Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21482, for Daniel Shearman, Rhode Island

SERVICE
Shearman, Daniel or Sherman
NUMBER _____
NUMBER S. 21482
CONTENTS

Rhode Island
Daniel Shearman
of Tiverton in the State of who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Duvul of the Regt commanded by Colo. Cook in the No. 1. line for
18 Months pri
Inscribed on the Roll of No. 1 at the rate of 60 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of July 1834 and sent to Asa Gray Esq. Tiverton R.I.
Arrears to the 14th of Mar. 1834. $ 180 00 Pens. ant. allowance ending 14 th Sep " " 30 00 $ 210 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 127
Certificate Issued to his wife Mrs. Benjamin Shearman Daniel being non-com.

31275 Dance Shearman R. I.
See letter to Asa Gray Esq. June 23 rd 31
Asa Gray Esq. Tiverton R. I.

Stat. of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Clerk's Office of the Court of Probate for the Town of Swanton in the County of Newport & State aforesaid
I Asa Gray, Clerk of said Court, a Court of Record do hereby certify, that Asa Gray, whose name is subscribed to the Certificates of the taking of the within & annexed Depositions, was at the time of the taking said Depositions a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport, Commissioned and sworn and fully author- ized and qualified to act in his said capacity.
And I further certify that the signatures of his name to the said certificates are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court at said Swanton this Seventh day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & thirty four.
Asa Gray, Clerk of Court of Probate

I William Albert of Tiverton, in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island aged Seventy three years on solemn oath depose and say, that from my youth up I have been acquainted with Daniel Shearman of this Town and applicant for a pension. at the time of the revolution we both belonged to the same Company of Militia in said Tiverton, of this Company Robert Daniel Darel was Capt. & after him Benj n Burden, and it was in the Reg. of Col. John Cook. said Company was called into the service, when the British took Rhode Island; by halves, that is one half of said Company was continued on duty, and relieved each other at the end of a month - and was stationed mostly on Sannasquasset, & at Hentlands Ferry & South of it. said Daniel Shearman has served with me in many of these Monthly tours at different times in the years 1777 and 1778. & I think in the winter a part of the year 1779 I have been stationed with him mostly at Howlands Ferry, where the Bridge now is. I have seen said Shearman on duty in said Company, employed in guarding the shores of said Tiverton from the attacks of the enemy who held Rhode Island, at times when I was not on duty & from the recollection I have of his services I verily believe he served as a soldier in said Com. in the war of the Revolution full one half of the time the enemy held Rhode Island in said Monthly tours.
William his Albert mark
State of Rhode Island County of Newport ss.
Be it known, that at Tiverton, in said County on the 27 th day of December A.D. 1833, before me Asa Gray a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Newport personally appeared William Albert, a Credible and disinterested person, and made oath to and subscribed the foregoing Deposition. Before me, Asa Gray, Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island } County of Newport } ss.
On this Thirty first day of May A.D. 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton, in said County of Newport, Benjamin Sherman of said Tiverton, & County & State aforesaid, only son of Daniel Sherman of the same Tiverton, said Daniel being Seventy five years of age. Non compos mentis, and unable by reason of a deranged mind to make his declaration in Court; And said Benjamin Sherman being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration for his said father Daniel Sherman in order to obtain for said Daniel the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That said Daniel entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. In December 1775 he belonged to the 2 d or middle Company of Militia in said Tiverton, then under the command of Capt. David in Col. John Cook's Regiment, at this time the English took Newport, and said Company was ordered into the public service at the guard posts on the Western Shore of said Tiverton to keep the enemy from landing. said Company of Militia was divided into two classes, and each class served for one month at a time, and relieved each other, so that every man in said Company was obliged to serve one half of the time on his own account. This state of things continued till November 1779 when the enemy left Rhode Island.
I said Benjamin have many times heard my father the said Daniel Sherman, before his mind became deranged, and when he was rational, relate his services in the Revolutionary war. I have heard him say that he was in the public service as a Soldier, during the whole time the British were in Rhode Island, by monthly turns, at the guard Posts, in said Tiverton at Kentlands Bay and Southward to the State Line, and he has shown to me where the guard posts were, where he was stationed during said war. I have heard him say that he served under Capt. Borden, and Lieut. Crocker & Ensign Benjamin Horton, all Officers of said Company and that said Borden succeeded Capt. David in the command of said

