Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10,352, for William Sweet, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R. J.
NUMBER _____
NUMBER Duret, William R. 10,352.
CONTENTS

State of New York } Rensselaer County ss. }
Samuel T. Sewell of Rensselaer County & State last aforesaid being duly sworn - deposes and saith that during the war of the Revolution he was well acquainted with the above named William Sewell who is his brother - That he this depo- nant is fifty seven years old. That during the said war he knew that the said William was frequently gone said to be engaged in the service and he supposes he was. That he firmly believes he was engaged in the said service as he has above alleged and further this deponent says not.      Samuel T. Sewell Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. Archibald Bull Clerk

John Orr
21
I certify that the general reputation of the within named Samuel ? Sweets character for truth and veracity is good.
Ames
Archibald Bull

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7, 1832.
Form for State Troops, &c.
Printed & Sold by Kemble & Hooper, 8 State-st. Troy, N.Y.
State of New York, } ss. County of Rensselaer
On this 14 th - day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges of the Court of Troy Mayor's Court now sitting, William Sweet a resident of Berlin - County of Rensselaer and State of New York, aged twentyone 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 in the year 1776 he resided in the town of South Kingston in the State of Rhode Island in the latter part of November or the first of December in that year he entered the service as a volunteer under Captain Samuel Potter in a Regiment of Militia commanded by Colonel Ray Sands that he continued in said service as a private soldier under the said Captain Potter until the 8 th day of February 1777 on which day he became sixteen years old when he was enrolled as a militiaman and continued in the same service until the Spring of 1777 when the Militia were divided into two parts who alternately relieved each other so as to keep one half in constant service - that his Father was also of the Militia the whole of whose service this deponent did as well as his own except his own one month in Newport where his said Father went for him self. So that he was constantly in the service on his own account and as a substitute for his Father (Thomas Sweet) until October 1779 (excepting about two months that this deponent was absent) When the British fleet left Rhode Island - that the said Militia with whom this deponent served were engaged in guarding the shore against the Enemy who lay off in Rhode Island Harbour during the whole of said time except a short time when they were driven off

red when he was enrolled as a militia man and continued in the same service untill the Spring of 1777 when the Militia were divided two parts who alternately relieved each other so as to keep one half in constant service - that his Father was also of the Militia the whole of whose service this deponent did as well as his own except himself one month in Newport where his said Father went for him Self. So that he was constantly in the service on his own account and as a substitute for his Father (Thomas Sweet) untill October 1779 (excep- ting about two months that this deponent was absent) When the British fleet left Rhode Island - that the said Militia with whom this deponent served were en- gaged in guarding the Shore against the Enemy who lay off in Rhode Island Harbour during the whole of said time except a short time when they were driven off by Count De Castin that some time during this service but at what time he does not recollect Captain Potter Re- signed and Captain Timothy Sock took the command of said Company and continued to command it as long as this deponent served - That he was engaged in a skirmish at Point Judith when the American Ship Colum- bus was run on Shore and burnt at that place - that he was engaged in taking the British Vessel Syren of twenty eight Guns at Point Judith & that he was also in Gen- eral Sullivan's Expedition in Rhode Island under Ensign William Steadman of the aforesaid Captain Sock's Company the Regiment was then commanded by Colonel Dyer. That during said service he as one of Captain Sock's Com- -pany guarded about sixty British prisoners who had been taken by the French & landed at Boston West in

the town of South Kingston to Providence - That in the month of December 1779 he left the State of Rhode Island and removed to where he now lives in the town of Berlin in County of Rensselaer & State of New York - That in August 1780 he went as a Substitute for William Helmes Simmonds from where he now lives to what was then called the Muddy Fort in Schoharie which was then commanded by Colonel Freeman that he was engaged in said last service at Schoharie one month that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure except what is herewith annexed who can testify to his services -
To the prescribed interrogatories put by the Court he answers
1 st He was born in South Kingston in the State of Rhode Island in the Year 1761 - 2 nd He has no record of his age except one made by his Son in His Bible - 3 rd He lived in the said town of South Kingston in the State of Rhode Island when he entered the service - He has ever since the Revolutionary War and does now live in the town of Berlin County of Rensselaer & State of New York - 4 th He first volunteered into the service then was closed off in the militia & served as a Substitute for his Father Thomas Sweet and for his last months service was a Substitute for William Helmes Simmonds - 5 th He did not serve with any regular officers and for his militia officers and general circumstances of his service he refers to his statement given above - 6 th He never received a written discharge - 7 th He is known in his present neighbourhood to John Bunn & Burton Simmonds who can certify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
For answer to the fifth interrogatory returned answered in the negative the applicant makes the following affidavit -
Rensselaer County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the County of Rensselaer aged William Sweet the above applicant who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades - For two years and nine months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension -

8 Burton Stamme - Who can certify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution -
For answer to the fifth interrogatory returned, answered in the negative the applicant makes the following affidavit -
Rensselaer County ss. Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the County of Rensselaer aforesaid William Sweet the above applicant who being duly sworn deposes and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below and in the following grades - For two Years and Nine months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension -
Subscribed before me
this 25 th day of May 1833 -
Joseph Brandal Justice of the Peace
William Sweet
State of New York
Rensselaer County ss. I hereby certify that Joseph Brandal Esq. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said County. And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his signature

