Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14150, Perez Wheaton, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
96.9
Wheaton, Perez Betsey
N 14150
CONTENTS

17 1/4 Rhode Island
Betsey Wheaton widow of Perez Wheaton dec d
who died in the year 1796 of Bristol Co in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Munro of the Regt. commanded by Col Stanton in the R.I. line for 20 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. Island at the rate of 66 Dollars 67 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Jan y . 1838 and Lieut Genl A. Robbins State N.G.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1837 $433 35 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar 38 - 33 35
$466 68
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by W.H. Addison Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 Page 101
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the act of April 6 th 1808 from 4 th March to the 14 th May 1840 Agent notified July 23 rd 1842

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
State of Rhode Island } ss. Bristol County
On this sixth day March A.D. 1837 personally appeared before me Levi Hale, one of the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State, being the highest Court of record in said State, & holding its sessions in each County thereof, Betsy Wheaton a resident of Warren in the afore said County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island aged Eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Provision, made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836: That she is the widow of Perez Wheaton late of Warren, deceased, who was a Soldier in the Militia during the Revolutionary War: That according to the best of her knowledge or belief, her said husband the said Perez Wheaton in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven, in the month of April, enlisted in a company of Militia, commanded by Capt. Nathan Munro in Col. Stanton's Regiment, in the State Service for twelve months, and served as private Soldier until the following March when this company were discharged, & that in this Company he served Eleven months.
That immediately after the close of this service her said husband entered into a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Carr in Col. Thomas Taphorn's Regiment, State Service, for fifteen months that said Regiment were discharged before the expiration of said term, that under this enlistment her said husband served Eight months, that her said husband was in the battle on Rhode Island in the time of Sullivan's Expedition, in August Seventeen hundred Seventy Eight, this was during the afore named service of Eight months.
From the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Eight her said husband was a great part of the time on duty in guarding the shores in this County, until the English left Newport in November, Seventy Nine

that she has no papers, memorandums or journals kept at the time so as to be able to name the time & particular place, and the length of time of each tour of service in guarding the shores but she knows her said husband was absent from his family and in the service of the country as a soldier during the last named period from the time he was discharged in the last aforementioned eight months service, until the english left Newport, a period of twelve months or more, more than half the time, for besides his regular service in guarding the shores in his turn, he was often for short periods, called on a alarm.
That all the aforementioned service was after her marriage to said Perez Wheaton, except one or two months of the first part of the aforementioned twelve months enlistment in Capt Nathan Munroe's Company in Col. Stanton's Regiment. That previous to the above named enlistment in April Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven, her said husband served one month in Robert Barr's Company under a draft, and one month in Capt. Coles Company as a substitute for Richard Burr who had been drafted. This two months service was in Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven state service. That all the above named services were performed within the state of Rhode Island & within the limits of Newport & Bristol. That her said husband always resided in said town of Warren. That she has no documentary evidence of her husband's services and never had any.
She further declares that she was married to said Perez Wheaton, in the month of June Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven. That her first child was born about a year after her marriage. That she never had any certificate of her marriage. At the time of her marriage, there was no minister resided in this town. Mr Manning came here on the Sabbath and preached in the Baptist meeting house and they were married by him he returned immediately to Providence, and never gave

any certificate of their marriage and their marriage was never recorded, but she knows they were married in June the year before the Enemy landed in this town and burnt the meeting house, and she also knows that in the next year after she was married, on Wednesday the twenty seventh day of May which was the second or third day after the Meeting house was burnt by the English, her first child, Sabra, was borne. That the birth of none of her children were recorded to her knowledge.
That her husband the aforesaid Perez Wheaton died on his passage from Havanna in the year 1796 she believes, but has no record or memorandum of the date of his death. That her youngest child Thomas Joth Wheaton who was killed on board the Chesapeake in her engagement with the Shannon in Boston Bay in the last war with the English, was between one & two years old when his father the said Perez Wheaton died. That she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband the said Perez Wheaton.
That her maiden name was Betsey Joth. And that she was married to said Perez Wheaton when she was in her twenty third year & was born in January Seventeen hundred fifty four.
Witness Samuel Randall
Betsey
X Wheaton cross
On this sixth day of March in the year eighteen hundred thirty seven, above written, the above written declaration was sworn to, by the above named Betsey Wheaton, & she subscribed her cross thereto, being unable to write her name, before me. And I hereby certify, that said Betsey Wheaton, said applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend said Supreme Judicial Court, or any other court of record in said County of Bristol, and I further certify, that I am acquainted with said Betsey Wheaton, that she is a credible person, & her declaration is entitled to credit.
Levi Noble Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

