Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,078, Benjamin Boss, Continental R.I.

Page 1

[First column]
(9-1776)
Service
Continental R.I.
Contents

[Second column]
Boss, Benjamin

[Third column]
Number
S. 21,078

Page 2

[First column]
Sec letter to Wm T. Grinnell [illegible]
Aug 8, 1834

[Second column]
983
Rhode Island
Benjamin Boss of Providence in the State of RI who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Kimball of the regt commanded by Col Hitchcock in the RI line for 2 years from 1775

Inscribed on the Roll of RI at the rate of 120 Dollars -- Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of October 1832 and [illegible] Corvele Providence RI

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832  $180-
Semi=anl. allowance ending [illegible] +60-
$220-
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by T H McBlair Clerk, Book D Vol. [illegible] Page 104

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5325
Benj Boss
Sergt
RI
N.C.E
Roll Col Magill Regt enlisted 17 June 1775 for 3 years discharge 17 Jun 1780
Adm'd JLE
$120
Benj Cowett
Prov. R.I.

Page 4

5325
Brief in the case of Benjamin Boss of Scituate Prov by in the State of R. Island
(Act 7 June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 75
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed."
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1775 | Years, Months, Days. | As a | Gen.
Apl till - March '76 | - 11 -  | private | Col. Hitchcock. Capt Kimball
after the expiration of this term enlisted for one year but served | 1 - 1 - " | " | Same -
1777 - 17 June to end of term - | 3 - - - | Sergent | Col Angall Capt Hughes
5. In what battles was he engaged? Monmouth, Red Bank, Princeton, Trenton + Harlem Heights
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Scituate
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? the living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? - . no clergyman Certificate
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
W.C. Easton
Examining Clerk.

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Benja Boss
No 5325

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United States of America
Rhode - Island District, sc.
County of Providense
     On this 12th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special
District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session _ Benjamin Boss
a resident of Sectuate in the County of Providence
and State of Rhode Island aged 75 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 7, 1832, viz.
      That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated
That he enlisted into the continental army in April
1775 and served untill March 1776 in Capt. S Kimballs
company & Col D Hitchcocks regiment = and when
his time was out the regiment being in New Jersey
and the army much reduced at the earnest so=
licitation of Gen Washington staid one month
longer = On the 17th of June 1777 he again en=
listed under Cap Thomas Hewes & Col Israel Angells
regiment as a sergeant for three years and hav=
ing served out all his enlistments was honourably
discharged _ Was in the Battles of Monmouth, Red banks,
Princetown - Trenton - & Harlem Heights -
     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.
                                                     Sworn to an subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.                        Benjamin Boss
                                                                       [illegible]
William Wilkinson of Providence Testifieth on Oath
that he has been personnally well aquainted with
Benjamin Boss of Seituate R.I. from April 1777
that said Boss enlisted into the Continental service in
that year for three years, or during the War - that
in August 1778 Col. Greene's Regiment was at 
Rhode Island and said Boss was on detachment in 
the Light Troops under command of Col. John
Laurens where he served during the expedit[e]
under General Sullivan - He further states that
he was personnally acquainted with most of the
Officers of his Regiment who invariably gave his
character of one of the best Non-commissioned
Officers in the Regiment.

Page 7

William Wilkinson of Providence Testifieth [sic] on Oath that he has been personnally well aquainted [sic] with Benjamin Boss of Situate R.I. from April 1777 that said Boss enlisted into the Continental service in that year for three years or during the War -  that in August 1778 Col. Greene's Regiment was at Rhode Island and said ^Boss was on detachment in the Light Troops under command of Col. John Laurens where he served during said the expedit [sic] under General Sullivan - He further states that he was personally acquainted with most of the officers of his Regiment who invariably gave his character of one of the best Noncommissioned Officers in the Regiment 
William Wilkinson 
July 12 1832 Sworn to in open Court 
B Cowell Clk. 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, [crossed out: and after putting the illegible by the War Department], that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that William Wilkinson who has [crossed out: signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in] the testified as aforesaid --- [crossed out: who also signed the same] is a resident in the City of Providence and is a credible person, and that [crossed out: their] ^ his statement is entitled to credit. 
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Boss for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office
this 10th day of August 1832 
Benja Cowell Clerk of said Court

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Benja Boss

10 Mo & 13 days

Admitted

Page 9

Whereas Benjamin Boss Jr of Scituate in the County of Providence a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as appears by his discharge -  from under the hand of Col. Israel Angell has by Reason of his advanced age and ardent Circumstances together with having had the misfortune to Loose two wives and is now living with the third and now has the case of a numerous family six of which now wholy [sic] unable to support themselves any of them is his father now in his Ninety Second year whoom [sic] he has supported a number of years  - he being or very [illegible] Prudent hard laboring man 
Under all these circumstances we the Subscribers Consider him to be within the means of an act passed By Congress at their last Sessions for the Relief of Revolutionary soldiers 
Scituate August 8th AD1818 
Jerry A. Fenner Israel Brayton Kimball Atwood Anthony Roberts Cyril Edwards [illegible] Salisbury Benjamin Angell
This may certify that the above subscribers to this instruct on all members of the town commish of the said town of Scituate
Witness Josiah Westcott C. Clarke 
We the under signers agree in opinion with the above Subscribers
 Elisha Matheson Josiah Westcott John Aldrick  Christopher Smith

