Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,054, James Wightman, R.I.

SERVICE
R.S.
Wightman James Mercy
NUMBER
W. 26.054.
CONTENTS

Rhode Island Mercy Wightman of Washington in the State of R.I. who was a R.S. in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the [blank] widow of James Wightman deceased a Private in the Revolution
See letter to S. G. Shearman, June 6. 1897.
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 10 - Dollars - 00 - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Jan. 1837 and Lieut. Genl. H. J. Pearce Secy of Reps.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1836 $220.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 37 20.00 240.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [signature] Clerk, Book [signature] Vol. 1 Page 122

No. 459
Application of Henry Wightman for a Pension R. V. 3. Sec.
He was for 44th R. V. Mills Col. Philip: let Rachel All communications respecting the within to be forwarded to S. G. Shearer Esq. Williston State of Rhode Island
We claim only for fifteen months service, as that is all that is specifically stated twelve months in Col. one Richmond's Regiment and three months in the Militia
adm? 12 mo per 40 $
Now D. J. Pearce

Declaration
In order to claim the benefit of the third Section of the Act of Congress of the first of July 1836-
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations - County of Washington ss -
ss Town of North Kingstown -
On this 10 th day of October 1836, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate, of the town of North Kingstown, in said County of Washington - Mary Wightman of said North Kingstown, aged eighty years - Who being first duly sworn in open Court, the same being a Court of Record, do hereby make the following Declaration, in order to claim the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 - That she is the Widow of James Wightman, formerly of said North Kingstown, now deceased, who was a private in the Army of the United States of the Division of Rhode Island, in the War of the Revolution - And that on the fifth day of February 1776, she was married to the said James Wightman, as will appear from the annexed Certificate from the Town Clerk of said North Kingstown, that she has no Certificate of the Marriage in her possession, nor no other proof thereof, than what is to be found on record - And she further maketh oath, that a few days before her Marriage, the said James Wightman, and enlisted at North Kingstown, as a Soldier, into a company of State troops of which Samuel Phillips was Captain, he ex-collects the name of the Captain, under which he enlisted because he was a Neighbor, she thinks he enlisted in January 1776 - But the Company was not full at that time - He enlisted from you as he informed her at the time - Soon after their Marriage, the enlistment of the Company was completed & the Company was encamped at Providence in North Kingstown - And her Husband joined the same - It was not more than one week after her marriage before he joined the Company. The Company went on to the Island of Rhode Island, and she visited her Husband, whilst on duty at Newport from him on duty there. This was in the Month of June 1776 - Afterwards the Company & her Husband with them, was ordered to the Island of Long Island, as she was informed. He returned home to her after his discharge the last of January 1777. She can state no particulars of his service, as she was not with him, but she
12mo

after had him check, of his being on Rhode Island & Long Island of Lt. Skinner & George Condon, whose depositions are hereto annexed being with him in said company. - After he returned home, he was in the Militia, considerable part of the time, under Captain John Brown, was stationed at Waltham, Aquinnetts Neck & Boston Neck adjoining other places, along the shore of Narragansett Bay. But she is wholly unable to state any particular date to the same, or to offer any proof thereof. She knows that he went & served as often as his time came, and some she knew him to be at a Substitute for some one. But she does not know how often his time came. But knows that he was absent on duty in the Militia, one greatest part of the time, from his return home, in January 1877, until the Enemy left Newport, in the fall of 1879. She further declares that she has no documentary evidence of his services and that he died on the ninth day of January 1878 1879 & that she has remained a Widow ever since, that period, as will more fully appear, by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Witness Nich. N. Spink
her Mercy H. Hightman mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open court, this day and year aforesaid -
Nich. N. Spink Probate Clerk

Job Hearn of Exeter, in the County of Washington, in Colony of Mass, do hereby certify that I am twenty five years of age shall be right, on the day of February next. On the fifth day of February 1776, I enlisted for the term of one year, into a Company of State Troops, commanded by Captain Amiel Phillips, Paul Harrington Lieutenant & Benjamin West Ensign, attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richards do not remember the names of the other Field Officers. Mr James Wightman of North Kingston, now deceased, whom I well knew, & now well remember, enlisted as a Private into our Company at or about the same time that I did, for one year. We enlisted at the village of Nichols in North Kingston, and we were soon ordered to Rhode Island and were on the Island of Fort, during the Spring, Summer & Fall of that year. In December 1776 the Enemy took possession of Newport, we evacuated the place & the Island, and then went over to Tiverton on the Main, where after remaining a short time, we were soon ordered to Long Island, where we remained most of the time, whilst at Long Island, we had a skirmish with the Enemy. The said Colonel Wightman being also a Private in our Company to my knowledge one year, and was discharged. We were called State Troops where we enlisted, and were not to be removed out of the State, but on account of our being called onto Long Island, the Regiment was put on the Continental establishment.
Job Hearn

