Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20591, Gideon Aldrich, R.I.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Aldrich, Gideon
Mercy
NUMBER
W20591
CONTENTS
[blank]

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4361
Rhode Island
Mercy Aldrich widow of Gideon Aldrich dec'd R.I. who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 15 May 1789 of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Whipple of the regts commanded by Cols Topham & Green in the R. I. State line for 17 m 11 ds
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 57 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Octr 1839 & sent to Benj'n Cowell Providence R. Island.
Arrears to the 4th of Septr '39 $202.58
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar '40 28.94
[total] $231.52
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. M. Curdy, Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 1.

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BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
William Sprague
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-
Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, That the name, "HENRY BOWEN," to the
aforewritten attestation subscribed, is in the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of
the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law. Wherefore
unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed, at Providence this Sixteenth
day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight
and of Independence the sixty third
Wm Sprague
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secry
[seal affixed to the left]

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State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 10th day of November A.D. 1838 personally appeared before me David Daniels one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Mercy Aldrich now resident in Smithfield in said County aged 86 - 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 and pensions to certain widows, viz. that she is the widow of Gideon Aldrich formerly of said Smithfield who was a soldier of the revolution that he served nine months in Capt. Whipple's company of Col. Lapham's regiment in 1778. And also served six months in Col. Green's regiment in 1780 both as a private besides other services and she further declares that she was married to him the said Gideon in the month of September A.D. 1782 the day she cannot remember nor is her marriage recorded in any public or private record her said husband
[continued]

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died on the fifteenth day of May A.D. 1789 and since that time she has remained unmarried. She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of February A.D. 1794 viz. at the time above-named.
[signature] Mercy her + mark Aldrich
Attest George Aldrich
Providence sc.
In Smithfield on the day & year first [illegible] herein written the aforegoing declaration was read to the said Mercy Aldrich clearly & distinctly in my presence & hearing & she appeared to understand it at least the most material parts of it such as her marriage, the service of her husband as a soldier in the revolutionary war, his death subsequently, his continued widowhood thereafter & her desire to obtain a pension for her support & said it was correct & subscribed the same with her mark in my presence but from old age & infirmity her mental prowess seems so much impaired that I deemed it improper to administer to her an oath. I also certify that she is too feeble to attend in any Court.
[signature] David Daniels J.C.C. Pleas

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I George Aldrich 3'd of Smithfield in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island &c. aged 56 years say that the aforegoing declaration of Mercy Aldrich was by me read to her on the day herein stated, and she appears to understand the main parts of it and agreed that it was correct & I saw her sign her cross to it.
[signature] George Aldrich 3'd
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day & year above stated. I certify that the deponent is a competent & credible witness -
[signature] David Daniels J.C.C. Pleas

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State of Rhode Island sc.
Secretary's Office Nov. 16, 1838.
I Certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday of May last David Daniels was elected Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence: Abram Baker Justice of the Peace for the town of Glocester: John Paine Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield in said County: each for one year.
That at the session on the third Monday of June last, Ephraim Tayler was elected a Justice of the Peace for said town of Smithfield until the first Wednesday of May next - and that they have been severally Commissioned accordingly, as appears of record.
Witness Henry Bowen Secry

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I Jacob Hill of Smithfield & County of Providence and State of Rhode Island now 74 years of age on oath do testify and say - I was well acquainted with Gideon Aldrich and his wife Mercy maiden name was Bly. I well remember by General report they was married in the fawl of the year 1781 I was a near neighbor to them and knowed that they keeped house together seven or eight years untill his death and they had three children while under the marriage. [illegible] the eldest was borne in January 1782 I well remember the sircumstance of their marriage for Said Mercy was in family way when they was married for her first child was borne in three or four months after they was married they was married by Stephen Arnold a Justice of the Peace at the house of Peleg Arnold in Smithfield the said Gideon and his wife lived in the house with me when they buried one of their children. I further testify the said Gideon told me that he belonged to Colonel Greens Regiment in 1780 enlisted for six months and served his time and that was the General report of all that knew him this six months was caled the shot [illegible] it was in the Continental Service he told me he had served a great deal in the revolutionary war. I did not serve with him - but I well remember of him going a number of times that I was not old enuf untill just at the close of the war to go myself
[signature] Jacob Hill

