Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27,499, Stephen Wightman, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.F.
Wightman, Stephen or Whitman
N. 27,499
Deborah
CONTENTS

463
Island
Whitman
De widow of Lt, Whitman
who died on the 30 th Sept r 1824 of Washington Co, in the State of R. Island who was a Lieutenant in the Company commanded by Captain Bates of the Regt commanded by Col Dyer in the R. Island Militia for six months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of Octo- ber 1837 — and sent to Hon. J. L. Tillinghast H.R.
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept r 1837 $ 520. — Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th March 37 40. —
$ 560. —
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by M c Alister Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 107

State of Rhode Island County of Washington ss On this 26 day of September A D 1836 personally appeared before me Benjamin Lawton associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Deborah Wightman resident in Exeter in said County aged 86 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Stephen Wightman who was a Sergeant & Lieutenant during the war of the revolu- tion from the beginning to the end - That he, at first enlisted as a minuteman on the 29 th of December 1775 - as will appear by the old enlistment lists annexed in which capacity he served as Sergeant & she believes as Captain  Christopher Chouin his Company until June 1776 when he was commissioned as Lieutenant in said Company - That on 17 th of September follow- ing he entered into the States service for

Three months & served as Lieutenant until his time expired - This enlistment will appear by the papers hereto annexed, and during the year 1777 & 1778, he served as much as ten months in said capacity as will appear by the documents & other evidence in said Capt Chambers & Capt Bates. Commissions hereto annexed. The old documents hereto annexed have been in her possession since his death & were in his possession before that event. At this distant period of time she cannot specify all his services she must therefore refer to the evidence. She states that he served twelve months as Lieuten- ant & six months as Sergeant - That she was married to her said husband the said Stephen in the Spring of the year 1776, but her marriage is not recorded in any public or private record as she knows or believes. She was married in West Greenwich by Jonathan Dean a Justice of the peace & all the documentary evidence she has of her marriage is a letter written by her said husband to her from Newport, & dated "Newport November 25 1776"

which letter is hereto annexed. She further declares her husband the said Stephen died on the 30 day of September AD 1824 at said Exeter. & that she has remained a widow ever since that period & is now annu- =ried = wherefore she requests that the same pension which her said husband would have been entitled to under the act of June 7 th 1832 may be extended to her — Deborah. Whittmore mark — by Benjamin Lawton.
Worthington town September the 26 day 1836 I swear and subscribe before me and I further certify that from old age and infirmity said Deborah is so feeble to attend Court Benjamin Lawton Judge Court Common Pleas

Newport November the 26 th 1776 This opportunity I take to write to to you That I am well at present and I hope These few lines will find you in the same and family I would not have you be consarned of me for I am well The spirits rather think that the Kings Ship dont Come here Nothing new at present more than What I suppose you have heard send them three small Skates over to me send them in the horse cart to Newtown and Sargant Fowler will se them and over to me I sent home some by cat wate 1 pane of Stokings 1 packet 4 pounds of Cotton wool half pound of all Spire and half paper of pins 1 Bread Basket and won hat and send the hat Bake by Fowler won yard of Cloth for Cap Stephen Wightman

Providence Oct 7 1836
Sir I herewith enclose the application of Deborah Wightman widow of Lieut Stephen Wightman together with the ancient documents consisting of enlistments Pay Rolls &c on all of which his name will be found - In the fall of '75 the Legislature ordered the enlistment of Minute men & an original enlistment under the law is attached to the evidence. These Minute men served until relieved by the Militia & their duty on the shores was continuous - In May '76 he was commissioned as Lieut and in this capacity he served it is believed as much as 12 months. In the fall of that year a regiment was ordered to be raised by the General Assembly for three months. under Col Cook & it will appear by the evidence he served this three months & it was during this service that he wrote a letter to his wife dated "Newport Nov 25 1776" He however must have served some before this as Lieut as

he was commissioned in May preceding — In '77 he must have served as much as 6 months and in '78 as much as two at least as the pay drafts would seem to show He lived not a great way from the shores directly opposite to support the Headquarters of the enemy from necessity therefore his services must have been frequent as the enemy's incursions were frequent into that part of the country —
In regard to the record of Marriages in this state permit me to say that generally speaking, not one half of them are recorded or ever were I derive this not only from my own observation but from others & the custom generally and hence in many instances the marriage must be allowed to be proved by parol testimony or it cannot be proved at all
I am respectfully yours at present
Benja Cowell
J L Edwards Esq

