Commissioner of Pensions
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Oct 9th, 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, showing the Service of Caleb Gates


Period when the service was rendered

Duration of the claimant’s service.
– Years — Months — Days

Rank of the claimant.

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, " "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 the board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as person 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, mucicians 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 this benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of }ss.
County Of
On this      day of     personally appeared (a) before
A.B a resident (b) of    in the county of     and State, Territory or District of    aged(c)      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)      ,with    and served in the    (e) regiment of the     line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I........... of the Court of  ........... do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of   the application of.............. for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto se my hand and seal of office (i) this      day of   &c.
   If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rue given in note (j) points out.
   Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers, or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B. a Clergyman. residing in the...... and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well aquatinted with........, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be........ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
    Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court]
 And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above names applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that is appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the............and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
 I,...........Clerk of the Court of ............. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in this matter of the application of.............. for a pension.
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal.....of office, this ....... day of......... &c.
 Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but 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 Service in the militia during the period alleged is understood to have been in alternate months. If this service was an exception the fact should be proved.
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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.
{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?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
To an Office 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
inquiry 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
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.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
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
that amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
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
months, anddays
, I served as a-
For months and - days, I served as
and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about four months
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
army objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubseal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (l) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note il applies to continental troops only.
This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Connecticut
Revol
Caleb Gates
Suspended
See letter 3940
Francis B. Johnson
26 Oct. 1833.
Let. Hon. A.T. Judson, June
24 1836 do do Sam. Gates
May 27, 1837
S.A. Peugh May 9 /51
C. W. Bennett Augst 31/53
Act
7 June 1832
Page 28

Washington City
June 9th, 1853.

Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Comr. of Pensions.

Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney executed by the heirs of Caleb Gates, dec’d, of the State of Connecticut, whose claim under act of July 7th, 1832 has been suspended. I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to establish the claim before it comes up for examination.

Very Respectfully,
Your Obt Servt.,
C. W. Bennett.
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Voluntown (Conn) Feby. 6th 1837

Sir,

I herewith transmit the declaration of Caleb Gates in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. I am aware that F. B. Johnson Esq. of Plainfield was employed by the applicant to lay his claim before the War Department. But as I am informed he did not, in making out his declaration, confine himself to the exact statement of the applicant. The writer of this, who has assisted in making out the accompanying declaration, is son to the applicant and would not aid in an affair of this kind unless he was well advised that the claim was just. He has simply taken down the statements of the applicant and flatters himself that he is in possession of facts that will satisfy the Department
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that this claim has never before been presented in its true colours.
I am very respectfully your obt servt
Samuel Gates
Hon J. L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
Washington City
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Caleb Gates
Conn
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Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Connecticut,
Windham County 

On the 26 day of January 1837 personally appeared in open court before the Probate Court for the District of Voluntown now setting Caleb Gates a resident of the town of Voluntown in the county of Windham and state of Connecticut, aged 75 years and upwards who being 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 7th 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated 1st Tour

That in the month of November 1776 I was a private in Capt.  John Angell’s company of West Greenwich Rhode Island Militia Josiah Mathewson was our Lieut
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Thomas Young Ensign Benedict Cory Orderly Sergent That in the month of Nov. as aforesaid I was ordered into the service of the United States on a tour of duty to East Greenwich in said State of R.I. where we were joined to Col. Nathaniel Browns Regt. Archibald Carson, Lieut. Col. Silverton Waite Major and Isaac Johnson Adjutant. I was one month in this tour of duty guarding the shore when I was discharged and returned to my home in West Greenwich aforesaid

