Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22364, Stephen Congdon, R.I.

Page 1

(3-1776)

Service
R.I.

Number W22364

Congdon, Stephen
Taber, Martha
former widow

Contents
[blank]

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Rhode Island [cut off]
Martha Taber former widow of Stephen Congdon [cut off] R.I.
who died on the 20th September 18[cut off]
of Newport in the State of R. Isla[nd]
who was a Private in the Company com[manded?]
by Captain Taylor of the Rgt com[manded?]
by Col Dyer in the R.I.
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island
at the rate of 20 Dollars 00 Centers per [cut off]
to commence on the 4th Day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of [cut off]
1838 and sent with [cut off]
Ennis Newport R. Isl[and]

Arrears to the 4th of May 1838 $140.[cut off]
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept" 10.[cut off]
$150[cut off]

Revolutionary Cl[cut off]
Act July 4, 18[cut off]
Section the 3d

Recorded by D. D. Addison C[cut off]
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 99

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State of Rhode Island
County of Newport "
On the fourth day of November A.D. 1837 personally appeared before the undersigned Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Newport, Martha Taber, a resident of Newport in said county aged ninety three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Acts of Congress passed July 4, 1836, and March 3, 1837. That she is the widow of Pardon Taber, formerly of Portsmouth in this State, and that before her marriage with the said Taber she was the widow of Stephen Congdon, formerly of Newport, who was a private in the militia of the State of Rhode Island in the War of the Revolution, & also then enlisted as a private in the minute companies by said State, and that the said Stephen Congdon served for two years & more in said war in said capacity. At the time of her marriage with him, the said Stephen Congdon was doing service in a company of minute men, under the command of Capt --- Sheldon, at Jamestown on the

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Island of Canonicut [Conanicut] in said State; and the day before Capt Wallace of the British fleet then at Newport landed on said Island and burned several houses, the said company of minute men was relieved, but her husband although his time of enlistment had then expired, remained on said Island, and that night was taken prisoner, carried off with this applicant's father, William Greenman, & her younger brother, on board one of the British ships, in which her said husband & brother were carried [round?] to Boston, but her father was released in a day or two after he was taken. She was thus left with five children of her husband's by a former wife entirely destitute & subjected to much hardship and distress. She went over to Newport shortly after her husband was carried off and was there attending on her brother Job Greenman (who had been wounded in a skirmish with the enemy at Prudence Island) when her husband returned; having escaped from the ship on board of which he was a prisoner, whilst at anchor in Boston Harbor. They went [south?] after his return, to Wickford in said State, where they lived at her fathers [?] her husband was again drafted [crossed out] the following year, when they removed to West Greenwich in said state where her husband was drafted several times, but into what company

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she is unable to remember - he was absent from her in all for many months & was serving as she understood then & has always believed in the South part of his State. She often heard the said Stephen say that he had been drafted several times, or that he had served sometime before he enlisted in Sheldon's Company as before stated. Of that service, not being then his wife, she knows nothing & she recollects the service under Sheldon more distinctly than any other because her marriage took place then, & the service was in the town where they lived. She further declares that she was married to the sd Congdon in August in the year that Wallace landed as herein mentioned & by Edward Hull a warden of said Jamestown, authorized by law to marry. That she & the said Stephen Congdon were both residents of Jamestown at the time, & were married there. That the sd Congdon died in Newport on the twentieth day of September [1797?]. That about two years afterwards she was lawfully married to the said Pardon Taber, who died within three years after their marriage at Rensselaerville in the State of New York & that she has remained a widow ever since as will appear from the proof hereto [annexed?]. She had a certificate of her marriage but lost it many years ago.

Martha Taber X her mark

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State of Rhode Island &c
Newport &c at Newport

The following Declaration was sworn to and subscribed with her mark by the said Martha Taber before me at her residence in the town of Newport aforesaid on the day and year therein written, and I further certify that from her age and bodily infirmity she was evidently unable to go abroad for the purpose, - and that I have reason to believe her character for truth and veracity to be good.

