Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10586, for Daniel Thurston, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
P. Privateer R. I.
Thurston, Daniel
No. 10586
CONTENTS

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
Nov 18. 1833.
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 subjunct 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. These 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 Daniel Thurston
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     15 June 79 5 15 Cook Vipul not named Capt. Jeffries. 70 New Port R.I.   '80 alleges that he served as a R.I. militia man in the peace in '83 - swore See Note a.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Service not being verified may not be entitled to a pension for private service not pro

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) _____, who has 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 days 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
so much service must be susceptible of proof - & claimant should show that he has fruitfully sought it where it is most likely to be found.

28:266
Pension Paper of Daniel Thurston
for 3 Years 8 Months & 20 Days
Payments desired to be made at U.S. Br Bank at Utica N.Y.
Roswell Judson atty & agent Vernon Oneida Co. N.Y.

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7 th June 1832 —
State of New York } County of Oneida } ss:
On this fourteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, personally appeared before me John P. Sherwood one of the judges of the Court of Com- mon Pleas in and for the said County of Oneida Daniel Thurston of the town of Vernon in said County of Oneida aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated — That deponent was born in interrogatory I. New Port in the State of Rhode Island in the year 1763 deponent had a record of his age in his father's II. Bible but the same was taken and destroyed by the British in 1780 . That in June 1779 deponent resided III. in New Port aforesaid and entered the service as a cook on IV. board of a vessel (name forgotten) fitted for cruising on the ocean under the command of Capt Joseph V. Jeffrey and continued on board of said vessel as such cook from the fifteenth day of June 1779 until the first of December of the same year at which time the vessel under charge of Capt Jeffrey gave chase to a British Brig from New York and was finally drove near shore at Never Sink in New Jersey when deponent Captain or- dered all on board to make their escape by swim- ming ashore, that deponent reached the shore about exhausted by the cold and then started for home on foot a distance of about 3 or 400 miles, and begging for victuals during the journey having no money to buy — that nothing occurred

during said cruise at sea worthy of note, several chases were made but no prizes taken -
That on deponents return home, found the in- habitants of Rhode Island all under arms and absent, the Island surrounded almost by the British IV. and deponent was ordered out and commanded to be in readiness supplied with to defend the Island, that the British soon Blockaded the Island, and in the month of January 1780. The weather was so intense cold that the British Fleet which Blockaded Rhode Island had frozen in for near 30 miles out in the sea from the Island, and the depots were supplied by provisions from the Island carried off by the British on the sea, that winter was always called the cold winter by the Rhode Islanders, being the coldest ever known, and while the British lay there the Americans on the Island were all considered Prisoners to the Brit- ish, and when they came on the Island they said their motto was to sink Burn & destroy , and deponents fathers house was striped & burnt to ashes among various others and all reduced not only to hunger but almost starvation - depo- nent also saw the British burn at this time Cananticut, Bristol & Warren Villages at this time Genl. Washingtons army as deponent understands was at Morristown and Sir Henry Clinton the British officer had sailed south - That in July the British received intelligence that a French Fleet under the command of Genl. La Fayette was sailing for the Island and the British evacuated the Island and the French Fleet under command of Genl. La Fayette in the month of July 1780. as (as deponent thinks) sailed in and took possession of the Island

But deponent thinks La Fayette himself did not arrive until some days afterwards But the French Fleet was commanded as deponent thinks by Chevalier De. Turgay, that deponent continued under arms doing duty as a private soldier on said Island exclusively, without any other employment until first of September 1783 at which time deponent among the other citizens of the Island were permitted to lay aside their arms having learnt that peace was declared, that while under arms as soldiers on the Island deponent does
also int. V.
time of service for which deponent claims a pension 3/6 per month 15/6 per year interrogatory
not recollect what Officer of this deponent and the other prisoners were under, may be Maj. Genl. Heath - making in all that deponent served as aforesaid three years five months & fifteen days for which services deponent claims a pension that deponent never received any written discharge
VI.
or commission - And deponent does not know of any person living by whom deponent can prove any of his services, - is acquainted with
VII.
the here by relinquishing every claim whatever to a pension of annuity, except the present pension that his name is not on the books of the agency of any state
Rev. George Gary a Clergyman & Benjamin Nute a farmer residing in Vernon aforesaid who deponent believes will certify to deponent's character for truth and veracity, belief of services and age, But deponent is unable to appear in court on account of bodily infirmity, and further saith that it is attended with too much trouble expense for deponent to produce in court the two witnesses required (Gary & Nute) as deponent depends in a great measure on the charity of the Methodist Episcopal Church for a living deponent has since the revolutionary war lived in Old Providence Rhode Island, Mendon Mass, and in Vernon Onida Co. NY. and now resides in Vernon Onida Co. NY.
also int. VIII.
deponent thinks a rumor of peace was heard some months previous to the final treaty, but this deponent and the others on the Island were

