Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21635, Ariel Ballou, R.I.

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(3-1776)
SERVICE
R.I.
Ballou, Ariel
NUMBER
S.21635
CONTENTS
[blank]

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21741
Rhode Island
Ariel Ballou
of Providence in the State of Rh. Island who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt. commanded by Col. Cook in the R. Island line for 2 Years
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Oct. 1833 and sent to B. Cowell Providence
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 M '34 40
[total] $240
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Go C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 103.

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United States of America
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this 17th day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session - Ariel Ballou a resident of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 74 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.
He was born Feby 21st 1758 in Cumberland as by the records of that town will appear & has always resided there before & since the War -
and this applicant further states that in June 1775 he joined a company of minute men for one year as a private commanded by by Capt Elisha Waterman, according to the regulations of this company which was chartered by the Legislature of Rhode Island & independant in its privileges we were to be ready always at a minutes warning armed & equiped according to law - we always turned out once every week for exercise & in September of that year we were called into actual service, we marched to Newport first, where we were stationed & then at Bristol & other places & were on duty for nine months then next following - and this applicant further states that in September 1776 he enlisted for & served three months as a private in Cap Williams company & Col Cooks Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops we were stationed on Rhode Island & were there when the British took possession in Dec'r 1776 and this applicant further states that in January 1777 he joined a company of Minute Men commanded by Cap Geo Leck - This company was chartered by the Legislature of Rhode Island & the Cap had the rank Of Colonel, we were independant of the Militia & were under the immediate orders of the Governor. We were always to be ready for duty at a moments warning armed & equiped according to law - And this applicant says that he belonged to this company until the end of the War & always went with the company when called into service - we were in Spencers Expedition in October 1777 & in Sullivans in August 1778 & was in the Battle on the 28th of that Month all day long - we were also once stationed at Bristol - But he cannot remember at this distant period the number of times he was called out or the places to which he was called but according to his best recollection
[continued]

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in Spencers expedition in October 1777 in Sullivans in August 1778 & was in the Battle on the 28th of that Month all day long - we were also once stationed at Bristol - But he cannot remember at this distant period the number of times he was called out or the places to which he was called but according to his best recollection he has no doubts he was in actual service one half of the time, from the time he joined the company in Jany 1777 to 1780 or as long as the British army had possession of Rhode Island which was over three years
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 and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
[signature] Ariel Ballou
attest B Cowell Clk
I Jesse Brown of Cumberland in the County of Providence on oath do certify and say that I am well acquainted with Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland and have been for the last sixty years - and I further testify that said Ariel was a member of Col George Pecks Company of Minute Men & that he belonged to it during all the time the British were in possession of Rhode Island & to the end of the War, that is, from Jany 1777 to the year 1781 - I was a member of that company during the same period & knew that the said Ariel always performed the duty that he was required as a member of said company - We were both in Spencers front guard in 1777 & also in Sullivans expedition in 1778 & in the battle on Rhode Island on 28th of August of that year. From the nature of the obligations we must have been
[cut off]

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Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland for the last sixty years - and I further testify that said Ariel was a member of Col. George Pecks Company of Minute men & that he belonged to it during all the time the British were in possession of Rhode Island & to the end of the War, that is, from Jany 1777 to the year 1781 - I was a member of that company during the same period & know that the said Ariel always performed the duty that he was required as a member of said company - We were both in Spencers front guard in 1777 & also in Sullivans expedition in 1778 & in the battle on Rhode Island on the 28th of August of that year. From the nature of the obligations we must have been in actual service one half of the time during that period.
[signature] Jesse Brown
Sept 17. Sworn to in open Court by the said Jesse Brown. Witness B Cowell Clk

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I Amaziah Weatherhead of Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island on oath do certify & say that I have known Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland for the last sixty years. I remember well Col George Pecks company of minute men, said Company was an independent company chartered by the Legislature of Rhode Island. I have no hesitation in saying that said Company was in actual service more than one half of the time from January 1777. to sometime in the year 1780 untill the British evacuated Rhode Island. To my personal knowledge said Ariel belonged to said Company during all that time [blotted out] I frequently saw him in the company and when the company was on duty I belonged to another corps but was often stationed near him - 
[signature] Amaziah Weatherhead
Sept 10 1832
Sworn to before me Benja Cowell Commp Dist Court for RI Dist

[partial document visible at bottom]
matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed 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 Ballou Amaziah Weatherhead Noah Ballou & Jesse Brown who have testified for the said applicant are resident as they state and credible persons and that their 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 Ariel Ballou for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 12th day of November 1832
[signature] Benja Cowell Clk

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No 18854
Ariel Ballou Providence
County Rhode Island
Private 2 years
5.16 ob
July 8 1833
B.Cowell Providence
Rhode Island

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Brief in the case of Ariel Ballou County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[table follows]
[table columns] / Period. / Duration of Service. / Rank. / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. /
[Line 1] / Vol - In 1775 June / 9 Months / private / Cap E. Waterman / 
[Line 2]  / Enlisted - 1776 Sept / 3 Months / private / Cap. Williams, Col Cook
[Line 3]  / Vol - 1777 Jany / time not stated but applicant states he was in service until the close of the war / private / Cap G. Peck / 
[end of table]
5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland Rhode Island
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary + 4 living witnesses, 2 certified credible, 2 not certified, no clergyman certified
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached -
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[signature] Rich'd [illegible] Watts Examining Clerk.

