Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,592, for Martin Luther, Rhode Island

R.S
SERVICE
Luther Martin Rachel
NUMBER
W. 21.592
CONTENTS

4574. Rhode Island Rachel Luther widow of Martin
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Mch 1849 and sent to
Benj t M. Bosworth Providence R.I.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 13 Vol. 3,

3144. Rhode Island
Martin Luther of Bristol in the State of R S who was a Pirate in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the Reg t commanded by Col Allen in the R S line for 15 years
Inscribed on the Roll of R S at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 1 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Dec r 1832 and Sixty Six Heads of House R.S.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1802 $ 75-- Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March 33. / 25--
$100.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H C / 69 Blair Clerk, Book D - Vol. 3 rd Page 121.

2237
Martin Luther
R. 2
W. 6. 8
Has not mentioned with precision the length of his various papers not properly authenticated
Levi Haile Barnes R. 9

BRIEF in the case of  Martin Luther  of Warren & Bristol  by  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? absent  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? —  3. How old is he? 71  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.     Spring of '77 was drafted Private Gen. Capt. Vial Allen   during Spring & Summer of fall served — 3 — do do   Spring of '78 - about 1st to about 11 Augt. - — 4 10 do do - Sullivan's Expedition   On or about 12 Augt. '78 — — 20 do do   on or about 1st Sept '79 - till about last of Oct - nearly — 7 — do do   do - to July '80 — 3 * do do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Barrington  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 3 living witnesses -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
No Clergymen Certificates - the Clerk signs all the papers -
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
* during these 3 mos. he at all times held himself in readiness but the Comp. did not march out of the County - &c

State of Rhode Island
County of Newport
On this 15 day of June A D 1843 personally appeared before me Joseph Childs Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within & for said County Rachel Luther was resident in Tiverton in said County aged 76 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an "act granting half pay pensions to certain widows", viz That she is the widow of Martin Luther late of Warren in the County of Bristol in said State, who was a pensioner under the act of June 7 1832, to his declaration which he made to obtain said pension she refers for the amount of pension & her right to the same - And she further declares that she was married to the said Martin Luther in the month day of July A D 1786 as will appear by the evidence hereto annexed - and that she lived with him as his wife until he departed this life which event took place on the 27 day of November that period she has remained a widow A D 1841 and since, she was not married

to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen hundred & thirty four to wit at the time above mentioned.
Rachel Luther
Newport St. Tiberias June 15 1843 personally came before me the above named Rachel Luther & made oath To the Truth of the above and foregoing Declaration by her signed and I further certify that from old age and infirmity She is unable to attend court & also certify that full faith and credit is due to her Statement
Joseph Church just C.C.P.

I Gardner Morse of Fall River in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts on oath do testify & say that Rachel Luther who has signed & sworn to the preceding declaration is my wife's mother. She has remained unmarried since the death of her husband Martin Luther. He departed this life November 27 1841 & she is now a widow Gardner Morse
Newport R.I. October 15 1843 personally appeared before me the above named Gardner Morse and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed & I further certify the said Gardner Morse is a credible witness.
Joseph Childs Just. G.C.P.
State of Rhode Island &c. Clerk's office County of Newport
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Joseph Childs was on the day of the date of the foregoing depositions Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County and that he was duly authorized to act in his said capacity and that his signature aforesaid is Genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 29th day of June A.D. eighteen hundred and forty three
Daniel C. Denham Clerk

Rachel Luther 9241
Rachel Luther R.I.
Act 7. July 38
m 86. d. 41
adm
15mo pri.
50 $
Benjamin Lowell Providence R.I.