Providence Aug 10 1837
in Your letter of Aug 10 last part respecting the claim of Deborah Wightman widow of Stephen Wightman was duly read, but in consequence of the absence of her friend upon whom she depended to collect the evidence for her, nothing was done until recently. I now enclose two more deposition proving her husband's services: the one that of Polly Austin proves one of the six months alleged to have been served in the minute company in which he enlisted in 1775 & three months in Col Cook's regiment in the fall of 1776. That of David Bissell proves three months in same regiment and one month in August 1777, stationed at the house of Benjamin Gourdine, when he remained on duty with his men one month. In 1777 this company, it is believed, served

one half of the time. It is believed this is most amply proved by the documentary evidence transmitted with his declaration and in ad- -dition to which, one of the original orders of Capt Bates (to whose company he belonged) for a draft of one half of the company is also here- =with endorsed. It is not pretended this order proves the service but, rather the manner in which those services were performed, and they were performed in this manner during all the year 1777 as such was the law - Great pains have been taken to obtain further testimony of Lieut Wightman's services but the witnesses are most all dead - There is no doubt in my mind but he served as much as alleged in the declaration. Should however the proof not be satisfactory to that amount I have to request that a pension Certificate may be granted for what is satisfactorily proved
I am respectfully your obed servt Benja Lowell
J L Edwards Esq

Providence Sept 15 1837
Sir Yours of the 24 th respecting the claim of Deborah Wightman was duly received and the contents made known to her friend and ad- -vocate who undertook to assist her - Since then he has found another witness whose deposition is herewith enclosed which I presume will be satisfactory - you observe "there is no satisfactory proof of her husband having performed actual service in the winter of 1775 & 1776" - I had thought that as the original entitlement under the law, regulating the service of minute men, which he had signed as one witness had testified to one months service in Dec r 1775 under that entitlement that such proof had been furnished not however to the extent alleged, I concluded that as 5 months had been proved by oral testimony the documentary evidence would be sufficient

for another month, which would entitle her to a pension But I presume the evidence  deposition of Ebenezer Smith (whose deposition is herewith endorsed) who appears to be an intelligent witness will be satisfactory, and for more than 6 months with the testimony already furnished. I never had any acquaintance with Stephen Wightman in his life time, yet from what I have understood I have reason to be- lieve he was a very active & influential citizen in War time & from the circumstances of his being such I have no doubt he must have served as much as alleged - As for how I am acquaintance with Mrs. Wightman having never seen her, yet from what I understand she is respectable altho' very infirm - I have again respectfully to request that her case may be examined & she allowed what in justice is her due - I am respectfully your Benja Conner J. L. Edwards Esq

I David Bispell of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath, do say that I am Seventy six years of Age, and served as a Soldier in the Continental Line and State Troops and Rhode Island Militia, during the War of the Revolution. I belonged then in the Town of East Greenwich and knew Stephen Whitman of said East Greenwich deceased. In the Fall of the year 1776, I went over to Newport, to see my Father, who had enlisted into a Company of State Troops of which James Parker was Captain and the said Stephen Whitman one of the lieutenants of the Company, and I was in the Company for three months, the Company was attached to the Regiment of Colonel Cook. And when I was at Newport I saw the said Stephen Whitman, there on duty, as a lieutenant. They were at Newport, the time the Enemy, took possession of Newport in December 1776. The said Stephen Whitman, was near us, and returned home, with my Father in January 1777, soon after the Enemy came to Newport. The last of July 1777 or first of August, in that year, I was on duty as a Private, in a Company of Militia of which John Bispell was Captain, stationed at the State Prison in North Kingston. I believe it was in consequence of a letter of mine, from the side of the Cove, opening in the Field where we were there. I was in said Company, at that time and place one month. And whilst I was there, the said Stephen Whitman, commanded a detachment of Men, from the Company, of which he was lieutenant and of which Jonathan Bates was Captain, stationed at the House of Benjamin Gardner in this Town, about a mile and a half, from where we were stationed, he remained there on duty, with his men, and to my knowledge, all the time, whilst we were at the State Prison. I heard of his being on duty many more times.
David Bispell
Washington Feb - In North Kingston
August 3 rd 1837 - Personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said North Kingston. David Bispell of said where name, is subscribed, to the above deposition, and made solemn Oath, to the truth of the same, whilst said Justice, was by me allowed to sitting in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence. And I further certify, that the said David Bispell, is