In the Matter of William Swift Application for a Pension
Consent 14602 v

Subscribed to the above is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 29 th day of May 1833
Henry P. Bristol Clerk pr. D. Howardson Depy.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
William Sweet
Archibald Bull Clerk
We, William Satterlee a Clergyman, residing in the town of Berlin and Debolon Lewis a Clergyman residing in Petersburgh hereby certify that we are acquainted with William Sweet who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
Wm. Satterlee D. Lewis
Archibald Bull 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 William Satterlee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Berlin and that Debulondavis a Clergyman who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Petersburgh and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. as is also Samuel T. Sweet who signed the annexed affidavit
Archibald Bull Clerk of the Court of Troy Mayor's Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Sweet for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ninth day of August - 1832.
Archibald Bull Clk

Am Rev.&1812 Wars Section
MMNF
February 13, 1986
Mrs. Mattie C. Van Ostrand 214 West Gilman St., Madison, Wisconsin.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 10352 it appears that William Sweet , the son of Thomas Sweet, was born February 8, 1761 in South Kingston, Rhode Island.
He applied for pension August 9, 1832 while living in Berlin, Rensselaer County, New York and alleged that while a resident of South Kingston, Rhode Island he enlisted in November or December 1776 and served until October 1779 in Captains Samuel Potter and Timothy Lock's Company, Colonels Ray Sands and Dyer's Regiment of Rhode Island Militia, part of said time acting as substitute for his father. In December 1779 he moved to Berlin, New York and there enlisted in August 1780 and served one month at the middle fort in Schoharie, New York under Colonel Froman.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service as required by the pension laws.
In 1832 he referred to his son, his name and the name of
Patricia O'Keefe by Miss Nelson
I also have a copy

soldier's wife not stated.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his service, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Thomas Sweet, the father of this soldier.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.
Bro. Daniel J. Sweet de - 1766 -

STATE OF NEW-YORK, } ss.
COUNTY OF CHENANGO, } ss.
I, Henry Russell Clerk of the County of Chenango, do hereby certify, that Ann Pitts whose name is subscribed to the Certificate of the proof or acknowledgement of the annexed instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgement, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for the county aforesaid, dwelling in said county, commissioned and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same. AND FURTHER, that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of such Ann Pitts and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate of proof or acknowledgement is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, the 11th day of February 1837
H. Russell CLERK.

Hon H. P. Hunt
July 22, 1841
46

Per: H July 22 d 41.
Sir : In reply to yours of 20 inst in the case of William Sweet I have the honor to inform you that no papers or communication of any kind have been received in relation to his claim since Feb y 1839 when a letter was addressed to his agent R. Bully esq. of which a copy is herewith forwarded
ysb,
Hon. H. J. Hunt H. R.

66p 7 Hall July 20 th /41 -
Sir
A day or two since I rec d a letter saying that some years since I rec d papers - from the William Street of Dublin, - of the 6 th N. South, for a pension. I have no recollection of having rec d such papers and I have now to ask, if you have such papers - if so, what is the purpose of a pension. May I ask the favour of an early reply -
Yours H. P. Hunt
J. P. L. Edwards Esq.

Washington Feb. 2 d 1839
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions,
Sir,
Application was made for a Pension by Mr. William Sweet, through Mr. A. G. Hammond some years since, and Mr. Sweet was informed by Mr. Hammond that he understood sufficient testimony had been adduced and that his Pension would in all probability be allowed - Mr. Hammond having left the place soon after, no action has been had upon it since, as Mr. Sweet has been waiting the return of Mr. Hammond - but as Mr. Hammond still remains in Brooklyn Mr. Sweet is anxious to have his case noticed - if any thing is wanting to confirm his claim, he would be glad to know it - if nothing is wanting he would be very glad to receive his Pension - Attention to this will be soon as convenient, will confer a favour on, sir,
Your Most Obedt. Servant,
Rufus L. Bentley -

N. York
William Sweets Discontinued
See letter to A. S.
Hammond to May 1830
Att. to R. Bentley 4. Feb. 1837
W. D. Hunt July 22. 1847
10352
Act 7. June 1832

N. G. Hammond
4. May 1838
O. C.
+ Rec. Vol. 38. pa 249

War Department Pension Office May 4 th 1836
Sir
The paper in the case of William Ladd, has again been returned. The claimant states that from 1777 Feb. until October 1779 he was constantly, with the exception of one month, in actual service, one month for himself & one month for a substitute for his father alternately for the whole term under Capt Lock & Captain Potter. The Militia of Rhode Island all officers as privates were required to serve alternately in monthly or half monthly tours. There is no evidence in the Department that either Capt Potter or Capt Lock served continuously as alleged. Some examination is necessary in order to a satisfactory disposition of this case. A. G. Hammond Esq., Present

