Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22060, for Richard Rhodes, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Rhodes, Richard (colored)
Catharine

NUMBER
W. 22060

CONTENTS
Page 2

2970

Rhode Island Role

Richard Rhodes
private
Rhode Island Line
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 3d of April 1818

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 of Sep. 1818 and forwarded to Benj. Cowell Esq. Providence Rhode Island

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818 $40.43
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 $48.00
$88.53
Arrs 5 mos. 2/30

{Revolutionary claim, Act 19th March, 1818,}

5 Years
Continued.
[illegible]
Cond.
Page 3

I Richard Rhodes (a man of colour) of Norwich in the County of Kent and District of Rhode Island on oath do declare and say - that in the year 1778 I enlisted in Capt Arnolds company & Col. Granes regiment which regiment was of the Continental army of the United States & in the Rhode Island Line. In which regiment I continued untill the 15th day of June 1783 when I was discharged in manner as set forth in Major Dexters certificate hereto annexed -
having faithfully served in the army of the revolution more than five years, I was in the battles of Monmouth & Yorktown In the battle of Monmouth I received a severe wound - in my arm from a musket ball. I was born in Africa & was a slave to Nehemiah Rhodes when I entered the army - which and I entered the army for the purpose of obtaining my freedom - I am now old & infirm & in indigent circumstances & stand in need of the assistance of my country for support 
Richard Rhodes his X mark
Attest
[signed] Benj. Cowell
Page 4

Rhode Island District Ss -
Be it known that on this fourth day of September 1818. came before me the within named Richard Rhodes & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the declaration to which his mark is within affixed - Be it also known that from the examination of the said Richard & the evidence by him produced I am satisfied that he is entitled to the provisions of the act of Congress passed on 18th of March last entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & have caused the seal of the court to be hereto affixed -
[signed] David Howell District Judge.

N.B. I knew Dick & his matter before the war - I knew that he enlisted & served - and have seen his wound - He is poor enough. D.H.
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Richard Rhodes
2,970
March 1819

The ages of the family received 

Con

B. Cowell Esq
Providence,
R. Island

23. April 1821.
Page 6

I hereby certify to all whom it may concern, that Richard Rhodes, a man of colour, is disabled in the right arm from the effects of a wound received in the revolutionary war - the elbow joint is so much injured in its motions by the contraction of the muscles, that the arm cannot be but partially extended -
[signed] John Machie Surgeon
Page 7

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT.

County of Kent Special Court, of Common Pleas, July 7 AD1820
On this Seventh day of July 1820 personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said county, Richard Rhodes (a man of colour) aged 60 years, residing in the town of Warwick in said District who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: 
that he served as a private in Col. Greens regiment of the Rhode Island Line upwards of six years
that he made a previous declaration on the 30th day of April 1818, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 2070 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight-hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Richard Rhodes his X mark

A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Richard Rhodes
viz. about one Acre of land in said town of Warwick together with a very old house therein which is under mortgage to pay about fifty dollars other than the above he has no property of any description what except three thousand shingles bought to repair his house. 1 Old ax. 4 old chairs, 2 knives and 2 forks, & 2 plates. And this declarant further saith that he is a Mariner & has followed the seas ever since the war, but is now unable to follow that business in consequence of age - that he is very much crippled in one of arms in consequence of a wound received in the battle of monmouth. that he was born in africa brought to this country and sold as a slave and enlisted in the black Regiment (so called) to obtain his freedom that he is now involved in debt & now owes more than twenty dollars besides what his little house is mortgaged for under all these circumstances he cannot support himself without his pension. -
Richard Rhodes his X mark
N.B. has a wife aged 63 - no other family
Sworn to and declared in Open Court on the seventh day of July 1820
Witness [signed] Jno G Mauney Clk

S65
RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT.
County of Kent Ss. - Clerk's Office of the Court of Common Pleas, A.D. 1820
I, John G. Mauney clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of said court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Fifty five Dollars. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 12th day of July 1820
[signed] Jno G. Mauney
Page 8

