Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,301, Ezekiel Hopkins, R.I.

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(3-1776)
Hopkins, Ezekiel
SERVICE R.I.
NUMBER S.21,301
CONTENTS _

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(3-1776)
Hopkins, Ezekiel
SERVICE R.I.
NUMBER S.21,301
CONTENTS _

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21.428
Rhode Island
Ezekiel Hopkins
of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt commanded by Col. Kimbull in the Rho Island line for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rho Island at the rate of 36 Dollars 69 Cents per annum, to commence on the day on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of Sept. 1833 and sent Benjn Cowell Frondinell[?] RI.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 4 [illegible] $90.67 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March $18.33
$110.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. D. Goodson
Book E., Vol. 2 Page 112
died Oct. 27, 1842

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21223
Ezekiel Hopkins
R. I.
Private 11 months
5. 11. 12. 16 06
July 16. 1832
P 424
3667 2
[underline]
73.34
18.33
[underline]
91.67
B. Cowell
Providence
R. I.

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BRIEF in the case of Ezekiel Hopkins
60 of Providence in the State of R. I.
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open 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.
Period. | Duration of Service. Years, | Months, | Days. | Rank. As a | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Dec.  In 1776 drafted | | 1 | | private | Gen. Smith Col. Kimball
Jany 1777 Substitute | | 1 | | “ | --
October “ drafted | | 1 | | “ | Cap Powell Co Kimball
“ [illegible] | | 1 | | “ | “ “ “ “
also as a substitute | | “ | | “ | “ “ “ “
Aug. 1778 drafted | | 1 | | “ | Cap Wilmouth Col Livingston
“ Substitute | | 4 | | “ | Cap Coomer Col Kimball
Spring 1779 “ | time not stated | 1 | | “ | Cap Edwards Col Williams
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence R. I.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  two living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? the papers are
not attached agreeably to the regulation, the length of service in the last tour not given.
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.

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Ezekiel Hopkins
21,223

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1832
County of Providence
On this Eighth day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a 
District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session--Ezekiel Hopkins
a resident of Foster 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.
was born October 15th 1757 in Scituate R.I. and lived
there when he entered the service and since the war has
lived 9 years in Killingly & the rest of the time in Foster
and the applicant further states that in Decr 1776
he was drafted as a militia man for one month under Cap C Smith
& Col Kimballs regiment and was stationed at Bristol
and was also there one month as a substitute in
June 1777
and the applicant further states that in October
1777 he was again drafted for one month in Spencers expedition and
was stationed at Bristol under Cap Cornell & Col
Kimballs regiment
and the applicant further states that in the winter
of 1777 he was again drafted for one month in
Cap Smith's company & Col Kimball regiment stationed at Warwick
he was also there one month as a substitute
and the applicant further states that he was
again drafted to serve one month in Sullivans
expedition in August 1778 under Capt Stephen
Timothy Widmarth & Col Livingstons regiment
and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1778
he was a drafted soldier & a substitute four months
in Cap Coomer Smiths company & Col Stephen
Kimballs regiment and served at Warwick
and the applicant further states that in the
Spring of 1779 he was at Warwick 1 1/2 months  
as a substitute for a drafted Soldier in Capt
Edwards company & Col Williams regiment
in all which he served out his several drafts [illegible]

