Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,544, Benjamin Cranston, R.I. R.I. Sea Service
Page 1

R.I. Cranston Benjamin W.14.544
R.I. Sea Service Mary
Page 2

1888 Sept. 21 WA Cranston history prior
Rhode Island 2343
Mary Cranston of Bristol, [illegible]
of Benjamin Cranston [illegible]
Master of the Row Galley, Spitfire who died on the 6th day of May 1823 of Bristol Co in the State of Massts who was a [blank] in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the [blank] line for
1 year R.I. + RI sea service
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence, R.I. at the rate of 51 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Septr 1838, & sent to Saml Randall, Esq. Warren, R. Island.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 38 $382.50
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '39 25.50
$408.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3d}
Recorded by D MCurdy Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 84.
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836.
State of Rhode Island & Bristol County} [illegible]
on this thirteenth day of February 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the town of Warren, being a Court of Record Mary Cranston a resident of Warren in the aforesaid county of Bristol, aged Eighty years who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4-1836 that she is the widow of Benjamin Cranston late of said Warren, deceased, who was an officer and soldier in the War of the Revolution, and whose services in said War, according to the best of her knowledge and belief, were as follows. to wit that previous to the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven her said husband, the said Benjamin Cranston, was employed in the service of the state in fiting out the Row Galley Spitfire. that said Benjamin enlisted on board said Galley for twelve months and served that time in said Galley in the capacity of quarter Master and Captain's Clerk. that after the expiration of said term in said Galley said Benjamin, was employed in the boat service and in guard service. the times + places she has no means to enable her to point out [illegible] haveing kept no journal at the time but she knows her said husband was from home a greater part of the time during [illegible] ^ years of the War and She then understood and beleived he was on duty as a soldier in the service of the state against the enemy that Joseph Crandall was Capt. of said Row Galley, Sheffield Atwood was leiutenant and
Page 4

Paul Curt Wright sailing Master or second Liutenant at the time her said husband was in service on board of said Galley.
That her said husband belonged to and resided in said town of Warren during the war. that he was drafted for a part of the service, enlisted for one year, (in 1777) on board said Galley and and afterwards acted as volunteer except ones when he went as a substitute for one Capt. Nathaniel Whiting. 
that when her first child was born her said husband was absent in the service she well remembers, her child was born in Oct. 1777. and she believes this was the time of Spencers expedition on Rhode Island. That in the year 1819 or 20 her said husband made application for a Pension under the then existing pension act and many Depositions were then taken proveing his services, and said Depositions together with his Commission as quarter Master of the Row Galley Spit Fire, was entrusted to Judge Bradford of Bristol to be forwarded to the Department for the aforesaid purpose, but his claim, at that time, she understood was rejected because his services were not in the Continental Line but said Commission and Depositions were never [illegible] to her said husband, and Judge Bradford haveing died some ten years ago, no account can be had of them. though diligent enquiry has been made of the family + this administrator of said Bradford. so that unless said Commission and Depositions are now in the Pension office at Washington they are undoubtedly lost. she saw the Commission frequently her said husbands lifetime before said application was made, but never saw it after wards
Page 5

and she's confident it was never returned to him. she further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Cranston on the sixth day of February Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven, in said Warren by Rev. Charles Thompson, that she has not the Certificate of her marriage the certificate of her marriage after it was recorded, was considered of no particular use and no particular care was taken of it. And she presumes it is lost, she never having seen it since her marriage was recorded and thinks it probable it was left with the town clerk and not taken back after it was recorded. - And that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Cranston died on the 6th day of May Eighteen hundred Twenty Three. and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexd. she further declares that her maiden name was Mary Bowen and that she is the identical person named in the certificate of her marriage herto annexed.
witness Levi Haile Mary Cross Cranston
State of Rhode Island [illegile]
Bristol County Ss
At a court of Probate for the town of Warren in said county of Bristol, holden on the 22d day of February A.D. 1837.
Then the above named Mary Cranston personally came before said Court & made oath to the truth of the aforegoing declaration & subscribed her dress thereto in open Court, being unable to write.
Samuel Randall Probate Clerk
Page 6

