Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,027, Daniel E Updike, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Updike, Daniel E.
S. 22,027
CONTENTS

Daniel Eldridge Updegraff
25133.
Ad. 2 years old Capt. Updegraff North Kingston Washington Co.
to Claim: North Kingston Washington Co. In 2 N. J.

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
County of Washington North Kingston S c
On the 11 th day of March 1833. personally appeared in open Court of the Court of Probate of North Kingston R d
Daniel Eldridge Updike Resident of North Kingston in the County and State aforesaid. aged sixty seven years born on the 19 th of May 1765. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the be- -nefit of An Act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832. That He entered the service of the United- -States and voluntarily attached himself to the North- -Kingston Company of Artillery commanded by Captain Richard Updike. of which Company Gideon Deavon -port was first Lieutenant, Ebenezer Scranton first Gunner, Benjamin Reynolds first Sergeant. on or about the sixth of December 1776, and that said Company was attached to Col s Charles Dyer's Regiment I was attached to said Company until the cessation of hostilities with Great Britain. I was in actual service two years and a half or more in the whole time I have no written discharge. At the time of entering the service I resided in North Kingston, said Company was principally stationed in that part of the town then called Updikes Newtown (now Wickford) altho there was was frequent drafts from it to raise and furnish Dorsetts

divisions at the time of General Spencer's expedition in the fall of the year 1777. and General Sullivan's expedition on Rhode-Island &c in August 1778. I well recollect that I was sent an Express after a further supply of Military stores and Ammunition for the Artillery Company at the time the British Fleet was approaching and entering the Narraganset Bay previous to their taking possession of Newport on the Island of Rhode-Island. I was born in North-Kingston in the County of Kings County (now Washington County) and State aforesaid in the year 1765. There is a Record of my age in an old family Bible some where as well as other old books but I am not in possession of them at present. I lived in North-Kingston in the County and State aforesaid at the time I voluntarily entered into the service of my Country and have lived there for the greatest part of my time since the Revolutionary War and now live there. In the time of the War several attacks was made by the British forces in various parts of North-Kingston - by those Loyalists called Refugees, amongst which was many of our former Townsmen. They burned their former neighbors dwelling houses and other buildings, plundered took and carried off their live stock consisting of sheep and neat cattle &c and took several of the inhabitants prisoners and carried them to Newport where they caught in the prison that infectious and loathsome disease the small-pox the natural way. and I recollect that one of them died in prison with that terrible disorder whose name was Charles Tillinghast. He had been an active Citizen and Zealous Advocate for the cause the liberties of his.

This Country from the commencement of the Revolution - I well recollect his zeal demonstrated at the first firing of Cannon in Updikes Newtown (now Wickford) on the general Announcement of the Declaration of American Independence in the summer of 1776 - In fact Mr. Tillinghast was truly called a high Liberty Man, I well recollect when Capt Richard Updike aforesaid received intelligence by Express that a British Frigate called the Syren had run aground in the night previous (conveying a fleet) on Point Judith point with some other smaller vessels and if my memory serves the order was from Col l Thomas Potter to March for point Judith with the heaviest part of his Artillery as speedily as possible. of course He was immediately on his march with one large eighteen pound field piece and another Cannon either a nine or six pounder. arrived arrived there about 9 O'clock at night (the day being rainy and travelling very bad for transporting heavy Cannon) began to fire on the Frigate discharged about fourteen shot from the eighteen pounder and about a dozen more from the other Field pieces after which said Frigate surrendered. She was commanded by a Capt t Fenwick or some similar name. He was a high blooded Englishman and greatly mortified on account of the capture of his Frigate &c. Also when the Enemy burned part of the houses &c in the Northerly part of North Kingston (called Quidnesset) The North King- ton Artillery Company was engaged with a Field piece in capturing the British Sloop George of ten Carriage Guns. I was near by the field piece when the last gun was fired. This capture took place in the latter part of May or fore part of June, 1779. In I well recollect that the Indian corn was up and growing as we passed through the fields on to the place of action. The circumstance attending this capture was.

