Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5,990, for Chauncey Rice, Connecticut
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE Conn.
Rice, Chauncey
NUMBER S.5,990
carded
CONTENTS
[after that is blank]
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[At the top, the paper appears almost black, but it looks like it might say:] Chauncey Rice
[followed by some illegible letters]

[Then there is a word partially obscured by the edge of the paper. The remaining letters look similar to:]
Return e i u[or n ??]

[at the bottom:]
B. R. Brown agt Mount Holly New Jersey
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
22d May 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 shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Chauncey Rice of Burlington Co. [additional illegible letters C.S.T.?]
Period when the service was rendered. Vol 1776
Duration of the claimant's service. About 3 Years. 6 Months.
Rank of claimant. [illegible] shortly after and commissioned Captain [illegible] -ing party
Names and rank of the Field  officers under whom he served. Genl. Washington Genl. Putnam - Genl. Lee & others
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Litchfield Co. [illegible] of Connecticut Age of 76
Proof by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary
I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
[handwritten at bottom of form:] Applicants as commissioned officers are required to produce their original commission, or satisfactory proof touching the same
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, 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 the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory or District of County of } ss.
On this [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiment of the [blank] line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to 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 named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the [blank] and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 exexpected . All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what one has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that he signed and [illegible] his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and----days , I served as a----. For----months and----days, I served as a----; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase [italic]about three or four months[/italic], 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 highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device on inscription by [illegible] be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which 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.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time 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 to [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[The paragraph under the heading "Mode of authenticating papers" has a handwritten X drawn next to it, in the right hand margin. At the bottom of the page another handwritten X is written with a hard-to-read note that looks to say something nearly like:] X one end of the ribbon [?] under the county seal
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Pennsylvania 31,776
Chauncey Rice
Northampton Co in the State of Penn'a who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain --- of the regt commanded by Col. Knowlton in the Con line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of 80 Dollars ----Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21st day of July 1840 and sent to Hon. D.D. Wagener Easton, Penn.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1840  720.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 Sep "  40.00
[sum:] $760.00
Revolutionary Claim Act [crossed out:] June 7, 1832 [corrected with:] July 20,1860
 [Rec]orded by D. Brown Clerk,
[illegible] 2 Vol. 5 Page 53
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[No text, but a small piece of paper, which  may have once been a seal of some kind, with what looks to be some type of ribbon underneath it.]
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Chauncey Rice 
Jan'y 4 1840
Ref (under resolution) to the Com'ee on Rev Pensions
Mar 5. 1840-- Bill 132
W. Wagner 
Chauncey Pice
Petition[illegible] Penn'a
Declaration of Chauncey Rice to obtain pension
March 14 1836
Ref to the Com on Revolutionary Pensions [something crossed out]
April 12. 1836 [illegible]
Dec'r 20th 1836
Ref to the Committee on Rev. Pensions
Jan'y 3 1837
Bill No 508
Dec'r 11 1837
Ref to the Com'ee on Rev. Pensions
Dec'r 22. 1837 Bill N 205
Wagner 42 Rev. Pen
[line crossed out, something maybe about Beaumont 38 Rev. Pen]
Fry May 28 [illegible] & to [illegible]
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To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled
The Petition of Chauncey Rice of the County of Northampton and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Respectfully represents
That he heretofore made a declaration of his services to his Country during the Revolutionary war, before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey, to wit, on the 9th day of December AD 1832 in Compliance with the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832, which was duly presented at the War Department for the purpose of obtaining a Pension. The Officer of that Department decided that the case therein declared did not come within the provisions of the said act, not because the facts therein set forth were not true of sufficiently proved, but because he did not serve in a "Corps legally embodied and organized agreeably to the Rules and Articles of war". Your Petitioner nevertheless thinks that his services were of such a nature as to entitle him to some relief from the benevolence of Congress. He therefore hereunto annexed his said Declaration and prays your Honorable bodies to take his case into consideration and grand him such aid as in your wisdom may be thought right. He is now very poor and aged, and from the Effects of the wound which he received (as described in his Declaration) utterly unable to obtain a living by labour and is wholly dependant upon the Charity of his friends and the public for support
[signed] Chauncey Rice 

Chauncey Rice the Petitioner above named being duly affirmed according to Law says that the facts set forth in the above Petition and in the annexed Declaration are true that he now resides near the Borough of Easton in the County of Northampton Penna and has resided there for the span of three years or there about last part, is very poor and from the Effects of the wound which he received as described in his declaration totally unable to support himself
[signed] Chauncey Rice
Affirmed and Subscribed
March 8 1836 before}
[signed] CL Eberle J.P.