I Sarah Eddy of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, on solemn oath do testify and say that I am eighty four years old. That I am well acquainted with Betsey Wheaton of said Warren the widow of Perez Wheaton late of Warren deceased. That I was well acquainted with said Betsey Wheaton before she was married, that her Maiden name was Betsey Fols. That I was present at the marriage of said Perez Wheaton and said Betsey Fols. - that I saw them married, that they were married at her father's house by Elder Manning. I do not remember the date of the year but I well remember that they were married the year before the Regulars came here and burnt the Baptist Meetinghouse I know that I was at this wedding while I resided in said Warren, that afterwards I removed to Swansea in Massachusetts to get out of the danger of the enemy and while I was at Swansea the Meeting house was burnt by the Regulars. That the said Perez Wheaton boarded in my family until he was married, to said Betsey Fols. He boarded in my family while I remained in Warren, but never after I removed to said Swansea, and I know that said Betsey Wheaton has never been married to any person since the death of her husband the said Perez Wheaton.
Sarah Eddy
State of Rhode Island &c Bristol ss. Warren March 2 d 1837 Then the above named Sarah Eddy personally appearing before me the Subscriber, & being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which she subscribed her name in my presence & testified that I am well acquainted with said

Sarah Eddy & that she is a credible person and her statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace.
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol County ss. Town Clerk's Office.
in Warren March 6th 1837 The Subscriber, Town Clerk of said town of Warren, do hereby certify that I have care- -fully examined the Records of Marriages in my office and do not find any record of the Marriage of Peter Wheaton late of Warren, deceased, to his wife Betsey whose Maiden name was Betsey Galt. - And I further certify that the record of marriages in said town during the period of the War of the Revolution, is very imperfect and many marriages during that period in said town have not been recorded. And I further certify that I have carefully examined the record of births in this office and do not find the record of the birth of Sarah Wheaton the daughter of said Peter & Betsey Wheaton or any other of their children, and that the record of births during the above said period are equally imperfect.
Samuel Randall
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations } County of Bristol }
In Warren, March the 6th A.D. 1837.
Then the above named Samuel Randall personally appearing and being sworn, according to law, made bath to the truth of the above written affidavit to which he subscribed his name before me the Subscriber one of the justices of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State. And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Samuel Randall, that he is a credible person & his statement is entitled to credit.
Levi Horile Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

I Sabra Kent of Barrington in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, are out to do testify and say that I was fifty eight years of age on the twenty seventh day of May A. eighteen hundred thirty six. that I am the daughter of Perez Wheaton late of Warren deceased, and Betsey Wheaton now residing in said Warren, who is the widow of said Perez Wheaton, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution as I always understood I distinctly recollect of hearing him relate the circumstance of the man's being shot in the battle on Rhode Island who stood next to him. — that my birth, I have always understood, that my was never recorded, and I have always been told by my mother & others that I was born on Wednesday after the English came here and burnt the Necking House. this fact I have heard repeatedly in my father's family as long ago as I can remember any thing. — That my father the said Perez Wheaton did on his passage home from Havanna when I was in my eighteenth year of age and that my mother the said Betsey Wheaton is now living and has never been married since the death of her husband the said Perez Wheaton. When my father died his youngest son Thomas J. Wheaton was between one & two years old In the last war with Great Britain this youngest son Thomas J. Wheaton was killed in the Battle in Boston Bay on board the Chesapeake in her engagement with the Shannon. My mother was left with eight children and this Thomas was the youngest.
Attest Luther Cole
cur Sabra X Kent crops
State of Rhode Island & Bristol County ss in Warren March 3 d 1837

Then personally appearing the within named Sabra Kent, and being sworn and eng to law, before me the subscriber, made oath to the truth of the afore- going Deposition to which she sub- scribed her hands (not being able to write) in my presence.
And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Sabra Kent and that she is a credible person and her statement entitled to credit.
Barney Randall Justice Peace.