I George Congdon of North Kingston in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath, do testify & say that I am Twenty Six Years of Age & served as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution - In on the Nineteenth day of January 1776 I enlisted as a Private into a Company of State Troops, of which Samuel Phillips was Captain, belonging to the Regiment, commanded by Colonel Richmond, and James Wightman of North Kingston, now deceased, enlisted at or about the same time, that I did, we each enlisted for one year & served the year out and the same James Wightman served the whole year to my knowledge - We were stationed at the places mentioned in the Deposition of James J. H. Shearman, hereto annexed, who served in the same Company with us, which Deposition I have read & know the same to be correct - The said James Wightman was married at or about the time, that he enlisted - His Widow Mary Wightman, is now living & has remained single ever since his Death -
George Congdon
I Daniel Brown Daniel Brown of North Kingston in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath, do testify & say that I was acquainted with James Wightman deceased, who I always understood was a Revolutionary Soldier - He died in the Month of January 1819, as I find by my Book, as I heard from digging his Grave & find the charge made on my Book to his Widow Daughter for digging said Grave, on the 11 th of January 1819 - He left a Widow Mary Wightman, who is now living in said North Kingston & has remained his Widow ever since -
Daniel Brown

Washington J. In North Kingston - Octob 10 th 1898-
Personally appeared before me the Subscribed Justice of the Peace for said North Kingston, J. Skeimer, George Congdon & Daniel Brown, whose names are annexed to the annexed Deposition. Who after being by me duly examined, continued & so now, gave the said Deposition, which were by me reduced to writing in their presence & by them subscribed in my presence and I further certify that the said J. Skeimer, George Congdon & Daniel Brown, are well known to me & that their character is that of men good -
J. Skeimer Justice of the Peace

I Joshua Brown of North Kingstn, in the County of Washington, do hereby certify that I shall be eighty two years of age the twenty second of this month and that I served as a soldier in the Revolution in the Continental War & knew David Wrightman who then lived in said North Kingstn, but is now dead. In the Spring of the year 1778 I served with him one month, in the Company of Colonel John Brown was Captain, returned at the siege of Newport in North Kingstn. I think we began to leave in March, In the year 1779 I served with him one month, at Newport, in the same Company, under Captain John Brown — I have some of the letters I received from him since, during the time, the enemy held Newport & I think after he was discharged from his enlistment, and I have no doubt, that he served one greater part of his time, as a soldier in said Company from 1777, until the enemy were driven in 1779, as every one that knew him at least as many as there, or the present inhabitants of Green Green knew him, to know any one who was in his room, or great part of the time, while the enemy were at Newport, we had to leave on half of the time. I served with him, I know at other times & places, than those I have mentioned, but cannot well give you a list with him in, I know some of the names in the list that are mentioned. He was a man, who I served with him, he had served some years, and his Widow Mary Wrightman is now living. — I never saw the said David Wrightman since his death from him, at the time I served with him, that I had known him as a Wife. — Joshua Brown
North Kingstn Feb 2 North Kingstn
Feb 14 th 1896 Personally appeared and me the Subscribed Justice of the Peace for said North Kingstn Joshua Brown, whose name is subscribed to the annexed deposition, who after being first duly examined, continued to be sworn, gave the above deposition, which was then read to him in his presence by him subscribed in my presence. In further certify that the said Joshua Brown is well known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing deposition. — Sylvester G. Olkum — Justice of the Peace

Washington Co. - The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -
Your Clerk of the town of North Kingston, in the county of Washington - I the Subscribed Your Clerk of said Town of North Kingston and Clerk of the Court of Probate and Your Councillor of said North Kingston, do hereby certify, that Sylvester G. Shearman Esq. Esq. when the annexed Deposition of George Congdon, Jr. Shearman and John Brown were taken and sworn to, was a Justice of the Peace, for said town of North Kingston, at the time said Deposition was taken to have been taken, legally chosen by the General Assembly of this State, and duly commissioned by the Governor thereby, by a Commission, bearing date the Ninth day of May in the year 1836, & legally engaged to said Commission and in all respects legally qualified to act in said Office. And I further certify, that the signature, annexed to said Deposition, is true to be the signature of the said Sylvester G. Shearman, and his signature is his own free act, known to me to be such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Probate, this Twenty Fifth day of October in the year 1836 -
Nich. A. Smith, Town Probate Clerk

I hereby certify that James Wightman the son of Volintine and Mercy (Bair) the daughter of Caleb (Bair) both of North King- stown in the County of Kings County were lawfully joined together in marriage in North Kingstown this 1 st day of February A.D. 1776. by
Geo. Thomas Jus Peace, Recorded by G. Thomas S. Clerk
State of Rhode Island &c County of Washington &c Office of Town Clerk and Court of Probate of the Town of North Kingstown I Nicholas N. Spink Town and Probate Clerk of the Town of North Kingstown do certify the above marriage certificate to be a true copy of Records in said Office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and seal of Office this sixth day of October in the year 1836
Nich. N. Spink Town and Probate Clerk
Washington - ss. In North Kingstown
Oct. 6 th 1836. Personally appeared
the undersigned Justice of the Peace for said North Kingstown - Nicholas N. Spink whose name is subscribed to the above certificate and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Lydia A. G. Freeman Justice of the Peace

