Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20252, for Benjamin Medbury, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
96.2
Medbury Benjamin Medbury Martha.
W. 20 252
CONTENTS

1565  Rhode Island Martha Medbury widow of Benjamin Medbury decd. who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 18th May 1836 at Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Myrtle in the Company commanded by Captain Ferriss of the Reg't commanded by Col. Brown in the R.I. time for 6 mos. & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 22 Dollars 22 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834. 18th May 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Aug. 1839 and sent Hon. J. L. Tillinghast Hoo. Rep. Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 $55.55 Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 39, 11.11
$66.66
{ Act July 7, } { 1838. }
H. C. Addison Clerk,
Recorded by Book 4
Vol. 2. Page 14

21.3.02 Rhoda Mand
Daughter of
of Providence in the State of R.I. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Grisham of the Age commanded by Brown in the R.I. line for 6 months & 20 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Mrs. Mand at the rate of 22 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of Sept. 1833 and that C. R. S. Abigail Flower R.I.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $44.44 Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Sept. 11.11
$55.55
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. G. Adams Clerk, Book C Vol 2 Page 120

Attest J. Cooke Probate Clerk
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence County ss
On this twentieth day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the judges of the Court of Probate of the town of Gloucester in said County now sitting, Benjamin  Medbury of said Gloucester aged 73 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 long life passed June 7 th 1832. (The declarant) was born in Smithfield in said County on the 23 rd of July 1759. I have a record of my age in a family Bible at home. I lived in said Smithfield when first called into service & since the revolution have always lived in said Gloucester. In April 1776 I was drafted in Capt Thomas Jencks Company but had Brown's Regiment R.I. militia & was stationed at Pawtucket R.I. one month . In May following I served as a substitute for my Father in the same Company & at the same place one month . In June following I served as a substitute for Gideon Briggs in the same Company & at the same place one month . In September 1776 I was drafted in the same Company & was stationed at Providence R.I. one month . In October following I served as a substitute for some

person whose name I have forgotten I was stationed at said Providence one month . - In September 1777 I belonged to the independent Company of R Infantry called the North Providence Rangers, under Capt Thomas Olney Junr. I was detached with 9 others under the command of Sergeant Christopher Whipple & stationed at Cumberland R.I. one month to guard a magazine. Corporal Sebastian Angelo was with us. In July, the latter part, 1778. I went with the said Company, under the command of Capt Weythias Smith I marched to Newton R.I. we joined the army under Gen Sullivan & Prof'd Mount Hope Ferry to Rhode Island. We lay near South Ferry during a very severe storm. After the storm I was taken sick with the dysentery & came home & was sick  three months . Gen Sullivan Gen Council Col Pick Col Livingston were there, that I recollect was with the troops at this time. I served several other terms of duty but do not recollect the particulars. I never received any written discharge & have no documentary evidence by which I can prove my service - & I know of no living witness by whom the same can be proved. Dick Brown Ned Stone Joseph Brown Richard Burlingame Jo

and persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood & who can testify as to my character for morality & truthfulness in my services as a soldier of the revolution
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & understand that my name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.
Benjamin his  Medbury mark
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid in New Court
J. Cooke Probate Clerk
We Richard Burlingame Jr & Asa Stearns residing in said Gloucester hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Medbury

Who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 73 years of age, that he is situated & believed in the neighborhood which he under to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion. Richard Burlingame A. H. Stone
Sworn to & subscribed in open court the day & year aforesaid J. Cooke Probate Clerk
Since 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 & served as he states. Since the Court further certify that it appears to them that Richard Burlingame & A. H. Stone who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said Gloucester & are credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit & that no objection remains in the immediate vicinity of said applicant & that Cooke clerk of said court of probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Medbury for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this day at Gloucester this 20 th day of October 1832 J. Cooke Probate Clerk
Providence July 30 th 1833. I hereby certify that said Cooke was on the 20 th day of October 1832 was expected to be Clerk of the Court
of Probate in & for the town of Gloucester County of Providence & that the signatures to the foregoing documents & certificates purporting to be his are in the proper hand writing of said Cooke as I believe
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the day & year first written N. Knight

