Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12608, for Sylvester Pearce, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R I
Pearce, Sylvester " Pierce
W. 12608
Martha
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 760
Martha (error corrects) Pearce widow of Sylvester Pearce
died on the 6th Nov 1825
at Kingston in the State of R.I.
who was a Ensign in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the R.I. militia for 7 mo 3 d.
Foreign Am. 3 Pr. 3 mo 3
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 50 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Aprl 1837 and sent Sylvester McCraw Wickford R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 300 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 37 25
$325
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Vol. _____ Page _____ 115

Application of Martha Pease for a Patent - No. 470 D.D.
3. Sec. original case
S. G. Shearman Wickford, Rhode Island Agent or attorney for the Applicant -
adm? 4 mo Essay 4.208 3/4 pre reduction
Mr. D. J. Pearce HR

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the Act of Congress, of the first of July, 1836.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations - County of Washington ss -
On this tenth day of October, in the year 1836, personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the town of North Kingston, Martha Pearce, in the County of Washington, in said State of Rhode Island. Martha Pearce. The same being a Court of record. Martha Pearce, a resident in said North Kingston, aged Seventy seven 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 the first 1836 - That she is the Widow of Sylvester Pearce, formerly of said North Kingston, now deceased, who was a Private & Ensign, in the Militia of Rhode Island in the Revolutionary War - That the said Sylvester Pearce, in December 1776, was taken Prisoner by the Enemy of the United States to which he belonged & had a Commission which Commission is lost or mislaid & he is unable to find the same - In she knows well that her said Husband served in the Militia of Rhode Island, as Ensign under under said Commission, guarding the shore of Narragansett Bay, as the Enemy then had possession of Newport - He was absent from home, on duty, between the years 1776 & 1779, whilst the Enemy held possession of Newport, but as she did not accompany him, although she was married to him, at the time of his service, she is unable to state any particular relative to his service, except from what she has heard him & others say - And according to the best of her knowledge, recollection & belief - The said Sylvester Pearce, her said Husband, served as Ensign of said Company, of which Peter Wright was Captain & John Mawbrick Lieutenant, in the Spring of the year 1777, two months, stationed at the Wilson House in Aquidneck Neck in said North Kingston, and stationed in the Department of Block Island - She is satisfied of this fact, because she well remembers that her Husband was absent from home a great part of the Spring of that year & heard and understood at the time, that he was on duty there - In her often seen him speak of serving with Col. Hill & Col. Cane. She also often heard

he served as Ensign of said Company one Month, in the Summer of 1777, stationed at the House of Colonel John Gardner in Boston Neck, as is stated in the Deposition of William Keyserdell hereto annexed. She believes that because he was absent from home some time that summer, and seen him say, that he was stationed at the House of Colonel Gardner & has often heard him speak of being engaged in a skirmish with the Enemy, when he was on duty there. She was also absent from home, one Month the Fall following, & understood from him, that he was on duty at Colonel Gardner's House & believes that it was the same time spoken of, by Perez Paine in his Deposition hereto annexed. She also remembers, that he was chosen Ensign of said Company, in the Spring of that year, & had a Commission, which he has been since his Death, but is unable to find it now. In 1778, for some reason to her unknown, he was not chosen Ensign & another person was chosen in his place. And she knows that he went after that as a private in the Militia. And she well remembers, that he went on to the Island of Rhode Island in the year 1778, in the Month of August, the time of General Sullivan's expedition. He was gone on said expedition one Month and has often heard him speak of the same. She also believes and is well satisfied that he went two Months, in the Militia, under Captain Samuel Dyer, in the Fall of 1779, as is stated by Perez Paine in his Deposition. She believes this because he was gone much that Fall, and was on duty to her knowledge in Aquidneck Neck & she often heard him speak of being on duty with Perez Paine. He was gone two Months that Fall. In the Summer of 1780 he went on to the Island of Rhode Island, as a Private, in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Dyer, he was gone at the well remembers one Month, he went away in July and she heard him say that the Company was going on the Island & heard him say they had been there when he was there. & heard him speak of Benjamin Smith being with him. Afterwards in the summer of 1781, he was again drafted & went on the Island of Rhode Island, in said Company & was gone twenty days, when he returned home. And she doubts not but that he preferred other service there than she has stated, but

