Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,033, William Waterman, R.I.
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8-1776
SERVICE  R. I. 
Waterman, William  
NUMBER   S. 22.033
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D D. Addison 20/57               
10371      
Rhode Island              
William Waterman      
of Kent in the State of R. Island who was a Captain in the Company commanded by Captain himself of the Regt commanded by Col. Waterman in the R. Island line for 22 months      
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 440 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.         
Certification of Pension issued the 6th day of Apl. 1833 and Sent M Whitny Est Greenwich 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833                     
$880.       
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 18'33     220.                         
$1,100.00      
Died Dec. 23. 1839 From Agency Book     
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832 }       
Recorded by D. D.  Addison Clerk   
B       Vol. 2d     Page 13
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9361.
Wm Waterman.
Jwonn
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State of Rhode Island &c
County of Kent Ss }
Court of Common Pleas. August Term AD 1832. On this twenty ninth day of August A(?) 1832. personally appeared in open court, before the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting. William Waterman, a resident of Warwick in the County and State aforesaid aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he was born at said Warwick on the sixth day of March 1744 that he moved with his father to Coventry in said County and lived there until he was about seven years old, and then returned with him to said Warwick, where he has ever since resided. That he was a Captain of a Militia Company in said Warwick during the Revolutionary War. That he was called out with his Company in the year 1776 and served in that year at three several times, three months, under Col John Waterman   That in the year 1777. He served in the course of the year four months at Warwick neck and at Tiverton. That in the year 1778. he served four months at said Warwick neck and on Rhode Island. That he was in the battle with the enemy on Rhode Island.         
That in the year 1779 he served four months more was at Tiverton one month of the time, and on Prudence
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Patience three different times. That in the year 1780 he served four months more, principally at said Warwick neck, making nineteen months; during which time he was Captain of a Company. Besides his regular terms of monthly service, he was repeatedly called out on sudden alarms, and served on these occasions, as he thinks, three months or more in the whole making twenty-three months, and as he verily believes more. He has lost his Commission and has no documentary evidence.           
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.     
William Waterman           
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 application was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that   Pardon Tillinghast    who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of East Greenwich  and that     Benjamin Remington    Nathan Miller        who also signed the same are residents in the       town of Warwick in our said County      and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.                   
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of      William Waterman    for a pension.                   
In testimony wherof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this  fifth   day of  September in the year 1832             John Brown
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I Pardon Tillinghast a Clergyman, residing in East Greenwich in the County of Kent, aged sixty two years, do hereby certify that I have for many years been acquainted with Deacon William Waterman of Warwick, an applicant for a pension; that his character for truth and veracity is good and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.        
Pardon Tillinghast                             
8                
Kent Sc      
Court of Common Pleas. August Term AD 1832     
Sworn to an open Court on the eighth day of the Term                
Witness John Brown Clk
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I Benjamin Remington of Warwckh in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that William Waterman of said Warwick Esq was a commissioned officer and for the most of the time a Captain of a Company of Militia during the revolutionary War. That in the fore part of the War I served some in his Company. That I was knowing to his being called out with the Company very often. and should think that he served as much a four months a year upon an average for several years of the war.   I have always lived in the neighbourhood of the said Watermans and know he has always sustained a good character for truth and veracity, and have no doubt of his having served in the war as much as he has stated in his Declaration           
Benjamin Remington                          
I Nathan Miller of Warwick in the County of Kent whereby certify that I served one month under Capt William Waterman of said Warwick at Savent Shore in said Warwick in the Revolutionary War,    And I also certify that I have always been well acquainted with the said Capt Waterman and know that he has always sustained a good character for truth; and that full confidence may be placed in any statements made by him.              Nathan Miller
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Kent fc. the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Court of Common Pleas August Term AD 1832
Sworn to before the Court on the seventh day of the Year
Witness John Brown Clk
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State of Rhode Island County of Kent }  SS     in Warwick                  
Be it known, that on the seventh day of May, A.D. 1851, eighteen hundred and fifty one, personally appeared John Waterman a resident of Warwick in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the Son and Sole Heir of William Waterman late of said Warwick, Deceased, who was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of June seventh, AD eighteen hundred and thirty two, at the rate of Four Hundred and Forty Dollars per annum; that he has been informed that said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence and arguments as his  Agent may use is prosecuting said claim.               
John Waterman                             
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me  John J Wood- J. Peace. }               I John J Wood a Justice of the Peace do hereby certify that John Waterman who as executed the foregoing affidavit before me is a respectable resident of this Town and is, I beleive (believe) directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.         
John J Wood- J. Peace                         
I Joseph J Tillinghast Clerk of the Superior Court in and for the County of Kent and State aforesaid, do hereby Certify that John J Wood before whom the foregoing affidavit was executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the Town of Warwick in said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and his name thereunto subscribed appears to me to me his usual signature.               
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said Court this seventh day of May A.D. 1851 Jos J Tillinghast Clerk Sup. Court
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Know all Men by these Presents, that I, John Waterman of Warwick, in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, do hereby constitute and appoint DD Addison of Washington City in the District of Columbia to me my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the claim of the Heirs of the late William Waterman late of said Warwick, Deceased, for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension that maybe due: and I hereby authorize my said Agent to examine all the papers and documents of every description, in relation to said claim, that may be on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file any additional evidence or arguments that can be obtained; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim, which Certificate, I wish made payable to me or my order at the Pension Agency in the City of Providence, Rhode Island; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purpose herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.
Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises. 
Witness my hand and Seal this Seventh day of May, A.D. 1851 Signed and Sealed in presence of 
Wm Sprague
Jonathan Remington 
SS: in Warwick
On this Seventh day of May, A.D. 1851 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the Town of Warwick, County and State aforesaid, personally appeared John Waterman and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned. 
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year aforesaid
John J Wood
J. Peace.
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N. 9361 
Wm. Waterman        
Captain 22 Months          
papers not properly authenticated     
Nov 15 1832      
440          
2             
880             
220                 
1,100               
N Whiting Esqr              
E. Greenwich R. I.
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BRIEF in the case of  William Waterman    of the County  of    Kent  in the State of R. Island         
(Act 7th 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?      
3. How old is he?      88 years          
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.               
Period.   In 1776     Duration of Service.  3 months      Rank.  Captain    Names of General and field Officers under whom he served.   Col. Jno. Waterman 
Period.   In 1777     Duration of Service.   4 months      Rank.  Captain   
Period.   In 1778     Duration of Service.  4 months      Rank.  Captain   
Period.   In 1779     Duration of Service.  4 months      Rank.  Captain   
Period.   In 1780     Duration of Service.  4 months      Rank.  Captain   
at different times – 3 during the above time
5. In what battles was he engaged?   R. Island
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Warwick
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   Depositions – has lost his Commission
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?    

