Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13689, for Daniel Matteson, Rhode Island
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
R.I.

Matteson, Daniel
or Matheson
Dorcas

NUMBER
W. 13689

CONTENTS
Page 2

[left side of document:]
2951
R Island - 2,951
==============
Dorcas {Matheson,
             {Matteson.
widow of Daniel Matheson,
who died on the 7’ February 1824
of Kent in the State of R. Island
who was a Pri. in the Company commanded 
by Captain Green of the Regt. commanded
by Brown in the R Island
line for 6 months
===============
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island
at the rate of 20 Dollars —Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=================
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 25t. day of July
‘39, and sent to Benj. Cowell,
Providence, R I.
==================
Arrears to the 4th of March  - $160.00
Semi-annual allowance ending  $10.00
                                                   =======
                                                     $170.00
                                                   =======
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act July 4, 1836, }
{Section the      }
Recorded by R Bardine Clerk,
Book A    Vol. 2 - Page 94. 

[Right side of document:]
Date of death not on OB
Page 3

State of Rhode Island, &
County of Kent fs
On this 11th day of April 1839 personally 
appeared before me Charles Green one
of the Justices of the Court of Common
Please within & for said County Dorcas Matteson
now resident in Coventry in
said County aged 91 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 
Congrefs of July 4 1836. vis that she is
the widow of Daniel Matteson formerly
of said Coventry who was a soldier of 
the Revolution. the said Daniel my husband
served in various companies in Captains
Green Calvin & Weavers Companies & Col Browns
Regiments he served from the beginning to the end [“of the war in the militia” is inserted]
And she further declares that she 
was married to said Daniel Matteson
on the first day of March 1770 in 
Warwick in said Coventry as will appear by
Page 4

the records of said town a Copy whereof is
hereto annexed. Her husband the said 
Daniel [“is the” is crossed out] died on the 7th day of 
February 1824 & since then the she has remained
unmarried & a widow. she 
cannot specify her said husbands services 
after such a great length time
but she well remembers he went to 
the service in all seasons of the year
& she was frequently obliged to labor on
the farm in his absence as no help
could be obtained, she dug potatoes made
cider & harvested the corn, she harvested
about sixty bushel of corn one fall
while her husband was in the service
& in summer she mowed & raked hay
& also cut wood for her family all
this labor she did on her farm while
her husband was in service. She had
to her husbands work [insert “to do”] out doors & her own
in the house, & though the blefsing of
God she is still living & enjoys good health
Dorcas Matteson [signature]
Page 5

I Cory Matteson of Coventry in 
the County of Kent being now fifty years
of age on oath do testify & say that the 
said Dorcas Matteson who has signed
and sworn to the preceding declaration [insert “is my mother”] &
the said Daniel Matteson was my father
he died on the 7th day of February 1824
I am the youngest son of my father
& mother, My Mother [insert “has”] always lived with
me since the death of my father and
has remained unmarried —
Cory Matteson [signature]

Kent &c  In Coventry April 11th 1839
Sworn and subscribed before me
by the above named Cory Matteson
and I further certify the said Matteson
is well known to me is a credible
witnefs
Charles Green Justice C. C. Pleas [signtature]
 
Kent &c. In Coventry — April 11th 1839
Personally appeared before me Dorcas
Matteson & signed her name and made
oath to the preceding declaration and 
I further certify that her statements are
entitled to full credit & also further
certify that from old age and infirmities
Page 6

She is unable to attend court it appears
from the record of her age to me shown
that she was born Dec. 21st 1747
Charles Greene Justice C. C. Pleas
Page 7

Warwick March the First Seventeen hundred and
Seventy
Who may Certify whom it doth or may Concern That
Daniel Matteson Son of John Matteson of Warwick dec’d
and Dorcas Chapman Daughter of Stephen Chapman both
of Warwick was Lawfully Married in the Presence of 
Sundry Witnefses the day and Year above said
by me Charles Holden Elder

State of Rhode Island }  Town Clerks office
County of Kent }  fs    Warwick March 5 AD 1839
I George A Brayton towson clerk of the said town of Warwick
do hereby certify that the afore written is a true
copy of the record with the exception of the date which
is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as
follows “March y.c Jr 1: 1770” [year is underlined]
Geo. A. Brayton Town Clerk [signature] 