held under arms until the final completion of the treaty as respondent has before stated & further this deponent saith not & made before signing, sworn to this 14 th day of August 1833 before me
John P. Sherwood
Judge Oneida Co. Courts
Daniel Thurston
We George Gary clergyman and Benjamin Nutt Post Master residing in the town of Vernon, County of Oneida & State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Thurston who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy 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. That said Daniel Thurston is in good standing in Christian society and is a man of respectabil- ity truth and veracity and we believe the fore- going statement made by him in the foregoing declaration by him subscribed is entitled to full credit -
George Gary
Benjamin Nutt
Subscribed & sworn to this 14 th day of August 1833 before me
John P. Sherwood
Judge Oneida County Courts.
I John P. Sherwood one of the judges of the court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Oneida do certify that on the Fourteenth day of August A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me Daniel Thurston the applicant who has subscribed and sworn to the fore- going declaration and after having an- swered the several interrogatories prescribed by the war department and which is contained in the foregoing declaration made solemn oath to the foregoing declaration by him

subscribed; and I further certify that it clearly appears to me that said Applicant, (Daniel Thurston) is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity; and it also clearly appears to me that said Applicant is unable to produce in court the two witnesses required (said Gary & Nute) without too much trouble & expense; and I further certify that George Gary who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing certificate was at the date of the same a Clergyman and Benjamin Nute who has also subscribed and sworn to the same was at the date of the same a Postmaster residing in the town of Vernon, County of Onondaga & State of New York and are men of respectability, truth and veracity; and I hereby declare my opinion (after the investigation of the whole matter) that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states
John P. Sherwood Judge Onondaga County Courts

State of New York } ss. County of Oneida }
I George Brown Clerk of the said County do certify that John P. Sherwood by me whom the foregoing declaration of Daniel Thurston purports to have been sworn and before whom the foregoing certificates of George Gay & Benjamin Nute also purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Oneida. And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe his name subscribed to the foregoing declaration of Daniel Thurston and the foregoing certificates of George Gay & Benjamin Nute to be his proper handwriting and signature. Witness my hand & seal of Office at Utica in said County this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1833
Geo Brown Clerk For J. Read D y Clerk

10.586.
Q. 927 Daniel Thurston
Service: On Col. Barton R.I.
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: REJECTED _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Act. 7 June 1832 Daniel Stanton
Suspended
In letter to
Asa Twitchell
6. March 1834
let to same 11 th Aug. '34
let to same 28 Aug. 1834
let to Hon. S. Beardsley, H. R.
7 Dec. 1835
to Hon. Jacob Fry 11. Jany 1836
to same 18 Jany 1836

James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions in Department Pension Office Washington

Vernon Onida Co. 5 th Dec. 1833
Hon d Sir
Yours inclosing the pension papers of Daniel Thurston duly rec d and I haste to comply with your request, and herewith return the same with amendments hoping they contain sufficient satisfactory evidence to entitle him to a pension. I am respectfully
Your ob t . Serv t
Roswell Judson
Hon. J. L. Edwards

House of Reps, Comm. of Rev. Pensions Jan 7. 1836
L. S. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir,
The application of Daniel Thurston. Oneida Co. New York is before the Com. He refers the Com. & asks them to examine his pa- pers on file in the Pension office. -
Will you inform the Com. whether the petitioner has any proof among his papers said to be on file, and of what character it is, and any information you have in relation to the claim. -
Your friend
David Fry Jr

