Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17782, Amos Williams, R. I.

SERVICE
R. J.
Williams, Amos
NUMBER
S-17782
carded
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing.

Feb 16, 1836.
4287.
Rhode Island
Amos Williams
of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the reg t commanded by Col West in the R.I. line for 6 mos 15 d s
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. as the rate of 21 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Jan y 1833 and S r J. S. Smith A. Atwell, Treasurer R.I.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $32.49 Semi-ann. allowance ending 21 Mar 33 10.83
$43.32
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. S. Blair Clerk Book D - Vol. 3 rd Page 140.

No 13.446.
Amos Williams
Private
6 Mos. & 15 days
aka
$21.66
Sam l G. Atwell Esq. Gloucester R.I.

BRIEF in the case of  Amos Williams of the County of Providence  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Judge 2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  bodily infirmity 3. How old is he? 83 years 4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     In 1776 Decr. — 1 — Drafted Officers not recollected   "77 Janry Substitute 1 for Charles Potter — ditto Col. West, Capt. Davis   " Febry ditto 1 for Christopher Colwell — ditto Same Officers   " March — 1 — drafted Same Company, Capt. Hananden   " July — 1 — ditto Same Company, Ensign Smith   "78 Augt. — 1 — ditto Same   "80 June — — 15 ditto Col. Brown, Lt. Collins  
5. In what battles was he engaged? none 6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Foster 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Deposition & tradition 8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  No clergyman in the neighbourhood
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

Application for Mrs. Williams Pension
13.446
Yule

TO THE HON. LEWIS CASS
SECRETARY OF WAR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HUMBLY REPRESENTS
Amos Williams
of Gloster in the County of PROVIDENCE, State of RHODE ISLAND; that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as will appear by the annexed doc- uments. He therefore requests that a pension may be granted to him in conformity with the provi- sions of an Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, entitled "an Act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of certain Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution"
As and in duty bound will ever pray.
Amos Williams by his atty Sam l G. Hunt
Please address me at Gloster R.I.
S. G. Hunt

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations County of Providence sc.
In Gloucester this 5 th day of September 1832 before me Ira D. Evans a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County reading in said Gloucester personally appeared Amos Williams a resident of said Gloucester in said County aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, I (the said declarant was born in Johnston in said County on the 13 th day of August 1749. I have no record of my age. I lived in Foster in said County when first called into service, since the revolution. I have lived in Foster & in said Gloucester & live in said Gloucester now. In December 1776 I was drafted as a Soldier in a Company of Militia belonging to said Foster then called Scituate & was marched to Bristol R.I. where we were stationed one month . I do not recollect the names of my Company or regimental officers. We were called out in consequence of the British having taken possession of Newport R.I. In January 1777 I went as a substitute for Charles Potter in Capt Jeremiah Davis Company Col West Regiment R.I. militia & was stationed at Warwick R.I. one month . In February same year I went as a substitute for Christopher Colburn in the same Company & was stationed at the same place one month . In March same year I was drafted in the same Company & was stationed at said Warwick one month , I was placed under the command of Capt Simonds Warden

The militia of Rhode Island were at this time arranged in three divisions & relieved each other monthly. I served as before stated three months in succession at Warwick R.I. In July 1777 I was drafted in same Company and was stationed at said Warwick under Ensign Cyril Smith one month. In August 1778 I was drafted in the same Company I believe & joined the troops under Genl Sullivan. I was in the first division. We went over Howland's ferry onto Rhode Island. We lay at Butts hill during the storm which was very severe. Afterwards we marched down to Whittins plain where we remained until a few days before the battle when I was discharged my time being out. I served at this time about one month. In June 1780 I was drafted in Lieut Thomas Collins company Col Chas Brown's Regiment R.I. militia & was stationed at Providence R.I. 15 days. I served in the Rhode Island militia at several other times but do not recollect the particular with sufficient accuracy to enable me to give a detailed statement. While the British had possession of Newport R.I. some portion of the militia of this state were constantly under arms & I served my regular turn of duty in the same, I never received any written discharge & have no documentary evidence by which I can prove my service & I know of no living witness of the same. Hugh Gray Jeremiah Sweet William Cooke are persons who resided in my vicinity & who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension.

