Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,360, for Benjamin Matteson, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Matteson Benjamin
S 21,360
CONTENTS

01.282
Abraham Menden
Benjamin Matteson
Next of kin in the State of Pa.
was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Whitman of the Regt by Col. Cooke in the War. time for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Abraham Menden at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug 1833 and Act 1833 James Est Hancur ch Rd
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 60 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mo 1833  15 00
75 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. H. H. H. Clerk Book E Vol. 9 Page 120

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations County of Kent
On this 24 th day of September A D 1832. Personally appeared in me xxx, before David Perkins Esquire one of the Justices of the court of Common Pleas, within and for said county of Kent, Benjamin Matteson a resident of Scituate in said county of Kent aged eighty seven 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 he was born in said Scituate on the twentieth day of December A D 1744, and has resided in said Scituate ever since, and knows of no record of his age.
That in the month of September 1776, he enlisted in Capt Reuben Whelmas company of Col. Cooke's regiment of troops raised by said State of Rhode Island for three months, and served therein for said three months and was discharged in December following at Providence, in said State, said regiment was on the island of Rhode Island when the British landed there in November 1776, and were driven off by the enemy,
That when this applicant returned home, and immediately thereafter in said month of December, he was drafted, and in Capt. William Roy's company, Militia marched to East Greenwich, and was stationed there one month guarding the shore, Lieut. Col. Kasson commanded the detachment in which he served,
That in April 1777 he was drafted and under Capt. Hudson of the Militia from Scituate served one month at Quonquisset Neck in North Kingstown guarding the shores of the bay, said Col. Kasson commanded the detachment in which he served this time. And in July 1777 he was drafted and served under Capt. William Roy one month in said Quonquisset Neck guarding said shores -
That in the Autumn of 1777 he was drafted and in a company of Militia under said Capt. William Roy, served one month, or more in Genl. Greene's expedition against the enemy on Rhode Island, Col. John Waterman com.

Manded the regiment in which he served this time ~
That in March 1778 he was drafted and in the Capt. Hudson of said County Militia served one month at Potowomut neck in Narragansett guarding said shores,
That in the summer of 1778, this applicant was drafted and in a company of said militia under said Capt. William Roy of which company William Bulingame was Lieut. and in a regiment under Col. Nicholas Ketson, where went on to Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition; and the day afterwards he volunteered to go on guard on the lower lines, and was on this guard for three weeks, and during said time slept in the open field with his gun by his side, and subsisted on bread and uncooked meat, the post guard in which he was, was under the immediate command of Lieut. William Bulingame, and the whole of it was commanded by a Frenchman, whose name he does not recollect, He was in the battle at Quaker Hill so called, and then belonged to said guard, which being driven in by the enemy commenced the battle, At the commencement of said action he had 36 rounds of ammunition which he expended, and was replenished twice afterwards, and thinks that he discharged from his gun (an old Queens arm which belonged to himself) 100 rounds during said action, He was in the service this time more than one month
That at other times than as above stated both before and after the last mentioned service, he was called out upon alarms, and was out on service after said alarms sometimes for a week and more at a time, and he believes that during the revolutionary war he served as a volunteer and drafted man on said alarms and at other times than as above mentioned two months, and this applicant always held himself ready to march at a Minute's warning, the whole of said war, but was not in actual service, as much as some of the militia of said State, owing to his residing about fifteen miles from the shores of said bay
That he served as a private, and has no documentary evidence in relation to this subject ~

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the pension and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Given to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Me
his Benjamin X Matheson
The above Declaration was signed and sworn to before me on the 21 st day of September 1832
W. Nathan Bowen and Olney Matheson of Covington aforesaid
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Matheson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty seven years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion,
Nathan Bowen Olney Matheson
Given and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before Me
C. Justin C. C. Pleas
And I Obed Perkins, Chief Justice of the court of common pleas, within and for said county of Kent, do hereby declare my 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 record as he states, And I further certify that it appears to me that Nathan Bowen and Olney Matheson who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said county in the neighborhood of said applicant, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, And I further certify that in my opinion said applicant, cannot from bodily infirmity attend any court in which he might make his declaration.

And I further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings before me in the matter of the application of Benjamin Matteson for a pension
Obed Perkins C. Justice C. C. Pleas
I further certify that the character of Benjamin Sweet whose deposition is hereto annexed so far as I have ever heard in good.
Obed Perkins C. Justice C. C. Pleas
Benjamin Matteson 17023
State of Rhode Island Providence & Plantations
I John Brown clerk of the court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Kent, hereby certify that Obed Perkins whose name is above written is Chief Justice of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid. That the signature above written purporting to be his, is the proper hand writing of said Perkins, and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of said Perkins.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and the seal of said court this twenty fifth day of September 1832 at East Greenwich in said County
John Brown