I the above named George A Brayton depose and say that
I hold the office of Town Clerk of the aforesaid Court of
Warwick and that the above is a true extract from the 
records of said town of Warwick with the exception above
named as certified by me
Geo. A. Brayton, Town Clerk [signature]

State of Rhode Island }
Kent County } In Warwick the fifth day of March A.D. 1839
Sworn to before me
I further certify that the Deponent is a credible
Witnefs —
Wm Harrison [signature]
Justice of the Peace
Page 8

December 3, 1937

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

John Matson, S. 18963
Daniel Matteson, W. 13689
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. F. V. Keller
305 Coleman Street
Olean, New York

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary
War records of the following soldiers with surname Matteson
or Mattison:  Leonard of Massachusetts; Daniel of Rhode Island; George
and John of Rhode Island or Vermont.

There are no claims for pension or bounty land on file based upon
service in the Revolution of a Leonard or George Matteson, under any
spelling of the surname.  Such claims are the source of data furnished
by this office in regard to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.  Records
have been found of a John Matson of Connecticut and Vermont, and of a
Daniel Matteson of Rhode Island, which are furnished you herein:

JOHN MATSON
S. 18963

The data herein were obtained from pension claim, S. 18963, based 
upon the Revolutionary War service of John Matson.

John Matson was born April 5, 1759, in Glastonbury, Hartford County,
Connecticut.  The names of his parents are not given.

While residing with his father in Glastonbury, Connecticut, he
volunteered in August, 1776, served three months as private in Captain
Samuel Welles’ Company, Colonel Elisur Talcott’s Connecticut regiment.
He volunteered in August, 1777, served three months as private in Captain
Jonathan Welles’ Connecticut company.  He volunteered in August, 1778,
and served three months as private in Captain Pomeroy’s company, Colonel
Chapman’s Connecticut regiment and was in General Sullivan’s Expedition
to Rhode Island.  He volunteered in July or August, 1779, and served
eight months as a drummer in Captain Dimon’s company, Colonel Wells’
Connecticut regiment.

The soldier resided in Glastonbury, Connecticut, until 1783 when
he moved to Vershire, Orange County, Vermont.
Page 9

John Matson was allowed pension on his application executed
August 21, 1832, while a resident of Vershire, Vermont.

It is not stated whether the soldier ever married.

In 1832, soldier’s sister, Honnor Welch, aged seventy years and a 
resident of Vershire, Vermont, stated that she was born in Glastonbury,
Connecticut, and lived there with her father during the Revolution.  She 
made reference to her sisters but did not give their names or the given
name of her husband.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name of the 
person paid, also date of death of this soldier (if on file), you should
write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting office, Records
Division, this city, and cite the following data:  John Matson, certificate
No. 28495, issued July 2, 1834, rate $59.33 per annum, commenced March 4,
1831, Act June 7, 1832, Vermont Agency.

*********************

DANIEL MATTESON
W. 13689

You are furnished herein the record of Daniel Matteson as found in 
pension claim W. 13689, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

DanielMatteson (whose surname appears, also, Matheson) was the son
of John Matteson of Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island.  The date and
place of his birth, age,and names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Warwick, Kent County, Rhode Island, he enlisted
in May, 1775, and served at various times until the end of the war as
private under Captains Reuben Whitman,Squire Millard, Benjamite [sp] Green,
Benedict Colvin, Lanceford Weaver and Parker and Colonels John Waterman
and Nathaniel Brown in the Rhode Island troops.  During his service he was
in General Sullivan’s Expedition to Rhode Island.  1n 1776, the soldier
moved from Warwick to Coventry, in Kent County, Rhode Island.  He died
February 7, 1824.

Daniel Matteson married March 1, 1770, in Warwick, Rhode Island,
Dorcas Chapman of Warwick, Rhode Island, where their marriage was
recorded in the Town Clerk’s office.

Soldier’s widow, Dorcas Matteson, was allowed pension on her application
executed April 11, 1839, while a resident of Coventry, Kent County,
Rhode Island.

