Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27,447, for Luther Martin, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
RS
Martin, Luther
W 27447
Elizabeth
CONTENTS

Let to S. Randall June 15. 1838.
2076 Rhode Island
Elizabeth Martin
widow of Luther Martin decd.
who died on the 10 August 1799 of Bristol Co in the State of R. Island who was a 2nd Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain Bowditch of the Regt. commanded by _____ in the R. I. Gd. time for 3 months Private } 4 " Ensign }
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 50 Dollars ~ Cents, per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of May 1838 and sent Hon. Mr. G. Knight Senate N. E.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1838 $357.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept. " 28.00 $385.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3. }
Recorded by Abel Atkinson Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2. Page 94

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 & Providence Plantations. County of Bristol ss.
On this seventeenth day of September 1836. 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 and holding its Sessions in each county in said state, Elizabeth Martin, a resident of Barrington in the aforesaid county of Bristol, aged Eighty one 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 4 - 1836: That she is the widow of Luther Martin, late of said Barrington deceased, who was an Officer in the company of Artillery, raised in said Barrington, as she understood, by order of the General Assembly of this state, in the year Seventeen hundred Seventy six, for the defence of the state against the enemy, in the War of the Revolution: That according to the best of her knowledge or belief the said company of Artillery was raised as above named and for the aforesaid purpose; That said company was commanded by Capt. Samuel Bowworth, and that her said husband the said Luther Martin was the Ensign of said company; That her said husband continued in the same company in the same capacity, and in the same service during the said War of the Revolution; That her said husband at the time he his said husband entered the service aforesaid he resided in said Barrington; - That her said husband had an Ensigns Commission from Governor Nicholas Cook, that she had in her possession said

Commission for many years after the death of her said husband; but that she is now unable to find it, and verily believes it is lost and destroyed: That she is unable to point out all the services of her said husband, as to time and place, but knows he was absent from home a great part of the time during the War of the Revolution; and that she then understood and believed he was in the service of the state, as an officer in said company against the enemy and that she now believes that that was the occasion of his absence from his family; That she understood and believed at the time, that her said husband was a part of the time after Seventeen hundred Seventy Six, during the War, on duty on Rhode Island in this state; and that he was frequently on duty in guarding the shore in said Barringtown, at the time that Cornwallis's fleet lay in the bay and at other times before and afterwards and that she verily believes her said husband served in all, more than two years.
She further declares that she was married to said Luther Martin in November seventeen hundred Seventy five, that her husband the aforesaid Luther Martin, died on the tenth day of August seventeen hundred Ninety Nine, and that she has never since that period been married to any person but has remained a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof documents annexed;— And she further declares that her maiden name was Elizabeth Henshaw, that she was married by Solomon Townsend pastor the church in said Barringtown and that she is the identical person named in the copy of the record of

marriage, certified and attested by John Tyler Town Clerk of said Town of Barrington. hereto annexed.
Elizabeth Martin
On this seventeenth day of September A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty six, as aforesaid, the above and aforewritten declaration was sworn to and subscribed by the above named Elizabeth Martin, before me, the subscriber. And I hereby certify, that the said Elizabeth Martin, the above named applicant, cannot from bodily infirmity attend before any Court of Record in said County of Bristol to make her declaration. And I further certify that it is satisfactorily proved to me by credible witnesses, that said Elizabeth Martin is a credible person and her declaration is entitled to credit.
Levi Prile Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Luther Martin & Elizabeth Humphrey was married. November 16 th 1775.
a true copy of the record. John Tyler Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Town Clerks Office
Barrington Sept. 17 th 1836.
I John Tyler of Barrington on Oath do testify & say that I am the Town Clerk of said Town of Barrington legally appointed and duly engaged as such, that the laws of this State require all marriages to be recorded, in the Town Clerks Office of each Town and that the foregoing is a true copy of the records of the marriages of Luther Martin & Elizabeth Humphrey above named.
John Tyler
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bristol ss. in Warren October 14 1836. Then the above named John Tyler town clerk of said Town of Barrington personally appearing before me the subscriber, being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed in my presence. And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted

