Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39866, for Garner Thomas, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
RJ
Thomas, Garner
S. 39866
CONTENTS

died Feb 15, 1878 87 3
Rhode Island Gamer Thomas
of Providence in the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Bailey of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Richmond in the Rhode Island line, for the term of ten months
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 13 of June 1820
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 st of July 1823 and sent to Hon. Job Dederick House of Reps
  Arrears to 4th of Sept 1822  213.86     Semi anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1823  48     26 mo 22 1/2   $ 261.86    208 1/30      5.86      213.86    
{ Revolutionary claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
1886 Aug 11 Mrs Mary J Thomas to state the use of the information desired Prior 1886 Aug 23. Mrs Mary J Thomas to repeat the information desired in her previous letters, which are mislaid & return the letters recd from this office Prior 1886 Oct 4 Mrs Mary J Thomas, that Children or other heirs are not entitled to. pension. Prior

New Bedford Sep 13 th 1886 Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send only letter in my possession, which have been forwarded previously - James Thomas was a pensioner in the Revolutionary War, drawing the same up to his death, as his granddaughter I am entitled to pension as I have been informed, so I desire a blank application so that I may fill out the same & send to Department in order to obtain the same - I supposed the Dep furnished blanks if not please inform me how I must - proceed to apply - Mary J. Thomas,,
No 8 N Emerson St
New Bedford Mass,

Old war Div. Ms Ex't. No. Co. _____ Reg't _____
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE
Washington, D.C. August 23 d 1886
Return this letter with your reply.
Madam,
In answer to your letter of the 19 th inst, relative to Garner Thomas, a Revolutionary Soldier, I have to request that as your previous letters have been mislaid, that you will repeat the information you have desired to be furnished, and return the letters from this office which you have received.
Very respectfully
Wm E. McLean.
actg Commissioner
Mrs Mary J Thomas 8 North Emerson St. New Bedford Mass

Garner Thomas -
(Ralph Waldo Emerson) The motto of the man is written in his heart The motto of the man is written in his heart The motto of the man is written in his heart The motto of the man is written in his heart
6 Dec 1822
Thos. Job Durfee, A.R.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Newport ss. 13 th June 1820. at Tiverton in said county before me Thomas Dyer Esq. Presiding Jus- tice of the court of common pleas within and for the county of Newport aforesaid, personally appeared Gerron Thomas of Tiverton in the county aforesaid born in said Tiverton eight years residing in said Tiverton being duly sworn on oath saith,
That in the winter of the year 1776 he enlisted in Capt. Nathaniel Church's company in Colonel Richmond's Regiment for twelve months, and in course of the year Capt. Church resigned and Captain Samuel Dyer took command of said company and continued in charge of said company until the end of his enlistment and discharged which took place in January 1777. That the regi- ment which to he belonged to it, went on Long Island and had some skirmishes with the British and took the ground and continued in said Regiment until January 1777
After his discharge from said Regiment enlisted in Capt. John Washburn's company in Col. Jacob's Regiment for nine months, and was on Rhode Island in said Regiment in Sullivan's Expedition, and was in the engagement on said Island, and was in other en- gagements in the war until the end thereof, though under no regular enlistment. That he is now in need of the aforesaid circumstances and stands in need of his country's assistance for his support.
Gerron Thomas

Seems the day and your above said testimony before me then
Witness my hand Jan. 6. 6. Shaw
I Thomas Durfee Judge of the court of oyer. Pleas in Newport, do certify that the within it appears to my satisfaction that within memory of man there did serve in the revolutionary war in the following attached against the common enemy, under that his in said circumstances, and deserves the assistance of his country for his support —
Thomas Durfee presiding Jan. 6. 6. Shaw
Newport ss. Personally appeared Caleb Davenport of the county of Newport in our said county before me Thomas Durfee Esq. presiding Jan. 6. 6. 6. and I am in said county and being duly sworn, on oath declare and saith that he is well acquainted with Gardner Thomas of Tiverton aforesaid, that said Gardner in said county churches company in Col. Richmond regiment in the revolutionary war in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, for one year, and that he continued in said service till the January 1777 at which time said com- pany was discharged, and that he was in the same com- pany and was attached for the same time, that during the campaign said regiment went on Long Island took most of the guards of the British Garrison on Island and brought them off —
Caleb Davenport
Sworn to at Tiverton in said county the 13 th Jan
1820 —
Before me Thomas Durfee Jan. 6. 6. Shaw

