Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,361, for Nathaniel Manchester, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. J.
Manchester, Nathaniel
S 21,361
CONTENTS

21210
Rhode Island
Nath Manchester
of Bristol in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Brown of the Rgt commanded by Col Green in the R.I. Main here for 23 months & 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of -78- Dollars 34 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Aug 1833 and Lieut Col Green Bristol Rhode Island
Arrears to the 1th of March 1833 $156.68 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1st Sept 39.17 $195.85
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. H. Adams Clerk, Book Vol. 2 a Page 120
Mr. Nathan had a pension of $153.68 and due at the time to be paid to the factor after he was entitled then to the additional $42.17

BRIEF in the case of  Nathaniel Manchester  60 of Bristol in the State of R.I.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? before a Justice of the Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 88  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.     Dec. In 1796. called out to do duty one month alternately from this time till Nov. 1799. years 2-11 one more according to applicant's should be 1. 5. 15 private Capt Shrop Col Miller   Previous to this Service that is in 1775. frequently called out but does not specify. 1778. enlisted 6 Comp y line private Capt Brown Col Green  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bristol R.I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditional the living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? length of service is not exactly stated 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Sayton
Examining Clerk.

21244 Nathaniel Manchester R.I.
506
July 5 1895
Thurs 23 Mar. & 15 days
21244
Leah 8 Apr 1838
76 1/2 1 1/2
J. Crops 78 54
Pelhampton R.I.

DECLARATION.
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND, } ss. COUNTY OF Bristol, }
On this twenty second day of October personally appeared James G. me one of me, William Throop one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol , Nathaniel Manchester a resident of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode-Island, aged Eighty Eight 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That is to say: He in the month of December 1776 - when the British Army took possession of the Island of Rhode Island and the Waters of Narragansett Bay, was enrolled in the militia Company of said Town then under the command of Capt William Throop - That said Company of Militia was called into the public service from said December 1776 and had to perform a regular systematical guard duty - on the shores of the Bay which border said Town of Bristol on every side except the north - until the enemy evacuated Rhode Island - before this time, and from the time that the enemys ships, under the command of the Well known Capt Wallac, took possession of the Bay in the early part of the year 1775. He had been called out occasionally, upon alarms, for the protection of such points as were most vulnerable to the marauding attacks of the Enemy - but these services were of short duration - though they kept the militia in a constant state of preparation and anxiety. It was during this period previous to the occupation of Rhode Island by their Army, that the Enemy under the notorious Wallac fired upon the Town of Bristol, with an intention of burning it - but it was saved by the spirited defence made by the militia, the only sort of defence we then had - From said Dec. 1776 until Nov. 1779 said Company was drafted to do duty in guarding the shores of said Town, for a month at a time generally - but if should happen from any cause, to be for a shorter period than a month, then the drafts were closer together and so much the oftener - Your declarant cannot exactly state the day of the respective months, that he was called out and when the month's service ended - It rather appears to him like one continued service than like twenty different services, the number of times perhaps which he was called out - But he does solemnly declare, that according to the best of his knowledge and belief he served in said Company of Militia for one half of the time from said Dec. 1776 to November 1779 when the British evacuated Newport - and received pay of the state for the same - That during said time and in one of the drafts aforesaid, he was marched, in the month of September 1777 to Liviston and joined the

The American Army then under the Command of General Spencer a Continental officer - The army expected to cross over on to Rhode Island and to attack the Enemy - but for some cause, it did not, and after our time was out we were discharged and returned home - at this time we were under Capt. Throop - Again in one of said drafts, in the month of August 1778 he was mustered under Capt. Throop on to Rhode Island under Genl. Sullivan - He was there during the great storm, at this time he was attached to Col. Nathan Miller's Regiment. Lieut. Col. Gray - in this Expedition he saw Lieut. Hargett. His mouth was out just before the action when he returned - and the rest of the company took their places - In this service in the Militia, he was generally under the Capt., or some one of the subaltern officers of his own company - and also under the direction of Col. Nathan Miller who commanded the Regiment of Militia belonging to Bristol County - and Brigadier General Esek Cornell who commanded the state troops on the East side of the Bay -
In the month of June, as he believes, in the year 1780, he enlisted at Bristol aforesaid, into Capt. Brown's Company in Col. Greene's Regiment of the Continental line, for six months - Capt. Brown was afterwards taken sick - and Peter Rutang then at under officer in said company took the Command - Of the Regt. Lieut. Ward was Lieut. Col. and Ebenezer Hagg was Major - He was soon marched to the vicinity of Newport where the French Army were encamped, we staid there some time, and were then as he understood ordered away to the Westward - In Augt. or Sept. of that year, he with said Col. Greene's Regiment crossed over the Bay to Greenwick on the West side, where we staid a short time encamped, and then were ordered back again to the Island of Rhode Island - here he staid till his time was out some time in the month of December 1780 when he was discharged on said Rhode Island, at Portsmouth, near Batts Hill, and he then returned home - This was the last military service he performed in the Revolutionary War -
And said Manchester avers, that he faithfully and truly served his country in the manner aforesaid Seventeen and an half months in the Militia and six months in the Continental line - during the War of the Revolution -
And he further declares that he was born in said town of Bristol on the 20th day of July 1748 that he lived in said town when he was called into the services aforesaid, when he hath ever lived, and where he still doth reside - that he hath a record of his age - that he never received any written discharge from any of said services, but that