with said John Tyler, & know him to be the town clerk of said town of Barrington, & that his statements as such are entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice Peace.
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations County of Bristol ss. Clerk's Office Supreme Judicial Court I Greenwood Reynolds Clerk of said court. for said county of Bristol do hereby certify that Dea. Haili is a Justice of the Superior Judicial Court, duly appointed by the General Assembly, and commissioned by Governor of this State and is fully authorized to act in his said capacity, and that the signature of his name written under the certificate of declaration of Elizabeth Martin hereto annexed is his genuine signature.
And I further certify that Samuel Randall is a Justice of the Peace for said county of Bristol duly qualified to act in said Office, and that his signature at the bottom of the certificate to John Tyler as Town Clerk of Barrington and the deposition of Joshua Bicknell is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Bristol this first day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty six.
Greenwood Reynolds Clerk

V Application of Elizabeth Martin a/ Barrington R.R. for Pension
No 502
3. sec. Married 1775 died 1799
Allow 4 mo Exs 40 3 " fr 10 Ann. $ 50 per no deduction R J Miller Comp Bosworth
Sta MR Knapp U S S

I Joshua Bicknell of Barrington, in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations on oath do testify & say that I am Seventy seven years of age and more, that I was personally acquainted with Luther Martin late of said Barrington, deceased, the husband of Elizabeth Martin of said Barrington, who is now living and has remained the wid as aforesaid Luther Martin ever since his decease which took place about thirty six or seven years ago.
In the year Seventeen hundred Seventy Six, an Artillery Company was raised in said Barrington consisting of fourteen men, I enlisted into said company company in January of that year, Samuel Burworth was capt. of this company and said Luther Martin was the Ensign of said company, I remained in service in that company until the following May when I enlisted into Col. Crary's Regiment. The said company of Artillery remained in service, until the British left Newport in Seventeen hundred Seventy Nine. The said Luther Martin continued an officer in said Artillery company, while I remained in it and I have no doubt continued his services in said company until November or December Seventeen hundred Seventy Nine. The said period when the British left Rhode Island my impression is that this company were in actual service about half the time.
Joshua Bicknell
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Bristol ss. in Warren, Sept 12th 1836.
Then the above named Joshua Bicknell, 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 I am well acquainted with said Joshua Bicknell & that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice Peace.
Application of Elizabeth Martin of Barningham R.G. for Pension
No 502
3. Sec.
Marmal 1775
deed 1799
Allow
4 mo Es 40
3 fr
Ann. \frac{16}{50} per
No deduction
R. J. Miller
Copy Approved
Rev. Mr. Knapp U.S.S.

No. 4

I Ambrose Martin of Barrington in the county of Bristol State of Rhode Island, on solemn Oath do testify & say that, I am, in my fifty fourth year of my age - that Luther Martin late of Barrington deceased was my father, that Elizabeth Martin the widow of Luther Martin, and who has made application for a Pension under the act of Congress of July 4 th 1836, is my mother.
I further testify that I have frequently seen an Ensign's Commission belonging to my said father, which Commission is , I firmly believe is lost - I always understood that Commission was one my father held & served under in the time of the Revolutionary War. My father has been dead nearly forty years. I saw that Commission seven or eight years ago, the last that I can recollect of seeing it, I have not seen it since that time, but I have seen it many times before. I have frequently heard my mother the said Elizabeth, relate the transactions during the War of the Revolution, and name the places where my father went as a soldier - to wit, to Roxbury, Newport, Providence, Bristol and in guarding the shores in Barrington, that he sometimes would come home, from a tour & would have to start again on the alarm gun being fired. Ambrose Martin
State of Rhode Island
Bristol ss. in Warrenton, April 23 d 1835. Then the above named Ambrose Martin, personally appearing before me the Subscriber, and being sworn according to law, made oath to the truth of the afore going deposition to which he subscribed his name, in my presence; and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said Ambrose Martin & that he is a credible person and his statements entitled to credit.
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island &c } Clerk, Office Supreme Judicial Court Bristol County ss } April 24. D 1838
I Greenwood Heywood Clerk of said Court for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Samuel Randall before whom the deposition of Ambro Martin purports to have been taken is a Justice of the peace for said County 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 hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court; the day and year above written.
Greenwood Heywood Clerk

W.3. 27447
R. 9
Luther Martin.
A printed copy of an Act passed by the General Assembly of the Colony of R. I. and Providence Plantations on June 28 1775 giving lists of towns and names of minute men drafted therefrom has been removed from this case and locked up in the Record div for safe-keeping
M.73. H. June 7. 1911

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 afore-written 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 Provi- dence, this sixteenth twenty eighth day of September April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- four eight and of Independence the fifty ninth 62 d
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy.