The Hon. D.D. Wagner and Stein of N.J. State their knowledge to the committee in relation to the facts above set forth
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Northampton County Ss
I Samuel Yohe prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County do hereby certify that Charles L. Eberle before whom the within affidavit was made was at the time thereof and still is an acting Justice of the peace duly commissioned and qualified so to act in and for said county and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that his signature thereunto is genuine
Witness my hand and the Seal of the said court at Easton this 10th day of March AD 1835
[signed] Sam Yohe
Prothy
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.
State of New Jersey
Burlington County} Ss:
On this twenty ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court, before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Burlington in the State of New Jersey now sitting at Mount Holly in said County (the same being a Court of record) Chauncey Rice a resident of the township of Burlington in the County and State aforesaid, aged seventy six years and past, who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, and being solemnly affirmed according to law, doth on his affirmation make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June seventh in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two - 
That his fathers name was Robin Rice & that he this declarant was born in the town of New Hartford (now called Norfolk) in the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut on the twenty second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty six, & resided there from his birth until he entered the service of the United States, and that the record of his age is contained in his family bible now in his possession. That the said Robin Rice the father of this declarant was a tavern keeper & merchant in the town of New Hartford aforesaid, and was personally well acquainted with General

[signed in left margin]
Thos. Swain
Jno Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
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Washington. That sometime before this declarant entered the service of General Washington spent a night at his fathers house, on his way from the Northward & that it was in consequence of the remarks and representations made by General Washington at that time, that this declarant determined to volunteer in defence of his country. That on the tenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy six he reached Long Island where a part of the American Army were then stationed & offered himself as a volunteer to General Washington & was accepted by him. That shortly after this General Washington authorized him to select a certain number of men as a scouting party, & gave him the command over them with the commission of Captain, which commission was signed by General Washington himself, & he continued to act under it until he left the army. His principal duties were to reconnoitre the enemy, to procure such intelligence as he could, respecting their movements, to frustrate the plans & to surprise destroy or make prisoners if possible, of the scouting parties of the enemy. That he was engaged in these arduous duties during the whole period of his service generally receiving his orders directly from General Washington, although occasionally under the immediate command of other officers as herein after stated. That he continued on Long Island from the time he entered the service until our army retreated from it which according to his recollections was in the latter part of July or first of August in the year of our Lord
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one thousand and seven hundred & seventy six. That from Long Island he proceeded to the City of New York and remained there until it was determined that our army should evacuate that City. About this time he was directed by General Washington to assist with his men in the removal of the baggage provisions tents & other military stores up the North River. That he distinctly recollects one circumstance which happened at this time, & which he will here detail. In the hurry of the retreat from the city of New York, a part of the baggage had been left behind between that city and our army at a place where some embankments had been thrown up - this was reported to General Washington & he directed this declarant to take such wagons as should be necessary & endeavour to bring it up. This was in the evening about sunset and he immediately proceeded to execute the General's orders He took with him the men under his command & a sufficient number of wagons & proceeded to the place where the baggage had been left which he reached when the night was far advanced. Having loaded the wagons with the baggage, he directed his men to return as silently and expeditiously as possible lest they should be discovered by the enemy. Day broke when they were at some distance from the army & as soon as it became light enough to see, they were discovered by a party of British soldiers in boats called RowGalleys who immediately commenced firing at them. This declarant directed his men not to return the fire but to hurry forward as fast as possible, as he observed that they were making every 

[signed in left margin]
Thos. Swain
Jno. Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
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effort to propel their boats to some point on the river above his party with a view as he supposed of throwing themselves between them & the American Army & thus cutting off their return. That he this declarant however by great exertions succeeded in keeping ahead of the galleys & with the baggage reached the American army in safety. General Washington had heard the firing & met the party as they entered the camp. He asked this declarant if any of his men had been killed or wounded, and being answered in the negative, commended him and his men for the prudence & courage with which they had executed his orders, & directed them to go up into the camp & get some refreshment. That this declarant has a distinct recollection of having been engaged in the battle or skirmish on Harlem heights & during the fight was under the command of Colonel Knowlton of Connecticut who was killed there. He had been out on a reconnoitering expedition, & was on his return when he fell in with Colonel Knowltons troops just before that officer commenced his attack upon the British. He remained with his men & took part in the engagement, having received orders from General Washington that, whenever he should fall in with any part of the American Army engaged or about to engage with the enemy, he should render every assistance in his power & for the time being place himself under the direction of the officer commanding the detachment. In this engagement a part
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of the forces were commanded by Major Litch of Virginia, with whom this declarant was well acquainted. He saw that officer carried off the field severely wounded. He also saw Colonel Knowlton fall in the midst of the engagement. That he this declarant was himself severely wounded in the leg by a musket ball towards the close of the skirmish. He was confined by this wound for several weeks & incapable of doing duty. That in consequence of the wound there received the battle on Harlem Heights made a strong impression on his mind, and he has a distinct recollection of the matters above stated respecting it. That he this declarant subsequently accompanied General Washington in his retreat through New Jersey & was present and took part in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, being attached during these engagements to that part of the army which was led by General Washington in person. During the time this declarant was in the service he was generally with that branch of the army under the immediate command of General Washington. In consequence of his peculiar situation, he had but little connection with the subordinate officers of the army. When General Washington was not within reach, he received his orders from & communicated any intelligence he might obtain, to some other General Officer. He recollects having been occasionally under the command of General Putnam General Lee and others. He was well acquainted with General Washington, General Lee, General Putnam, General 

