Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21608, John Arnold, R.I.

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Service Number
R.I. Arnold, John S.21608

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State of Rhode Island [illegible]
Court of Common Pleas [illegible] Term 1832
County of Providence [illegible]
On this 19th day of December AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court hearing in Court of Common Pleas within + for said County
John Arnold a resident of [illegible] in the county of Providence + State of Rhode Island aged 69 years who being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit [paper tear] of the Act of [illegible] [illegible] June 7th AD 1832 ~
The man born July 6. 1763 in [illegible] this birth is recorded in the Town records of that Town + also in his family Bible, lived in said [illegible] when he entered the Service then resided there ever since [underline] the War
And this applicant further states that in the month of May 1779, he being 16 [17 originally written then a 6 was written over the 7] years of age joined the Pawtuxet Rangers an Independent Company chartered by the General Assembly of Rhode Island + was under the immediate command of the Governor thereof -  at the time he joined said Company, Benjamin Arnold was Colonel + Jacob Arnold Lieutenant Col - and this applicant further states that he [inkblot over word] continued in this company until the end of the War and long afterwards - [inkblot]
It was the duty of this Company to be always in readiness to march + we were always called upon when any danger from the enemy existed from their frequent invasions of + incursions into the Country. From the shores of Narragansett  Bay, + when any [line through word any] such invasions did occur, we always marched wherever + whenever we were ordered -
And this applicant further states that he cannot remember the times of his Service or the length thereof, but according to his best recollection he was in actual service; one third of the time from said May 1779 to the year 1783 when peace took  place, to wit, One year +four months [carrot insert symbol for words added in above line] in all which he was a private for which he claims a pension - After the War he was commander of said Company a number of years - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or  annuity except the present [illegible] that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
[lined through phrase sworn to + subscribed this day + year aforesaid]
and this applicant further states that he never had a written discharge nor has he any documentary evidence, he relies on the testimony of James Rhodes + Caleb Carpe for evidence of his service + his character God truth + veracity
[signed] John Arnold
sworn to + Subscribed the day + year aforesaid-
[signature illegible]

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I Caleb Corpe of Cranston of Lawful age being duly Sworn [illegible smudge] testify + say that I have known John Arnold who has subscribed + sworn to the above declaration ever since he was a child having always lived in the same neighbourhood. + do further testify + say that I belonged to the Pautuxet Rangers [carrot insert] during the whole of the Revolutionary War + well remember that during the last three or four years of [illegible] War that the said Arnold belonged to it + did duty wherever we were called upon + said Company were frequently called upon - said Company were on duty during the War from one third to one half of the time + I further testify that said Arnold is a new neighbour of mine + a man of truth + veracity + his [illegible] is entitled to full credit -
[signed] Caleb Corpe
[different writer] Sworn to + subscribed in open court the day + year aforesaid 
[signed] Wm R Matson C Clerk

and the said Court do hereby [illegible] their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interragatories 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 Caleb Corpe who has signed that preceding certificate is a resident of [illegible lined through word, 2 carrot insert symbols] Cranston and a credible person, and that James Rhodes who has signed the annexed exposition is a resident of Warrick + a credible person and that their statement are entitled to credit.
[illegible possible symbol] Wm R Watson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within + for the County of Providence do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Arnold for a pension - 
In Testimony whereof + have herewith set my hand and seal of Office this twentieth day of December AD 1832
[seal of office placed at bottom left of document]
[signed] Wm R Matson

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[illegible numbers at top of page]
[tear in top left corner of document cuts into word but is Rhode Island] ode Island
John Arnold of Providence Co in the State of Rh. Island who was a Private in the County commanded by Captain --------- of the Regz. commanded by Col. Arnold in the Rh. Island [word cut off]line for 19 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rh. Island at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 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. Correll Providence
Arrears to the 4th of ch '33 $158.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending [illegible] 36.66
$194.99
Revolutionary Claim, [hole in paper] Act June 7, 1832.
 Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Clerk
Book E. Vol. 2. Page 107