Warren February 6th 1777 then was Mr Benjamin Cranston Married to Mrs Mary Bowen by Charles Thompson Pastor.
A true Copy of the record Auff Samuel Randall Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol County Ss. } Town Clerk's Office Warren Feb 22d 1837.
I Samuel Randall of Warren,  on oath, do testify and say that I am the the Town Clerk of said Town of Warren, legally appointed and duly engaged as such, that the laws of this state require all marriages to be recorded in the town clerk's office of the town where the marriage was performed & that the forgoing is a true copy of the record of the Marriage of Benjamin Cranston and Mary Bowen. Samuel Randall The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations County of Bristol
Warren February 22d A.D. 1837
Then the above named Samuel Randall personally appearing before me [illegible] Subscriber, one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit to which he subscribed his name in my presence, And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Samuel Randall that he is a credible person and his statement is entitled to credit.
Levi Haile Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Page 7

State of Rhode Island & County of Bristol
I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, for the County aforesaid, being the highest Court of record in said State, holding its sessions in each County thereof, do hereby certify that Levi Haile is one of the Justices of said Court, duly appointed by the General Assembly and commissioned by the Govenor of said State and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity, And that the signature written under the certificate to the attestation of Samuel Randall as Town Clerk of the Town of Warren, is his genine signature.
And I further certify that Samuel Randall before whom the Deposition of Joseph Munro, Ichabod Cole, William Bowen and Seth Cole purport to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace for [illegible] County of Bristol, duly qualified to act in said capacity, and that the signature at the bottom of the certificate to said deposition is in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court the twenty fifth day of February AD 1837
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk
Page 8

State of New York Delaware County
Samuel Cranston of the Town of Roxbury, County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes & says that I am now Eighty one years of age that I was born & brought up in the Town of Warren, State of Rhode Island, that I was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, that I had been in the service about from my native place about two years, that at the expiration of one enlistment - I went home to my mothers in the said Town of Warren, being in the spring of 177 - that I found my cousin Benjamin Cranston was then engaged in the war of the Revolution - that I was frequently at his house & had conversations with him relation to the war, he then belonged to the Row Galley Spitfire & held some office, I believe he was quartermaster - that after the war I was with said Benjamin Cranston frequently - went three or four voyages to sea with him - we frequently conversed & rehearsed over the affairs of the war - although I never was on board the Galley & never saw said Benjamin on board of her, yet from what I saw and heard of due from him while at home at Warren in 1777 as [illegible] afterwards I had not at that time nor have I at this time any doubt but that he was an officer on board the Galley Spitfire in the year 1777 and that he served one year in the said Gally if not more
Samuel Cranston
Sworn & Subscribed before me July 16. 1838
E.J. Burhars Justice Peace
Page 9

I the undersigned Justice of the peace before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and sworn to do certify that said Samuel Cranston the [illegible] is a credible & [re]spectable witness given under my hand at Roxbury July 16. 1838 E.L. Burhans Justice
State of New York Delaware County Clerks Office
I Edwin H Sheldon Deputy Clerk of the County of Delaware & the Courts of said County certify that Edward J Burhans is a magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature - purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 20th day of July 1838
Edwin H. Sheldon Deputy Clerk in the absence of CB Sheldon Clerk of Delaware County
Page 10

Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No. 14.544
Mary Cranston
Wife of
Benjamin Cranston
Officer Rev War
Act: July 4 1836
Index: --Vol. A, Page 154

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 11

J. L Edwards Esq.
Care of Pensions
Page 12

Warren Aug. 14 - 1838

Sir

Herewith you will receive further evidence in behalf of Mary Cranston's application for a pension.  Which with that before furnished.  I hope will entitle her to a full Pension.

