Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,025, William Emerson, R.I.

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Service
R.J.
Emerson, William
Tower, Hannah
Former widow
Number
W. 14.025

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Rhode Island 3,194
Hannah Tower, family
widow of William Emerson, dead
who died on the 11th of November 1813
of Providence in the State of R. Island
who was a Se in the [ineligible] commanded
by Captain Whipple of the R

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State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
In this 16 day of July th 1839 personally appeared before me David Daniels one of the Justices of the Court of ------- within aforsaid County Hannah Tower now resident in Cumberland in said County aged 92 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the oath of Congress of July 4 1836 & March 3 1837 in that on the 26 day July 1778 she intermarried with William Emerson of said Cumberland who  was an officer in the War of the Revolution & lived with him as his wife until he departed this life on 11th day of November M 1813 She then lived as a widow until she intermarried with Loui Tower on the eighth day of July 1817 that she lived with said Loui as his wife until he departed this life.

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He died in August M 1826, and since the death of the said Levi she has remained unmarried & a widow ---- she further declares that during the war of the Revolution her first husband the said William Emerson did a great deal of military service. He served in the grade of an officer ---- officer & some as a ---- but it is out of her power to specify his services she remembers of his bravery hence after they were married & of being gone about a month at a time for the -----care of sevriry in the Army but such a great length of time has elapsed she cannot particularly, say her she must therefore rely on the confidence, produced in her behalf but she well remembers that he was in the battle on Rhode Island & he was then an Ensigne. She regrets that a kinsman may be granted to her agreeably to the ---- of the oath of ---- aforesaid
Attnt David Daniel
Hannah Tower
Mark

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Service 
R. J. 

Emerson, William

Number W 14025

Tower, Hannah former widow

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I Nathan Whipple of Cumberland in the county of Providence being now 47 years of age on oath do testify & say that Levi Tower the last husband of Hannah Tower who has signed & drawn to the presiding declaration died in August 1826 Eighteen hundred & twenty six & I know this said Hannah has remained a widow she is an Aunt of mine Her first husband William Emerson died on the 11th day of November in 1813 as appears from his gravestone incited over his grave I was at the funeral of Levi Towner
          [signed] Nathan Whipple

Providence ss   In Cumberland this 16th day of   July AD 1839. The Nathan Whipple aforesaid sub cashed & swore to this aforegoing deposition before me & I certify that he is a credible witness  ---  David Daniels
                            Justice of the Court Com. Ples

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Hilly Tower

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I hereby certify that Mr. William Emerson, son of Eleazar Emerson and Miss Hannah Whipple, daughter of Daniel Whipple, both of Cumberland , were joined together in Marriage on the Twenty sixth day of July Seventeen hundred Seventy Eight by me this the Subscriber  - Peter Darling      Justice of the Peace

Returned August first. Seventeen hundred Seventy Eight  . . . . Northrup John Dexter town clerk
_________________________________________________

Pardon Sayles town Clerk of the town of Cumberland, county of Providence& State of Rhode Island hereby certify, that the above is a true copy record, [with] the exception of the date, which is an expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows--                                           " Twenty Sixth day of July 1778"
" Returned August 1st 1778"
      Attest. Pardon Sayles  Town Clerk

I Pardon Sayle above named depose & say that I held the Office of Town Clerk in the Town, county & State of aforesaid. and that the above is a true [unknown] from the records of said Town [with] the exception named as identified by me.
                              Pardon Sayles, town clerk
Providence [seal]  Cumberland July the Seventeenth day of Eighteen hundred and thirty-nine - then personally appeared Pardon Sayles Town Clerk of said Cumberland and was duly Sworn to the [unknown] [unknown] [unknown] to Law-
       Before me- Christopher Robinson
                              Justice of the Peace

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Hannah Emmerson of Cumberland
Hannah Emmerson
(unsure)September

Emerson, William 
(R.I.) W-14025

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Camp on Rhode Island August 26, 1778

(illegible) these are to let you know that I am present a.m.