[signed in left margin]
Thos. Swain
Jno Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
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Arnold, Major Leitch, Colonel Knowlton, & Colonel Baldwin & Major Atwater of the militia, but has forgotten the names of many of the officers with whom he was acquainted while in the army. That this declarant left the army in the latter part of the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine according to his recollection, late in the season. The army at the time he left it were in the neighbourhood of Morristown in the State of New Jersey & were about to go into winter quarters. That he left the army in consequence of the wound which as before stated he had received at Harlem Heights having broken out afresh & rendered him unfit for active service. Being a volunteer he did not receive a formal discharge from the service. He stated to General Washington his intention of leaving & the cause of it, & received from him permission to go. That he was in the army for the period of three years & six months or thereabouts, having never left it from the time he first entered the service until he finally left it in the latter part of year seventeen hundred and seventy nine, as before stated. That he did not receive during the whole time he was in service as aforesaid any money or clothing from the Government but was furnished with both by his father who was then in good circumstances. He however drew his rations. That his father died shortly after this declarant left the army & he was principally engaged for some years succeeding his death
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as one of the Executors of his will, in the settlement of his fathers business which was very widely extended. That this carried him to different parts of the Country. That during this time & for some years afterwards be also acted as agent for various Gentlemen [crossed out] in the transaction of their businesses in other states- among others for Mr John Vantasley & Mr Benjamin Howell who resided in the neighborhood of Catskill in the State of New York. That after the death of his father be had no settled place of residence for thirteen or fourteen years. That his business as agent carried him to a variety of places where he remained a longer or shorter period, as circumstances rendered necessary. That he was one year in Burlington in the State of Vermont & two years in the County of Chenango in the State of New York, in the latter of which he was appointed by Major Stone then Sheriff of that County as his deputy, and acted as and deputy Sheriff during the year. He was also during the time in which he had no settled residence among other places at Stockbridge, Great Barrington, Old Canaan, New Canaan, Lennox, Homer, Albany, Harpersfield, Catskill, Oswego, and at the Cook House up the Delaware, but cannot recollect the precise period when he went to these places, or the precise length of time that he remained in each place. That he became tired of this wondering mode of life & settled permanently at the city of Philadelphia where he resided about nine years. From Philadelphia he went to the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey where he has resided ever since, being a period of nearly thirty years, during the first twenty six of which he resided in

[signed vertically on the side of the page:]
Thos Swaim
Jno Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
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the City of Burlington & since then has lived with Mr. Moses Sill within about three miles of that City. That while he was at home in the State of New York he was taken ill & his life was despaired of by his physician. he remained sick there for a long time, and a report of his death was circulated and generally believed. That before he went to Homer he deposited his chest containing his commission above mentioned and a journal of the principal events that had happened to him while in the army & various other private papers with Mr Stephen Whittlesey of New Durham (so called as at the time) for safe keeping. After the report of his death was received by his friends & believed by them the Chest was opened & the papers it contained were taken out & either lost or destroyed, & among others the commission & journal above mentioned. These facts this declarant learned subsequently, on his return to that part of the Country. That in consequence of his advanced age and the loss of his papers he is unable to give an accurate history of all his services while he was in the army & he has stated above all that he now clearly remembers. That the circumstances of his service above mentioned made a strong impression on his mind, and he has a clear & distinct recollection of them. That he is not now able to produce any positive evidence of his service as he knows not of any person now living who was acquainted with him when in the army or who has any personal knowlege of his services during the war, [more crossed-out text] excepting only a certain Andrew Campbell who
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was in the army at the same time with him & who resided near him in the City of Burlington some years ago and still lives there, but who from bodily infirmity & mental incapacity is utterly incapable of giving testimony in any case. That this declarant is well acquainted, among others with Barr Woolman, Christian Larzelere Esquire, Robert Thomas, Dr Charles Ridgway & Dr Nathan W. Cole of the City of Burlington who can testify as to his character 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 and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Affirmed and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court.
[signatures:]
Chauncey Rice
Jno Blackwood
Richard Eayre
Matthew McHenry
We Peter Powell a clergyman residing in the City and County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey & Moses Sill & Christian Larzelere residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Chauncey Rice who has subscribed & affirmed to the above declaration & that we believe him to be Seventy six years of age and upwards & that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. And I the said Peter Powell do for myself further certify that Andrew Campbell mentioned in the foregoing declaration is a member of our Church & that I am well acquainted with him. That he has lost his speech in a
[signed vertically on the side of the page:]
Thos Swaim
Jno Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
Page 20

great measure and his mental faculties are so much impaired that he is unable to give evidence in any case. And I the said Peter Powell do further certify that I was present about six years ago & before Andrew Campbell had lost his faculties, at a conversation between him & Chauncey Rice the declarant before mentioned and from the circumstances detailed by them in that conversation relative to the revolutionary war I was satisfied that they had been soldiers in the army together during the revolution, and that Campbell intimated in that conversation that Rice had had the command of a body of men while in the army.
Sworn and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
[signatures:]
Peter Powell
Moses Sill
Christian Larzelere
Jno Blackwood
Richard Eayre
Matthew McHenry
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Peter Powell who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the city and County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey
Page 21

6 
and that Moses Sill and Christian Lazelere who have also signed the [smudge] are residents in the same County, and are credible persons & their statement entitled to credit.
[signatures:]
Jno Blackwood
Richard Eayre
Matthew McHenry
Zebedee M. Wills
I Samuel J. Read Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Chauncey Rice for pension
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this twenty ninth day December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
[signed] Samuel J Read
Page 22

22079
In the matter of the application of Chauncey Rice for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
Page 23

State of New Jersey
Burlington County ss: On this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared in open Court before the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey, now sitting at Mount Holly in said County (the same being a Court of record) Chauncey Rice whose name is subscribed to the declaration hereunto annexed, contained on five several pieces of paper attached together, who alleging himself to be conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath ["an oath" was inserted] and being solemnly affirmed according to law, upon his affirmation saith that the said declaration [the word "contained" is crossed out, substituted with:] written as aforesaid on five several pieces or leaves of paper attached together, and in which is set forth a history of his services as a revolutionary soldier, contains the truth and nothing but the truth - and this affirmant further saith that the commission under which he acted as captain of a scouting party as set forth in his said declaration, was lost in the manner therein stated, and he has it not in his power to furnish any evidence of its loss save his own affirmation, or to give any further account thereof than in the said declaration is contained. And this affirmant further saith that while he was in service in the the army of the revolution he was not attached to any particular [re- continued on next page]
Page 24

