Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,646, for Daniel Read, Massachusetts

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Read, Daniel
S 17646
carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 27.923-
Daniel Read
of Avondale in the State of Conn.
who was a private in the
by Captain of the R. I.
by Col. Daggert in the R. I.
time for 6 mo. 23 days -
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 22 Dollars 55 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept. 34 and Sub. Claimants Nero Daven - Conn.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept. 1834 48.93 - Pension allowance ending Mar. 31 11.27 90.20
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by N. Rice - Clerk, Book E 2 Vol. 3 Page 37

Town Clerk Certificate

At theborough Feb y 15, 1834
This may certify that Daniel Read the son of Daniel Read of said littlebor n was Born November 16 th 1757 —
A true copy of Record
Ellis Blackinton J n Clerk

State of Connecticut,
New Haven County } ss.
On this 13 th day of March 1834 personally appeared, in open Court, before
the Court of Probate for the District of New Haven at New Haven
now sitting, Daniel Read a resident of New Haven in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged
76
years, who being first 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, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
In Dec r 1776 when the British troops took Newport R.I. an alarm was spread through the adjacent country and the militia were mustered. I then belonged to a militia company under the command of Capt. Jacob Ide, in Col. John Daggett's Regiment. Capt. Ide immediately marched his company, of which company I was one, to Providence, and from thence to Warren R.I. where we remained several days, I cannot now recollect the exact number, but I think it may have been 8 or 10, more or less, when orders were received to detach one quarter of the militia for three month's service on the shores of Rhode Island, and the other three quarters were permitted to return home. I was one of those who were detached for three months service; I was put under Capt. Clap, Lieut. Enoch Robinson and Ben. Maxy as Commissioned Officers and Col. John Daggett, Lieut. Col. Rathway and Maj. Mite as field Officers. We were marched to Tiverton in R.I. and employed during the said term of three months in guarding the shore opposite Rhode Island. I did military duty as a private soldier and Clerk to Col. Daggett until the expiration of the said three months which was in the month of March 1777.
In the next month (April) the militia were again called for to guard the shores of Rhode Island, and I entered the public service again under Capt. Stephen Richardson and marched under him to Tiverton, and after doing military duty there a number of days (the exact number I cannot now ascertain) I was with others, sent to Providence and put under Capt. Israel Frown of Col. Whitney's Regiment. After doing duty at Providence both on guard and fatigue a few weeks, I was one of a detachment from Col. Whitney's Regiment which was sent to Point Judith, where I did duty as a private soldier until the fourth of July in the said year viz 1777, having been in the public service two months and 21 days from the time of my entering it under Capt. Richardson in April aforesaid. - In the fall of the same year, 1777, I was again in the public service and did duty as a private soldier one month near Rhode Island in the expedition under Gen. Spencer (called the Secret expedition). My officers at this time were Capt. S. Richardson Lieut. E. Robinson and Lieut. B. Maxy. We were billeted near Fall River either in Freetown Mass. or Tiverton R.I. For a considerable part of the month we were, almost every night under arms and marched down to the shores opposite to the Island from 4 to 8 miles from our quarters with the

expectation of crossing over to it, but we did not. This must have been in Oct r 1777 for I perfectly remember of hearing of the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne while engaged in this expedition.
Again in the summer of 1778 I was one month in the American army under Gen. Sullivan in his intended expedition against the British troops and shipping at Newport R.I. in conjunction with the French fleet which were then said to be there. I was part of the time at Tiverton or Free-town and a part of the time on Rhode Island and all the time I did duty as a private soldier. I believe (but I cannot be positive) that my time of service expired on or about the 25th of Agust August, but as we were then on the Island and no blow had been struck against the enemy we expected to be detained longer, but the French fleet went out and left us, and a British fleet was said to be coming in, a retreat from the Island, therefore, became inevitable; the militia whose times were out were therefore permitted to go home. I have not been able to find any person now living who can testify to the fact of my being in the army at the time of Gen. Sullivan's expedition at Rhode Island, nor can I at this time recollect one of the officers under whom I served except Gen. Sullivan; but I well remember being at the camp near Fall River - observing the extensive boat building going on there - the constant arrival of troops, both regulars and militia - crossing over to the Island at Howland's ferry - lying on my arms on Butts' hill at the beginning of that tremendous storm which did so much damage to the French ships after they went to sea - and of leaving the Island when my time was out by the way of Bristol ferry; all this I well remember.
Thus it appears from the above facts, which I have endeavoured to state correctly, that I was in the public service and did duty as a soldier in the Revolutionary war seven months and twenty one days exclusive of the time I served under Capt. Ide at Providence and Warren, which if added will make about eight months.
I the subscriber Daniel Read was born in the town of Attleborough in the county of Bristol Mass. on the 16th. day of Nov r A.D. 1757 as appears of record in the town clerk's office in said Attleborough; and the said town of Attleborough