State of Rhode Island &c.
Secretary's office April 28. A D 1838.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State held on the first Wednesday in May last, Christopher Smith was elected one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Bristol and George F. Mann a Justice of the Peace for the City of Providence, each for one year. That at the session on the third Monday of June last, Benjamin Medbury was elected Justice of the Peace for the town of Barrington in said County of Bristol for and until the first Wednesday of May then next: and they have been severally commissioned accordingly, as appears of record.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy

W-5
W-5

State of Rhode Island & and Providence Plantations.
In Council of War.
April 10 th 1778.
Whereas the Times of the Troops from the States of the Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut hath expired, by which means the Shores in this State will be left very destitute, and exposed to the Ravages of the Enemy, and whereas the Honorable Major-General Spencer hath recommended, that such Part of the Militia within this State may be called forth as may be sufficient for the Purpose aforesaid; It is therefore Voted and Resolved, That Charles Dyne Esqr; Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kings-County, and John Waterman Esqr; Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent, immediately call forth that Quarter Part of the Militia and Alarm Men in their respective Regiments, who are next in Turn to do Duty; and that Jabez Bowen Esqr; Colonel of the First Regiment of Militia for the County of Providence, immediately call forth One Quarter Part of the Militia and Alarm Men in the Town of Providence; that the Men so called forth be entitled to the same Bounty and Allowances, as are by Law allowed to the Militia of this State when called forth into actual Service, that they continue in Service Fifteen Days from the Time of their entering on Duty, unless sooner discharged, and that they be stationed at such Places within this State, as General Spencer shall direct.
It is further Voted and Resolved That it be and hereby is recommended to the Towns of Warren and Barrington immediately to place, and keep up, in each of said Towns a Sergeants Guard of twelve Men, agreeable to an Act of the General Assembly.
And it is further Voted and Resolved That Copies of this Resolve be immediately transmitted by the Clerk of this Council

Council, to General Spencer, to the Colonels of said Regiments, and to the Town Clerks of Warren and Barrington.
A True Copy duly examined..
Witness, William Mumford Clk.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10
Ms. A. 9. 2. 10

No. 3.

State of New York — Saratoga County ss — Second, December Twenty 4 th 1838
The undersigned Isaac Armstrong personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the following affidavit to and subscribed his name in my presence. I hereby certify that Luther Martin formerly a resident of Rensselaer in Rensselaer was an Ensign under Capt Demons as a minute company and lived on the island of Providence but cannot recollect how long —
Subscribed & sworn before me this 4 th day of February 1838 Edward Edwards Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Isaac Armstrong and that he is a credible person and his statements are entitled to credit.
Edward Edwards Justice of the Peace
STATE OF NEW-YORK, Saratoga County Clerk's Office, } ss.
I, Alpheus Goodrich , Clerk of the county of Saratoga, Do Certify , That Edward Edwards , before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed
to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of Office, the 5 th day of February 1838
Alpheus Goodrich Clerk

No. 1

Colony of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
In General Assembly January session A D 1776. It is voted and Resolved, That there be an Artillery Company to consist of Fourteen Men each including officers, raised in each of the following Towns, to wit: Providence, Warwick, Cranston, East Greenwich, North Kingston, South Kingston, Jamestown, Charlestown, Westerly, Warren, Bristol, Barrington, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton, Newport, and Middletown: That each of said towns be supplied at the charge of the Colony, with two three or four pound Field Pieces on carriages, with other appurtenances. (excepting the towns of Providence, East Greenwich, North Kingston and Newport, which are already supplied: That the said Companies meet half a day in every week to exercise the Cannon, and be allowed one shilling lawful money for their time each half day: And when they are called upon to march out to action, to be allowed the same wages as the other Artillery Companies: that the Officers on exercising days be allowed as follows: The Captain two shillings and sixpence, and the Lieutenants two shillings lawful money per half day, which Officers are to be chosen by the respective towns; that the several towns proceed to choose the Officers, and the Officers enlist the men immediately: that an Ammunition Cart be provided for each town: And that the Committee of Safety for each County be directed to see that each of the towns be provided with Cannon be agreeable to this vote.
True copy of record - Witness Henry Bowen Secy.