Respectfully yours,
Samuel Randall

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 13

Suspended
See let to Saml.
Randall June
1st 1837
[Illegible]
Page 14

I Caleb Eddy of Warren, county of Bristol, in the state of Rhode Island, being Seventy years of age, on oath do depose and say, that during the war of the Revolution, and for many years after I lived with my grandfather, Ebenezer Cole, who kept the then only publick [public] house in said town of Warren, that this house was the general place of resort for the people to learn the news of the day, and was the stoping [stopping] place for travelers.  The officers engaged in the war frequently met at this house.  I frequently saw the officers of the Row Gallies Spitfire and Washington.  These Row Gallies frequently came in to this harbour [harbor] and their officers, particularly Capt. Grimes and Capt. Crandall always came to the aforementioned publick house.  I further testify that I was always well acquainted with Benjamin Cranston, the late husband of Mary Cranston who is now living, and who, as I am informed, has made application for a Pension: that when the afore named officers of the said Row Gallies were at said public house, the said Benjamin Cranston was frequently with them, was dressed very neatly, with ruffles over his hands and in his bosom, and I then understood, said Cranston was an officer of one of those Gallies.  He appeared to have no business but with the officers aforenamed, was frequently sent for by them.  I frequently went for him at their request.  The said Benjamin and Mary were then married and kept house in said Warren.  The said Benjamin went frequently to Providence, and, as I then understood,  and now believe, was sent by them.  The wharf to which these Gallies came, when
Page 15

they were brought into this harbour, was about forty rods from said Tavern, and the said Benjamin lived between the tavern aforesaid and said wharf.  I further testify that said Cranston always lived within a few rods of my residence from before the War to his death.  I never knew Mr. Cranston pursuing any business but what related to the war, during the war.  He was a very active [unreadable] man, was said to be a good penman, and I have understood he acted as Captain's Clerk as well as Quarter Master.  I verily believe he was engaged some way or other in the service of the state & country during the whole of the War of the Revolution and this belief is acquired from what I saw and heard duirng the war and after the war by common reports.

State of Rhode Island
Bristol Co in Warren, July 28th 1838
Then the above named Caleb Eddy, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition to which he subscribed his name, in my presence.  And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Caleb Eddy & that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.

Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 16

I William Carr of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, being seventy four years of age, on oath do depose & say, that I was born and always resided in said town of Warren, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of said Warren, deceased, both before & during the War of the Revolution and afterwards until his death: that my place of residence, during said War of the Revolution, was within two or three rods of the Wharf, called, at that time, Ferry Wharf.  I then tended the Ferry [unreadable] in the years 1777 1778 1779 & 1780.  The Row Galley Spitfire frequently came to that wharf and I frequently saw said Benjamin Cranston on board of her acting in the capacity of an officer.  I do not recollect of going on board said Galley, without seeing said Benjamin as aforesaid & whenever said Galley came to said Wharf, which was many times in the yr 1777, I always saw said Benjamin Cranston on board in the capacity of an officer, but when he enlisted into that service, and how long he served I do not know, but have no doubt he served on board of said Galley one year at least.
Said Benjamin Cranston was the husband of Mary Cranston, who is now living in this town and who, I understand, has made application for a pension.  I further testify that at the times above stated the said Benjamin & Mary were said to be married - that they kept house within forty rods of my residence and that I always lived near said Benjamin, before the war, during the war and after the war, 'till his death and never knew him doing any business during the war but what related to the war, and I verily believe he served, in all, as a soldier
Page 17

or an officer more than two years during the War of the Revolution.

Wm Carr

State of Rhode Island
Bristol Co. in Warren, July 31, 1838
Then the above named William Carr, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said William Carr, and that he is a credible person, and his statements entitled to credit.

Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

I Daniel Barrus of Warren, in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island, being Seventy five years of age, on oath depose and say that I was personally and familiarly acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of Warren, deceased, from the year Seventeen hundred & Eighty nine to his death in Eighteen hundred twenty two, that I am also acquainted with his widow Mary Cranston who is now living and, as I am informed, has made application for a Pension.  That I have been the family physician of said Benjamin Cranston from Seventeen hundred Ninety four to his death.  That during that period of time I had many conversations with him on the subject of the War of the Revolution.  He related to me a number of times his labours [labors] and adventures on board the Row Galley Spitfire during the War of the Revolution.  He always represented himself as an Officer (I think Quarter Master) of that vessel.  Whenever the subject of the Revolutionary War was mentioned, he would relate his adventures in said Row Galley.  He always told the same stories without material variation, and always spoke of his services as an officer.  I am confident that the first time I listened to his adventures in that vessel was in Seventeen hundred and Eighty Nine or ninety.  It was three or four years before I became his regular family physician.  I cannot remember how long he stated his services to have been, but my impression is that it was a year or more.  The above dates I know from my account book - I have frequently heard the old people of Warren, in thinking of the [unreadable]
Page 19