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21222
John Arnold R I.
Private 19 Months
506
June 7 1833 [ink is smeared across 1833 and down into the long addition being calculated below]
[symbol] h 15
12666
3116 
15832
B Cowell Sr
[lined through] B. Cowell
[lined through illegible]
Providence RI

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Brief in the case of John Arnold Co 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? 69
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[table with column headings :
Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Column Sub headings: Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.
from May In 1779 about . 1..4...private Col Arnold [illegible] Arnold Liet. Col
to . . . 1800 minute man in a Company of Rangers the applicant cannot remember the times of service or the length + time of but according to the best of his recollections he served as above stated
5. In what battles was he engaged? none
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Co of 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? papers not properly attached
[symbol] Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
[signed] George Taylor Examining Clerk

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John Arnold who subscribed + made oath to the annexed declaration in Court on 19th day of December AD 1832. now further declares that from May 1779 to the end of that year he served as a private in said Patuxet Rangers six months at least ----} 6
From January 1780 to end of that year he served 9 months at least} 9
From January 1781 to the end of that year he served four months at least} 4 [underline] 19
he is positive he served nineteen months 
These services were performed in the Fort at said Patuxet where said Company were stationed when not called upon to march to other places to resist the enemy - They were often called upon to march to different places on the shores of Naragansett Bay to resist the incursions of the enemy. When not called upon for their [illegible] they were stationed at said Fort to guard against them at that point

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He has no documentary evidence of his services, but in addition to the testimony of Caleb Corpe + James Rhodes he now produces of the Certificate of the Rev' Job Manchester and William Rhodes
[signed] John Arnold
Providence [illegible]
In Providence July 15th 1833 There personally came John Arnold and made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement by him [illegible]
Before Stephen Branch Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

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Rev.A1812 Wars Section.
[handwritten in top right corner of document]Aus
Copied by ADY
August 27, 1928.
Mrs. L. P. Brook, 409 Union Street, Ionia, Michigan.
Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary Way pension claim, s. 2608, it appears that John Arnold was born July 6, 1763 at Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island. 
While residing there, he served from May 1779 as a private at various times in the Pawtuxent Rangers under Colonel Benjamin Arnold, served to the close of war amounting in all to nineteen months.
It is also stated that he was Commander of the Pawtuxent Rangers for a number of years after the war. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed December 19, 1832, at which time he was living at Cranston, Rhode Island. 
There are no family data. 
Respectfully,
E. W. Morgan,  [there is a name that is typed over underneath E. W. Morgan. first name is cut off but last name is Scott]
Acting Commissioner.

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21608
Revolution [handwritten at an angle left top corner]
Invalid.
File No. 21,608
John Arnold
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 10
Arrangement of 1870.

January-12-1901
A.C. Arnold - Stamford
[squiggly separation line between name and next date. Written by a different person]
1928. Aug. 27 - Hist. to Mrs. L. P. Brook [illegible initials]

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I James Rhodes of Warrick.  in the County of Kent on oath do sertify and say that I am accquainted with John Arnold of Cranston in the County of Providence [ink smudged] I have been acquainted with him for the last sixty years. having been a neighbor to him - During the Revolutionary Way and early in the year 1779 I joined [word is smudged] the Patuxet Rangers an Independent Company under the Command of the Governor of R Island - [illegible words smudged out] in it united after the war. 
And I further hereby State said John belonged to said Company when I joined it, + enlisted to belong to it for many years during + after the War.
During the War [ink smudged] our Company

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was frequently called upon duty whenever we were wanted on all Alarms + on all occasions - 
I further testify that said John is a man of truth + veracity [dark ink smear] that his declaration is entitled to full credit.
[signed] James Rhodes
Court of Com. Pleas County of Providence
[illegible][illegible][illegible] 1832
sworn to he in Court on this [illegible] Day of said year
Attest. 
Wm. R Matson Clerk of Court of  Com. Pleas County of Providence -

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We Job Manchester a Clergyman residency in Warwick and William Rhodes residency in said Warwick hereby certify and say that we are real close acquaintance with John Arnold who has subscribed + sworn to the annexed declaration that we believe him to be now 70 years of age that he is respected + believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution that we concur in that opinion =
[signed] Job Manchester
[signed] Wm. Rhodes
July 15 [illegible]
State of Rhode Island [illegible] Providence [illegible] -
On this fifteenth day of July 1833 -  Then came Job Manchester and William Rhodes and were engaged according to law to the truth of the foregoing statement by them signed. and I further certify that the said Job Manchester is a Clergyman in the Town of Warwick in the State aforesaid and that I am personally acquainted with the said William Rhodes and that they are both entitled to full faith and credit
Stephen Branch Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

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State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. Providence, SC.