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Emerson, William
(R.I.) W-14025

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Providence (unk) To Mr William Emerson Sergeant in the Second Company of Militia or trained Band in Cumberland Amos Whipple Captain and in Colonel Browns Regiment. Whereas there was a Draught made of Militia the Eighth day of January last; whereas some persons who were draughted in the first Division commanded by Lt Nathaniel Gould have neglected to appear though duly warned.
You are therefore in the Name of the Governor and Company of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to require you forthwith to levy and collect the several fines as by Law directed that is five pound if deficient in Arms and twenty four shillings for each days non attendance on duty of each person whose names are hereunto annexed and if any of the delinquents be underage you are to collect the same of his or their Representative and for want of sufficient Estate to be by you and you are further commanded to take the body of each and every delinquent and commit him or them to the goal in said Providence there to remain until they shall be legally discharged. 
Hereof fail not and make true return. Given under my Hand and Seal the fifteenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1777.
Amos Whipple 
Delinquent:
Capt Burach Aldrich Absent 28 Days 
Job Hathaway Absent 28 Days 
Peleg Hathaway Absent 28 Days 
Jacob Bartlet Absent 28 Days 
Samuel Gaskil Absent 28 Days

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EMERSON, WILLIAM (R.I.) W-14026 

for Silas Cook -
Stephen Stapleson 
Christopher Haris 
Elisha Newell
Thomas Wood 
Eben Bartlet 
Nathaniel Tillson 
Duty Ballore 
Frances Inman
Peter Darling 
Ariel Ballore 
Ebenezer Darling 
Richard Estes 
Nathan Straten 
Lemuel Bartlet

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Cumberland September 30 1777 
To: William Emerson Sergeant 

You are required to learn all the (?) warned soldiers to met at Lieut Col Simon Whipple  Cumberland first day of October at seven o'clock (?)the four noon of War and three days provision once there to (?) till further orders. 

Amos Whipple Capt

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Emerson, William
(R.I.) W-14025

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State of Rhode Island 
and Providence Plantations     Cumberland 

To William Emerson Clerk of the second company of militia in the town of Cumberland 

Greeting 
Whereas Jason Newell, Amos Aldrich, and Abner Bartlett, all belonging to said Company after having been duly warned to appear and take their tour of duty in said company; have neglected to do so for and during the space of fifteen days. Whereby each and every of the aforesaid persons have incurred the penalty in such case provided by law for such neglect: that is to say five shillings lawful money per day for each person for their aforesaid Neglect: You are therefore in the Name of the Governor and Company of said State hereby commanded to levy and make distress upon the goods & Chattles of each and every of the aforenamed persons to the amount of Three Pounds Fifteen Shillings lawful money from each and every of the aforenamed Persons and for want of sufficient Effects of any or either of said.

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said persons to be by you found to satisfy and pay the aforesaid sums. You are hereby further commanded to take the bodies of each and every of the said persons into your custody and then safely secure in jail (?) in the county of Providence, until they shall satisfy and by the aforesaid sums from them respectively due for their aforesaid neglect. Hereof fail not but make true return of this warrant within twenty days from the date hereof. 
Given under my hand and seal at Cumberland aforesaid this seventeenth day of May in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. Amos Whipple

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Providence is to Mr William Emerson Clark of the Second Company or (?) of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence and Greeling. 
Whereas a warning hath been given unto Robert Aldrich Esq, Benjamin Gould, Gentleman Amos Aldrich, Laben Aldrich, Abel Bartlet, Jacob Bartlet, Abner Bartlet, Joseph Bartlet, George Browen, Jotham Carpenter Jane Samuel Gaskill, Sylevenes Hathaway, Job Hathaway & Oliver Whitaker all of Cumberland and and soldier in said Second Company to appear compliant in arms on the thirtieth day of December last post at the House of Mr Rufus Bartlet in holding at (?)of the clock in the front room of said day in order to attend on military discipline and to intent men on draft men for in Raynell at  to go in the service of  defense of our safety; Whereas as they and each of them have neglected and refused to appear as commanded  Whereby the above named solders have forfeited the sum of twelve shillings, lawful money each.

These are therefore by the act of the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island and by (?) of the former warrant to require you the said (?) to demand the sums aforesaid of the above named delinquents and on the refusal of payment their of that.
Then you take and distribute sufficient of the goods or personal estate of each & every one of the above named delinquents to pay & satisfy the sums above said with four pence lawful money (?)as you feel distinct on each delinquent person and for want of sufficient personal estate by you to be found that then you are to commit such delinquent person or persons to his (?) in person.