And the said Court,, Thomas Swaim, John Blackwood and Christian Larzelere, Esquires - now sitting as Judges thereof before whom the said Court is this day held, do hereby again declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the said Court do further certify that the declaration hereunto annexed, written on five several leaves or pieces of paper and made by the said Chauncey Rice on the twenty ninth day of December last past, was again on this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, affirmed to in open Court by the said Chauncey Rice- and that before the said declaration was so affirmed to, the words "the" "hurry" & "suceeded" on the second leaf thereof, the words "him" & "his death" on the third leaf thereof, and the words "neighbourhood of Catskill in the State of New York" born "excepting only" & "Andrew" the word of & receive in the third of thereof, & the words of Connecticut ""in Connecticut"" only""that the last surviving witness known to this declarant & John on the fourth of thereof were stricken out. And the said Court in order more completely to identify the said declaration and to guard against suspicion of fraud have signed their names in the margin of each of the said leaves containing the said declaration- 3 Thos Swain Blackwood - Christian Fargle
Page 25

And the said Court, Thomas Swaim, John Blackwood and Christian Larzelere, Esquires - now sitting as Judges thereof before whom the said Court is this day held, do hereby again declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the said Court do further certify that the declaration hereunto annexed, written on five several leaves or pieces of paper and made by the said Chauncey Rice on the twenty ninth day of December last past, was again on this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, affirmed to in open Court by the said Chauncey Rice. And that before the said declaration was so affirmed to, the words "the" "hurry" & "succeeded" on the second leaf thereof, the words "him" & "his death" on the third leaf thereof, and the words "neighbourhood of Catskill in the State of New York" "time" "excepting only" & "Andrew" on the fourth leaf thereof were interlined & the words "of" & "receive" in the third leaf thereof, & the words "of Connecticut" "in Connecticut" "only" "that the last surviving witness known to this declarant was" & "John" on the fourth of thereof were stricken out. And the said Court in order more completely to identify the said declaration and to guard against suspicion of fraud have signed their names in the margins of each of the said leaves containing the said declaration
[signed:]
Thos Swaim
Jno Blackwood
Christian Larzelere
Page 26

I, Samuel J. Read, Clerk of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Burlington in the State of New Jersey do hereby certify that the foregoing (written on Eight several pieces or leaves of paper) contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Chauncey Rice for a pension, as well the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the said application had on the twenty ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, as on the twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Sam J Read
[seal affixed with ribbon underneath]
Page 27

26th CONGRESS,
1st Session.
Rep. No. 122.
Ho. OF REPS.
CHAUNCEY RICE.
To accompany bill H. R. No. 132
MARCH 5, 1840.
Mr. TALIAFERRO, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made
the following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom the petition of Chauncey Rice was referred, concur in the report made 25th Congress, 3d session, hereto annexed: and report a bill.
JANUARY 26, 1839.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the
petition of Chauncey Rice, of Pennsylvania, for a pension under the
law passed June 7, 1832, respectfully report:
That this case was considered by the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions of the last Congress, which made the following report in favor of granting some portion of the relief prayed for by the petitioner.
Your committee, concurring in the views expressed by their predecessors, have adopted their report, and beg leave to report a bill in conformity thereto.
JANUARY 3, 1837.
The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the
petition of Chauncey Rice, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, praying for a pension under the law passed June 7, 1832, beg leave to report:
That the petitioner says he was born in Litchfield, in the State of Connecticut, the 22d of April, 1756; that his father was a tavern-keeper and merchant in the town of Norfolk, and was personally acquainted with General Washington; that, some time previous to the petitioner's going into the army, General Washington spent a night at his father's house, on his way from the northward, and that it was from some remarks made by General Washington, at the time, that the petitioner was induced to go into the army; that on the 10th day of May, 1776, he reached Long Island, where a part of the American army was stationed, and offered himself as a volunteer to General Washington, and was accepted; that, shortly after, General Washington authorized him to select a number of men as a scouting

