Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,864, for Oliver Leach, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
RJ
Leach Oliver
S 21864
CONTENTS

15708 Abiah Bland
Oliver Leach
of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Corporal in the Company commanded by Captain Knight of the R.I. commanded by Col. Richmond in the Rhode Island line for 5 mos Corporal 18.33 2. 45 day Sergt. 12.50 30.83
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 30 Dollars 83 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of July 1833 and Sept 1833 Abiah Bland
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $61.66 Pension allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 15.41 $77.07
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by H.D. Adrain Clerk Book E Vol. 20 Page 119
Recd Oct 10. 1832 C.B.

no 15989
Oliver Leach Providence botg Rhode Island
Capital 5 Months Interest 2-15-00 7-15-00
11 7 33 12 50 30 83
Providence Providence Rhode Island

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Oliver Leach / Providence County R. Island
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1775 Nov. - 2 - Corporal Capt Knight Col Richmond Col West Col Lippett Cranston, Providence, Warren, Bristol, Ferry Newport 73 Years. Bridgewater Mass. traditional & 2 living Writings   1776 Nov. - 1 - Corporal Capt Ralph at Warwick Scituate R Island Concurring Cert.   1777 March - 1 - Corporal Capt Ralph Warwick   1777 May - - 15 Sergt. Capt Potter Warwick   1777 June - - 15 Sergt. Capt Knight Warwick   1777 July - - 15 Sergt. Capt Sweet Warwick   " Aug. - - 15 Sergt. Capt Knight Warwick   " Sept. - - 15 Sergt. Capt Sweet Warwick   " - 1 - Corporal Capt Edwards Spencer Exp. Little Compton  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. _____ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 that 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc.
County of Providence On this 20 th day of August A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session— Oliver Leach a resident of Satuate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island & aged 73 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.
I was born in the South Parish of Bridgewater, in the State of Massachusetts, January 25 th 1759 and my age I think, is recorded in said Bridgewater records—
I was living in Satuate R. I. when called into service, I have always lived in said Satuate since the revolutionary war and now live in the same town—
I entered the service by entering into the company of Capt. Joseph Knight, a company of nineteen men— this was in the fall of 1775. The company was embodied in the last of November 1775 at my father's house in Satuate, we marched from there to Monkeytown in Cranston and stayed there the first night  with from there to Providence, and stayed there one night, and drove some cattle, at Col. Daniel Silverbrook's store, we then marched to Warren & stayed one night, from there we marched to Bristol, found Bristol Ferry to to Rhode Island— the next day we marched into Newport, and went part back of the town at Ichabod Potter's— in this town , I stayed  stayed two months, as corporal and some over; and was in the engagement at Providence in January 1776, we passed some of us, in Captain William Barton's boat, when we went from Rhode Island onto Providence; I think I was in Col. Rishmire's regiment, General M c Kee was com- manding officer, but at Providence, Col. Christopher Lippitt had the command— We were called out sev- eral other times in alarms, in this company, but I can- not particularize how it was—

at the general alarm in 1776, about the first of November of that year, I went to Warwick in the Militia Company in which I trained; the whole company went, it was commanded by Capt. Nathan Ralph. I served one month with this company at this time, as corporal. when the whole Militia came to a draft I was chosen for the first month but served the following month at said Warwick under Capt. Samuel Wilkin, of Scituate; under Col. John Water- man; as corporal in March 1777 I served another month under Capt. Nathan Ralph at Warwick, as corporal about this time there was some arrangement by which the soldiers were to relieve each other, one in fifteen days through the summer season - soon after this arrangement I served fifteen days at said Warwick, as sergeant under Sylvester Patten who was an ensign - this time I think was in May 1778. nextly I served another fifteen days, as sergeant at said Warwick under Capt. Jonathan Knight, this time of duty I think was in June 1778. In the fall of 1778 I served fifteen days under Lieut. Angell Sweet, of Scituate, as sergeant at said Warwick - In August 1778 I served at said Warwick fifteen days. I think under Jonathan Knight, as sergeant in September 1778 I served fifteen days at said Warwick under Lieut. Angell Sweet, as sergeant I served nextly for Rufus Hopkins one month in Spencer's expedition, as corporal stationed mostly at Scituate in Little Compton, under Capt. John Edwards of Scituate, Between Spencer's expedition and Sullivan's expedition I continued to do duty one half of the time, as sergeant six months

tans in the drafted Militia, Stationed mostly at said Warwick I cannot think of my Captain, - I was drafted to go in said Julian's expedition, but Governor Brown & John Brown in whose employ I then was, got me discharged from that turn of duty, but after this time, to the time when the British left Newport, which I think was in the fall of 1778, I did continue to do duty every time it came my turn; and it is to the best of my recollection, that after Spencer's expedition, like the British left, as aforesaid, I did duty one half of the time, with the exception of the month aforesaid.
I was twice called to Bristol after the British left or advanced, the first time in the year 1780 going for a few days, under Capt Jonathan Knight Esq. Joseph Knight was with us - The second time was soon after under some officer, gone about several - twelve days - I remember in Spencer's expedition a
I never received any written discharge & have no documentary evidence of my services - The dispositions of such living witnesses as I have been able to procure are annexed -

