Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,963, for Elisha Phillips, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Phillips, Elisha Wait
N. 21,963
CONTENTS
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.
Twelve horizontal dotted lines for writing entries.

1.391.  Rhode Island Wait Phillips widow of Elisha Phillips Res. who died on the 1 st July 1821 Residence in the State of Rhode Island who was a Private in the Comp y commanded by Captain Potter of the Reg t commanded by Colonel  in the Rhode Island line for Thirteen months and ten days
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 44 Dollars 44 Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Sept r 1837 and sent to Miss Vitus South Scituate Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $266.64 Semi-annual allowance ending Sept r 22.22  $288.86
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by J. Boyd Clerk, Book A Vol. 2 Page 96

V 1910 I claimed for W. Phillips Wait Phillips widow of Elisha R. 9d
'75- 8mo 778.9- 5. 10 days, m. etc.
adm. 13mo. 10. d. fri $44. 44 / 100 no deduction Josiah Titus - South Scituate R. 9d

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836
State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } ss.
On this 10 th day of December eighteen hundred and thirty six personally appeared before me Josiah Westcott, one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in the county of Providence Wait Phillips a resident of the town of Scituate in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty six 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 4. 1836 that she is the widow of Elisha Phillips late of said Scituate, Deceased, who was a private in the army of the revolution, and served in the said army as follows: In 1775 as it now seems to me, he enlisted into Capt. Jeremiah Olney's company for some months, he enlisted as I think in the latter part of April and served out his time in said company stationed in Roxbury and Cambridge in Col. Daniel Hatchcock's Regiment, he was living in Cranston when he commenced this service - that in the Spring of 1776 he was at home and so continued till December of that year when on the great alarm he went to Warwick, and

in Capt Nathan Ryles company - in Col Safford Reg t he served a term of one month in the Rhode Island Militia - he then lived in Cranston; In the Spring of 1877 he was drafted and served a month in said Militia, stationed at said Warwick in the Company & Legion of Capt Mathew Potter and in Col Safford Reg t , he then lived in Cranston; In October 1877 he was drafted for a term of one month, which he served out stationed at Kingston in Capt Jonathan Knight's company under General Spencer - he then lived in Cranston In the Spring of 1878 he was drafted for a term of one month, which he served out stationed at Warwick in Capt Samuel Williams company in Col Holden's Regiment - he then lived in Seekonk - In August 1878 he was drafted for a term of one month, and served it out, stationed at Seekonk & Rhode Island and was out in the great storm - Trenton in Capt John Knight's company under General Sullivan - he then lived in Seekonk - In the winter of 1878-9 to wit, in December and January he served a term of one month upon draft, stationed at Warwick in Capt Williams company - and she thinks in Col Holden's Reg t he then lived in said Seekonk - In July 1879 he served a term of one month upon draft, stationed at Warwick, and Bristol in Capt John Knight's company, and under Col. Stephen Knapp; he then lived in said Seekonk The foregoing she says is according to her best knowledge and belief -

She declares, that she has no documentary evidence of said service, and that there is no town, parish or family records, of her marriage to the said Elisha; that she is now feeble in health, and not able to go out to attend a Court to make this Declaration -
She further declares that she was married to the said Elisha Phillips on the 30 th day of September in the year seven hundred and sixty nine, by John Fisher Esq a Justice of the Peace, of which there is no town, Parish or family records, that her aforesaid husband Elisha Phillips died on the 4 th day of July 1821 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Wait Phillips mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me, on the day and year above written, and I further certify that said Wait Phillips, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to go abroad to attend court for the purpose of making this declaration, and that she is a credible person, and of good moral character and entitled to credit -
Before me Josiah Westcott Justice of the Court of Common Pleas County of Providence

Town Clerk's office Situate County of Providence State of Rhode Island May 6. Th 1837.
I hereby certify that I have searched the Records for Recording Marriages in this town, and the Marriage of Elisha Phillips and Wait Ladd is not Recorded. And I further certify that there are but a small number of Marriages Recorded in said town.
Wilbur Josiah Westcott Town Clerk of Situate
State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } ss.
May 6. 1837 then
Josiah Westcott, made oath to the truth of the facts above stated. I further certify that he is the town Clerk of said town of Situate and that his statement is entitled to full credit.
Before me. Jonah Titus Just. Peace