He was discharged by his commanding officers verbally when his times were out - That he has no documentary evidence of any of said services - That he refers to Rev. Henry Wight, Wm. Waldron & John G. Harkness who are his neighbours, and citizens of said Town of Bristol, who testify to his character for veracity, and to their belief that he was a soldier of the Revolution; and also to the accompanying depositions -
All the foregoing services performed as a private soldier, &c.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
before me Wm Throop Justice Court of Common Pleas
Henry Wight
We, Henry Wight (a clergyman) residing in the Town of Bristol and Wm. J. Waldron & John G. Harkness residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Manchester - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be right Light - years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Before me, Wm Throop Justice Court Common Pleas
Henry Wight Wm J Waldron John G Harkness
William Throop (Judge) his
And the said Court do hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that the Rev. Henry Wight the
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident in the sd. Town of Bristol and that Wm. J. Waldron & John G. Harkness who have also signed the same are residents in the sd. Town of Bristol and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
And I, William Throop, a Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County of Bristol, a Court of Record do hereby certify, that said Nathaniel Manchester, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to appear to make his declaration in open Court.
I, Wm Throop, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Manchester for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this this twenty second day of October A.D. 1832
and of American Independence the Fifty seventh.
William Throop Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for the County of Bristol.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol
I hereby certify that William Throop whose signature is affixed in his own proper hand writing to the tak-

ing of the foregoing declaration of Nathaniel Man- chester, was at the time and is now a Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged therein according to Law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this twentieth day of Nov- ember in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirtyfive. And of Amer- ican independence the fifty seventh
Ichabod Davis Clerk

Seabury Manchester of Bristol in the county of Bristol and State of Rhode Island being duly sworn, on such my my oath declared, that I am forty nine years of age, and that I am the son of Nathaniel Manchester Manchester late of said Bristol, deceased, who has applied for a pension for his Revolutionary services - said Nathaniel Man- chester my Father departed this life, at my house in S d . Bristol on the 8 th day of April last - He was by trade a shoemaker, and had lived in my family since the death of my mother, the 14 th of January 1823 - a period of ten years, all of which time he had been dependent upon me for his support - I have heard, said Nathaniel, both before and after he made his declaration for a pension, under the act of Con- gress of the 7 th of June 1832, relate his revolutionary services, and the sufferings that he, at that period, underwent - I have heard him say that he had performed in the militia company of Capt Shroop, during the Revolutionary war, as much service at least as he had mentioned in his declaration, to wit seventeen months and an half - He said he was in the service for a month at a time and that the men in S d . company took turns serving every other month - I have also heard him tell about being in Colo Green's Regiment of the Continental Troops on Rhode Island for six months when the French Army was in Newport - I further state that he has left a character behind him, unblemished for truth and moral worth - Seabury Manchester
State of Rhode Island &c.
Bristol ss: At Bristol July 25 th 1833.
Personally came Seabury Manchester the above named dep- nant and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition and subscribed the same before me
And I further certify that said deponent is personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity -
Wm Shroop Justice Court Common Pleas.

