Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 13,645, for Thomas Low, Rhode Island

SERVICE
Navy R.I.
Low, Thomas Molly
NUMBER
W.13.645
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 553.
Molly Low widow of Thomas Low
who died in the year 1780 of in the State of R.I.
who was a pri. Midshipman in the by Captain [blank] of the R.I. commanded by R.I. in the and Navy line for 14 mo pri 10. " Midshipman
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 106 Dollars 66 Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of March 1837 and sent to Mrs. D. J. Pearce
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 30. 586 68 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 mar. 37. 53. 33
Rep 22. Mar. 6.
$589.96
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 }
Recorded by Geo. Wm. Bruns Clerk, Book A. Vol. 1 Page 110

I Rebeckah Allen now resident in the City of Providence being now 78 years of age on oath do testify & say that Molly Low of said Providence who has applied for a pension is my sister. her name was Molly Allen before she married Thomas Low. And I further testify that it has always been un- =derstood that her husband died in Charle- =ston South Carolina about the year 1780 when that City was taken = I well remem- ber a man by the name of Cyril Bowen of Rehoboth who is now dead, told me he saw him sick in the Hospital at that time & he was so sick with the fever that the Doctor said he could not live, and I believe he did die at the time; And I further testify that Thomas Low was a man very fond of his family & very af- =fectionate to his wife & it is impossible to believe that if he had lived he would not have written after he got well immediately, if he did not come home but from that time to the present nothing has ever been heard from him and there has never been any doubt of his death among his rel- =atives and friends - I believe he died

in the Hospital, was put in there among the rest of the prisoners, when Charleston was taken, & there died this has always been my belief & that of my sister There is now no one living that I know of who can tell any thing more about it than I have in this affidavit. Rebeckah her Allen mark attest Berya Laurell
Providence November 19 1836.
I known to & subscribed before me and I further testify that said deponent is a credible witness - she made her mark not being able to write from infirmity & palsy in her hands -
Berya Laurell C. J. C. C. S. has

I Ephraim Bowen of Wansick in the County of Kent being now 83 years of age on oath do testify & say that I have been acquainted with Mary Law an ap- -plicant for a pension over forty years, more than forty years ago she lived in my family some of five years, she was then a widow, & had been a widow for many years. I knew her husband Thomas Law when a boy, but was not much acquainted with him afterwards, but always understood he was dead. She has always sustained a good charac- ter, ever since I knew her, I have not the least doubt, her husband died as she has stated.
Ephraim Bowen
Providence
In the City of Providence Decm 9 th 1836 Sworn to & subscribed before me and I further certify said deponent is a very respectable man & a fill witness
Buy a Law ill G. J. C. Mear

Molly Law
No. 492 Molly Law 3. S.C. widow of Thomas.
Admitted
Private of Infantry 14 mo Midshipman 10 " 24 -
Hon. D. J. Pearce

State of Rhode Island &c
County of Providence &c
On this th 27 day of September A.D. 1836 personally appeared in open Court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence in said County Molly Low a resident in said City aged 75 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 of the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the widow of Thomas Low who was a private & Midshipman in the war of the Revolution from the beginning until his death at the fall & capture of Charlestown in May 1780. That in May 1775 he enlisted as a private in Capt. Simon Thayers Company & Col. Hitchcocks regiment for eight months & went to Roxbury near Boston that he served in said Company until September when he enlisted out of it to go to Canada under Col. Benedict Arnold this Corps marched through the woods of Maine to Quebec before which City they arrived after extreme suffering. That in the attack which was made December 31st 1775 upon this City by General Montgomery at the time he was killed. her said husband as well as the whole Corps of Col. Arnold were taken prisoners & after their attempt to escape were put in irons. The particulars of said attack are contained in an old Newspaper hereto annexed. That her said husband never got home until the latter end of the year 1776 having been absent about eighteen months In the above services he was a private. That in the winter of 1778 he entered on board the Frigate Providence a vessel of war of the United States then lying in Providence & bound on a voyage to France & under the Command of Abraham Whipple Esq. that in the spring of said year they set sail & fought their way through the British fleet then in possession of the harbour of Newport & went to France & from thence returned to the United States & arrived in Boston in or about November of said year. as to his services between this & siege & capture of Charleston South Carolina in May 1780 she has no particular recollection but he was in said siege & was taken sick & died about that time as she has understood & believes altho she knows not the particular day or month. That she was married in Rehoboth Massachusetts she was married on the third day of December A.D. 1776 as appears by the Certificate of the Town Clerk hereto annexed but according to her own recollection she

was married in February 1775 before her husband went into the service. She well remembers of receiving letters from her husband while in Canada, but they are lost she has reason to think that some mistake has taken place in the recording of her marriage. That her husband, the said Thomas, died at Charleston in 1780 as aforementioned. That she has remained a widow ever since that period where she requests that the pension which would have belonged to her said husband if living under the act of June 7, 1832 may be granted to her.
Molly Low
Municipal Court of the City of Pawtucket, Sept 27 th 1836. Subscribed & sworn to by said Molly Low, in open Court. Albert G. Greene Clerk
In attestation whereof, and also in attestation that the said Molly Low is a credible person, and that her statement is entitled to credit, the said Court have caused their Seal to be hereunto affixed, on the day and year first above written.
Albert G. Greene, Clerk.

