Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,516, for Nathan Straight, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
R. J.
Straight, Nathan
S 21, 5-16
CONTENTS

21.298  Rhode Island  Nathan Straight
as Ensign in the State of R.I. who was a Ensign in the Company commanded by Captain N. H. H. H. of the Regt. commanded by Col W. H. H. in the R. I. State due for Service $ 53.33 " Interest 3.67 $ 57.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of $ 57. - Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept 1833 amount 40.00  Lucia Amadence R.I.
Arrears to the 1st of March 1833 $ 114.00 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept 1833 28.57 $ 142.57
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. H. H. H. Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 127
Deeds Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 4 th April 1838 from 4 March to 22 July 1840 Agent Notified 8 June 1841.

And the said Court do hereby declare their 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
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the
and that Joseph Hays
who also signed the same are residents in the Town of West Greenwich in our S th County and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Straight for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September
in the year 1832
John Brown

com Nathan Straight 1731
Nathan Straight
15743

State of Rhode Island Se Se County of Kent
On this twent ninth day of August A D 1832 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Common Pleas within & for said County now in session
Nathaniel Straight a resident of West Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island aged 77 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, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
He was born 14 th February 1755 in West Greenwich & has no record of his birth lived there when he entered the Service & ever since the War
and this applicant further states that May 1775 he enlisted & served eight months as a private at Prospect Hill near Boston in Capt Joseph Holly's company & Col Warmuns regiment of Rhode Island Troops -
and this applicant further states that in December 1776 he served one month as a corporal in an alarm in Capt Benjamin Portons company & Col Nathaniel Brown's regiment of R.I. Militia
and this applicant further states that in January 1777 he was drafted & served one month as a private in same company & regiment as last mentioned & served at East Greenwich
and this applicant further states that in March 1777 he was again drafted & served one month as a private at Quonset Neck in North Kingston in
and this applicant further states that afterwards in the year 1777 the regiment was drafted to serve one third of the time, off fifteen days at each time, he continued to serve in this manner untill the British left Rhode Island in 1780 & served in the whole under this draft about seven eight months
during this time Colonel Brown & Col Kaspon comman- ded the regiment & he does not remember the Captains names, except Captains Draper & Roy
all of which Enlistments & drafts he served out & was honorablely discharged -

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.
Witness John Brown, C.W.
Nathan his   Stoughton
We,
a Clergyman, residing in the
residing in
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

We Stafford Greene a clergyman residing in the Town of West Greenwich in the County of Kent in the State of Rhode Island & Nathan Carr residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well ac- quainted with Nathan Straight of the same Town & County who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration hereto an- nexed, that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Stafford Greene
Nathan Carr
Christopher Carpenter
Kent Is West Greenwich April 3 1833 I own to believe me by the above name Stafford & Nathan and I further certify that said Stafford is a clergyman as above stated & that they are both respectable gentlemen & are entitled to full credit
Christopher Carpenter Sec y the

Kent Jo. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations do hereby certify that Christopher Carpenter is a justice of the peace for the Town of West Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the within is his own hand writing and that it is his proper signature, and that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this fourth day of April in the year 1893.
John Brown Clk

And now on this 31 st day of July 1833 Nathan Straight maketh further oath in addition & explanation of his declaration made August 29 th 1832, in Court viz. Saith Nathan that in April May 1775 he served as a soldier eight months as a private in Col. Varnum's Regiment - that in 1776 he served another month as a corporal as a soldier this service was in December of that year
That in January 1777 he served another month as a private as a soldier that in March following he served another month as a private as a soldier
And this applicant further says that he was then drafted to serve one third of the time - one third of the company to which he belonged was always on duty These drafts commenced about August 1777 & continued as long as the British were in possession of Rhode Island, which was some two years afterwards, and this applicant says that from August 1777, to the end of that year he served one month under said drafts at least

that from Jan'y 1778 to December of that year he served 4 months at least & that from Jan'y 1779 to the end of that year he served 4 months at least making in all nine months under these drafts, he was a private. During these drafts Col Brown & Col Nason com- manded the Regiments & their services were performed in guarding the western shores of the River or Bay against the invasions of the enemy —
And this applicant further says that he served twenty months in all nine served as a private and one as a corporal for which he claims a pension and he says in addition to the testimony already produced he now produces the Certificate of the Revd. Stephen Green or Nathan Carr who have testified in his behalf —
Atteston Straight mark
In Presence July 31 1831
Sworn to before me by said Nathan Straight
John Pitman (District Judge U.S. for Rhode Island District)

Rhode Island District
Clerks office U S District Court
In Providence July 31 1833
I certify the preceding signature of John Pitman to be the true signature of John Pitman Judge of the District Court of the United States within & for said District
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court on the day & year last above written — Benjamin Russell Clerk of said Court

