Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39868, John Trevett, Navy (R I)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Navy (R.)
Grevett, John
S. 39868
CONTENTS

On this twentytith day of May A.D. 1820, personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Record for the County of Newport, State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, United States of America, John Trewett, in the seventy second year of his age, a native Citizen of, and resident in said County aforesaid, who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath declare that he served through the War of the revolution, to Wit, that he entered on board of the Ship Columbus, in Nov. 1775, as a midshipman, Abraham Whipple Esq. commander, and in Feb. following, he was appointed and Commissioned as first Lieutenant of Marines, under the command of Com. Esek Hopkins, and after a Cruise, I went on board the Ship Providence, Hoisted Fletcher Com. — he then being under the command of John Paul Jones, — I then took command of the Marines on board said Ship, and we sailed on a Cruise, and the begining of Nov. following, we then being to the eastward of Halifax, we captured several British Ships and one Snow, and got them all safe in to N. Bedford, one of the Ships having Kings stores on board, and bound to Luebeck with ten thousand suits of Soldiers clothing, for Gen. Burguines Army. We saw fit to send them to Gen. Washingtons Army, — At this time Jonathan Pitches took the command of the Ship Providence, I continuing the command of the Marines, and in March 1777, we sailed on another cruise to the eastward, where we fell in with the Letter of Marque. Bugg called the Lucy, mounting twelve, sixes, bound to Luebeck, we captured her, we then proceeded to New Bedford to repair, after this John Peck Rathbone, took the command, I belonged to this vessel two years, and in 1780. I had orders to go to New London, where I went on board the Continental Frigate Trumbull, commanded by James Nicholson Esq. — we sailed from New London in May 1780, and a few days after, we captured an English Privateer, and in cruising off Barbary we fell in with a Ship called the Walter, of thirty six Guns! this being the first of June, we had a smart engagement with her, in which we had six Officers & Men, forty three in killed and wounded, and then she left us, and all I got for this cruise, was the loss of my right eye! and a wound in my right foot!! — I was next on board of the Ship Dean, Pasha Hennaway, (com)

-we captured several Prizes, and in one of them, I was retaken and carried in to St. Johns. Newfoundland, where I was detained two years and one month - for my friendship to King George! I arrived in Philadelphia in June 1818, after severe affliction, and having my Constitution much injured, and with one eye - as will more fully appear by documents, lodged in the Office of the Secretary of War, and declaration dated the thirtieth day of March N.S. 1818 - and on which Declaration &c, a Pension Certificate, dated the thirtieth day of June 1818, and Numbered 1726 - was granted to me from the War Department, And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States, on the 18 th of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my Property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the Provision of an Act of Congress entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th March 1818 and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed, that is I have no property whatever of any kind, either Real or Personal, except a few articles of course furniture which would not to the very extent sell for forty dollars, that I have no debts, due me to the amount of two dollars. My occupation was that of a mariner, until compelled by losses at sea to seek other - employment, since which I have worked at the trade of a joiner until infirmities disease & blindness, have rendered me unable to do any labour whatever - my family consists of myself in the 72 nd year of my age! my infirm wife in the 71 st} year of her age! - my daughter, who takes care of us about thirty years of age - and a little Grand-child about five years old -
John Trevett

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport May Term A.D. 1820.
I hereby certify that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copies from the records of said Court; that the amount in value of the property mentioned in said schedule is in the opinion of the Court Forty Dollars. I further certify that said Court is a Court of record within and for the County of Newport & State of R.I. being so constituted by Statute of proceedings according to the course of the common Law possessing original & unlimited jurisdiction in all civil cases and keeping a record of its proceedings.
John Sweet 1726
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Twenty sixth Day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & Twenty and forty fourth of American Independence.
By order of Court H. Moranston Clerk

1726
Rhode Island Roll
John Smith Jr R D
Lieut. 1776 Navy Commodore Whipple U.S. ships Providence & Columbus in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 20 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30 of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 of June 1818 and sent to Physician Newport R.I.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1818.
Semi-annual, all due ending
5 M o 1/31 4/30 $ 103.30
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818 }
3 Years
Continued
Newport, a Newport
Notification sent to H. Cranston. 26 Feb 1820 Newport, New Jersey