well known to me, and that his character for truth is good -
Sylvester G. Shearn
Justice of the Peace
I Polypus Austin of North Kingston, in the County of Washington on solemn oath do hereby certify that I am eighty eight years of age - During the Revolutionary War I served as a Soldier in the Rhode Island Militia & State Troops - In Anna Sophia Whightman, of the North Kingston East in said County deceased - And in the latter part of the winter of 1775 - or the first part of the winter of 1776, I went with him one month, on the Island of Pennamaquid and shot adjacent, in the Company of minute men of which James Allen was Captain - The English landed on the Island, whilst we were encamped at the South Ferry, and burnt all the Houses on the Island and killed one Man, by the name of Munroe, we afterwards went on the Island, but they had gone, I afterwards went with him in the Fall of 1776, in a Company of State Troops of which James Parker was Captain, and the said Whightman Lieut, in Colonel John Calkin's Regiment - He was Sergeant in Captain Allen's Company, when we were on Pennamaquid - I saw him afterwards on duty at many times and places in the Militia, but cannot state when or where - I served with him three months in Captain Parker's Company, we were at Newport, when the Enemy came there in March 1776 & went on to Boston, where we were dismissed.
Witness
Polypus his Austin mark
Sylvester G. Shearn
Washington ss - In North Kingston
August 5 th 1877 - Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, from North Kingston - Polypus Austin whose name is subscribed to the above matter - Deponent, whilst making me acquainted to him, in his presence, and before which he being then of age, unable to write his name, made his mark in my presence & I read his name, in his presence, and I further certify, that the said Polypus Austin, is well known to me &

that his elements for truth is good -
Sylvester G. Shearer -
State of Rhode Island &c - County of Washington ss -
I the undersigned, Clerk of the Court of Probate of said State, do hereby certify, that Sylvester G. Shearer, before whom the annexed Deposition of David B. Russell & Patsy Russell, his wife, was taken, is a Justice of the Peace, for said North Kingstown, duly chosen by the General Assembly of this State, duly commissioned by the Governor thereof and duly qualified to said commission, and legally qualified to act in said Office. In the signature hereto annexed, purporting to be his signature, are his true & genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal, at said North Kingstown, this seventh day of August, in the year 1877 -
Nich. N. Sprink Coron & Probate Clerk

The deposition of Ebenezer Smith of South Kingstown Rhode Island who being duly engaged according to law on oath deposes and says that he is now in the eighty first year of his age - That he was himself a soldier in the revolutionary war - That he was well acquainted with Stephen Wightman formerly of Exeter who was also a soldier in said war, that in May 1775 said Wightman served one month in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay and was stationed at Barbors Heights so called where the deponent saw him, the company in which the deponent served being stationed near the same place. While at Barbors Heights said Wightman was in command of the men there, but the deponent does not know in what capacity. Wightman and his men were quartered at the house of a Mr Gardner and while they were there the British landed and carried off Mr Gardner and a negro man before the soldiers on guard there could make any resistance. After this Mr Wightman carried Mr Gardners wife to her father's which was in Warwick. The deponent also knew Wightman to be in the service in Genl Spencers expedition in 1777 in which he served two months September and October. The deponent was then an enlisted soldier and was then stationed at Howlands Ferry, where he was when the militia in which Wightman was, arrived. The next service in which the deponent knows Wightman to have been engaged