The said Daniel Read 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, the day and year aforesaid.
Arthur D. Sanford Clerk
Daniel Read
We, Leonard Bacon a clergyman, residing in the town of New Haven and Benjamin Deysett residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Daniel Read who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 76 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 day and year aforesaid.
Arthur D. Sanford Clerk
Leonard Bacon David Deysett Chief Judge of the Superior Court of Conn.
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Leonard Bacon who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of New Haven and that Benjamin Deysett who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Haven and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chas. A. Ingersoll Judge of said Court
I, Arthur D. Sanford Clerk of the Court of Probate for the probate district of New Haven do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel Read for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Office, this 13 th day of March 1834
Arthur D. Sanford Clerk

was my place of residence until the year 1779; but for the last fiftytwo years I have lived in New Haven in Connecticut.
Daniel Read

31.480 Daniel Read
Feb 11 Jool Read

I Joel Read of Attleborough in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of lawful age & qualified to give evidence, do testify and say, that Daniel Read of New Haven in the State of Connecticut is a native of the town of Attleborough aforesaid, and in December 1776 he was drafted in a Company of Militia and marched to Tiverton and was stationed near Howland's Ferry and served under Col John Daggett, and Capt Clapp, & Lt Robinson & B Macey, (his Officers) three months in the Revolutionary War, his 3 months expiring in March 1777. - he did the duty of Clerk to the Col Daggett during said term of time.
And I further testify that he the said Daniel Read was with me also in the service of said War. One Month in October 1777 near Rhode Island in the Secret Expedition (so called) Commanded by Gen Spencer in Capt Stephen Richardson's Company with Lieut Enoch Robinson & Benj n Macey when we pretended to go into Rhode Island but did not go, and further saith not
Joel Read
Commonwealth of Mass ts Bristol ss. Feby 15 th 1834. Then the above named Joel Read Esq. Subscribed to this instrument personally appeared & made oath to the truth of the above deposition before me
Levi May Jus. of P. Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Joel Read Esq. that he is a credible witness on whose testimony full confidence may be placed.
Levi May Jus. of P. Peace

Dear Mary [?]
at present
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Samuel May Esq., whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the peace in for said 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 fourteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Ja. Spratt

17696 INVALID.
No. _____
Smith Ward
Bi New York
Act: June 7 th 189
Index: Vol. 1 ; Page 312
[Arrangement of 189]

Jona n Willmarth & Isaac Perrey, Depts m
Washington
1854

Be it Remembered, I Jonathan Willmuth of Attleborough in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts being of Lawful age and qualified to give evidence do testify & say that I was in the service of the revolutionary army with Daniel Read formerly of Attleborough aforesaid who now lives at New Haven in Connecticut and that he served under Stephen Richardson at the shores of Rhode Island part of the time at Providence and partly at Point Judith in the company of Capt Israel Trow. in Col Whitney Reg t and I recollect that the the said Daniel Read served in the whole of said term Two months, and more twenty one days, Ending July 4 1779 and was a faithful Soldier during said term and further saith not -
Jonathan Willmuth
Bristol ss. February 17 th  1834 Then personal appeared the above named Jonathan Willmuth subscribed to the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me
Elkanah Briggs, Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Jonathan Willmuth that he is a credible witness on whom testimony full confidence may be placed
Elkanah Briggs Justice of the Peace

