Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19,080, for Ephraim Thornton, Rhode Island

SERVICE
R. J.
NUMBER
Thornton Ephraim Spencer, Alice
W. 19.080
Former widow
CONTENTS

26 23 Sept 43
Letter to A. H. Everest. 25 Nov 1844.
New York 3930.
Alice Spencer formerly the widow of Ephraim Thornton — who died on the — about 50 years ago — of Essex Co. in the State of New-York who was a private — in the company commanded by Captain Olney — of the — commanded by — in the Rhode Island line for 9 Months
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 30 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d day of Sept: 1843 and sent to A. H. Everest Shoreham, Vermont —
Arrears to the 14th of Sept: 1843 — $375.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar: '6 — 15.00
$390.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by Whitcomb Clerk, Book 6 — Vol. 3 — Page 128

Cash Peter. . . . . 1
C D E F G H J K L N P Q R

Emor chp 2
E F G H J K L N P Q R

2/10/1813
Grindall Cornelius 5
H T
G H J K L N P Q R

Johnathan Thornton
10 14
J K L N P Q R

Journal of...
L N P H

PROP 2

Paywell John . . . 3.
P Q F E

Thornton Epm Son of Daniel Thornton and Alice Waterman was joined in marriage may the 20 th 1773 by Samuel Winter - — Johnson The date above said - Epm Thornton and was born Jan y 17 th - 1754 old stile Alice Waterman born Jan y 14 th 1753 - old stile Amy their Daughter was born Aug y 22 nd - 1773 Friday a Daughter born Feb y 9 th 1776. Day - James Thornton Son of Epm Thornton & Alice his wife born Feb y 9 th 1777 Daniel Thornton Son of said Ephraim & Alice was born January 17 th 1778 Saturday Jeremiah Thornton Son of said Epm and Alice was born Nov r 12 th 1779 Sabbath day morning before Day - Benoni Thornton Son of Ephraim Thornton and Alice his wife born Oct r 9 th 1781 - on Monday William Thornton Son of Ephraim Thornton & Alice his wife born June 9 th 1783 - Monday
Waterman Thornton Son of Ephraim Thornton & Alice his wife was born Saturday Mar ch 19 th 1785.
Ephraim Thornton Son of Epm Thornton & Alice his wife was born Feb y 19 th 1787 Sabbath
Thomas Thornton Son of said Ephraim Thornton and Alice his wife born March in December 22 nd - Sabbath day 1788
Charles Thornton Son of said Ephraim & Alice Thornton was born February 20 th 1790 of a Saturday
Ephraim Thornton went off to go to Jennasee on Wednesday March 10 th - 1790 -

State of New York } On the 11 th day of November A D 1842 Essex County ss. } before me Jonathan Baine one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex affirmed Alice Spencer of Piccadilly in said County of Essex aged eighty nine years and upwards who being first duly sworn under oath to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. and the Act explanatory of said Act passed March 3 d 1837 that she was married to Ephraim Thornton who was a Soldier during the Revolutionary war, that according to her best recollection and belief the said Ephraim Thornton first entered the Service of the United States in the Militia of Rhode Island in the year 1776. but in what season of the year and in what capacity he served and the length of time he served, she does not now remember, she thinks he served in Oliver Olney's Company in Ames Atwell's Regiment, that he marched from the Town of Scituate where he then resided under Captain Olney to Providence in the State of Rhode Island, and that according to her now best recollection the said Ephraim Thornton afterwards enlisted into the Continental Army under a major by the name of Belknap but what office the said Belknap held she does not remember neither does she remember the exact time of the Service of the said Ephraim Thornton in the Continental Service, and that in consequence of her advanced age and consequent loss of memory she can not now recollect the exact period of any of the Revolutionary Services of the said Ephraim Thornton but that according to her best recollection and belief he served at least four years in the whole, and she thinks he held a Sergeant's Warrant during a part of his said Service, that she has no documentary evidence in her possession of the said Ephraim Thornton's Service as a Soldier as aforesaid. She further declares that she was married