I [handwritten] Dexter Randall , [this is written above a name that has been crossed out that was already typed into the form] Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that [handwritten] 
Stephen Branch is a Judge of the Court of Common Please aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the [handwritten] foregoing annexed documents [the s is handwritten] purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said [handwritten] Stephen Branch and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said [handwritten] Stephen. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this [handwritten] fifteenth day of [handwritten] July in the year of our Lord 1833 [second 3 is handwritten]
[signed]Dexter Randall Clerk
[seal is attached to the bottom left corner of page]

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21222
John Arnold
[illegible] 5 12 + 16 [illegible]
R C [initials]
Hon: N. R. Knight
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 [handwritten] John Arnold which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [handwritten] yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the County where he resides? [handwritten] 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 of the war when he served? [handwritten] yes
V. * [this star could be handwritten or possibly stamped] 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 amount of pension he is entitled? [handwritten] NO. He must specify each particular term of active service. 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? [handwritten] yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [handwritten] yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [handwritten] yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] 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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reasons assigned for not obtaining it? [handwritten] no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that each proof cannot be had?
XIV. [symbol cross] If the applicants's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he provided 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? [handwritten] yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [handwritten] 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? [handwritten] yes
XVI. [symbol cross with two lines] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [handwritten] no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered  satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? [handwritten] 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 recollections 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 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.
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 the 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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Letter
N. R. Knight
24th. Octo. 34
the case refered to of John Arnold appears to have been Admitted Certificate 21,740 R. I 
[written sideways on the left side of document] Add.' Proof John Arnold R. I. 
[upside down on document probably originally folded over] 
[stamped FREE]
J. L. Edwards Esq
Common {illegible]
Norhington [illegible] 
[stamp on right side of document in shape of circle. inside says Providence R. I. and the number 20 in the center]

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Providence R. I. October 24. 1833,
J. L. Edward Esq. -
Dear Sir
At the request of Col. John Arnold of Cranston an applicant for a pension under the Act of 1832 I make the following statement in regard to him. I have known him many years as a man of respectability + good moral character - a long time a member of the Court of Probate of the Town of Cranston + also commander of the corps called the Pawtuxet Rangers.
The witnesses corroborating his statements, James Rhodes  + William Rhodes Esq are gentlemen of the highest respectability + entitled to the fullest confidence. I have before had occasion to remark that Mr. James Rhodes was one of our most respectable citizens + opulent Merchant + Manufacturer - The same remark will apply to Mr. William Rhodes-
With great respect, yours [illegible]
[illegible signature]

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Ionia Michigan
Oct. 17- 1927.
Revolutionary Way Pension Dept. 
Washington D.C.
Sirs - -
Some little time before the Revolutionary War - three brothers - John - Job - and Turpin Arnold - came from England, and first settled at or near Providence. R. I. -
I know Job married Hannah Dexter of [illegible], R. I. and he was in the Rev. War from R. I. - and after that war settled in Fairfield Harkimin Co. N.Y.
I know his brother John - (I think he also was in the Revolutionary War from R. I.) and also went to State of New York after the war - and was the [underlined] second white man to have a home at Saratoga Springs ---
- Have you any record of the [underline] third brother - Turpin Arnold - of his being in any R. I. regiment during the Rev. War? - - - I have a [underline] trace of a Turpin Arnold that maybe was in North Carolina - - - either he or his descendants. 
Yours
Mrs L. P. Brock-
Ch. His. Com. - - S.T.M. chap. D.A.R -
409 Union St.
Ionia Michigan