Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21532, for John Thurston, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Thurston, John
S 21532
CONTENTS

Vermont 11. 636
John Thurston of Windsor Co. in the State of Vermont who was a Pr. in the Company commanded by Captain Clark of the Regt commanded by Col Green in the N. H. State Troops -
20 Months Dr $ 66. 66
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 66, Dollars 66, Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of May and Sept 6. 1833 Amos Hald, Chester. Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 - 133. 32 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 1 - 33. 33
$ 166. 65
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. D. Sprague Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 94

mentioned.
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers given with the questions to it are true.
2. Are the papers deposited as to form an affidavit, and if so, do they contain any matter which might be considered as prejudicial to the fair trial of the issue?
incidental evidence, as to the right
3.
Is his statement, supported by being witness, to the matters stated in the affidavit?
4. Have you the receipt when he entered the
5. In what manner was it obtained?
Admitted 20 months 77 66.66
Amos Seald Esq. Chester
  1. Full name Amos Seald 2. Place of birth Chester   3. Age 45 4. Marital status Married   5. Profession or calling Merchant 6. Where employed Chester   7. How long in present employment 20 years 8. How much per annum £66.66   9. Where does he reside Chester 10. How long in present residence 20 years   11. How much per annum £66.66 12. How much per annum £66.66 
4. State his services, as described in the form.
5. How old is he?

BRIEF in the case of  John Thurston  County of Windsor  in the State of Vermont  (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? 72 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.     Spring In 1778 9 -- Private Gen. Col. Black   Spring 1779 6 -- " Col. Hagg Col. Green   Fall 1781 3 -- " Col. Eaton  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence R Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By 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.
Richard Butler Examining Clerk.

John Thurston Appr.
12.931

State of Vermont } On this sixth day of August. A.D. 1832 Windsor County ss. } Personally appeared in open court Before the Probate court within & for the district of Windsor in the State of Vermont.
Now sitting John Thurston a Resident of Chester in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont aged seventy two years the 14 th day of November last, who being first clerically sworn, according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the Benifit of the of the Province made act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the united States under the following named Officers, & service as herein stated. Enlisted at Providence Rhode Island (then a resident of Retrobath Massachusetts) some time in the Spring of the year 1778 for nine months, was stationed at Field & Danany Point. served in the company commanded by Capt. John Clark & Lieut. — Rogers, Rhode Island troops. was in the expedition & Retreat of Gen- Sullivan off of Rhode Island Assisted in the management of Boats employed in the Retreat to get the Army off. That he faithfully served the term of nine months & was dismissed from service at Providence some time in the winter of 1779 (the month & day does not recollect) with a discharge in writing.
That He again entered service in Newport Rhode Island, in the Spring of 1779. for six months, was stationed at Mid- =dletown, served under the following Officers, Colonel Green, Major Hays Lieutenant Commandant Brown, served out said term & was dismissed at said Newport in the fall of the year 1779.
That he again enlisted or entered service in the fall of 1781 for four months in Newport, for five months, in the Rhode Island troops, was stationed at Newport aforesaid, to Guard Public Stores, served under the following Officers Captain Dalen, Ensign — Bliss. served the term of five months & was discharged at said Newport in the Spring of 1782. Having served 20 months in all. That he has no documentary evidence.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed this day & year first above mentioned

The following questions were, then then proposed by the Court aforesaid to the Applicant, and the following answers made.
2 d 1 o Where, and in what year were you Born?
Ans. by the Applicant, in Newport in the State of Rhode Island.
in the year 1759 on the 14 day of Nov.
2 d 2 o Have you any record of your age; & if so where is it?
Ans. do not know of any Public record - have one at home which agrees with the above state.
2 d 3 o Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since, the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live. State
Ans. Lived at Rehoboth at the time of entering service. Have lived in Chester ever since the Revolutionary war; on the same farm on which I now live.
2 d 4 o How were you called into service; were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute.
Ans. By enlistment in State troops.
2 d 5 o State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served, such Continental Regiments & Militia as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. Recollected the names of General Sullivan, and Col d Greene, but do not recollect any particular Regiment stationed there.
2 d 6 o Did you receive a discharge from service if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Ans. Have no recollection of ever receiving any written discharge at any time.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first herein written
John Thornton
Jabez Proctor Judge
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Jabez Proctor Judge

I Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Thurston for a Pension.
In Witness, whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court, this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, two.
Reuben Washburn. —