In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand this 4th day of Nov. A.D. 1837.
Joseph Joslen,
C. Jus. C. C. Pleas.
Newport

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State of Rhode Island &c
County of Newport "

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, Martha Taber, widow, formerly of Stephen Congdon, & aged ninety three years, who in order to amend her declaration made before Joseph Joslen Esquire, one of the Judges of the Court of Com. Pleas within & for said county of Newport, being first duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of her  great age and bodily infirmities, and the loss of memory in a great degree, she is unable to state, more particularly that she has done, the places and [?] of her said husband's service in the War of the Revolution - but she hopes that sustained as her statement is in part by other testimony, and by the fact that she is on the border of the grave, that the department will extend to her all the indulgence and consideration in its power to bestow. She further declares that she has lived in retirement and obscurity for many years, dependent on her daughter for support, that she is very death & has been deprived of sight for twelve years & more - & that she is not aware that there is any person living who knows of the service of said Stephen in Capt Sheldon's company, except herself

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she refers to the affidavit of Samuel Place for proof of his subsequent service in part; & might have added that of Richard Bush, late of Newport, a deceased pensioner, if he were now living . She further declares that there is no record of her marriage, & never was to her knowledge; and that the bible, in which the birth of her children was recorded, is lost.

Martha Taber X her mark

Witness David Peckham

State of Rhode Island &c
Newport County " 
Newport Jany 26th 1838.
This day personally appeared Mrs Martha Taber, and having made the preceding statement on oath & heard the same by me read to her, subscribed the same in my presence.
Wm Ennis Justice Peace

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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

August 25, 1926

Mrs. Burton A. Crane
935 West Ninth St.,
Erie, Penn.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 22364 it appears that Stephen Congdon, while a resident of Jamestown, Rhode Island in 1775, was a minute man in Captain Sheldon's Rhode Island Company, and during the attack on Jamestown on the Island of Conanicut in November 1775, he was captured, taken to Boston on a ship but in a short time made his escape from Boston Harbor. Afterwards, in 1777 he enlisted and served as a private in Captain William Taylor's Company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island Regiment, about one year, ending at the time General Sullivan retreated from Rhode Island, and was in a skirmish at Boston Neck. He served at various other times, names of officers not given, his entire service was two years, a part of which service was rendered from West Greenwich, Rhode Island to which place he moved during the Revolution.
Soldier married in August 1775 at Jamestown, Rhode Island, Martha, daughter of William Greenman of Wickford, Rhode Is-

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-land. Soldier died September 20, 1797 in Newport, Rhode Island. His age is not given.
His widow Martha married about 1799, Pardon Taber of Portsmouth and Tiverton, Rhode Island. He died about three years later in Rensselaerville, New York. She was allowed pension on account of the service of her former husband, Stephen Congdon, on her application executed November 4, 1837 while a resident of Newport, Rhode Island aged ninety-three years.
Penelope Knight, daughter of the soldier and his wife Martha, was living in Newport, Rhode Island in 1837 aged fifty-seven years; they had other children but their names are not given. Soldier had five children by a former wife, her name and those of the children not stated, and the dates of her marriage and death are not given.
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commissioner.

[handwritten] Widow had bro. Job Greenman wounded at Prudence Island.
Her father was also captured dur. Rev. but soon released.

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Martha Taber
formerly widow of Stephen Congdon,
Rhode Island

Suspended

[Per let:?] 12 Jan,
1838 R. R. Carr.

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22364

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Newport R. I.
Jany 26. 1838

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,
Mr R. R. Carr, the postmaster of this place, handed to me, a few days since, your communication relative to the claim of Mrs. Martha Taber. At his request, I forward to [?] department her amended declaration, with a further statement under oath by Sam'l Place.
Mrs. Taber's great age and infirmities render a more particular declaration impossible but her story will be found consistent with historical facts and with the general tenor of the affidavits. The Department if not already in possession of such information, can be furnished with evidence that Sheldon's company was stationed for some time at Jamestown or Canonicut [Conanicut] and was relieved as stated in Mrs. T's declaration. The time & place of Congdon's subsequent service appears to be fully sustained by the affidavit of Place.
Although there is not in the present case that full proof of two years' service which the Department would generally require, yet when the great age of the applicant & her bodily infirmities