Be it remembered that I Isaac Perry of Attleboro in the County of Bristol Commonwealth of Massachusetts and being of lawful age and duly qualified to give evidence according to Law do testify & say that I was in the Service of the Revolutionary Army and Daniel Read then of Attleboro aforesaid but now living at New Haven in Connecticut was with me, and he served under Capt Stephen Richard son part of the time & part of said time under Capt Israel Trow - part of the time at the Shore, near Rhode Island and part of the time in Providence making in the whole two months & twenty one days and our time expired July 4 th 1779 - and he served as a faithful soldier said term
Isaac Perry
Bristol ss. February 17 th 1834 Then personal appeared the above named Isaac Perry and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed be fore me
Elkanah Briggs Justice of the Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Isaac Perry that he is a credible witness on whose testimony full confidence may be placed
Elkanah Briggs Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss.
I James Spratt Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Elkanah Briggs Esq. whose signature and affixing to the within certificate is a Justice of the peace in the said 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 fourteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
James Spratt
1834
1834

Phila
Mr
Daniel Read Esq r
New Haven
Conn

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, June 24 th 1834.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of Daniel Read, as a private, is borne on a roll of Capt. Stephen Richardson's company, where he is allowed from April 21 st 1777. twenty five days. m. d. 25
Daniel Read's name is borne on a Muster roll of Capt. Israel Frenn's company, in Col. Israel Whitney's regt. where he is allowed from May 14 th 1777. one month & twenty five days 1-2
Daniel Read's name is borne on a Bounty roll of Capt. Stephen Richardson's company, commanded by Col. George Williams. where he is allowed from Sept 25 th 1777. one month and six days. 16
Daniel Read claims for services under Capt. Jacob Ide, in Col. Daggett's regt. in 1776. 3-23

the roll is found for twentyfour days, in Dec r 1776 but his name is not there therein.
Daniel Read also claims for service under Capt. Clapp, in Col. Dagget's regt. in 1776. there are several rolls of Captains Clapp, but none in Col. Dagget's regt found in this Office.
Ed L.
Edward D. Bangs. Secy
New Haven July 29 1834
Permit me, sir, with due respect, to remark — that upon the alarm occasioned by the arrival of a British force in the waters of Rhode Island in Dec r 1776 the militia in the town of Attleborough in Bristol county Mass. then under the command of Col. John Dagget were marched, first to Providence and from thence to Warren in R.I. where, as I have stated in my declaration, we may have remained 8 or 10 days more or less. I then belonged to the company in said Col. Dagget's Regt. commanded by Capt. Jacob Ide. When orders were given to detach one quarter of the militia of Bristol county for three months service on the shores of R.I. I was one of those who were detached for this three months service and was put under Capt. Clapp, (I cannot recollect his given name) and sent to Howland's ferry in Tiverton R.I. Now it is possible, although I remember nothing about the fact, that Capt Ide with the remainder of his company were kept in service some days after this detachment was sent away and, of course, when Capt. Ide made his return of 24 days service, I was not a member of his company, but was doing duty in another place under Capt. Clapp.
Why the roll of Capt. Clapp's company in Col. J. Dagget's Regt. Stationed at Tiverton in R.I. in the winter of 1776-77 is not found in the office the secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass. I know not; but I do know that I did do military duty as a soldier three months begining in Dec r 1776 and ending in March 1777, and in Capt. Clapp's company in Col. J. Dagget's Regt. Stationed at Tiverton R.I. and that I lived part of the time in Col. Dagget's family and served him as his

private secretary or clerk. These facts, I suppose I have proved by two living witnesses, and could also have proved by the Col. himself and by more than 50 others had not death removed them from the land of the living. I received my pay for this three months service of Capt. Clapp himself; what became of the roll I know not. Capt. Clapp did not belong to Attleborough but to another town in Bristol county. Whether he lived within the limits of Col. Dagget's Reg't or not is to me unknown, but in the three month's service he was under Col. Dagget.
When I made out my declaration I could not recollect the name of the Col. under whom I served in Capt. Stephen Richardson's company in Gen. Spencer's secret expedition in the fall of 1777, but the secretary of the state of Mass has given his name; why he has omitted to say any thing respecting my claim for services in Gen Sullivan's expedition in the summer of 1778 I know not: I did in my application to him state that claim as well as others.
As I know but little about the forms of law or the rules of the pension office and cannot afford to employ counsel, I have been guided in my application for a pension, chiefly by my own judgment and the advice of a few friends; if I have failed to conform to the rules of the pension office in any respect, I beg you to believe that in my statement of facts I have in no instance deviated from what I conscientiously believe to be the truth. If, Sir, you find I am entitled to a pension under the act of June 1832, as I am confident you will, I hope you will be so good as to forward me a certificate so that I may be able to draw it in Sept r next.
I am Sir, respectfully
Your Ob t Serv t
Daniel Read
Lewis Cass Esqr Secretary of War.

