Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38874, for Benjamin Jones, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I. Sea Service
Jones, Benjamin
S. 38874
CONTENTS
In 1825 aged 75 yrs & res. Providence R.I.

12-063 Rhode Island
Benjamin Jones
of Providence in the state of R. I. who was a Mariner, in the regiment Picket Gallery Colonel Cap! Clark of the U'S Navy line, for the term of 1 year R. I.
Inscribed on the Roll of R Island at the rate of - 8 - Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th of June 1811 and sent to James Burville Esq. Providence R. Island.
Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1819 11 mo 4/31 = 89. 3 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 6 Sep 1819 48,,
8/37.3
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Continued
1820 1822 1823 1824 1825 1826 1827 1828 1829 1830 1831 1832 1833 1834 1835 1836 1837 1838 1839 1840 1841 1842 1843 1844 1845 1846 1847 1848 1849 1850 1851 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1858 1859 1860 1861 1862 1863 1864 1865 1866 1867 1868 1869 1870 1871 1872 1873 1874 1875 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

I Benjamin Jones of Providence in the District of Rhode Island being above twenty three years of age on solemn oath do declare I say
That in the month of May A.D. 1779 I enlisted on board the picket Galley a vessel in the service of the United States commanded by Jeremiah Cook Esquire as a sailor for one year, In which service I continued during the time for which I enlisted, - I further declare that I received no regular discharge but served out my time understanding that no formal discharge was given, I further declare that I am now in reduced circumstances & stand in need of the assistance of my county according to the act of 1794/95. Benjamin Jones

Rhode Island District
Be it remembered that on the first day of April A.D. 1818 came before me the within named Benjamin Jones & made solemn oath to the truth of the declaration by him subscribed.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & here caused the seal of the District Court for said District to be hereunto affixed the day and year above written.
David Howell District Judge.
Providence April 1818
The signature seal of the District Judge & seal of the Court are hereunto affixed
Witness Benjamin Cawell Atty for Court.
Benjamin Jones,
Signature of

Benjamin Sturge
12,063
Sept. 1819
①
BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY
11, BEDFORD SQUARE, LONDON
1819

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Providence, sc.
District Court, Special Term, June Term A. D. 1820
On this Twelfth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of Record, within and for said District Benjamin Jones in said District County who being aged 75 years, residing in the town of Providence in said District County who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare, that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows:
That he served on board the Sagg Harbor under the command of Nathl Clarke upwards of Ten Months that he made a previous declaration on the first day of April 1818, and that he has received a certificate for a pension, being No. 12008 And I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the revolutionary war," passed on the eighteenth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen: that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Benjamin Jones
A SCHEDULE of Property and Income (necessary clothing and bedding excepted) of Benj m Jones
My 1 Old Desk, 6 old chairs, 1 Table, 6 Cups and Saucers, 1 Wheelbarrow, 1 Shovel, 1 Pair of Iron Pegs, a few planks planks and dishes, 1 pot 1 dish kettle, 1 Skillet, 1 Spider, 1 Chest, 1 Sled, etc, other than the above I have no property of any description whatever
And this declarant further saith, that he is by occupation a collector of Rags for Paper Mills, not being able through partial Blindness and Bodily infirmity, to do any thing else, that he is involved in debt for upwards of forty dollars that he has a wife who is sickly and unable to do but little, and one daughter who depends upon him for support that the profits of his business are not sufficient for his support and should his pension be taken away hitherto received be discontinued he would be dependent on the kindness and charity of others
Benjamin Jones
Rhode Island District District Court Sworn to and declared in open Court on the Twelfth day of June 1820 before David Howell District Judge
RHODE-ISLAND DISTRICT.
Clerk's Office of the District Court, A. D. 182
I, Benjamin Howell Clerk of said Court do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, and the schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is Twelve dollars and cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this Seventeenth day of July 1820
Benjamin Howell
Clerk of said Court.