was there had in the night before a Squadron of about seven or eight armed Sloops &c. accompanied by a formidable Gallery landed a party of burners and plunderers in Quodneshet and before any succor could be had from our Troops which was stationed at East Greenwich and Yrdikes Newtown (so called) They committed a considerable devastation by burning houses &c. and carrying off property to their somat Vessels of War. But when the Artillery arrived a firing commenced on them the Piratical scoundrels and the Sloop George approached so near the Shore as to ground - a steady steady cannonade was kept up on both sides, the enemy endeavoring to protect their Sloop George. But at length she surrendered and struck her colours. some time after which the other Vessels departed with their plunder for Newport. The tide rose the George was got off and carried to the harbor of East Greenwich after which she was condemned as a prize and sold for the benefit of the Captors &c. Also there was a very formidable attack in the night made on the Village of Yrdikes Newtown (now Wickford) some time in the month of May or June 1778. by a party of British forces (called Refugees) from Newport. They came with ten flat bottomed boats, with forty men each, the night was very dark and calm. but fortunately the Centinel on the point (where the light house now stands) discovered them by the noise of their Oars, hailed but not receiving any answer fired upon them which gave the alarm and the Artillery kept up a constant fire of round and grape shot in the direction where the enemies fire came from. for they kept a continual fire

fire of Musketry in direction of the Sentinel who stood behind a poplar Tree. and some of the balls reached the Village of Updikes Newtown - several of them was found lodged in the Tree behind which the Sentinel stood. This Sentinel was old George Flavens. He was a brave and true
Soldier and never left his post until after the enemy were driven off. with the loss of some of their worst Gang one of which that was killed was a young man by the name of Vaughan. Before he deserted to the enemy at Newport he lived on the Sanger farm within a mile of Updikes Newtown.
At two different times I have narrowly escaped being captured by the same British while they had possession of Newport being employed in the Narragansett Bay in what was then called Flat bottomed boats. the prin- -cipal use of which was to transport men and military stores - from place to place. There is a circum- -stance that remains very fresh in my memory namely at the time I was requested to deliver up my gun to Capt. Richard Updikes after the Cessation of hostilities. I felt a great reluctance she had been in my posses- -sion for many years but she belonged to the State and was branded with the figure of an Anchor on the breech of her stock and I had carved the initials of my name thereon. The Artillery company was furnished with small arms to use occasionally the lightest of which was selected for me on account of my youth. But I did retain some Memorials of the Revolutionary War. among which is a Cartridge box

Box out of which cartridges for one of the North Kingston Company pieces of Artillery was used for the first celebration of the Declaration of the Independence of the United States of America, soon after it was announced on the fourth of July 1776. I was a busy lad at that time and have retained the Old Cartridge Box with some other war like weapons ever since make a point of exhibiting to the youth occasionally with some Reminiscences of the Revolution particularly on the Anniversary of the fourth of July One thousand seven hundred and seventy six. I resided in North-Kington at the time I was called into service and now reside He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and declaring that his Name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State. I have no recollection of more than three of the soldiers of said Artillery company now living and that they reside at a considerable distance, and far advanced in years, and the Officers died many years ago.
Daniel Eldridge Updike

88 th Samuel Burge a clergyman Residing in North-Kington in the County of Washington then Benjamin Smith residing in said Town Hearby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Eldredge Updike who has subscribed and sworn to the pre- going declaration that we believe him to be fifty seven years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion Samuel Burge Rector of the First Church North-Kington Benjamin Smith Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Con. Reynolds Atty
Clerks Office Court of Probate - North-Kington March 12 th 1833
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that after the Investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution, and served as he states. - And the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Burge who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in said North-Kington - And Benjamin Smith who has also signed the same is a resident in said North-Kington and is

is a Credible Person, And that their Statements are entitled to Credit. —
Jonathan Reynolds Clerk of said Court of Probate for the Town of North Kingston do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the appli- cation of Daniel Oldfield for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 11 th day of March 1833.
Jon. Reynolds Clerk