Blair & Rives, printers.
Page 28

2
Rep. No. 122.

party, and gave the petitioner command over them, with the commission of a captain, signed by General Washington; that he acted under it until he left the army; that he continued at Long Island until the army retreated, about the latter part of July, or beginning of August, 1776; that he proceeded from thence to the city of New York, and remained there until it was determined to evacuate the city; that he was then directed by General Washington to assist with his men in the removal of baggage, tents, provisions, stores, &c. up the North river; that he and his men, while thus engaged, were discovered and fired upon by a party of British soldiers, called "row-galleys;" that, by great exertions, they reached the army in safety. General Washington had heard the firing, and met them as they entered the camp, and commended them for their prudence and courage, and directed them to go into the camp and get some refreshments; that the petitioner was in the battle or skirmish at Harlem heights, under Colonel Knowlton, who was killed; he had been reconnoitring, and on his return had fallen in with Colonel Knowlton. In this battle he saw Major Leitch, of Virginia, carried off the field, severely wounded; that the petitioner himself was wounded in this skirmish by a musket-ball in the leg, which rendered him incapable to perform duty for several weeks; that he subsequently accompanied General Washington in his retreat through New Jersey, and was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, being attached, in these two engagements, to that part of the army commanded by General Washington in person; he was occasionally (in the absence of General Washington) under command of Generals Putnam and Lee; he was acquainted with them, and also with General Arnold, Major Leitch, Colonel Knowlton, Colonel Baldwin, and Major Atwater, of the militia, but has forgotten the names of many other officers with whom he was acquainted. That he left the army, late in the year 1779, in the neighborhood of Morristown, New Jersey, about going into winter quarters; that he left the army in consequence of his wound having broken out afresh, which made him unfit for service: being a volunteer, he did not receive a formal discharge; that he was in the service about three years and six months; that during the whole time, he received neither money nor clothing from the Government, (except his rations,) but was furnished with both by his father, who was then in good circumstances; that, after he recovered, he was engaged in settling his father's estate, and employed as agent for different individuals, to act at different places, for a number of years; that his residence was finally taken up at Burlington, New Jersey; and while on a visit to Homer, in the State of New York, he was taken sick, and reported at home to be dead: in consequence of which, his friends broke open his trunk, and his papers (among which were the commission spoken of, and a journal of the principal events that happened during his service) were either lost or destroyed.
To this is attached the certificate of Peter Powell, minister of the Gospel, Moses Lill, and Christian Larzelere, respectable citizens of Burlington, who are well acquainted with the petitioner, that he is a man of good character, and believed and reputed to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war.
And the judges of the court of common pleas for the said county of Burlington , having examined the petitioner upon the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, believe him to have been a soldier of the revolution, and to have served as he states.
Page 29

Rep. No. 122.
3

Colonel Daniel Kemper testifies that he is well acquainted with Chauncey Rice; that he and the petitioner served on a scouting party in the revolutionary war, near Elizabethtown, about the year 1780; said Chauncey Rice commanded the party.
Abraham Mann testifies that he is a pensioner of the United States for services in the revolutionary war; that he is well acquainted with the petitioner, and was acquainted with him during the revolutionary war; that said Chauncey Rice was appointed captain of a scouting party on Long Island, New York, by General Washington, in 1776, and continued in said service for more than two years; that the said Captain Rice was at the battle of White Plains, New York, also in the battle of Trenton, New Jersey , and that he was with the army when it retreated through New Jersey; and that the witness saw the wound received by Captain Rice at White Plains, where he fought under Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch. The witness also fully confirms the petitioner's statement about his retreat, with baggage, &c., up the North river; and that he became acquainted with Captain Rice on Long Island. Witness also received liquor (accidentally found in a cellar) that was dealt out among the soldiers by Captain Rice, by order of General Washington. He further states that he was in the battle at which Captain Rice was wounded.
With this condensed history of the services of the petitioner, well substantiated by witnesses who are certified to be credible, the committee have no hesitation in allowing him a full pension as a private soldier. To grant him a pension as a captain, without some documentary testimony, would be to open a door to fraud and peculation, that has hitherto required all the vigilance of the committee to guard against.
Page 30

[something unintelligble written vertically at top of page]
5990
INVALID.
---
[illegible] No. 5990
Chauncey Rice
Pri. Rev War
Act: July 28 1840
Index:-- Vol. M[?], Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 31

[stamped:] REJECTED
8742
P.O. Chauncey Rice
Service: [blank]
Enlisted: [blank], 18[blank],
Discharged: [blank], 18[blank],
Application filed: [blank], 18[blank],
Alleges: [blank]
Page 32

Set Hon DD Wagener 20 Aug 1835
Set to R Brodhead 25 Nov 1835
lo. to Hon. J. Fry jr.[?] March 23, 1836
let 16 Dec 1836 to Hon D.D. Wagener - S. [unknown]
let 1 June 1840 Hon F. Pierce
Page 33

Pennsylvania
[crossed out:] New Jersey
Revo
Act 7 June 1832
Chauncey Rice
Rejected
8742
Letter to Hon. W. N. Shinn H of Rep
17 Decr 1833
papers sent to Hon W. N. Shinn, H.R.
Mar. 15, 1834
over
Page 34

We the undersigned Residents and Doctor of Medicine in the Borough of Easton Pa. know Mr Chauncey Rice to be a sober & Creditable man, and believe from his statement and an examination of his Left Leg, that he has been wounded during the Revolutionary War, which wound has been open several times, and remains very troublesome up to this day.
Easton November 17th 1839.
[signed:]
D Gachenour M.D.
Thomas Wilson Henry M.D.