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[infirmities], and that she is on the verge of the grave, are considered, her declaration under oath ought surely to have more weight than is usually given to the statement of an interested party - more especially when corroborated, at least in part, by the testimony of impartial deponents. For my own part, I am satisfied that her statement is true; and I have no doubt that her case will be considered properly by the Department. I have formally [succeeded?] in every application made by me for [?] - some fifteen or twenty - and I mention it now mainly to raise the presumption that I would not press a claim upon your attention which I did not believe to be well founded.
Very respectfully,
Wm Ennis

Please address to R. R. Carr Esq.

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February 14, 1913.

Mr. Edward L. Northup,
101 Lancaster Street,
Providence, R. I.

Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 5" and received the 7" instant, you are advised that from the papers in the claim W. File No. 22,364, Rev. War. it appears that Stephen Congdon, while a resident of Jamestown, Rhode Island, enlisted as a Private under Captain Sheldon, Rhode Island troops, was taken prisoner [in?] the attack on Newport, but in a short time escaped from the ship in which he had been taken to Boston; afterwards served under Captain William Taylor, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island regiment, at the time of General Sullivan's retreat from Rhode Island; served at various other times, names of officers not stated. He served in all, two years,  no dates stated.
Soldier married in August 1775, at Jamestown, Rhode Island, Martha, daughter of William Greenman; and he died September 20, 1797, at Newport, Rhode Island. She married about 1799, Pardon Taber who died about three years later. She was allowed pension on account of the services of Stephen Congdon, on her application dated November 4, 1837, while ninety-three years of age and a resident of Newport, Rhode Island.

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W. F. No. 22,364. - 2

A daughter, Penelope Knight, was fifty-seven years of age in 1837.
Soldier had five children by a former wife, name of children and wife, dates of marriage and her death, not stated.

Very respectfully,
J L Davenport
Commissioner.

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O. W. & N. Division.
F.S.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., 
May 31, 1893

Miss:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Stephen Congdon a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information in his (or his widow's) application for pension on field in this Bureau.
The widow stated in her application for pension that her husband served at different periods two years or more as a private in the Rhode Island troops but was unable to give exact date of his enlistment and discharge. Captain, Sheldon, Capt. Wm. Taylor, and Col. Dyer were officers under whom he served. He was taken prisoner at Newport when Capt. Wallace of the British fleet landed there and was carried to Boston, but returned in a short time.
Battles engaged in: None mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment: Jamestown, R.I.
Date of application for pension: by widow, November 4, 1837.
Residence at date of application: of widow, Newport, R.I.
Age at date of application: of widow, Ninety-three years
Remarks: Soldier married Martha Greenman about the year 1775 and died in 1797 or 1798.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Miss F. L. Gardner,
#32 Union St.,
New London, Conn.

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101 Lancaster St.,
Providence, R. I.,
Feb. 5, 1913.

The Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir,
Could you give me any information regarding Stephen Congdon 
who served at different periods two years or more as a private in
the Rhode Island troops under Capt. Sheldon, Capt. Wm. Taylor, and
Capt. Dyer.
He was taken prisoner at Newport when Capt. Wallace of the
British fleet landed there and was carried to Boston, but returned
in a short time.
If you could give me any more information, including the dates
of his enlistment and discharge you would greatly oblige
Yours very truly,
Edward L. Northup

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New London Conn.
Pension Department: -
I received
your statement regarding a
Stephen Congdon which I asked
of you for information.
I know nothing what
ever about him, only this, he
lived at North Kingston, R.I.
and fought in the battle at
Newport and I think was
captured by the English.
Hoping these meagre
particulars may aid you I
remain
Very Respectfully,
Miss F. L. Gardner
32 Union St.
New London Conn

May 21, 1895.

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31/95 Hist to Mis F. L. Gardner,
32 Union St. New London, Conn.
[M.E.C.?]