I Joseph Munro of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, on solemn oath, do testify and say that I am seventy five years of age; that I was well acquainted with Perez Wheaton, late of Warren, in the aforesaid county of Bristol deceased from his youth to his death; that I am also well acquainted with Betsey Wheaton, the widow of said Perez Wheaton who is now living and has never been married to any person. Since the death of her said husband the said Perez Wheaton; I was not present at the marriage of Perez Wheaton and said Betsey Wheaton whose maiden name was Betsey Follen but I know the time they were said to be married, and they always lived together as husband and wife afterwards, and were always reputed to be such. I know their marriage took place, in the Spring after the English took possession of Rhode Island. I know that the woman whom I afterwards married married said Betsey Wheaton when she was confined with her first child, she then had been married about one year, and I know the aforesaid child was born near the time the English landed in Warren and burnt the Meeting house in said Warren, and the Boats and one Row Galley at Kakenuit (so called).
In seventeen hundred Seventy Seven, in the month of April, I enlisted into the company of Militia, commanded by Capt. Nathan Munro, in Col. Stanton's Regiment, State service, the said Perez Wheaton enlisted into the same company at the same time; we enlisted for twelve months but we were discharged in March following - we served eleven months in this company. We were stationed at Howland's Ferry most of the time during said service of said eleven months. That place was our head quarters. The aforesaid Howland's Ferry is in the town of Tiverton in the county of Newport. This regiment was to have been discharged in December but we were kept until the fifteenth of March by Col. Stanton; to convey the Boats to Providence.

Immediately after this service closed the said Perez Wheaton enlisted into a company commanded by Capt Caleb Carr in Col. Thomas Tapham's Regiment, State Service for fifteen months but the company were discharged before the expiration of that time. That I am confident the said Perez Wheaton served eight months in this company before the Regiment was discharged. I was in the service at the same time but not in the same Regiment, and frequently saw said Perez Wheaton during said eight months service, and was with him in the Battle on Rhode Island at the Quaker Hill so called, on the 29th. day of August 1778. This Regiment was stationed at the aforesaid Howland's Ferry. This Regiment were the first troops landed on Rhode Island, before the Battle at the Quaker Hill. This Regiment landed about the 18th. of July 1778. and remained on the Island until that Battle was fought.
After this service the said Perez Wheaton belonged to the Militia and served in guarding the shores in this country, half the time until the English left Newport in November 1779. So that this service was at least six months.
That previous to all the aforesaid services the said Perez Wheaton served one month in Capt Robert Carr's company at Bristol in this country, under a draft and one month in Capt Cole's company as a substitute for Sheppard Burr who had been drafted, in the said town of Bristol. I am not certain whether Capt Cole or Capt Brumbe commanded this company at this time.
I know that the services aforesaid of said Perez Wheaton in Col. Howland's Regiment and afterwards in Col. Thomas Tapham's Regiment were after he was married to his said widow the said Betsey Wheaton. - Said Betsey Wheaton maiden name was Betsey Faller. There are none of the men which belonged to the same company with said Perez Wheaton, now living.

except Seth Cale of Warren, to my knowledge there may be some who have moved into the country. All that have remained here and who was in the first above named Company in Hurlbut's Regiment are dead except Seth Cale and myself. That I can now recollect.
The above named two months service in Bristol under Capt. Cale and Capt. Cale or Armsbee was in the months of January and February Sixteen hundred Seventeen Seven.
Joseph Merrill
State of Rhode Island
Bristol County ss. in Warren March 7th 1837 Then personally appearing the above named Joseph Merrill before me the Subscriber and being sworn according to law made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.
And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Joseph Merrill and that he is a credible person, and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace