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Ezekiel Hopkins    74 years old
He was born October 15th 1757 in Scituate R. I. and lived
there when he entered the service and since the war has
lived 9 years in Killingly & the rest of the time in Foster
and the applicant further states that in Decr. 1776
he was drafted as a militia man for one month under Cap. C. Smith
& Col. Kimball’s regiment and was stationed at Bristol
and was also there one month as a substitute in
June 1777
and the applicant further states that in October
1777 he was again drafted for one month in Spencer’s expedition and
was stationed at Bristol under Cap. Cornell & Col.
Kimball’s regiment and
the applicant further states that in the winter
of 1777 he was again drafted for one month in
Cap. Smith's company & Col. Kimball regiment stationed at Warwick 
he was also there one month as a substitute
and the applicant further states that he was
again drafted to serve one month in Sullivan’s
expedition in August 1778 under Capt. Stephen 
Timothy Widmarth & Col. Livingston’s regiment
and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1778
& 9 he was a drafted soldier & a substitute four months
in Cap. Coomer Smith’s company & Col. Stephen
Kimball’s regiment and served at Warwick
and the applicant further states that in the
Spring of 1779 he was at Warwick 1 1/2 months
as a substitute for a drafted Soldier in Capt.
Edwards company & Col. Williams regiment
in all which he served out his several drafts
and was honourably discharge
had no written discharge
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.
Ezekiel Hopkins
Witness B. Cowell Clk
We,       a Clergyman, residing in the            and             residing in         hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has subscribed and sworn the declaration; that we believe him to be      years of age, that he is reputed and believed, neighborhood where he resides, to have been

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he was also there one month as a substitute
and the applicant further states that he was
again drafted to serve one month in Sullivans
in August 1778 under Capt [illegible]
Timothy Wilmarth & Col Livingston’s regiment
and this applicant further states that in the winter of 1778
& 9 he was a drafted soldier & a substitute four months
in Cap. Coomer Smith’s company & Col. Stephen
Kimball’s regiment and served at Warwick
and the applicant further states that in the
Spring of 1779 he was at Warwick 1 1/2 months
as a substitute for a drafted Soldier in Capt. 
Edwards company & Col Williams regiment
in all which he served out his several drafts
and was honourably discharged -
had no written discharge -
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 Ezekiel Hopkins
Witness B. Cowell Clk
We,        a Clergyman, residing in the         and              residing in          hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with        
who has subscribed and sworn the declaration; that we believe him to be        years of age, that he is reputed and believed, neighborhood where he resides, to have been

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I Oliver Cornell of Gloucester in the
State of Rhode Island on oath do testify
and say that I am well acquainted with
Ezekiel Hopkins of Foster in said
State & have known him for fifty years
& more and I further testify and
say that said Hopkins was in Sullivans
Expedition as a soldier in the army but
how long I do not know-- I know also
that he was in Warwick and
Tiverton & Warren at various times as a
soldier but do not know how long
he served I saw him in these places
when he belonged to the army.
Oliver Cornell
August 7 1832 Sworn
Before me Benja. Cowell
Commiss Dist. Court
William Wilkinson of Providence on Oath testifies that
in April 1777 he served forty five days in the Militia at
Warwick R.I. At that time Ezekiel Hopkins served in the
Militia but how long he does not recollect. He further
Testifies [obscured]

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August 7 1832 Sworn
Before me Benja. Cowell
Cornness Dist. Court
William Wilkinson of Providence on Oath testifies that
in April 1777 he served forty five days in the Militia at
Warwick R. I. At that time Ezekiel Hopkins served in the
Militia but how long he does not recollect. He further
Testifies that he has been personally acquainted with 
said Hopkins and has always found him to be a man
of Truth and integrity, having frequently dealt with
him from the end of the Revolutionary War to the present
Time.
William Wilkinson
August 8th 1832
Sworn to in open Court
Benja. Cowell Clk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the 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 Oliver Cornell & William Wilkinson
who testified as aforesaid are residents as they have stated that they are 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 Ezekiel Hopkins for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office,
this 20th day of December AD 1832
Benjamin Cowell Clk

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[cut off]
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. Ezekiel Hopkins S. F. 231
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
Dec. 1776 | 2 mos. | Pvt. | C Smith | S. Kimball | R. I.
Oct. 1777 | 1 mo. | | Cornell | Kimball |
Dec. 1777 | 1 mo. | | Smith | Kimball | 
Immediately after | 1 mo. | as a substitute for his father | |
Aug. 1778. | 1 mos. | | Timothy Wilmarth | Livingston |
Winter 1778 | 4 mos. | | Coomer Smith | Stephen Kimball |
April 1779 | 1 mo. | | Edwards | Williams |
Battles engaged in, was in Genl. Sullivan’s Expedition
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate R. I.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 8 1832 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Foster, Providence Co. R. I.
Age at date of application, b. Oct. 15 1757 in Scituate R. I. * died Oct 27, 1842
Remarks: name of Soldiers father and mother not Stated
(a brother Josiah referred to)
*from agency book.
no further family data

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Revolution
21,301
INVALID
File No. 21,301
Ezekiel Hopkins
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32”
Index: -- Vol. 2 Page 190
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1910 Jany 18 Hist to A. J.
Wright V. L. M.