I certify that the above gentlemen are respectable Physicians - David D Wagener
House of Rep
Dec. 16 1839
Page 35

H. R 132
Chauncey Rice

Chauncey Rice, Pennsylv'a
roll. act July 20. 1840.
$80 per annum, to commence on the 4th March 1831.
send cert to Hon D.D. Wagener, Easton Penn'a
Page 36

State of New Jersey
Middlesex County
Personally came before me the Subscriber one of the Justices of the peace to said County. Col. Daniel Kemper a pensioner who resides there who being duly sworn upon his oath says that he is acquainted with Chauncey Rice. He with the [illegible] was on a scouting party during the Revolutionary war in New Jersey. The said Chauncey Rice was captain of the scouting party and was performing duty [illegible]. With [illegible] Town about the year 1780
[signed:] 
Daniel Kemper
Sworn & Subscribed to before me this Second day of November 1836
Jos. Ford Justice of the peace

State of New Henry Middlesex County Clerks office
I Nicholas Booraem Clerk of the County of Middlesex aforesaid do hereby certify that Josiah Ford before whom the forgoing affidavit of Daniel Kemper was taken, was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned & sworn and that the signature"Jos Ford" is his proper handwriting
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said coun[ty] this 2d day of November AD 18[36]
[signed:] N. Boraem
Page 37

Easton Aug 18 1835
JL Edwards,
My Dear Sir,
An old Soldier by the name of Chauncey Rice called upon me this [illegible] to ascertain what had become of his application for a pension. His Papers he forward to the Hon. I Shinn in 34, whom he presumes handed thence to you.  Rice resides in Burlington County New Jersey.
Your prompt reply will oblige
Yours,
David D Wagener
Page 38

Copy letter
J.L. Edwards
Dec. 11, 1833
Page 39

(Copy)
War Department,
Pension Office,
December 11, 1833.

Sir,
The claim of Chauncey Rice, who alleges that he was commissioned as a Captain of a scouting party by General Washington, and served  as captain of this corps three years and six months, has been examined. This claim has been heretofore returned for evidence of the rank and proof of service of the claimant, but the papers have been returned without any additional testimony except that of the claimant, who alleges the loss of his commission, and the impossibility of obtaining further proof. This claim must therefore be settled upon the naked allegations of the claimant.
His statement that General Washington appointed him a captain by commission under his own hand, and that he was not attached to any regiment of the army; That he had but little communication
Page 40

with the subordinate officers of the army being under the immediate command of General Washington; That during his service he received neither money nor clothing from the Government, but was furnished with both by his father are all entirely contrary to the usual course of the Service. It is believed that no instance can be found during the whole Revolutionary War where a Captain in the army held that rank under a commission signed by General Washington . His was not the authority whence commissions issued. Besides such a corps as a permanent scouting party, not attached to any regiment or line of the army, but under the immediate direction of the Commander in Chief, is unknown to this Department. The Commander in Chief, undoubtedly employed individuals  to procure secret intelligence on various occasions, but Mr Rice makes no claim of that character. No instance has occurred in the execution of the pension laws where the rank of commissioned officer has been allowed to
Page 41

an individual upon his statement, alone; and a case conflicting in so many particulars with the known facts of the service, cannot be taken for the foundation of such a precedent. The claim is rejected. The papers are placed on file.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Sert.
(Signed) J.L. Edwards.

Hon. W. N. Shinn,
House of Representatives
Page 42

Easton Nov 17 1835 
My Dear Sir,
A few days since an old woman, Chauncey Rice, called at my office with a Declaration made before the Court of Common Pleas of Burlington Co. New Jersey in order to obtain the Benifit of the act of Congress pased June 7 1832. He moved to our Borough about Two years since -
It appears by an endorsement in the Decl that his application was rejected, for what reason does not appear
I examined him and those who have known him for a number of years and it appears to me that he certainly served his country as he states. He shews a wound on his leg which is that of a musket or Rifle -
You perhaps have a Record of his claim- I would like to be informed for what reason his application was Rejected and whether an other application with proper explinations would not be received-
Truly your Friend
R Brodhead [additional letters?]

JL Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 43

Hon D D Wagener
HR
Page 44

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth} ss. 

Be it remembered that on this thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, before me Joseph H Halsey an alderman of the Borough of Elizabeth aforesaid and a Justice of the Peace in and for the said Borough personally came Abraham Mann of Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid aged seventy nine years who is known to me to be a man of veracity and his statements are entitled to credit and being duly sworn on his oath says that he is a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, and is well acquainted with Chauncy Rice of the township of Forks in the County of Northampton and State of Pennsylvania and was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War, that the said Chauncy Rice was appointed Captain of a scouting party on Long Island in the State of New York by General Washington in 1776 and continued in command of a scouting party for more than two years during the Revolutionary War; that the said Captain Rice was in the battle at White Plains in the state of New York, and also in the battle at Trenton in the state of New Jersey, and that he was in the service of the Army when it retreated through New Jersey and the said Captain Rice also retreated with the Army at that time, and this deponent saw the wounds which the said Captain Rice received at the battle of White Plains, at which battle the said Captain Rice fought in the Regiment under the command of Colonel Knowlton and Major Litch.

Abraham Mann

Subscribed & sworn the day & year aforesaid.

Joseph H Halsey
Page 45

State of New Jersey
Borough of Elizabeth} ss.

I, Joseph D Price Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Borough of Elizabeth aforesaid the said being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Joseph H Halsey before whom the written affidavit of Abraham Mann was subscribed and known at the time of taking the said affidavit was and still is an alderman of the Borough aforesaid and a Justice of the Peace in and for the said Borough duly commissioned and sworn, residing therein, and as such is duly authorized to take affidavits and I further certify that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Joseph H Halsey, and that the signature "Joseph H Halsey" to the said affidavit subscribed is genuine. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at Elizabeth Town in the Borough aforesaid this thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.