to the said Ephraim Thornton on the 20 th day of May in the year nineteen hundred and seventy three at Johnston in the State of Rhode Island by Samuel Winson Elder of the Baptist Church of Christ in Johnston aforesaid, that previous to her marriage with the said Ephraim Thornton her name was Elea Water- man, that her husband the aforesaid Ephraim Thornton died while on a visit to New Bedford in the County of Bristol and State of New York about fifty years since, that they resided during the Revolution at Johnston aforesaid and after the Revolution until the decease of the said Ephraim Thornton, and that during their intermarriage there were born unto them eleven Children as well appear by the family Record herewith annexed. That she was afterwards married to Peter Spencer of Alston in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont on the 27 th day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty by Daniel Mathison Justice of the Peace, that the said Peter Spencer died at Alston aforesaid according to her best recollection in AD 1813. at which place she resided after her marriage with the said Peter Spencer until his decease, and that after his decease she moved to Leondaga New York where she has resided ever since, that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of the said Peter Spencer, that she was a widow on the 4 th day of July 1836 and still under is a widow as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs herewith annexed. Given to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Witnes J. Russell Judge of State of New York, Special Clerk Albany County p. 3 J. Jonathan Brown son of the Alice T. Spencer mark

Judges of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that the above recited Eliza Spencer is a credible witness
J. Burnet Judge of Essex County Courts
These may Certifie Whome It may Concern that Ephraim Thornton Sone of Daniel Thornton And Eliza Waterman Daughter of Job Waterman Both of Johnston Were Lawfully joined Together in marriage May 20 th In Johnston AD 1773 P re Samuel Winsor Elder of the Baptis Church of Christ in Johnston
We hereby certify that Oliver Spencer Spence of Clarendon State of Vermont son of Thomas and Alice Thornton widow of Johnston State of Rhode Island Daughter of Job Waterman were lawfully joined together in marriage on the twenty seventh day of January 1803 by me the subscriber Daniel Nathanson

State of New York } I Jonathan Burnt own of Essex County ss. } the judges of the Court of Common pleas in and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that the bond above therein the effect whereof is the law for a person in case of her adultery and lewdly inforty is unable to stand bond to make her declaration
J. Burnt Judge of Essex County Court

State of New York
County of Niagara ss: David Waterman of the town of Hartland County of Niagara and state of New York being duly sworn deposes and says That he was acquainted with Ephraim Thornton in his lifetime. That said Ephraim Thornton entered the service of the militia in the state of Rhode Island some time in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six and continued in the service more or less for four years thereafter. That deponent does not recollect whether said Ephraim Thornton served as a private or as an officer but does recollect that he so served as one of the militia of said during the time aforesaid. That this deponent served as a private from 1776 during the continuance of the Revolutionary War in the army of the United States State of Rhode Island. That this deponent was a private in Captain Emer Olney's company. That said Ephraim Thornton served in the same company with this deponent under said Captain Olney. That said Ephraim Thornton first marched from the town of Johnson in the State of Rhode Island under Captain Olney to Providence in said State. That said Ephraim Thornton resided during the Revolutionary War in the town of Johnson in the State of Rhode Island. That Amos Atwell was Colonel of the regiment in which said Ephraim Thornton served. That deponent was present at the wedding of said Thornton and saw him married to Ellis Waterman. That said marriage took place previous to the year 1775. That said Ellis and said Thornton lived together as man and wife until his death. That said Ellis and said Thornton were married at the house of deponent's father in the town of Johnson in the State of Rhode Island. That deponent verily believes that said Thornton is dead. That said Ellis after the death of said Thornton lived with Pierce Spencer as the wife of said Spencer and this deponent verily believes that said Ellis & said Spencer were legally married. That said Pierce Spencer afterwards died in the town of Clarendon in the State of Vermont and this deponent attended the funeral of said Spencer. That said Spencer died

several years ago Sworn to before me this fourteenth of October 1842 A. S. Baker Justice of the Peace
David Waterman
Niagara County ss: I Alden S. Baker a Justice of the Peace of the County of Niagara do certify that I am acquainted with David Waterman named in the foregoing affidavit and I do further certify that said David Waterman is a credible witness
A. S. Baker Justice of the Peace
State of New York Niagara County Clerk's Office } ss.
I David S. Brandall Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Alden S. Baker Esq. whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Certificate and deposition, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace for said County of Niagara duly qualified ac- cording to Law to act as such Justice and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and only believe the signature "A. S. Baker" above subscribed is genuine
Witness my hand & Seal of Office at Lockport in said County the 17 th day of October A.D. 1842
D. S. Brandall Clerk