The deposition of Anna Wall, widow of North King- -town in the county of Washington & State of Rhode Island re widow after being duly cautioned and engaged to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth — Testifies and says that some time in the year seven - hundred & seventyfive I moved in the chambers of the house of Capt Richard Updike in North Kingstown, and lived there until the close of the Revolutionary war, Captain Richard Updike commanded the Artillery company during the revolution- ary war that Daniel B Updike of said North King- -town was attached to the Artillery company commanded by said Capt Richard Updike and served in said company from about the 14th of December 1776 until the close of the Revolutionary war, and was constantly engaged as a soldier in said company while the British was in possession of Newport Rhode Island which was two years and nine months or over, and after the British evacuated Newport which I think was in 1779--- Mr Updike served in said company on alarms and other occasions as much as three months or more I the deponent am in my 75 th year and upon Daniel B Updike to be as much as 68 years of age I have always been acquainted with the said Daniel B Updike from his youth to the present time and know that his character for truth and veracity is good
Anna Wall
Washington D. C. in North Kingstown on the 12 day of March 1833. Then the foregoing deponent Anna Wall appeared before me and submitted the foregoing deposition in my presence and made

made solemn oath to the truth of the same, said deposition was reduced to writing by me in the presence of the deponents. The character of the deponents for truth and veracity is good John Hall Justice Peace
Washington for Clerk of the Court of Probate, for the County of Northampton.
I Jonathan Reynolds Esq., Clerk of the Court of Probate, for and County of Northampton, in the County of Washington. My commission as Clerk of the said Court, and my commission, the annexed Commission and title and commission, was on the 12th day of March 1895, one of the Justices of the Peace, for the said County of Northampton, legally chosen, commissioned and qualified. That the signature hereunto affixed is his proper signature and is his own hand writing, and that full power of attorney ought to be given thereto - Jonathan Reynolds, which said Jonathan Reynolds Esq., and after the seal of said Court, this 20th day of March, in the year 1895.
Yours, Francis R. R.

Rhode Island 27.092 27.092
Daniel E. Updike
Washington Co in the State of R.I. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Updike of the _____ commanded by _____ in the R.I. line for 2 years. Artillery
1
Inscribed on the Roll of as the rate of 96 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Jan y 1834 and sent to Claimant North Kingston Washington Co. R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 1833. $ 240.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar 34 . . . 48
$288
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clk Book E, Vol. 2, Page 13
Order suspending payment & inter suspension 11 April 1835

Appendix to my letter to the Honorable Secretary of War April 20 th 1833.
Respected Sir,
I have been informed that there is a gentleman employed in some Official station in the Office of the War department at the City of Washington by the name of Thomas Beal. I will recollect a young gentleman of that name who was a student in our Washington Academy some twenty eight years ago. He was the son of Cap t Lloyd Beal who commanded the United States fortifications & garrisons at Newport R. Island some 29 years ago. Cap t Beal and I was very intimately acquainted and we used to spend many agreeable hours together talking over old Revolutionary affairs. I think he told me he was quite a young man when he commenced service in the capacity of an Ensign in the Army. By frequent enquiries after he left Newport with his family that he did several years ago and that for several years previous to that sad event he had been promoted to a Majority in the United States Army. If the gentleman above mentioned is his son I think he will recollect me for he frequently visited my house and was intimate with my three sons who were his school mates. My wife has frequently affectionately enquired after Thomas for years past, his father in his visits to Wickford always honored me with a visit and often took lodgings in my house and a welcome guest he was. I solicit my respectful recollections to Mr. Beal if he is with you.
I am Honorable Sir,
With great respect,
Your Obedient servant
Daniel Eldridge Wadsworth
P.S. I recollect that some 18 or 20 months ago I took the liberty to transmit the President of the United States several letters that I received from the late Venerable William Ellery Esq. one of the signers of the Declaration of American Independence. from an idea that it would be gratifying to General Jackson to see the actual hand writing

of so distinguished a character as good old Mr Ellery. In one of those letters wrote not long after the declaration of our last war with great Britain may be seen that Mr Ellery was of opinion that I retained my old Revolutionary sentiments and that my pulse beat high for to maintain the rights and Independence of my country and that I was acquainted with Military Artillery service. I wish you would be so condescending as to cause of the President a perusal of said letters. and I think that General Jackson must have preserved it on account of the Venerable writer. Mr Ellery commenced both an Official and private correspondence with me nearly forty three years ago. and continued it until a short time before his death. There is frequent application to me from his surviving relations and others for the favor of my giving them some of those old letters by way of remembrance. They are generally wrote in a very familiar style. He was generally allowed to be a great letter writer as well as excellent draftsman in all legal documents - for a considerable number of years there was scarcely a week past us without an exchange of letters and often more frequent. It used to be said that I was a favorite of the Immortal
Washington For He appointed me to several responsible Offices after the State of Rhode-Island adopted the Federal Constitution and I never made any application myself or solicited any other person to apply for me for an office. None of General Washingtons commissions out of great respect & profound veneration for the memory of that Great and good Man I yet retain and intend to hand them down to my posterity. I beg your forgiveness for my much scribbling -
I am Hon ble Sir with the great respect As your Obedient servant - Daniel Eldridge