2428
Rhode Island
Catharine Rhodes
widow of Richard Rhodes decd. 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 17th January 1827
of Kent Co. in the State of R.I.
who was a Private in the ~ commanded
by Captain ~ of the Regt commanded
by Col. Greene in the R.I.
line for 5 years

Inscribed on the Roll of R.I.
at the rate of 80 Dollars ~ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of Apl.
1839 and sent Benj.
Cowell Providence R.I.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. '39 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$280.00

Died
Feb 20, 1841

{Act July 7, 1838}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2d. Page 22

Uptd. Apl. 29, 1839
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State of Rhode Island
County of Kent Ss.
On this 15 day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before me John Brown one of the Justices of the Court of Common Please within & for said County, Catherine Rhodes now resident in Warwick in said County Aged 82 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows, viz that she is the widow of Richard Rhodes formerly of said Warwick who was a soldier of the Revolution. that he enlisted for & served during the war in the regiment of Continental troops on the Continental establishment of the Rhode Island Line. the Regiment she believes was commanded by Col. Olney or Col. Angell, And she further declares that she was married to the said
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Richard Rhodes on the  day of October 1786 The day she does not remember in said Warwick but whether her marriage is recorded in said town she does not know, but persons are living who were present at her marriage. Her husband the said Richard died on the 17 day of January AD 1823 & since then she has lived a widow. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four - The said Richard received & drew a pension under the Act of Congress of March 18 1818 until his death & to his declaration there made she refers for further proof of his services
Catherine Rhodes her X mark
Attest [signed] John Brown
Kent Ss. Sworn to & subscribed at Warwick this fifteenth day of August AD 1838 and I certify that the advanced age & infirmities of Ms. Rhodes would prevent her attending Court
[signed] John Brown for C.O. pleas
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I Patience Lippett of Warwick in the County of Kent being now 69 years of age on oath do testify & say that I was present & saw Richard Rhodes & Catherine Spencer married They were married in said Warwick by Elder Lippett, a Baptist Clergyman in said town. They were married fifty one years ago last October I do not remember the day of the month The said Catherin is now his widow 
Patience Lippett her X mark
Attest [signed] John Brown

Kent Ss. Sworn to & subscribed at Warwick this fifteenth day of August AD 1838 (I also certify that the Deponant is a credible Witness and Her statements are deserving credit) before me
[signed] John Brown Just. C Open

I Murry Lippett of Warwick in the County of Kent being now 78 years of age on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Catherine Rhodes the widow of Richard Rhodes formerly of said Warwick - a soldier of the Revolution I was present at the marriage of said Richard & Catherine & saw them married. They were married by Elder Lippett in said Warwick. The marriage took place above fifty one years ago I think in October 1786.
Murry Lippett his X mark
Attest [signed] John Brown

Kent Ss. Sworn to & subscribed at Warwick this 15th day of August AD 1828 (I certify the Deponant is a credible witness) before me
[signed] John Brown Just CC Pleas
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I Esau Rhodes of Warwick in the County of Kent being now 89 years of age on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Catherine Rhodes the widow of Richard Rhodes formerly of said Warwick I well remember said Richard during the Revolutionary war I well remember the time they were married alltho I was not present but I remember it took place above fifty years ago I think in 1786
Esau Rhodes his X mark
Attest [signed] John Brown
Catherine Rhodes 
Kent Ss. Sworn to & subscribed at Warwick this fifteenth day of August AD 1828 before me & I certify that the Deponant is a credible witness & that His statements are deserving of credit
[signed] John Brown Just. O.C. pleas
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Catherine Rhodes
2177
Wid of Richard
R.I.
Ad July 7. 1838
Married 1786
decd 1823
Allow $80 per ann

B. Cowell Esq
Providence
R.I.
Page 14

State of Rhode Island
County of Kent Ss
Town Clerks Office
Warwick August 17 AD 1838

I George A Brayton Town Clerk of the said Town of Warwick do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the records of Marriage in this office and that I do not find the marriage of Richard Rhodes & Catherine Spencer any where recorded therein
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day and year aforesaid
[signed] Geo A Brayton Town Clerk

