Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21945, for Calvin Ripley, Massachusetts
Page 1

Page 1 of Pension Application

(3-1776)

Service
Mass.

Ripley, Calvin

Number
S.21945
Page 2

Pension Certificate - Left Column

Rhode 15389 Island
Massachusetts (text crossed out)

Calvin Ripley
of Bristol in the State of Mass [Massachusetts]
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain (clank) of the regt [regiment] commanded
by Col. Cotton in the Mass [Massachusetts] 
line for 10 mos [months]

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass [Massachusetts]
at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of June
1833 and (?) Hon. [Honorable]
J. L. Hodges Present

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $66.66
Semi-anl. [semi-annual] allowance ending 4 Sept " [1833] 16.66
$83.32

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by I H M Blair Clerk,
Book (?) Vol. 2 Page 72

Pension Certificate - Right Column

(?) to Pen [Pension] Agt [Agent] 23 (?) 1839
To Rhode Island from 4 Sept 1838
13 March 1839 notification to Pen [Pension] agt [agent]

84
Bristol
Page 3

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol Ss.

At a Court of Probate holden (sic held) at Dighton in and
for said County, on the Seventh day of September
one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before 
the Hon. [Honorable] Hodijah Baylies, Judge of Probate &c. for
said County, personally appeared in open Court
Calvin Ripley a resident of Swansey (sic Swansea) in said 
County, aged Eighty four 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 AD 1832.

That he was born at Pembroke in the County 
of Plymouth and Commonwealth aforesaid
on the Eighteenth day of May (Old Style) AD 1748.
And that there is no record of his birth to his
knowledge.  That he was in the United States
service from the first day of May AD 1775 to the
last day of December of the same year.  That
he enlisted in Kingston in said County of 
Plymouth, where he then resided, for the term
of eight months in a company commanded
by Capt. Peleg Wadsworth, whose Lieutenants
were Seth Drew and Joseph Sampson ___
Page 4

Col. [Theophilus] Cotton commanded the Regiment to
which said company was attached.
After enlisting as aforesaid, our company was
marched to and stationed at Roxbury near
Boston, where he discharged his duty, to the
end of the term for which he ad enlisted __
He had no written discharge __ For proof
of this service he refers to the affidavits of
David Bradford and Bildad Washburn
hereunto annexed __

Afterwards in September AD 1776 he
again enlisted in a company commanded
by Capt. Ebenezer Washburn, (being then at Kingston
aforesaid) of which Ezekiel (?) was a Lieutenant.
After said enlistment, he was (with others who had enlisted
into the service) marched to Newport in the State
of Rhode Island, and there employed two months,
the term for which he enlisted, in building +
erecting forts near the village of said Newport __
The time for which he (?) enlisted had elapsed
about fourteen days before the British landed
on Rhode Island, which, according to the best 
of his recollection, was in December AD. 1776.
Page 5

He knows of no person, now living, who served
with him at this time __

He further says that he was removed
by his parents from Pembroke where he was born to Kingston
aforesaid, when he was about eight years old,
and that he resided there until he removed
to Swansey (sic Swansea) aforesaid, which was more than 
twenty years ago, where he has resided ever
since __
Calvin Ripley (his signature)

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 __
Calvin Ripley (his signature)

Sworn to and subscribed the day + year first aforesaid.
Before me H. [Hodijah] Baylies, Judge of Probate
Page 6

We Benjamin Luther and John Gibbs residing the Swansey (sic Swansea)
in the County of Bristol hereby
certify that we are well acquainted with Calvin Ripley who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declarations that we believe him to be about eighty four years of age, that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Rev-
olution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Benjamin Luther (his signature)
John Gibbs (his signature)

Sworn and subscribed as aforesaid.  H. [Hodijah] Baylies, Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the
matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the
Court further certify that it appears to them that Benjamin Luther + John Gibbs, who have
signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the town of
Swansey (sic Swansea) in said County of Bristol ___
(text crossed out) are credible
persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. [Hodijah] Baylies, Judge of Probate.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol SS. }
I Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate for
the County of Bristol, do hereby certify that the fore-
going contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of Calvin
Ripley for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and seal of the said
Court the day and year first aforesaid.
Anselm Bassett
Page 7