I Caleb Hill of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, do hereby certify, & say that I am twenty eight years of age. During the Revolutionary War, I served as a Soldier in the Rhode Island Line, and in the Continental Line of the Continental Congress. In the year 1777, in the Spring of the year, I was in the Company of Colonel Peter Wright and Captain John Mawhatter, and the said Captain Pease, the English then in possession of Newport, and the Continentals were divided into three divisions, for to be a Month, in guarding the Island, and the Captain of the Company commanded one Month, the Lieutenant one Month and the Captain one Month. I was in the Company, and in the Spring of the year 1778, I went with the Continentals, I was one Month, I was at the Water House, in Aquidneck Island, North Kingston, where a guard was constantly kept and the said Captain Pease, then being Captain of the Company commanded. At the end of the Month, my time being not, I took the place of one John Smith who was deceased, who was in the other division for a Month, as a substitute for him & it being the turn of John Mawhatter the Lieutenant of the Company to command him, he became the Captain, and in stead of the said Pease commanded through the second Month. I went with the said Pease at that time & place I am sure, but cannot state, where & when with certainty. I joined the Independent Battery, called the Kentish Battery in the Fall or Winter following, the Battery which I have since joined nine after that in the Company to which said Pease belonged. - Caleb Hill

I William Reynolds of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath, do testify & say that Sam Eighty three years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew Sylvester Pease of said North Kingston, now deceased and knew to the same Company of Artillery, that he did. In the year 1777 he was Ensign of the Company, and in the summer of that year I served with him in South Station at the House of Colonel John Grendon in Boston Neck, in South Kingston, whilst we were stationed there the Enemy raided, and we had a small skirmish with them. Peter Wright was Captain of the Company, but the said Pease assumed the post of the Company which was there. When I left my time being out I left him on duty & cannot say how much longer he served. I presume I saw with him at the time but cannot state when nor where.
Witness!
Sydney G. Fleming
his Villain & Tyrant work -
I Peleg Bond of North Kingston in the County of Washington, in solemn truth, do testify & say, that I am eighty one years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew Sylvester Pease of said North Kingston, now deceased and was in the same company of a billeting with him. In the Spring of the year 1777 I went with him one month, billeted at the Wilson House in Scituate where he was Ensign of the Company, at the end of the month felt my time being out, and left him on duty, Ensign Hall of North Kingston, who is now living, went with us at the same time. In the Fall of 1777 I went with him another month, billeted at the house of Colonel John Goudine in Scituate  North Kingston, where he was billeted  on this occasion we began to move on this occasion the cost of September your time was out the last of October, it was after the skirmish with the enemy took place here, as I did not move on that time. He was on this last occasion Ensign. In the year 1778 in August I went with him one month on the Island of Rhode Island & the shore adjacent, he was the last

Greenwich January 26 th day A.D. 1775 The subscriber do hereby certify that Sylvester Pearce son of Joshua Pearce and Martha Warner daughter of Samuel both of North Kingstown were lawfully joined together in marriage by me Phillip Jenkins Old
Recorded April 5 th 1775
In G. Thomas J. (UK) State of Rhode Island &c County of Washington &c Office of Town Clerk and Court of Probate of the Town of North Kingstown I Nicholas N. Spink Town and Probate Clerk of the Town of North Kingstown do certify the above marriage certificate to be a true copy of Records in said Office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this sixth day of October in the year 1836
Nich. N. Spink, Town and Probate Clerk
Washington - In State's Rights
Octo 6 th 1836
Personally appeared unto me, the undersigned Justice of the Peace, Francis King, Esq. Nicholas N. Spink whose name is also subscribed and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing & his signature.
Francis King Justice of the Peace

General Sullivan's Expedition, he then was a Private - Peter Wright was Captain of the Company and Samuel Dyer in his place - In the Fall of the year 1779 I was with the Continental Troops at the House of John Dyer in Scituate Neck in North Kingston, he was at a private and Samuel Dyer was Captain of the Company, we were during the rest of August and were discharged the last of October. I saw the last Month, as a substitute for me, cannot recollect who and how the said Pease came to leave the Continent in our place, I do not know, as we generally were only one Month at a time, but am sure that he was there two Months with me, as I saw October - He was married to a Martha Pease, in the Winter of 1775, he lived near me at the time of his marriage & death - He has been dead over Eleven years, and his Widow Martha Pease is now living & has remained his Widow ever since -
Pease's Camp
I Benjamin Smith of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, or Salem Pats, do hereby say that Sam Pease one year of age, I knew Sylvester Pease of North Kingston, now deceased, who was a Soldier & Ensign in the War of the Revolution - In July 1780 I served one Month, as a private in the Continent, on the Island of Rhode Island, being then of age, to do military duty in the Company of which Samuel Dyer was Captain, William Davis Lieutenant and Sylvester Pease Ensign, under Colonel Charles Dyer, the Regiment was called out to guard Newport, for an expected attack of the French and the said Sylvester Pease served in the same Company, with me as a Private one Month. Afterwards in the year 1781 in June & July I served in the same Company with him, on the Island of Rhode Island, under the same Officers, twenty days, we were then called to the purpose of guarding the Fort - I know that Sylvester Pease of the Company in 1780, but did not know him under him. He died at North Kingston, on the sixth day of March - 1825 - at the age of 80 years, as I have told for many years past, as