[unreadable] during the war, speak of this Row Galley and of Mr. Cranston's being one of the crew of that vessel and since the Law of 1836, for the benefit of widows, I have heard a great deal said on the subject of the services of soldiers of the Revolution but have never heard a doubt expressed by any one of the services of said Benjamin Cranston.  His commission or Warrant as an officer of said galley having been lost, and other papers, shewing [showing] his services has created much conversation particularly on the subject of his services in the Galley Spitfire.

Daniel Barrus

State of Rhode Island
Bristol [unreadable] in Warren August 10th 1838
Then the above named Daniel Barrus, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Daniel Barrus & that he is a credible person, and his statement entitled to credit.

Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 20

We the undersigned citizens of Warren do severally on oath depose and say that we resided in the town of Warren (and its vicinity) in the state of Rhode Island during the War of the Revolution, that we were personally acquainted with Benjamin Cranston, late of said Warren, deceased, and with his widow Mary Cranston, who, we are informed, has made application for a Pension - that although we never saw the said Benjamin Cranston in actual service on board of the Row Galley Spitfire, or in other service as a soldier during said War, yet it was so generally reported at the time that we then and now verily believe that said Cranston was an officer on board the Row Galley Spitfire, and that he was engaged in other services and soldier during the War of the Revolution.
              his
Coomer  X  Haile
             mark
[one unreadable name]
Barnard Hail

State of Rhode Island
Bristol [unreadable] in Warren Aug 14th 1838
Then the above named Coomer Haile and Barnard Hail personally appearing before me in the [unreadable] and being sworn [unreadable several words] made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which they subscribed their names in my presence, the said Coomer by making his cross being unable to write, and to hereby notify that I am well acquainted with both the above named deponents & that they are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit.

Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 21

I Jonathan Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, being Seventy years of age, on oath depose & say that I was intimately acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of Warren deceased & his wife Mary Cranston (who I am informed has made application for a Pension) during the War of the Revolution and afterward while he lived having always lived a near neighbour [neighbor] to him.  I never saw said Benjamin Cranston on board of the Spitfire Row Galley during the War but I understood at that time that said Benjamin Cranston belonged to that Row Galley and was one of the officers of that vessel.  I well recollect his dress indicated some office, he had ruffles over his hands, and I then understood & believed that he was an officer of the Row Galley Spitfire, & now believe he was.  That there has been since the year 1836, that is for two years past, a great deal of conversation [unreadable] said Benjamin Cranston's services in said Row Galley on account of his Commission & other papers being lost, as I am informed, but I have never heard a single individual express a doubt of his having been an officer on that Galley.

Jonathan Cole
State of Rhode Island
Bristol [unreadable] in Warren, August 7th 1838 then the above named Jonathan Cole personally appeared before me the subscriber, and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence, & thereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Jonathan Cole & that he is a credible person and that and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 22

We the undersigned citizens of Warren, Rhode Island, on oath do severally depose that we have resided in Warren aforesaid over fifty years and were personally acquainted with Benjamin Cranston, late of said Warren, deceased, that late husband of Mary Cranston, who is now living and residing in this town and who has, as we are informed, made application for a pension, that from general report previous to Mr. Cranston's death and before any pension law to our knowledge was passed, we have no doubt that Mr. Cranston served on board the Tow Galley Spitfire, and did other service as a soldier in the War of the Revolution and that among all the talk and conversations on that subject since the pension laws were passed we have never heard a single word of doubt from any one of Mr. Cranston's services in the said Row Galley and as a soldier in the War of the Revolution.
Eben Luther
William Turner
William Baker
John Jales
I have resided in Warren fifty years next Oct and join in all the above [unreadable].  Rufus Hunter
Caleb Carr

State of Rhode Island
Bristol for in Warren August 15th 1838
There the above named Ebenezer, William Turner, William Baker, John Jales, Rufus Hunter and Caleb Carr, personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the aforegoing Deposition to which they severally subscribed their names in my presence.  And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with all the above named Deponents & trust they are credible persons, and their statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 23

State of Rhode Island
County of Bristol
[unreadable] Clerk's office Court of Common Pleas for the County aforesaid.