I Tabitha Fumner of Scituate in the county of Providence aged 82 years and engaged according to law testify and say that I was well acquainted with Mary Phillips, widow of Elisha Phillips, before her marriage, they were married by John Fiske Esq a Justice of the Peace in the fall of 1769 at the house of Alexander Lovel in Scituate, where one Nathan Lovel now owns but the house I believe stands empty; I saw them married, I remember of going to see her, when soon her oldest child was born, which was in the winter following - they had eight children, and lived together as man and wife till he died; since his death the said Mary has continued her widow to this day -
that Jonah Titus
for Tabitha F. Fumner mark
James Andrews
State of Rhode Island } Providence County } Js
On this 24 th day of November A.D. 1836 Tabitha Fumner signed the above Deposition, made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated, and I further certify that she is a credible witness in the premises - Depon me - Jonah Titus, Just. Peace

I Jennifer Phillips of Situate County of Providence State of Rhode Island being of Lawful age and known according to Law do hereby certify and say. That Elisha Phillips of Situate Deceased this Life on the 14 th day of July A1821. and Wait Phillips the widow of the said Elisha has remained unmarried since that Period. and is now the widow of the said Elisha Phillips. I am now in my Sixtieth year of my age and have lived with the said Wait Phillips since the death of her said husband Attest Jonnah Bates Jennifer for Phillips mark
State of Rhode Island ss
Providence in Situate this 10 th day of December A1836. Personally came Jennifer Phillips and after being duly sworn and known according to Law. gave the foregoing deposition which was Redend to nothing in the form of the Deposition And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the said Jennifer Phillips who is a Lawable person and her statements or evidence is entitled to full credit Before me Josiah Westcott J. C. B. P. Clerk

I Stephen Young of Scituate in the county of Providence aged 78 years and engaged according to law do testify and say; that I was well acquainted with Elisha Phillips late of Scituate Deceased in the time of the revolution; and heard of his being an enlisted soldier, in the army of the revolution in the year 1775 for nine months; and have heard him tell of said service at different times since, he told me he was mostly at Roxbury and Cambridge - and thought he was entitled to a Pension under the act of 1818 I know of his doing duty as a private in the Rhode Island Militia, on several monthly tours; in said year; he served a term of one month in December 1776 he went to Providence, and from there to Warwick and as I think Nathan Relfh commanded his com- pany and he was in Col John Waterman Regt., In the Spring of 1777 he served a term of one month upon draft, stationed at said Warwick in Capt. James Anthony Potter  Knight's company and in Col John Waterman Regiment; I also saw him in Gen. Spencer expedi- tion station at Bristol, in October 1777, in said Capt John Knight company and under Genl Spencer, he served one month on this term - he also served a term of one month, stationed at said Warwick in the Spring of 1778 in Capt Samuel

Williams Company in Col. Sherman Holden's Regiment he also served a term of one month stationed at Kingston and Rhode Island, in August 1778 in said Capt. Joseph Knight's Company and under General Sullivan, In the winter of 1778-9 he served a term of one month stationed at Warwick in said Capt. Williams company, and I believe in Col. Holden's Regiment - in the summer of 1779 he served a term of one month at Bristol on draft in Capt. Joseph Knight's company under Lieut. Col. Stephen Winchell; I saw him during the above terms of duty; and heard Capt. Oliver Leach in his day, tell of his doing several other monthly terms of duty upon draft but I do not remember of seeing him at any other times; but am satisfied he did mean duty in the station; he has often told me of being in said war - Stephen Young
State of Rhode Island County of Providence } December 28 th 1836 then Stephen Young, signer of the foregoing deposition made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated; I also certify, that he is a credible witness in the premises. Before me Jonah Sitton, Justice of the Peace -