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State of Rhode Island
County of Providence } sc September 19th AD 1839
Then came before me Jacob Hill and made oath to the truth of the within Affidavit by him Subscribed in my presence I further Certify said Jacob Hill is well known to me and is a credible witness in the premises full and credit are to be given his attestation
[signature] George Aldrich 3'd Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence sc. 
I, John W. Smith, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence aforesaid, being a Court of record, do hereby certify that George Aldrich 3'd Esquire before whom the aforegoing affidavit was sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield in said County that by law he is duly authorized and qualified to administer oaths & take depositions; and that his signature above written is genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of our said Court, at Providence, this twenty fifth day of September AD 1839.
[signature] John W. Smith Clerk
[seal affixed to the left]

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Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2.0591
Mercy Aldrich
Widow of Gideon Aldrich
Priv. Rev. War
Act July 7th 1838
Index: Vol. A, Page 16
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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3979
Sir Benj Cowel, May 27 '39
Act 7 July 38.

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I Benjamin Evans of Smithfield County of Providence and State of Rhode Island now 75 years of age on Solemn Affirmation do depose and say that I and Gideon Aldrich of Smithfield now Dead husband of the now Widow Mercy Aldrich Served in the war of the Revolution one month together went Down under Capt Daniel Mowry Colonel Pecks Regiment In March 1751 The Said Aldrich Served in the Capacity of a Private Stationed at Fogland Ferry on the Island of Rhode Island said Company was Enlisted for one Month
[signature] Benjamin Evans
Providence sc Smithfield November 10 AD 1838
Then Came Before me Benjamin Evans and made affirmation to the truth of the above affidavit by him Subscribed in my presence I further Certify the Said Benjamin Evans is known to me and is a Competent and Credible Witness
Ephraim Sayles Justice of the Peace

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Mercy Aldrich
R. I. 3929
Act 7 July 38
[illegible] No. 2. from 6 June 78 to 16 March 79 Capt Whipple
9mo 11ds
By Witness 2 mo.
Green reg. 1780 6
17.11
[illegible]
17 mo. 11 ds pri
[total] $57.88
No deduction
Benj'n Cowell
Providence
R. I.

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I Salsbury Freeman of Smithfield County of Providence and State of Rhode Island on oath depose and say I am now 78 years of age. I was well acquainted with Gideon Aldrich now Deceased in the war of the Revolution. He and I were boys brought up together: he was the husband of the now widow Mercy Aldrich: I well remember of his belonging to Colonel Green's Regiment, enlisted under Ensign Dexter of Cumberland, he enlisted in the winter of 1780 according to the best of my recollection for six months; enlisted at Rhode island; stationed a while there and then marched to the State of New York to a place called Grotons Bridge and we both were there when Colonel Greene and Major Flagg were taken and [illegible]: I at that time belonged to Colonel Olneys Regiment, he served his time out and went home and I continued during the war. the said Aldrich served in the capacity of a private. the said Regiment was in the Continental line
[signature] Salsbury his X mark Freeman
Attest Seth Arnold
Providence sc. Smithfield October 17th 1838
Then came before me Salsbury Freeman and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him subscribed in my presence and by me reduced to writing in his presence - I further Certify that said Salibury Freeman is known by me and that he is a Competent and Credible witness
[signature] John Paine Justice of the Peace