15743 Nathan Straight
Pm at 16 months Cabin 1  Jr 17
5 4 16 06
July 3 1833
Ben Bawell Providence

BRIEF in the case of  Nathan Straight  of West Greenwich in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1882.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years. Months. Days. Genl. Field     In 1775 — 8 — Private Capt Hally Col Barmum   76 — 1 — Corporal — “ Boston Col Brown   77 — 4 — Private — “ — “ — “   “ to 1780 about 2 1/2 — — — } Draper Boy “ Brown “ Hapson    
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? West Greenwich R.I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly authenticated connected 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature] Examining Clerk.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 5 th 1841.
Sir :
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The ad m re of Nathan Strait de a Pensioner on the Roll of the Rhode Island Agency, at the rate of fifty Seven Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, to the 22 nd July 1840.
Respectfully yours,
William L. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

Rev. War Section.
July 14, 1915.
Hon. Ambrose Kennedy, Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
My dear Mr. Kennedy:
In response to your letter dated the twelfth instant, I have the honor to advise you that the only Nathan Straight found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, was allowed pension (Sur. File No. 21,516. Rev. War) on his application executed August 29, 1832, while a resident of West Greenwich, Rhode Island.
He stated that he was born February 14, 1755, at West Greenwich, where he resided and enlisted in the Rhode Island troops as follows.
May 1775, Private in Captain Holly's company, Colonel Varnum's regiment; served eight months.
December 1776, Corporal in Captain Benjamin Gorton's company, Colonel Nathaniel Brown's regiment; one month.
January 1777, Private, same company and regiment; one month.
March 1777, Private, officers not stated; one month.

And he continued to serve short terms or drafts amounting to one month in 1777, four months in 1778, and four months in 1779, as a Private under Captains Draper and Roy. Colonels Brown and Kasson.
Soldier died July 22, 1840. There is no family data on file.
Very truly yours,
M. L. G. ... Commissioner.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Nathaniel Straight 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. B. 21,516
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT, LENGTH OF SERVICE, RANK, OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED, STATE,   CAPTAIN, COLONEL,     May 1775 3 mos. Private H. Clegg Turner R. I.   Dec. 1776 1 mos. Corporal Benjamin Nathaniel Brown   Jan. 1777 1 mos. Private " " " "   Feb. 1777 1 mos. "   1777 1 mos. " Robert Brown & Brown   1778 4 mos.   1779 4 mos.  
Battles engaged in, ✓
Residence of soldier at enlistment, West Greenwich, R. I.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 27, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, West Greenwich, R. I.
Age at date of application, born Feb. 14, 1755 at West Greenwich, R. I.
Remarks: _____
He died Feb. 22, 1820. No family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

May 22, 1914.
Rev 40C
To the Pension Office Washington, D.C.
Kindly send certificate of service of Nathan S. 21,516 Straight of Rhode Island War of Rev. also
Information in regard to my ancestor
S-38,862 only one. "Benjamin Ingraham" who was in the "Battle of Bunker Hill" with certificate of service.
over

address
(Mrs.) H. Evelyn Campbell, 1647 Westminster St. Providence, R.I.

AMBROSE KENNEDY 3D DISTRICT RHODE ISLAND
JAMES H. COOK SECRETARY
House of Representatives, U.S.
Washington.
Woonsocket, R. I.
July 12, 1915.
Hon. Gaylord M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
My dear Mr. Commissioner:
I would greatly appreciate it if you would send me all available information as to the service and record of Nathan Straight, who served in the Revolutionary War. I believe he served seven years and received an honorable discharge.
Thanking you for any information you may be able to give me, I remain,
Very truly yours,
Ambrose Kennedy Third Rhode Island.

Penitence
21516 INVALID.
1915 July 14. Hist. to Hon. Ambrose Kennedy. $ 1917 May 28. Hist. to Mrs. H. Evelyn Campbell. $ 7- Nov. 27. Letter to Hon. H. H. Arnold H. C. Parker. See corr. in 42428 - Henry Straight M.T.F.
File No. 21516
Henry Straight 1917
Act: June 7" 82"
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 42
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15/43
Nathan Sharp
Wed Green...
objections nos 12 & 16 amended agreeably to directions
BC
My Council By Mordant R.9

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathan Straight which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

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

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Joseph Fry of West Greenwich aged 80 years do hereby testify that in Dec r 1776 I served one month in Cap Jeremiah Austin's company, Col Nathaniel Brown's regiment at Fort Greenwich & also in one month February 1777 at the same place in the same company & regiment - & in March following at Quittucet neck in the same company & regiment one month & at Bristol one month in Cap Porton's company & Col Brown's regiment in August 1777 at Linton in October 1777 one month in Spencer's expedition in the same company & Col. Hanson's regiment. I know that Nathan Straight now of West Greenwich was in the same company & served the same times that I did I know that the said Straight is a man of truth & therefore that full credit can be given to his statement -
7
Joseph Fry
Kent ss. Court of Common Pleas August Term A.D. 1832 Severn to in open court the seventh day of the Term Witness John Brown Clerk