State of Rhode Island ss
I personally appeared before me Thomas Durfee Esq r , presiding Jus. Court of Com. Pleas county of Newport Jeremiah Dwyer of Tiverton in the county of Newport known to me to be the person of said affidavit duly sworn on oath. saith - That he hath been long ac- quainted with Jeremiah Thomas of Tiverton, and well knew of his entering into Captain's Churches com- pany in Colonel Richmond's regiment in the Service of the United States in the revolutionary war in the year of 1776 and that the term of his enlistment was for one year, and that he continued in said service during said time and was discharged from said service in January 1777 - and that his knowledge of said enlistment and discharge he was particularly acquainted with because he belonged to the same company, and that he also knew that said regiment went on the long Island and took and brought a part of the British forces
Jeremiah Dwyer
Tiverton 13 th Jan y 1820 personally appeared the above named Jeremiah Dwyer and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed Reference
Thomas Durfee J. 668

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Bleek's office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport I hereby certify that Thomas Dufie Esq. whose signature is affixed to the foregoing attestation is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid duly commissioned & engaged under the seal of said State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth Day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Twenty four of American Independence.
H. G. Brantley Clerk
I Thomas Dufie Chief Jus. of the Court of Com. Pleas County of Newport do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within named per- sons dwelling in the County of Newport whose affida- vits are herunto annexed, that they are men of good ability and faith and that it is their Affidavits
Tho. Dufie Second Jus. 66. I have

The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Newport ss. Court of Common Pleas May Term A.D. 1820 On this Twenty sixth Day of June 1820 Personally appeared in open court, being a court of Record within and for the county of Newport in the State of Rhode Island &c. Garner Thomas aged sixty Eight years residing in Fiverton in said county, who being first duly sworn according to Law, oath on his oath declare, That he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: That in the Winter of 1776 he enlisted in Capt. Nathaniel Churches Company in Col. Richmonds Regiment for Twelve Months, and in the course of the year Capt. Church resigned, and Capt. Lemuel Baily took command of said Company, and continued in charge of said Company until the end of his enlistment and discharge, which took place in January 1777, That the Regiment whilst he belonged to it went on to Long Island and had some skirmishes with the British and took the Guard. That after he was discharged from said Regiment, he enlisted in Capt. Haskins Company in Col. Searles Regiment for Nine Months, and was on Rhode Island in said Regiment in Sullivan's Expedition, and was in the engagement on said Island, and was in other services in the War until the end thereof, tho' under no regular enlistment. And in pursuance of the Act of Congress passed May 1 st 1820. I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th Day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner whatever, disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it, as to being myself

within the provisions of an Act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18 th Day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts, due to me; nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
Garner Thomas
Schedule of property and income / necessary clothing & bedding, excepted / of Garner Thomas M tz .
1 Desk, 1 Tea Kettle, 1 Coffee Pot, Knives & forks & 1 Chest. $14. 00
my family at home with me consists of my wife aged about sixty nine years, one son aged thirty three years, two daughters, one aged twenty three, the other twenty one years. all of them have been, and now are very sick. my occupation is that of a Laborer, but from my age and infirmities am unable to work much.
Garner Thomas
Sworn to and declared on the twenty sixth Day of June 1820. in open Court.
Before H. G. Branton Clerk
Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport.
I do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and the schedule hereto annexed, are truly copied from the Records of said Court, that the amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is in the opinion of said Court Fourteen Dollars. I further certify that the Court aforesaid is a Court of Record.

being so constituted by Statute, and possessing original and unlimited Jurisdiction in all civil causes, proceeding according to the course of the Common Law, and keeping a record of its proceedings. I further certify that the Hon. Thos. Duffee whose signature is affixed to the several attestations hereunto annexed was at the time thereof, and now is Chief Justice of the Court aforesaid duly Commissioned under the Seal of said State, and otherwise qualified as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Eighteenth Day of November in the year of our LORD One thousand Eight hundred Twenty two of forty seventh of American Independence.
Henry Brandebolt

39 866
Rev INVALID.
File No. 89 866
James Thomas
Dr. Rev. Mr.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 3 , Page 507
[Arrangement of 1870.]

This claim may be admitted, because if it be true that he enlisted in the winter of 1775 and was discharged in Jan.
Hon J. Duer. H. K.