Journal or Diary of the death of my Neighbour - Heather We left or Widow Martha Pease, who is now living, within two miles of here, and has a son, a Wilder son name. The real name, about the time of the commencement of the War, (always used) near here - Benjamin Smith
Small note or mark at the bottom left.

She is now unable to state any particular relative to the same, or to offer any proof thereof, as most of those who served with him are dead. She further declares that she has no documentary evidence in her possession, relative to the services of her said Husband. And that previous to her marriage with him, she was Martha Warner, Daughter of Samuel Warner & that she was married to the said Sylvester Pearce, on the twenty sixth day of January 1775 but has no certificate of her marriage, but relies for proof thereof, to the annexed certificate of the Four Elders of said North Kingston to the Deputations of Bishops Brad and Benjamin Smith. And that the said Sylvester Pearce, her said Husband, died at said North Kingston, on the sixth day of November 1825, at the time of his death, and down in an Almanac of that year, which she has preserved, that she has remained a Widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed -
Witness Nichl. N. Spink
Martha X Pearce mark
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court, the day and Year aforesaid -
Nichl. N. Spink Probate Clerk

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office Oct. 20th. A 1836.
I certify, that at the session of the General Assembly of said State on the twenty third day of December seventeen hundred seventy six, Sylvester Pierce was elected Ensign of the first Company of Militia in the town of North Kingston, in the County of Kings, for and until the first Wednesday of May then next: That at said May session (1777) he was reelected to said office, for one year, and in May 1778 was superceded. As appears of record.
Witness Henry Bowen Secretary

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN " to the afore- written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who, at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Provi- dence, this twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- Six and of Independence the sixty- first .
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy
character for truth & sincerity, and even those who did not

Washington ss - The State of Rhode Island ss - The Court of Probate, for the town of North Scituate, in the County of Washington, in said State, being in Session, this twelfth day of December in the year 1836, hereby certify, that notice having first, has this day been produced to them, that Martha Peace,
by whom the annexed Declaration, was made and sworn to, before this Court, on the tenth day of October 1836, is a person of good character for truth & veracity, and that her Declaration is entitled to full faith and credit. And that she is the identical Martha Peace as first named, in the Certificate of Marriage, from the records of Marriage in the First Church that is now an annexed to said Declaration, and is the Widow of the Sylvester Peace therein named and that she is Twenty Seven years of age, and that the said Sylvester Peace, died in this Town, on the sixth day of November 1825, leaving her his Widow & that she has remained a Widow ever since. And said Court, further certify, that it is generally understood and believed in this Town and vicinity, that the said Sylvester Peace was a Soldier and Officer, in the Revolution and served as is stated in said Declaration and that We concur in that opinion. And also that Caleb Hall, William Reynolds, Peleg Goad and Benjamin Smith, whose Depositions, are annexed to said Declaration, are all of good character for truth & veracity, and that their Depositions, are entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I the undersigned, the Clerk of said Court of Probate, have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, the day & year above written -
Nich. M. Sprague Town & Probate Clerk

Washington J. - In North King 65-66
October 10 th 1836 - Seasonably at home
the Subscribers, a majority of the Peace Board of North Kingston - Baker Hill William Geynes, Isaac Dyer & Benjamin Smith, whose names, are affixed to the annexed Warrant - Who after being by me duly examined, cautiously & gravely gave the annexed Warrant, which was by me reduced to writing in their presence & by them subscribed in my presence - And I further certify that they are all well known to me & that their character for truth and good -
Lychester G. Sherman Sublime of the Peace!
Washington - The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation -
Four blocks West of the town of North Kingstown, in the County of Washington. The Intire Town of the town of North Kingstown, and over the Court of Probate, for said town. Do hereby certify that Sylvester G. Sleeper, whose name is subscribed unto the above, is a true copy of the Seal, for said town of North Kingstown, legally chosen by the General Assembly of this State, and duly commissioned by the Governor thereof, by a Commission bearing date the fourth day of May 1836 & legally engaged to said Commission & is in all respects, legally qualified to act in said office. And further certify that the signature above written, purporting to be the signature of the said Sylvester G. Sleeper, is his proper signature, in his own hand writing, known to me as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this tenth day of October in the year 1836- A. S. N. A. M. H. Union & Probate Slk
Nich. N. Smith Town & Probate Clk

