Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,446, Benjamin Grant, R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Grant, Benjamin

NUMBER
S.17,446

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

2956
Rhode Island

Benjamin Grant of Bristol in the State of RI who was a Private in the company command
by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded by Col Miller in the RI line for 9 mos Pr of Art. [Private of Artillery]
1 Year " " Company [Private of Company]

Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 77 Dollars 50 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of Decr 1832 and Sent Nathanl Bullock Bristol RI

Arrears to 4th of Sepr 1832                      $116.25
Semi=anl. allowance ending 21 Mar 33       38.75
                                                                  $155.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by I H McBlair Clerk
Book D, Vol. 3rd Page 114.
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Declaration

Benjamin Grant

No 6173
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DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,
COUNTY OF BRISTOL, [flourish bracket] ss.

On this twenty eight day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Benjamin Grant a resident of Barrington in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode-Island aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

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

that is to say he was born on the 7th day of May, 1750, old [style?] in that part of Warren, which was afterward split off from, and now makes the town of Barrington, where he resided at the commencement of the Revolution and has even since resided, except during a few years, when he resided in the adjoining town of Rehoboth, in Massachusetts, but that he has no record of his birth, that in the Month of January 1777, he enlisted into Capt. Samuel Bosworth's Company of artillery as a private soldier, and is he thinks for nine months and served there untill [until] November of that year, during which time said company was stationed mostly at Rumstick Point near this present Pier and at Nayatt Point, where the Light House now stands to guard the shores upon that part of the Bay, but in the course of this term of service and during Spencer's expedition, the company was ordered down and went to Bristol where we were stationed at a temporary Fort, and while there heard of the taking and surrender of Burgoyne - Heath was the Lieutenant of this company. And he further declares that in the month of November 1777, he was ordered to join the company under the command of Capt. Viol [Viall] Allen then in the public service, it being the Militia company to which he belonged in Barrington, and of which Daniel Kinnicutt was Lieutenant, said company was divided into two portions of equal numbers, one portion were serving half the time and the other portion the other half, by tours, and were there doing duty at Nayatt Point & Rumstick Point, in said Barrington where this declarant entered this service and he declares that he served in said company as a private soldier during duty therein for half of the whole time from November 1777 to November 1779 a period of two years and was discharged from this service at the evacuation of Newport by the enemy, and that he drew pay and rations from this state for one half the said time, that he was stationed during this service at said Nayatt & Rumstick Points to guard the shores of the
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1779 a period of two years and was discharged from this service at the evacuation of Newport by the enemy and that he drew pay and rations from this state for one half the said time, that he was stationed during this service at said Nayatt & Rumstick Points to guard the shores of the Providence & Warren Rivers, But that he was marched with a part of said company in August 1778 to Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition under said Capt Allen and attached to the Regiment of Col. Nathan Miller and was in this service a month, that he was in the preceeding [preceding] spring detached to pursue the enemy who had landed at Bristol, at the time said place was burned for a short time, He was also detached in the summer of 1780, or rather drafted from said company for thirty days and stationed at Bristol Ferry where he was engaged in the Boat service in getting live stock [livestock] across the Bay and provisions for the French Army there, that he never received any written discharge from any of said services, that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no persons whom he can refer to for them except Joseph Bicknall Josiah Kinnicut of said Barrington Esquire & to the depositions inclosed [enclosed] that there is no clergyman in Barrington, who has lived there more than one year past so as to be acquainted with declarants [declarant's] services and he even has lived and now lives in said Barrington

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
I Davis Clerk
Benjamin Grant

We, Joseph Bicknall residing in the town of Barrington and Josiah Kennigut residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with said Benjamin Grant who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty two 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 day and year aforesaid.
I Davis Clerk
Josiah Kinnicutt
Joseph Bicknall

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatries 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 Josiah Kinnicutt Esqr who has signed the preceding certificate, is a citizen resident in the town of Barrington and that Joseph Bicknell who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest I Davis Clerk

I, Ichabod Davis Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Benjamin Grant for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 30th day of July A.D. 1832
I Davis Clerk
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No. 6173.