Garner Thomas's Case
Applicant says he entered in the Winter
1877, as the Winter state, the applicant must have served at least ten months -

39866
New Bedford July 31 st 1886
Dear Sir. In answer to yours of July 3 rd . I reply that My grandfather name was Gardner Thomas but he was after called Garner Thomas , so I send you both names, not knowing which he went by when in the service. He was a land soldier or militiaman . My grandfather served as a pensioner as Revolutionary soldier up to his death, & when he died he was about 93 years of age - If you mean by service the patriot war, I cannot tell but

He hailed from Fall River or Tiverton living in one or the other towns about his whole life
Respect
Mary J. Thomas
No 8 North Emerson St, New Bedford Mass.,

New Bedford Sept 8 th , 1886,
Dear Sir
Yours of the 23 d came duly to hand but as I was out of the city for two weeks on a visit caused the delay shall be pleased to respond whatever you wish to know in regard to my Grandfather or myself, very early in life I married but the marriage

did not prove to be a good one then of course I had to get a divorce and the Court allowed me my own name Mary J Thomas, since then have never married have struggled along alone brought up my children with my father's help which without it I could not have done, I feel that my lot in life has been a hard one but Heaven knows best and has indeed blessed me in some things for health has been given me which is better than riches perhabs This may not interest you
but I wished to say some- thing in regard to myself that you may judge if I am worthy of any help I think if my good old Grand- father could have known that his pension to me it would have been a great pleasure to him and when I was told I could draw his pension I said it was too good to be true but I am in hopes it may be my good fortune to get it please do all you can in my favor and receive my heart felt thanks very respectfully, M J Thomas,

My Occupation in life has been Housekeeper nurse and I lived in a Dr's family three years and did the house work have Rocken Children to board have one now, been with me two years so you will see my life has not been a lazy one, and if I had nothing to do I should be miserable indeed, Mrs Mary J Thomas No 8 North Emerson St New Bedford. Mass.

New Bedford Aug 19 th 1886 Dear Sir,
Your letter on the other side is a charge me in the light of letters already passed between myself & your office. In my first letter to the Dep. I asked for a Blank so that I might fill out a petition for pension being grand daughter of Gardner Thomas a revolutionary soldier . The reply was that I was not entitled & at the same time my attention was called to a certain law in regard to widows re of revolutionary soldiers , I replied that I did not think the law did not apply to me as my grandfather Gardner Thomas drew a pension up to his death & I was entitled, - Your Dep. then required me to give service re of my grandfather which I did in my last - expecting to receive a Blank Application but instead as I have above written this charge communication asking what I wish - Please refer to my former letters & send me Blanks if I am entitled as I think I am (over) Resp re Mrs Mary D Thomas,

Old war Div Ins. Ex't. No. Co. Reg't Return this letter with your reply.
Department of the Interior PENSION OFFICE.
AUG 21 1886
Washington, D.C. August 11 th , 1886
Madam,
In answer to yours of the 31 st ult. relative to Gardner or Garner Thomas, a soldier in the war of the Revolution, from Princeton R.I., you are advised that you have omitted to state in your letter what information is desired, but before it will be furnished, it is necessary that you should communicate to this office the object of the enquiry and what use it is intended to make of the information as well as your relationship to the soldier.
Very respectfully
Wm E. McLean.
ady commissioner
Mrs Mary J Thomas 8 North Emerson St New Bedford Mass.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE RECEIVED AT 11 AM AUG 21 1886
(over)

Newport R.I. at Seaverton in said county, before me Thomas Deerfield Esq. chief Justice of the court of common Pleas within and for the county of Newport aforesaid, personally appeared Gannor Thomas the subscriber of the foregoing affi- davit, dated the 13. June 1820, and being duly sworn accord- ing to law, on such his oath makes the following declaration, (Supplementary to and in amendment of, the foregoing affidavit) in order to obtain the provisions made by the act of the 18 th March 1810 and the first day of May 1820 —
That he the 3 Gannor testified for the term of one year in the winter of 1776 in the State of Rhode Island, in the company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Church in the Regiment commanded by Colonel William Rich- mond, in the line of the State of Rhode Island & Pro- vidence Plantations; on the continental establishment, and that he continued to serve in said Corps, till the winter of 1777, when he was discharged from said service in the State aforesaid; and that all the other services as mentioned and contained in the forego- ing affidavit, to which this is annexed, were per- formed as then in State GANNOR THOMAS
Sworn to the 25 th December 1822 before me
Thomas Deerfield Chief Jus. C.C.P.