I Seth Cole of Warren in the county of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, do hereby certify and say that I am Seventy Six years of age, that I was well acquainted with Perez Wheaton of Warren, deceased before, during, and after the Peace until his death, that I am acquainted with his widow Betsey Wheaton who now resides in Warren.
In the last part of May Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven I enlisted in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Nathan Munroe in Col. Stanton's Regiment. State Service, and served until the last of March following or first of April Seventeen hundred Seventy Eight. said Perez Wheaton was one of the same company and served the same time that I did and was discharged when I was at the same time as fore named, but I do not know how long he enlisted before I did, said Company was raised for twelve months. I served ten months in this Company. & said Perez Wheaton served the same time if no more.
I was not personally present with said Perez Wheaton when he was on other duty & in other service during the War of the Revolution but I have no doubt he served many months after & before the above named ten months. He belonged to the Militia and was prompt & ready to discharge duty as a soldier, and every man had to serve more than half the time while the enemy had possession of Newport.
I believe no one is now living that enlisted into said Nathan Munroe's Company in Stanton's Regiment but myself, Joseph Munroe, and Daniel Cole now residing at La Fayette in the State of New York.
Seth Cole
State of Rhode Island &c Bristol County ss in Warren March 2-1837 Then the above named Seth Cole personally appearing before me the subscriber

and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presen- ce
And I further certify that I am well ac- -quainted with said Seth Cole & know him to be a credible person and his statements entitled to credit
Sumuel Buel Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island } Clerk's Office Supreme Judicial Bristol } Court March 16. A D 1837
I Greenwood Reynolds clerk of said court for said county of Bristol do hereby certify that Sevi Hall is one of the Justices of said court duly qualified to act in said capacity. And that the signature at the bottom of the certificates to the declarations of Betsy Wheaton and of Samuel Randall as Town clerk of the Town of Warren is in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature
And I further certify that Samuel Randall before whom the depositions of Seba Kent, Joseph Munn, Seth Cole and John Sisson, is a Justice of the Peace for the county of Bristol duly qualified to act in his said capacity and that the signature at the bottom of the deposition certificate to said depositions is in his own hand writing and is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court the day and year above written
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk

Dep. John Sisson Claim - Betty Wheaton
V 15 41 widow of Perez R. S.
Married 1777 Died 1796
Allow. 20 months per $66.66 per ann. comf 4 March 1831
R. S. State Writings Cape Munro Col. Station.
Hon. A. Robbins, N.S.

Perez Wheaton
I John Sisson of Warren in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations on solemn oath do testify & say that I am Seventy Eight years of age and upwards that I was well acquainted with Perez Wheaton late of said Warren deceased; that I am well acquainted also with Betsey Wheaton the widow of said Perez Wheaton, who is now living and has never been Married since the death of her said husband the said Perez Wheaton; that I was acquainted with said Betsey Wheaton before she was married to said Perez Wheaton, her maiden name was Betsey Galls.
In March Seventeen hundred Seventy Seven I enlisted in the state Service, in the company commanded by Caleb Carr, in Col. Crary's Regiment which was raised for fifteen months and was discharged in March 178 Eight the Regiment having been in actual Service three months before I enlisted.
After the close of this service, another enlistment took place for another fifteen months, state Service, and the said Perez Wheaton enlisted in said Caleb Carr's company, in the Regiment then commanded by Col Thomas Topkins.
I was not in this Regiment, but frequently fell in with said Perez Wheaton, and saw him on duty in said company, & not long before the battle on Rhode Island I saw him on duty in said company in Little Compton, and my impression was then and is now that said Perez Wheaton served the time out that is until said Regiment was discharged which I believe was a few months before the expiration of the fifteen months and I have no doubt he served twelve months in this campaign.
John Sisson

