Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21548, John Venner, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Rd.
Venner, John
S. 21 548
CONTENTS

21. D. G. 4 Rhode Island John Verner
of Washington in the State of R.I. who was a M aj or in the Infantry commanded by Captain Garrison of the B ty commanded by Col. Elliott on the D.R. line for 12 mos Small of Infantry 12 " Ord of Artillery
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of $14. Dollars ————— Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of March 1833 and Lieut. C. L. G. Sherman McKee Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $188.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 117.00 $305.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H. H. A. E. Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 134

No 18857
John Venn Washington County Rhode Island
Balance of Acct 12 M Paid in full 12 5 16. 24 06
July 10 1833
P. 423
Sylvester G. Sherman Wickford Rhode Island

BRIEF in the case of  John Venn  County of Washington  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judges  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     Sub — In 1777 Spring — 1 — private   Enlisted — 1779 Fall 1 — — private Col. R. Elliott, Col. Gargran, Col. Searl.   Sub — 1781 Spring — 1 — private Page,   " " " — 1 — private Col. Thos. Potter,   Enlisted — 1782 Spring time not stated 8 — private Col. H. Dayton  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Kings Bridge New York  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional & 4 living witnesses, 3 certified credible, one not certified credible, No Clergymans certificate etc.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not properly attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richd. Ashley Wallis Examining Clerk.
40 54 94

I David Greene of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath do testify & say, that I am Seventy two Years of Age, during the Revolution, I did duty as a Private soldier, in a Company of Militia, belonging to North Kingston, in 1780 or 1781, the Company under the command of Laurence Bene, or part of the same, was stationed on Rhode Island, and in that place, and saw John Verner of North Kingston, doing duty in said Company as a private, and presume he was acting as a substitute for some one, as he was a Foreigner, he did duty as much as a growth. I afterwards saw him on Rhode Island, doing duty as a soldier I think in the same year, but am not positive of the time, nor of the Company in which he served.  David Greene
Washington Is - In North Kingston - October 27th 1832 -
Personally appeared before me, the above subscribed David Greene, and who after being duly sworn and man, gave the foregoing Deposition, which was by me reduced to writing, in his presence & by him acknowledged in my presence. I further certify that the said David Greene is well known to me, & that his character for truth & veracity is good & his statements entitled to credit.  Sylvester B. Sherman Justice of the Peace
State of Rhode Island & Providence plantations
Washington Is & Charles Office Court Common pleas & div. Justices of the Peace for the County of Washington. I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Courts aforesaid do hereby certify that Sylvester B. Sherman Esq. whose signature is hereto prefixed is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of North Kingston legally chosen & qualified as the law requires that full faith & credit ought to be given to his attestation throughout the United States of America & I further certify that the signature in his hand writing in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this first day of November A.D. 1832  SAM. Helme CLK

James Miller of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged aged Seventy nine Years, on oath, do testify and say, that in the year 1782. I was Lieutenant, in a company, raised by the State of Rhode Island, for the defence of the Town of Newport, and John Verner, now resident in North Kingston, was a private in said Company, and served, as such, five or six months, (I am unable to say which). When I left the company I left him in the service; Henry Dayton was Captain of the company. We quartered in the Town of Newport, and were not attached to any Regiment.
State of Rhode Island County of Kent ss
James Miller
At East Greenwich July 23 d 1833. I certify that the above Deposition was subscribed and sworn to by the Deponent before me: And I also certify that the Deponent has always sustained a good character for Truth.
Witness Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Kent ss The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Nathan Whiting Esq t is a justice of the Peace for the Town of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand writing - And that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & the Seal of said Court at East Greenwich the twenty third day of July in the year 1833
John Brown, Clerk

I, Sylvester Johnson of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, being duly engaged, according to Law, do testify and say, that in the spring of 1861, I belonged to Colonel Knowlton's Regiment of State Troops, as a Private, and was stationed at Newport, several companies of Militia were stationed there, at the same time, and I am member of company John Fenner of this Town, during duty as a Private soldier, in one of the Militia Companies, I do not know how long he did duty as such.
I have known him ever since, and I then understood and have ever since understood, that said Fenner, was a Republican and had left the British Army and joined the American -
witness Sylvester G. Johnson
Sylvester his + Johnson mark
Washington Jc - August 19 th 1892 -
Personally appeared before me, Sylvester Johnson, and after being carefully examined, acknowledged and knew to be the truth, the whole truth, & nothing but the truth, of the foregoing deposition, which was read to him in his presence, & his signature acknowledged in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Sylvester Johnson, is well known to me, and is reputed to be a Man of truth & veracity -
Ezra Sanford J, C.C. Clerk