Benjn Grant of Barrington R.I.

9 Mos. Private of Artillery
1 Year Do [private] of Infantry

["Has not mentioned with precision the length of his service - papers not properly authenticated
Nov 7 1832" crossed out]

Admd
$77.50

Nathl. Bullock
Bristol R.I.
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Grant of the County of Bristol in the State of R. Island
(Act 7 June, 1832.)

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

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

3. How old is he? 82 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
[Row 1] In 1777 Jany. 9 Months. As a Private. Capt. Saml. Bosworth of the Arty.
[Row 2] from Novr. 1777 to Novr. 1779 he served every other month. 1 Year. ditto [As a Private]. Col. Nathiel [Nathan] Miller
Capt. Viol [Viall] Allen
St. [Sergeant] Danl. Kinnicutt

5. In what battles was he engaged? none

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Barrington R.I.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witnesses
no written discharge

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Regular

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

Sevin Belt
Examining Clerk.
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O.W.&N. Division

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
Bureau of Pensions, M.E.C.
Washington, D.C., June 25, 1895

Sir:-

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of ---Benjamin Grant--- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.
[Row 1] Jan. 1777. 9 mos. Pvt. CAPTAIN Samuel Bosworth. COLONEL Lt. Heath. R.I.
[Row 2] *Nov. 1777. 1 yr. Pvt. CAPTAIN Viol [Viall] Allen. COLONEL Lt. Dan'l Kinnicutt. R.I.

*This service was in alternate tours of one month each, extending over a period of two years.

Battles engaged in, None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Barrington, R.I.
Date of application for pension, July 28, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Barrington, R.I.
Age at date of application, Born May 7, 1750.

Remarks: No record found of William Hodge as a pensioner.

Mr. Daniel Rhodes,
Western Division,
Pension Office.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
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17,446
INVALID.

File No. 17,446
Benjamin Grant
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 443
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rhodes, 
Office
M.C.C.

June 25 95 Hist. to Daniel
Western Div.; Pension
Page 10

No. 6173
Benjamin Grant

Ret Case
R.I.

Nathl. Bullock
Bristol R.I.
Page 11

BRIEF objections in the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Grant which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [blank]

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. *Has he mentioned 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? no

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and general belief in the neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no.

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [blank]

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no - the depositions & certificate are not attached.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.

____________
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular risk he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.

++QUERE XVI. 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 affidavits, or other paper 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.
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REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O.W.&N. Div.
MEMORANDA.

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.
[handwritten note] No rec.
[handwritten note] 29901 I
[handwritten note] no other I
[handwritten note] not W

Full name of soldier:
William Hodge

Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Edgecomb, Lincoln Co., Me

Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
same

Date of death (as near as possible): -

Christian name of widow: -

Did either he or his widow receive a pension? [blank]

[Stamp] O.W.&N. DIV
JUN 22 1895
CHIEF'S DESK

Remarks:
This soldier wounded at battle of Bunker Hill and was pensioned.

Your name and address:
Daniel Rhodes
West Division
Pension Office
June 25 95

6-870
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REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O.W.&N. Div.
MEMORANDA.

Please supply as much as possible of the data called for below.

Full name of soldier:
Benjamin Grant

Place of residence before service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Barrington, Bristol Co., R.I.

Place of residence after service: (Town, county, and State, if possible.)
same

Date of death (as near as possible):
1839

Christian name of widow:
Esther

Did either he or his widow receive a pension? -

Remarks:

[Stamp] O.W.&N. DIV
JUN 22 1895
CHIEF'S DESK

Your name and address:
Daniel Rhodes
West. Division
Pension Office
June 25 95

6-870
Page 16

M. Cary for B. Grant
x
Page 17

Sworn to in open Court
Ichabod Davis Clerk
Page 18

I Michael Carey of Barrington in the County of Bristol & State of Rhode-Island, aged ninety three years, do testify & say, that I am acquainted with Benjamin Grant of Said Barrington a candidate for a pension, & have known him for sixty years, and I further testify, that said Grant was a private soldier in Capt. Samuel Bosworth Company of Artillery during the Revolution. I cannot recollect the year but think in the fore-part of said war. I do not recollect how long he served, but he served a number of months, & I think something like eight or ten months. I remember he was stationed at Barrington. I also recollect that said Grant served in Vial [Viall] Allen Company of Militia, & was stationed at Barrington, for a long time. But during this time, the company was divided into guards, one of which was stationed at Nayat [Nayatt] & one at Rumstick-point, but during this service, the company took turns, so that they served but half of the time. I do not recollect of seeing said Grant on Rhode-Island during Sullivan expedition, but I have no doubt he was there, either in the detachment, under the Captain, or in that under Leiut [Lieut.] Kinicutt [Kinnicutt], in which last I served for the whole company were marched to Rhode-Island, in that expedition, tho in different detachments, one succeeding the other
Mical Cary

Bristol Sc [flourish bracket] Bristol R. Island July 28th, 1832.
Personally came Michal Cary the abovenamed Deponant [deponent] and made solemn oath to the truth of this aforegoing deposition, and subscribed the same. and I do further certify that said Deponant [deponent] is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity, before me. Wm. Throop Jus. Court C. Pleas, County of Bristol
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Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island, Benjamin Grant, an applicant for a pension, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he can not 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 nine months, I served as a private soldier, in Captain Samuel Bosworths [Bosworth's] company of Artillery, in 1777; For twelve months, I served also, as a private soldier, in Captain Vial [Viall] Allen's company of Barrington militia, partly in 1777, partly in 1778 and partly in 1779; and I further served on a draft for one month in 1780, as a private of said Vial [Viall] Allen's company in the boat service in getting provisions across Bristol Ferry - making my whole service in the Revolutionary war amount to one year and ten months; and for such service I claim a pension.
Benjamin Grant

Sworn to and Subscribed this 24th day of Novr. A. D. 1832.
Before me - Wm. Throop, Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Clerks office, Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol -
I hereby certify that William Throop Esqr. whose signature is affixed to the above declaration of Benjamin Grant, and to the within depositions of Michael Cary & Daniel Brown was at the time of the taking thereof and is now a judge or justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State & engaged therein according to Law.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands & the seal of our sd [said] Court, this the twenty fourth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty two (1832) And of American Independence the fifty Seventh.
I. Davis Clk
Page 20

D. Drown for B. Grant
Page 21

I Daniel Drown of Barington [Barrington] in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, on solemn oath depose & say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Grant of said Barington [Barrington], an applicant for a pension, & I further testify, that said Grant was a private in Capt Bosworth company of artillery in an early part of the Revolution, & was stationed in Barrington for a considerable time, but he cannot say for how long & he further testify that said Grant was afterward stationed at the same place, as one of Vial [Viall] Allen's company of militia, but for how long he cannot say, but presumes for the whole time, said Vial [Viall] Allens [Allen's] company performed duty in Barington [Barrington], guarding the stations of Nayatt & Rumstick points, which was the whole time the enemy were in possession of Rhode Island, with the exception of [illegible] time, as said Grant was in the service of the State line as one of Capt Bosworth Artillery Company for he recollects said Grant was engaged in the war for several years, when stationed at Barington [Barrington] in Vial [Viall] Allen's company, the soldiers of that company performed duty in rotation, in that they were really in the service, but half the time, said Grant I recollect was in Sulivan [Sullivan] expedition on Rhode Island. I think I remember seeing him then in the great Storm of August 1778 just before the battle -
Daniel Drown

State of Rhode Island &c.
Bristol Sc [flourish bracket] Bristol July 28th, 1832. Personally came the abovenamed Deponant [deponent], and made solemn oath to the truth of his aforegoing deposition, and subscribed the same. And I do further certify that he is reputed to be a man of integrity and sustains a good character for truth and veracity, before me. Wm. Throop Justice Court C. Pleas, County of Bristol.

Sworn to in open Court
I Davis Clerk