2d Tour
In the month of January 1777 my Father Simon Gates of West Greenwich and State of R.I. was drafted into the service of the U.S. for the term of one month I voluntarily took his place and went to East Greenwich aforesaid where I served as a substitute for my Father Simon Gates aforesaid under Capt. Mathew Remington, William Sweet Ensign Job Strait Orderly Sergent. In the same Right as Stated in my first Tour of duty when I was discharged and returned home to West Greenwich aforesaid -
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3d Tour
In the month of March 1777 I was drafted into the service of the United States in Capt. Job Angells Company and served one month at a place called Quiteneset neck about a mile S.E. of East Greenwich aforesaid I served this tour under Capt Job Angel, Josiah Mathewson Lieut. Benedict Cory and in Col Browns Regt. there was a British Frigate anchored off in the Bay and we were stationed there to guard the shore. I served one month in this tour of duty when I was discharged and returned home to West Greenwich aforesaid

4th Tour
In the month of July 1777 I was drafted into the service of the U.S. for the term of half a month Under Capt Joseph Draper Joseph James Lieut. and John Tillinghast Ensign and served half a month at Quiteneset aforesaid under Benjamin Tillinghast Lieut Col. served half a month was discharged and returned home to West Greenwich aforesaid

5th Tour
In the month of October 1777 I was drafted into the service of the U.S. for one month and served
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My company under Capt Joseph Hopkins Lieut. Joseph James and Ensign Joseph Weaver at Job Trips Tavern in West Greenwich aforesaid and from sd Trips we marched to Warwick Neck where we crossed the Bay in Boats to Warren and halted for the Night. Next Morning we marched to a place called Kickamuit where we again embarked onboard a scow and went down to Howlands Ferry and landed at Tiverton, we were quartered in a school house about half a mile from the Ferry. There was a call for volunteers to serve as an advanced guard I volunteered and was marched down the East side of the Bay about Four Miles to a place called the four Corners where I remained the ballance of this Tour. I was joined to Col Hopkins Regt. I believe his Christian name was John. This Tour was in what was called Spencers Expedition I served one month was discharged and returned home to West Greenwich aforesaid

6th Tour
I was drafted into the service of the U.S. in the month of August 1778 and joined my Company under Capt Benjamin
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Gorton Lieut. Joseph James and Jedediah Alesworth Ensign at Wattermans Tavern in the Town of Coventry. State of R.I. from thence we marched through Providence by Fall River to Tiverton where we crossed immediately on to the Island of Newport and the day following we were joined to Col Thomas Holdens Regt. Lieut. Col. Thomas Gorton and Maj. Job Pearce This Tour was in what was called Sullivans Expedition I served one month when I was discharged and returned to my home in West Greenwich aforesaid

7th and last Tour
I was drafted into the service of the U.S. in the Month of June 1781 to serve for one month (at this time there was but four privates drafted out of our company) I joined my company on the Island of Newport and served under Capt Allen or Allen Johnson Lieut. Lorin Jenks and Ensign Joseph Oliver, was stationed at a place called Brintons or Britnells Neck on the S.W. end of the Island we were joined to Col Thomas Potters Regt. our Lieut Lorin Jenks was appointed and served as Adjutant of the Regt. and I was appointed and served as Orderly Sergent of our company during this Tour of duty - I served
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One month when I was discharged and returned to my home in West Greenwich aforesaid .

That he has no documentary evidence of his said services, 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

The following Interrogatories were by said Court propounded to said Applicant Viz,

1st When and in what year were you born?
Ans. In West Greenwich R.I. Feb 1st 1760
2nd Have you any record of your age
and if so where is it
Ans. I have my Fathers record of my age
which I copied into my own family Bible
and know of no other,
3rd Where were you living when called into
the service, where have you lived since the
Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
Ans. when called into the service I lived
in the Town of West Greenwich
and State of R.I. where I lived during the whole period of the War of the
Revolution and untill the year 1784
in April of that year I removed
into Exeter an adjoining Town and
but Two and a half miles from my
Former residence where I lived untill
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the Year 1799 when I removed to Voluntown Windham County and state of Connecticut and about seven miles from my former Residence where I have ever since lived and do now live

4th. How were you called into the service were you drafted? did you volunteer? or were you a substitute?