P.S. Perhaps the honorable Secretary of War may think it rather strange that my application for a Pension should be delayed for so great a length of time - I will explain it. I did go to North Kingston last October for the purpose of applying to the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Rhode Island. and but a very short time previous to my arrival with Robert Eldred Esq. the court unexpectedly adjourned. At Kingston the Hon ble Dated Pearce Representative in Congress met me and after the customary salutations Mr. Pearce said to me I expect your business is to make application to obtain a Pension I replied it was. He said I was a little too late for the court had adjourned - said it would gratify him to see my application I agreed to it willingly after he perused it asked him if he was of opinion that the application embraced all that was required he answered yes. and the one I now find is copied from it. The Court of Probate for North Kingston had not met until recently. and I waited until March last before I learned that the court was furnished with a seal.
I am with great respect
Your Obedient servant
Daniel Eldridge Updike
Heckford May 1 st 1833
Honorable. Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
City of Washington.

Wickford. Rhode-Island. April 30. to 1833.
To the honorable Lewis Cass Secretary of the United States (Department of War)
Respected Sir.
Herewith inclosed I transmit you my application for a Pension as a Revolutionary soldier, with a variety of documents in order to elucidate the justness of my claim. after the perusal of which I flatter myself that your honor will be of opinion that they are sufficient to entitle me to the full bounty of my beloved country by virtue of an Act of the Congress of the United States passed June 7 th 1832. By looking over journal of the receipts from the soldiers of the Artillery company you will find that the privates were paid at the rate of fifteen dollars per month for a considerable time, said company was allowed much larger wages than other private soldiers enlisted in the Revolutionary War.
John Hall Esq. President of the town council & court of probate of the town of North Kingston the magistrate who took the deposition of Mrs. Anna Hall informed me that it was necessary for me to inform you that there had been transmitted to the office of the War department of the U. States a certificate from the Secretary of the State of Rhode-Island that I (Mr. Hall) was chosen by the Legislature of said State to the office of a Justice of the Peace for the town of North-Kingston and duly qualified to execute said office. Perhaps you may a little admire that a person so young as I was should engage in the service of my country. I will just state to you that there was some who to my knowledge as young or younger than I was among which was Mr. Benjamin Peck now of Providence who entered the Army at ten years of age he is now only sixty four years old. and has had the benefit of a Pension for several years past as a Revolutionary soldier. And my wife's youngest brother the late Capt. John Hall engaged in the State service Rhode-Island brigade where he was scarcely eleven years old, and his name now stands on the books of the claimants for depreciation of money of the state troops in either Col. Lippitt's or Topham's Regiments or in both. He had four older brothers all officers in the same service which probably was one great inducement for him to follow them. Now Sir, I will inform you some of the principal causes which excited a spirit for the Military in me. Firstly when a child I was always very attentive to hear my Venerable ancestors relate long stories which had been related to them by their parents about the old Narragansett Indian War in the memorable years 1675 & 1676. and much about the Garrison owned & supported by my ancestor Richard Smith who was the founder of the Narragansett

country and particular friend of good old Roger Williams - part of that old garrison is now occupied as a dwelling house by Capt. Joseph Congdon, it was the place of my fathers residence in his juvenile years. There is a large grave or pit near the house in which was burned the remains of more than forty Englishmen who was killed in the great Swamp fight December 1676 among which was Richard Updike one of my great grandfathers (Capt. Ledowick Updikes brothers. The estate has remained in the Updike family until within about twenty five years ago - When I was young I with my other relatives used to make a point of visiting that grave. There was an old Apple tree stood over it, and it was always called the grave apple tree. My grandfathers Sisters (who lived to a great age) used to tell me that their father told them that the tree was set there to prevent a suspicion of the Indians that it was a grave, being apprehensive that they would secretly dig up the dead bodies and burn them. My great grand father Capt. Ledowick Updike with his three brothers Vizt. Richard, James, and Daniel, was all young men actively engaged in that desperate Savage War. Richard Smith was their uncle their mother was his sister and he having no children He gave in his will my great grand father this estate as well as about eight miles square of his other large Domains. Also He provided largely for his other numerous relatives and friends out of his extensive other lands in Rhode- Island & Massachusetts - There is mention made of him in many parts of Trumbulls history of Connecticut pub- lished many years ago - He was Chief Judge of the Narra- ganset country and was also called Major Smith (a title he bore in old England) and by which appellation he goes to this day - And being remarkably fond of reading from my early youth I had the perusal of what is called Churchs history of the Indian War published more than sixty years ago, there I found mention made of the distinguished activity of the young Eldridges, at the time Governor Winthrop were all of Massachusetts was at Major Smiths garrison December 1676 - One of those young Eldri- dges was the father of my fathers mother his name was Daniel Eldridge and afterwards a Captain and Magistrate in the Colony of Rhode-Island. He died about 107 years ago and it used to be to me very gratifying to read the inscription respecting his good character on his grave stone, and indeed I have a great Veneration for the old Eldridge burying ground to