- 2 -
Page 10

The only name in the claim designated as a child of Daniel
Matteson and his wife, Dorcas, was Cory Matteson of Coventry, Rhode
Island, their youngest son, who in 1839 was aged fifty years, and with
whom his mother lived after the death of the soldier.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the name and
address of the person paid and possibly the date of death of soldier’s
widow, Dorcas, you should write to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following
data:  Dorcas Matteson or Matheson, widow of Daniel, certificate #2951
issued July 25, 1839, rate $20 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831,
Act July 4, 1836, Rhode Island Agency.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator 

- 3 -
Page 11

[left side of document:]
R. I.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
     —————
File No. 13,689
Dorcas Matheson
widow of 
Daniel Matheson
Pri Rev War
     —————-
Act: July 4t.h. 36
Index :— Vol. M, Page 7

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of document:]

Mch. 17 1905 Hist. to
A. J. Wright, Hartford, Conn.
———————————-—
1915 June 11 Hist to A. E. Matteson
Letter in WF 17086 David Matteson.
1937 Dec. 3 — Hist. to Mrs. F Keller
MLB
Page 12

Providence May 16 1839
Sir
I herewith enclose the application
of Mrs Dorcas Matteson widow
of Daniel Matteson for a pension
under the 3d Section of the act of 
July 4th 1836.
I am respectfully
your obt Set
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq
Page 13

4522
Dorcas Matteson

R. I’d.

admd
Cimapri [?]
    ~
20$

No deduction
     ~

Ben Cowell esq
Providence
R Id
Page 14

I Nathan Miller of Warwick in the County of Kent being now
Eighty Seven years of age on Oath do testify and say that I
was well, and intimately acquainted with Daniel Matteson formerly
of Coventry and the Husband of Dorcas Mattison now his widow
In the early part of the War of the Revolution said Daniel lived in
Warwick was Married in Warwick. They resided there sometime after the
War began before their removal to Coventry.  In the year 1775 Said
Daniel and myfelf both belonged to Capt. Reuben Whitman’s Company
as privates and in May we were Called out upon an alarm and
we Served a town of twenty days Stationed at Warwick Neck and
Shortly after we were again Called out upon another alarm and 
we Served another tour of fifteen days at a place called Quidnefs
Neck in North Kingston this was in June or July 1775 according to my
best recolection [sp]. In January 1776 about the time Providence was burnt we
were called out and Served a month at least on Said Island and on the
Shore in Warwick — Wallace’s Fleet was then in the Bay and he kept
all the Shore Towns in alarm by his frequent incursions, his men
burnt the houses on Providence.  In the Summer of said year 1776
we Served another month Stationed at Warwick Neck in Said Company
during all the above Tour Capt. Reuben Whitman commanded us unlefs
it was the two last when Capt Squire Millerd who Succeeded Capt
Whitman in the Command of the Same Company Col. John Waterman
was the Colonel of the Regiment — In the fall of the 1776 I think
Said Daniel removed to Coventry and I also left the Militia soon
after to Join the Kentish Gards. I joined the Gards in December 1776
or the first of January 1777 but I well remember Seeing Said Daniel
Several times in Service afterwards. The Tours at Warwick Neck were
about Seven miles from home and the town at Quitnefset about ten
miles, we were paid and received rations for all the above tours.
I was Stationed at Warwick neck in June and July 1777 and Served a
month in the Kentish Gards and Said Daniel was on Duty at the 
Same place during the Same time in Capt. Parkers Company, The
Page 15

Said Daniel was also on Rhode Island in Sulivan’s [sp] Expedition
and Served in August and September 1778 in Capt Benedict
Colvin’s Company.  Said Daniel informed me that he served a
Tour of a month at Bristol and was there when the Enemy burnt
the Church in that Place —Nathan Miller [signature] 

State of Rhode Island }
Kent County } Sc In Warwick the 6th day of May
AD 1839 Personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice
of the Peace within and for the County of Kent Nathan Miller
the above deponant [sp] and Subscribed and was duly sworn to the
truth of his above deposition according to Law — I further
certify that the Said Nathan Miller is a credible witnefs 
Wm Harrison Justice of the Peace [signature]
Page 16

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Secretary’s office May 16. 1839.
I Henry Bowen Secretary of said
State and Keeper of the Record
and the Seal thereof,
Do hereby Certify, that at the 
the session of the General Assembly in May eighteen
hundred thirty eight William Harrison was elected Justice
of the Peace for the town of Warwick in said County
of Kent for one year; and continued in said office
until the second Monday in June next:
That at the session in June eighteen hundred thirty
eight Charles Greene was elected associate Justice of
the Court of Common Pleas and Asahel Johnson
Justice of the Peace for the town of Coventry, until the
first Wednesday of May then next: and severally
Commissioned accordingly: as appears of record,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence,
the day and year first above written,
Henry Bowen [signature]
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3–525
——————-
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
WASHINGTON, D. C., ______________, 19___
W F. 13689

In reply to your request of _________, received _____________
for a statement of military history of Daniel Matteson
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 the Bureau.
=====================================================
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
     1775
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
     Served at various times to end of war Six months
RANK.
     Prt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDRED.
     CAPTAIN.
          Reuben Whitman 
          Squire Millard
          Benjamin Green
          Benedict Colvin
          Sanford Weaver
          Parker
     COLONEL.
          John Waterman
          Nathaniel Brown 
STATE.
     R.I.