I hereby certify that Samuel Randall, whose signature is affixed to the taking of the aforegoing Depositions of Caleb Eddy, [unreadable] Carr, Daniel Barrus, Coomer Haile, Barnard Hail, Jonathan Cole, Ebenezer Luther, William Turner, William Baker, John Joles and Caleb Carr, is a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County duly commissioned under the [unreadable] of said State and engaged thereon according to Law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand, and affixed the sea; of said Count this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1838.

William Throop, Clerk
Page 24

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Com of Pension
Washington
Page 25

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Warren Feb. 27th 1837

Sir,
Enclosed are the papers in case of Mary Cranston widow of Benjamin Cranston late of Warren, deceased, for a Pension.

Her case is peculiarly hard - her husband applied in 1818 or 19 for a Pension [under?] the then existing law, but not having served in the United States service did not [unreadable].  Many Depositions were then taken proving his services and particularly his service for one year on board the Row Galley Spitfire he who had a Commission as Commissary which was forwarded with the rest of his papers, which papers were never returned to him & cannot be found among Judge Bradford's papers.  Judge Bradford of Bristol prepared the papers and took charge of them.  Mr. Cranston died a few years after and Bradford also - and no tiding can be had of those papers.

Traditionally every one here knows of Mr. Cranston's services in the War & especially on board the Galley, and in the boats, but all who were present with him in the Galley are dead.  James Brayton was in the Galley I believe at the same time.  You have his declaration for a Pension[.]  Will you please look at his statement and see if he does not name Benjamin Cranston as Commissary at the time he himself was on board the Galley.  This [is] a genuine case.  The widow ever since the death of her husband lives on charity.  I leave her in your hands.

Samuel Randall
Page 26

At the August Session of the General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island 1775 (Page 99)
(No. 1) It is voted and resolved that two Row Gallies be forthwith built and equipped at the expense of this Colony, for its protection & defence:  That they be of a suitable bigness, to carry sixty men each, to row with fifteen oars on a side, and to mount one Eighteen Pounder in the Bow, and a number of swivel guns; and that they be built in such further and particular form, Model and construction as shall be judged most suitable and fitting by the Committee, hereafter named for answering the design and purpose of their building.  And that, Ambrose Page, Esq be the person for the above purpose, and that he be empowered to draw out of the general treasury a sum not exceeding Three hundred pounds to enable him to prosecute the building.

(No. 2) October Session 1775 (Page 168)
It is voted and resolved that Ambrose Page Esq. be requested to procure the two Row Gallies belonging to the Colony to be immediately completed fit for service: And that he draw out of the general Treasury the sum of four hundred pounds lawful money for the purpose aforesaid.

(No. 3) Oct session 1775 (Page 192-3)
Both houses being resolved into a grand Committee chose the following officers, to wit
Officers for the Regiment ordered to be raised at the Present Session [:]
Wm Richmond Esq. Colonel
Benjamin Page, Capt of the first Row Galley that shall be equipped.

(No. 4) Oct. Session 1775 (Page 197)
It is voted and resolved that there be the same number of officers, and of the same kind appointed for the Row Gallies as are appointed for the Sloop Katy.  That the officers and men of the Row Gallies
Page 27

receive the same wages as are allowed to the officers and men of the Sloop Washington.  That Ambrose Page, Esq, be empowered to enlist the men for the Row Gallies to pay them one month's pay advance and to equip and fit them comfortably for the service, and that the officers of the Row Gallies not chosen be appointed by Brigadier General Hopkins and be commissioned accordingly.