to this day. And to fan all these traditions my father's relations of his adventures in the French war of 1756, and the exploits of his brother my uncle Cap t Daniel Updike and stories told me by many others of his distinguished conduct as master of a number of privates in that war, and always spoken of as a gentleman of great merit. He perished at sea in a Brigantine Privateer of 14 guns in the Autumn of the year 1759. My father being so fond of reading gave me all the books & papers that he had which were his brother Daniel's among which are a number of his sea journals which I keep to this day. He was a great Antigua -Vard- After this the Gaspe Schooner (a British cutter or what then was called a tender to the British Squadron which lay in the harbor of Newport) was burned in the summer of 1772. which caused a great excitement my juvenile ears was wide open to hear all the conversation I could on the subject. I have an old song in manuscript by me which was composed on the occasion, and it used to be publicly sung after hostilities had commenced in our Revolutionary War. In the latter part of the year 1774 there was a great spirit for learning the Military Exercise. I used to follow in order to learn with something to imitate a gun, observed all their words of command and motions, made great proficiency in that old fashioned exercise. early in the spring of 1775. (before the battle of Lexington) there was what was called a general or Regimental training I got in preparation to attend it, my father to gratify me had what was called a wooden gun made by a Cabinet maker which was so well executed as to form a good imitation of a gun by shape and colouring - I appeared with the Regiment exercised with them and perform- -ed to the admiration of all beholders. and it has been frequently said since that the zeal of such a youth had a tendency to stimulate many of riper years to come forward in the cause of their country. Soon after these movements other youths follow- -ed after me. A company of boys about 30 in number was formed was formed and altho' the greater part were older than I was yet they appointed me Captain and accosted by that appellation by all my company, as well as grandly and respectfully by all the gentlemen living of that day. Military habi- -liments was prepared for me some of which I retained for many years afterwards. This was very flattering to a boy. Our company used to keep up almost daily military exercises and parading about the streets of Updikes Newtown (now Wickford) and occasionally march miles out of the Village to exhibit ourselves. Early in January 1776 the raising of an Artillery company was authorized by the

the Legislature or general Assembly of Rhode-Island on the appointment of Capt. Richard Updike who was chosen to Command the company in North Kingston it was soon filled up by voluntary enlistments. frequent exercises of the field pieces was practised, for which duty the Officers and men had a very moderate daily pay allowed them. My attention was turned to those exercises as well as those of my juvenile company, and about the time the British took possession of Newport voluntarily attached myself to said company after which I became acquainted with many of the Officers in the Continental line Army and before I was sixteen years old it was very strenuously urged to have me recommended to be appointed an Ensign in the Continental line but my father did not approve of it said my youth did not admit the propriety of such an Office. As there is frequent mention made of Capt. Richard Updike I have no hesitation in saying he was my honored father who died in February 1805. and if now living would be about 100 103 years old. I was his eldest child and the only one of his children living - Thus respected Sir, I have exposed the gamut of an old man, who in former years possessed competent property but from a variety of circumstances incident to human life is now reduced to great want, poverty and distress and with my wife who was sixty eight years of age on the first day of last March wholly dependent for the necessaries of life from the charity of our friends and relations. I beg your favorings for my poverty the case is of a very serious nature.
I am with great respect Honorable Sir!
Your Obedient servant
Daniel Eldridge Updike