State of Rhode Island &c Bristol County ss. in Warren, January 11th 1837.
Then the above named John Sisson personally appearing before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.
And I further certify that said John Sisson is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 14 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States"
The children of Betsey Wheaton, deceased, late a Pensioner on the Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of Sixty Six — Dollars and 67 Cents per annum, under the law of the 4 th July 1836, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, to the 14 th May 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Marcy
COMPTROLLER.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

R.I.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 14150
Betsy Wheaton
Wid" f
Betsy Wheaton
Rev Rev. W.
Act: July 17 th 1886.
Index: Vol. M , Page 331
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Petsey Wheaton wid. of Perez Mrs. M. Saml Randall June 6. 1837 do do June 9. 1837
Ad 4 July 1836

Patsy Wheaton 1837  58 wid of Perez 1779 Mar c 1777 Died 1796 11 mo Capt. Monroe (el Horton 78. 8 " " Can Topchan 77. 1 " " 60yrs 77. 1 " " 60yrs

Additional evidence & letter forwarded by Samuel Randall on the application of Betsey Wheaton of Warren R.I. for a Pension

Warren Nov. 6th 1837
Sir
In your communication of the 6th. of June last, on the subject of Mrs. Betsey Wheaton's application for a Pension I am informed that the evidence both as to the marriage and services, of Peter Wheaton (her husband) are not satisfactory. I am, however, not informed Why the evidence of the marriage is not satisfactory. Whether the witness is not believed, or whether you have no evidence of the time of the Burning of the Baptist meeting house by the enemy referred to her deposition. I obtained no evidence of that part, because I supposed you were already in possession of the date of that transaction, as a historical fact. & 40 times referred to & sworn to in previous applications & Depositions, for pensions. It being just as notorious, here, that the enemy landed, in this town in May 1778, and Burn't the Meeting House, Blew up the Magazine, and Burn't the Boats at Heikermuit (for while great exploit the whole City of London was illuminated) as that George Washington was commander in chief of the American Army. It did not once occur to me that any evidence, as to the month & year of that transaction, was necessary any more than it would be to prove that the english had possession of Newport at a certain time during the war.
Mrs. Wheaton's marriage was never recorded and of course the next best evidence was resorted to, viz. that of persons who were present & saw her married. Of these only one was living, and her testimony is clear and explicit that they were married a year before the Meeting House was burnt, but what year that was she could not say. What is her testimony? She says that she was present and saw them married, but the date of the year she cannot tell, but knows it was the year before the Meeting House was burnt, and gives the following reasons, which

make stronger evidence that it was in May 1777, than if she pretended to name the year from strength of memory. — She says that she lived in Warren, where they were married, and that Perez Wheaton boarded with her untill after the Marriage, that she afterwards moved to Swansey to get clear of the danger of the enemy, and that while at Swansey the Meeting House was burnt, and that said Wheaton never boarded with her after she left Warren . There are facts which she swears to positively, and about which she could not be mistaken, and if not true she is a perjured woman. Now if it is proved that the meeting house was burnt in May 1778 then it is proved that Perez Wheaton & Betty Joth was married in the Spring of 1777, and this is corroborated and supported by the applicant herself, who swears herself that she was married in June before the meeting house was burnt, & that the next year after she was married, on Wednesday the 27th. day of May, the 2 d or 3 d day after the meeting house was burnt, her first child, Seba, was born. — There is an other perjured woman, unless she was married in June 1777, it is impossible in the nature of things for her to be mistaken in such facts as what time of the year she was married, — how long after she was married, before her first child was born, and above all, that it was but 2 or 3 days after the Regulars, with their red coats, marched into town directly by the door where she then resided burnt the meeting house, Magazine for. The date of the year to be sure she does not remember and knows it only by calculating from her daughter Seba's age.
Next is the oath of Seba, who says she was born, as she was always told by her parents and others, on Wednesday after the meeting house