War Department Pension Office
January 11. 1836
Sir,
The claim of Daniel Thurston is for three years and eight months uninterrupted service in the militia of Rhode Island, commencing in 1779. There is no evidence in the Department of any such service as that described. The claimant, on being called upon to give the names of his officers, in order that a satisfactory examination of his case might be had, has furnished the name of Barton only, as his Colonel. But that officer had not the command of a regiment of militia in 1779.
I have the honor to be Very respectfully Your Obdt. Servt. J. L. Edwards
Hon. Jacob Fry House of Representatives

Daniel Thurston
Pension Papers
Vernon Oneida Co NY Colo Boston R.D.
Roswell Hudson atty & Agent
Vernon. Oneida Co 10586 (NY)
24

War Department Pension Office
August 11 th 1831
Sir The additional evidence in the case of Daniel Thruston has been examined - It appears from the supplemental affidavit that the claimant was a minute man and in making the force during the long course alleged in his declaration - No other than actual service is provided for by the act of June 7 1832. The claimant should therefore in order to sustain his application, specify his services precisely in conformity with the regulations of the Department.
Respectfully Yours &c
J. L. Edwards
Roswell Judson Esq. Vernon N. Y.

Further declaration of Daniel Thurston in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of 7 th June 1832 for a pension
State of New York } ss. County of Oneida }
Daniel Thurston of Vernon in said County being duly sworn saith that Deponent is the same Identicle Daniel Thurston mentioned in the foregoing letter from his Honor J. S. Edwards dated August 11 th 1834 and Deponent further saith that he intended to state in his original declaration and thinks he did state, that during the length of time mentioned in deponents original declaration that he served, that he was all of the time in actual service, and deponent would now state that during the whole time alledged in deponents original declaration, that deponent served, to which allusion is made in the foregoing letter, this deponent was in the actual service, and was not only ready to serve but did do duty every day and was drilled but deponent on different days took his turn in cooking for the officers & soldiers and was at times engaged in carrying the French officers from the Island to the French Prison Ship (called deponent thinks "Fan Tack") in a Boat

and deponent distinctly recollects of carrying some in a Boat in the forepart of the Cold winter spoken of in deponents declaration, and deponent froze his feet and legs up to his knees and was unable to do duty for a day or two except to cook; all which services deponent considered in actual service in defending the Island, and deponent wishes to does distinctly state that during the whole time alleged deponent was in no other employment or labor aside from bearing arms in defense of the Island, being drilled & cooking for the army, and deponent wishes to state that after the term of deponents services had expired, and after peace was declared deponent was called out by order of Col. Barton at Providence at the time The New Constitution (so called) was adopted This circumstance brought the name of Col. Barton to the remembrance of deponent in his former supplemental declaration - and for further par- ticulars deponent refers his Honor S. S. Edwards or the War Department to the original declara- tion & subsequent papers & further deponent saith not
The intended letter I read before swearing - sworn before me This 18 th August 1834
John P. Sherwood Judge of Onondaga County Court
Daniel F. Thurston

State of New York } ss Oneida County }
I hereby certify that on the eighteenth day of August before the subscribers one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County personally appeared Daniel Thurston well known to me to be a person of respectability truth & veracity and made solemn oath to the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
18 th August 1834
John P. Sherwood Judge of Ct.
State of New York } ss County of Oneida }
I George Brown clerk of said County do hereby certify that John P. Sherwood before whom the foregoing affidavit or declaration of Daniel Thurston purports to have been sworn and who has signed his name to the foregoing certificate, was at the date of the same one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County of Oneida, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name signed to the foregoing declaration or affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing & that the signatures are genuine Given under my hand and seal of Office at the City of Utica this twenty first day of August A.D. 1834
Geo Brown Clerk By John P. Ray Deputy

Daniel Thurston Pension papers
Supplemental declaration affidavit-
Roswell Hudson agent & atty Vernon Oneida County (N.Y.)