colony of Rhode Island &c.
In General Assembly March session A 1776.
It is voted and Resolved, That the several officers appointed to the Companies of Artillery pursuant to an act of the General Assembly passed at January session last establishing artillery companies in several towns in this colony, be commissioned by his Honor the Governor in the usual manner, and that their commissions bear date at the time of their appointment.
true copy of record - witness
Henry Bowen Secy.

J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner Pensions

Warren B.R. April 23 rd 1838
Sir.
In the Fall of 1836 I forwarded the Deposition of Elizabeth Martin, widow of Luther Martin of Barrington, deceased, with the Deposition of Judge Bicknell as to his services. — In November following I received from you, notice that the papers were received and placed on file. And that violence of his Commission and of the Authority under which Capt. Barworth's Company of Artillery were raised, &c. and that if the Company was a part of the Militia, Each tour however short should be detached, &c. &c.
All other persons belonging to or intimate with said Martin Luther at that period were either dead or moved, many years ago, into the country, whose place of residence, if living, cannot be ascertained. Judge Bicknell said to me
When I took Judge Bicknell's Deposition I was not familiar with the & rules of the Department, and consequently was not particular to ask the deponent if he could point out each tour &c. as I have since learned was required. And on enquiry of him as to those points required, he told me he thought he could — in part but not near the whole because he did not hesitate to say — that Martin must have served a considerable portion of the time of the years 1776-7-8-9

and would give a second Disposition - Not having obtained answers from them in the country where we were in hopes of obtaining evidence, we did not hurry to get Judge Buckner, & it was neglected until it was forever too late - he having died very suddenly.
I have with I enclose a copy of the act of the General Assembly authorizing the raising of that Company, from the Secretaries of State. & to show that there actually was such a Company The Commission of Samuel Barworth as Captain of that Company is sent
Third - Deposition of Isaac Brinske which shows that Martin was in the service, - but does not show how long nor when, but I did not think it worth while to send it back for the necessary specifications of dates. &c.
The fourth is a Sepia-toned photograph of a man, likely Martin, which shows the existence of one of his Enigma's Commission - ion No. of his father's Letter to Martin. The out of our General Secret, W. L. G. ordering a guard to be kept up in Barington and Warrenton. No 1778.
to be kept up in Banning an act of General Assembly June 1775, in which Luther Martin was then appointed to to enlist induct some Judge Becknell whose deposition you have, in this application, always said that Mrs. Martin was much entitled to a Pension as being one in Banning town who had obtained one. But that it was impossible to point out "each period & length, where stationed & wounded" and that this was not done in his and their cases all which are on file in your office. — Judge Becknell

lived in same town with Martin during the war but did not serve at all times in the same company or place with him, but knew to a certainty that he served a great deal, - but exactly when , exactly where & when, he cannot say except in particular services when he & Martin served together, like the tour to Providence named in his Disputation.
Now, Sir, If I am not mistaken in Judge Bicknell's Disputation, he does particularize about 7 months services, naming time & place affairs omitting nothing but " ration & pay ".
I hope therefore as Judge Bicknell is dead, and as he was and is the only witness living who was personally knowing to Mr Martin's services, and cannot now be questioned as to particularism required, that a pension will be granted if not more than for 7 months. altho' it undoubtedly ought to be 24. She is on the last stages of Probation, has been all winter apparently near the grave having experienced two paralytic shocks during the last winter.
Very respectfully your obedient Servant Solomon Randall
J. L. Edwards Esq