1913 Feb. 14 History to
Edwd. L. Northup.
F.W.

1926 Aug 25. Hist to Mrs.  Burton A
Crane. Her letter in Claim of
Robert Knight. [?] 13598 [MMH?]


Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 22364
Martha Taber
Former Widow of
Stephen Congdon
Priv Rev. War.

Act: July 4" 1836
Index:-- Vol. [?], Page 265

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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I Samuel Place of Newport in Rhode Island, a
Revolutionary pensioner, on solemn oath declare and say
that in the year 1776 or '77, being then a resident of
North-Kingstown in said state, I volunteered to serve
as a private in the company of Rhode Island militia commanded by
Capt. Wm Taylor of said N Kingstown, in Col. Dyer's
regiment. My first term of service was performed at
Boston Neck in said State, during which time a boat
with provisions for one of the enemy ships grounded on
the flats between the North and South Ferries in the
west passage, and was captured by said company, after
exchanging a few shots with the boats from the enemy's
ship which had come to her relief. After the capture
of the boat, said company assisted in driving off the said
Ship which lay at anchor at Dutch Island, between the
said Ferries. her name I do not remember. During
the period of my service at Boston Neck, the British ship
[Syrah?] went ashore at Point Judith, and I was one of
a detachment sent with the prisoners taken from her
to Providence, whence I returned immediately to said
company. After serving there for some time longer, I was
drafted and went with said company to Tiverton.
after remaining several weeks, we crossed over to the
Island under Gen. Sullivan; there we remained until
the great Storm which dispersed the French and
British Fleets, blew down the tents of the American
Troops on the Island, damaged their arms and
ammunition, and compelled them to return to the

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main land, where they repaired damages, obtained fresh 
supplies, and then [?] to the Island - The time
for which I was drafted expired the night before Gen.
Sullivan retreated; and during this whole period of my
service, which I am positive was more than a year,
Stephen Congdon, of Jamestown - on behalf of whose
widow, Martha Taber, I have already previously
given my testimony - served with me as a private in
said Company. I am unable to state dates and facts
more particularly than I have done, but during
the whole time (& after) that the enemy's ship of
war lay in the West Passage, I served in said
Company, defending the shore. I was drafted
two of three times, after my service already stated,
I served nine months in the Continental Army,
in Capt Dexter's Company in Col. Angell's Regiment.

Witness - Wm. H. Henderson
Samuel Place x his mark

State of Rhode Island
Newport" Newport Jany 20th 1838 This
day personally appeared before me, Samuel
Place, to me well known to be a person
of credit & veracity & having made the preceding
statement on oath & heard the same read
to him, subscribed the same in my presence
Wm Ennis, Justice Peace

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I, Samuel Place of Newport in Rhode 
Island, a Revolutionary pensioner, on solemn 
oath declare & say that I am well 
acquainted with Martha Taber, widow,
and that I have known her from boyhood
until the present time. I knew her
well when she was the wife of 
Stephen Congdon with whom I served 
in the Revolutionary War. We both
belongs to Capt. William Taylor's company
in Col. Dyer's regiment of Rhode
Island militia. Congdon was a private
in said company & we served together
at Boston Neck, in Jamestown, and
on Rhode Island. I was drafted into
said company about a month before
the [?] British sloop of war was
ashore on Portsmouth and I served in said company
until the retreat of Sullivan from
Rhode Island. During all this time
Stephen Congdon was with me, & must
have been in actual service for twelve
months & upwards, according to the best
of my recollection & belief.