Ans I served my first tour of duty under an order or warning from Capt Job Angel to march immediately to East Greenwich to join my company where I was stationed one month guarding the shore my second tour was also for one month, as a substitute for my Father Simon Gates who had been drafted into the service of the U.S. All my subsequent tours of duty were performed under drafts into the service of the U.S.

5th. State the names of some of the regular officers who were there troops where you served such Continental and Militia Regts as you can recollect and the General circumstances of your services?

Ans. In my first tour of duty Nov 1776 Col Nathl. Browns Regt. was the only Regt. at East Greenwich, There was at the same time a Regt stationed at Warwick neck (about six miles from E.G.) composed of the Militia from Warwick and East Greenwich. There was
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There was a British Frigate anchored off in the Bay, In my 2d Tour Jany 1777 one third of Col Browns Regt. was at E. Greenwich My Father Simon Gates was drafted for this tour and I voluntarily took his place and served as a substitute for him I was quartered in a house belonging to the Widow Freborn. In my third tour March 1777 I was stationed at Quiteneset Neck, about a mile from E. Greenwich and directly opposite the British Frigate During this tour of duty an old Sloop (called a Fire Ship) came down from Providence in order to Burn the British Frigate, the night was dark and rainy the Fire ship missed the Frigate and came to anchor near the Shore where we were stationed The next Morning the Fire Ship to get under way but the Frigate opened a Fire on her and they were compelled to abandon her, they set her on fire and there were two men on board of her they came on shore in a boat and got their Breakfast at our Quarters, In my Fourth Tour July 1777 at Quiteneset Neck there was a company of Troops from the State of Massachusetts quartered in the same house that I was quartered in in the month of March, It belonged to a Mr Green, In my Fifth Tour of duty Oct 1777 One Night while stationed at the Four Corners in the advanced
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guard an attempt was made to cross over on to the Island of Newport the Boats were got in readiness and we were marched down to the shore The British who were fortified on the opposite shore took the alarm and opened a fire on us and the project of crossing over was abandoned There was one or more regiments of Troops from the state of Massachusetts stationed here we were stationed back about one mile from the Bay I recollect General Cornwell and Col Tophan This was called Spencers Expedition, In my sixth Tour Augt 1778 I recollect of seeing Generals LaFayette, Green and Sullivan all at one time on Parade I also recollect Col Charles Dyer from the following circumstance one morning we were marching to our quarters from the entrenchment where we had been digging all night the British were firing Cannon Balls at us and the said Col Dyer lay nearly flat on his Horses neck in order (as I supposed) they might not hit him There were I believe two Brigades of Continental Troops here at this time Genl Varnums of R.I. and Genl Glover of Massachusetts. This was called Sullivans Expedition And my term of service had expired and I was discharged and left the Island a day or two before the Engagement which resulted in expelling the American Troops from the Island
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In my seventh Tour of duty June 1781 on the Island of Newport I recollect seeing a man from North Kingston by the name of Browning whipd for desertion. There was but one Regt. of Militia on Newport at this time and that under the command of Col. Thomas Potter of - South Kingston, there were some French Ships of War in the Newport Harbour and a few French Troops Quartered in the Town of Newport at this time.

6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Ans, I never received a written discharge, but was always honourably discharged after my terms of service had expired

7th State the names of Persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief in your services as a soldier of the Revolution

Ans, Capt. Samuel Robins and Eldr Gershom Palmer, and others if required.