was burnt, that she had heard this repeatedly in her father's family as long ago as she could remember any thing. That she was 58 years of age on the 27th day of May 1836.
Now, Sir, who are these witnesses - I have certified as to their being credible persons, as a magistrate, this is all the rules require. But if required their reputation for truth can be established beyond all possible doubt - that they all are professors of religion, and now hold & have held, for many years, first, good standing in the churches to which they belong. - That the said Sarah Eddy was no way related to Betsey Wheaton, and did not belong to same church, and that all three of them now possess bright families and sacred minds & extensive memories.
Joseph Munroe's testimony is corroborative of theirs.
Now, Sir, I do not hesitate to say that this testimony of the marriage of Perez Wheaton & Betsey Galt, in May 1777, would be sufficient in any court of law , to establish a claim for any amount of money depending on that fact. For what could 12 honest men, under oath do with this testimony, uncontradicted and unimpeached, but believe it, if taken for granted, that the making house was burnt in May 1778.
As to the evidence of services you say, it is not satisfactory, and give your reasons for coming to such a conclusion, to wit, " There are no Rolls of Stanton's Regiment, in this Office, but of Col. Topham's Regiment the Rolls are on file from 1777 to 1779, The name of Perez Wheaton is not found upon them, nor does it appear that any person by the name of Caleb Carr was Capt. in said Regiment. " Testimony of witnesses, when it conflicts with documentary evidence cannot be received."

I have read this carefully and repeatedly, because I find it difficult to discover the reason of your conclusions.
Am I to understand that because there are no Rolls of Stanton's Regiment but is of Tapham's, that therefore there was no such Regiment in the Service as Stanton's or Crary's, or that because there are no Rolls of Stanton's Reg. t , that therefore the services proved to have been performed, in that Reg. t or Crary's are not within the act of July 4. 1836. Or that because Perez Wheaton's name is not on the Rolls of Tapham's Regiment that therefore Perez Wheaton did not serve any where, within the act of Congress. I did not know before, that there were Rolls, Official Rolls , of any Regiment of Rhode Island, have always understood that there were none , am exceedingly glad to be informed that there are of one Regiment.
But, Sir, what is the evidence of the services of Perez Wheaton?
Joseph Munro, Daniel Cole and Seth Cole solemnly swear that Perez Wheaton served in the same Company with them, viz Nathan Munro's, in Stanton's Regiment, from the Spring of 1777 to the fore part of next year 1778 — Munro says 11 months, Seth Cole 10 & Daniel Cole 9 months. They enlisted for a term of 12 (or 15) months, but were discharged before the expiration of the term of enlistment and so do not agree as to the exact Number of Months.
In 1778 Daniel Cole says, in the month of June of that year, he enlisted into Thomas Allen's Company in Col. Crary's Reg. t and served Nine months, and that Perez Wheaton enlisted into served Nine months with him in the same Company. — Munro testifies to the same

Service - Knows that Perez Wheaton, was in the service the next year, 1778. he knows that not because he was in the same company & Reg t for he says he was not but because he was a near neighbor & knew he enlisted, and knew he was in actual Service as an enlisted Soldier because he frequently saw him, during the summer and fall of 1778. in that capacity, and more particularly on R. I. at the Quaker Hill Battle. - Now as Munro was in the service himself, but not in same company not nor Regiment with Perez Wheaton, he might possibly know that he, Wheaton, was in the Service as an enlisted Soldier in same company & same Regiment & be mistaken as to the particular Company & Reg t or at this distance of time, mistake the name of the company & Reg t to which Wheaton belonged.
John Sipes also testifies that he knows that Perez Wheaton was in the service as an enlisted Soldier because he saw him on duty as such in 1778
Munro also testifies to two months service specifically , of Perez Wheaton, previous to 1779 and gives it as his belief that he, Wheaton, also served six months in guarding the Shores after 1778 - And Seth Cole testifies the same.
The positive testimony of Daniel Cole of Wheaton's services in 1778 are confirmed by Munro and Sipes.
I consider, there is nine months clearly proved in 1778 - Nine months in 1779 two previous to 1779, & six months Guard Service, proved as clearly as that kind of service can be proved at this distant period of time, for if Perez Wheaton was now living, in the full possession of all his faculties