"Nathaniel Manchester, Son of Benj. m Manchester and Martha his wife, was born July the 10 th 1744."
Town Clerk's Office, Bristol Oct. 17 th 1832
I certify that the above is a true copy from the Record in this Office.
Witness, W m Shrop Town Clk -

The Pension paid 8 April 1855
Amount due up to that time
to be paid to the benefit of widow if person legally authorized to receive then be one the same & if not then to their children or else - Children of the deceased

2 mo Pof
2 n
1 n n
6 n
5 n n
11
3 mo P a
3
3000
3000
4000
4000

Protection
21361 INVALID.
Manchester.
File No. 21,361
William Manchester
1815 - 1902
Act: June 7 th 1897
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 21361
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1909, Apr. 22, Hist. 25 Dr. J. D. Manchester A.E.D.
1915, Oct. 19. History to Francis E. Bates. Fr.

PRESIDENT, HENRY CLINTON DEXTER, CENTRAL FALLS, R. I.
VICE-PRESIDENT, CHARLES WHEATON ABBOT, JR., 12 COLE AVENUE.
SECRETARY, CHRISTOPHER RHODES, 290 BENEFIT STREET.
TREASURER, ARTHUR PRESTON SUMNER, 639 GROSVENOR BUILDING.
RHODE ISLAND SOCIETY
REGISTRAR, FRANCIS ELIOT BATES, P.O. Box 1254. Providence R.I.
HISTORIAN, WILLIAM CHACE GREENE, 44 ALUMNI AVENUE.
CHAPLAIN, REV. CHARLES FREMONT ROPER, RIVER POINT, R. I.
POET, JOHN PRESCOTT FARNWORTH, 42 TOBEY STREET
PROVIDENCE, R. I., March 9, 191 5.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Will you be kind enough to furnish me with a copy of the military service of Nathan- iel Manchester, R.I. Continental Line.
Pensioned Aug. 24, 1832 to commence from March 4, 1831, annual amount $73.34.
Yours truly
Francis E. Bates
Registrar.

U.S.S. Panther, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, Pa.
April 2, 1909.
S I R : -
Can you kindly give me any information as to whether Nathaniel Manchester of Bristol, R.I., or Jacob Wood of Cornish, N.H., ever served in the Revolutionary War? Any information will be much appreciated.
Very respectfully,
J. D. Manchester P.A. Surgeon, U.S. Navy.
The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Hunsucker 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. C. F. 21361
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1775- Dec. 1776 Served al- ternate months until Nov. 1779 Priv. Occasionally called out in the militia William Hootp Nathan Miller R.S.   June, 1780 6 mos. Brown Greene  
Battles engaged in, not dated. 2. Battle of Brandywine and Red Bank
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bristol, R.I.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 22, 1832. His claim was referred
Residence at date of application, Bristol, Bristol Co., R.I.
Age at date of application, born July 11, 1744 at Bristol, R.I.
Remarks: Soldier was the son of Benjamin and Martha Hunsucker. Soldier's wife, name not stated, died Jan. 14, 1823; he died April 8, 1833 at Bristol, R.I. Son, Leabury aged 49 years in 1833.

I Nathaniel Monroe of Bristol, in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island &c. aged eighty years, on Solemn Oath declare: That I have, from my childhood been acquainted with Nathaniel Manchester of said Bristol, who is now an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress: In the Revolutionary War after my return from Taunton in the month of March 1778 I belonged to the Militia Company in Bristol under the command of Capt. William Throop - and was called out into the public service in drafts from said Company for a month at a time, to guard the shores of said Town of Bristol - at this time said Nathaniel Manchester belonged to said Company of Militia under Captain Throop, and performed Military duty in the public service at divers times and places, till the Enemy left the Island of Rhode Island - We have been on duty together at several places on the shores of said Town in the guard duty - and also on the Island of Rhode Island during Sullivan's Expedition in the Summer of 1778 - he further saith not.
Nathaniel Monroe
Bristol ss. At Bristol October 24th, A.D. 1832.
Personally came the abovenamed Nathaniel Monroe and made solemn Oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same.
And I further certify that said Deponent is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations County of Bristol ss. I hereby certify that William Throop, whose signature is affixed, in his own proper hand writing to the taking of the foregoing Deposition of Nathaniel Monroe was at the time and is now a Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County of Bristol, duly

commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged therein according to Law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of our said Court this twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two. and of American Independence the fifty seventh
Ichaboe Davis Clerk