I Calvin Ripley, a resident of Swanzey (sic Swansea) in the County of Bristol and
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who personally appeared in open Court
at a Court of Probate holden (sic held) at Dighton in aforesaid County on the Seventh
day of September one thousand eight hundred and thirty two, before
the Hon. [Honorable] Hodijah Baylies, Judge of Probate &c. and made a declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th
1832, do, on oath, make the following answers to the interrogatories hereun-
der written and marked 2. 6. 7.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived 
since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live.
Answer.  I was living in the town of Kingston in the County of Plymouth
Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the time I enlisted as stated in my
sd. (sic said) declaration, from which town I afterwards moved into the town of Swanzy (sic Swansea) in
the County of Bristol + Commonwealth aforesaid, where I have ever since resided.
6. Were you a Soldier or an officer?  if a Soldier, did you ever receive a
discharge from the service; and if so, by whom was it given, and what
has become of it?  if an officer, did you ever receive a commission; and,
if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Answer.  I was a soldier.  I never received any other than a verbal
discharge which discharge was given as I believe by the Captain
of our Company.
7.  State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present
neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and
their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
Answer.  I have now resided in said town of Swansy (sic Swansea) more than
twenty years, I think I could safely name all my acquaintances.
I would however particularize Deacon Benjamin Luther, John 
Gibbs and William Mason Esquire __

And I the said Calvin Ripley do, upon oath, further say that
Page 8

the reason why I did not obtain the evidence of a clergyman as
to his belief respecting my age and the general belief in his neigh-
borhood relative to my revolutionary service was that there was not on
said Seventh day of September 1832 any clergyman in my immediate
vicinity, and besides, I was told by the Judge of Probate that the certificate
accompanying my deposition signed by the aforesaid Benjamin Luther
and John Gibbs would be sufficient.
Calvin Ripley (his signature)
Swanzy (sic Swansea) May 15th 1833.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Briston Ss. May 15th A.D. 1833. Then the above named Calvin Ripley
personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in the aforesaid County of
Bristol and made oath that the answers by him given to the inter-
rogatories aforesaid marked 3. 4. 7. which answers are written under said
interrogatories, and that the reasons by him assinged why he did not
obtain the evidence of a clergyman as to his belief respecting his age and
the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his said Ripley's rev-
olutionary service which reasons are above written, are true.
Eliab Williams.
Page 9

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol Ss.  Anselm Bassett Register of the
court of Probate in the afor said (sic aforesaid) County of
Bristol, do hereby certify that Eliab Williams
whose signature is affixed to the foregoing
certificate is a Justice of the Peace in
and for said County of Bristol, + duly
qualified to administer oaths __
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said Court this Seventeenth
day of May Eighteen hundred and thirty three
Anselm Bassett
Page 10

10278
Calvin Ripley
Private 10 mos [months]
$33.33
11.12 of May 4 1833
P. 372
ABassett (sic Anselm Bassett)
(?)
Mass [Massachusetts]
Page 11

10278 (encircled)

BRIEF in the case of Calvin Ripley
of Swansey (sic Swansea) in the State of Mass (sic Massachusetts)
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of  Judge?  Open Court

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

3.  How old is he ?  84 years ~~

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

Period. 1 May In 1775 ___
Duration of Service. Years, (blank) Months, 8 Days. (blank)
Rank. As a Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen. (blank)
Col. [Theophilus] Cotton}; Regt (sic Regiment) } enlisted
Capt. P Wadsworth Co (sic Company)

Period. Sep " (ditto marks under the word above - In) 1776 ___
Duration of Service. Years, (blank) Months, 2 Days. (blank)
Rank. Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt Eli Washburn Co ___ (?)

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  none stated

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  not stated
 
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
 incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  (?) by two witnesses -- certified
 to be credible persons ___ + traditionary evidence
 of others ___ also credible persons __

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

Correct

X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.
Page 12

State of Rhode Island }
County of Providence } Ss.

On this eleventh day of January 1839
before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for
the said county of Providence personally appeared
Calvin Ripley who on his oath declares that he is the
same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded
by Capt. Wadsworth in the Regiment commanded by
Col. [Theophilus] Cotton in the service of the United States:  that his name
was placed on the pension Roll of the state of Massachusetts
from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides
in the state of Rhode Island where he intends to remain,
and wishes his pension to be there payable in future.

The reason for his removing from Massachusetts, is
because he could live with + be taken care
of by his son who resides in Rhode Island.

Calvin Ripley (his signature)

Sworn + subscribed to
before me the day + year
aforesaid.
Franklin Greene
Jus. [Justice of the] Peace.
Page 13

I Charles Ripley of North Providence State of Rhode Island
do on oath testify and say that I am personally acquainted
with Calvin Ripley + know him to be the identical person
described in the within affidavit + who has taken + subscribed
the written oath.
Charles Ripley (his signature)

Providence Ss.  In Providence this eleventh day of January 1839
personally appeared Charles Ripley above named and made oath
to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed, and I
further certify that the above named Charles Ripley is a
person of veracity.
Franklin Greene
Jus. [Justice of the] Peace
Page 14

Revolution
21945
INVALID.