was in General Sullivan's Expedition in which he served one month in August 1778.
At this time also Wightman was in command of a company. The deponent was in service on Rhode Island at the time Wightman came there.
The deponent also knows that said Wightman served one month (August) in 1779 in guarding the shores in Boston Neck and was this time also stationed at Barber Heights.
The deponent was at the same time engaged in guarding the shores and was stationed to the southward of said Heights. This was the last time the deponent recollects seeing said Wightman in service.
In presence of E. B. Potter      his Ebenezer X Smith mark
South Kingston September 12. 1837 There before the subscriber personally appeared Ebenezer Smith and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing deposition. I further certify that said Smith is well known to me, that he appears to be of sound mind and memory and that his character for truth and veracity is unimpeached and his statement in my opinion is entitled to full credit.
E. B. Potter Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island &c.
Washington &c.
I Asa Potter clerk of the court of common Pleas within and for the County of Washington aforesaid being a Court of Record, certify that Elisha R. Potter whose signature is subscribed to the foregoing certificate regarding Ebenezer Smith, is a justice of the Peace in the town of South Kingstown in the County aforesaid duly elected, commissioned and qualified according to law, fully authorized to act in his said capacity, and that his signature as written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said court this 12 th day of September in the year 1887.
Asa Potter Clk. C

The deposition of Zebulon Northrup of North Kingston in the county of Washington of lawful age and engaged according to our testimony and says I was well acquainted with Stephen Wright - on before and at the time of the revolutionary war and until his death I served with him in the same company. That he was continually of half a month on the waggshill farm so called in Boston with the British landed there at that time and fired into the house. The British had then taken possession of Newport, I think it was in 1777. I knew Mr Wright more to serve half a month as a soldier but it was at the north ferry in South Kingston I do not now recollect the year but it was previous to his being commissioned
Sworn to and submitted before me John Hale Just Peace
Zebulon
his X Northrup mark
For Washington at North Kingston Sept 28 - 1836 Then the aforesaid deponent appeared before me & submitted the aforesaid deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the same Said deposition was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the deponent and the caption of the deponent is good for truth & veracity
John Hale Just Peace

The Deposition of Oliver Sprink of North - Kingston in the county of Washington of lawful age who after being engaged according to law testifies & says. I was well acquainted with Stephen Wightman late of Gt. Bear, he was Secretly in the company of Matilda, at the time I was Ensign Jonathan Bates commanded the company, it was the first company of Matilda in Gt. Bear, Mr. Whitman was in service at Newport, when the Company landed, and soon after returned home Capt. Parker commanded the company she was then attached to, while on Rhode Island, It was understood at the time that he served his time of enlistment and which was as much as three months. Soon after he returned home I was taken prisoner and carried to Newport, it was that on the 12 th of May following he returned in the four pack of Winton - he was stationed at a place called Borbu's huts in Boston neck and quartered at Borbu's house while I was a prisoner, as I understood at the time, there were two prisoners taken from his company, and I saw them when they were brought to Newport, the one was Caleb Allen and the other Phebe Solomon, how long he served I cannot tell as I was then a prisoner and fear that the deponent saith not.
Oliver Sprink
Washington ss. at North Kingston on the 28 th day of September 1836 Then the aforesaid deponent, appeared before me and I administered the aforesaid deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the true said deposition was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the deponent, and the contents of the deponent is good for truth & veracity John Hall for Pro

David Bissell of North Kingston in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island, states and says I was well acquainted with Stephen Wightman late of Geter deceased, he kept a public house in Geter in the time of the Revolutionary war and I was frequently at his house. He enlisted in the States service for three months, and my father Samuel Bissell enlisted at the same time. They both went on Newport, and was stationed on the fort at Newport, and served three months, as I understood which being the time they enlisted for I went to the fort, and saw Mr. Wightman & my father then when their time of their enlistment had expired they returned home together, I think he & my father enlisted in the summer of 1776. In the year 1777, I knew said Stephen Wightman Capt. Parker commanded the company while on the fort. In 1777 I knew said Wightman to be lieutenant, and commanded the Geter company of Matitia and was stationed at the Benjamin Gordin house in Boston neck at the time the British landed there at this time he served one month. I knew said Wightman to serve in said company, and commanded as commander in the year 1777 for the space of one month more. I think I served in the same company and was stationed at the Sheffield house so called in Boston neck in North Kingston and for this the deponent, I say so. David Bissell
Washington ss. At North Kingston Sept. 27-1836 Then the foregoing deponent appeared before me and subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the same, said deposition was reduced to writing

by me in the presence of the deponent, the contents of said deponent for truth & veracity is good
John Hall Clerk, Peace