Washington - The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -
The Court of Probate, for the town of Washington, in the County of Washington, in said
State of Rhode Island, this day
being in Session, do hereby
certify, that satisfactory proof,
has this day, been produced to them,
that Mary Wightman, by whom
the annexed Declaration, was made and sworn to, before this Court,
on the tenth day of October 1836, is a person of good character
for truth and veracity, and that her Declaration is entitled to
full faith and credit. And that she is the identical Mary
Wightman, named in the Certificate of Marriage from the records of
Marriage in this town, and is the Widow of the said James Wightman
therein named, and that she is eighty years of age & that the
said James Wightman deceased, in the month of January 1819,
leaving her his Widow & that she has remained so Widow ever since.
In said Court, further certify, that it is reported, understood &
believed in this Town and vicinity, that the said James
Wightman, was a soldier of the Revolution and was as stated
in the Declaration of the said Mary Wightman and that
they concur in that opinion - The testimony whereof the
Subsidiary, the Clerk of said Court, have been to affirm my hand,
and the seal of said Court, by order of its behalf of said Court,
this twelfth day of December in the year 1836 - In said Court,
also further certify, that George Congdon, Jr. & Stephen
Daniel Burr, By John Burr whose Depositions are annexed to said Declaration,
are well known to them, to be of good character for truth and
veracity, and that their Depositions are entitled to credit -
Nich. N. Spink Town & Probate Clerk

7184.
August 4, 1925.
Mrs. John M. Arnold Anthony, Rhode Island.
Madam:
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W-26054, it appears that James Wightman, son of Volintine Wightman, while residing in North Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island, enlisted January 19, 1776 and served one year as a private in Captain Samuel Phillip's Company, Colonel Richmond's Rhode Island Regiment.
From January 1777 to the fall of 1779 he served about one quarter of the time as a private in Captain John Brown's Company of Rhode Island Militia.
He married February 1, 1776 at North Kingston, Rhode Island, Mercy, daughter of Caleb Carr of said place. He died January 9, 1819.
His widow Mercy was allowed pension on her application executed October 10, 1836 while residing in North Kingston, Rhode Island aged eighty years old.
It is not stated whether they had children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner.

Wickford Rd      Gen June 2
June 6
Chas Mary Wrightman
adm. Mrs. L. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Revenue Custom House Washington City.

Wick June 2-1837
Mr Edwards
Sir
I am apprehensive, that the Pension certificate of Mary Wightman, Widow of James Wightman of North Kingston, State of Rhode Island deceased, was issued for too little - It is only for Forty Dollars per annum - Whilst the same should, as you will see, by referring to the prospectus, one one year service, in Colonel Aikman's Regiment, in Captain Samuel Phillips Company, and two months service in the Rhode Island Militia - Making 14 months in the whole - Besides all the Soldiers in Colonel Aikman's Regiment, have her pension at $96 per annum, it being a Continental Regiment - So that, it is evident, that the certificate ought to have been issued for more, than it is - Please reexamine the prospectus, and if there is any error in making out the certificate please inform me - By attending to this at once as convenient, you will greatly oblige me and Mrs Wightman -
Yours &c -
Chester G Sherman

J. L. Edwards Esq. Pensylvania Ave

War Department Pension Office, November 10 th 1836.
Sir,
I have examined the pa- pers of Martha Pierce, widow of Sylvester Pierce; and of Mercy Wightman, widow of James Wightman, and herewith return the same, in order that the rules may be complied with, which require in all cases, that the opinion of the Court should be given, and at- tached to the proceedings. This you will perceive has been omitted.
I am, respectfully, your ob t serv t J. L. Edward,
Sylvester G. Sherman Esq Wickford, Rhode Island.

Wickford December 16 th 1836-
Mr J. L. Edmonds
Sir
Agreeable to your directions in the annual Letter, of the 10 th of November last, I here forward the Certificate, of the opinion of the Court, which is annexed to the paper as you will perceive. I have not made out a new Declaration, as so doing would be attended with much trouble and some expense, and I infer from the letter, that all that was wanted, was but a Certificate, and that it need only be issued as well, if obtained at a future meeting of the Court, as at the time of making out the Declaration. I hope the Certificate, will be satisfactory and be sufficient to remove all objections and scruples to granting the Pension. As there is no such Certificate required in your printed regulations and as you have granted some, without any such Certificate. I do not claim any thing on account of the Abolition period, of a quarter part of the time, from January 1777 to December 1779, as stated in the Declaration, as I am fully aware, that it is not officially stated, according to your rules, & is not paid. As that period, on account of the Abolition period, is the two months, known to, in the Deputies of Joshua Brown. Making in the whole Twelve months time. Such months in Captain Phillips Company, in the State Troops and two months, under Captain John Brown, in the Abolition. The application of Sarah Mitchell, was by me forwarded to you, some time since. I should like hear from the Court -
Yours &c.
S. G. Shearman

1925 Aug 4 - 1st to Mrs John M. Arnold. M.D. See letter in R.D. Wood. Feb 22. 1869.
Ready WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26,054
Mary Wightman Wid of James Wightman Brn Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index:--Vol. FW , Page 346
[Arrangement of 1870.]