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And now on this 7th day of August AD 1833 Ariel Ballou maketh further oath in explanation of his declaration made Sept 17th 1832 in Court. Said Ariel declares that in June 1775 he joined a Company of minute men as stated & in September following we were called into actual service & this applicant did duty with the Company nine months as a private as stated - his next service was in Col Cook's regiment as state as a private three months from September 1776 - and he further says that in January 1777 he joined a Company of minute men - Commanded by Capt George Peck as stated, this applicant cannot remember by reasons of loss of memory & the distant period of time when the service took place, but he avers said Company always on the alert & always called upon on all occasions and he avers that between January 1777 & December of that year he served six months at

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least during the period we were stationed at Providence at Bristol, Tiverton & at Little Compton during Spencers Expedition in October & November & at many other places - 
And he further says that during the whole of the year 1778 - said Company was in [illegible] service and he avers that between January & December of that year he served six months at least in actual service at the above mentioned places & on Rhode Island during Sullivans Expedition and in 1779 he further says that between January 1779 & December of that year he served six months at least at the places above mentioned - During the three last mentioned years he served eighteen months at least as a private. After the Brittish evacuate Newport we were not on duty so much but then were after called upon on all alarms & he avers that between January 1780 & December of that year he did duty four months as a private. His duties & services in said Company

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were as arduous as if he had been in the Continental army - And he further avers that he was in actual service three years, as a private or nearly three years at places & at the times mentioned - and he further avers that the reason why he did not get a Clergyman to certify was that there is no Clergyman residing in his neighborhood - but in addition to the testimony already produced he now produces the Certificate of the reputable citizens Amos Cook & George Arnold who are his neighbors & have testified in his behalf
[signature] Ariel Ballou
August 7 1833
Affirmed to before me & subscribed by said Ariel - Benja Cowell
Commiss'r Dist Court R I Dist

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We Amos Cook and George Arnold of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland and that he is a Man of truth and veracity - that we believe him to be Seventy five years of age, that he is purported and believed in the neighborhood where he lives to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
[signature] Amos Cook
[signature] George Arnold
State of Rhode Island sc
Providence sc In Cumberland August 7th AD 1833
Then the above named Amos Cook and George Arnold subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above, I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Cook and Arnold, and that they are credible witnesses
Before me
Alex. Ballou
Justice of the Peace

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State of Rhode=Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, Dexter Randall, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that Alexander Ballou before whom the annexed affidavit was sworn was at the time and now is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said county and State: - that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Alexander Ballou
In witness whereof, I hereunto set me hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this Seventh day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
[signature] Dexter Randall Clk
[seal affixed to the left]

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In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Ariel Ballou a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed through: ("or his widow's") ] application for pension on file in this Bureau. S F. 21635
[table below]
[table columns] / Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. / Length of Service. / Rank. / Offers Under Whom Service was Rendered. / State. / 
[Line 1]  / Sept 1775 / 9 months / Pvt. / Captain Elisha Waterman Colonel [check mark] / R.I. / 
[Line 2] / Sept. 1776 / 3 [months] / [blank] / Captain Williams Colonel Cook / [R.I.]
[Line 3] / Jan. 1777 / served at various times until Dec. 1780 amounting to 22 mos. / [blank] / Captain Geo. Peck Col. [check mark] / [R. I.] / 
[end of table]
Engaged in, General Spencer's and General Sullivan's expeditions
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cumberland R. I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 17, 1832. His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, B. Feb. 21, 1758, at Cumberland, R. I.
Remarks: There is no data relative to wife or children.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

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Revolution
21635
Invalid.
File No. 21.635
Ariel Ballou
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th '32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 21
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[right page]
Sept. 17/95 Hist. to Mrs [illegible] Edwards, St. James [illegible] Woonsocket, R. I.
1917, Apr. 24. History to Mrs. Robert L. Studley. F.W.
[left margin] Do the [illegible] M.E.L.