470: Application of Martha Pease for a Pension -
S. G. Sheeman Witness -
State of Rhode Island Agent for the Applicant -
  1 m. Engr  40    3. m.  10    Pa & m.  $ 50       The Deduction  

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 and Providence Plantations-
County of Washington
Town of South Kingston-
Washington ss-
On this tenth day of April, in the year 1837, personally appeared before the Court of Sessions for the Town of South Kingston, in said County of Washington, in said State of Rhode Island the same being a Court of Record - Martha Seane, a resident of said South Kingston, aged Seventy seven 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 - That she is the Widow of Sylvester Seane, late of said South Kingston, now deceased and who was a Private and Ensign, in the Militia of Rhode Island, in the Revolutionary War. And that the said Sylvester Seane, in December 1776 was chosen Ensign of the Company of Militia to which he belonged and had a Commission, which said Commission is now lost or mislaid, and she is unable to find the same. And she well remembers that her said husband, served in the Militia of Rhode Island, under said Commission, as Ensign, guarding the line of Narragansett Bay, to the Enemy then had possession of Newport. He was absent most from home on duty in the Militia, between the years 1776 & 1779 whilst the Enemy had possession of Newport. But as she did not accompany him, although she was married to him, at the time of the rendering his services as such, she is unable to state any particular relative to the same, except from what she has heard him and others say. But according to the best of her knowledge, recollection and belief, that the said Sylvester Seane, her said husband, served as Ensign of said Company, of which Peter Wright was Captain and John

Manchester left in the Spring of the year 1777, two Months stationed at the Wilson House in Haverhill Neck, in this Town, as is stated in the Deposition of Caleb Hill and Peleg Bond hereto annexed. She believes that because she well remembered that he was absent from home, a great part of the Spring of that year and heard and understood, at the time, that he was on duty there. And she often heard him speak of going with Caleb Hill and Peleg Bond. She also believes that he came one Month, as Ensign of said Company, in the summer of 1777, stationed at the House of Colonel John Gardiner, in Boston Neck, in South Kingston, as is stated in the Deposition of William Reynolds hereto annexed. She believes that because he was absent from home considerable part of that summer, and heard him say, that he was stationed at said House of Colonel John Gardiner and has often heard him speak, of being engaged in a skirmish with the Enemy, whilst on duty there. He was also absent from home, one Month, the Fall following and understood from him, that he was on duty, at the House of Colonel John Gardiner, and believes that it was the same time of which is by Peleg Bond, in his Deposition, hereto annexed. She also remembers, that he was chosen Ensign of said Company, in the Spring of 1777 & had a Commission, which she has seen his death, but is unable to find it now. In 1778, for some cause to her unknown, he was not chosen Ensign and another was chosen in his place. And she knows that he served after that as a Private, in the Militia. And she well remembers, that he went on to the Island of Rhode Island, in 1778, in the Month of August, the time of General Sullivan's Expedition. He was gone one Month, and has often heard him speak of being in said Expedition. She also believes and is well satisfied, that he served two Months, in the

Fall of 1779, as is stated by Peleg Card in his Deposition. She believes this because he was gone much that Fall from home and never on duty to her knowledge in Connecticut. She often heard him speak of being on duty with Peleg Card. He was gone ten months that Fall. In the summer of 1780, he went on to the Island of Rhode Island, as a Private in the Company, commanded by Captain Samuel Dyer. He was gone, as she well remembers one month. He went away in July and she heard him say, that the Company was going on to the Island, and heard him say, that he had been there on duty, when he came home and heard him speak of Benjamin Smith serving with him, in said Company, at said time. In the Summer of 1781, he was again drafted and went on to the Island, in said Company, and was gone twenty days when he returned home, during this time he served as a Soldier, under Captain Samuel Dyer. And she further maketh Oath, that she doubts not that he performed other services, those that she has stated, but she is now unable to state any particulars relative to the same, or to obtain any proof thereof, as most of those, with whom he served, are now dead. And she also maketh Oath, that she has no documentary or written evidence of his services in her possession. In their previous to her marriage with him, she was Martha Warner, the Daughter of Samuel Warner, and that she was married to the said Sylvester Pease, on the twenty sixth day of January 1785, but has no certificate of her marriage, but refers for proof thereof, to the annexed Certificate of the Town Clerk of said North Kingston and to the Depositions of Peleg Card and Benjamin Smith, hereto annexed. And she also further declares and makes Oath, that the said Sylvester Pease, her said husband, died at said North Kingston, on the ninth day of March 1825, as she believes the time of his