 War Department Pension Office
March 6, 1834
Sir,
The papers of Daniel Thurston have again been examined. The applicant has failed to give the Colonel of the Regiment, or Regiments, in which he served during the long term of service from the first week in December 1779 till the first day of September 1783. There is no evidence in the Department to support this claim. In the Rhode Island State Regiments there were enlistments, in some instances, for fifteen months; but the militia, to which the applicant is supposed to have belonged, were engaged in short tours only, rarely exceeding a month. The specification required on the first examination of the papers, in regard to the officers, and the duration of each term of actual service, not having been complied with, the claim is suspended, and the papers placed on file.
I am respectfully Your Obet. Servt. J L Edward
Roswell Judson Esq. Vernon N. York

State of New York } ss. County of Oneida }
Daniel Thurston of Wymon in said County being duly sworn, doth on his oath make further declaration in order to obtain a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832 - That this deponent is the same identical Daniel Thurston mentioned in the foregoing letter from His Hon. J. L. Edwards, commissioner of pensions bearing date 6 th March 1834 and directed to Roswell Judson the agent and attorney of this deponent - and this deponent further saith that until recently deponent has been unable to remember the name of the Col o under whom this deponent rendered the services specified in the former declaration of deponent, but deponent distinctly recollects at the present time that all who served on Rhode- Island, including this deponent, the regular troops stationed there and the inhabitants, who served without being enlisted, served under Col. Barton , but the Christian name of said Barton this deponent does not recollect, & cannot state and depo- nent thinks he may not have heard the Chris- tian name of said Col. mentioned - as to the second objection mentioned in said letter, depo- nent saith, that the inhabitants on said Island du- ring the services of deponent, were not enlisted at all, and none were enlisted except the troops stationed on the Island, that deponent served the length of time mentioned in his former declara- tion without being enlisted, but was ordered out and done duty to defend the Island out of the necessity of the case, and all had orders to keep
answer to 1 st obj.
answer to 2 nd obj.
in the following obj.

under arms and be in readiness when called for as mentioned in my former declaration & further deponent saith not
Sworn to this 26 th day of July 1834 before me
Daniel Thurston
The words "last to read" interlined before signing
John P. Sherwood Judge of Oneida County Court
I hereby certify that on the 26 th day of July 1834 before me the hereinafter one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Oneida, Daniel Thurston well known to me to be a man of respectability & truth and veracity and made solemn oath to the foregoing declara- by him subscribed, 26 th July 1834
John P. Sherwood Judge of the
State of New York Oneida County }
St. William Burlson of the town of Vernon in said County of the age of seventy years, being duly sworn saith that in the year 1780 this deponent resided in the town of West Greenwich in the County of Kent — & State of Rhode Island at which time deponent's father was engaged in an rendered service in the Militia of State of Rhode Island in defending the Island from being taken by the British, that during said year deponent (having arrived at the age of 16 years) was also called out and rendered service in a company commanded by Capt. William Roy — that deponent will recollect the manner of the service

Minutes to 5th Obj. rendered by the inhabitants on said Island that some volunteered, some were drafted and many others at different parts of the State stood as minute men and did not volunteer, neither was drafted but did duty as such minute men during the war, and were deprived of the privilege of supporting their families by labor, That deponent well recollects that those who did duty without being drafted but did duty as minute men and were disciplined in the same manner as if drafted - deponent well recollects the French fleet coming in and relieving the people on the Island and the cold winter and other facts stated by Daniel Thurston to have taken place and at the time spoken of by him, that the services spoken of by deponent were rendered under and during Genl Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island and further deponent saith not
Sworn to this 26 th July 1834 William Burleson before me -
John P. Sherwood Judge of Onida County Courts
I hereby certify that on the 26 th day of July 1834 personally appeared before the subscriber (one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the County of Onida) William Burleson well known to me to be a person of respectability, truth & veracity and made solemn oath to the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. 26 th July 1834
John P. Sherwood Judge of &c.

State of New York } Onondaga County }
I, George Brown clerk of said County do hereby certify, that John P. Sherwood before whom the foregoing declaration of Daniel Thurston and affidavit of William Burlison purport to have been taken & sworn; and who has subscribed his name to the foregoing certificates was at the date of the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the said County of Onondaga; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the foregoing declaration, affidavit and certificate is his proper handwriting and that said signatures are genuine; Given under my hand and seal of Office at the City of Utica this 29 th day of July A.D. 1834
George Brown Clerk By Tho. J. Rudd Dep.

Supplemental Declaration of Daniel Thurston
For a Pension
— for 3 years & 8 months Service
R. Hudson Atty and Agent
Vernon. Onida County (N.Y.)

