Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11698, Amaziah Weatherhead, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. I.
Weatherhead, Amaziah
S. 11698
CONTENTS
carded

Certificate returned to Benj n Cowell, with the date inserted. February 15. 1841
Rhode Island. 10,443. Amariah Weatherhead of Cumberland in the State of R d Island who was a capt: of serg t in the Comp y . command by Captain Drafton of the Reg t command by Col: Green — in the R. Island line for 2 years.
Increased from $1207 Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 136. Dollars 00 / 100 Cents per annu m to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Feby 18, and sent to Benj n Cowell Providence, R. I.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept: 1840. $1292:0 Pemi-anl. allowance ending Mar: '41. 68:6
$1360:0
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Am d C. Lautzinger. Cler 2. Page 135

BRIEF in the case of Amariah Weatherhead of Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island (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. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     July 21 st In 1776 1 1 Serg t Gen. Capt Dutton Col t Drippett   9 " Capt Bellows Col t Crary   Done 1778 1 " Capt Clegg   Done 1780 6 " Capt Houghton Col t Green  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? White Plains. Princeton  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Cumberland R d Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are not attached together as required 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Catts Examining Clerk.

a Westhead
12.304
on Lippells - Surg. 12 mo.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc.
County of Providence
On this 13 th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session— Amariah Weatherhead 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.
That he enlisted Jan'y 21 st 1776 for one year as a sergeant in Capt Dyer's Company and Col Lippitt's regiment and when his time was out the regiment being in New Jersey and the army much reduced at the earnest solicitation of Genl Washington he served a month longer and was discharged at Chatham in that state - he was in the battles of White Plains at  Lexington and Princeton - Soon after he came home he enlisted as a sergeant in Capt R Ballard's company and Col Gray's regiment for nine months - In June 1778 he again enlisted as sergeant in Capt G Bassett's company and Col Garris's regiment of Rhode Island Troops for twelve months - and signed that time In June 1780 he again enlisted as a sergeant in Capt P Gorton's Company & Col Christopher Greene's regiment for 6 months - In all which he served out his enlistments and was honorably discharged and had any written discharge but the papers annexed were given him at the time they bear date
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.
Amariah Weatherhead Bena Cawell att
William Wilkinson maketh Oath that he perfectly remembers Amariah Weatherhead and knows that he served as a Sergeant in Col. Garris's Regiment from July 1777 to March 16, 1779 - That he served himself in said Reg t during said period - This fact is within his full recollection
William Wilkinson July 12 sworn to in open Court Bena Cawell

Levi Jencks maketh oath that he perfectly remembers Amariah Withershead and knows that he served as Sergeant in Col. Christopher  Battle Greene's Regiment in Capt. E. A. Grafton's company for six months. — That he served himself in said Regiment during said period. This is within his full recollection.
Levi Jencks
July 12 Sworn to in open Court
Blawell Wk.
Alice Brown of Providence maketh oath that she knows Amariah Weather head of Cumberland & further maketh oath that said Amariah was a Sergeant in Col. Lippitt's Regiment during all the year 1776 he knows this fact as he was himself a soldier in said Regiment & during the same year —
Alice Brown
July 12 1832 Sworn to in open Court
Blawell Wk.

Hovey July 12 1832 Sworn to in open Court B. Lowell Ctk
Iabez Allen maketh oath that he perfectly remembers Amariah Nether- -head and knows that he served as a Sergeant in Col. Crary's Regiment from July 1777 to March 16, 1779. That he served himself in said Regt. during said period. This fact is within his full recollection, and also that he served nine months under Capt. Reuben Bullar in the same regiment.
July 12 Sworn to in open Court Iabez Allen B. Lowell Ctk
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 William Wilkinson Levi Jenkins who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Abiel Brown & Iabez Allen who have testified and that as aforesaid are residents  are  who also signed the same is a resident in the as they state and 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 Amariah Netherhead for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 23 rd day of August 1832 -
Benjamin Cowell Ctk

10445 Rhode Island
Amariah Wheathead of Cumberland in the State of R. Island who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain Trafton of the Reg t commanded by Col. Green in the R. Island line for Sep r ,
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 120 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Apr l 1833 and sent Benjamin Cowell Providence R. Island
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $240.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Sept r , 60.00
$300.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Book
Vol.
Page
Clerk,
185

Rev War
11698 ✓ INVALID.
File No. 11698
Amelia Rankin
Supt. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. a , Page 399
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Imaziah Weatherhead
Surge 2 years
Atk
B. Cowell Esq. Providence R I

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sarah Weatherhead Cumbe which require further proof or explanation. Pr. Island
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 amount of pension he is entitled? yes 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

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
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? yes
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? yes
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? yes
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 _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

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.