June 14 to
WARREN R. I. JUNE
Eliz: Martin R. d. wife
2076
Free
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Warren R.I. June 9 th 1838
Sir,
Among the papers sent to you as evidence in the application of Elizabeth Martin for a Pension, was the Commission of Samuel Barworth, as Capt of the Artillery Company. This Commission was borrowed of the family and left with me - not with an intention to have it sent to Washington. This was not distinctly understood by me and wishing every corroborating circumstance as to the actual existence of that Artillery Company, I enclosed it with the other papers. It being no part of the evidence in that case, will you have the goodness to return it to me so that it may be returned to the family from which it was borrowed, and oblige
Respectfully
your afft Servt
Samuel Randall
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Ps. The Pension Certificate in the foregoing case was forwarded to Benjamin Cowell of Providence . This circumstance is sufficient to satisfy a Woman , that he alone obtained the Pension & that, as a matter of course, my services were magnatory and of no use to her, and of course merit no compensation. The Cowell - same here or

other and for some reason or other, has obtained a reputation of obtaining Pensions where & where no one else can.
If, however, in this case, the Pension was granted exclusively or principally on the evi- -dence furnished by him, I wish you so to state, if you please. —
Very Respectfully S. Randall

Luther Martin W 27447

RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Marion B. Hudson.
Claim No. _____
Certificate No. _____
Claimant _____
Soldier Samuel Bosworth
Service Captain, Rev. War.
Additional Service. _____
No. _____ claim, State records _____, 191____
No claim, combination records _____, 191____
REMARKS:
No O. M. J. O. W. W. or rejected as above except Samuel Bosworth W. J. 12 315 - not identical - a Private.

Rey
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 27.447
Elizabeth Martin
wid of
Lathan Martin
Insign Rev. war
Act July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol 00 , Page 18
[Arrangement of 1870.]

By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esquire, Govr. or Captain General and Commander in Chief, of and over the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America.
To Samuel Bosworth. Gentleman. ————— Greeting.
Whereas for the Preservation of the Rights and Liberties of the good People of this Colony, and the other Colonies in America, the General Assembly at the Session held at Providence on the Second Monday in January 1776 Artillery Companies to be established in sundry Towns in this Colony; and whereas you the said Samuel Bosworth are Captain of the Artillery Company in the Town of Barrington in the County of Bristol in the Colony aforesaid; you are hereby in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said Colony, authorized empowered and commissioned, and exercise the Office of Captain of and over the Company aforesaid; and to command guide and conduct the same or any Part thereof. And in case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command or any Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith to the utmost of your Skill and Ability you are to Resist Expel Kill and Destroy them, in Order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions, Directions and Orders, as shall from Time to Time be given forth, either by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council, or other your Superior Officers. And for your so doing, this Commission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the said Colony, the Twelfth Day of February in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-six.
Nich d Cooke
By his Honor's Command.
Henry Ward

W m Elizabeth Martin In ab
escorted by
J. P. Knight
Hon. N. R. Knight Senate

State of Rhode Island &c.
January Session 1776
It is voted and resolved that there be an Artillery Company, to consist of fourteen men, each including Officers, raised in each of the following towns Artillery to wit; Providence, Warwick, Cranston, East Greenwich Companies North Kingston, South Kingston, Jamestown, to be established Westerly Warren Bristol, Barrington, Glisted in Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton, Newport the towns and Middletown; that each of said towns be supplied at the charge of the colony, with two three or four pound field pieces on carriages with other Appurtenances excepting the towns of Providence, East Greenwich, North Kingston and Newport which are already supplied; that the said companies meet Half a day in every week, to exercise the cannon and be allowed one Shilling lawful Money for their time each Half day; and when they are called upon to march out to action, to be allowed the same wages as the other Artillery Companies; that the Officers on exercising days be allowed as follows, the Captain two Shillings and Sixpence, and the Lieutenant, two Shillings lawful money per Half day which Officers are to be chosen by the respective towns that the several towns proceed to choose the Officers and the Officers enlist the men immediately; that an Ammunition Cart be provided for each town; and that the committee of Safety for each County be directed to see that each of the towns be provided with Cannon be agreeable to this vote.
March Session 1776
It is voted and resolved that the several Officers appointed to the Companies of Artillery, pursuant to an act of the General Assembly passed at the January session last, establishing Artillery Companies in several towns in this colony be commissioned by his Honor the Governor in the usual manner and that their commissions bear date at the time of their appointment. True copy - witness Henry Bowen Secy