Company, while the enemy were on Rhode Island; I have also heard him relate, his being on Rhode Island in the expedition of Gen. Sullivan in August 1778. That he was then just into Capt. Slocum's Company in Col. Cook's Regiment. That he was there when the battle was fought and came off when our army retreated off. I have heard him tell that at the time he was on Rhode Island he saw Gen. Sullivan and Col. Green of the Continental Troops.
That said Daniel served in said Company of Militia in the Public service not less than the periods mentioned hereafter in the grade of a Private. viz; from December 1776 to July 1777 four tours of one month duration each under Capt. Doolittle. from July 1777 to July 1778 six tours of one month each. One month on Rhode Island in August 1778 in Capt. Slocum's Company, & under Gen. Sullivan; and from September 1778 to November 1779 not less than seven tours of one month each, making Eighteen months in all that said Daniel served his Country in the war of the Revolution and for which he said Benjamin claims a pension in behalf of said Daniel.
All these services were performed at the guard posts on the shores in said Tiverton from Howland's Ferry Southward to the Massachusetts Line, under the aforesaid Officers of said Company; except one month service which performed on Rhode Island, in the expedition of Gen. Sullivan; said Company was in the Regiment of Col. John Cook. & Lieut. Col. Pardon Trafton.
And said Benjamin further Declares that his said father Daniel Sherman was born at said Tiverton on the 12 th day of March 1759. & that he hath no record of his age. That he lived in said Tiverton when he was called into the services aforesaid, and has ever since resided in said Tiverton, that he never received any written discharge from any of said services but was verbally discharged, that he has no documentary evidence of any of said services, that there is no Clergyman living in his neighborhood or vicinity, but he refers to Peter Estlin and George Tiverton Esquires & Citizens of said Tiverton and neighbors to himself and to said Daniel who will testify to his character for truth, and to their belief that said Daniel was a Soldier of the Revolution, and to the proofs herewith

And said Benjamin declares, that a Declaration of his services of his was prepared under the direction of said Daniel in the month of December last, when he was rational. That previous to the time he was to appear before the court to make oath to and subscribe his Declaration, in consequence of severe family affliction he became deranged in mind, and so continued.
Said Benjamin hereby relinquishes in behalf of his father said Daniel Sherman every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that said Daniel's name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed,
the day & year aforesaid
Asa Gray, Clerk
Benjamin Sherman
We Peter Estes and George Lawton Esqrs. residing in said Tiverton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Sherman who has subscribed and sworn to the aforesaid Declaration, that we believe him to be a man of truth and veracity. We further certify that we are well acquainted with said Daniel Sherman, who is now deranged in mind. We believe him to be seventy five years of age, he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and Subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Asa Gray, Clerk
Peter Estes George Lawton
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter (and after submitting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department,) that said Daniel was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as before stated. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Peter Estes and George Lawton who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of said Tiverton and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest.
Asa Gray, Clerk
Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the

John F. Tuttle, in the County of Newport and State aforesaid a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Sherman for a pen- sion for his father Daniel Sherman.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at said Tuttle this thirty first day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and thirty four. And of American Independence the fifty eighth.
Asa Gray Clerk of Court, of Probate

I Elisha Gifford of Kingston in the County of Newport and state of Rhode Island aged seventy four years, being duly sworn, depose - That I have always been acquainted with Daniel Sherman of this Town, who is now an applicant for a pension for his revolutionary services.
In the time of the Revolutionary War while the enemy were on Rhode Island, our company were on duty in the public service in guarding the shore, by monthly turns. Said Sherman then belonged to the militia company in this town under Capt. Borden, and kept guard. I belonged to the same company. I know that said Sherman was in public service as a soldier, at divers times. I have been with him at the guard posts in this town at Howlands ferry going and northwardly to Borden's Boat Houses. This service continued from December 1776 until the month of November 1779 - I saw said Sherman on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition in August 1778 - from my knowledge of his services during the time aforesaid, I think he served his full share of time, and not less than seventeen months. I further say not.
Elisha Gifford
State of Rhode Island, County of Newport } ss.
Be it known that at Kingston in said County on this Seventh day of December 1833. Before me a Justice of the Peace within the said County, personally appeared Elisha Gifford, a disinterested and credible person, and made oath to and subscribed the above Deposition. Before me Asa Gray Justice of the Peace