Washington fc- The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
On this eleventh Day of August 1832, personally appeared before me, Ezer Sanger Esq. one of the Judges, or Justices, of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County of Washington, at said North Kingston, in said County of Washington, in said State of Rhode Island. John Tenner now resident in North Kingston, in said County of Washington, aged Twenty Seven years of Age, who first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. That he was born within the dominions of the Prince of Hesse Cassell, in Germany, that he has no record of his age, but recollects the same, from information from his Parents, previous to leaving Germany. He came over to this Country, amongst the Troops of that Prince, in the year 1776, not feeling himself bound by any natural or honorable obligations, to serve that Prince, against this Country, which had never injured his Prince or him, & wishing well to the American cause, which he soon perceived to be a righteous cause, he abandoned the British army, whilst he was stationed at Kingsbridge near New York, in the Spring of 1777, he united as a Soldier, amongst the American Forces, until Winter, when he performed a Month's duty, in the American Army, stationed at West Point then an American Garrison, in the room of a drafted Militia Man, but doth not recollect the name of the Man, in whose Room he served, nor of the Officer, commanding at the Fort, at that time, he being a Foreigner,

& not being much acquainted with the English language at the expiration of the Month, he then left the Army an unknown man, at one place & another amongst the Salvage Farmers, as a Labourer, until the Fall of 1779, when he lists as a private soldier, into the Regiment of Artillery, raised by the State of Rhode Island, as State Troops, commanded by Colonel Robert Elliot, for one year. He belonged to the third company in said Regiment, of which John Coozear was Captain, William Baze Captain's Lieut. & Oliver Cooz, Lieutenant, but before the end of the year, one Henshaw was Lieutenant, in the Room of Cooz, he was made a Corporal in the Company, it was about the First of October 1779, when he lists as above stated, the Company was stationed during the year, part of the time at Providence Rhode Island, part of the time at Bristol & part of the time at Newport. The whole Regiment never was collected together at one place, to his knowledge so that he does not recollect the names of the other Field Officers. His term of service expired in the Fall of the year 1780, when he was discharged but received no written discharge. Whilst at Newport he married in March 1780. In the Spring of 1781, he performed a Month's duty as a substitute, for Miles Smith of Exeter, in the County of Washington, State of Rhode Island, who was a drafted Militia Man, he is now dead, and also another Month's duty, in another Company of Artillery, for a Mr. Henson, from Richmond in said County, & at the end of the last mentioned Month, he took the place, of a drafted Militia Man, from the Town of Scituate, in said State, whose name, he has forgot, during the last three Months he was stationed at Newport, the Officers were different every Month & he does not recollect them. Thomas Potter of South Kingstown, was Colonel part of the time, of the Regiment, to which he was attached. In the Spring of 1782, he lists into a company of State Troops, raised for defence, of the Town of

Newport, of which Henry Dayton was Captain, James Miller of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in this State, was Lieutenant of the Company, part of the time, & is now living & has He expects will testify to his service in said Company, and that Bliss was Ensign. He served out his time, and was discharged. He has resided in North Kingston all since, leaving said Company, possessed Real Estate, acted as a Freeholder or Voter & brought up a numerous Family. He has no documentary or written evidence of his service or any part of the same. The Company of Captain Dayton was stationed all the time at Newport & organized by the State, but was not attached to any Regiment. He recollects of seeing David He recollects of seeing David Greene of North Kingston, who is now living, in the Militia, but does not know, that Greene remembered him. Sylvester Johnson, also of North Kingston, is now living, and belonged to the  the  Regiment of  Regiment of Rhode Island, whilst He was in the Militia, but He does not now know, that said Johnson remembered him, as they belonged to different Companies & Regiments. He does not know of any other persons now living, who were with him, except the aforesaid James Miller. He heref hereby relinquishes any claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present. He declares that his name is not on the pension-roll, of the Agency of any State. He has never served under any Continental Officer. His whole term of service was ten years. Given to & subscribed the Day and Year aforesaid.
John S. S. S. Jo John S. S. S.
Sworn to & subscribed in my presence, in North Kingston, in said County, the 10th day of March A.D. 1840 - Elyon Sanford J. C. M.

Am I the said Ezbon Sanford Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Washington, In the State of Rhode Island, do hereby declare my Opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the interrogatories, presented by the War Department, that the said John Verner , whose application is hereto annexed, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, And I also certify that there is no Clergyman, residing in the Neighborhood of the said John Verner , who is personally acquainted with him, or who has any knowledge of the Revolutionary account of his services, and that Daniel E Whipple and Jonathan Reynolds , who have signed the preceding certificate, are both residents of North Kingston and are credible persons & their statements entitled to credit. and I also hereby certify, that the said John Verner , is unable from age & bodily infirmity, in my opinion, for his statement & appearance, and from information which I have received from a practicing Physician to attend Court, to make his application, as the Court of Common Pleas sits fifteen Miles from his residence - & that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Verner's application.
Ezbon Sanford J. C. P.
Washington J. Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas
August 12 th - 1852 -
I Samuel Helme , Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Washington, hereby certify, that Ezbon Sanford Esq. , whose signature is hereto annexed, is one of the Justices or Judges of said Court, legally chosen & qualified, & that full faith & credit, ought to be given to his certificate throughout the United States & that the above signature is the proper signature of said Ezbon Sanford . In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office - SAM. HELME CLERK