State of New York Essex County ss. } Be it known that before me Jonathan Burnt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Essex aforesaid personally appeared Betsey Thornton a widow of Leicestershire in the County of Essex aforesaid aged fifty one years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law testifies and says that Alice Spencer of Leicestershire aforesaid formerly the wife of Ephraim Thornton of Johnstown in the State of Rhode Island and now the widow of Peter Spencer of Clarendon in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont she has been acquainted with upwards of thirty years She further testifies that she was acquainted with Peter Spencer the husband of the said Alice Spencer, and that he died at Clarendon aforesaid something like thirty years since that after the death of the said Peter Spencer, the said Alice Spencer moved to Leicestershire aforesaid and lived on for some time in the family of Maria Thornton the husband of the deponent and then returned back to Clarendon aforesaid and that she has for the last fourteen years past lived in the family of the said Maria Thornton and that the said Alice Spencer now lives at Leicestershire aforesaid in the family of the said Maria Thornton and is a widow and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband Peter Spencer
Sworn and Subscribed to this                      Betsey Thornton 10 th Day of February 1813
Before me J. V. Burnt Judge of Essex County Courts
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Betsey Thornton and that she is a credible witness
Attest
J. V. Burnt Judge of Essex County, Courts

State of New York Essex County ss. ) Be it known that before me Jonathan Burnet one of the Judges of the Judges of the Court of Common pleas within and for the County of Essex aforesaid personally appeared Benoni Thornton of Liconderoga in the County of Essex aged sixty one years and upwards who being first duly sworn according to Law deposes testifies and says that he is the son of Ephraim Thornton late of Thornton in the State of Connecticut deceased and Alice Spence now of Liconderoga deceased He further testifies that his father Ephraim Thornton died upwards of fifty years since at New Bedford in the State of New York and he further testifies and says that his mother Alice Thornton was married to Peter Spence of Clarendon in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont on the 27 th day of January 1803. And he further testifies that the said Peter Spence died at Clarendon Vermont according to his the said Benoni Thornton last recollection in the year 1818. and that after the death of the said Peter Spence the said Alice Spence moved to Liconderoga aforesaid and lived one year in his the said Benoni Thornton family and then returned back to Clarendon Vermont, And He further testifies that for the last fifteen years past that the said Alice Spence and mother of him the said Benoni Thornton has resided in his family in Liconderoga aforesaid, and that she now resides in his family and that she is now a widow and has been ever since the death of her said husband Peter Spence And the said Benoni Thornton further testifies and says that the family head of the the said Ephraim Thornton heretofore considered is the only family head that he has any recollection of concerning among his father's papers and further say not Benoni Thornton
Sworn and subscribed to the 15 th day of February A.D. 1843
Before me J. Burnet Judge of Essex County Court

I Jonathan Burnt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the above entered Benjamin Sheridan is a credible witness State of Kentucky Essex County ss. } J. Burnett Judge of Essex County Court
State of Kentucky Essex County ss. } I Jonathan Burnt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that it is my opinion after investigating the case of the said Alice Spencer in her application for a pension that she was the wife of the said Ephraim Sheridan, that he was a soldier and served as she states in her declaration. That the said Ephraim Sheridan died as she states, that she was afterwards married to Peter Spencer who also died, and that she is now a widow and has received a widow's pension in the name of the said Peter Spencer. and that from her testimony under oath, she is entitled to a pension
J. Burnett Judge of Essex County Court
State of Kentucky Essex County ss. } I Jonathan Burnt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the application

of Albin Spence for a pension February 15 th 1843
J. Burnel Judge of Yorke County Court

5795
Alice Spencer wid. Ephraim Thornton N.Y.
act 4 July '36 & 3 March '37
m 73-293. -03-8'13.
adm'd say 9 mo. p.i. $30.
H. H. Everest Esq. Shoreham Vt.

State of New York County of Essex
I Edmund P. Williams Clerk of said County, and Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Jonathan Burnet Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing and annexed depositions and cer- tificates was at the date and time of taking the same one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid duly appointed and qualified residing within the said County and duly authorized to act as such and further I certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and truly believe the Official Signatures as they appear J. Burnet Esquire,
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto Subscribed my name and affixed my Official Seal at the town of Elizabethtown in said County this 21st day of February A.D. 1815. E. P. Williams Clerk

5795
Alice Spencer, widow of Ephraim Thornton N.Y.
let to W. H. Everest April 18. 1843 -
at 4 July 1836

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19080
Alice Spencer (Former wid. of Ephraim Thornton Priv. Rev. War
Act: July 4, 1836
Index:—Vol. M , Page 235
[Arrangement of 1870.]