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Thurston a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau. S. F. 21,532.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring, 1778. 9 mos. Pri. John Clark. ✓ R.I.   Spring, 1779. 6 " ✓ Green.   Fall, 1781. 5 " Dayton. ✓  
Battles Engaged in, General Sullivan's expedition.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Rehoboth, Mass.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 6, 1832. His ch. was al.
Residence at date of application, Chester, Windsor Co., Vt.
Age at date of application, B. Nov. 14, 1759, at Newport, R.I.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family.
Soldier died May 10, 1847.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
(Date of death taken from Agency Book)

Revolution
21 532 INVALID.
1916, Feb. 4. History to B. L. Hayden.
File No. 21 532
Johnston Mid River Mass
Act: June 7 th 89 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 117
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Geo. Wightman Depo.

I George Wightman of Chester in the County of Windsor & State of Vermont aged Sixty four years in Jan y last, depose & say that in the year 1778 was a resident of Rehoboth Massachusetts, and at that time was well acquainted with John Thurston then of S d Rehoboth, he the S d John Thurston then living in the same neighbourhood in which I then lived. That I have ever since been acquainted with him & know him to be the same John Thurston who now lives in the Town of Chester in the same neighbourhood in which I now live. — and I now recollect that he the said John Thurston served in the service of the United States, was stationed at Field's point a short distance from the house where I then resided, & often saw him in the service during nine months, for which he was then entitled. — That I also recollect that he the said John Thurston again enlisted for one or two terms afterwards & was said to be in the service of the United States — Recollect that he was absent, & I do verily believe he did serve while absent, as above expressed.
George Wightman
State of Vermont Windsor County ss
Be it known that Before me Amos Heald a justice of the Peace in and for said County of Windsor on the 30 day of July 1832 Personally appeared the above named George Wightman and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth, & nothing but the truth. Sworn & subscribed on the day above written Before me Amos Heald J us . of the Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Geo. Wightman is well known to me, & is a credible witness.
Certified By Amos Heald J us . Peace

State of Vermont } Windsor County }
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of the Windsor County Court do hereby certify that Amos Gleason who has set his name to the within is a magistrate duly qualified and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court This tenth day of August A.D. 1832
Benj. Swan

I Israel Wightman of Keene in the County of Cheshire & State of New Hampshire aged sixty nine years - Depose and say, that in the year 1778 I was a Resident of Rehoboth Massachusetts, and at that time was well acquainted with John Thurston, then of said Rehoboth he the said John Thurston then living in the same neighbourhood in which I then lived, - That I have at various times since seen him & know him to be the same John Thurston with whom I was formerly acquainted who now resides in Chester Vermont, about fourteen miles from my present dwelling And I now recollect that he the said John Thurston served in the service of the United States, was stationed at Field's point a short distance from the Home where I then lived, and often saw him in the service during nine months, for which he was then entitled - That I also recollect, that he the said John Thurston again entered for one or two terms afterwards and was said to be in the service of the United States - Recollect that he was absent, and I do verily believe he did serve while absent as above expressed, but do not recollect the exact time he served.
Israel Wightman
State of Vermont
{ Be it known that on the 5 th day of August A.D. 1832 - Before me Alexander S. Campbell a Justice of the Peace in & for the county aforesaid. Personally appeared the above named Israel Wightman & made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed contains the truth & nothing but the truth. -
Before me Alex. S. Campbell Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above named Israel Wightman is well known to me, & is a credible witness -
Certified By me
Alex. S. Campbell Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont Windham County ss
I James Elliot Clerk of Windham County Court, hereby certify, that Alexander S. Campbell, who has affixed his name to the within, is a Magistrate duly qualified - and that I believe the same to be his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of said Court, at Newfane thirty- eighth day of August A.D. 1832
James Elliot Clerk.
Grace Weightman Affidavit

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK
ALBANY STREET SCHOOL B. L. HAYDON, B. S., PRINCIPAL
Rev. War. HW
1
Jan 27. 1916
Department of the Interior, Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, -
Can you inform me if a pension was ever granted to John Thurston, Chester Windsor Co., Vermont, a soldier of the Revolution - and the date of payment of the last pension if any, received by him.
Thanking you in advance I am
Very truly
B. L. Haydon

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Thurston, Michael GRADE Private in Proctor's Artillery" LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10516 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED June 20, 1789 TO — not shown —
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.