Washington Jc - In North Kingstown August 11th 1832 -
We Daniel E Updike & Jonathan Reynolds both of North Kingstown in the County of Washington, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Venner, of said North Kingstown, who has subscribed & sworn to the annexed Declaration, that We believe him, to be as old as he has stated, to wit Seventy Seven Years of Age, that he is respected & beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to be a German, to have come over to this Country, with the Hessian Troops, to have left the British Army, and to have been a Soldier, in the American army of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion -
In witness whereof the said John Venner has hereunto
Daniel Eldridge Updike
Jonathan Reynolds.
Washington Jc - Personally appeared Venner, the Subscriber, one of the Justices of Peace, of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Washington, to me the said John Venner, the above subscribed Daniel E Updike & Jonathan Reynolds, and made oath to the truth of the above statement, by them subscribed.
Ezra Sanford J.P. Clerk

Revolution
21 548 INVALID.
File No. 21,548
John Bremer Conf. Rec. War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 4 32
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In the Application of John James Venner, the Deposition of James Miller, taken by Christopher Johnson, Esq., was not properly certified. Mr Johnson being out of Office, could not amend his certificate, I therefore procured a new Deposition, the Clerk in fixing the papers together, by mistake, affixed the new Deposition to the sign original papers and left out the old one, and I have annexed the old Deposition, in order that you might see, that there was no variation and to explain the mistake. Mr Venner is very poor and very sick, and an immediate attention to the same, is desirable, if it can be had.
J. L. Edwards Esq
J. G. Shearman

18857
John Vinner
Sylvester G Shearman Wickford 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
John Verner further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No 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 clergyman certificate, 4 living witnesses XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes 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? 4 living witnesses 3 certified credible one not certified credible XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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 shown 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.

I James Miller of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, being duly sworn, on oath do testify and say, that in the year 1782, I was Lieutenant, in a Company, raised by the State of Rhode Island, for the defence of the Town of Newport, & John Jenner was a private in said Company, and served as such Five or Six Months, I am unable to say which, when I left the Company, I left him, in the service, Henry Taylor was Captain of the Company, and quartered in the Town of Newport, and were not attached to any Regiment -
James Miller
Kent ss - In East Greenwich -
August 24 th 1832 -
Personally appeared before me, James Miller, subscriber to the above written Affidavit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, after being first duly sworn -
Christopher Johnson Justice of the Peace
Kent ss - State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - Clerk's Office, of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace, for the County of Kent -
I John Brown Clerk of the Court aforesaid, do certify that Christopher Johnson Esq. whose signature is hereunto annexed, is a Justice of the Peace, for the Town of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, legally chosen & qualified, as the law requires, & that full faith & credit, ought to be given to his certificate, throughout the United States of America. Also certify, that the seal here impressed is the true seal of the Court aforesaid - I further certify that the above signature is the proper signature of Christopher Johnson & in his own hand writing - Dated at East Greenwich this 24 th day of August A.D. 1832
John Brown. Clk

Washington Jc - No 16 North Kingston July 17th 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace, for the said Town of North Kingston, John Venner of said North Kingston, an Applicant for a Pension, who being duly sworn deposes & saith that by reason of age and the consequent loss of strength, he cannot bear portion, as to the precise length, a period of his service, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades; In 1777 I served one month, as a Substitute, at West Point, as stated in my Declaration - as a Private - In 1779 I served as a Corporal in Captain Garzia's Company of Artillery, as stated in my said Declaration, three Months - in 1780 Nine Months as Corporal in said Company - In 1781 he served one Month as a substitute, for Oliver Under, one Month as a substitute, for a Mr. Keyes, one Month as a substitute for a person whose name he has forgotten, as stated in his declaration, and one Month as a substitute, for Matthew Reynolds of North Kingston now deceased, which he forgot to mention in his Declaration, he served this last-mentioned four Months as a private - In 1782 he went into a Company of State Troops, commanded by Captain Dayton, for eight Months & served eight Months, under the titles mentioned in his Declaration - Making my whole term of service as a private, fourteen  eleven Months,

& as a corporal, under Captain Gazier one year In for this service I claim a Pension -
John Verner
Washington Co - In North Kingstown July 20th 1899 -
Personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the justices affirmed to keep the Peace, in the said Town of North Kingstown, the above subscriber, John Verner, who being sworn, duly examined conscience & man, made oath to the truth of the above written affidavit, which was by him read, and to satisfy in his presence, & by him subscribed in my presence, and I further certify that the said John Verner is well known to me and that said supplemental affidavit, is entitled to full faith & credit, and his character for truth & integrity good -
Cyrus G. Cheever Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Washington County ss.
I Tho s P. Kelly, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Sylvester S. Sherman Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace of the town of North Kingstown County aforesaid duly elected and qualified; and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 31 st day of July 1833
Tho s P. Kelly Clerk

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Venus, John GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7906 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED July 9, 1790 to Theodosius Fowler assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.