5795
March 1. 1863
July 4. 1836 Alice Spencer
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissaire of Pensions Washington D.C.
FREE
12 3/4 392 360 32 360

Sherburne Februy 24 1843
Dear Sir
I herewith forward you the application of Abiah Spencer for a pension yours Respectfully &c.
V. H. Easton
J. E. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions

Oct 4 th 1844
Ad evidence
Case Alice Spencer
Ms
Mr. J. V. Edwards
Commission of Pensions
Washington D. C.
FREE

Shoreham Sept. 30 1844
Dear Sir,
Mrs Alice Spencer is desirous of having her pension increased. She draws therefore upon the testimony of David Waterman, which is herewith enclosed. She thinks that Mr Waterman did not mention in his former affidavit, all the officers under whom he & his late husband Ephraim no served, and that the enclosed affidavit mentions the names of the same officers viz David Angel & Saban Waterman, Captains of the Company under whom he served, and also Capt. Emory Olney, which last, I think, he mentioned in his former affidavit. She is in hopes that the enclosed affidavit will shed some further light upon the subject, so as to enable her pension to be increased to what it ought to be.
Yours Respectfully, M c Clure By C W Wright.
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

July 31/43
Addres. case of Alice Spencer
Be NY
Thornton
James S Edwards Esq
Complainant of Farnsworth
Washington D.C.
DR 22

Sherburne July 25 th 1843.
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose some additional papers in the case of the Widow Abigail Hemenway, in a Pension
Yours Respectfully R. H. Duenst
Edw. G. Cummings of Bennington

State of New York Niagara County ss. David Waterman of the Town of Hartland County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that he deponent is a Revolutionary Pensioner and draws Eighty dollars annually. That he deponent served in the Revolutionary war as a private for about two years and was enlisted in the service of the State of Rhode Island nine months. That he deponent was in Spencer Expedition (so called) at or near New Port Island and deponent believes that Ephraim Thornton formerly of Johnstown Providence Rhode Island now deceased was in said Expedition. And deponent further says that he has before stated in an affidavit heretofore made by deponent, in general terms that said Thornton was in the service or in the Revolutionary army the principal part of the time during the war, by which deponent means that said Thornton was either in actual service or held himself ready at a Minutes warning to march or be called into actual service at the firing of the Alarm gun (so called). Deponent cannot state that during said war said Thornton was in actual service for more than fifteen or sixteen months but he thinks he was. And deponent further says that the Militia were divided into two classes and these classes took their turns in the service and both classes were subject to be called out at a general alarm (so called) And that said Thornton was included in one of these classes. That said Ephraim Thornton married deponent's sister. That deponent and said Thornton both served under Captains Emer Olney, Daniel Angell and Saben Waterman. That these Captains succeeded each other. That said Thornton was a well & hearty man and all such went at the alarms.
David Waterman
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 13 th day of June 1844
A. P. Baker Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Niagara County ss I do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named David Waterman and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity - Dated June 13 th 1844
A. D. Baker
Niagara County Clerk's Office
I James C. Levis Clerk of said County do hereby certify that I have been before known the foregoing declaration of facts to have been true as at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said County duly qualified as such and that his signature above written is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official Seal this 14 th day of June A.D. 1844
James C. Levis Clerk Niagara County

I Ezek Olney of the town of Johnston in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island aged seventy seven years on oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Ephraim Thornton of said Johnston during the war of the Revolution we lived in the same neighborhood about one fourth of one mile apart, I well recollect that he belonged to my father's Capt. Ezek Olney's Company. When Orders came for the Militia to be drafted my father used to send me to warn his Company and I often warned said Ephraim Thornton for that purpose and well remember that the said Ephraim used to go away from home on Military service he used to go to Providence, New Port, Pawtuxet, Warwick and many other places & was gone sometimes a Month & some- times not so long I do not now recollect any one living in Johnston or in this part of the Country who served in my father's Company My Brother James Olney was the last to knowledge in this part of the Country who belonged to my father's Company & he is now dead, I recollect a man by the name of David Waterman with whom I was well acquain- ted formerly of Johnston the brother of said Eli who now resides as I understand some where in New York State he belonged to my father's Company also and is now living as I understand
Attest of Emiel Potter
Ezek his X Olney Mark