or annuity except the present I do declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. The above mentioned dates are as correct as I can remember
Annes Williams
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & Year aforesaid before me
Isaac P. Bacon Justice C. C. Pleas
We William Wade & William Cooke residing in Gloucester aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Annes Williams who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 83 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
William Cooke William Wade
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & Year aforesaid before me
Isaac P. Bacon Justice C. C. Pleas

And I the said Rev. P. Evans Justice of the Court of Common Pleas as aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And I further certify that it appears to me that William Wade & William Cooke who have signed the preceding certificate are innocent in said Gloucester & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit. I do further certify that no clergymen reside in the vicinity of said applicant & that said applicant is unable from bodily infirmity to attend the sitting of the Court which sits in Gloucester 19 miles from his place of residence. I further certify that the foregoing contains my original proceedings in the matter of the application of Rev. William for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Gloucester aforesaid this 5 th day of September 1832.
P. Evans Justice C. C. Hays

I William Wadsworth Glouster in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island being duly sworn on oath do testify & say that I well know Simon William Wadsworth Glouster - In August 1778 my Father was drafted as a Soldier to go in Genl Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island. & I went down to Providence being then a boy to bring back my Father's horse. I well remember seeing said William then as a Soldier in the Militia. He had a musket with a very heavy Stock. When he was asked if it did not tire him to carry it - he replied no, if the ball went thro the enemy, the Stock will.
William Wadsworth
Sept 5 th
State of Rhode Island &
Providence ss.
In Glouster this fifth day of September 1832 before me personally appeared William Wadsworth is well known to me (he being duly sworn on oath) says that the above deposition by him signed is just & true in all its parts. I further certify that the said William is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Boarn Justice C. C. Mass
Attest,

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that Keap  Evans is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed documents purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Evans ; and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evans
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this fifth day of September in the year of our Lord 1832
Wm R Watson
under the Command of Capt. Simon Wanamaker

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Amos Williams S. 17,782.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 1776 1 mo. Pvt. in a company of Scituate militia R.I.   , 1777 4 mos " (Jeremiah Davis 1st. "   (Simon Hawanden - "   Aug. 1778 1 mo. " ( - "   June 1780 15 das. " Lt. Thomas Collins Chad Brown "   Served at various other times in the R.I. militia  
Battles engaged in, in Gen. Sullivan's ex. to R.I.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Scituate (afterwards called Foster) Providence Co. R.I.
Date of application for pension, Sept. 5, 1832 - Cl. al.
Residence at date of application, Gloucester, Providence Co., R.I.
Age at date of application, b. Johnston, Providence Co., R.I. Aug. 13, 1749.
Remarks: d. Feb. 16, 1836. No family data
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

N o 13.445.
Amos Williams
Saml. Atwell Esqf.
Gloucester R.S.
Respectfully attending to the requirements of the foregoing request, in order to present such before the said Justices of the Peace, as may be necessary for the consideration of the same, and to enable the said Justices to form a correct opinion as to the propriety of the same being forwarded to the said Justices of the Peace, for their consideration and determination.
WHEREAS the said Amos Williams, of the County of Gloucester, Esquire, has been admitted to the freedom of the said Borough of Gloucester, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the office of Justice of the Peace, and has been admitted to the said office, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the said office, and has been admitted to the said office, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the said office.
WHEREAS the said Amos Williams, of the County of Gloucester, Esquire, has been admitted to the freedom of the said Borough of Gloucester, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the office of Justice of the Peace, and has been admitted to the said office, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the said office, and has been admitted to the said office, and has been sworn to the faithful discharge of the duties of the said office.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Amos Williams which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes,

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. †If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes,
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes in one case no in the other
XVI. ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

P
17782
INVALID.
1912 Mar. 13 - Hist. 45 Asahel J. Wright.
File No. 17782
Amos Williams
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 419
[Arrangement of 1870.]

255 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, Conn., March 7, 1912.
Dear Sir:
Please do me the favor to give me the the facts which are given in the application of Amos Williams, private, of Providence County, Rhode Island, who was placed upon the pension roll under date of Jan. 17, 1833, the pension commencing with March 4, 1831.
The information is wanted for genealogical purposes.
Yours truly,
Asahel J. Wright.
To The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
My MAR 9 - 1912 EW