State of Rhode Island &c.
Providence ss. In Gloucester this twenty sixth day of July 1833 before me Samuel J. Sturley a Public Notary in & for said County duly Commissioned & sworn & authorized by law to administer oaths & take deposition personally appeared Benjamin Medbury a resident of said Gloucester who being first duly sworn on oath testified & say, that he served as a private soldier at the times mentioned in his declaration, that in July 1778 he was drafted as a private in the North Providence company commanded by Capt. Bezekiah Smith & went with the troops under Genl. Sullivan as is set forth in his said decl n he was drafted for twenty days & served as is therein stated After he went on to Rhode Island he was taken sick & removed to the Hospital on Pauper's quays near Bristol Rd where he remained a few days & then went home, where he remained sick three months as he has before stated From the time he left home to go on this expedition until his return was at least ten days. This affidavit he makes in amendment of his application for a pension under the act of June 1832
Attest Sam l J. Sturley Benjamin his  Medbury mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal of Office the day & year first mentioned
Sam l J. Sturley Pub. Not y

I Horace Kimball Postmaster of the office in the village of Wester town of Gloucester County of Providence State of Rhode Island, being first duly sworn on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Needham who has signed & sworn to the annexed affidavit that the said Needham is a respectable & credible citizen & that his statement is entitled to credit; I also say that the said Needham is respected in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that I concur in that opinion
Horace Kimball
State of Rhode Island, &c.
Providence ss
In Gloucester this twenty fifth day of July 1833. before me Samuel J. Atwell a Public Notary in & for said County personally appeared Horace Kimball who being first duly sworn on oath says that the above affidavit by him signed in my presence is just & true in all its parts. I further certify that the said Depponent is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal of Office the day & year aforesaid
Sam J Atwell Pub. Noty

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence ss
I Dexter Randall Clerk of the Court of Com- mon Pleas of the County of Providence in said State, do hereby certify that Samuel G. Howell before whom the foregoing affi- davits were sworn, was at the time and now is a Public Notary within and for said County, and duly author- ised by Law, to administer oaths and take depositions, and that the signatures to the foregoing documents purporting to be his, are the proper hand writing of the said Howell.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Providence this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Dexter Randall Clerk

No 18860
Benj. Woodbury Providence County Rhode Island
Parish 6 Mar 20 days
5 10 11 12
July 10 1835
57
20.00
2 2 2
P 623 2 2 2 2
By Atwell Gloucester Rhode Island

BRIEF in the case of  Benjamin Medbury  County of Providence  in the State of Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73 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.     Drafted In 1776 April - 1 - private Genl Sullivan   Sub - " May - 1 - private Capt T. Jenkins Col Brown   Sub - " June - 1 - private Same company &c   Drafted - " Sept. - 1 - private Same company &c   Sub - " October - 1 - private   Vol - 1777 Sept. - 1 - private Capt J. Olney Jr   Vol - 1778 July then not stated 20 private Capt H. Smith  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Smithfield Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary,  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly Attached, Clerks Seal defective 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
The applicant states that he served other towns but can't recollect precisely the times &c. &c.
Richd. Keyes Examining Clerk.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Providence to Gloucester November 10 th 1838
On this tenth day of November 1838, personally appeared before me Job Armstrong one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Providence, State aforesaid Martha Medberry a resident of said Gloucester in the County and State aforesaid aged 78 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of Benjamin Medberry late of said Gloucester deceased, who was a soldier of the Revolution and a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that the said Benjamin her said husband served in the war of the Revolution in the manner at the times and places and in the capacities set forth in his application for a pension under said act of June 1832 and now on file in the war department to which she refers. She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Medberry on the twenty first day of December in the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty — (1780) that her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Medberry died at said Gloucester on the eighteenth day of May — in the year eighteen hundred and thirty six (1836) that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but that said marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794 to wit at the time above stated
Martha her Medberry mark Attest: Jesse S. Smith Sworn to and subscribed on the day and

What first afore written And I certify that the said Martha Hedberg who is well known to me is a credible person, that her statements are en- titled to credit and that she is from bodily in- firmity unable to attend the Court. (J. S. Armstrong) J. S. B. C. P. A.