I John Warne of Wilmington in the County of Kent being now 77 years of age on oath do testify & say that I was Luke Gurnee on board the Frigate Providence from the time she sailed from Providence in the month Spring of 1778 until she was captured at the surrender of Charleston South Carolina in May 1780. And I further testify that I well remember Thomas Law a Midshipman on board - According to my best recollection he entered when we first sailed for France & was with us & served in that capacity during the voyage to France & back to the United States we arrived in Boston in November And I think he was with us until the the capture of the Frigate but of this I am not certain - I

remember well, he was in Cohasset at the time said City surrendered, was taken pris- -oner this I well remember I knew him well but whether he was then a Midshipman I cannot say but I well remember he served in that capacity during the first cruise of about Eleven months.
John. Barnes.
State of Rhode Island & went he at Warwick this 4 th day of Oct r 1836. Sworn to and subscribed before me and I further certify that he is a creditable witness.
Before me Wm B Spencer Just Peace

I Joseph Wheaton of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachu- setts. being now 83 years of age on oath do certify & say that in the beginning of the revolutionary war. in the year 1775 I was intimately acquainted with Thomas Low the husband of Mary Low now resident in the City of Providence & now the widow of said Thomas - In said year 1775 I was in Captain John Perrys Company stationed at Roxbury near Boston and I very well remember that said Thomas Low was in Capt Simon Thayer Company of Rhode Island Troops I saw him fre- quently while that company was stationed at Jamaica Plains & at Cambridge - After the eight months service expired I remember said Captain Thayer entered a company to march to Canada through the woods in State of Maine to Quebec I remember perfectly well that Thomas Low volunteered to go with him & did go with him & was taken prisoner & it was about

a year from that time before he got home he was taken prisoner while he was scaling the walls of Quebec at the time General Montgomery was killed. This he told me after his return home. He was a private I think in Capt Thayer Company — said Thomas was an intimate acquaintance of mine & I well remember the above facts. I also testify that said Thomas Lane was mar- ried in the early part of the year 1775 to the woman who is now his widow he was married before any of the above services. I knew him & his wife both & was acquainted with them & knew about the time they were married altho I was not at the wedding
Joseph Wheaton
Providence
In Providence Sept 7 th 1836
I sworn & subscribed before me and I further certify said Joseph is a credible witness in the premises
Benjamin Russell Esq. C.C. Mass

I Amey Allen of Providence in the County of Providence & State of Rhode Island vs do solemnly affirm, that I was acquainted with Thomas Low who was the husband of Mary Low now of this City, That the said Thomas Low entered the Army of the Revolution during the first year of the war that he served with in the Company now commanded by Capt Simeon Thayer, who was afterwards promoted to the office of Major or General I do not recollect which, he was after the war a resident of this City -
Mary Low is my Sister - Thomas Low, went in said Company to in the expedition against Luebeck, I believe under the com- -mand of Gen. Benedict Arnold, but I do not recollect distinctly who was the com- -manding General he was absent 8 or 9 months & further this affiant saith not.
Amey Allen mark
Providence ss In the City & County of Providence this eighteenth day of August Then Amey Allen subscribed the above in my presence & made Oath to the truth of the same before me,
Joseph Ashford Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the said Amey Allen is a credible Witness. Joseph Ashford Justice of the Peace

I William Potter of Cranston in the County of Providence being now 85 years of age on oath do testify & say that in the year 1775 I was appointed & commissioned as a Lieutenant in Capt Simson Thayers Company & Col Hitchcock regiment of Rhode Island Troops & served eight months in said Company - And I further testify that Thomas Law, was a private in said Company & served out his time after the term of service expired we came home but Capt Thayer enlisted a Company & went to Canada & was taken prisoner - I do not remember whether said Law went with him or not but think it probable as he did not return home with us - During our eight months we

we were stationed at Prospect Hill near Boston. William Potter
Providence Sept 7 th 1836
Personally appeared before the above named William Potter & made oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the preceding deposition by him signed & I further certify that said William is well known to me & he is a credible witness
Benjamin L. Russell Esq. C.C. Mass