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information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension
[illegible]
[column headers]
|DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE. |
| Apr 1773 | [illegible] | Pvt | Kimball | [illegible] |
|1777 |[null] | Pvt | Thomas Hughs | Isiah Angell |
| Aug 5 1779|[null] | Sgt | “ | “ | [null] | “ |
[arrow from last date] discharged [illegible]
Battles engaged in, Long Island, Harlem Heights, Princeton, Trenton, Red Bank, Manmouth
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible]
Date of application for pension, Aug 10 1818
Residence at date of application, Scituate, Providence, R.I.
Age at date of application, 67
Remarks. [illegible]

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.

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Benj. Boss his
Discharge
17 June 1780

Page 12

These may certify all whom it may Concern that Serjeant Benjamin Boss the bearer hereof Late of my Regiment, has faithfully served out the Term of time for which he enlisted to the satisfaction of his Officers. Settled with the paymaster of the Regt and is hereby discharged the service with reputation


Given under my hand at Springfield this 17th day of June 1730
Israel Angell Col 2nd
Rhode Island Regt 

ISRAEL ANGELL, Esquire, 
Commandant of the 2nd R.Island Battalion in the Army of the United States of AMERICA, 
To Benjamin Boss Greeting. 
Reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by virtue of the Powers vested in me, constitute and appoint you to be Sergeant in the Regiment under my command. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Serjeant by doing and performing all Manner of Things thereunto belonging. And I do strictly charge and require all under your command to be obedient to your Orders, as a Serjeant as aforesaid And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions, from Time to Time, as you shall receive from me, or any other your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War. And this is your sufficient WARRANT. 
GIVEN under my Hand this fifth Day of August 1779 
Promoted [illegible] August 1779                    Israel Angell [illegible]
[illegible]
To all concerned/

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[top paper]
Benj Boss
3086
being the same,
as 980 is cancelled
& the Certificate
enclosed
[illegible] 20.1834

[left side bottom paper]
Revolution
21078
INVALID.
File No. 21078
Benjamin Boss
Serg Rev War
Act: June 7 ‘32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870]
[Right side, bottom paper]
1911 Nov 1 Hist. to Mrs L H Handy V.L.M.
Letter in W.F. 25-278
Stephen Brownell

Page 14

[left side]
The letter to Wm J 
Brownell Providence
Aug 8. 1834

[right side] 
3086 (another or duplicated)
Rhode Island
Benjamin Boss
of Providence in the State of RI
who was a Sergt in the company commanded
by Captain [null]of regt commanded
by Col Angell in the R.I.
line for 10 mos 13 D [illegible]
               13 “ 17 “ [illegible]
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I.
at the rate of 97 Dollars 37 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Decr
1832 and sent Benja
Cowell Providence R.I.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 182
Semi=anl. allowance ending [illegible] 33
$146.05
28.68
$194.73
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by [illegible] McBlair Clerk
Book. D Vol. 35 Page 104

Page 15

2811.
Rhode Island Roll
Benjamin Boss
Private.
Rhode Island Line
in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
(Sub)scribed on the Roll of Rhode Island
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on
the 10th of August 1818-
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d of Sept. 1818.
and sent to David Howell Esq. D. Judge
Providence R.I.
(ar)Rears to 4th of Sept 1822 31 4/30. 6:74
(Se)mi-anl. all'ce ending 4th Mar 1819
6:74
48-
$54.74
{Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
Sent to Benj Cowell
served 3 years

Page 16


Honorable John C Calhoun
Secy of War
Washington 
D.C.

[vertical notes]
FREE

Book Correct

13-54
1-6
14-60

1-54
1-16
2-60

[illegible post mark]

Page 17

Providence 11 Aug. 1818 
Hon: Jno Calhoun 
Enclosed are the applications of Benjamin Boss & John George for pension herewith enclosed by order of the District Judge 
With great respect I am yours
Benja Cowell
Clk. RI Dis

Page 18

B Boss 
Payments to be made 
at Providence RI 
by The [illegible] Br Bank 
Agent for paying Pensioners 
in the Agency of RI
Recorded by T H McBlair
Clerk, in Book D. Vol 3rd page 104

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WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Boss of the State of Rhode Island who was a Sergeant & Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive ninety Seven dollars and Thirty Seven cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. Given at the War Office of the United States this Thirteenth Day of December one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Lew Cass Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned} J L Edwards