I Joseph Cushman of Attleborough in the State of Massachusetts being of Lawful age to give Evidence to testify and say, that I was in the Army of the Revolution ary war in the Regiment Commanded by John Daggett in the Company under Capt — Glapp. I to Enoch Robinson & B. Maxey, and I well knew Daniel Read who now lives at New Haven in Connecticut, and I testify & say that the said Daniel Read was a private Soldier and Col Daggett's Clerk during the term of three months at Tiverton near Rhode Island in the winter of 1776 & 1777. and that he the said Read was a good & faithful Soldier during said time —
And I further testify that the said Daniel Read was with me also in the service of said War One month in October 1777 near Rhode Island in the Expedition under Genl Spencer (called the secret expedition) in the Company Commanded by Capt Stephen Richardson &c when it was attempted several times to take Rhode Island, and further saith not saith not —
Joseph Cushman Commonwealth of Mass'ts. Bristol ss. Feby 15. 1834. Then personally appeared Joseph Cushman subscribed to the above deposition & made oath to the truth of the same
before me
Sam l May Jr. of age —
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Joseph Cushman, that he is a credible witness on whose testimony full confidence may be placed —
Sam l May Jr. of age —

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. I James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Lemuel Mayhew whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Justice of the Peace in said 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 twentieth day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Ja. Spratt
Joseph Cushman
Clerk
Daniel Pease
Clerk

I hereby certify that in December 1776 I was an inhabitant of the town of Attleborough in the county of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts, — that I belonged to a company of militia under the command of Capt. Jacob Ide of sd. Attleborough, — that in December 1776 a detachment was made from the aforesaid Capt. Ide's company and put under the command of Capt. Clapp and sent to Swanton in the state of Rhode Island, and that I was one of those thus detached, — that I was then and there in actual service doing duty as a private soldier in the said Capt. Clapp's company in Col. John Daggett's regiment three months, — that a part of the said three months I mounted guard and did such other military duties as are usually required of private soldiers in the army, and a part of the time I did the duty of a clerk to Col. Daggett, — that my name remained on the roll of Capt. Clapp's company while I was doing this duty for the colonel, and that I was as liable to be called upon at any moment to meet the enemy or to do any other military duty my officers might think proper to require as any other soldier in the regiment — that after the expiration of the sd. term of three months, and after we had returned to our homes, I called on Capt. Clapp at his house in Norton or Mansfield and he paid me my wages as a private soldier for the whole term of three months making no deduction on account of the time I lived with the colonel, and I never received from the colonel or any other person whatever any pay or emolument on account of services rendered him. I further certify that I do not remember Capt. Clapp's christian name, — that I believe him to have been about forty years old at the time I belonged to his company.
Certified by me Daniel Read
New Haven Sep. 2 d 1834
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss New Haven September 2 d 1834 Personally appeared Mr. Daniel Read and made solemn oath as to the truth of the above Instrument signed by him, before me Anthony P. Gurney Justice of Peace

J. L. Edwards Esq r
Clerk of the Pension Office
War Department
Washington

6m 23 days
$22,55
J. J. Edwards Esq. Clerk of the Pension Office War Department Washington D.C. Claimant
Mrs Haren
2
100 H. H. of
ct
Sept. 5