I John Congdon of Geter in the County of Washington - ton and State of Rhode Island, do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Stephen Wightman of Geter deceased, I was also acquainted with Deborah Niles previous to her intermarriage with Stephen Wightman that she resided in West Greenwich previous to her intermarriage with said Wightman that they were married some time during the revolution- ary war and kept a publick house in Geter in the time of the war, I was at his house frequently in the time of the revolution, In 1776 in December Jonathan Bates Jun was captain and Stephen Wightman was Lieutenant, of the first company of Matilda in Geter, and Oliver Spink was ensign I belonged to said company - we were called out on a tour of duty to guard the stores at Wilford in North Kingston, and Mr. Wightman served as Lieutenant, one month or there -
In 1777 said Wightman served in said company as Lieutenant, in Boston Neck in North Kingston and I served in said company at the same time, and we were in actual service one month or there , - I recollect that in the year 1776 Oliver Spink served in said company as a substitute for Stephen Wightman, which I served in the company at the same time, we were in actual service one month or there I served in said company a number of months or there in Quonquasset neck in North Kingston but who commanded I do not now recollect And further the deponent saith not -
John Congdon Washington St. At North Kingston Sept. 27-1836 There the foregoing deponent appeared before me

and subscribed the aforesaid deposition in my presence and made solemn oath to the same said deposition was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the deponent, and the character of said deponent, is good for truth & veracity
John Hall Jur. Pres.

I Phebe Waterman of the City of Providence being now 78 years of age & sworn to testify as before & say that I was formerly well acquaint- ed with Deborah Niles before she married Stephen Whitman. She was the daughter of Samuel Niles of West Greenwich in the County of Kent I was acquainted with her several years be- fore her said Marriage - she was married to said Stephen in said West Greenwich when she was about twenty five years of age & between twenty five & thirty - I cannot with certainty remember the year I was not present at the marriage but will remember the having of the marriage at the time it took place I had removed away from said West Greenwich a short time before, to a place called Patuxet -
Providence R.I. In Providence Oct. 6 1836 Phebe Waterman. sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said document is a credible witness Benja Lowell G. J. C. C. Mear

I Sarah Dean of the City of Providence being now 78 years of age on oath do depose & say that I was well acquainted with Deborah Niles before her intermarriage with Stephen Wightman of Exeter before the revolutionary war & was upon terms of intimacy with her. She was the daughter of Samuel Niles of West Greenwich in the County of Kent. She married said Stephen in said West Greenwich Stephens when she was about twenty five years of age but do not remember the year she was older than myself by several years I was not pres- ent at the Wedding but heard of it shortly afterwards & I well remember she & her said husband Stephen Wightman came to my father's, when I saw them, I do not re- member the year, but this visit was sometimes before the British took possession of Newport - I have seen a letter this day dated "Newport December 25 1776" & signed by Stephen Wightman and I have no doubt she was married before that letter was written
Sarah Dean

Providence R.I. Oct 6 1836
I own to 2 subscribed before me and I further certify said Sarah Dean is a credible witness in the premises
Benja Lyman J. C. C. Mason

Town Clerks Office
West Greenwich September 23 d A.D. 1836
I certify that I have been applied to by Jonathan Miles, for the copy of a certificate of the Marriage of Stephen Houghton to Deborah Miles, also of the age of the said Deborah Miles, and that I have made diligent search for the same but have have not been able to find either of them on the Record in said Office
Witness. Benjamin B. Hoxsie For Clerk B. B. H.
Washington Co. Exeter September 23 d A.D. 1836
Personally appeared Benjamin B. Hoxsie and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed Before me Thos. Phillips Jr. For Clerk