I Samuel Randall Town Clerk of the town of Warren Warren, in the county of Bristol in the state of Rhode Island, do certify that I have in my possession the Records of births & marriages which have taken place in said town: and I further certify that it appears from said records that Martin Luther and Rachael Luther were joined together in marriage on the Ninth day of July Seventeen hundred Eighty Six. The Record of said marriage stands on said Records in the words & figures following to wit. Martin Luther & Rachael Cole were joined together in marriage July 9th 1786 by Solomon Townsend Pastor
all which duly appears
Samuel Randall Town Clerk.
Bristol ss in Warren June 23 rd 1843
Personally appeared before me, the above above-named Samuel Randall known to me as town clerk of the Town of Warren and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him signed
Elias Magoon Justice of the peace
State of Rhode Island ss County of Bristol } ss
Clerks Office Supreme Judicial Court June 24th A. D. 1843.
I hereby certify that Elias Magoon whose signature is affixed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing affidavit of Samuel Randall is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned under the seal of said State and engaged

Thereby according to Law - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, the day and year last written -
Will Throop Clerk

2237
2237

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.
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk
Martin Luther
We, Seth Cole residing in the Town of Warren aforesaid and Benjamin Cole residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Martin Luther who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be upwards of seventy one 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.
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk
Seth Cole Benj. Cole
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 Seth Cole resident in the Town of Warren aforesaid who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person and that Benjamin Cole who has also signed the same is a resident in the aforesaid Town of Warren , and credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk
I Ichabod Davis Clerk of the 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 Martin Luther for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 24 day of Aug A.D. 1832
Attest Ichabod Davis Clerk

Martin Luther ye son of Frederick Luther and of Johannah his wife was born April 10. 1761
I certify the above to be a true copy of Record - Attest Joseph G. Luther - Town Clerk of Swaney
Swaney July 10 th 1832

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed, June 7, 1832.
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
County of Bristol ss. On this twenty eighth day of July A.D. Eighteen hundred thirty two, personally appeared in open court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting at Bristol within and for the County of Bristol in said State. Martin Luther, a resident of Warren in said County of Bristol and State aforesaid, aged seventy one years and upwards, 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 the 7 th 1832. That he entered into the service of the United States, under the following named officers and served as herein stated, viz.
In the Spring of the year 1777 he was enrolled in Captain Trial Allin's company of Militia in the Town of Barrington in said State, and said Company has been drafted or ordered out to serve as a guard to guard the shores in said Town of Barrington in the following manner, the members of said Company were ordered out or volunteered by turns, a part of said Company being detached and sent out at a time to perform said guard service; he, the said Martin Luther in the Spring of the year 1777 was ordered out as one of said Company, and served as a private soldier from time to time during the Spring, summer and fall of the year 1777 in guarding the shores in said Barrington, and he served three months during that time according to the best of his recollection. He cannot recollect the precise period of each guard service, but he is confident that he served three months or more during said time. Colonel Flavel Flavel commanded said Guard. Daniel Kinnicutt was Lieutenant of said Company; he does not recollect positively the name of the ensign, he served half of the time in rotation & drew rations as at other times.
In the Spring of the year 1778, a part of said Captain Trial Allin's Company of Militia was again drafted or ordered out to guard the shores in said Barrington and he the said Martin Luther being a member of said Company volunteered and joined said Guard and served as a private soldier in said Guard in guarding the shores in said Barrington from on or about the first day of April until on or about the eleventh day of August 1778. Said Guard was commanded by Daniel Kinnicutt, the Lieutenant of said Company. Said Company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nathan Miller. Said Guard drew their rations from said State. He served on said Guard about four months and ten days according to the best of his recollection.
On or about the 12 th of August A.D. 1778 he was drafted from said Captain Trial Allin's Company of Militia for twenty days, & he served as a private soldier in the Company during