May 28 96 recd peru to Chas H. George Providence R.I. J.W.C.
Invalid
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Navy
File No.
38874
Benjamin Jones
Marine
Picket Galley
Revolutionary
Act
March 18 1888
Index: Vol. _____, Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Providence June 11. 1819 J. L. Edwards Esq. Sir.
I return the papers in the case of Mr. Jones' application for a pension. He subscribed to the certificate in which Capt Clarke mentions a called Riley had in general no particular knowledge of his christian name. The name Riley was inadvertently introduced. From the Certificate of friend Coxen & of the other wit- nesses there can be no

doubt his name was Junius I consider the contradiction as a mere clerical error.
I have however had a new certificate added to his first which I hope will be satisfactory, & thus there will be no further objection to the poor fellow's pension.
I am with sentiments of esteem your obedt Servt
James Burrough

Benj a Cowell Esq re Clerk of the District Court of R. Island Dist Providence
H. Allen Letter

Providence Nov. 12, 1878
Sir
In answer to your enquiry respecting the men onboard the Pigot Gally in the waters of this State, in the Revolutionary, I am not able to give you any positive information on the subject, having no document relative to them. It strikes me forcibly, however, that the Sloop Ergo, which was commanded by Col Silas Galbot, ‡ (after his attempt to burn the British Ships in the North River,) was fitted by order of Congress, for the purpose of burning or taking the advanced Vessels of the Enemy in this State, and I always thought the Gallys were on the same footing. The exertions of this little State were very great in that war for Independence, having always about three times their proportional quota in the Service, it is peculiarly unfortunate that for the poor survivors of those distressing times, that they have no Officers Living, to assist them, the lives of the few now living are nearly spent out & I sincerely wish they could have some relief from Government, to cheer the decline of life.
I remain Respectfully
Yours &c
Gab l Alcm
Gen l Council Esq.
‡ Galbot was an officer in the U.S. Service.

Providence 17 Oct r 1818
Be it known that I have been well acquainted with Mr. Benj a Jones for more than Twenty years, he for the first part of the time living with his family under the same roof where I kept a shop, afterwards, he for about the space of Eleven years, collect Rags for me, so that in that way I traded with him to the amount of several Thousand Dollars, By the means he acquired a subsistence for himself & family, I at no time thought him to be worth a Hundred Dollars, He was industrious, and I never doubted his honesty, as he is now far advanced in life, and destitute of means for a subsistence I believe him to be one of those who is justly entitled to assistance from our country, Sam l Thurber
Providence R d State of Rhode Island I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Jones of Providence, and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his bounty for support
Providence October 17
Thomas Martin
We hereby certify that Mr Benjamin Jones of Providence is in reduced circumstances according to our best knowledge and belief. Oliver Hazard David Gould Rhode Island District.
Providence 22 February 1819.
I certify that the foregoing certificates of Samuel Thurber, Oliver Hazard and David Gould are worthy of entire credit. David Howell Dist d Judge Hon. Sergeant War.

United States of America.
RHODE-ISLAND, &c. &c.
By this Publick Instrument, be it known, and made manifest to whom the same doth or may concern, THAT on this Day, the Twenty sixth Day of October in the Year of Our LORD, One Thousand Eight Hundred and eighteen - before me, Benjamin B. Mumford , Publick Notary for the County of Newport, in the State of RHODE-ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS, duly Elect- ed, Commissioned, and Sworn, residing at Newport, within said County ; and au- thorized by Law, to administer Oaths and Affirmations, personally came, and appeared, Benjamin Cozzens - the person named in the annexed Affidavit, and signed the same in my presence, and being by me duly SWORN according to Law, upon his Solemn OATH, depose to the truth of the matter therein set forth : AND I, the said Notary do further Certify, that I am well acquainted with the said Benjamin Cozzens and from the knowledge I have of his character I verily believe full faith and credit are due to his Affidavit.
In faith whereof , I the said Notary, have hereunto affixed my  Notarial-Seal , at said Newport, the Day and Year above written.
Benj B Mumford

Newport J.C. I Benjamin Godfrey of Newport, in the county of Newport and State of Rhode Island and Prov- -idence Plantations, do hereby on solemn oath doth testify and say, that during the Revolutionary War of the United States of America, I was the first Lieutenant on board of the United States vessel, called the Pickett Sally, commanded by Jeremiah Clark esquire. - That during my continuance and service on board of her, which was upwards of fifteen months, I well recollect a Mr Benjamin Sony, who served on board of her, in the capacity as one of the hands or seamen - and that he served on board of said vessel in said capacity for nine months or more - and further the affiant saith not. - Bery. a 103 7/2/22

Application of Benja Jones for a pension
Adm d .
To be admitted when the contradiction of of the Captain's name is rectified. In the recommendation signed by W m Jones & others it is "Polly", in the declaration "Jeremiah"
Hon. James Burrill, Providence, R. I.

