Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31211, for Thomas Lewin, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Devlin, Thomas
CONTENTS

5752 Massachusetts
Thomas Lewin of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Dimon of the reg t commanded by Col Richmond in the Spencer line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Feby 1833 and sent from J L Hodges H of Rep
Arrears to 14th of Feby, 1832 $120— Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 — 40—
$160—
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J H  Blain Clerk Book 5 . Vol. 2 nd Page 97 .

Thomas Levene
5889
Private 2 Years Am'd
14th Co.
$80-
P 196.
At Basset Scranton Miss

BRIEF in the case of Thomas Levin of Bristol By in the State of Mass - (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775. 1 3 — private Gen. Putnam B o  W m Richmond " Allen " Brady   1777 1 — — "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Bristol  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional evidence, not living witnesses -  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct - 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.

Thomas Lewin
I.d.n. 5889.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ) BRISTOL, ss. )
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Dighton — in and for said County on the thirtyfirst day of August — one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the Honorable HODJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Thomas Sewin a resident of Swansey in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated, to wit: Under Captain Benjamin Simons in the regiment of R. Island State Troops under Col. William Richmond Lt. Col. John Cooke, he cannot certainly remember the names of any other officers but thinks Philip Traston was a Lt. in the company; again under Capt. Thomas Allen, in Col. Crary's regiment of R. Island State Troops; he cannot remember any other officers; and the particulars of his services he will state in reply to the fifth interrogatory herein after contained;
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Swansey in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight .
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? The record of his birth is on the Book kept by said Swansey for recording the births in the Town according to law, a certified copy of which record by the present Town Clerk of said Town is hereto annexed.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Always in Swansey.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
I voluntarily enlisted, except on Sullivan's Expedition I was drafted a substitute for Lephaniah Pheasant a Poor man who is since dead.

4. How were you called into service ; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom ?
I voluntarily enlisted, except on Sullivan's Expedition I was drafted a substitute for Zephaniah Pheasant a Tory who was drafted, and who is since dead. -
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served ; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. Under Capt Simon I enlisted very soon after I was seventeen years old, I joined the Company at Bristol in the State of R. Island staid there with the Company until the following spring, then we crossed to R. Island and were there on guard at different places and sometimes at Newport until the British arrived there, when we marched and crossed Howland's Ferry, and thence marched round, crossing Slade's Ferry, through Swansey to Bristol, and there served out our term, which was fifteen months, I do not recollect any other regiments on service with us; Under Capt Allen I entered immediately after the expiration of my first term of service aforesaid, and after a short visit to my friends in Swansey on leave of absence, joined my Company again at said Bristol and served in it one year; our duty was keeping guard along the coasts; I do not recollect any other Troops with us on this service. I refer for proof of these services to the annexed affidavits; Also I served on Sullivan's Expedition to R. Island, under Capt Peck & S t David Hicks of Swansey; we were behind the negro regiment, and as they drove the British before them we were not engaged; I cannot be certain how long I served on this occasion, nor do I know any one living who was with me.
Nov 1758 Dec 1775
15 m o
March 1778
12 m o

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if 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? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a soldier & never had a written discharge
7. State the names of the 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.
There is no clergyman in our neighbourhood I refer to of Somerset in the neighbouring town to Swansea Wheaton Luther Esq d & Harvey Ripley of Swansea
And the said Thomas Lewin doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and 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.
Thomas Lewin H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
WE Wheaton Luther residing in Somerset but within two miles of said Lewin's residence in said Swansea and Harvey Ripley residing in the same Swansea hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Lewin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
Wheaton Luther, Harvey Ripley Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.

WE Wheaton Luther of said Lewin's residence in said Swansey and Harvey Ripley certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Lewin above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three 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.
residing in Somerset but within two miles residing in the same Swansey hereby who has subscribed and sworn to the
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Wheaton Luther, Harvey Ripley
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the inter- rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Wheaton Luther who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the Town of Somerset adjoining Swansey in said County of Bristol, and that Harvey Ripley who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
H. Baylies , Judge of Probate.
Register of Probate
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
I Anselm Basset Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Lewin of Swansey in said County, for a Pension. testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Basset

WE of said Lewin's res certify t above de neighbo Sw
Town Clerks Office, Swansey. Mass. July 27. 1832 and
Thomas Lewin the son of John Lewin and Susanna his wife was born November the 12. 1758.
I hereby certify the above to be a true copy of Record.
Attest Joseph G. Luther, Town Clerk
AT rogator he stat preced Bristol person
Said Thomas Lewin to be seventy four  four years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. Swansey January 18. 1833. Artemas Stebbins
COM at
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. January 18. 1833. Then personally appeared the above named Artemas Stebbins, who is a clergyman & made oaths to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed By me Elias Williams, Clerk of the Peace -