Battles engaged in, was in Sullivan’s Expedition 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Warwick, Kent Co. R.I.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 11. 1839  Her I. al
Residence at date of application, Coventry, Kent Co. R. I.
Age at date of application, She was born Dec. 21, 1747
Remarks:  Soldier was the son of John Mattison of Warwick
R.I. He married Mahc. 1. 1770 at Warwick Dorcas daughter
of Stephen Chapman and died Feby 7 1824.  Their youngest
Son Cory was 50 years old in 1839 and his mother lived with
him after the death of his father.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6–2856
Page 18

Rev. War Section.

June 11, 1915.

Mr. A. E. Matteson,
534 N. Broad Street,
Galesburg, Ills.

Sir:
     In response to your letter dated the 5” instant, you are
advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail
to afford any information in regard to Joseph Matteson, or in
regard to a David Matteson who left a widow Dorcas.
     You are herewith furnished the history of Dorcas widow of 
Daniel Matteson, Revolutionary War pensioner W. File No. 13,689.
     For the date and place of death of Sarah widow of David
Matteson, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior 
Department, Washington, D. C.. citing as follows: Sarah widow of 
David Matteson, pensioned at the New York Agency, under 
Certificate No. 3293, issued April 27, 1840, rate $29.21. Act of July
4, 1836.to commence march 4, 1831.
     You are furnished a tracing of the spelling of the name
of their son Charles who was five years old February 13, 1802.
It is taken from the family record on file in said claim.
     Very respectfully,
     E.C. Tieman [signature]
     Acting Commissioner.
Page 19

Rev. War Section

June 2, 1914.

Mr. Arthur E. Matteson,
534 North Broad Street,
Galesburg, Illinois.

Sir:

In addition to the military history of David Matteson,
Wid. File No. 17,086, Rev. War, you are furnished the 
following family data on file in the claim:

Charlotte Brigs - - - - - - 30 years old May 18, 1802.
Barbary Matteson - - - - 28 years old July 19, 1802.
Sinthe Lockwood - - -  - 26 years old November 13, 1802.
Freeborn Matteson - - - 24 years old March 24, 1802.
Luther Matteson - - - - - 16 years old May 18, 1802.
Clarissa Matteson - - - - 13 years old May 11, 1802.
David Matteson - - - - -   11 years old September 6, 1802.
Alvan Matteson - - - - - - 8 years old February 26, 1802.
Charles Nason Matteson  5 years old February 13, 1802.

Very respectfully,
Gm Saltzgaber [signature]
Commissioner. 

[hand written on bottom left]
Gertrude Smith -
May 6, 1915.
Kathryn Home Sanders, June 3, 1915.

[hand written left of names]
See Bureau letter
of June 10 & letter of 
A E. Matteson of
Galesburg Ill June 17 1914
about the last name
Page 20

Galesburg Ill.June 5.1915.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions, Rev.War.
Washington,D.C.

G.M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner,
Dear Sir :-

Will you kindly furnish me with the millitary [sp] history of David
Matteson together with the family history,as furnished by his widow,Dorcas
Matteson of Coventry R.I.  in her application for a Pension when 91 years old-
mother of 19 children- they were married in 1770.,and resided with Cory
Matteson Coventry R.I.Rev. War.

Also of Joseph Matteson Sergt.  Capt.Gorton’s Co.Col.Lippett’s Regt.
on pay rollSept.1776.  Rev.  War.

In your statement furnished June 2.1914.regarding the military
history of David Matteson,from Shaftsbury Vt.,in his widow’s application for
a Pension  ( W.F.17,086,Rev.War.), the date of the widow Sarah’s death is not
furnished,nor where burried [sp], there is an eror [sp] (probably from illegible
writing,in the name of the youngest son,it should be Charles Aaron [“Aaron” is underlined] instead
of”Charles Nason,5.years old February 13. 1802.”  He married Annie Hawkes dau.
Maj.     Hawkes.-Ref. “Arthur Aylesworth Family,”by H.E. Ayleworth.
Can this error,be corrected in the records?