Joseph D Price Clerk
Page 46

Hon DD Wagener
HR
Page 47

Elizabethtown October 30, 1836

Deposition of Mr Abraham Mann the sd Mr Mann well recollects that Capt Chancey Rice was in the revolutionary war in defense of his country and that the sd Chancey Rice was Captain and had the command of party of soldiers called the scouting party, to subdue the Tories &c. under General Washington, my first acquaintance with Capt Rive was on Long Island in 1776 and he retreated from there with the army to New York and stationed their with others in Lord Stirlings house, while there, was found out that there was liquor in that cellar, the soldiers made an attempt to brake open the collar door, when Gen Washington was informed of it, he came there to know the cause of and he was informed that there was liquor in the cellar, he ordered the door to be broken open, and the liquor to be rolled out, and he then ordered Captain Rice to deal it out unto to the soldiers. And I came personally myself and received of P. liquor from the hands of Captain Rice. Shortly after the army left New York, and retreated up to Harlams Head or White Plain and in that battle Capt Rive joined the Regiment under the command of Colonel Knowlton & Major [unk] well recollect Capt Rice being in that battle and heard of him being wounded and saw the wound myself, I being in the same battle. Capt Rice followed the army in the retreat up to what the called kings bridge, as the baggage could not all be brought with the army. I well recollect that Capt Rice ordered by General W send back that night with his comp. and some Teams to bring on the Baggages was left, that he brought them on, and was close by pursued by the Enemy. I heard their firing up the North River that Capt Rice arrived at Kings bridge next morning by sunrise and then the bridge was broken down. I well recollect of hearing that shortly after Capt Rive had a battle with his party of Men, with the British Scouting party after we retreated over the bridge, and my well knowing him following the retreat with the army up to Trenton, and well recollect Capt Rice being in that battle and that I was acquainted with Capt Rice in the army to the best of my recollection better than two years.
Page 48

JL Edwards Esq

Dear Sir,

The bill granting a pension to Chauncy Rice, has passed Congress & believe has recd the signature of the President- my [unk] in writing is, to request you to make out his certificate, and forward it to me, before I leave the City which will be a Tuesday next.

Yours respectfully,

David D Wagener
House of Rep
[unk]
Page 49

26th Congress,   Rep. No. 122.   Ho. of Reps.
1st Session

CHAUNCY RICE
[To accompany bill H. R. No. 132]

March 5, 1840

Me Tallaferro, from the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom the petition of Chauncey Rice was referred, concur in the report made 25th Congress, 3d session, hereto annexed; and report a bill.

January 26, 1839

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Chauncey Rice, of Pennsylvania, for a pension under the law passed June 7, 1832, respectfully report:

That this case was considered by the Committee on Revolutionary Petitions of the last Congress, which made the following report in favor of granting some portion of the relief prayed for by the petitioner,

Your committee, concurring in the views expressed by their predecessors, have adopted their report, and beg leave to report a bill in conformity thereto.

January 3, 1837

The Committee on Revolutionary Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Chauncey Rice, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, praying for a pension under the law passed June 7, 1832, beg leave to report:

That the petitioner says he was born in Litchfield, in the State of Connecticut, the 22d of April, 1756; that his father was a tavern keeper and merchant in the town of Norfolk, and was personally acquainted with General Washington; that, some time previous to the petitioner's going into the army, General Washington spent a night at his father's house, on his way from the northward, and that it was from some remarks made by General Washington, at the time, that the petitioner was induced to go into the army; that on the 10th day of May, 1776, he reached Long Island, where a part of the American army was stationed, and offered himself as a volunteer to General Washington, and was accepted; that, shortly after, General Washington authorized him to select a number of men as a scouting




Blair & Rives printers
Page 50

1     Rep. No. 122.

party, and gave the petitioner command over then, with a commission of a captain, signed by General Washington; that he acted under it until he left the army; that he continued at Long Island until the army retreated, about the latter part of July, or beginning of August, 1776; that he proceeded from thence to the city of New York, and remained there until it was determined to evacuate the city; that he was then directed by General Washington to assist with his men in the removal of baggage, tents, provisions, stores, &c. up the North river; that he and his men, while thus engaged, were discovered and fired upon by a party of British soldiers, called "row-galleys;" that, by great exertions, they reached the army in safety. General Washington had heard the firing, and met them as they entered the camp, and commanded them for their prudence and courage, and directed them to go into the camo and get some refreshments; that the petitioner was in the battle or skirmish at Harlaem heights, under Colonel Knowlton, who was killed: he had been reconnoitering, and on his return had fallen in with Colonel Knowlton. In this battle he saw Major Leitch, of Virginia, carried off the field, severely wounded; that the petitioner himself was wounded in this skirmish by a musket ball in the leg, which rendered him incapable to perform duty for several weeks; that he subsequently accompanied General Washington in his retreat through New Jersey, and was in the battles of Trenton and Princeton, being attached, in those two engagements, to that part of the army commanded by General Washington in person; he was occasionally (in the absence of General Washington) under command of Generals Putnam and Lee: he was acquainted with them, and also with General Arnold, Major Leitch, Colonel Knowlton, Colonel Baldwin, and Major Atwater, of the militia, but has forgotten the names of many other officers with whom he was acquainted. That he left the army, late in the year 1779, in the neighborhood of Morristown, New Jersey, about going into winter quarters that he left the army in consequence of his wound having broken out afresh, which made him unfit for service; being a volunteer, he did not receive a formal discharge; that he was in the service about three years and six months; that, during the whole time, he received neither money nor clothing from the Government, (except his rations) but was furnished with both by his father, who was then in good circumstances; that, after he recovered, he was engaged in settling his father's estate, and employed as agent for different individuals, to act at different placed, for a number of years; that his residence was finally taken up at Burlington, New Jersey; and while on a visit to Homer, in the State of New York, he was taken sick, and reported at home to be dead: in consequence of which, his friends broke open his trunk, and his papers (among which were the commission spoken of, and a journal of the principal events that happened during his service) were wither lost or destroyed.