File No. 21,945
Calvin Ripley
Pri [Private] Rev [Revolutionary] War

Act: June 7" [18]32"

Index:__ Vol. 2, Page 339

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 15

I Bildad Washburn of Kingston in the
County of Plymouth + State [Commonwealth] of Massachusetts
Aged Seventy years  Testify (sic testify) + say that I well
know Calvin Ripley formerly of s[ai]d Kingston
but now of Swansey (sic Swansea) in (?) Massachusetts, who
is now an applicant for a Pension.

Said Ripley served Eight months in the
Revolutionary War in 1775 at Roxbury near Boston
and belonged to Capt. Peleg Wadsorth[']s Com
=pany of which s[ai]d Company I was Drummer
although at that time but 13 years of age
Col. [Theophilus] Cotton Commanded our Regiment and
Ichabod (?) was Lt. Col. (sic Lieutenant Colonel).

Bildad Washburn (his signature)
Page 16

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth Ss.  August 29th 1832
This day personally appeared Bildad Washburn
before me and made oath to the truth of the
within Deposition by him subscribed.
And I certify that s[ai]d Washburn is a
credible witness

Eli Cook.  Jus. [Justice of the] Peace 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(?) I (?) Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Courts for the County of
Plymouth County certify that Eli Cook (?) above named is a Justice of the
Peace for the County of Plymouth and the above signature purporting
to be his is genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of the (?) Judicial Court on this seventh day 
of September in this year of our Lord one thousand eight [hundred] and
thirty two
(?) Thomas
Page 17

I David Bradford of Kingston in the
County of Plymouth + State [Commonwealth] of Massachusetts
Aged Seventy five years  Testify and say
that I well know Calvin Ripley formerly
of s[ai]d Kingston and now of Swansey (sic Swansea) in s[ai]d Massachusetts
and well recollect that said Calvin Ripley
served with me in the Revolutionary War in the
year 1775 at Roxbury near Boston for Eight
months.  We both enlisted at s[ai]d Kingston the
first of May 1775 for the term of Eigh[t] months
and were both Discharged the last day of December
of (?) same year.  We both belonged to the Com-
pany Commanded by Capt. Peleg Wadsworth.
Seth Drew and Joseph Sampson all then of
s[ai]d Kingston. Said Drew + Sampson were Lieuten
ants.  Col. [Theophilus] Cotton Commanded the Regiment to
which our Company belonged __
David Bradford (his signature)
Page 18

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Plymouth SS.  August 29th 1832
This day personally appeared David Bradford
before me + Made oath to the truth of the within
Deposition by him subscribed and I certify
that I am well acquainted with s[ai]d Bradford
+ that he is a credible witness.
Eli Cook Just [Justice of the] Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth SS  I (?) Thomas Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County
of Plymouth hereby certify that Eli Cook (?) kis a Justice of
the Peace for the County of Plymouth and that the
above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of the (?) Judicial
Court on this seventh day of September in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
(?) Thomas
Page 19

Arcadi Bank
Providence Feb[ruar]y 11th 1839

Sir,

At the request of Calvin Ripley
a U.S. pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832
now on the Roll of the Massachusetts agency,
I transmit this request to be transfer[r]ed to this
agency __ If granted, be pleased to address
the letter of transfer to this Office.

I am very respectf[ull]y
your Ob[edien]t S[ervan]t
S Waterman Agt [Agent}
for H. Greene

J. [James] L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 20

Merchants Bank
Pension Dept.
Boston, 4" March '39 [1839]

Sir,

Your letter of the 28th ult. (sic ultimate) is recd. (sic received) __
In reply I have to State that Calvin
Ripley a pensr. (sic pensioner) now on the Roll of this
Agency under toe Act of 7th June 1832 at
$33.33 per annum, had been paid up
to 4th September 1838.

I am, very respy. (sic respectfully)
Your Obt. (sic obedient) svt. (sic servant)
Franklin (?)
Pension Agt. (sic Agent)

J. [James] L. Edwards Esqr.
Comr. (sic Commissioner) of Pensions
Washington,
D.C.
Page 21

10.278 (encircled)
B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Calvin Ripley which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides ?
II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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?
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
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 amout (sic amount) of pension
he is entitled ?
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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?
Page 22

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 revolu-
tionary service ? no

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been  produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it ? none

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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?  only to his first term of service
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?

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 ?

XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct ?

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily ? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered ? 3rd 6th + 7th not answered

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 recol-
lection 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.
Page 23

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is to in-
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the manes of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection-
able.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served ; the duration
of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison ; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not em-
ployed in any civil pursuit.

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 magis-
trate 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 authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the cer-
tificate 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.
(graphic of a hand pointing to the text) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the 
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

(Handwritten notes at the bottom of the page)
XII.  A reason for not producing a Clergyman affidavit
is now assigned in the additional affidavit.

XIV.  He stated in his declaration as to the second term of service
that he know of no person living who served with him.

XVII.  Answered in an additional affidavit.