R. Bentley
4 Feb. 1839
OC

War Department Pension Office
Feb. 4. 1839
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 2 nd instant, relating to the claim of William Sweet, I have to state that it was alleged by the claimant, in his declaration, that he served almost uninterruptedly from 1776 to 1779, about 2 years and nine months in the Rhode Island Militia; It was required of him in the first examination of his papers that he should specify the duration of each term, the names of his officers serve the place or places where he served and the state - The requisition has not been complied with - In no instance where record evidence has been obtained does it appear that an ordinary militia man of that state served three months in any one year after 1776 - In making out a more particular statement, the applicant will be guided by the regulations of the Department relating to claims under the act of June 7 th 1832 - a printed copy of which is herewith enclosed
E
R. Bentley Esq. Present

1936-Feb-13-Act. to Mrs. Mattie C. Van strand - mmff 1930 Mar 31. Photo mailed to Mrs. Samuel E. Brady Pin Riv. ntfd. O.P.Y. (H. H. Curry)
REJECTED
10352
P. O. M m S m e m e m f
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: Printed list of , 1852, gives as cause of suspension:
Alleges: "Claims about 2 yrs. & 9 mos. in the Rhode Island Militia."
Re-enlisted: In no instance, so far as record evidence goes, did the R. I. militia serve over 3 mos. in one year in that state after 1776."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ (mmff)
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Jan. 6, 1926.
MRS. MATTIE CULVER VAN OSTRAND 214 WEST GILMAN STREET MADISON, WISCONSIN
Pension and Record Bureau Washington, D. C.
Will you kindly inform me if the records of your office give any information in regard to a New York soldier of the Revolution? The name of said soldier is William Sweet and he was a resident of Stephentown or Berlin and his service record is given in "N. Y. in the Rev." as of Albany Co. Militia.
His wife's name is supposed to have been Patience Mayson. He may have been born near Strumington Co. or Westerly R.I.
Any information you may be able to give in regard to this man or his wife will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly yours,
Mattie C. Van Ostrand 214 W. Gilman St., Madison, Wis.

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1-681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 11299
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications, Room G 139.
March 34, 1620.
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering Pension Deliver to Room No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostatic copies of 3 pages from Revolutionary War pension claim of William Sweet, R. I. Troops, R. 10353.
No. of copies 2 of each Shall form be kept standing? ..... days
For further information see Mrs. M. M. H. Finch Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved:
Ad. Wilkinson Chief Clerk of Bureau.
Margaret M. H. Finch Chief of Division.
NOTE: No order made "SPECIAL" unless statement showing necessity is written below and approved by Chief Clerk of Bureau ordering .....
CHECK WORK DESIRED
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March 24, 1930.
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
2 copies, Please furnish photostatic copies of three pages/ from Revolutionary War pension claim of William Sweet, Rhode Island, Troops, R.10352, uncertified., uncertified.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Samuel G. Bratt De Kalb Ill
through N. S. Curry 1420 Girard St N.W. Washington, D.C.
Received payment 90¢ March 24, 1930.
Antonia W. Ford
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.

Dear Miss Ford:
My memory was not working over time yesterday, I find. I had Mrs. Bratt's name all wrong.
The photostats of the William Sweet deposition should be addressed to
Mrs. Samuel G. Bratt- de Kalb. Ill.
If not too late for correction.
Sincerely yours, Kate S. Curry.
March 25. 1930

Deed Grant Certificate for amt of Louis Brown
A. S. Wanamaker Brooklyn Long Island N. Y.

State of New York } So. Chautauqua County, } ss.
Martin Murphy of the town of Otisville in the county of Chautauqua and State of New-York, Being duly sworn doth depose that he was personally acquainted with William Sweet in the Year 1776 and served in Capt. Samuel Potter's company, qualified in South Kingston and State of Rhode Island with said William Sweet, first stationed at Robert Knowles on Boston neck - and further this deponent saith that he and the said Sweet removed from Boston neck to Dover Hill and there with said Capt. Potter's company was quartered for the remainder of the winter, and in the spring there after removed from Dover Hill to Boston neck and quartered at Elias Gurnee - afterwards removed from Boston neck to Ray Mansford's at Point Judith - thence to Josiah Clarke's at Point Judith. And further this deponent says the next movement of said company was to Sedgley's Hussars, at Boston neck - afterwards at George Hazard's Little Neck. This deponent further saith that he and William Sweet served under different officers some of the time under Capt. Saml. Potter some of the time under Lieut. Daniel Giff and ensign Jonathan Coad - afterwards Capt. Saml. Potter resigns and Timothy Lock was appointed as Capt. of said company Insign Jonathan Coad resigned and William Sedgley was appointed in his room. And further this deponent says that he and the said William Sweet received their pay and rations while in service. And further this deponent saith not - Subscribed & sworn Feb. 11th 1837. MARTIN MURPHY Before me Asa Twitchell Commissioner of Oaths.

Man Grant Certificate for amt. of known money
A. C. Warmore Brooklyn Long Island N.Y.
Chautauqua County Town of Otselic.
This is to certify that I am acquainted with Martin Murphy the within named deponent, and that he is a man of truth and veracity and entitled to Credit—
Given under my hand at Otselic this 29th day of April 1887—
Asa. Fitchard S.P.H. at Otselic N.Y.