(No. 5) January Session 1776 (Page 211)
It is voted and resolved that Capt John Grimes be commander of the Row Galley to be fitted out at the wages of Nine pounds lawful money per month, to commence from this day, and to be Commodore of both Row Gallies: That the wages of Capt. Benjamin Page be raised to nine pounds, lawful money per month, commencing from this time: That each of said Gallies be manned with fifty men including officers, and that Thomas Arnold of East Greenwich be appointed First Lieutenant, Samuel Viat of Rehoboth Second Lieutenant and John Kelton of Providence, Master of said Row Galley.

(No. 6) January Session 1776 (Page 213)
It is voted and resolved that Mr. Samuel Westin be chosen and appointed First Lieutenant of the Row Galley commanded by Capt John Grimes in the room of Thomas Arnold, who refuses, and that Mr. Francis Bradford be appointed Master of said Row Galley in teh room of John Kelton, who refuses.

(No. 7) February Session 1776 (Page 280)
It is voted and resolved that one of the 18 lb cannon in the battery at Providence, with the carriage and stores belonging to it, be sent to Bristol for the defence of that place, and that the same be carried in one of the Row Gallies

(No. 8) March Session 1776 (Page 303)
Both houses being resolved
Page 28

into a grand Committee, made choice of the following Officers to wit.
Samuel Vial first Lieutenant, Isaac Tyler second Lieutenant, and Joseph Marvin, Master, of the Row Galley Spitfire.

(No. 9) May Session 1776 (Page 51)
It is voted and resolved that Mr. John Smith be and he is here by appointed to attend the salt of the salt [?] lately taken by the armed Gallies of this Colony (if the same shall be condemned) and to bid for the same in behalf of the Colony, to such a sum per bushel as he shall think prudent.

(No. 10) Oct. Session 1776 (Page 6)
 It is voted and resolved that Mr. John Brown be and he is hereby appointed to enquire into the affair of the prizes taken by the two Rogallies [Row Gallies] in the harbour [harbor] or Newport and see that the government's part of the prizes be paid into the general Treasury.  And that this state give up their right to Capt Grimes of the Galley Spitfire, and the [unreadable] thereof, in the three anchors and cables by them taken up in the Harbor of Newport to be divided among them agreeable to the Rules provided in such cases, and that they apply to [inserted word unreadable] Samuel Tillinghast for the same

(No. 11) December Session 1776 (Page 40)
Both houses in grand Committee chose the following Officers, to wit.
Isaac Tyler Capt.
Josiah Simmons first Lieutenant
Abel Weathers Second Lieutenant
of the Row Galley Spitfire

(No. 12) May Session 1777 (Page 13)
Both Houses being joined in a grand Committee made choice of the following Officers, to wit.
Joseph Crandall Capt of Row Galley Spitfire
Page 29

(No. 13) May Session 1777 (Page 10)
Whereas Cromwell Child exhibited unto this Assembly an amount of him charged against the state for materials furnished for and labour done in repairing the Row Galley Spitfire: and the said amount being duly examined by Mr. Nathaniel Mumford, who reported the sum of two hundred thirty one pounds nine shillings fourpence lawful money due to the said Cromwell Child: which being duly examined: It is voted and resolved that said Report be and hereby is accepted, and that the sum aforesaid be paid to the said Cromwell Child out of the General Treasury.

(No. 14) May Session 1777 (Page 35)
It is voted and resolved that Joseph Crandall, Capt of the Row Galley Spitfire, [enlisted?] to serve on board said Galley for the term of Eighteen Months, from the day of their Enlistments unless sooner discharged by this assembly, fifty Men including those already inlisted [enlisted] and their Officers, that all the sailors be allowed nine pounds bounty upon their inlisting [enlisting], and that those who have already enlisted have the same bounty upon their enlisting anew, in manner above mentioned.