said term of twenty days, in the expedition of Major General Sullivan on Rhode Island; and he was in said service during the battle with the British troops on Rhode Island; said Company belonged to Colonel Nathan Miller's Regiment, and was marched on to said Island by Captain William Phelps.
On or about the first of April 1779 being a Member of said Company of Militia in said Barrington he volunteered and enlisted into the guard detached from said Company to guard the shores in said Barrington and he served as a private soldier in said guard from said first of April until on or about the last of October A.D. 1779; he is confident that he served nearly or quite seven months. Daniel Kinnicutt commanded said Guard; and said Guard drew their rations from the State in the same manner as the troops of the line.
On or about the 20 th day of July A.D. 1780 he enlisted into the Company commanded by Captain Vial Allen in the line of the State for the term of three months and received his bounty, and was held to said service for said term of three months, and was occasionally paraded and reviewed with said Company, but said Company was not marched out of said County. During said term of three months he at all times held himself in readiness to perform any service which he might be commanded to perform, and always paraded with said Company when the same was ordered out.
He further declares that he was born in Swansea in the State of Massachusetts on the 19 th day of April 1761 and that his age is recorded in the Town Clerk's office in said Town of Swansea, a copy of which record is here produced to the Court. He lived in the Town of Barrington aforesaid when he entered said service. He has lived in the Town of Swansea aforesaid since the Revolutionary war, and now lives in said Town. He received no written discharge from the aforesaid service; he was verbally discharged by the commanding officer at the expiration of each of the aforesaid terms of service.
He knows of no person but Joseph Kent, Jonathan Preskee and James Preskee,
whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service. He is known to the following persons in his neighbourhood, who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution, viz. Capt. Seth Cote and Col. Benjamin Cote.
The Clergymen in his neighbourhood have resided there but a short time and are not particularly acquainted with him, and there is no Clergyman in his vicinity with whom he is particularly acquainted.

March 9, 1931
Mr. L. L. Luther Pulaski, New York
Rev.& 1812 Wars Section AWF:MLB
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 21592, that Martin Luther , son of Frederick and Johannah Luther, was born April 19, 1761 in Swansea, Massachusetts.
While residing in Barrington, Rhode Island, he served as private with the Rhode Island troops, as follows:-
In 1777, three months guarding the coast under Josiah Humphreys; from the spring of 1778 until August 11, 1778, under Lieutenant Daniel Kinnicutt and Colonel Nathan Miller; from August 12, 1778, twenty days in Captain William Throop's company, and was in the battle of Rhode Island; from April, 1779 to October, 1779 under Captain Daniel Kinnicutt.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 28, 1832, at which time he was living in Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island.
He died November 27, 1841.
The soldier married July 9, 1786, Rachel Cole. They were married by the Reverend Solomon Townsend and the marriage was recorded in Warren, Rhode Island.
She was allowed pension on her application executed June 15, 1843, at which time she was living in Tiverton, Rhode Island and was aged seventy-six years.

Gardner Morse of Fall River, Bristol County, Massachusetts, stated in 1843 that the widow Rachel was his wife's mother. The name of his wife was not given.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Ref
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 26592  Rebecca Luther  wid of  Martin Luther  prio Rec. 11/11
Act Feb. 2 d  1848
Index : Vol 21 Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1831. m. ch. 9. H. in ch. to m. S. S. Luther cur 3

4025
Rhode Island
Reported
Rachel Luther widow of Martin Luther who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of Decr. 1843 and sent to A. B. Cornell, Providence R.I.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book 1 Vol. 1 Page 91

7651
Repd 15 Sept 43
Rhode Island
Rachel Luther widow of Martin Luther
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 27 November 1841 of Newport [in the State of R. Island] who was a private in the _____ of the commanded by Captain _____ commanded by Col. Allen - in the R. Island line for 15 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th _____ day of Sept: 1843 - and sent to Ben. Council Providence, R. Island
Whole amount due . . . . . $250.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Abel Stearns Clerk.
Book A Vol. 2 Page 13 -

Providence July 18 1893
Sir
I herewith enclose the applications of Mrs. Rachel Luther widow of Martin Luther & Lucy Stone widow of William Stone for pensions under the act of July 7 1832 - I am respectfully yours obt Servt Bryant Ladd
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Providence July 23 d . 1849
Sir I herewith transmit the declaration of Rachel Luther widow of Martin Luther, who was a pensioner under the act of June 17. 1844. claiming the benefit of the act of July 2 d . 1848. Please forward the pension Certificate, when prepared to my address at Warren, R Island -
Very respectfully Yrs, &c
Benjamin H. Bosworth
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington. D. C.