WE of said Lewin's res. certify to above de neighbor
Sw
AT rogator he stat preced Bristol person
COM
I Artemas Stebbins of Swanzy in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Clerk, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Lewin who has subscribed and sworn to a declaration by him made at a Probate Court held at Dighton in said County on the thirty first day of August one thousand eight hundred & thirty two, before the Hon. Lodijah Baylis, Judge of the Probate Court, for said County, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, - that I believe said Thomas Lewin to be seventy four years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion. Swanzy January 18. 1833. Artemas Stebbins
Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss. January 18. 1833. Then personally appeared the above named Artemas Stebbins, who is a clergyman & made oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed. Before me Elias Phillips, Justice of the Peace -

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett, Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Elias Williams whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace & duly qualified to administer oaths - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this nineteenth day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty three -
Anselm Barrett

O. W. 3121 N. L. W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D. C.,
January 20, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Thomas Lewin, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you that he made an application for pension on August 21, 1832, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Swansea, Mass., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the R. I. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Dimon and Col. Richmond. He probably enlisted at Swansea (now called Swansea) Mass.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Hon. John Simpkins,
House of Representatives.

31 211 Ray INVALID.
Jany 20 97 Hist 5 Hon J Simpkins H of
File No. 31,211
Thomas Lewin
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 241
[Arrangement of 1870.]

5889 Thomas L. Lavin
7.
A. B. Russell Downtown Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Chas Lewin Bristol 65. Mass -  which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? no IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

 XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes  XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? no  XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? no Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes  XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes  XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes  XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes 
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
X1. A ream is assigned for the want of a Clergyman. a Clergyman's affidavit is also annexed.
14. Suppliment

I, Daniel Fish of Dighton in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged seventyfour years, do on oath testify and say, that Thomas Lewin of Swansey in said County of Bristol was a soldier in the American Army in the war of the Revolution as hereinafter stated,
That I joined Captain Benjamin Dimons company in Col. William Richmonds Regiment of Rhode Island State Troops at Bristol R. I. and the said Thomas Lewin was then in said company in the month of March in the year 1776, and the said Thomas Lewin served in said company from March 1776 to the sixteenth day of January in the year 1777. The service of said company was as follows, we were first stationed at said Bristol and then at Portsmouth R. I. and afterwards marched to Newport R. I. and remained there until the arrival of the English fleet when said company marched to Howland's ferry and afterwards marched through Tiverton R. I. and Swansey Mass. to Bristol, and remained there until the said 16th of January 1777, at which time I left said company. The officers of said company were Capt Benjamin Dimon & Lieut. James Smith & Ensign 
The officers of the Regiment were Col Wm. Richmond. and afterwards Col. John Cook. Lt Col  (and Major Olney I believe) Daniel Fish (Dighton August 31. 1832)
Commonwealth of Massachusetts county of Bristol ss. August 31. 1832. Then the above named Daniel Fish personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed was just and true
Before me Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace.

Bristol Y. January 17 th 1833. I further certify that the within named Daniel Fish is a credible witness.
Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace
W. J. D. 1833

I Amos Luther of Dighton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged seventy three years do on oath testify and say that Thomas Lewin of Swansey in said County of Bristol was a Soldier in the American army in the war of the Revolution, and in performed the services herein after mentioned. I enlisted in Captain Thomas Allen Company in Col. Crarys Regiment of the Rhode Island State Troops on or about the sixteenth of December in the year 1776. and served fifteen months and that the said Thomas Lewin served in the same Company for the whole or nearly the whole of said time to wit . I was discharged on the sixteenth day of March 1778. and believe that the said Thomas Lewin belonged to said company up to that time, - This service was at Bristol R. I. Portsmouth R. I. and Tiverton R. I. - The officers of the Regiment were Col. Crary. Lt Col. John Toppan, and Maj. ... Westcott The officers of the company were Capt Thomas Allen. Lieutenant William Lawless. the Ensign not recollected.
Amos Luther
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. August 31. 1832. Then the above named Amos Luther personally appeared and made oath that the foregoing declaration by him subscribed was just and true Before me Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace

Bristol ps. January 17 th 1833 I further certify that the within named Amos Luther is a credible witness
Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace

I Wheaton Luther of Swansey in the County of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawfull age, on oath do testify and say that Thomas Lewin of said Swansey was a soldier in the war of the Revolution that he belonged to Captain Thomas Allen Company in Col. Crary's Regiment of the Rhode Island State Troops, that he was in said Regiment at the time I enlisted into the same which was on the 17th of March in the year 1777 and that the said Thomas Lewin served in said Regiment until the 16th of March 1778 - the service above stated was principally or wholly at Bristol in the State of Rhode Island -
Wheaton Luther
Swansey August 31. 1832
Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss. August 31. 1832. Then the above named Wheaton Luther personally appeared and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed was just and true
Before me Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace
Bristol p. January 17 th 1833 I further certify that the above named Wheaton Luther the deponent aforesaid is a credible witness
Wheaton Luther Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
92 1011. I, James Sprout Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Wheaton Luther Esq. whose signature is affixed to the within and named certificate, is a Justice of the Peace, in full and lawful County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two
J. Sprout