State of Rhode-Island and Providence-Plantations.
NEWPORT, ss.
On this Thirtieth day of March 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport, personally appears
John Trewett aged Sixty nine years, resident in Newport in the said district, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary
war:" That he the said John Trewett  entered in entered on board the sloop Providence in Abt 1776 , having accepted a Com d in the company commanded by Captain Abraham Whipple in the State of  navy  navy and continued in said Corps until the end of the war, on board the following Vessels, Ship Columbus, Andrea  for a Capt. Kidd  Frigate Trumble in June 1780 the ; that he continued to serve in the said corps, or in the service of the United States, until the end of the war
seven months of the , when he was discharged from service in was a Prisoner in State, Newfound  Land , that he was in the battles of on board the Trumble in June 1780. when she had an Action with the Ship Watt of 36 guns. our Ship was rufly handled & we were obliged to go to Boston to repair and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid. Nich Taylor
I, Nich. Taylor Judge, &c. as aforesaid, do certify, That it appears, to my satisfaction, that the said John Trewett did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress.
Newport March 30 th 1818 Nich Taylor
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas County of Newport 20 th April 1818
I hereby certify that Nicholas Taylor Esquire whose signature is affixed to the above statement and Certificate is Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for the County of Newport State aforesaid in Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court Robert Provers Jus Pac.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.,
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of John Prevett , 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.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov. 1775 midshipman Abraham Whipple ship "Columbus" Navy.   Feby. 1776 1st Lieut. Marine Nicholas Biddle ship "Andrea-Doria"   Apr. 1776 2 yrs. Commanded Marines Capt. Hoyt's Hacker ship "Providence" Captured in May   Jonathan Pitcher " Prison   John Pick Rathburne "   May 1780 2 yrs 1 mo James Nicholson ship "Junetball"   ship "Deane"   Captured, taken to St. Johns Newfoundland - did not return home until June 1782  
Battles engaged in, Engagement with British vessel "Watt" + sustained loss of right eye + end of 2nd. of left foot.
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, March 30, 1818 - Albany -
Residence at date of application, Newport R. I.
Age at date of application, 69
Remarks: 1820 wife - 71 dau - abt 30 + gr. ch. - abt 5 yrs.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

John Trevett, Surv. File 39,868
List of men on board the Sloop "Providence" Capt. J no Rathburne, who authorized John Trevett to receive their Prize Money and goods taken in the late cruise.
Dated Bedford, Mass.
Feby. 7, 1778.
has been taken from the case for safe keeping and may be found in the safe in the room of the Chief of the Old War and Navy Division.
Forwarded to Navy Dept. Mar. 19. 1907
J.S.C. Oct. 20. 1906. aw

In. Street To Hoyt Street Hacker Dr.
Nov. 1776 } 1st Stockings 10/ 1st Drawers of Cash 40/ £5. 9. 0 Cash - - - - - 1. 16
The above Articles, was taken up on Bond Street £7. 5. 0 On Provisiona W m Dain Clerk

In: Trivett To Hoystee Harker Dr
To 1st. Stockings 10/ 1st Drawers of Lard at sundry times 66/ £ 7 5 0 an Order D Tillinghast 16 15 - £ 24
For Pay Wages as Lieut. Marines from 24 Oct. 1776 to 24th Feb. 1777 being 2 Months on board the Sloop Providence a 20 Dol. per M. } £ 24
Rec. an Order on D. Tillinghast for Balance of above in full

Dr John Trivitt In acct with the Ship Columbus Cr
1776.
Penn. Curr. *175
Janu y 12. To 1 Jacket 20/ 1 Scarlet d o 24/6 and 1 Check Shirt 12/6 £ 3 5 0  March 19. To 2 1/2 Yds striped holland @ 1/9 4 1/2 To 2 1/2 Yds. Check 4 2 To Cash adv d in Phil a by Com. Hopkins 2 5 0 To Commissions to A Whipple 3 8  £ 6 2 2 1/2
March 21 To Balance due J. Trivitt  To balance from Com. Hopkins Paid Tillinghast by order of being 20 0 6 1/2  By Dan Tillinghast in account balance of the former Gen l Ord r  26 2 9  to pay the Balance of the Columbus's Acct
Provid in w 27 March Cr r & Except
By Your Wages as a Midshipman from the 20 th Novem r 1775 to the 13 th Febru y 1776. at £4-10. Penn a  £ 10 19 Cur t of Month being 2 M th & 23 days  By Your Wages as 1 st Lieut t Marine from the 13. Feb y to the 20 th April at £6-15 Penn a Cur t of Month 15 3 9 being 2 M th & 7 days  £ 26 2 9
Jos t Hardy Clerk