Revolution 22027 INVALID.
File No. 22027
Daniel E. Spedike
Pr. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 428
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Wickford R.I. December 9 th 1833.
Honorable Sir,
Herewith I transmit you my application for a Pension as a Soldier of the Revolutionary War - which was returned to me by Mr. Benjamin Beal under date of the War Department July 25 th 1833 - for amendment - which also accompanies the Original application. Could I have anticipated many years ago that the Congress of the United States would ever have passed an Act similar to that of June 1832. I should have taken the evidences of many of my fellow soldiers, who are now in their graves fully testifying to my Military services and great but youthful zeal in the cause of my beloved Country during the Revolutionary War. But there are several now living who have heard those old Veterans relate circumstances of my activity during the arduous struggle for American Independence. I should now obtain more depositions to prove by tradition my services but the several persons are so differently scattered and I myself a cripple and destitute of pecuniary means to travel abroad that they are omitted concaving that what has already been obtained will convince the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions that my Claims are real and well founded for a Pension to the full extent as a member of the North Kingston Artillery company commanded by the late Capt. Richard Updike whose commission was transmitted with my application per letter of April 30 th 1833. also sundry original documents showing that said Artillery company was actually engaged in defence of our common country in the time of the Revolutionary War and an hard and arduous struggle we had.
With great respect
I am Sir -
Your Obedient servant -
Daniel Eldridge Updike
James L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions

Please inform Mr. Benjamin Beal that I have received his return'd communication respecting himself and family and intend to write him a long letter to be sent by the hands of the Honble. Albert C. Greene Attorney General of the State of Rhode-Island when he goes note Washington City next month.
Yours with great respect. D. E. Updegraff

FREE.
J. J. Edwards Esq.
Common of Pleas
City of Washington

Sir
Wickford North Kingstown April 7-1835
I Received your Letter of the 27 ultimo and have observed its contents and in Reply will inform you that I Due Not feel my Self Otherwise to Due the Bishops you Requair. I Did Expect Some Person would be authorised to Inquire into those Caises and only Went to Give you the information that I Did. and I Believe in this Caise it would be proper to Othwise Some one that is Unacquainted with the information and I See No Necessity of their Knowing Who Gave the information = I will inform you what course to Pursue Relative to the Caise = the town Clarke If properly employed To Could Give A certified certificate from the State sendles Relative To the Appointment of the melisha officers. and Daniel E. Upsdike Would testify Relative to his Resignation. and Some Other account of his services If he Did any. and Like wise Something Relative to Mr Upsdike this Relates to Thomas =
as to Mr Upsdike I heard William Brown say that he heard Mr Upsdike say two or three years ago that he never Did one weeks Service in the Revolutionary war. which he would be Bound to testify If he was Legally called on. I have heard It Said that the Church Records would show his Age. and I heard Daniel E. Upsdike say that he made himself older than he was. I Never have changed A word with those persons Since I Gave you the first information. If Dute J. Pearce or John Hall was Legally appointed they would find the facts It is very convenient for Mr Pearce to come Up hear = William Wollaway the surveyor would be A proper person If empowered you Could Direct the person appointed who to call on for the Evidences Above mentioned without mentioning My Name as No person in this town Does suspects me so I Due Not wish to be None in the Caise = I Give the Name of those Persons. that you may Now whe air to Direct them that I might Not be called in question. this is A small village and I Don't want to be None It I am yours with Due Respect H on L L Edwards Comm r of Pensions Robert Clavell

P.S. I Expected that all the petitions would be stoped and that Congress would Prescribe some proper course of Investigation But as they have Done Nothing About it I presume there is No authority to Due any thing. and the pensions will be paid. I have mentioned three suitable Persons to Due the business Mr. Neollaway is the most suitable man and I have No Doubt But he has heard more of the talk than I have. for it has Bin tolked by Every one all most in the town, whoever is appointed must be Clothed with Authority to Compel the attendance of witnesses or they will Not attend I suppose
Very Respectfully your Obedient Servant
Robert Elara
Mr. L. L. Edwards Comr of Pensions City of Washington
On Due Consideration If you should think proper to Appoint Me with authority to Inquair into these cases. I will procure the Witnesses. and forward them to you please to state If it will be proper to have the adverse party Present as I Did Consider it My Duty to Give the information I Did and Had Nothing against the Persons —
R. Elara