I Hereby Certify that Benjamin Medbery Son of Benjamin Medbery and Martha Harris Daughter of Abner Harris both of Smithfield were Lawfull Joined Together in Marriage on the twenty first Day of December A 1780. Stephen Brayton Jus: of Peace By Me the Subscriber A

I Samuel Steere Jr. of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 43 years being firstly engaged according to law do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Medbury late of said Gloucester deceased who who was a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 I further testify that the marriage certificate herunto annexed marked A. signed by Stephen Brayton Just. of Peace was found by me among the papers of the said Benjamin Medbury subsequent to the death of the said Benjamin — I further testify that in an Old family Bible in the possession of Martha Medbury widow of the said Benjamin Medbury who resides in my house is the following record "Benjamin Medbury married Martha Harris" I further testify that the words indicated in the foregoing quotation is an exact copy of said record with the exception of the date which is in plain legible figures as follows Dec r 12 th Mo. 21 st Day A d 1780 I further say that the said Benjamin Medbury died at said Gloucester on the 18 th day of May A d 1836 I was present at the funeral which took place on the 20 th day of May A d 1836, that the said Benjamin left a widow who is Martha Medbury who now resides in said Gloucester that she has not intermarried since the decease of the said Benjamin but still remains his widow —
Samuel Steere Jr.
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Providence ss Gloucester November 10 th 1838 Personally appeared the aforesaid Samuel Steere Jr. who in my presence subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath before me to the truth of the statements therein contained — and I certify that the said Samuel Steere Jr. who is well known over

to me is a credible person and that his statements are entitled to full credit.
John Armstrong Jut. C. B. Phas

W 20, 252 L. W. B.
am
February 19, 1897.
Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Benjamin Sedbury, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made an application for pension on October 20, 1832, at which time he was 73 years of age and residing at Providence, R. I., and his pension was allowed for six months and twenty days' actual service as a private in the Rhode Island troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Gerrish and Col. Brown. He enlisted at Smithfield, R. I.
His widow, Martha, made an application and received a pension for the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mr. Charles I. Merrick, 91 Newbury Street, Boston, Mass.

Reg
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20252
Martha Wedbury Widow of Benjamin Wedbury Priv. Rev. War
Act July 7 th 1838
Index : Vol. III , Page 44
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Feb
19. 1897 - History to Mr. Charles D. Merrick Boston Mass.
Feby - 11, 1905 - History to Mrs. Byron S. Johnson Saratoga N.Y.
1906 Feb. 7. History to Mrs Edith M. Doane.

Application of 3606 Martha Medbury for pension
Wid of Perry
B.P. died 7 July 1831
born 1780 died 1831 J. L. Edwards Esq. Council,
In in relation to this application please address me at Gloucester R.S.
I am of course ready for application
Allan 5222 p. June 18 May 1831
Hn. J. L. Tillingham W.R.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Providence Jo. I, John W. Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the County of Providence, in said State being a Court of Record, do hereby certify that Job Armstrong Esquire, before whom the two annexed depositions were sworn, is one of the Justices of said Court; and by law is authorized and qualified to administer oaths and take depositions; and that his two affixed signatures are genuine.
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at the city of Providence, this twelfth day of December A.D. 1838.
John W. Smith Clerk

91 Newbury St Boston, Mass.
Jan. 25, '97.
To Bureau of Pensions, Dept. Interior.
Gentlemen,
In the census of Prov. prisoners taken for June 1 1840, appears the name of Martha Wedbury , Age 79, of Gloucester, Providence Co. R. I., living with Samuel Stearr.
Will you please give me the facts on which her pension was based? What was her husband's service etc? His name

was, I believe, Benjamin Medbury. He died 1836.
Yours Truly.
Charles I. Merrill.

