Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,878, for Joseph Manchester, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
RJ
Manchester Joseph
S 21,878
CONTENTS

N o 9347 Joseph Manchester
More 2 years
Paper not properly authenticated.
Nov 19 1832
$80.
N. Whiting Esq. E. Greenwich R.I.

BRIEF in the case of  Joseph Manchester of the County of Kent in the State of R. Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 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? 76 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.     In 1776 from to the close of the war 2 6 — Volunt. in the company of Kentish Guards Command by Col Rich d Fry.  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? N. Kingsdown  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  No Clergyman's Certificate. 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

10213. Rhode Island
Joseph Manchester of R in the State of R who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain of the  commanded by in the  R line for 2  Queeny .
Inscribed on the Roll of R at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Apr 1833 and sent to Whiting Rochester R
Arrears to the 14th of Apr 1833 $160 — Semi-ant. allowance ending 2  Sept  1833 40 —
$200 —
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H  to  Blain Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 2 Page 120 .

State of Rhode Island & c. Court of Common Pleas August Term Kent County ss D. 1832.
On this 29 th day of August D. 1832. personally appeared in open court, before the justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Joseph Manchester, a resident of Coventry in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island, aged Twenty six 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 th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. - That he was born at Cranston in the County of Providence in said State, on the fifteenth day of September 1755. and moved from there to North Kingstown in the County of Washington in the Year 1772. where he resided when he entered into the Service and until the close of the war; when he removed to Coventry aforesaid where he has resided ever since. That his birth is recorded in his family bible, and is a twin brother of Gideon Manchester of Warwick in the County of Kent, who served in the Revolutionary War with this Applicant, and who is now living. - That in the Month of November or December of the year 1776. he joined the Independent Company of Volunteers, called the Kentish Guards, at East Greenwich in the County of Kent, commanded by Col. Richard Fry. and which usually consisted of between eighty and one hundred men, rank and file. Said Company were stationed and had their head quarters usually at said East Greenwich on the West side of Narragansett Bay, and were employed in guarding the Shore to prevent the enemy from landing and plundering the Inhabitants. That they kept a guard stationed at said East Greenwich, during the time the enemy held possession of Rhode Island, except when

when occasionally relieved by the Militia or by some of the other Independent Companies. And that parties of said Company were frequently detached for the purpose of taking up Tories and suspected persons. This Applicant well remembers that he was detached, in the Summer of the Year 1777. with a party of said Company, in pursuit of a British Officer, who was employed in recruiting Americans for the British Service. The detachment was commanded by Col. Varnum & Major Folagg. We went to South Kingstown, Richmond, Exeter and West Greenwich. We took William Hart in that expedition, who had a commission in the British service, and sent him to Providence, where he was tried as a spy, and was convicted and executed; and we also brought in a number of suspected persons, some of them enlisted into the Service who were accepted . That this Applicant was with a part of said Company under Col. Fry, one month at Tiverton in General Spencer Expedition; the rest of said Company, being, at that time, left on duty at said East Greenwich. That he was on Rhode Island under the said Col. Fry one Month in Genl. Sullivan's Expedition in the Summer of 1778. but came off before the battle took place. Generals Nathaniel Greene & Varnum and Major Folagg were among the General Officers there, whom this Claimant well knew. That in the Year 1780. he was on Rhode Island with said Company under said Col. Fry about one Month, when the French troops were there. That in the same year he was on

on the Island of Connecticut with a part of said Company under Col. Fry, and were employed about one Month there in taking off the Stock to prevent its falling into the hands of the enemy. This Claimant does not particularly recollect other expeditions than those above mentioned; but well remembers that he was actually employed in the Service more than two years and a half during the War; and that from the time he entered as a volunteer in said Company until after the enemy evacuated Rhode Island, the most of his time was occupied in actual military service. He has no Documentary evidence.
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.
Joseph Manchester
Given to in open Court Witness John Brown. Clk.

O. W. & N. Div. I 19,172; 13,911; 21,878. L. W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
Joseph Manchester 8.21878
December 2, 1896.
Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of Oliver Wolcott, Joseph Manchester, Asaph Merriman and James Tracy, supposed to have been soldiers of the Revolutionary War, you are advised as follows:
Oliver Wolcott made application for pension July 21, 1832, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing in Rutland county, Vt., and his pension was allowed for eight months' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Smith and Col. Shepherd. He enlisted at New Braintree, Mass.
Asaph Merriman made application for pension August 8, 1832, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Wallingford, Conn., and his pension was allowed for three years' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Leavenworth and Col. Swift. He enlisted at Meriden, Conn.