1906 Oct. 20 - History to Mrs. Lucy D. Ballow. e
1907 Mar. 19. List of men of the "Providence" who authorized John Trevett to receive their prize money, has been re- moved from this claim and forwarded to the Navy Dept. aw
Invalid
XXXXXXXXXX
File No. 39868  Navy
John Trevett Lieutenant Ship Providence Revolutionary
Act 18th March 1818
Index: Vol _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

also F. 42532 Benj. C. Trevett Army
353 Plymouth Ave Buffalo N.Y. Oct 15 th 1906
Pension Office Washington D.C.
I wish to enquire if there can be a search made for the record of a pensioner of the Revolution, one Benj Trevett - or any one by the name of Trevett who drew a pension at that time. He was a sea captain, and my great grandfather. I wish to join the Daughters of the American Revolution Hence have to have the record. If there are n any charges for same please let me know the amount
Sincerely
Nancy D. Ballou

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Newport ss
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas for the county of Newport, I Henry G. Cranston Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that Daniel Denham Esqr whose signature is affixed to the five annexed certificates is a Justice of the Court aforesaid duly Commissioned and engaged.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto af- fixed the Seal of said Court this Eleven th day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen and Forty third of Independence.
H G Cranston

I hereby certify that Nicholas Webster William Dennis and James Phelps who have testified in the case of John Sweet are well known to me and are worthy and respectable citizens of this State to whose attestation full faith and credit is due. William H. Hunter
Newport Rhode Island
10 July 1818-
Honble John Calhoun
Sec of War.

Capt John Trevelt

Capt John Forrett
Newport 8 th July 1818
Sir,
Agrable to Your request, I can freely State from Recollection, our acquaintance at the commencement of the Revolution, and Your serving as an officer in the Fleet under Commodore Hopkins in the year 1776—
And during the Revolution, I recollect meeting with you often and you was always known as Capt Forrett of the Marines, in the expeditions of New Providence &c. I have no doubt of Your being able from some of Your Ship mates to have the necessary facts stated—
as for myself, You know I was always in a Private Ship, and of course we were never Ship mates, although acquainted as townsmen as Your circumstances are such as to require the bounty of our Country I wish You all the Success Your Services have merited
I am with esteem Your friend John D. Brooks

I Hereby certify, that M c John Trevett is a Citizen of Newport in the State of Rhode Island and to my knowledge was a Marine Officer and Serv d in the Continental Ships of war, during the Year Nineteen Hundred Seventy Six & the year Nineteen Hundred Seventy Seven, First as an Officer on Board Sloop Providence and then on Board the Ship Columbia, commanded by Abraham Whipple and in my Opinion Deserves well of his Country
William Dennis
Newport July 1818
Newport ss. at Newport this 7 th Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen personally appeared the above named William Dennis residing in Newport aforesaid and made solemn Vathe. to the truth of the above written certificate by him subscribed And I hereby certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to his Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the Day and year above written Daniel Dunham Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

I Do hereby certify that John Brewster Of Newport Rhode Island Did Belong to the Continentals Ships of War During the War and that the said John Brewster Did act as an Offense and Did in my Opinion Deserve Wille of his Country
Newport Rhode Island as Witness my hand James Phillips July the 6. 1818
Newport ss- at Newport this 7 th Day of July in the year 1818 Personally appeared the above named James Phillips residing in Newport aforesaid and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above written certificate by him Subscribed. and I hereby certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to his Testimony.
Where of I have hereunto Set my hand the Day and year above written Daniel Durhorne Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