I Samuel Eldred of Scituate in the County of Providence, aged 80 years and being engaged according to Law do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Elisha Phillips late of said Scituate, Deceased, in the time of the revolu- tionary war; in the year 1775 in the Spring of that year, said Phillips entered into the Com- pany of Capt Jeremiah Olney located at the house of Samuel Witham, in Scituate he marched to Providence, where he and I staid, at Olney's Tavern, for one week, we then marched to Jamaica Plains in Norfolk, said Phillips was stationed at this place In some time he was then stationed in Cambridge, where we helped build a fort said Phillips  enlisted for nine months and said Phillips served his time out , like a good soldier - stationed as abovesaid in Norfolk and Cambridge in said Capt. Olney's company, and Daniel Hitchcock's Regiment - said Phillips, I saw in Spencer and in Salisbury expedition doing duty in the Rhode Island Militia - I also saw him once on duty in said Militia, at Warwick, in Spencer and Salisbury expedition he was stationed at Freetown I then understood that he was doing duty upon draft, on terms of a month each -
Samuel Eldred

State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } ss. In Substantia on this 5 th day of December 1836 then Samuel Eldred signed the foregoing Deposition made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated, I also certify that he is a credible witness in the premises -
Before me Jonah Titus, Just ice Peace
State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss. I, Deuter Randall Clerk Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Josiah Westcott before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn is a Justus Peace; and that Josiah Titus Esq. before whom the foregoing affi- davits were sworn is a Justice of the Peace of Seizure in said County and that they are duly authorized by Law to administer oaths and take Depositions, and that their several signatures before written are Genuine. In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Providence This tenth day of May A D 1837 D. Randall Clerk

I Elisha Phillips of Tiverton in the county of Providence aged 58 years do say upon oath that I am the fifth child of my parents Elisha Phillips deceased, and Wait Phillips, who is an applicant for a pension! That my sister Dorcas was the oldest child, Nathaniel the second, Mary was the third, Jerusha was the fourth - that Dorcas if living would be 66 years old - she is dead, that I am fifty eight as above stated that I do believe and have always been told in the family, that father and mother were married before the revolutionary war commenced, & before the birth of said Dorcas -
Elisha his + Phillips mark
Attest Jonah Titus
Eleazar L Phillips
1837  71
State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } In July 24. 1837 Then Elisha Phillips signed of the above affidavit made oath to the truth of the facts therein stated - I also certify that he is a credible witness in the premises. Before me Jonah Titus, postmaster

Town Clerk's Office Situate County of Providence and State of Rhode Island. July 18 th 1837.
This may certify that I have searched the Records in this office and the Marriage of Oliver Phillips & Wait Lauell is not Recorded, neither is the birth of any of their Children Recorded. And I further certify that there is but a very small number of Marriages or births Recorded in said Records. Witness Josiah Westcott Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } To July 18 th 1837
Then Josiah Westcott, Town Clerk of said Town of Scituate, made oath, that the certifi- cate above by him, subscribed is true in all its parts - I also certify that he is a credi- ble witness in the premises - before me Jonah Titus Justice Peace
C. S. for W.P.

I Jesse Howard of Cranston in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island &c. on oath depose and say, that I am now Town Clerk of the said Town of Cranston, and by virtue of that office have the charge and custody of the records of said town for recording births and marriages; that I have carefully examined said records and do not find the marriage of Elisha Philips to Wait Lovel or the birth of any child of theirs recorded therein. And I further depose and say that I am well satisfied that many marriages and births have taken place in said town, which are not therein recorded.
Jesse Howard
Providence & City of Providence July 10 th 1837
The above subscribed and sworn to before me This Day Wm P. Olney Justice of the Peace

96 P
State of Rhode Island & C Providence ss I Dexter Randall the of the law of Common Pleas within the said County being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Francis Esq. is a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Scituate: and that William P. King Esq. before whom the within deposition were sworn, is a Justice of the Peace of the City of Providence in said County, and that they are by Law duly authorized & empowered to administer oaths & take depositions - and that their several signatures before written are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court at Providence this 2 nd day of July AD 1837 Dexter Randall

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21963 Mrs. Phillips Widow of Elisha Phillips Prv. Rev. War
Act July 4 th 1836
Index: Vol. 16 , Page 129
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Suspended See let. to Josiah Titus June 26. 1837
44.47 11.11 55.58