he could not name the places, the year and month, & number & particular days of that month and the identical spots on the shore of Narragansett Bay where he stood century since after the year 1778. At the same time, he might positively know, whether he did little or much service of that kind, if he served but once during the War he would remember that fact distinctly & if he was every few weeks for called out to do guard service, during the War he would distinctly recall that fact also, but might be unable to name the particular month then.
I have, herewith, forwarded evidence of the time of the burning of the Baptist meeting house. And also the Deposition of Daniel Cole - which you returned to me to be taken in due season.
I know this to be a genuine case, and that Betsey Edgerton is entitled, by the law of the land, to a pension - And that a pension will finally be granted to her or her children after her, unless the law is repealed. I have no manner of doubt - And I could wish that she might enjoy some of it during her life, she is extremely poor, & feeble in health, lives miserably upon charity, and it would do her infinitely more good than her children after she is gone to the land of not rebs.
I hope, Sir, if the evidence is not satisfactory you will point out particularly in what point or in what respect it is so.
Very respectfully your M ty Servt. Samuel Randall
J. S. Edwards Esq Comm ee Pensions

Additional evidence on the Application of Betty Wheaton forwarded by Samuel Barstall Warren R.I.

On the 25 th day of May A D 1778 a party of British troops from Rhode Island, made an excursion and came to Warren, where after doing considerable damage to the inhabitants, burnt the Meeting House and Parsonage to the ground.
A true copy from the records
John Haile Church Clerk!
State of Rhode Island &c.
Bristol County ss. Warren Nov. 4 th 1837. I John Haile on oath do testify and say, that I am the Clerk of the Baptist Church of Warren, that I have in my possession the Records of that Church since its organization in 1764, that the foregoing is a true copy of the record, that the same is so located in the Record book that it must have been made at or near the time it bears date.
John Haile
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol County ss. in Warren Nov. 6 th 1837. Then the above named John Haile personally appearing before me the Subscribed and being sworn according to Law, made Oaths to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence. And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said John Haile, and that he is a credible person & his statements entitled to truth.
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace.

State of Rhode Island } Clerk's Office Supreme Judicial Court Bristol County ss } November 7. A D 1837
I Greenwood Reynolds clerk of said court for said county of Bristol do hereby certify that Samuel Randall before whom the Deposition of John Hail purports to have been taken is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Bristol, duly qualified to act in said capacity, and that the signature of his name at the bottom of the certificate to said deposition is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and, affixed the seal of said court, the day, and year above written.
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk

State of New York } Onondaga County } p
I Daniel Cole of La Fayette, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, do depose and say, that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy seven, in the month of March or April of that year, I enlisted into a company of Militia commanded by Nathan Munro (who I believe at that time was called Major Munro) in the State service, for one year, and soon after discharged, and that Perez Wheaton of Warren, Rhode Island, was in the service with me in the same company, and I am sure that we both served in said company as much as nine months or more. That in the month of June Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight, I again enlisted into Captain Thomas Allen's company, in Colonel Crary's Regiment, and that Perez Wheaton above named enlisted about the same time, and served with me in said company nine months, when we were both discharged. I the said Daniel Cole was born in Warren, aforesaid, or recided there from my earliest recollections, until many years, after the close of the Revolutionary War, and Perez Wheaton above named, resided in said town for many years, before the Revolutionary War and that I was well acquainted with the said Wheaton at the time he enlisted as aforesaid. Dated at La Fayette aforesaid this twenty ninth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
Daniel Cole
State of New York - Onondaga County p. On this twenty ninth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty seven. Then the above named Daniel Cole personally appeared before me the subscriber and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition, to which he subscribed his name in my presence.
Joseph S. Cole Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named Daniel Coda, and that he is a credible person, and that his statements are entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at La Grange this twenty ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.
Joseph S. Cole Justice of the Peace
State of New York County of Onondaga
ss:- I Alanson Edwards Clerk of the said County do certify that Joseph S. Cole Esquire before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, and that I am acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of Office, this third day of October in the year 1837.
A. Edwards Clerk