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.   
Levin Belt
Examining Clerk
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S 22033
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525.     
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,                   
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.              
Washington, D. C., _, 19_                     
In reply to your request of _, received _ for a statement of the military history of    Wm Waterman    a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1776   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   3 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman   STATE  R.I.  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1777   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   4 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1778   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   4 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1779   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   4 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1780     LENGTH OF SERVICE.   4 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman  
Also called out on alarms.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     1776   LENGTH OF SERVICE.   3 mos.   RANK.    Capt.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain of the Warwick Militia Co.   Colonel John Waterman  
Battles engaged in,  Rhode Island        
Residence of soldier at enlistment,   Warwick, Kent Co.  R. I. 
Date of application for pension,  Aug. 29 1832, His cl. was al. [claim was allowed]        
Residence at date of application, Warwick, Kent Co. R. I. 
Age at date of application,  b. [born] at Warwick R. I. March 6 1744
Remarks:  He died Dec 23, 1839, leaving a son, John.   There is no other data as to family on file.  
Respectfully,
Commissioner
6-2856
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Washington. May 22nd 1834
Dear Sir,

I enclose herewith a power of Attorney and application for an increase of Pension in the case of William Waterman who was a pensioner under the act of 1832 on the Roll of the State of Rhode Island and have respectfully to request an early examination of the same.

I am very respectfully
Your most obedient servant
D.D. Addison

J. E. Heath Esq
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N.9361
Wm. Waterman
N. Whiting Esqr.
E. Greenwich R.I.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those proof or explanation. answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Waterman which require further proof or explanation.    
1.   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 as signed for his not doing so?                  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? yes                   
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 the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes            
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?                       
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?             
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      
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 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             
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 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."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about 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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
***QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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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Wm Waterman Capt. 440 $ R. I.   act of 7 June 32 when  certified ?
5 June 39  pd [paid] to March 1839
JH
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130 Bowen St., Providence R.I. May 22/94

U.S. Commissioner of Pensions, 
NO 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: -
I wish to obtain from your department some information relating to one William Waterman, who was born in Warwick, Rhode Island, March 6th (Old Style) 1745, and died Dec. 23rd 1839. He was granted a (inserted) Captains pension of $40.00 a month, a few years prior to his death, as I understand for his services as an officer in the Revolutionary war. I do
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not know where he died, what was the name of his regiment, the date and the character of his commissions, exactly when and why he was granted such a pension, nor the volume and page number(inserted above) in the pension office in which such pension must be recorded. It is for this knowledge that I write, hoping that your office will be able to furnish it to me. My wife is a descendant of said Waterman as is also her sister Mrs. Arthur J. Watson of Providence, Rhode Island and Mrs. Amasa Sprague of Cowesett, R.I. We wish to obtain this information for important personal reasons, and any facts that your department will furnish will be greatfully appreciated. If there is any fee for hunting of (or "up") the records I shall pay it. 
Yours Truly, 
Lionel Norman
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Revol 

OLD WAR & NAVY MAY 25 1894
FILES

US PENSION OFFICE
MAY 23 1894
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Rev War
RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
President, Frederick Dickman Carr, 49 Mewday Street
Vice-President, Howard Vernon Allen, East Greenwich, R. I. 
Secretary, Christopher Rhodes, 290 Benefit Street,
Treasurer, Arthur Preston Sumner, 639 Grosvenor Building
Registrar, Francis Eliot Bates, P. O. Box 1254  
Historian, William Chace Greene, 44 Alumni Avenue
Chaplain, Rev. Charles Fremont Roper, River Point, R. I.   
Poet, Dr. George Thurston Spicer, 306 Olney Street
Providence R. I. Nov 23, 1916  
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions       
Dear Sir,      
Please send me Certificates of the service of the following names Revolutionary Pensioners-     
" William Waterman Capt. Kent Co. R.I. on roll Apr, 6, 1833 age 90 B. Mar. 6. 1744 D -- 1839,    Commencement Mar, 4, 1831,     
William Waterman Private Kent Co. R.I. June 20, 1834 - Age 71,  Commenced Mar 4, 1831 “
Please give the wife’s name and any other information you have – 
Yours Truly
Chriso. Rhodes  Secretary
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June 19/94 Nat, Hist, lo Lionel Norman, 130 Bowen St. Providence, R.I.             
1916 Dec 27, Hist to Christopher Rhodes,   AW       
Revolution    
22033.           
INVALID.       
File No. 22033         
William Waterman Capt Rev War        
 Act: June 7th 32                    
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 435                
[Arrangement of 1870]