South Scituate May 11. 1837
J. L. Edwards Comr of Pensions, Dear Sir,
Enclosed are the papers of Mrs. Mary Phillips, widow of Elisha Phillips, for a Pension, I wish you would give as early a decision in her case as convenient, as she is old and very feeble - & Oblige yours &c. Josiah Fitch-

South Scituate August.
J. L. Edwards, Dear Sir:
Enclosed are certificates of the Town Clerks of Scituate and Cohasset, in both of which towns, Elisha Phillips resided during the revolution! Also the deposition of said Elisha's son as to the ages of some of the children - and the deposition of Col. Stephen Young whose deposition was forwarded with the papers of Mrs. Wait Phillips in the first instance - Samuel Eldred is dead & was so, when I received your letter, on the subject of said Wait's disqualification for a pension - Jerusha Phillips has a bible in which her age is set down, but it is not quite right, and was set down by a person who put in some other things not connected with her - her age you will see by her deposition; If you wish that entry forwarded it will be done; Tho' I hope you will feel satisfied with the enclosed - Yours in haste Jonah Titus -

I Stephen Young of Tattuate, in the County of Providence aged 79 years, do say on oath, that Samuel Eldred late of this town is dead, that I have given a deposition in the case of Mary Phillips widow of Elisha Phillips for a pension said Elisha did all the duty spoken by me as being done in the Mettawee as a private - The term I spoke of his doing in the Spring of 1777 at Warwick, commenced in March and ended in April following, as I think, and was for one month as stated in said deposition; the term of which I spoke in my said deposition as being done in the Spring of 1778 at said Warwick in Capt Williams Company, commenced in April and ended in May of that year said Phillips was about ten miles from home when on the first and fifteen when on the latter tours; belonged to a small detachment, how he got his pay do not know, we drew our rations from the government stores, and I was paid by the Captain of my company but can't say who furnished him with the money - The term I spoke of as being performed in the winter of 1778-9 at said Warwick in Capt Williams company, was in the coldest part of the Winter, he was about fifteen miles from home - he was one of a small detachment at that place, to keep a close watch of the enemy, other small detachments at other places, up & down the bay for same purpose, he drew rations as stated above - the term spoken of in said deposition as being done in the summer of 1779 - commenced in the latter part of June and might have extended into September; he the said Phillips was about thirty miles from home in Genl Knight's Company, under Lieut Col Stephen Kimball - The Corps was small that were posted at that place to wit, Bristol, but cannot tell the exact number - If any further alterations were to be made to what I stated in my deposition

208 it should be that at the time spoken of in my said deposition, when said Phillips went to Providence and Warwick in December 1776 he during that time went over to Bristol and that Col W m West there had the com- mand; the officers of the different detachments were sometimes shifted but that the officers of the other troops or stated in said deposition were correctly stated - to wit in October 1777 whilst at Swanton Jon a Knight was Captain General Spencer commanded the whole expedition & Col W m West was of I think the Col. of the Regiment in which said Phillips did his duty - said Phillips was about thirty five miles from home on this tour - and when on Rhode Island in August 1778 in Capt Jon a Knight's 209 Company, under Subicam, he was about forty miles from home - can't say how large the Corps was in either of the said expeditions; I think one half the R. I. Troops were in service during those two expeditions for which purpose they were divided into two divisions, and there were troops from other States - the mode of subsist- ance was by drawing rations; cannot say how the provisions were procured by government in particular;
Stephen Young
State of Rhode Island } County of Providence } ss July 28, 1837 then Stephen Young, sign of the foregoing affi- davit, made oath, that the facts therein stated are true according to his best recollection and belief thereof - I also certify that he is a credible witness in the premises before me Jonah Siter, Just. Peace

State of Rhode Island &c
Providence Dester Randall Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Jonah D. Dyer is a Justice of the peace within & for the said County, Sequeate in said County; that he is duly authorized & empowered by law to administer oaths & take depositions and that his signature before written is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Prov- idence this sixteenth day of August A.D.
1837-
Dester Randall Clerk