Newport Nov 2 1837
Samuel Place x his mark

Witness to the signature
of Samuel Place
Wm. H. Henderson

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State of Rhode Island
Newport, Newport Nov 2. 1837. This day
personally appeared Samuel Place and 
made oath before me to the truth of the 
aforegoing statement by him subscribed & I further certify that
the said Place is a credible person.
Wm Ennis
Justice Peace

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I William Greenman of Newport in
Rhode Island, on solemn oath declare
and say, that ever since the Revolutionary
War, I have been a resident of said Newport,
that Martha Taber, formerly the
widow of Stephen Congdon, is my aunt,
and that I was present when the said
Martha and Stephen were married at
Jamestown on the Island of Conanicut,
a short time before Capt Wallace, in
the beginning of the war, landed on said
Island & burnt several houses. I was too
young to know the particulars of said
Congdon's service in the Revolution: but
I remember having heard many years
ago of his doing military service then.
I recollect having heard about the time
of Wallace's landing & burning Conanicut.
that the said Stephen & several others
were carried off prisoners in one of Wallace's
ships: and that he afterwards escaped
from him in Boston harbor. I know
that the said Martha has been the widow
of Pardon Taber, formerly of Tiverton in this
State, for more than thirty years. My
father, [Jos?] Greenman referred to in the 
declaration of Martha Taber aforesaid was woun-

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[woun]ded at Prudence, when the skirmish took place
at that Island between the Americans & British
in the beginning of the war.
William Greenman

And I the said Greenman further state 
on oath that the said Stephen Congdon died
in Newport in the year 1797 or 98 & that
I was with him in his last moments.
William Greenman

Newport,, Newport Nov 4. 1837. This day
personally appeared William Greenman
and made oath before me to the truth of
the aforegoing statement by him subscribed.
I further certify that the sd Greenman is a
credible person.
Wm Ennis
Justice Peace

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I John Remington of same town 
in the county of Newport State of
Rhode Island &c on solemn oath declare
& say. That I am the town clerk
of said town and a Revolutionary pensioner
and seventy six years of age. I was 
present when Martha Taber, now of Newport,
widow, was married to Stephen Congdon
at Jamestown, by Edward Hull, a
[?] of said town, authorized by law
to marry. This marriage took place according
to the best of the recollection, in the
summer before Wallace landed, in November
1775, & burnt several houses at Jamestown.
I remember having heard about that time
that Congdon, Greenman, & others were
carried off prisoner by Wallace - and
I have always understood that the
said Stephen Congdon served in the Revolutionary
War - but know nothing of the
particulars thereof.
Newport Oct 31. 1837. John Remington

Newport Oct 31. 1837. This day personally 
appeared John Remington, and made oath 
before me, that the above statement sub-

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[sub]scribed by him is true & I further certify
that the sd John Remington is a credible
person.
Wm Ennis
Justice Peace

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I Penelope Knight of the town and county
of Newport, aged fifty seven years, on solemn oath
declare & say, that Martha Taber of Newport, who
is an applicant for a pension, is my mother and
was formerly the widow of my father Stephen
Congdon, who, as I have always understood, served
in the Revolutionary War. The said Stephen has
been dead for about forty years, and Pardon Taber
the second & last husband of the said Martha died
thirty seven or eight years since, for the last
twelve years the said Martha has resided with,
& been wholly maintained, by me.
Penelope Knight x her mark

Witness
John Francis

Newport, Newport Nov 6, 1837. This day personally
appeared Penelope Knight & having heard her above
statement read, made oath to the truth thereof &
[subscribed?] the same. I certify that the said Penelope
is entitled to credit.
Wm Ennis
Justice Peace

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V2898
Martha Taber
Rhode Island

[Admitted?]
for 6[?] [?]20

Wm Ennis
Newport
R.I

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Newport &c
Clerk's Office Court of Common Plea's
Newport November 6th AD 1837

I George C Shaw Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in the aforesaid County being a Court of
Record, do hereby certify that Joseph Joslen, before
whom the Declaration of Martha Taber was sworn
to, is the Chief Justice of the aforesaid Court, was
duly elected by the General Assembly and commissioned
by the Governor of this State and is fully
qualified to act in said capacity, and his signature
thereunto affixed is genuine.
And I further certify that William Ennis before 
whom the Depositions of John Remington, William
Greenman, Samuel Place and Penelope Knight
were sworn to, is a Justice of the peace for the
aforesaid County, was elected by the General Assembly
and commissioned by the Governor of this State, and
his signatures thereunto affixed are genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at
Newport on the day and year aforesaid.
Geo. C Shaw, Clerk