L. L. LUTHER
"EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL"
PHONE 91-W
APPLIANCES FIXTURES
ELECTRICAL SUPPLIES WIRING
PULASKI, N. Y.
Feb. 13, 1931.
Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
Rev. and 1812 War Dept.
Will you kindly give me the Revolutionary War record, and anything on record, concerning the ancestors or descendants of Martin Luther of Bristol Co., R.I., born 1761.
Very truly yours,
LLL/B
L. L. Luther.
RECEIVED SECTION

I Joseph Kent, of Barrington in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations of the age seventy years and upwards, on solemn oath, do testify and say, that I have been well acquainted with Martin Luther, of Warren in the County and State aforesaid for about sixty years, that said Martin Luther in the Spring of the year 1778 was a member of Captain Vial Allin's Company of Militia in said Town of Barrington and a part of said Company being drafted or ordered out to guard the shores in said Town, said Martin Luther volunteered and joined said Guard, and he served as a private soldier in said Guard in guarding the shores in said Town of Barrington from on or about the 1 st day of April until on or about the 11 th day of August A.D. 1778. said Guard was commanded by Daniel Kinnicutt, who was Lieutenant of said Company. I served on said Guard during the whole of said time. Said Luther served about four months & ten days, on said Guard I am very confident.
And I further testify, that said Martin Luther being a member of said Company on or about the first of April A.D. 1779 volunteered and enlisted into the Guard detached from said Company to guard the shores in said Barrington, and he served as a private soldier in said Guard from said first of April until on or about the last of October A.D. 1779 being nearly or quite seven months. Daniel Kinnicutt commanded said Guard & I served in said Guard during all this time. I understood that said Guard drew their rations from the State, at that time.
sworn to and subscribed in open Court Joseph Kent this 24 day of July 1832
Attest
Richard Davis, Clerk.
The Court, hereby certify that it appears to them, that Joseph Kent Jonathan Bushee and James Bushee who have signed and sworn to the annexed deposition are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit
Attest Richard Davis, Clerk.

I Jonathan Bushee of Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, of the age of seventy one years & upward, do hereby certify and say that I have been acquainted with Martin Luther, of Warren in the County and State aforesaid for more than sixty years; that in May and June A.D. 1779, after I was discharged from Captain Philip Trafton's Company in Col. Lippman's Regiment of the Rhode Island line I was enrolled in Captain David Allin's Company of Militia in Barrington in the County & State aforesaid as I at that time resided in said Barrington; and I immediately volunteered and enlisted into a Guard which had been detached from said Company to guard the shores in said Barrington: said Martin Luther was at that time serving in said Guard and he continued to serve as a private soldier in said Guard until about the last of October A.D. 1779, and I served until that time. I understood that said Luther had entered said Guard about the first of April 1779, and that he had served from that time I am confident that he served about seven months in said Guard in the year 1779 and have ever since understood that he served for that length of time.
Said Martin Luther also served twenty days, in the Company commanded by Capt. William Shurp in Genl. Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island in the year 1778; I then belonged to Col. Lippman's Regiment and was on the Island at the same time. This was at the time of the battle with the British troops.
Jonathan Bushee
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 24 day of July A.D. 1832
Attest Richard D. Davis Clerk