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21223
Ezekial Hopkins
R. I.
[illegible]
[illegible] 5216 [illegible]
Clergyman Certificate
Produced B C
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
Ezekiel Hopkins 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. 1779
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
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
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain
ing it? No
he
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?
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
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? yes
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 ____ year ____ months, and ____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and ____ days, I served as a ____ ; 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
objectionable. 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.
QUERE 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.
QUERE 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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And now on this 24th day of July 1833 Ezekiel Hopkins
who made oath to & subscribed the annexed declaration
August 8 1832 in Court maketh further oath in
explanation of his said declaration viz. - said Ezekiel declares
- that all his services during the Revolutionary War 
were as a private –
That
in December 1776 & January 1777 he served
two months as stated } 2
In Spencers expedition in Oct 1777 one month 1
In the winter following one month in Capt. Smith’s
Company as stated in December} 1
and immediately after as a substitute for his father one month} 1
His next service was in Sullivans Expedition
in 1778 in August one month as stated} 1
In the winter following commencing in November 
& between said November & March 1779 he
served four months - he served two months
on his own drafts & two months for his brother
Josiah in Capt. Smith’s Company &
Col. Kimbal’s, Regiment as stated} 4
In April 1779 he served another month
as stated 1
[underline]
11
He served eleven months in all as a private
at the various places & in the Companies & Regiments
named in his first declaration, the officers
names he distinctly recollect and are as named

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In said declaration. He has no documentary evidence
of his services a part thereof he has provided by
the depositions of Oliver Cornel & William Wilkinson
and he can now further produce the Certificate
of a Clergyman as to the reputation in his
neighborhood of his having served.
Ezekiel Hopkins
July 24 1833
Sworn to before me
Benja. Cowell Commissioner
Dist. Court
R. I. Dist.

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I Daniel Williams a Clergyman residing
in Killingley do hereby certify and say
that I am well acquainted with Ezekiel
Hopkins of Foster in the County of Providence
an applicant for a pension who has
subscribed & Sworn to the annexed declaration, that I believe him to be 74 years
of age that he is respected in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier 
of the revolution and that I concur in
that opinion-
Daniel Williams
Providence SS Foster March 1st AD 1833
Personally came Daniel Williams Subscriber
to the above certificate and made oath to the truth 
of the same in due form of law
Before me
Calvin Brown Justice Peace
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence Sc.
[seal]
I John S Harris Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court
in & for the County of Providence in said State do hereby certify that
Calvin Brown before whom the above instrument was sworn to, was
at the time of making his said certificate to the same a Justice of the
Peace legally elected & duly qualified to act as such within the town of
Foster in the County of Providence, & that I believe the above signature to be his genuine signature & as such is entitled to
full faith. In testimony whereof I have subscribed my name
affixed hereto the seal of the said Supreme Judicial Court this
twenty fourth day of July A. D. 1833
John S. Harris Clerk

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[stamp] RECORD DIVISION JAN 13 1910

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Rev 
120 Oak Street, Hartford, Conn., Jan. 11, 1910.
Dear Sir:
I wish to obtain the military record of Ezekiel Hopkins,
of Foster, Rhode Island, who was in receipt of a pension in 1840.
He died at Foster, Rhode Island, Oct. 27th, 1842.
The information is wanted for genealogical purposes. I especially
wish to learn the name of his father and mother, the commands in which
he served, etc.
Yours truly,
A. J. Wright.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE A Jan 12 1910

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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Hopkins, Francis GRADE Private LINE  Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11304 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED March 11, 1791 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.