County of Kent ss. State of Rhode Island de
At Coosetux in said county of Kent on the 23 rd day of July. AD 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in said County. Benjamin Matteson, who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of a part of his service described in the foregoing declaration but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades to wit.
For one month I served in the autumn of 1777 in the militia under Capt. William Roy in Genl. Spencer's expedition.
For one month I served in the summer of 1778 in the militia under Capt. William Roy on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition.
That for two months I served at other times than as stated in said declaration & this affidavit, with particularly between the months of September 1776 and December 1779 on alarms of incursions by the enemy, and on guard, on the shores of Narragansett bay in Westerly and North Kingston, and at East Greenwich, under the immediate command of said Capt. William Roy, Capt. Hudson and others, and in Regiments commanded by Col. Tasson & Waterman. The whole of said service described in said declaration & affidavit was in the rank of a private soldier, and for the same amounting to eleven months I claim a pension.
Subscribed & sworn to before me the undersigned on said 23 rd day of July AD 1833
Benjamin his X Matteson mark
Asa Stone Justice of the Peace

County of Kent Jr. State of Rhode Island &c the County in said County on the 23 rd day of July AD 1883
I Charles Stone a clergyman residing in Scituate in the County of Providence within three miles of the residence of said Benjamin Matteson in said County, hereby certify that I am well ac- quainted with said Benjamin Matteson who has subscribed & sworn to the preceding declaration & affidavit, That I believe him to be eighty eight years of age that he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year Charles Stone last afore said. before me
Asa Stone
Justice of the peace
I Asa Stone a justice of the peace residing in said County, on the day and year last afore said , hereby certify that it appears to me that Charles Stone, who has signed the preceding certificate as a clergyman residing in said Scituate within three miles of the place of residence of said Benjamin Matteson in said County, & that his statement is entitled to credit.
Asa Stone
Justice of the peace
Kent Jr. State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. I John Brown clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Kent in said State, hereby certify that Asa Stone, whose name is above written is a Justice of the peace in County in said County of Kent duly elected & qualified, that the signatures above written purporting to be his are in the proper hand writing of said Stone & that full faith and credit are due to his official general attestations.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of July AD 1883 at East Greenwich in said County of Kent
John Brown

No 17023
Benjamin Matteson Kent party Rhode Island
March 9 Months
11. 12 1608
July 6 1833
P. 123
Wm G Bowen Esq
Wm G Bowen East Greenwich Rhode Island

BRIEF in the case of Benjamin Mattison County of Kent - in the State of Rhode Island (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 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? 87 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. As a Gen.     Entered In 1776 Sept. - 3 - private Capt R. Whitman, Col. Cooke   Drafted - 1776 Dec. - 1 - private Capt. Wm. Roy, Lieut. Col. Hapson   Drafted - 1777 April - 1 - private Capt. Hudson, Col. Hapson   Drafted - 1777 July - 1 - private Capt. Roy, Genl. Spencer, Col. Waterman   Drafted - 1777 Autumn - 1 - private Capt. Hudson, Col. Hapson   Drafted - 1778 March - 1 - private Capt. Wm. Roy, Col. Hapson   Drafted - 1778 Summer - 1 - private  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Quaker Hill  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Kent County Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional. Living witnesses except one died no clergyman certificate.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Carried 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
The applicant states that he was 2 months or more in service, over and above what is above stated -
Richd. H. Wally Examining Clerk.

I Benjamin Sweet of Coventry in the county of Kent and State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation being of Lawfull age and ingaged according to Law do hereby testify and say that in the year A D 1776 I was knowning to Benjamin Matteson of Coventry being on Newport a list of Salers for three months Soon after his return was out he was draughted to garde the Shors at East Greenwich in the State above said and did attend after words I was knowning to his being draughted and attending one other month an conspant at Salvatore Expedition and was also knowning to his being draughted and attending at Quittiticut
Benjamin his Sweet mark
Coventry August 13 th A D 1832 Warrenty Game Benjamin Sweet and after being first Cautioned Examined and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth testified is as in the above Deposition Cautioned which was Reduced to Writing by me in the presence of the deponent and by him subscribed in my presence taken by the request of Benjamin Matteson witness Jonathan D. Shalley Justice of the peace

Went Jo. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations State Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Jonathan Whaley is a Justice of the peace for the Town of Coventry in our County of Kent that the within is his proper signature, in his own handwriting, that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts - In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my name & seal of office at East Greenwich this Twenty fifth day of September A 1832
John Brown. Clk.
Jonathan Whaley Justice of the Peace
B Matter -

Revocation 21 360
INVALID.
File No. 21,360
Benjamin Patterson St. Louis Mo.
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 2592
[Arrangement of 1870.]

17023
Bonnie Matheson
Mrs G Bowen E East Greenwich N.J.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Benjamin Matteson 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? Yes 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? The Judge has 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? No Clergymans certificate - Witness 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? 1 Witness 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? yes Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes 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? yes 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 shewn 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.