Joseph Manchester made application for pension August 29, 1832, at which time he was 76 years of age and residing at Coventry, R. I., and his pension was allowed for two years actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Col. Richard Fry. He enlisted at North Kingstown, R. I.
From a careful search made from the data given the name of James Tracy has not been found upon the Revolutionary pension records on file in this Bureau.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original states.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr M. E. Rockwell,
Care First National Bank,
Meriden, Conn.

Revolution
21878 INVALID.
File No. 91,878
Joseph Manchester
Brd Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 253
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dec 2 '96 To M E Rockwell Meriden, Conn

N o 9342 Joseph Manchester
N. Whiting Esq.
E Queen st
R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph H Manchester 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  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? yes XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes 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 has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? 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? yes
 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 the 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.
†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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
†QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.

Meriden, Conn., Nov. 20 th 1876.
W Hon. D. T. Murphy, Commissioner Pensions.
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary record of Oliver Wolcott of Worcester County, Mass. Also of Capt. Joseph Mansfield of Rhode Island - Also of Asaph Merriman of Wallingford Conn. and James Tracy of Meriden, Conn.
Very Truly Yours -
M. E. Rockwell, % 1 st Natl Bank, Meriden Conn.

I Wanton Casey of East Greenwich in the County of Kent do hereby certify that I was a volunteer in the Independent Company of Kentish Guards at said East Greenwich in the Revolutionary War until I went to France some time in December 1778. and that Joseph Manchester Esq. of Coventry in the County of Kent was a member of said Company and did duty therein about two years before I went away and that he belonged to said Company when I went away. Wanton Casey
I Ezra Simmons of East Greenwich in the County of Kent do hereby certify that Joseph Manchester of Coventry in the County of Kent Esq. was a volunteer in the Independent Company of Kentish Guards and did duty therein from the latter part of the year 1776 until the close of the Revolutionary War; and that I served in said Company during all that time. Ezra Simmons
1832
Court of Common Pleas August Term A.D. 1832
The above sworn to in open Court by Wanton Casey & Ezra Simmons the seventh day of the Term
Witness John Brown. CLK

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 Wanton Casey & Ezra Simonds
who also signed the same are residents in the of East Greenwich in our County of Kent 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 Joseph Manchester for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Sixth day of September in the year 1832.
John Brown

State of Rhode Island County of Kent ss.
On this third day of December A. 1832. Personally appeared Joseph Manchester of Coventry in the County of Kent before me Elisha Whitman, an associate justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Statement supplementary to and in amendment of his Declaration, made before the Court of Common Pleas in said County, at their August Term A. 1832. That in the year 1776 in the month of December, he did duty and was in actual service in said Company of Kentish Guards, Twenty five days at least, at East Greenwich. That in the year 1777. he did duty and was in actual service in said Company, at East Greenwich, Warwick, and North Kingstown, and at Ruggeton. Six months or more. That in the year 1778. he did duty and was in actual service in said Company, Six months or more at said East Green- wich, Warwick, North Kingstown and on Rhode Is- -land. That in the year 1779. he was on duty and in actual service in said Company at East Greenwich, Warwick and North Kingstown, at least six months. That in the year 1780. he served and was on actual duty in said Company, Six months or more at East Greenwich Warwick and North Kingstown and on Rhode Island, and Connecticut. That in the year 1781. he was on duty and in actual service Three months or more at the places last mentioned. That in the year 1782. he was on duty in said Compa- -ny at least three months, at the places last mentioned making Two years, six months & Twenty five days at least of actual service, for which he claims a pension.
Joseph Manchester
Kent ss. At Coventry the day and year above written, subscribed and sworn to by the said Joseph Manchester,
Before me. Elisha Whitman Just. C. P.

Elisha Whitman of Coventry in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged Sixty two years, do hereby certify that I have been well acquainted with the within named Joseph Manches to for many years past; that he has ever sustained a good character; That I believe him to be seventy six years of age: and that he is reputed in the neighbourhood, to have been a soldier or volunteer in the war of the Revolution and in that opinion I concur.
Elisha Whitman
That the foregoing is subscribed and sworn to at Coventry Dec r 3 rd 1832 before me; and I certify that the Deponent is a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County & sustains a good character for truth.
Witness Nathan Whiting J. Pease
Kent ss The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Elisha Whitman is a Justice of said Court that the within is his proper signature in his own hand writing and also that Nathan Whiting is a Justice of the peace that the above is his proper signature in his own hand writing
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office at East Greenwich this third day of December in the year 1832
John Brown, Clk