I James Bushee resident in Warren in the County of Bristol in the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations, of the age of seventy seven years & upward, on solemn oath, do testify and say, that in the Spring of the year 1778 a part of Captain Vial Allin's Company of Militia in Barrington in said County was drafted or ordered out to guard the shores in said Barrington, and I being a member of said Company was ordered out and served as a private soldier in said Guard in guarding the shores in said Barrington from or on about the 1 st of April until or on about the 11 th of August A. D. 1778; and Martin Luther now resident in said Warren, was at that time a member of said Company, and he joined said Guard and served as a private soldier in said Guard during the whole of said time, according to the best of my recollections, being about four months and ten days. Said Guard was commanded during this time by Daniel Kinnicutt, Lieutenant of said Company.
James Bushee
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 24 day of July A D 1832
Attest J. Hubbard Davis, Clerk.

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Bristol ss. in Wawers, November the 24 th A.D. 1832.
This day personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol in said State, Martin Luther, a resident in Wawers in said County, who on the 28 th day of July A.D. 1832, made his declaration on his oath before said Court in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7 th 1832, duly sworn being duly sworn Caliposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear more positively as to the precise length of his service, than he has stated in his said declaration, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, in the war of the Revolution in the manner stated in his said declaration, and in the following grades: For fifteen months & the said Martin Luther served as a private soldier in the militia; and for three months more & enlisted and was held to service as a private soldier in the line of said State, and served as a private soldier in said line during said term of three months whenever required so to do; and for such service & claim a pension.
Martin Luther.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this day and in the years above written Daniel Bosworth Jns. Court C Pleas
The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations. Bristol ss. I Ichabod Davis, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol in said State do hereby certify, that the above named Daniel Bosworth, who has certified the above written affidavit, is Chief Justice of said Court, and that the signature above written is the genuine signature of said Daniel Bosworth. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Bristol in said County this 24 th day of November A.D. 1832.
I. H. Davis Clk.

4543 Rachel Luther
$50 per a
B. Lowell Providence R.I.

STATE OF RHODE-ISLAND.
County of Providence
On this 21 st of September A. D. 1843, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in said County Rachel Luther now resident in Providence in said County, aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress, passed March 3d, 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War; viz: That she is the Widow of Martin Luther deceased, who served in said War as a private . That she received a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, at the rate of $ 50 per annum, payable at the Agency for paying pensions at Providence.
Attest William A Burt
Rachel Luther
Providence Sc. In Providence Sept 21 A. D., 1843. Personally came before me the above named Rachel Luther and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her signed.
I also certify she is a credible person & her statement entitled to full credit William A Burt Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island } ss County of Newport }
I Daniel C. Denham Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Williams A. Burt is a Justice of the Peace in the Town of Tiverton in the County aforesaid appointed by the town of Tiverton and commissioned by the Governor of this State bearing date the Fifth day of June A. D. 1843 and is fully au- thorized to act in his said capacity. And that his signature before written is Genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court at Newport on this twenty ninth day of September A. D. one thousand eight hun- dred & forty three. Daniel C. Denham Clk

State of Rhode Island, } ss. COUNTY of Bristol } ss.
On this twelfth
day of February
1849.
personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Bristol
Rachael Luther
a resident of Warren
in the county of Bristol
aged Eighty two
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath
make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress,
passed on the 2d of February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary
war:—That she is the Widow of Martin Luther who was a
Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and that she received a pension of Fifty Dollars
per annum, under the act of 17th of June, 1844. She further declares that she is still a widow.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me, } ss.
Witnesseth Saml. Randall. Rachael X Luther her wife
Samuel Randall Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the above named affiant is personally known to me, and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing affidavit.
Samuel Randall
Justice of the Peace.
State of Rhode Island, } ss. COUNTY of Providence } ss.
I
John W. Smith
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in the county aforesaid, being a Court of Record, do hereby certify,
that Samuel Randall Esq is a Justice of the Peace
in the county of Bristol aforesaid, and is fully authorized to act in said capacity, and that his signatures above written are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Providence on this 23 rd day of February 1849.
John W. Smith, Clerk