New Haven September 22. 1834
Sir,
On the receipt of your letter of the 1st. of August I wrote to a friend who lives in the vicinity of Woodstock, requesting him to see Maj r Earl Clapp, &c. Yesterday I received his answer. The following is an extract from it. "I called on Major Earl Clapp of N. Woodstock; — he says he never served as Capt. at Tiverton under Col. J. Dagget, that the most of his military services were performed at New York, that he never resided at Norton or Mansfield." — "It appears therefore pretty certain that the Capt. Clapp whom you mention must be some other man than Earl Clapp. I supposed that some information might be obtained from Jacob Ide, son of the Capt. Ide you mention, but since receiving your letter of the 5th. I have learned that he died about 2 or 3 weeks since, and the sons of Col. John Dagget, I believe, are all dead."
If you will have the goodness once more to look at my declaration, I think you will perceive that I have made no claim to have performed any services in the Revolutionary war under Capt. Ide excepting a few days (8 or 10, more or less) on the first alarm occasioned by the arrival of the British forces at Newport R.I. in Dec r 1776. The truth is, when orders were given to detach one quarter part of the militia of Bristol county to guard the shores of Rhode Island, I was taken out from under the command of Capt. Ide and put under Capt. Clapp and sent to Tiverton. We were then called quarter-men, and a regiment of these quarter-men was formed and the command of it was given to Col. John Dagget of Attleborough. I never supposed that my name was on the pay roll made out by Capt. Ide, and I am confident I never received any pay through him. If I was ever paid for those few days I served under him at Warren, I must have received it must have received it from Capt. Clapp, and in that case those days might or might not have been included in the three months service for which I was paid by Capt. Clapp; my impression is that he paid me for three months only.
The duties required of me while I was clerk to the colonel were certainly of a military character; of this fact I never doubted, and I never supposed there could be a doubt until I received your letter of the 1st. August. I was doing the duty of a soldier in Capt. Clapp's company — was quartered at a house within a few rods of the colonel's quarters, when, one day he signified to me that he wanted my services as a clerk, and wished me to

come and live with him. With the consent of my officers I agreed to the proposal. The duties he required of me were to make fair copies of the General Orders as they were received from day to day in a book prepared for that purpose - to do any other writing he might call upon me for - to be always at hand to carry his orders to any of the officers of the regiment, or where ever else he had occasion to send me, and to do any other service he might reasonably require. Permit me, Sir, to name one instance. He was holding a court martial; I, as in duty bound, was in attendance, when he directed me to go to Col. Lieut. Col. Hathaway's quarters and inform him that he, Col. H. was appointed Judge Advocate, and requested him to attend. Was not this service of a military character?
I have said that I lived in Col. Dagget's family; perhaps it may be proper for me to state what his family at that time consisted of himself, Major Mitchel, Lieutenants Robinson and Maxcey, Doct. Fuller the surgeon of the regiment, Rev. Mr. — (I cannot recollect his name) the chaplain, their waiters and my humble self. Capt. Clapp's quarters were at a little distance from the colonels. Col. Dagget, Lieuts. Robinson & Maxcey and Doct. Fuller I know have been dead many years, and I think there can be no room to doubt but the same may be said of Capt. Clapp. It is true that the duties required of me while I was with the colonel, were somewhat different from those I was called upon to perform before; and so they would have been had I received a commission or been made a sergeant, and in either case, would they not have been military services? I was not at home attending to my own affairs, learning a trade or laboring for my parents or others, during any part of this winter's campaign: I was a soldier in a regiment of militia, in actual service, on the lines and in plain sight of the enemies fortifications.
I have not been able to find any further evidence respecting the one months service I performed in the summer of 1778; but I know that I was a soldier in the army at that time at Tiverton and on Rhode Island. I was there when we crossed over at Howland's ferry and took possession of the fort on Butts hill and the north end of the Island. I cannot be exact with regard to dates, but I remember well that it rained while we were lying upon our arms on Butts hill, which I supposed was the beginning of that storm which terminated with a tremendous gale, which gale I supposed was about the 26 of August, but I have lately been told it was on the 14th if so my months service must have ended about the 10th

or 12th of that month, for I was at home at the time of the gale. I have endeavoured in my application and in this letter to state nothing as facts which I do not perfectly remember and know to be true, and I believe I have, in proof of those facts, produced the best evidence the nature of the case admits of, and I have no doubt but when you take all the circumstances into consideration you will be satisfied that I am entitled to a pension under the act of 1832. I am Sir, with all due respect
J. L. Edwards Esqr Clerk of the Pension Office
Your Obedient Servant Daniel Read
P.S. Perhaps it may not be amiss to state that Mansfield in the state of Massachusetts was once a part of the town of Norton, but the exact time when Mr Underfield became town I do not remember. the first