Town Clerk's Office
Barrington Dec r 23 1837
I testify that I cannot find any of the proceedings of said Town on any Book containing the record of such proceedings. prior to the Month of June A.D. 1777. that said said Town was incorporated in the year 1770. Nor is there any record of the Appointment of Luther Martin, as an officer in the Artillery, to be found, between the above years - or before or since.
John Dyer Town Clerk
Bristol Se
For Barrington December 23 d 1837
Sworn to & Subscribed before me by the above named John Dyer known to me as a credible witness & town clerk of said town
Chas. Smith Justice of the Court of Common Pleas -

I Joshua Bicknell, of Barrington, in the County of Bristol, being now 78 years of age & almost 79 and oaths do testify & say, that I was well acquainted with Luther Martin, formerly of said town & the husband of Elizabeth Martin now his widow I well remember said Luther & during the war of the Revolution, in the year 1775, he & I both belonged to Thomas M c Lean Company & in Col o Miller's regiment, Solomon Peck & George Salisbury were sergeants, in said Company, our first service was in November, of said year, At that time, Capt o Wallace of a British Vessel infested our waters & shortly afterwards burnt the houses in Providence & Cranston Islands we both were privates at that time in said Company & were in actual service through the Months of December January & February we served three Months at least in actual service, at this time for which we were paid & received rations, In January 1777 I enlisted as a private into an artillery company raised in said Barrington pursuant to a law of the State, when I enlisted, Samuel Banneth was Captain, Nathaniel Heath Lieutenant & said Luther Martin was ensign, said Company was then stationed at Nagent Point I continued to serve in it until May following when I enlisted in Col o Crary's regiment said Luther had belong to said Company for some time before I joined it and I left him in it,

we served at this time together, four months said Luther being the ensign and I have no doubt he did duty in it during all the year 1777 at Barrington & Bristol.
I Chris o Smith of Barrington in the County of Bristol and one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do certify and say that some time last Fall, Benjamin Powell Esq of Providence, came to my house in Barrington and gave me a paper purporting to be an affidavit of Joshua Bicknell for Miss Elizabeth Martin and requested me to write it off correctly and go to Judge Bicknell and get his attestation - Said Powell observed that he had just come from his house and had taken down in writing what said Bicknell remembered of Luther Martin's services in the Revolutionary war, and that the paper contained the fact on what he remembered, I told said Powell I would attend to it, I took the paper (and the preceding is a true copy of it) and I intended to have gone to Judge Bicknell for the purpose of having it sworn to, in a few days But Judge Bicknell was taken sick and died quite suddenly, so that I did not get the business done, then returned the paper to said Powell Chris o Smith

Barrington April the 18 th 1838
Then personally appeared the within named Christopher Smith and made solemn oath to the within deposition before me.
Benj r Medbury Justice Peace
And I furthermore certify that the s d Christopher Smith is a near neighbour to me & that I have known him well for many years last past & that he is a man of truth and veracity & that his testimony is entitled to full faith & credit as well in as out of court.
Benj r Medbury Justice Peace
John Martin

I Benjamin Cowee of the City of Providence do depose & say that sometime late in last Autumn a son of Mrs Elizabeth Martin widow of Luther Martin formerly of Barrington applied to me to assist his mother in obtaining her pension under the late act of Congress observing at the same time that Mr Rendell of Warren had undertaken but had not been successful I told him I had no objection if Mr Rendell was willing & that the next time I went to Barrington I would call on Judge Bicknell & ask him about his father's services as I should place great reliance upon what he saw Accordingly about two or three weeks after this conversation on returning home one day from Warren I called on Judge Bicknell at his house & asked him if he remembered Luther Martin & his services, he replied he remembered him very well & also some of his services I then asked him if he was willing to give his affidavit he replied he was perfectly willing to give his affidavit of what he remembered. I then took down in writing the annexed memorandum from his own words respecting said Martin's services. 808