O. H. N.
R
Saratoga N.Y. Jan 19-05 79 Clark St.
Pension Bureau, Washington D.C.
Will you kindly give me the war records of N. Reg 6972 Anthony Martin born Apr. 21 1760 in R.I. and Benjamin Medbury born Dec. 1718 at Warwick R.I. for genealogical purposes.

Thanking You.
Very Respectfully,
Mrs. Byron S. Johnson.

Pension Bureau U. S. Government Bldg. Washington D. C.
Gentlemen: -
Some time since I wrote you regarding a pension granted to the wife of Benjamin Medbury for for injuries received in the Revolution. I should like

a copy of this pension. Also kindly let me know if it was the first pension ever granted by the U. S. Govt.
Yours truly Elsie Vance
Address
Mrs Vance 26 Highland Ave. Yonkers N. Y.

Pension Bureau - Washington -
Gentlemen:
Please send me a copy of pension drawn by Martha (Harris) (Medbury) Medbury wife of Benjamin Medbury who fought in the Revolution.
Was this the first pension ever granted by the

U. S. Government - ?
Yours truly
Edith Medbury Soane
Address -
Mrs Soane
26 Highland Ave.
Yonkers
N. Y.
Jan. 2 - 1906

Prof. Medbury R.S. Al June 7 1832 Who paid?
A.H.J.
Paid to 10 March 1836.
S.H.H.

Application of Benj a Medbury { for { permission
18860

To the Hon. LEWIS CASS
SECRETARY OF WAR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
HUMBLY REPRESENTS
Benjamin Medbury
of Gloucester
in the County of PROVIDENCE, State of
RHODE ISLAND; that he was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as will appear by the annexed documents. He therefore requests that a pension may be granted to him in conformity with the provisions of an Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832, entitled "an Act supplementary to the "Act for the relief of certain Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution"
and in duty bound will ever pray,
Benjamin Medbury
by L. P. [unclear]
Sam J. [unclear]
Please address me at Gloucester R.I.
S. [unclear]

O. W. and N. Div.
3-352. (Old No. 3-119.)
Div.
_____, Ex'r.
No. _____
Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Co. _____ Reg't _____
The above title should be indorsed on every paper relating to this claim.
Washington, D. C., _____, 190__
SIR:
In the above-entitled claim for _____ pension under the
XXXX
_____, an order was issued under date of _____
189__, directing _____ to appear for medical examination before the
Board of Surgeons at _____, within
three months from said date. You are informed that _____ did not report for examination as
directed; and that, as no reason for _____ failure to do so has been given, another order will
not be issued until _____ shall have expressed, in writing, a willingness to comply therewith.
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____
Very respectfully,

Oct. 20. 1832.
Groton, Providence Co. R. I. } 73. Smithfield, R. I. at interment }
Benjamin Medbury.
Son of Benjamin
July 23. 1759 b { Smithfield Providence Co.
d { May 18, 1836. R. I. Groton, R. I.
Where
When April 1776
Term 5 mos,
As Pri
Capt Jencks.
Col Chad Brown.
State R. I. Mil.
Where
When Sept 1775
Term 1 mo
As
Capt Thomas Olney Jr.
Col
State
Where
When July 1778
Term 10 days
As
Capt Hezekiah Smith
Col
State
In Sullivan's Ex.
married Martha, daughter Abner Harris
When Dec. 21, 1780
Where
Widow's age 78 in 1838,
" Residence, Groton, R. I.
No copies