Providence Feb 12 1841
Sir
I received the enclosed certificate for Col Weatherhead to day & return it to have a mistake corrected as to its date. It will be seen that no month or day is inserted & the year is wrong Please to have this mistake corrected & the certificate returned.
I am respectfully your obed servt Bryant Fuller
J L Edwards Esq

Amaride Westphalen
Payments to be made at Providence R.I. by the Pres of U.S.B. Mts Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of N.J.
Issue new certificate 1 mo. 2 ds capt. 22. 28. Sergt.
$36 00 /100
deduct what has been paid
B. Cowell
Recorded in the Pension Of- Providence office, in Book 6 Vol. 2 R.I. Page 35 by N.C. Addison Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Amariah Matthews of the State of Rhode Island who was a sergeant in the army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Two hundred twenty dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Ninth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Providence Jan'y 4 1841
Sir
I herewith enclose the application of Amaziah Matthews for an increase of his pension for one month's service as Captain of Militia in 1781 together with his Pension certificate & the old Roll of the Company of which he was Captain at the time. When he made his application for a pension under the act of June 7 1832 I forget whether this month's service was stated or not - I drew up his application I think & I believe I did not put it in. Either at the time, however, or shortly afterwards he spoke of it to me & he has at various times for 5 or 6 years past observed to me that he intended to apply

for it, as soon as he could find his old Roll, which he had lost, He had also lost his Commission, which he has not been able to find, but the Secretary's certificate of his appointment is here- with enclosed.
Col Weatherhead (for after the war he was appointed Colonel) served upwards of two years as Sergeant under enlistments for which he draws $120 per annum & he now applies to have it increased, as much as one month's service as Captain will increase it & the endowment I believe must be satisfactory for that purpose -
I am respectfully your obed servt Bey & Lawrence
J L Edwards Esq

2. Newberhead 270
on detached roll bapt 32 days.

State of Rhode Island
County of Providence
On this 22 nd day of September A.D. 1840 personally appeared in open court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said County Amariah Weatherhead of Cumberland in said County now eighty two years of age, who maketh this supplemental declaration in order to obtain an increase of his pension under the act of June 7 th 1832. The said Amariah declares & says that in the year 1781 he served one month as Captain of Militia in Col. Stephen Kinsley's regiment he was stationed at a place called Branton's Creek on the Island of Rhode Island about forty miles from home, he served from July 9 to August 9 of said year as will appear by the original Pay Roll recently found & herewith annexed - And he further declares that when he made his original application he stated his services under his enlistment only according to his last reenlistment, he served over three years under an enlistment, and as the act only required two years to draw a full pension

he omitted to state his service in the Militia It never occurred to him until after his original declaration was made & the papers sent to the War Department that his service, one month as Captain would have considerably increased his pension but as soon as he ascertained it would be rendered in his mind, that he would make a further declaration for this purpose, but his papers many of them being lost - he neglected it, but his pay abstract is now found & shows that he served as stated above - he also reports that some of his men yet living, who can testify when free he prays that his pension may be increased to the amount of said one month service as Captain & that an order may be made that his arrears of pension, be paid - among his papers but was his Commission which he has not yet been able to find
Amaziah Weatherhead
In Municipal Court of the City of Providence, September 22 d 1840. Subscribed, and Solemnly sworn to by Amaziah Weatherhead, in open Court. Albert Greene Clerk.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office Decem 19. 1840.
I Henry Bowen, Secretary of said State, and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof.
Do certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State held on the Fourth Monday of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty one (1781) Amariah Wetherhead was elected Captain of the First Company of Militia in the Town of Cumberland for and until the First Wednesday of May then next. as appears of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence, the day and year first above written
Henry Bowen

I Darius Hawkins of Cumberland in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on solemn oath do testify and say that I am now 81 years of age and in the year 1781 in July and August of that year I served a Month as a prisoner in a company commanded by Capt. Amariah Washburn in Col. Stephen Humbell's Regiment of Militia we were stationed on Brenton's point on the Island of Rhode Island about forty miles from home. Said Capt. Washburn was present all the time I served as Captain.
Darius Hawkins
Providence to In Cumberland December 14 AD 1840 personally appeared before me the above named Darius Hawkins and made oath to the same and I further certify that said Darius is a credible witness.
Asahel Cook justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Providence, Fe. 8
Municipal Court of the City of Providence in the County of Providence, and State aforesaid; (being a Court of Records). December 29 th , 1840.
Be it Remembered, that satisfactory testimony has been produced before this Court, to prove, that Amoziah Weatherhead of Cumberland in said County of Providence, served one month, as a Captain of Militia, in the War of the Revolution, in the year, 1781.
And the Court do further order it to be certified, that said Amoziah Weatherhead who has signed the preceding Declaration, is a credible person; and that Darius Hawkins who has signed a Deposition annexed thereto, is also a credible person.
I Albert Greene, Clerk of said Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the origi- nal proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Amoziah Weatherhead, for an increase of pension and for the payment of arrears of pension.
I also certify that Abel Cook, whose certificate is annexed to said Deposition of Darius Hawkins, was at the time of the Battle thereof, a Justice of the Peace, within said Town of Cumberland.
In Attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the seal of said Court, this 29 th day of December A.D. 1840.
Albert Greene, Clerk