After it was written down I read it to him he said it was correct & was willing & ready to attest to it. I told him I would call on Judge Smith & request him to write it over again & then come to his house & get his signature & attestation after he should again examine it, My reason for wanting to have it rewritten was that it was taken down by me in a loose & disconnected manner. By inspection it will appear that the first Eleven lines to the word "first" are in connexion with what is on the other side of the paper. It is intended to be read "our first service was in November" &c - I left the memorandum with Judge Smith requested him to write it off correctly & go to Judge Bicknell & have it duly attested to in due form and he informed he would & send it up to Providence in a few days. I then returned home but never heard any thing more about it, until after Judge Bicknell's death, when Judge Smith returned the paper to me & it is hereto annexed
Benja Lucee
State of Rhode Island &c
Providence S.C. Subscribed and sworn to before me the subscriber and I the subscriber do certify that I am personally acquainted with said Cavelle and that full faith and credit are due to his statements. March 29. 1838. Before me Geo F Mann Jus. Peace

I Joshua Bicknell of Bournemouth in the County of Bristol being now 78 years of age & I do hereby do hereby do hereby do hereby do hereby do hereby acquainted with Luther Martin formerly of said Town & the husband of Elizabeth Martin now his widow I well remember said Luther during the war of the Rebe- llion, in the year 1875. he & I both belonged to Thomas Allen Company in Col. Middlesex regiment. Solomon Peak & Geyer's Battery were engaged in said Company and first
in January 1877 I enlisted into an artillery Company raised in said Bournemouth pur- suant to a law of the State, when I enlisted Barnesville was Captain. Between Heath Lindstrom & Luther Martin said was ensign said Company was then stationed at Hays Point. I continued to serve until May following when I participated in Col. Irons' Regiment. said Luther had belonged to said Company for sometime before I joined it and I left him in it we served at this time together four months said Luther being the ensign and I have no doubt he did duty in it during all the year 1877. at Bournemouth & Bristol

Service was in November of said year At that time Capt Waller of a British Vessel infested our waters & shortly afterwards burnt the houses on Prudencu Island & Llanoniant Islands, we both were pri- soners at that time in said company and were in actual service through the Months of November December Jany & February; we served three months at least in actual service  at that time for which we were paid & need return,
This Paper referred to in the foregoing Passing Preceding affidavit was Annexed by me G F Dean Jus. Peace

Town Clerk's Office
Barnstable Dec r 23 d 1887
I certify that I cannot find any of the proceedings of said Town on any Book containing the record of such proceedings. prior to the month of June A.D. 1777. that said said Town was incorporated in the year 1770, nor is there any record of the appointment of Luther Martin, as an officer in the Artillery, to be found, between the above years - or before or since.
John Dyer Town Clerk
Bristol ss
On Barnstable December 23 d 1887
I, John Dyer, Subscribed before me by the above named John Dyer known to me as a credible witness & town clerk of said town
Chas. Smith Justice of the Court of Common Pleas -

No 6
For
2 Nathaniel Marlow Esq.
Colonel of the Regiment in the County of Bristol
241
Sturminster Newton
Guilford Martin M.T. 27/4/77 K.S.