I, Ruth Bennet of Kingston in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy years, do hereby depose and say, that I am acquainted with Daniel Sherman of the same Kingston an applicant for a pension; at the time of the war of the Revolution I was well acquainted, and was frequently at his father's house, where he resided it stood about two miles South of Benklands Ferry in said Kingston - while the British were on Rhode Island, from December 1778 until November 1779 a space of near three years, I staid at said Daniel's father's house nearly all the time, for when I had previously lived was at a house within a hundred rods of said Benklands Ferry, and it was now filled with Soldiers, during the whole time the British held Rhode Island I know that said Daniel was frequently from home, in the public service as a Soldier, as I understood at the time, and verily believe, according to the best of my recollection, he was absent a month at a time, and at least one half of the whole time, that the British were on the Island as aforesaid; I have frequently heard him say when he was going away that he was going soldiering, and when he returned I have often heard him tell of his Standing Sentry and other services he had been in as a Soldier; I will remember, and can never forget, the time of Sullivan's expedition in August 1778. He had a brother and Sister died within a week of each other, it was a solemn time at his father's at that time - his father was insane, two children dead and his Mother almost distracted with grief and fear for her son, said Daniel; lamenting that he was away on Rhode Island fighting, and would be killed. I and said Daniel's Sister were every day or twice go to the Quaker Meeting house, where they carried the wounded, and which was about a mile from said Daniel's father's, to see if he was not brought off wounded.
Ruth Bennet State of Rhode Island,
County of Newport S.S. Be it known, that at Kingston, in said County on the thirtieth day of December A.D. 1833. before me

Asa Gray a Justice of the Peace within and for said Colony of New Zealand, personally appeared Ruth Bennett a credible and disinterested person, and made oath to and subscribed the foregoing and within Deposition.
Before me, Asa Gray Justice of the Peace }

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Daniel Sherman or Sherman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
File 21482
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Dec. 26 & July 17 4 mos. Pri. Daniel Sherman John Cooke R.I.   July 27 & July 28 6 mos. — Borden " "   Aug. 1775 1 mo. Slocum " "   Sept. 28 & Nov. 27 7 mos. ✓ " "  
Battles engaged in, absent from R.I. after the battle Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓ Date of application for pension, May 31, 1834 Residence at date of application, Tiverton, Newport Co. R.I. Age at date of application, 4 mchs 12, 1759 at Tiverton, R.I. Remarks: Only son Daniel testified in 1834.

Revolution 214 82 INVALID.
1911. May 2. Hist. to Frank Dempster Sherman Esq. *
File No. 214 82
Civil Disobedience
1911. May 2
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 362
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Herewith are the papers for procuring a Pension for Daniel Sherman - the Depositions were taken and his Declaration made out last winter, but near the time for appearing before the Court, he became afflicted with an alienation of mind and so continues, without any expectation at present of any amendment.
You will please to enclose to me
Your Most Obl. Servt.
Shiverton June 7. 1834.
Asa Gray

War Department Pension Office June 23 1834
Sir
In the case of Daniel Shearman a non compos mentis, it will be necessary before a certificate of pension can be issued, that his son Benjamin, or such other person as the court may direct, be appointed guardian to the said Daniel Shearman, and an authenticated copy of said appointment be sent to this office
very respectfully J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions
Asa Gray Esq Tiverton R.I.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Newport County S. C. At a Court of Probate held within and for the Town of Tiverton on the Seventh day of July A. D. 1834.
Upon the Application of Benjamin Shearman for a Guardian to be appointed to his father Daniel Shearman of said Tiverton; it appearing to this Court that reasonable Notice has been given to all persons interested therein; Upon consideration It is adjudged by this Court that said Daniel Shearman is, non compos mentis. Whereupon it is further Ordered and Decreed that Letters of Guardianship of said Daniel Shearman be issued to Benjamin Shearman of said Tiverton he giving bond to this Court in the Sum of Fifteen hundred Dollars with two sufficient Sureties according to Law. And afterward on the same day the said Benjamin Shearman comes before this Court and gives bond as required with Benjamin Borden and Joseph Osborn, of said Tiverton, yeomen, as Sureties, approved by the Court. (To whom Letter issued as follows.)
The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Newport S. C. By the Court of Probate of the Town of Tiverton in the County and State aforesaid to Benjamin Shearman of Tiverton in said County, Yeoman. Greeting. You having been this day appointed guardian of Daniel Shearman of said Tiverton, a non compos mentis, and hav- ing given bond according to Law, are hereby authorized and empowered by said Court to exercise said Office of Guardian, and vested with all the power and authority to said Office belonging. In testimony whereof we have caused the seal of said Court to be hereunto affixed this Seventh day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & thirty four Signed and Sealed by Order and in behalf of said Court Asa Gray Probate Clerk.

Probate Office, Tiverton July 11 th A. D. 1834. I Asa Gray, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the Town of Tiverton, in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode Island &c, do hereby certify, that the within is a true copy of the appointment of Benjamin Shearman, Guardian to Daniel Shearman, of said Tiverton, an applicant for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the day & year above said
Asa Gray Clerk of Probate Court