Benjamin Jones having stated to us that he served on board the Picket a Pigat Galley under the command of Capt. Beldg Clarke in this River while the British Troops were at Newport in the the Revolutionary War & that the said Galley was in the Bay of the United States
We from Personal Knowledge or from his general character recommend him as a Man of good moral standing. Industrious habits & economy of spending from his age of Poverty the Patronage of the Publick
Wm Jones
Brown Street.
Cyrus Butler
Amasa Mason
Randolph Chandler
the first name of Capt. Clarke, who commanded the Picket Galley, was Jeremiah & should have been so stated above —
Wm Jones
Brown Street.
Cyrus Butler
Randolph Chandler
Amasa Mason

I hereby certify that M c Benjamin Jones serve on Board the Picket Gang Tugboat Black Commander with he Entered on Board the 10 th day of May one Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy nine and serve on Board until the 25 th of March one Thousand Seven and Eighty Peter Rhodes

Letter from
David Howell, Esq., Judge, Providence, Rh: Island
Benjamin Jones, Mariner Picket Galley - Revolutionary Claim.
There are no rolls, or records of naval service in the pension office, to prove the claim of the appli- cant.  The testi- mony of two or more disinterested and credible persons, on oath, confirm- ing the statement made in his declaration, is required - For evidence of indigent circumstances, see endors. in the case of John Usher.
Benjamin Jones -
This application has been rejected & is now

To all concerned
I Peter Pinno - of Providence in the State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify & say - That I am acquainted with Benjamin Jones of Providence in the State aforesaid formerly a sailor on board the Picket Galley - I was Gunners mate on board said Galley - said vessel was in the service of the United States - & was employed in cruising in the waters of Narragansett Bay & on the adjoining coasts - said Jones was a sailor was a sailor on board the same time - and to my certain knowledge - served more than ten months - said vessel was commanded by Jeremiah Clark Esquire - in the year 1776 when said service was performed
Attest Berya Gowell, Peter Pinno Marks
Rhode Island District -
In Providence this 27 th day of April 1818 - affirmed before me the above named Peter Pinno & made oath to the above certificate to which his mark is affixed -
David Howell District Judge.
Taken to be used as Evidence at the War department in favor of Benjamin Jones for the benefit of the Act of 18 March 1828.

In Congress June 25 1778.
Resolved That the navy board in the eastern Department be and they are hereby empowered to cause to be built equipped & manned three large galleys for the defence of Providence, Warren & Taunton Rivers, or procure three suitable Vessels for that purpose if upon advising with the Council of War in the, of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations and General Sullivan they shall judge the measure to be expedient -
Vide Vol 4th page 373 of the Journals of the old Congress
The Picket or Picket Galley was one of the three ordered by the above resolution, as it is understood & believed - Benjamin Hall was the Paymaster as I have understood of the three but Mr Hall is now deceased - It is however believed the above resolution will be satisfactory evidence that the above named Vessel was in the continental establishment, -
respectfully your obedt Servt
Benjamin Cornwell
James L Edwards Esq
Providence 22 Feb

Providence, R. I. May 23/96.
U. S. Pension Dept, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send me copy of certificate of service of Benjamin Jones, or Benj. E. Jones, who appears on pension roll, for Newport, R. I. as having drawn pension, as Mariner, in Continental Navy, from April 1, 1818 to July 5, 1826. Placed on Pension roll June 18, 1819. What we want, is, to know the date of his birth, and any other information that the certificate may record. His tomb stone, simply says, "born in Newport, R. I. 1744. Died in Provi- dence, R. I. July 5, 1826.
"A Revolutionary Soldier"
Yours Truly Charles H. George.