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EMERSON, WILLIAM- R.I. W-14025 

...in said county heard you are not able and make return unto my self within twenty days after date hear of Given under my hand and seal of Cumberland aforesaid the ninth Day of January in the sixteenth year of the Lord.
Anno Domini 1776 

Capt William Emerson Clark

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William Emerson,
M.F. 14,025
R.I.

Two lists of members of Lieutenant Nathaniel Gould Co., 1 division, and a list of soldiers in a company in which William Emerson was sergeant and Eseck Brown, and Job Steer were corporals; and an account of cartridges and flints received in Lieutenant Gould's Co., dated Providence Jan. 21, 1777, have been removed [illegible] case in order to send them to the War Dept.

Feb.27, 1911.
F.W.
Sent to War Dept. Jan 16, 1913

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[illegible] WIDOW, &c. [illegible]

File No.14025
Hannah Tower
Wid. of William Emerson
Sergt. [illegible] War
Act: July 4, 1836
Vol. M, Page 248

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By his Excellency William Greene Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
William Emmerson. Gentleman, GREETING.
the said William Emmerson being by the General Assembly of this State elected and chosen to the Place and Office Ensign of the Second Compaay or Trained Band of the Town of Cumberland in the County of Providence in the State aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State, authorized, empowered, and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Ensign [illegible] over the Company aforesaid: And to command, guide and conduct the fame, or any Part thereof: An [illegible] of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command, or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith, to the utmost of your Skill and Ability, you are to resist, expel, kill and destroy the fame, in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts.  You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, [illegible] from Time to Time be further given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor, and General Counsil, or other your Superior Officers.  And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
GIVEN under my Hand and Seal of the said State, the Eleventh Day of May in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-eight.
By his Excellency's Command,
Henry Ward Sury.                W. Greene

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(?)
 
Nov 77 - Peck                 Providence   Sarge/mo
March 80 - Thompson   RI                   Sarge/-
-book
Fall 76 - Tower -    Providence               Sarge/-
Aug 80 - Whipple  Providence               Ensign
(?)
March 77 - Whipple  Providence Sergt 1 - 
Aug 77. -     Whipple Providence   Serg 1       
(?) 77 -        Whipple Spencer (?)  Serg 1 
Nov 77        Ballow    Bristol bay    Serg 1
Sept 78-     Whipple Sullivan (?)   Ensign
                   1. Serg 
                   2. Ensign

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I Arthur Cook of Mendon County of Worcester Mass now at Smithfield County of Providence now at 79 years of age on oath do depose and say- I was well acquainted with William Emerson late of Cumberland State of Rhode Island [illegible] formerly husband of the now widow Hannah Tower in the war of the Revolution.  I well remember of serving with him several tours as follows.  In the fawl of 1776 he and I served together one month under Capt. Levi Tower.  I do not recollect the Colonel name stationed at Providence and Bristol - he served in the capacity of Clerk and First Sergeant.  In August 1780 he and I served together fifteen day under Capt. Amos Whipple in Colonel George Peck's Regiment.  Said Emerson served this month in the capacity of Ensign stationed at Providence & after he served as above he went home sick. Arthur Cook
Providence [illegible] October 30th 1839
Then came before me Arthur Cook and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him [illegible] in my province - I further certify said Arthur Cook is known to me and is a competent and credible witness in the province
George Aldrich 3rd Justice of the Peace

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Providence Nov 5 1839
Sir
I herewith under the application of Mrs. Hannah Tower formerly the widow of William Emerson who was an officer & non companied officer in the war of the Revolution - From what I have understood he served a great deal at various times but death has deprived her of the hard testimony she had reason to expect but only 2 or 3 witneses are now living who served with him - she had in his [illegible] some documentary evidence which is herewith entered with her other papers - [illegible] be sure by them that he was a [illegible] as early as January 1776 & that he served in that capacity until May 1778 when he was [illegible]

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as Ensign & so continued-- There is part of an old letter to his wife dated "at (?) Rhode Island Aug 26 1778; while (?) he was in Sullivans expedition which part is she found by (?) - There is also a part of his "Godly book "bearing date July 21, 1777 & also served old (?) in which his name is (?) all corroborating the testimony of the witness. It is now next to impossible to obtain the testimony of witnesses but the law relating to the service of the Militia was imperative & there is no reason to doubt he performed all the duty which was required of him. The evidence justifies such a conclusion I have therefore to request that whatever may be fact may be allowed him. 