State of Rhode Island
Secretary's Office July 25, 1838
I certify that the foregoing numbered (1 to 12) are true copies from the records of the office:
I further certify that there are (to my knowledge) no documents or papers in this office relating to the aforesaid Row Gallies their officers or men.
[unreadable] Henry Bowen, Secry
Page 30

I Joseph Munro of Bristol in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on solemn oath do testify & say that I am seventy five years of age and upwards, that I am acquainted with Molly Cranston the widow of Benjamin Cranston late of Warren, deceased, that I was well acquainted with said Benjamin Cranston during the War of the Revolution that in the years Seventeen hundred seventy seven & eight the said Benjamin Cranston was quarter master on boar[d] the Row Galley Spitfire commanded by Joseph Crandall.  Capt. Sheffield Atwood Lieutenant & Paul Cartwright Sailing Master and William Warren 2d Lieutenant - that said Row Galley was stationed at Howland's Ferry in the summer of 1777 a part of the time and a part of the time in Mount Hope Bay.  I was stationed and quartered within forty rods of said Row Galley when the[y] lay at Howland Ferry, and was frequently on board of said Row Galley.  I should think on an average as often as twice in a week, and saw said Benjamin Cranston always on board and always acting in the said Capacity of quarter Master.  I was always acquainted with said Benjamin Cranston from his youth we having been born and brought up within about one mile apart each other.  In the winter following said Row Galley was stationed at the place called the Narrows on the Northerly side of Mount Hope Bay.  At this time I was quartered two miles up Kickemuit River from said Narrows
Page 31

and was several times during the winter of 1778 on board of said Row Galley while she lay at said Narrows and saw said Benjamin Cranston on board acting in said Capacity of Quarter Master.  That the said Benjamin Cranston entered on board said Galley in the month of April in said year of Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven and left the service on board said Galley in the month of April the next year 1778.  I am positive that said Benjamin Cranston entered the service on board of said Galley the last of March or first of April in said year 1777 and was discharged a year from that time & that the said Benjamin Cranston served twelve months on board of said Galley.
I saw the said Benjamin Cranston frequently before and after said service in said Row Galley on duty as a soldier in the Militia but cannot give dates or specify the length of time of each term of service, but I have no doubt said Benjamin Cranston served as a soldier in the Militia during the War of the Revolution before and after his year's service in the said Galley as much as ten months.

[signed] Joseph Munro

State of Rhode Island [unreadable] Bristol County [rest of line unreadable]
Thus the above named Joseph Munro personally appearing before me [unreadable] & being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the [rest of line unreadable/cut off]
Page 32

I Ichabod Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on oath do testify & say that I am eighty seven years of age and more, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of Warren aforesaid, deceased, both before and during the War of the Revolution, that I know the said Benjamin Cranston was in the Row Galley service but how long I do not know said Benjamin served, after his service in the Row Galley, in the Militia during the years of seventy eight & nine as others did in this County.  In my opinion his service amounted to as much as Nine months.  His service aforesaid was in the capacity of a private soldier.

[signed] Ichabod Cole

State of Rhode Island
Bristol for Warren Sept. 17th 1836
Then the above named Ichabod Cole personally appearing and being sworn according to law, made oath to the foregoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence.
And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Ichabod Cole & that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 33

I William Bowen of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Seventy Six years of age, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of Warren deceased, from his youth.  That I am also well acquainted with Mary Cranston the widow of said Benjamin Cranston, who is now living and has never been married since the death of her husband to any person.

In March Seventeen hundred and seventy seven I was drafted and went on duty in the Militia company commanded by Ezra Ormsbee [?] of Warren at Bristol, to do guard service, which service continued at this time only for one month according to the best of my recollection & belief.  I know that said Benjamin Cranston was one of that company at that time.  There are two remarkable facts that make me distinctly recollect that Benjamin Cranston was one of our company.  One is that while said Benjamin Cranston was firing at a mark his gun split.  The other was that the beef dealt out to us was bad and said Cranston suspecting it be horse beef refused to cut any of it but eat [ate] the vegetable boiled with the beef.  But finally he said he might as well eat the Devil or drink his broth & afterward, partook of the beef.  I was not personally present with said Benjamin Cranston afterward during the War, as I can distinctly recollect, but was knowing by report at the time, that said Benjamin was in service like other members of the Militia during the War of the Revolution, and I have no doubt in my mind that he served as much as two years including one year in the Row Galley and boat service.  I did not see him in the Row Galley for I was in the state service while he was
Page 34

was serving in the Row Galley, but know that fact the same as I know that Wallis [?] was Commander of the English fleet when in Narragansett Bay.  I did not see him but had no doubt he was there, and I have better reason to be satisfied that Benjamin Cranston was quarter master for one year in the Row Galley because I was intimately acquainted with him.  I frequently was hearing from him and knew he was in that service as well as was possible without being present with him.