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Town Clerk's Office, Smithfield November 5, 1838.
I Thomas Mann Town Clerk of the Town of Smithfield do certify and say that I am the keeper of the Record of Marriages of said Town. And I further certify that I can not find the marriage of Gideon Aldrich and Mercy Bly on record in said Town. And I also certify that for many years past as well before and during the war of the Revolution as since many marriages have taken place in said Town which have not been recorded in said office.
Witness Thomas Mann [illegible] Clerk
Providence sc. Smithfield November fifth AD 1838
Personally appeared the above named Thomas Mann who is now Town Clerk of the Town of Smithfield and was duly sworn to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed And I certify that the above signature Thomas Mann is in his proper hand writing and that full faith and credit are to be given to his signature and attestations as Town Clerk aforesaid.
[signature] Ephraim Sayles Justice of the Peace

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I Joseph Place of Gloucester County of Providence & State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and Say I am now 81 years of age. I was well acquainted with Gideon Aldrich in the war of the Revolution of Smithfield now Dead husband of the now Widow Mercy Aldrich
I well remember of the said Aldrich and myself enlisting under Capt William Whipple Colonel Tophams Regiment in May 1778 for nine months and served our time out together and Rec'd our Discharges in March 1779 Stationed most of the time at Tiverton all in the State of Rhode Island The said Aldrich Served in the Capacity of a private
[signature] Joseph his X mark Place
Attest George Aldrich 3rd
County of Providence
State of RI } Sc - in Gloucester October 18 AD [blotted out]
Then came before me the above named Joseph [blotted out] and made oath to the truth of the above Affidavit by him Subscribed in my present
I further Certify the Said Place is known to me and is a Competent and Credible Witness
[signature] Abram Baker Justice Peace

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I Rachel A. Aldrich of Smithfield in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island &c. now 68 years of age do on oath depose and say - That I was well acquainted with Gideon Aldrich of said Smithfield but now deceased. And his wife Mercy whose name before their marriage was Mercy Bly. I well recollect that their intention of marriage was published by my father Stephen Arnold at that time a Justice of the Peace that said publishment was set up by my father in his dwelling house. I remember that in the month of September A.D. 1782. I went with my father when he said he was going to marry said Gideon Aldrich & Mercy Bly at the house of Peleg Arnold in said Smithfield & that my father went on to the Woonsocket Falls grain mill. While he went in the house & [illegible] I came back. He later told me had married them. I further on oath say that the said Gideon Aldrich & his wife Mercy lived near my father's house. When said Gideon died which was on the 15th day of May 1789 & that said Mercy has remained unmarried ever since that time
[signature] Rachel A Aldrich
Sworn to & subscribed before me this twelfth day of November AD 1838
& I certify that said Rachel Aldrich is a credible witness
David Daniels J.C.C. Pleas

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Town Clerk's Office Smithfield R. I. June 25, 1839
I Thomas Mann Town Clerk of the Town of Smithfield aforesaid do certify and say That I have examined the ancient records and papers in this office and do not find any record of the enlistment of this Town's proportion of Col. Christopher Greene's Regiment in this office.
[signature] Thomas Mann Town Clerk

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Providence sc Smithfield July 8 - AD 1839
Sworn to and Subscribed
Before me George Aldrich 3rd Just Peace

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State of Rhode Island &c
Providence sc. I John W. Smith clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Providence, in said State, being a Court of record, do hereby certify that George Aldrich 3rd Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Smithfield in said County, that by law he is duly authorized to administer oaths & take depositions: and that his signature to the annexed certificate is genuine - 
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court at Providence this eighth day of July AD 1839
[signature] John W. Smith Clerk
[seal affixed to left]

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Providence Sept 26 1839
Sir
Agreeably to your directions of May 27th relative to the claim of Mrs Mercy Aldrich widow of Gideon Aldrich a certificate of the town clerk of Smithfield is herewith enclosed showing there are no records in his office relative to Col Greenes regiment - Further testimony of the marriage & service in that regiment is also enclosed which I hope will be satisfactory
I am respectfully
your obt svt
Benj'n Cowell
J L Edwards, Esq.