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence, In Johnston June 9th A.D. 1843
Personally appeared before me Isaac Olney who signed the within affidavit in my presence by making his mark (his eyesight being so much impaired that he was unable to see to write his name) and made oath to the truth of the same And I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness
Samuel Potter Just. Co. C. Prob. for said County of Providence

I Abigail Angell of Smithfield in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island &c. aged seventy seven years on oath do testify & say that Ephraim Thornton formerly of the town Johnston in said County was my brother he married Alice Waterman who after the decease of said Ephraim married a man by the name of Spencer. During the war of the Revolution my brother belonged to Capt. Israel Allen's Company. I recollect that the Militia during said war were called upon & went into service at Providence, Newport & other places according to the best of my recollection my brother did a great deal of service often went & never knew any to do duty for him, but it is so long since that I cannot specify his services only I remember he did a great deal. I will recollect that all the men who were able to do duty were gone a great deal from the circumstance that the women had to do the work outdoors.
Abigail Angell
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence ss. In Smithfield Johnston June 9th A.D. 1843
Personally appeared before me Abigail Angell who signed the above affidavit in my presence and made oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness.
Wm. B. West Just. C.C. Pleas for said County of Providence

I John Sweet of the town of Johnston in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island do aged seventy seven & upwards on oath do testify & say that I was well acquainted with Ephraim Thornton of said Johnston, we lived within about two miles of each other he married Miss Waterman as I understood during the war of the Revolution he belonged to Capt Emad Olney's Company and was a sergeant therein I have seen him doing duty in said Company as such. during the Revolu- tion the Company used to go to Providence Newport, Warwick and other places & he the said Ephraim used to go with it. I had three brothers who belonged to the same Company but they are all dead they & the said Ephraim used to go together the said Ephraim always used to go when called upon I never heard of his hiring a substitute I have no doubt but that he used to be in actual service as much at least as three months in each year during the time which he belonged to Capt Emad Olney's Company
John Sweet

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Providence ss In Johnston June 9th A D 1843
Personally appeared before me John Sweet who signed the within affidavit in my presence & made oath to the truth of the same And I further certify that said affiant is a credible witness
My Merrill Potter Just. G. C. Pierce for said County of Providence

I Phillip Keech of the town of Johnston in the county of Providence State of Rhode Island; do age seventy three years on oath do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Ephraim Thornton formerly of said town of Johnston he married Alice Waterman of the town of said and after said Ephraim decease the said Alice married a man by the name of Spencer as I have understood & believe and is now living in the northern part of the State of New York
During the war of the Revolution I lived in the town of Smithfield in said county and remem- bered that the Militia was divided into companies and that the part went at a time although I lived in the town of Smithfield I was but about two miles from the said Ephraim Thornton who lived in said Johnston and I understood at the time that he the said Ephraim served in Capt. Smed- ley's Company & that he was sergeant I heard my father who served in said war call said Ephraim sergeant and I expect he served as such
Phillip Keech
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence ss. In Johnston June 9 th 1843
Personally appeared before me Phillip Keech who signed the above affidavit in my presence and made oath to the truth of the same and further certify that said affidavit is a credible witness My Will Potter Just. G. G. Has- ped said county of Providence

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office May 30. 1843.
I Henry Bowen, Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof.
So certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State in May seventeen hundred seventy six (1776), Amos Olney was elected Captain of the Second Company of Militia in the Town of Johnston, County of Providence, and so continued by annual election until June seventeen hundred and eighty. (1780). That during the years 1776/77. David Bowen was Colonel and Amos Atwell Lieut. Col. of the Regiment. During the year 1778. John Matthewson was Colonel & Simon Whipple Lieut. Col. During the years 1779/80. Amos Atwell commanded said Regiment: as appears of record.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence, the day and year first above written
Henry Bowen

State of Rhode Island Providence Plantations.
Providence, f. 18
I, Albert Greene, Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence, in the County of Providence and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that Muriel Peter who has signed four certificates hereunto annexed, was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County of Providence, duly elected.
In attestation whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and have affixed the seal of said Municipal Court, this Twelfth Day of June, A. D. 1843.
Albert Greene, Clerk