Supplemental declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act passed June 7 th 1832
State of New York } Onondaga County } ss:
Daniel Thurston of the town of Vernon in said County being duly sworn saith that this de- ponent is the identical Daniel Thurston mentioned in the original declaration accompanying this, that agreeable to the requirements of the War Department in order to obtain the benefit of said act. This deponent further saith, that the name of the vessel on which deponent served as cook, this deponent has forgotten and cannot now state the same, but deponent be- lieves it was fitted out as a privateer. Therefore depo- nent does not expect (since receiving a letter from the War Department) to receive any benefit for the 5 months and 15 days he served on board said vessel. And this deponent further saith that the statement made by this deponent in the original declaration of this deponent relative to the length of time of service of this deponent is true, that the time this deponent returned home from said vessel and commenced his service on said Island as a militia soldier was the last week in December 1779, but the pre- cise day of the week deponent is unable to state, and deponent further saith that he served as such soldier from the last week in December 1779 until the first day of September 1783, continually under arms, that deponent was not in any way or manner employed in any civil pursuit or other employ- ment during said term except said service aforesaid for which deponent claims a pension, that at the time deponent made the original declaration he was unable to recollect (being quite infirm and unable) the names of the officers under whom deponent served on the Island, but deponent distinctly re- collects that he served under Dupuis  Trayton as Captain, & Major General Wirth who had com- mand of all the troops on the Island but the first name of the Major General this deponent has forgotten

Deponent well recollects of the meeting of Maj. Genl. Brattle and the forces under command of Lieutenant Genl. Rochambeau, when the latter was placed in possession of the Island by Genl. Brattle, deponent thinks it was in the month of July 1780 - The French fleet was under the command of De Ternay -
And deponent further saith, that he has made diligent inquiry of People from Rhode Island to ascertain whether any person was living in that Country or other parts that could testify any of deponent's services, & deponent has just seen and enquired of people directly from Rhode Island in relation to the same and deponent has been wholly unable to get any information for or from any person that can testify to any of deponent's services, deponent saith that soon after the Revolutionary war had ceased the yellow fever attacked the inhabitants of Rhode Island being introduced then by a load of Green Spanish hides, and most of deponent's acquaintances died of the disease, the last survivor by which deponent could prove his services was a sister of deponent who died of the Cholera during last summer & further deponent refers His Honor the Commissioners of Pensions to his original declaration & further deponent saith not subscribed & sworn to this
30 th day of November 1833 Daniel Thurston
before me John P. Sherwood Judge Canda County Court
I hereby certify that on the thirtieth day of November 1833 personally appeared before me Daniel Thurston who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration by him subscribed & made solemn to the same, that he is known to me to be the person of respectability, truth and veracity.
John P. Sherwood Judge Canda County Court

State of New York } ss: County of Oneida }
I George Brown Clerk of the said County, do certify that John P. Sherwood before whom the supplemental declaration of Daniel Thurston purports to have been sworn and who has subscribed his name to the foregoing certificate was at the date of the same, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Oneida aforesaid; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the foregoing declaration and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature!
witness my hand and seal of Office at Utica in said County this Fourth day of December A.D. 1833
Geo Brown Clerk

To the Honorable the Senate & House of Reps. in Congress assembled
Petition of Daniel Thurston
Roswell Luin Agent Sherburne (NY)
Beardsley 59. rev. pensions.
Daniel Thurston
Dec. 29 1835 Ref to the Committee on Rev d Pensions
Jan. 12. 1836 - Com tee disch. to lie
M. Beardsley Fry 58. disch to lie

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress convened —
The petition of Daniel Thurston late of the town of Vernon in the County of Oneida & State of New York respectfully shews that your petitioner is of the age of twenty three years, that your petitioner formerly resided in the State of Rhode Island and while resi- ding there your petitioner served in the Army as a private during the Revolutionary War a period suffi- cient to entitle your petitioner to a full pension un- der the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 —
And your petitioner would further represent that in the summer of 1834 your petitioner made application to the War Department for a pension by and through the agency of Roswell Judson Esq. That your petitioner caused several letters to be written by said agent into the State of Rhode Island and other parts of the United States to obtain if pos- sible some evidence to prove your petitioner's services in said Revolutionary War, but your petitioner was wholly unable to obtain any evidence relative to said services, but learnt that a witness by whom your pe- titioner expected to prove said services had died with the Cholera —
Your petitioner then stated all the facts relative to said services in a declaration directed to the pension office at the War Department, and verified the facts contained in said declaration by the oath of your petitioner before The Honorable John P. Shewwood one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Oneida & State of New York (your petitioner being unable to attend Court on account of infirmity & old age) and also obtained the Certificate of Benjamin Mute Esquire Postmaster and Rev. George Gary clergyman of said town of Vernon