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Benjamin Boss

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I Benjamin Boss Jun of Scituate in the County of Providence and the District of Rhode Island being now in the sixty second year of my age on solemn oath do now declare and say that in the year 1777 enlisted as a seargeant in Capt Thomas Hughes Company & Col Israel Angells regiment which regiment was ^in the R.I. Line of the army of the United States on the continental establishment, for three years - I continued in said regiment & service the time of my enlistment when I was discharged at Springfield in the State of New Jersey, which discharge is herewith annexed During the time of ^my service I was in six Battles be a number of skirmishes viz Princeton, Trenton, Monmouth, Red Bank, Harlem Heights & Long Island in all which I think I performed my duty faithfully -  And I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances & stand in need of the assistance of my country for support- 
Benjamin Boss jnr 
Rhode Island District --- 
Be it known to all persons, that on this tenth day of August 1818 came before me Benjamin Boss & made solemn oath to the truth of the declaration by him above subscribed and be it also known that from the examination of the said Benjamin & the evidence by him produced I am satisfied that said Benjamin is entitled to the provisions of the act of Congress of 18th March last. In witness whereof I have here to set my hand & have caused this seal of the Court to be hereto affixed – 
David Howell District Judge.

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Rhode Island District 
In Providence August 10 1818. I certify that the signature of the Judge and the seal of the District Court of the United States for Rhode Island on hereto affixed – 
Witness Benjamin Cowell Clk. R.I. Dis

Page 23

Payable on the 4th March & 4th Sept of each year
at the U. States Branch Bank 
Providence R.I. 
Recorded

Page 24

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim 
I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the Eighteenth day of March 1818- Benjamin Boss late a Private in the Army of the Revolution - --- is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of Eight - --- dollars [null] cents per month, to commence on the 10th day of August one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen 
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES, this 23rd day of September one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen 
J.C. Calhoun 
Secretary of War

Page 25

Providence May 15 1834 
Sir
The enclosed certificate has been in my office for some time not knowing to whom it belonged. The agent for paying pension has requested me to return to you as it was issued by mistake.
 I am respectfully
Your obt
Benja Cowell

 To JL Edwards Esq

Page 26

[left side top of page]
Benjn Boss
Sergt 10mo & 13 days
Pri 13 “ 17
Adm $97.37

[middle of page and upside down]
Hon Lewis Cass, Secretary of War
Washington

[left side bottom of page]
B Cowell
Providence 
RI

[far right side of page vertical]
11153 [possibly crossed out]
R. Island
Oct. 1.
Old case
Has been on roll

Page 27

Scituate Sept. 26. 1832 
To Hon Lewis Cass Secretary of War 
Dear Sir,
I enclose in behalf of Benjamin Boss of this Town his statement & Certificate. He thinks that as he served as Sergeant, he is entitled to more than Eight Dollars per month, if that is so & you find by his declaration of 1818 & the papers accompanying, that he was such you will oblige by forwarding him a certifico [(ac)]cordingly 
Yours with Respect 
Jonah Titus J. Peace

Page 28

To the Hon. Lewis Cass, Secretary of War 
Dear Sir 
The following statement I hereby do make under solemn oath in order to obtain a pension Certificate under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 That soon after the act of March 1818 entitled “an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the revolution: I forwarded to the Secretary of State, or War. I think the latter an application for a pension in the said act which application was favorably received & a certificate forwarded to me upon which I claim a pension tell ordered to make an inventory, which I did not do and my pension was stopped amongst my papers then forwarded were a discharge signed by Col Israel Angell  & a Sergeants warrant under which I had served as Sergeant in Capt. Thomas Hughes's company in said Israel Angells regiment three years. I then, when said application was made lived in Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and time in the same place now - I have made out a new declaration under the late act not knowing but that was necessary. whether my attorney Mr Cowell has sent the same forward I cannot say, my certificate I let Wm e Richmond Esquire have to send to Congress, a year or

Page 29

two ago, and if it can be found I shall send it with this letter -- 
I now wish my name again placed upon the pension roll for this State, and a new certificate forwarded to me Benjamin Boss 
Providence Sc in Scituate on this 17th day of September 1832 personally came Benjamin Boss Signer of the above and foregoing Deposition who is to me well known and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein stated before me & I certify that he is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit Jonah Titus, Just Peace 
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations 
Providence I William R Watson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Providence in said State, hereby certify that Jonah Titus above named is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Scituate in said County and duly empowered to administer oaths & take depositions and that the above signature purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Titus 
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court at Providence this 26th day of September 1832- 
Wm R Watson
[Bottom of page, upside down]
B. Boss

Page 30

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAM-51 12 - 5 - 41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Boss, Christian GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11013 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 11, 1790 to not shown

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.