This may Certify that J. Coggeshall Butts of Newport was a Midshipman on board the U. S. Ship Columbus, Abraham Whipple commander; and that that John - Trevett came on board in Nov. 1775. as Midshipman and that in February 1776 he received a Lieutenant's commission in the Marine department, and served in that capacity until he was ordered on board another U. S. Vessel in which his services was then wanted - that I was with him until the time being about six months and that he was esteemed as a firm & valuable Officer Coggeshall Butts
Newport ss- at Newport this 1 th Day of July in the year 1815 Personally appeared the above named Coggeshall Butts residing in Newport aforesaid and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above written certificate by him.
Subscribed
Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the Day and year above written Daniel Dorrance Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Newport St. I Michael Motten of Newport. In the County of Newport. He - Do hereby Certify That I Enter. on Board the U.S. Sloop Providence In the Service of the U.S. at Bedford John Lock Rathbun. Commander. I think In November 1777 for a four Month cruise. In the Marine Department And we Arrived at Bedford In the course of the month of February following In which cruise We took fort Newpau New Providence. and that John Truett of Said Newport Aforesaid was a Lieutenant of Marines. and was Commander Of the Fort while In Our Possession.
Michael Motten Sen d
Newport ss- at Newport this 7 th Day of July in the Year 1818
Personally appeared the abovenamed Michael Motten residing in Newport aforesaid and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above written certificate by him Subscribed and I hereby certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to his Testimony.
Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the Day- and year above written Daniel Dinsmore Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Newport, sc, - I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Capt- John Truett and knew that he was in the service of his Country, on Board the U.S. Ship Columbia, Abraham Whipple Commander, in Nov. 1775. as Midshipman, and in February 1776 Received a first Lieutenants Commission, the being unfit for service, he entered on board the Andrew Doria - Nicholas Biddle Esq: Commander, in April following and from then on board the U.S. Sloop Providence, where he served as commander of Marines, under Master Mates Jonathan Riches & John Peck Rathbun, all commanders at different times, during his stay on board, near two years, left her in May 1776, and that he was an Officer during the war, and believe him to have done his duty, and that he deserves, as well as claims the provisions made by a late Act of Congress for indigent officers &c of the Revolution, Nicholas Webster
Subscribed at Newport this 1 st Day of July in the year 1818 personally appeared the above named Nicholas Webster, residing in Newport aforesaid and made solemn oath to the truth of the above written certificate by him subscribed and I hereby certify that full faith and credit ought to be given to his testimony
Whereof I have hereunto set my hand the Day and year above written Daniel Denham Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Jonathan May of Newport in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations one of the Justices of the Peace and Town Clerk of the said Town of Newport, do hereby Certify and make known, That I have known and been and been acquainted with John Frewell of Newport aforesaid for the Term of between Fifty and Sixty Years, he being a nigh Neighbour during the whole or nearly the said Term of time above mentioned, the Person who now solicits for a Pension for his Services while belonging to the United States Navy under the Command of Commodore Esek Hopkins, And I further do Certify That I have often and frequently heard that the said John Frewell was on board and belonged to the said United States Navy when they Captured the Island of New Providence from the British, but how long and in what Capacity he served on board the said Navy, I am not able to ascertain, I being on the Main the whole of the time that the British Troops had possession of the Island of Rhode Island, I also make known and Certify that the said John Frewell is now between Sixty & Seventy Years of Age, that he has lost the sight of one of his Eyes which he says was done while on board the said Navy and acted as an Officer on board said Fleet, And I further Certify and make known, That the said John Frewell has a Family who are in very indigent Circumstances, he not being able to do any kind of business for the Support of his family, that he is really needy and wants assistance for the Support of himself and family, by Reason of his age and the loss of his Eye as before mentioned and the other Eye that he has left, he cannot distinguish even his near Neighbours at a small very small distance from him

him, If therefore he can or shall or will produce proper documents that he is the Identical Person herein named, and that he served on board the United States Navy in the Revolutionary War, That he is one of the Persons which comes in, within the Act of Congress, entitled an Act "to provide for certain Persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States of America in the Revolutionary War," and further that he is reduced in his circumstances and stands in need of the Assistance of his Country for the support of himself & family.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the seal of the said Town of Newport this Eighth day of July in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred & eighteen and Forty third of AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE.
Jonathan Hovey