I commenced service in the War of the Revolution in Seventeen hundred Seventy Six and served more or less every year until [unreadable] and was discharged in Saratoga at that time.  But served here all except nine months in the continent serve which was the last service.  And have drawn a pension for many years, and I am confident that said Benjamin Cranston was a great part of the time from 1775 to 1781 in the service of the state against the enemy and the War of the Revolution.

[signed] William Bowen

State of Rhode Island
Bristol County in Warren January 7 1837
Then the above named William Bowen personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said William Bowen & that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 35

I Seth Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol, in the state of Rhode Island on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Seventy Six years of age and more, that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Cranston late of said Warren deceased, that I was acquainted with Mary Cranston the widow of said Benjamin Cranston, who is now living and has never been married to any other person since the death of her said husband Benjamin Cranston.

In the month of April in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven, said Benjamin Cranston was on duty as a soldier in the Militia in the company commanded by Capt Ezra Ormsby.  At this time we were stationed at Bristol in this county.  I belonged to the same company and was on duty at said Bristol at the time aforenamed.  The length of time of the service of said Benjamin I do not know.  But the impression made on my mind during the War of the Revolution is that said Benjamin Cranston was in actual service during the War of the Revolution as much or more than most of the militia of this town.  I frequently heard during said War of the services of said Benjamin Cranston, to wit that he was an officer on board of one of the Row Galleys that were fitted out in this state, and in service in the waters of Narragansett Bay in this vicinity, and I then and now have no doubt of the fact.

Seth Cole
Page 36

State of Rhode Island
Bristol [unreadable] Warren October 8th 1836
Then the above named Seth Cole personally appearing before me the subscriber & being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Seth Cole & that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.

Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 37

I Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth in the county of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts on solemn oath do testify and say that I am Eighty three years of age and more.  That in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Six Benjamin Cranston of Warren the state of Rhode Island entered on board the Row Galley Spitfire a vessel fitted out by the state of Rhode Island (as I understood) against the enemy.  The said Row Galley sailed from said Warren in the [unreadable] part of the month of June of the aforesaid year of 1776 and was bound up the North River and as I then understood went up said North River above West Point and returned in the fall of that year after an absence of about five months.

James Brayton of said Warren and Charles Young of Rehoboth were also on board of said vessel at the same time the said Row Galley was then commanded by Capt. Grimes.

I was acquainted with said Benjamin Cranston before the Commencement of the War of the Revolution.  I entered on board of said Row Galley in the same year after her return in the capacity of quarter master.

[signed] Joseph Wheaton

State of Rhode Island
Bristol Warren Oct 8th 1836
Then the above named Joseph Wheaton personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.  And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Joseph Wheaton & that he is a man of truth & his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace
Page 38

3-871.

RECORD DIVISION
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by L. Heisner
Claim No. [blank]
Certificate No. [blank]
Claimant [blank]
Soldier Benjamin Cranston
Service R.I.
Additional Service [blank]
No [blank] claim, State records [blank], 191[blank]
No claim, combination records [blank], 191[blank]
REMARKS:
No O.W. Inv. or rej claim.

6-1944  Chief Division [blank line]
Page 39

Providence, R.I Sept. 16 1888
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me for genealogical purposes, what information is possessed by the Department respecting my great grandfather Benjamin Cranston of Warren, R.I born about 1704 whose wife Mary Cranston received a pension for her husband's service during the War of the Revolution.
Also has the Department any record of any pension being granted Benjamin Cranston born 1727 in {unclear}, Mass or Warren R.I. for services on board the "General Stark" during above war if so will you kindly give particulars.
All this information is requested for genealogical purposes and will be highly appreciated by Very Sincerely Yours
W.A. Cranston
No. Dudley St. Providence, R.I.