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[paper pasted at upper left] B Cowell Clk.
I Noah Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode-Island &c. being now 73 years of age do depose and say - That in the Month of September 1776 Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland and myself enlisted into a company commanded by a Captain Williams for three months and served for that time on the Island of Rhode Island - we were in the Regiment commanded by Col. Cook
[signature] Noah Ballou
Providence sc
Cumberland September 7th AD 1832
Then appeared before me the above named Noah Ballou and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition - 
I further certify that the said Ariel Ballou is well known to me, and is a credible witness in the premises
[signature] Alex. Ballou Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode=Island and Providence Planatations.
Providence sc.
I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said state, do hereby certify that  Alexander Ballou is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said county and State: - that he is by laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Ballou
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence this twelth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two - 
[signature] Wm. R Watson
[seal affixed to the left]

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I William Ballou of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode-Island being 76 years of age do depose and say - That some time in the Summer of 1775 Ariel Ballou of said Cumberland and myself enlisted for one year into a Company of Minute men (so called) commanded by Capt Elisha Waterman of said Cumberland, we met regularly one day in every week for drill and exercise untill the first of September, at which time the Company were called into actual service - we marched first to Newport on Rhode Island. We were a part of the time on the Island, a part on Prudence Island and at Bristol and other places - during the year. I cannot tell the exact time that the year commenced or ended - but I recollect that I was at liberty - in July 1776 and enlisted at that time on board a Privateer. I served the whole year, and I am sure the said Ariel Ballou served with me.. The year commenced at the time we enlisted - we considered ourselves under the command of Capt Waterman all the time after we enlisted, while the year expired. -
The said Ariel Ballou and myself were born and have always lived in said Cumberland - 
[signature] William Ballou
Providence sc Cumberland September 7th AD 1832
Then appeared before me the above named William Ballou and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the aforegoing deposition. I further certify that the said William Ballou is well known to me, and is a credible witness in the premises
[signature] Alex Ballou Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations

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[Paragraph at the top of the page is a repeat of the last paragraph of the previous page]
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, William R. Watson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that Alexander Ballou is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Cumberland in said county and State: - that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of said Ballou
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two - 
[signature] Wm. R Watson
[Seal affixed to the left]

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Ariel Ballou
Cumberland

B Cowell Esq
Providence
R.I.

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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Ariel Ballou which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? no
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
yes

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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?  no clergymans certificate - 4 living witness 2 certified
credible & 2 not certified
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 4 living witness + 2
certified credible & 2 not certified
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Yes- 2  not
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For [blank] year [blank] months
, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank] for [blank] months and [blank]
days, I served as a [blank] and for such service I claim a pension.

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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
[QU]ERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[QU]ERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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B.
Woonsocket R. I.
September 6, 1895
Pension Department
Washington D. C.
I wish to ascertain if Ariel Ballou was a revolutionary pensioner.
Ariel Ballou born in Cumberland Rhode Island County of Providence February 21, 1758 is believed to have
[continued]

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been in the service of the Revolution for several years - and to have been pensioned. (Ballou Genealogy)
I am not able to find records. Therefore refer to State Department.
I shall be very grateful for any knowledge from the Records.
Yours truly
Laura Ballou Edwards
[left facing page]
Address
Mrs D. M. Edwards
St James Hotel
Woonsocket
R. I.

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O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
September 17, 1895.
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of  ARIEL BALLOU
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 this Bureau.
[table follows]
[table columns] / DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT. / LENGTH
OF SERVICE. / RANK. / OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  
CAPTAIN. COLONEL. / STATE. /
[Line 1] Sept., 1775 / 3 mo. / Pri. / Capt. Elisha Waterman Colonel [none mentioned] / R. I. /
[Line 2] Sept. 1778 / 8 mo. / [Pri.] / Captain Williams Colonel Cook / [R. I.] /
[Line 3] In January, 1777, he joined a company of minute men commanded by Capt. George Peck, and served, whenever occasion demanded, until the latter part of the year 1780. During the war he was probably in actual service about three years.
[end of table]
Battles engaged in, Spencer's and Sullivan's expedition.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Cumberland, R. I.
Date of application for pension,
September 17, 1782.
Residence at date of application,
Cumberland, R. I.
Age at date of application, born at Cumberland, R.I., Feb. 21, 1758.
Remarks:
Mrs. D. M. Edwards,
St. James Hotel,
Woonsocket, R.I.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

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one 2 ct stamped envelope rec'd Revo [illegible] T.N.M
[circular stamp] US Pension Office A Apr 19 1917
Stamp& envelope ret'n
MLK
Pension Office
Washington D C
Dear Sir
I would like to become member of the D.A.R. and I understand my great great grandfather Ariel Ballou was a

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Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner. The State Record Commissioner at Providence has referred me to you for his record.
Ariel Ballou born in Cumberland Rhode Island Feb. 21, 1758. Son of Ariel Ballou. Died in Cumberland Sept. 26, 1839
Luella Ballou Studley

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Mrs. Robert L. Studley
Pine St.
Wellesley Hills
Mass.
[circular stamp] U S Pension Office A Apr 19 1917