At the GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the GOVERNOR and COMPANY of the English Colony of Rhode-Island , and Providence Plantations , in New-England , in America , begun and holden, in Consequence of Warrants issued by his Honor the DEPUTY-GOVERNOR, at Providence , within and for the Colony aforesaid, on Wednesday , the Twenty-eighth Day of June , in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-five, and Fifteenth of the Reign of His Most Sacred Majesty, GEORGE the Third, by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britain, &c.
An ACT for inlisting One Fourth Part of the MILITIA of the Colony, as MINUTE-MEN. B E it Enacted by this General Assembly, and by the Authority thereof it is Enacted, That One Quarter Part of the Militia of this Colony be inlisted as Minute-Men, to meet together, and exercise themselves in military Discipline, Half a Day, Once in every Fortnight: And that the following Persons be, and hereby are, appointed in the several Towns to inlist them, to wit:
Newport . The Captains of the several Companies of Militia. Providence . Messieurs John Demont, and Nathaniel Frothingham. Portsmouth . Mr. Burrington Anthony. Warwick . Messieurs Malachi Linnicket, Euben Wightman, and Thomas Rice (Son of Thomas). Westerly . Messieurs George Sheffield, Benjamin Hull, and Joseph Stillman. New-Shoreham . The Captain of the Company of Militia. North-Kingstown . Messieurs Charles Tillinghast, Jonathan Vaughan, and Ezekiel Gardner, jun. South-Kingstown . Messieurs Peleg Babcock, and John Wait. East-Greenwich . Messieurs Allen Johnston, and William Arnold. Jamestown . The Captain of the Company of Militia. S m Edd. Messieurs Andrew Waterman, Luke Arnold, and Peleg Arnold, and Peleg Arnold. Glocester . Messieurs John Wells, Gideon Burgefs, Aaron Winsor, and Samuel Mayes. Charlestown . Messieurs Augustus Stanton, and Beriah Lewis. West-Greenwich . Messieurs Eleazar Carr, Jeremiah Austin, and John Mathewson, jun. Coventry . Messieurs Archibald Kesson, Yevertion Wait, Stutely Hudson, and Benjamin Greene. Exeter . Mr. George Pierce. Middletown . The Captain of the Company of Militia. Bristol . Mr. Benjamin Bosworth. Tiverton . Messieurs Joseph Almy, and Pardon Cooke. Little-Compton . Mr. Peres Richmond. Warren . Mr. William Barton. Cumberland . Messieurs Elsha Waterman, and Elias Philbrook. Richmond . Mr. Simeon Clarke, jun. Cranston . Messieurs Andrew Harris, William Potter, and the Captain of the Third Company. Hopkinton . Messieurs Thomas Wells (the Third) and Oliver Davis. Johnston . Messieurs William Hawkins, and Joseph Waterman. North-Providence . Mr. Job Olney. Barrington . Mr. Luther Martin.)
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That in case any of the Persons hereby appointed shall refuse to serve, the Deputies of the several Towns to which they belong be, and they hereby are, empowered to appoint others in their Stead.
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the following be the Form of the Inlistment for the said Minute-Men, to wit:
Colony of Rhode-Island , &c.
WE the Subscribers voluntarily inlist ourselves to serve as Minute-Men, in the Service of this Colony, to be under the immediate Command of our superior Officers, and subject to the Law of this Colony for regulating the Minute-Men.
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Persons who are hereby appointed to inlist the said Minute-Men, return the Names of the Persons they shall so inlist unto the Deputies who live within their respective Regiments: That the said Deputies, or the major Part of them, be, and hereby are, empowered to form them into Companies, each to consist of as many Men as they shall think proper and direct, and also to appoint Officers over them: And that they return the Names of the Officers they shall appoint to his Honor the Deputy-Governor, to be commissioned by the Secretary, in the same Manner that the other Officers have been commissioned.
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Minute Men march for the Defence of the Colony, when and as often as they shall be called upon by the Colonel of the Regiment to which they respectively belong: And that the Lieutenant-General and Major-General of the Colony be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to march them out of the Colony, whenever they, or either of them, shall think it necessary.
And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the following Wages be allowed and paid out of the General-Treasury to the said Officers and Men, to wit: For every Time they shall meet and exercise, each Captain shall receive Two Shillings and Six Pence Lawful Money; each Lieutenant and Ensign Two Shillings Lawful Money; and each other Person One Shilling Lawful Money; and when they march for the Defence of the Colony, or out of the Colony, each Captain shall receive Six Shillings Lawful Money per Day; each Lieutenant Five Shillings Lawful Money per Day; each Ensign Four Shillings Lawful Money per Day; and each other Person Three Shillings Lawful Money per Day; and shall also be billeted at the Charge of the Colony: And that the Commanding Officer make his Return once a Month to the Committee of Safety, and draw the Money.
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the several Independent Companies in this Colony, or such of them as shall think proper, form themselves into Companies of Minute-Men, under the same Regulation and Command as above mentioned, and exercise and do Duty in the same Manner; and that they receive the same Pay and Allowance.
AND be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the Secretary, as soon as may be, transmit Copies of this Act to the several Sheriffs in the Colony, who are hereby directed to forward them by the first safe Hands to the Persons appointed to inlist the said Minute-Men in their respective Counties.
A true Copy, duly examined:
W I T N E S S,
Henry Ward Ledy