Respectfully Yours, 
Benja Cowell

J L Edwards Esq

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I James Herrenton of Cumberland in the County of Providence do testify & say that I am now Eighty years of age - that I was well acquainted with William Emerson formerly of said Cumberland & the first husband of Hannah Tower now the widow of Levi Tower.  Said William was a soldier of the Revolution & did 
service in various companies both as an officer & now [illegible] officer, I believe, in November 1777 I was a private in Capt. George Pecks company of minute men.  I well remember that during that month said Emerson was in Capt. Amos Whipple's company.  Col. Chad Brown's regiment was stationed at Providence when he served a month about twelve miles from his home.  I think he served as Sergeant in Mardh 1780.  I served a month on Rhode Island in Capt. Edward Thompson's company who succeeded Capt. George Peck, who was then promoted to be a Colonel & commanded our regiment. I well remember that during this months service I saw the said Emerson on duty.
I saw him a [illegible] times when the whole regiment turned out during this month's service, and I believe he then served a month.  There two times I well remember; & upon further reflection it seems to me I saw him twice on duty in Providence but cannot specify the time except the one above specified
James Herrenton

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In the State of Rhode Island in this city of Providence on this Twenty Seventh day of July A.D. 1834. Personally appeared before me the undersigned, James Herrinton, subscriber to the forgoing affadavit and made oath to the truths of the facts therein contained, to the best of his knowledge recollection + belief.

I further certify that the said James Herrinton is a credible witness.

William H Smith
Justice of the Peace for
the city + events of Providence

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I Nathan Streeter of Smithfield in the county of Providence & State of Rhode Island, do testify & say that I am now Eighty-nine [underlined] years of age, that I am formerly well acquainted with William Emmerson, of Cumberland in said county, the husband of Hannah Tower, now the widow of Levi Tower & resident of Cumberland. Said Williams was her first husband. During the war of the Revolution I lived in Cumberland, was a neighbor to said Williams & often served in the same company with him, in the army. I have served with him in Capt Reuben Ballow's company & in Capt Amos Whipple's company. Both companies belonged to Col Chad [Chas?] Brown's Regiment. 
In the year 1777 we did as much as four months duty together at different times & at Different places. Said Williams was Sergeant, I think, In the spring of 1777. (in March according to my best recollection) we served a month together stationed in Providence in Capt Amos Whipple's company, and about twelve miles from our houses. We were quartered at a house just over the Providence Bridge.
In August, according to the best of my recollection we served another tour of duty together of one month.

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stationed at Providence in Capt Amos Whipples company.
,
In October of the same year we served another month together stationed at Tiverton in Spencer's expedition in Capt Amos Whipple's Company. This station was 35 miles from our homes
In the fall as late as November we marched down to Bristol & were under Capt. Reuben Ballin about two months. I remember this tour of service more particularly from the circumstance of a difficulty which happened between Col Chad Brown & Capt Reuben Ballin's men, on account of the Col not granting a furlough to one of Capt Reuben Ballin's men.
In Sullivans expedition in 1778 said Emmerson was an Ensign. He served about a month in that capacity stationed on the island of Rhode Island, in Capt Amos Whipples company.
In Sullivans retreat I was detached to take command of a boat & carried off the seven last field officers that left the island.
Nathan Streeter

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State of Rhode Island &c.
Providence County [illegible]. In the City of Providence on this 16th day of September 1839. Nathan Streeter, who signed the foregoing deposition after I had [illegible] the same to writing from his words, personally made
solemn oath affirmation that the facts therein stated are true.
I also certify that this [illegible] Streeter is a credible witness.

William H Smith
Justice of the Peace
for said County.

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[J?]4792
Hannah Towell
Hannah Tower.
formerly widow of Wm Emmerson
R.I.
Act 4 July [illegible]_
m 78-d13
aom [?]
7 mo. Sergt.
2. Ensign
55 [?]

No deduction

Benjn Cowell
Providence
RI.

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State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.

[Starburst seal upper left, no text]
Secretary's office Nov. 4. 1839

I Henry Bowen Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof Do Cirtify:
That at the session of the General Assembly of said State holder on the first Wednesday of May last, David Daniels was elected associate Justice of the Court of Common Plea within the County of Providence. William H Smith Justice of the Peace for the town of Providence and Christopher Robins is Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said County, each for one year and commissioned accordingly. 
That at the session on the second Monday in June last George Aldrich 3d was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield in said county for and until the first Wednesday of May next and 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