Yours respectfully,
A. E. Matteson [signature]
Page 21

305 Coleman St.
Olean, N.Y.,
11/10/37.

Veterans Administration.
Washington,
D.C.

Gentlemen:-
I would like any information you may 
have on the following in regard to the War
of the Revolution:
Leonard Matteson (Mattison)
Daniel Matteson       “
George     “                “
John          “                “
[written to the right of the names: “Mass, RI or Vt.”]

Thanking you.  I am
Yours very truly,
Beatrice M. Keller
(Mrs F. V.)
Page 22

120 Oak Street, Hartford, Conn., Feb. 25, 1905.

Dear Sir:
[“Rev War” is penciled in]
     Upon the pension roll of 1840 I find the name of Dorcas
Matteson, of Coventry, Rhode Island.  She was 93 years of age at that 
time and resided with Cory Matteson, of Coventry.
     As I understand the family history Dorcas Matteson was the widow
of Daniel Matteson, of Coventry, and I wish to obtain for genealogical
purposes such information as the papers in this case give concerning
Daniel and his service in the Revolutionary Army.
     I especially desire to learn the date of his birth and the date of 
his death and the facts as to his service.
     My record shows that he married Dorcas Chapman ,daughter of Stephen
Chapman, at Warwick, R. I., March 1, 1770.
     History shows that she was the mother of 19 children and that she
applied for the pension when she was 91 years of age.
     I think that President Roosevelt would concede that there was no
race suicide in this family and that Dorcas should have received a
pension at the earliest possible moment.
     I shall be much obliged to you for any information which you
may be able to give me in regard to the papers in this case.
     Yours very truly,
     A. J. Wright [signature]

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Page 23

I Benjamin Green of Coventry County
of Kent and State of Rhode Island, being 
now about Seventy nine years old, and 
engaged according to law, testify and
say, that Daniel Mattison was a private
in the war of the Revolution — —
and that [insert “I”] recollect of said Daniel’s being
on three tures [sp] = viz. the first being at East
Greenwich in March 1777 — one moth [sp] =
the second was at North Kingstown in
the month of August of the same year —
the third was at Tivertown in the
month of October of the same year —
the two last tures, being each of one months
duration — Said Daniel at East
Greenwich, was under Captain Benjaminite 
Green = at North Kingstown he
was under Captain Laneford Weaver =
at Tivertown he was under Captain
Benedict Colvin.  All of whom were 
under Colonel Nathaniel Brown and 
Mayor Yelverton Wait:
Benjamin Green [signature]

Kent fs - At Coventry on the third day of April
1839 - Then appeared before me the afore named
Benjamin Green and [insert “was”] engaged [insert “on oath”] to the foregoing
according to law.
Asahel Johnson Justice of the Peace
Page 24

And I further certify that said Benjamin
is a creditable witnefs
Asahel Johnson [signature]
Justice Peace
Page 25

I Ezekiel Johnson of Coventry County of
Kent and State of Rhode Island — being
now about eighty years old and engaged
according to law - testify and say - that I
was in the war of the Revolution and that
Daniel Matteson was also there. I recollect
that Said Daniel was at East Greenwich 
in December of 1776 — about one month and
in January of 1777 we Served at North Kingstown 
about a month and Said Daniel
was there also = in October he was at Tivertown
one month = in August of 1778 - he
was at Rhode Islan [sp] one month = Said
Daniel was under Captain Benjamite
Green at Easat Greenwich - at North Kingstown,
he was under Captain Laneford 
Weaver - at Tivertown he was under Capt.
Benedict Colvin - at Rhode Island he
was under Captain Benedict Colvin
also all of whom were under Colonel
Nathaniel Brown and Major Yelverton
Wait.
Ezekiel Johnson [signature]

Kent fs — At Coventry on the third day of
April 1839 — Then appeared before me the
aforenamed Ezekiel Johnson and was
engaged [insert “on oath”] to the foregoing according to law —
Asahel Johnson [signature] Justice
of the Peace
Page 26

And I further certify that said Ezekiel
is a creditable witnefs.
Asahel Johnson [signature]
Justice Peace