I Jonathan Niles of the City of Providence being now 60 years of age on oath do de- pose & say that I am well acquainted with Deborah Wightman who has subscribed the preceding declaration I was also well acquainted with Stephen Wightman. the said Stephen died in the year 1824 either in August or September of that year I was with him when he died. And I further testify that said Deborah has remained unmarried ever since that period & is now his widow Jonathan Niles
Providence In Providence Oct 7 1836 I more to & subscribed before me and I further certify said deposition is a credible witness in the premises Berya Lowell C J C C Phas

I Furthermore Affirm in Addition to what I have before I was Born in Westgreenwich near Newsneck Hill (So called) Lived in my Father Family till the Spring Previous to being 26 years of Age, I was then Married to Stephen Whitman what month or year it was but I am sure it was in the the year, & I went to keeping House shortly after, with my our House was A Dubick House, and A House of Randevoise, Remember the night of the News of the Taking of Cornwall that the Officers & Soldiers were Drinking together Forcing Gun Drums &c all night at our House, that we Could not Sleep Witness to Deborah Whitman mark as signature J. Beckham } Deborah her Whitman Washington County sc - Exeter September 21 st A.D. 1836. Then came before me the Subscriber, Deborah Whitman made solemn oath of the above statement of facts in additions to what she had before attested to be truth in all their parts as nigh as her Recollection,
Before " J. Beckham, Justice Peace

Deborah A Whitman Wightman R. Island
Suspended let 10 Nov-1836 B. Council do, to same, 24 Aug t 1837.

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
27499
File No. 22603
Deborah Whitman
Widow of
Stephen Whitman
Ex Rev War
Act July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. M ci , Page 226
[Arrangement of 1870.]

313 V Wightman Deborah Rhodes R. Island
admitted for six months as Saint $80.
Capt Bates Col Dyer.
died 30 Sep 1824

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office Sept 21. A D 1836.
I certify that at the session of the General assembly of said State in June seventeen hundred seventy six, Stephen Wightman was elected Lieutenant of the first Company of Militia in the town of Exeter, Kings County, and so continued until the first Wednesday of May seventeen hundred seventy eight, when he was superseded. As appears of record.
witness Henry Bowen Secy.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN " to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this twenty first day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretarys office Oct 6th. A D 1836.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the first Wednesday of May last, Benjamin Lawton was elected an associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington: Timothy R Peckham a Justice of the Peace for the town of Exeter and John Hall a Justice of the Peace for the town of North Kingstown, in said county - each for the term of one year.
That at said session Benjamin Cowell was elected Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence, during said term.
And that the aforesaid persons have been severally commissioned accordingly, as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry BOWEN Secy.
The signatures "Benja. Cowell" are genuine: with the handwriting of Lawton - Peckham and Hall I am not acquainted
Henry BOWEN Secy

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN " to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this sixth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- six and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy

R.I.
Stephen Wightman.
No. 27,499.
1) "A ctif. of enlistment of minutemen dated Exeter, Dec. 29, 1775, on which name Stephen Wightman appears.
2) An order to Stephen Wightman, clerk of 1st co. town of Exeter; signed Christopher Champlaine, Capt.; dated Exeter, Jan. 4, 1776.
3) Ctf. of enlistment for three mos. dated Exeter, Kings Co., Sept. 17, 1776, on which names Lieut. Stephen Whitman and thirty-three others appear.
4) An order to David Davis, Corp'l Exeter train band from Stephen Whitman, Sept n ; dated Apr. 1, 1777.
5) A bill from John Congdon against the state of R.I., certified by Stephen Wightman, Lieut.
6) Four rolls dated Jan. 6, 1777, Apr. —, 1777, Apr. —, 1777, and May 23, 1777 on which name Stephen Whitman, or Wightman, appears as Lieut.
7) A pay abstract of Lieut. Wight n , 4 th Div., Col. Dyer's regt., on duty from July 13 to 28, 1777.
8) Two receipts for money paid by Lieut. Stephen Whitman, dated Jan. & Feb. 1777.
9) Order to Lieut. Whitman from James Parker, dated So. Kingston Mar. 11, 1777.
10) An order to Lieut. Whitman for wages, signed Sideon Morry, dated No. Kingston Jan. 30, 1778.
103

These papers have been removed from said claim to be sent to the War. Dept.
Sent to War Dept. Jan. 16, 1913.
adm.
June 10, 1911.