I Royal Sandfords of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island of the age of Seventy three years, on solemn oath, depose and say: That I am well acquainted with Nathaniel Manchester, of said Bristol, who is now an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress. We have always lived in this town and near neighbours to each other. In the time of the revolutionary War, and while the enemy had the possession of Rhode Island, I belonged to the Militia Company in said Bristol, under the command of Captain William Throop - which said Company was called into the public service, in guarding the shores of Narragansett Bay in said Town - and in expeditions for a short time out of said Town - During the time that the Enemy held the Island - I & Nathaniel Manchester belonged to the same Militia Company and did Military duty therein in the public service, in said guard service - I have been with him, and have seen him in service many times - but the exact number I cannot tell - said Company was in the service for about half of the time - I also know that afterwards, said Nathaniel enlisted into the Regular service, and understood at the time it was into Col. Greene's Regiment - said Nathaniel was absent from home in said service, some time, but how long I do not know, and further say not.
G. Joy
State of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations Bristol ss. At Bristol November 8th A. D. 1832.
Personally came Royal Sanford the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the

truth of his foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same before me. And I do further certify that said deponent is personally known to me, and sustain a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Shrop Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
State of Rhode Island &c
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol. I hereby certify that Wm Shrop, whose signature in his own right, proper hand writing is affixed to the foregoing deposition is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas aforesaid, duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged thereon according to Law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this tenth day of November in the year of our Lord 1832 and of American Independence the fifty seventh.
Ichabod Davis, Clerk Pro Tem

I William Young of Bristol in the County of Bristol and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, aged Seventy one years. On solemn oath depose and say: That I have been acquainted with Nathaniel Manchester of said Bristol now an Applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress ever since the year 1780.
In the year 1780 in the month of June I enlisted into the Continental Service into the Regiment commanded by Colonel Christopher Green for Six months. Our Captain's name, when I first enlisted, was — Brown, who was afterwards taken sick and Peter Baten took the command of the Company. — In this company said Nathaniel Manchester, was also a private soldier. He enlisted about the same time for the same term of service, and served till our times were out, and we were discharged, I think in the month of December, on the Island of Rhode Island. In this service I saw, said Manchester, perhaps every day, when we were both well and fit for duty. During said service, we were most of the time on Rhode Island. Though we were for a short time away at Greenwich on the west side of the Bay. He further saith not.
William Young
Bristol ss. At Bristol October 24th, A. D. 1832.
Personally appeared the above named William Young and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same, before me.
And I further certify that said deponent is personally known to me and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Wm Shroop Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol
I hereby certify that William Shroop, whose signature is affixed, is his own proper hand writing to the

taking of the foregoing Deposition of William Young was at the time and is now, a Judge or Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged therein according to Law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty two. And of American Independence the fifty- seventh.
Ichabod Davis Clerk

Nathan Manchester
2124 1/2

I Royal Sanford of Bristol, in the county of Bristol & State of Rhode Island, of lawfull age, on solemn oath, subscribe and say: That I was well acquainted with Nathaniel Manchester late of s d Bristol deceased, who is an applicant for a pension, from my earliest recollections, we had, upto the time of his death, last April, lived in this Town, and near Neighbours together - during the Revolutionary War, we both belonged to the same company of Capt Throop of the Bristol Militia - this company was divided into classes of one half in a class, and one half were in the service at the guard posts in s d Town all the time. This duty we performed in this manner from December 1776 to November 1779 - Said Manchester was in the class with myself and we have been on duty together nearly or quite all of our monthly service - from circumstances now in my recollection, I am quite sure that he served in Capt Throop's company of Militia, in the public service, in the years 1777, 1778 and 1779, for at least sixteen months - After the english left Rhode Island I know that said Manchester enlisted into Col. Green's Regt. of the Continental line, and was absent from home for several months, but how long I cannot tell - I further state that said Manchester was a man of exemplary piety, and was at the time of his decease one of the oldest members of the Episcopal Church in this Town - he further saith not.
Royal Sanford
State of Rhode Island &c. Bristol ss. At Bristol July 26th A.D. 1833
Personally came Royal Sanford, the abovenamed deponent, and made solemn oath to the truth of his foregoing deposition, and subscribed the same before me. And I further certify, that said deponent is personally known to me, and that his character is for truth and veracity.
Wm Throop Justice County of Common Pleas.
State of Rhode Island &c.
Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, County of Bristol.
I hereby certify that Wm Throop, whose signature is affixed to the taking of the foregoing deposition of Seabury Manchester and also to the taking of the above deposition of Royal Sanford, in his own proper hand writing, is a Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned under the seal of said State, and engaged

therein according to Law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court this 26 th day of July in the year 1833.
And of American Independence the fifty eighth.
Wm Bradford Ellis.