I George A Brayton above named depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the said town of Warwick and that the aforewritten certificate is true
[signed] Geo A Brayton

State of Rhode Island 
County of Kent Ss
Warwick 18th day of August AD 1838
Sworn to and subscribed before me
[signed] Wm Harrison Justice of the Peace
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Kent Ss The State of Rhode Island & Providence plantations
Clerks office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that John Brown Esq is a Justice of said Court of Common pleas; and that William Harrison Esq is a Justice of the peace in the town of Warwick in said County of Kent, that the annexed are their proper signatures in their own hand writing, and that full faith & credence is & ought to be given to all their official acts -
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 28th day of September in the year AD 1838
[signed] Jer. T. Slocum Clk
Page 16

January 10, 1933
BA-J/EEL
Richard Rhodes - W. 22060

The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 22060, based upon the military service of Richard Rhodes in that war.
Richard Rhodes, a man of color, was born in Africa, brought to this country and sold as a slave and at the time of the Revolutionary War was a slave to Nehemiah Rhodes.
He enlisted, place not stated, sometime in 1778, served as a private in Captain Arnold's Company, Colonels Christopher Greene and Jeremiah Olney's Rhode Island Regiment, was in the battle of Monmouth, where he was severely wounded in his arm by a musket ball, which resulted in stiffness of the elbow joint, and at the siege of Yorktown and received a furlough on June 15, 1783, "which operated as a discharge"
After the Revolution, he went to sea and was a mariner for many years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1818, while residing in Warwick, Rhode Island. In 1820, he was aged sixty years.
He died January 17, 1823.
The soldier married at Warwick, Rhode Island, in October, 1786, Catherine Spencer.
Soldier's widow, Catherine, was allowed pension on her application executed August 15, 1838, at which time she was aged eighty-two years and resided in Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island.
She died February 20, 1841.
No reference is made to children.
In 1838, one Esau Rhodes, was aged eighty-nine years and resided in Warwick, Rhode Island; no relationship to the soldier was stated.

To be furnished if ever called for.
This history was written just to have a record of negroes.

[handwritten in left margin] From AB
[handwritten in right margin] For Sol See "Spirit of '76 in R9 see page 221 -
& for Capt Arnold see same book page 185.
Page 17

Revy
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 22,060
Catharine Rhodes
Widow of
Richard Rhodes
Priv. Rev. War

Act July 7th 1838
Index: Vol M, Page 160

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

Richard Rhodes-
privt
4th Sept.

B Cowell Esq

Fill the enclose blank 3
Admitted
Page 19

It appears by the Regimental Book of Occurrences now in my possession, That Dick Rhodes, a Man of Colour (to me well known) in the year 1778 inlisted for and during the War into the Regiment commanded by Colonel Christopher Greene in the Rhode Island Line on the continental establishment; That he served in said Regiment, while commanded by said Colonel Greene, and after his death, by Colonel Jeremiah Olney, from the time of his said inlistment until the fifteenth day of June 1783, when he received a Furlough, granted in pursuance of a General Order issued by General Washington on the second day of June 1783, which operated a discharge from said Regiment then commanded by the said Jeremiah Olney at Saratoga in the State of New York.
[signed] Jno Dexter late Major, and only surviving Field Officer of said Regiment
Providence April 3rd 1818.
Page 20

I Richard Rhodes alia Dick (a man of Colour) of Warwick, in the District of Rhode Island on oath do declare, that the facts set forth in the within certificate are true - I further declare that my discharge is now lost I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances & stand in need of the assistance of my Country for support
Richard Rhodes his X mark
Attest [signed] Benj Cowell

Rhode Island District 
Be it remembered that on this third day of April 1818 came before me the above Richard Rhodes alias Dick and made solemn oath to the truth to the above declaration to which his mark is affixed In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & have caused the Seal of the District Court for said District to be hereto affixed
[signed] David Howell
District Judge

The signature of the Judge and the Seal of the District Court of the United States for said District and hereto affixed 
Witness
[signed] Benjamin Cowell
Clk of Dis Court