Caleb Gates

I Paris Cory of the Town of Plainfield in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut aged 77 years and upwards and a pensioner of the United States after being duly sworn according to law depose and say That in the years 1776, 1777 & 1778 I served in the Town of West Greenwich in the county of Kent and state R.I. I was a private and performed military duty in Capt Job Angels Company
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of West Greenwich militia. That Caleb Gates then of West Greenwich aforesaid now of the Town of Voluntown County of Windham and state of Connecticut was also a private at said day in said Company. That I performed several tours of duty under drafts into the service of the U.S. during the war of the Revolution, guarding the shore on the Narraganset Bay. At Tiverton and on the Island of Newport, to wit one tour in the month of Novr. 1776 and one in the month of March 1777, at East Greenwich and Quiteneset neck in Capt Job Angel’s Company and Col Nathaniel Browns Regt. One tour at Tiverton and the Four Corners in Capt Joseph Hopkins’ Company and Col Tophans Regt. in the month of Oct 1777, And one tour in the month of August 1778 on the Island of Newport under Capt Benjamin Gortons Company and Col Holdens Regt. That Caleb Gates aforesaid was with me and served with me as a private soldier in said tours of duty each tours of duty being for the term of one month each. And I believe that since Caleb Gates performed other tours of duty, I know he stood his regular draft and I always understood that he performed his regular tours of duty in the militia service

Paris Corey

Windham County January 26th 1837
Connecticut
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Personally appeared Paris Cory signer of the foregoing affidavit who is personally known to this Court as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same and signed the same in presence of the Court.

Sworn and acknowledged
Before me Daniel Kiegwin Judge
of the Court of Probate for the District of
Voluntown.

I Elisha Sweet of West Greenwich in the county of Kent and the State of R.I. after being duly cautioned and sworn according to law, do depose and say that in the year 1773 my Father William Sweet moved into the town of West Greenwich aforesaid at that time from the Family Records of my age I was ten years old, and that I am now 73 years old and upwards that I have lived in the town aforesaid and at the same place ever since, At and before the commencement of the war of the Revolution I was well acquainted with Caleb Gates son of Simon Gates then of West Greenwich aforesaid now of Voluntown Windham County and state of Connecticut the said Caleb Gates being about three years my senior we were school boys together our Fathers Farms joined and we lived within one hundred rods of each other. The said Caleb Gates was a subject of military duty. He was a private in the Third Company of West Greenwich Militia commanded by Capt Job Angel I have often seen him performing military duty in said Company and was knowing to his performing several
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tours of duty, in the Continental Service
My Father William Sweet was Ensign of a Company called the Senior Class or alarm list, and he performed a Tour of duty at East Greenwich in Jany. 1777 I was there at that time and saw the said Caleb Gates performing military duty under Capt. Mathew Remington (My Father) Wm Sweet Ensign, and I understood at the time that he was serving as a substitute for his Father who had been drafted I know that he performed one tour of half a month or Fifteen days in the summer of the same year, I recollect this tour in particular, from the circumstance of its being but half a month, as the usual drafts were for one month each, It was a custom with me on his return from a tour of duty, to go to his fathers and hear him relate the circumstances and particulars of his tours of duty I was at his Fathers when he returned from his tour in August 1778. and enquired after my Father Wm Sweet who was in the second draft and gone on to the Island of Newport. The said Caleb Gates informed me at the time that he saw and conversed with my Father a day or two before he left the Island and this was about the time of the Engagement. I well remember his tour of duty in June 1781 on his return from that tour he informed me of seeing Benj. Browning of N. Kingston whipped for desertion he also informed me the same time that Col. Thos. Potter commanded the Regt. he served in
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He performed other tours of duty and it has always been understood in this neighborhood that he performed his regular tours of duty in the Militia Service during the Revolutionary war —

Elisha Sweet
Windham County ss Voluntown Jany 26th 1837

Personally appeared in open Court Elisha Sweet signer of the foregoing affidavit who is personally known to this Court as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before this said Court .

Daniel Keigwin Judge

Mr Gershom Palmer a clergyman residing in the Town of Voluntown and Samuel Robins residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Caleb Gates who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be 76 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and we concur in that opinion

Sworn and subscribed 
The day and year aforesaid Before Daniel Keigwin Judge

Gershom Palmer
Samuel Robins

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter
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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 Gershom Palmer who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Voluntown and that Samual Robins who has also signed the same is a resident of said Voluntown and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to full credit

Certified by Daniel Keigwin Judge


I Samuel Gates Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Voluntown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Caleb Gates for a Pension

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 26th day of January 1833.

Samuel Gates, Clerk. Pro Tem.