To this attached the certificate of Peter Powell, minister of the Gospel, Moses Lill, and Christian Larzelere, respectable citizens of Burlington, who are well acquainted with the petitioner, that he is a man of good character, and believed and reputed to have been a soldier in the revolutionary war.

And the judges of the court of common pleas for the said county of Burlington, having examined the petitioner upon the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, believe him to have been a soldier of the revolution, and to have served as he states.
Page 51

Rep. No. 122.

Colonel Daniel Kemper testifies he is well acquainted with Chauncey Rice; that he and the petitioner served on a scouting party in the revolutionary war, near Elizabethtown, about the year 1780; said Chauncey Rive commanded the party.

Abraham Mann testifies that he is a pensioner of the United States for services in the revolutionary war; that he is well acquainted with the petitioner, and was acquainted with him during the revolutionary war; that said Chauncey Rice was appointed of a scouting party on Long Island, New York, by General Washington, in 1776, and continued in said service for more than two years; that the said Captain Rice was at the battle of White Plains, New York, also in the battle of Trenton, New Jersey; and that the witness saw the wound received by Captain Rice at White Plains, where he fought under Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch. The witness also fully confirms the petitioner's statement about his retreat, with baggage, &c., up the North river; and that he became acquainted with Captain Rice on Long Island. Witness also received liquor (accidentally found in a cellar) that was dealt out among the soldiers by Captain Rice, by order of General Washington. He further states that he was in the battle at which Captain Rice was wounded.

With his condensed history of the services of the petitioner, well substantiated by witnesses who are certified to be credible, the committee have no hesitation in allowing him a full pension as a private soldier. To grant him a pension as a captain, without some documentary testimony, would be to open a door to fraud and peculation, that has hitherto required all the vigilance of the committee to guard against.
Page 52

Chauncey Rice
Page 53

An act granting a pension to Chauncey Rice,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House f Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be required to place the name of Chauncey Rice, of Northampton county, Pennsylvania, on the pension-roll, and pay him eighty dollars per annum during life; to commence and be computed from the fourth of March, eighteen hundred and thirty-one; to be paid out of any moneys not otherwise appropriated.

Approved, July 20th 1840
a true copy from the Roll in this office.
Dept of State July 20th 1840

J L Martin
Chief Clerk
Page 54

J L Edwards
My dear sir, [added in pencil:] Penn
I cannot urge you to strongly to make out Chauncey Rice's Certificate for a Pension, and forward it to me before I leave, which will be in the morning at 6 oclock
Yours Respectfully
David D Wagener
---
House of Rep
Tuesday July 21. 1840
Page 55

Easton Pa June 1, 1840
Dear Sir
I have known Chauney Rice, for several years. He is a man of exemplary character & a member in full communion with the Presbytenan Church in this place. He has always been reputed, to have been an officer in the Revolutionary Army, since I have known him. He was in quite comfortable circumstances until within a few years back when he lost what he [unclear] worth by Moses Sill.
I can freely bear testimony to his character for unblemished integrity and for undoubted veracity. I do not believe he would utter a wilful falsehood for all the pensions that Congress could bestow.
The Revd Mr Gray the pastor of our church is absent or he would cheerfully join in all I say, for I know that we concur in opinion in relation to Captain Rice.
Very Truly Yours
JM Porter

The Honble DD Wagener
Page 56

Pension Office.
June 1, 1840.

Sir,
I herewith return the printed document of Congress in the case of Chauncy Rice of Pennsylvania, and have to inform you that the letter from this office to Hon. W. N. Shinn of the 11th December 1833, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, will shew the objections to the admission of his claim, under the act of June 1832. The papers in his case were sent to Hon: D.D. Wagner on the 16th December 1836.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Hon. Franklin Pierce Senate U. States
Page 57

Easton June 4th 1840
Honble D D Wagener
Respected Sir,
The delay in answering yours of the 30th was occasioned by my absence from this place. Having returned last evening I hasten to reply, by saying that in my judgment Captain Rice is a man of strict and undeviating[?] integrity- nay more that he is a man of profound and unquestionable piety. As such, our Church Session unanimously received him in into membership, and as such, after trial, we still unanimously regard him. So fully do or confide in his verity, that I believe Congress does not possess the power or the wealth sufficient to bribe him, standing as he does on the brink of the grave & as I believe on the threshold of glory, to declare a known falsehood.
Yours very respectfully &c
J. Gray, Pastor of the Presbytenan Church in the Borough of Easton Pa.

I concur in the above
Tho McKeen
Page 58

Washington City
June 3 - 1840
My Dear Sir,
A duty I owe old Chauncy Rice compels me to address you & to call your attention to the evidence of Major Kemper and M. Mann which beyond cavil prove his revolutionary services. I further declare, that his character for truth, honor and respectability is above suspicion. [underlined:] He is the last Man, that would ask a Pension of  his country that he did not deserve.[/underline] I also enclose the letter of the Hon. James M. Porter for your inspection.
I do hope you will have no difficulty in refunding his Bill - Time is pressing to him.
Very Respectfully yours
David D Wagener
House of Rep