agreeable to said act, and the requirements of the same, to enable your petitioner to obtain his pension which declaration of your petitioner was forwarded by said agent to said pension Office and after being examined by the officers of said Pension Office, the agent of your petitioner was written to by Hon. S. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions requiring further statements relative to the same, since which time your petitioner made further supplemental statements, answering in full (as your petitioner was informed by said agent & believes to be true) every objection or requirement from said pension office; after which your petitioner received by the hands of Mr. Inason your petitioner's said agent, information from said Pension Office that the time of alleged service of your petitioner was so long as to look unreasonable & therefore your petitioner's papers were placed on file in said pension office without granting your petitioner a pension.
But your petitioner believing he has answered every requirement of said act to enable your petitioner to obtain a pension, Earnestly requests that your Honorable Body will deem meet to examine all the papers of your petitioner now on file in said Pension Office at the City of Washington, and grant your petitioner relief according to the merits of his claim, which will greatly relieve your petitioner & wife in their present needy condition & your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c. Your petitioner for greater certainty refers your Honorable

Body to all his papers on file as aforesaid Sworn this 16 th day of Daniel Thurston October A.D. 1835 before me John P. Sherwood Judge of Oneida County Courts
State of New York } Oneida County ss. On the 16 th day of October A.D. 1835 personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the judges of the court of common pleas, Daniel Thurston the foregoing petitioner, with whom I am personally acquainted & known to me to be a man of respectability truth & veracity & made solemn oath to the foregoing petition by him subscribed John P. Sherwood Judge of Oneida County Courts
State of New York } ss Oneida County ss. The subscriber, an inhabitant of the town of Vernon  Vernon in said County, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Daniel Thurston the foregoing petitioner, that before said Thurston was removed to the Poor House in said County, he was in the habit of attending the Democratic celebra- tions on the 4 th of July in Vernon as one of the Rev- olutionary soldiers and was always treated & considered as such, & was always reputed & believed to have served in the revolutionary war, and we also certify that he is a man of respectability truth & veracity & believe his statements entitled to full credit Benjamin Nute

Aug 26 Pension Papers
Nov 1 Daniel Thruston ad eun.
Free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions War Department Pension Office Washington

Vernon, Oneida Co. NY. Aug.
1834
Hon d Sir
I again enclose a further declaration of Daniel Thurston in explanation of the point required, may not the Clerks have overlooked the point in the original declaration as I think it must have been state there as. I had your directions before me in a former case when I made out Mr. Thurston, I am sorry that I have not been able to complete them before so as not to have troubled with several perusals, I am Your abt servt
Roswell Johnson
J. L. Edwards Esq

Daniel Houston Esq. advis.
12. Aug Pension Papers
FREE
1824
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Commissioner of Pensions War Department Pension Office Washington

Vernon, Onida Co. 29 th July 1834
Hon. Sir
I beg line again to call your attention to the pension papers of Daniel Thurston, the particular manner of service you will perceive is stated in the original declaration made by him, after some length of time he has been enabled to obtain an affidavit, in relation to the manner of service rendered by him as well as others who were ordered out in a similar way, although Burleson does not know of his services, the facts and circumstances detailed by Thurston, Burleson remembers took place, this is recommended by your department as a circumstance to strengthen the declaration of the applicant, it appears that such services as specified by Thurston were rendered. I therefore hope Mr. Thurston has brought himself within the provisions of the act and hope the papers inclosed will be satisfactory to your department which will release Mr. Thurston from further expense to the town, I believe he has obtained all the evidence in his power, but should he still be found wanting I hope you will not entirely reject him, I return your letter because I deem it proper, but if not proper please excuse and accept my wishes for the health of yourself and family during your arduous task, and I remain
Your obt servt
Hon J. L. Edwards
Roswell Hudson