I Benjamin Smith of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, am Sixty Nine years of Age nearly. During the Revolutionary War, I knew Anna Wall, the now the Widow of Daniel Wall, her husband, was then living and she with her family lived, in the Chamber she lived with her Uncle Richard Childs, who then live in the Chamber of Richard Updegraff, in North, her character for truth, has always been good, and she has for a number of years, been a Member of the Graker Meeting. I then understood during the war from people who did duty, and have since been an understand, that the said Daniel Wall, belonged to the Artiller Company, of North Kingston, and did duty in the same during the War. Her character for truth has always been good and beyond reproach. Benjamin Smith
Washington Isd - In North Kingston.
December 22 1833. Personally appeared before me, the above subscibed, Benjamin Smith, and after being sworn, duly examined, conturred and sworn, made oath to the truth of the annexed Deposition, which was then read to him, in his presence, and by him, signed in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Benjamin Smith is well known to me, and that his character for truth is good.
Yhester G. Sherman Justice of the Peace

Washington Jc - In North Kingston -
November 23 d 1833.
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned Chester G. Newman, a justice of the Peace for said Town of North Kingston. Daniel E Whitaker Esq of said North Kingston, whose name is hereto subscribed, who being duly sworn deposes and saith, that by reason of his age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the manner herein stated. In December 1776, he entered as a Private into the Company of Artillery, called the North Kingston Artillery, of which Richard Whitaker was Captain and Gideon Davenport First Lieut, he was then short of twelve years of age, and although not liable by law, to do military duty, he voluntarily entered said Company, as a Private and subjected himself to do duty in said Company as such, being moved by the love of country and the enthusiasm, in the cause of American liberty, which at that time, pervaded all ranks, ages and sexes, and by an early fondness for military exercises. It was not then unusual for young men, not of age, to do duty by law, to volunteer in the cause of their country, and it was thought, that the zeal and ardor, which they thus displayed, had a great effect upon the minds of those, that were older. His Father being captain of the Company,

applied to his endorsement, and was thought he might be of some service to him, in the keeping of the accounts of the Company, making letters of exchange, making cartouches &c. - The Company was quartered at Wickham and the larger part of the Company was kept there through the War, but there were frequent drafts of from the Company of privates, to serve in other places, during the War. He served as a private in said Company, from the time he entered the same, until the end of the war in 1783, during all this time he was in actual service, under arms, and under the command of his superior Officer, and in the garrison or head quarters of the Company at Wickham where the Company was stationed to guard the same, and also to be in readiness to mount whenever there should be an alarm, or a landing of the Enemy, which was at times the case, as is stated in his Declaration. During all this time, he was constantly engaged on duty, standing guard, making cartouches, going express &c - in obedience to the command of his superior Officer, and not engaged in any civil pursuit or occupation, any part of the time. He states in his Declaration, that he was served two and a half years or more, as he was told, that he only had to state a service of two years, to entitle him to a pension, and that there was no necessity of stating any more service. And for this service he claims a Pension - Richard Worley was Captain of the Company, all the time and Gideon Davenport continued Lieut - until the year 1780 or 81 and James Moore then came in Lieut
Daniel Eldridge Wrdike Washington Co - Pa November 26 th - 1833.
Carnegie assured me, the value

Subscribed Daniel Eldridge Woodside, and after being me, duly examined, sworn and sworn, sworn made out, to the truth of the annexed Affidavit, which was by me, reduced to writing, in his presence, and by him subscribed in my presence. And I further certify, that the said Daniel Eldridge Woodside is well known to me, that he is charactered for truth and veracity, is good and unimpeachable, and said Affidavit, is entitled to full and unqualified credit -
Sylvester G. Sherman Justice of the Peace
Washington Co. - Clerk's Office of Court of Oyer and terminer for the Town of North Hington, in the County of Washington.
I, Jonathan Reynolds, undersigned, clerk and officer of the court of O.P. & T. for the Town of North Hington, do hereby certify, that the Sylvester G. Sherman Esq., before whom the annexed Affidavit of Daniel E. Woodside and Deposition of Benjamin Smith, were taken and sworn to, is one of the Justices of the Peace, for the said Town of North Hington, legally chosen, commissioned and qualified, as the law requires. That the signatures hereto affixed are his signatures, in his own hand writing. And that full faith and credit ought to be given to said signatures, and to all his official acts - In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this second day of December, in the year 1833 -
Wm. Reynolds Atty.