Recd of Lilib Abel Bryan for Justice fees 17 Making oaths & affidavits 33 50 —

Town Clerk's office Rehoboth September 16 th 1836 I certify that it appears from the Records in this town that Thomas Low was Married to Molly Allen on the third day of December A.D. 1776 duly examined by me Cyrus M c Wheaton Town Clerk
Bristol Js -
In Rehoboth Sept 17 th 1836
Personally appeared before me the above named Cyrus M c Wheaton, known to me as Town Clerk of Rehoboth & made oath that the above certificate is correct - Before me James Bliss Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that James Bliss Esq: whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six - J. Sprout

for Molly Lou
Mehoboth Will M
Sept 17
6
Mrs Mary A Godfrey
Care of Shaw & Earle
Providence R.I.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office Oct. 15. A D 1836.
I certify that at the session of the General assembly of said State on the first Wednesday of May last, Benjamin Gove was elected Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Providence; and William B. Spencer a Justice of the Peace for the town of Warwick in the County of Kent - each for one year.
That at the session on the third Monday of June last Joseph A Scott was elected a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence, until the first Wednesday of May next - and they have been severally commissioned accordingly, as appears of record in this office.
The signature "Benja Gove" is genuine - with the hand writing of William B Spencer and Joseph A Scott, I am not acquainted.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN " to the aforewritten attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire , who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid , duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this  fifteenth  day of October  in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-  Six  and of Independence the sixty-  first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Thomas Low a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. W. File 13645
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     May 75 18 mos. Pri Simeon Thayer volunteered for Canada under Col. Benedict Arnold and was captured at Quebec, Dec. 31. 75 Hitchcock R. I.   Winter 78 Midshipman Abraham Whipple ship "Providence"   was captured in the siege of Charleston S.C., where he was taken sick and died May 1780.  
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, Sept. 27, 1836 - Allendale
Residence at date of application, Providence, R. I.
Age at date of application, 78
Remarks: Soldier's widow Molly (Allen) Low stated that they were married in Feby. 1775 but the copy of Rehoboth Town Records shows "Thomas Low was mar. to Molly Allen Dec. 3, 1776."

Thomas Low, W. File 13,645
The "Old Newspaper" containing particulars of the attack upon Quebec, Canada, Dec. 31, 1775, alleged to have been attached to the widow's declaration, Sept. 27, 1836, is not on file with the papers in this case.
J. S. Chamberlain
Dec. 1, 1909.
Adison

Sir
Providence Dec 21 1836
In answer to yours of 16. With respecting the claim of Molly Low widow of Thomas I have to state. that further testimony has been obtained & is herewith enclosed as to the death of her husband. As will be seen, it is a case, where positive proof as to his death from eye witnesses is impossible. He was taken prisoner put into a Hospital & died among strangers. - a great distance from his home & more than fifty years ago. Under such circumstances I hope the proof will be satisfactory —
I am respectfully Your obed Servt Rosa Carroll
J L Edwards Esq

William R Staples of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, on solemn affirmation do depose & say -
That I have been acquainted with Molly Low now an applicant for a pension for upwards of thirty years - that I at- tended a school kept by her more than thirty years since - that she has always within my recollection, been reputed to be a widow & has bore a good character - I should put implicit confidence in any statement she might make -
W. R. Staples.
Providence.
In the City of Providence Dec 19 1836
Personally appeared before me the above named William R Staples, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island made affirmation to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed
Bryant Lowell 6.7.66 Pres

Wm Lloyd Jones
Hon D. J. Pearce House of Reps Washington
Miss M. Davis

Providence Feb 13 1857
Dr Sir
About three months since I forwarded to the Pension office the application of Molly Low widow of Thomas Low for a pension, who had rendered various & important services in the Revolutionary war. He was with Montgomery when he fell at the attack on Lee's Creek & subsequently after his return from his imprisonment & after having served several years on board the Frigate Providence, he was taken prisoner at the fall of Charleston in May 1780 when that City was taken & when he was taken sick & died - No objection was made as to his services as appears by Mr Edwards letter of Nov 16. 1816. but some further testimony was wanted as to his death which testimony was furnished & sent

to the Pension office since while nothing has been heard from it - Mrs Law is a very respectable woman but in indigent circumstances & her pension would be a great relief - May I ask of you to call at the Pension office & make some enquiries respecting it & hasten it if it can be done conveniently -
I am respectfully yours sincerely Benjamin Lowell
Hon D F Hovee

R. Island Molly Low widow of Thomas dup.?
See letter to Ben. Cowell
16. Nov. 1835

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo M. Moore
Claim No. No. 24, 1909.
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Thomas Low
Service _____ Rev
Additional Service _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 190_____
No claim, combination records _____, 190_____
REMARKS:
In O. M. S. M. or R. as above except I. F. 40946 M. F. 13645

no envelope
JBB
Essex
541 South St.
Brooklyn Nov 19 '09
the Pension Office.
I have be advised to write for infor- mation in regard to one Thomas Dow! I think born Rehoboth-Mass. - and a private in the War of the Revolution - now I have been told that his widow Mary Allen - received a pension would you send me the

Record of Thomas Love's service! when he was born &c. in fact- full particulars.
Very respectfully.
Catherine DuBois.

Mel
R.D.
1896 Apr 9 paid Gen Jas Shaw Providence 1909 Dec. 1 History to Catherine DeBoria
R.D.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
No. 13645
Molly Low widow of Thomas Low Pris + wid Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index: Vol. a , Page 442
[Arrangement of 1870.]