William Butty, William Burns, Joseph Titus Nathan B. Searle, Rev. Richard Knight, Caleb Fiske, are my present neighbours and can testify as to my character for truth and veracity I believe in my sincerity as a soldier in the revolution.
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.
attal B L M M C L K
Oliver Leach
We, Richard Knight a Clergyman, residing in the town Cranston and William Butty residing in Scituate hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Oliver Leach who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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.
Richard Knight
William Butty
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
B L M M C L K

I William Battey of Scituate in the county of Prov- idence and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Capt. Abner Leach of said Scituate, and am knowing to his doing duty as a soldier in the revolution- ary war. the First time I saw him in said service, was at Westerly, at the time of the general alarm, in the fall of 1776 in Capt. Nathan Ralphs company, he served there a little over a month. I think it thirty six days. At the end of this time, the troops came to a general draft- and I believe that said Leach took his regular turn of doing duty from then till the British left Rhode Island in 1779, I saw him in service several times, when I was on duty with him, either in monthly or half monthly tours, and never heard of his refusing to take his turn - he belonged in the same company with me. It is my impression, that regular service in these drafts and tours was about one half of the time, either in monthly or half monthly tours, except at the time of Sullivan's expedition which I think was for twenty days - And his character for truth and veracity I consider to be good - Aug 20 1892 I swear to in person William Battey Blossell W.H.

State of Rhode Island &c,
Providence Se in Situate on this 16 th day of August 1832 personally appeared William Dutton known to me to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing Deposition and solemnly oath that the facts therein stated are true to the best of his knowledge and belief - I further certify that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit - Before me Joseph D. Sessions Just. Peace

I William Burns of Sistruate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, being of lawful age and duly engaged according to Law do hereby and say - That I am well acquainted with Captain Oliver Leach of said Sistruate and have been ever since he moved into this town, over sixty years ago. I have done duty with him as a soldier in the revolutionary war; at the time of the general alarm in the fall of 1776 he was called out in Capt Nathan Ralphe's Company, and was stationed at Warwick R.I. where he served a month or a little over; at the end of this time, a draft took place of all the Militia of this State, - so as to give half the troops an opportunity to go home for a month; after this time, up to the time that the British left Rhode Island in the fall of 1779, said Leach took his regular turn in doing duty upon the Shores; in  the  following ex- pedition, which as I supposed was  was an extra draft, he was excused as I have heard, but in Spencer's expedition, which was also an extra draft as I supposed he, said Leach served for one Rufus Hopkins - an regular turn of duty, except in the said expeditions were monthly and half monthly turns - I think regular duty in these drafts would be one half of the time

And said Leach's character for truth and veracity I considered to be good - William D. Knight May 20 1832 sworn to in open Court P. P. Russell, Clerk
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 Richard Knight who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Cornwall
and that William D. Knight who also signed the same is a resident in the town of Stockbridge that the same W. D. Knight testified for P. applicant & that William Barnes who also testified for P. applicant is resident as he states & that all the above named are
credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Oliver Leach for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 19 day of November 1832
Benjamin Cowell Clerk
I further certify that his character for truth and veracity is good and that his statement is entitled to credit - Before me Jonah Pitkin J. P.
X. Oliver Leach 70
1885.8

Rev. and 1812 War Section.
Aug
June 23, 1925
Mrs. R. E. Wilcox 319 Federal Mason Mason City, Iowa
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 21864, it appears that Oliver Leach was born January 25, 1759 in South Parish of Bridgewater, Massachusetts.
While residing at Scituate, Providence County, Rhode Island, he enlisted in the fall of 1775 and served at various times as Corporal and Sergeant in the Rhode Island Troops, under Captains Joseph Knight, Nathan Relph, Samuel Wilbur, Jonathan Knight, John Edwards and Colonels Richmond, John Waterman, Obed Brown, Stephen Kimball, was in an engagement at Prudence, in Spencer's Expedition and on several alarms, served until in 1780,

amounting in all to about eight months.
He was allowed pension on his application ex- August 20, 1832, while a resident of Scituate, Rhode Island.
He died October 10, 1832. ✓
a. B.
It is not stated whether soldier was married.
Respectfully,
WILDER S. METCALF Commissioner.
He did not state length of service in all - so I used about 8 mos. as he was pen. for 7 mos. & 15 days.

Mason City Iowa April 16 1925.
Pension Dept; Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I am trying to qualify for the D.A.R. and would like to find if you have the following on your pension list.
Oliver Leach - born Jan 5-1792 - Rhode Island died April 13 - 1888 Wisconsin
Said to have fought in the war of 1812.
Oliver Leach - born - Jan 25 - 1759 not died Oct 11 - 1832 sure
Stephen Leach - born - March 1726 of died Sept 25 - 1807 State
The last two named would like to find if they were Rev. War soldiers. If so would like a Military record if any of these are on your list.
Does your Pension Dept have any record of a soldiers children, who they married etc. If not could you tell me where that information is kept?
Yours Truly
Mrs D.E. Wilcox
Mason City, Iowa
819 N. Federal

Reenlistment
21 864 INVALID.
File No. 21,864
Oliver Leach
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 289
[Arrangement of 1870.]
See also Vol. 2, Page 289