Death, set down, in an Inventory of their year, which she has present, and that she has remained a Widow, ever since, the time of his Death, as will fully appear, by reference to the Deposition, of the said Benjamin Smith -
Witness
Nich. N. Spink
Martha X Pearce mark
Given to and subscribed in open Court, the Day and Year, before written -
Nich. N. Spink Clerk 4
At a Court of Probate, held, in the Town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, on the tenth day of April, in the Year 1837. Satisfactory evidence was produced to said Court, that Martha Pearce, by whom the annexed Declaration, is subscribed and sworn to, is the Widow of Sylvester Pearce, late of said North Kingston now deceased. And also that the said Sylvester Pearce, was an Ensign and Soldier, in the Militia of Rhode Island during the Revolutionary War and served in said service, as is stated in said Declaration, and that he was married to the said Martha Pearce, at the time stated in said Declaration, and also that he died at the time therein mentioned. And said Court also further certifies, that the said Martha Pearce, is reputed to be seventy seven years of age that she is a person of good character for truth and veracity and that her Declarations are entitled to credit and also that Phebe Gann, Caleb Hill, Benjamin Smith and William Arnold, whose Depositions are hereto annexed, and which were read in open Court, are all persons of good character for truth & veracity and that their Declarations are entitled to credit -
In testimony whereof the whole said Court of Probate here has caused its hand & the seal of said Court the day and year aforesaid, to be hereunto in behalf of said Court -
Nich. N. Spink Clerk

E. Greenwich January the 28 th day A.D. 1775 I the subscriber do hereby certify that Sylvester Pearce son of Joshua Pierce and Martha Warner Daughter of Samuel both of North Kingston were lawfully joined together in marriage by me
Phillip Jenkins Eld r
Recorded April 5 th 1775 J. G. Thomas S. Clerk
State of Rhode Island &c County of Washington &c Office of Town Clerk and Court of Probate of the Town of North Kingston. I Nicholas N. Spink Town and Probate Clerk of the Town of North Kingston do cer- tify the above marriage certificate to be a true copy of Record in said Office
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands and seal of Office this twenty third day of March in the year 1837.
Nich s N. Spink Town & Probate Clerk
Washington &c - In North Kingston March 23 rd 1837.
Personally appeared before me the subsc r , a justice of the Peace in and for North Kingston Nicholas N. Spink, whose name is also entered on record above, to the truth of the above certificate, by himself signed. What I further certify is correct in this my recording Cyrene G. Greene Justice of the Peace

I Peleg Gourd of North Kingston, in the County of Washington on solemn Oath, do testify and say, that I am Eighty-two — years of age — years of age During the Revolutionary War, I served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary Rhode Island Militia and knew Sylvester Pease of said North Kingston, now deceased. We belonged to the same company of Militia & often served together. In the Spring of the year 1777, I served with him, one Month, stationed at the Wilson House in Aquidneck Neck in that Town. He was Ensign of the company. At the end of the Month I left, my time being out and left him on duty. Caleb Hill of North Kingston, who is now living served with us the same time. In the Fall of the year 1777, I served with him, another Month stationed at the House of Colonel John Gardiner, in South Kingston, in this County. We began to serve on this occasion, the last of September, and our time was out the last of October. It was after the skirmish with the Enemy took place there, as I did not serve at that time. Not under the command of Sylvester Pease, nor on duty there at that time as before in the skirmish before mentioned. He served on this last occasion as Ensign. In the year 1778 in August I served with him one Month, on the Island of Rhode Island and shores adjacent, in the time of the expedition of General Sullivan — Peter Wright was Captain of the company, & Sylvester Pease Captain in 1777. In 1778 Samuel Dyer was chosen Ensign in the place of the said Sylvester Pease. In the Fall of the year 1779, I served with him, two Months, stationed at the House of John Dyer in said Aquidneck Neck. He served as a Private and Samuel Dyer,

was Captain of the Company. We began serving the last of August and were discharged the last of October. I served the last Month, as a substitute for someone, as usual when a muster was.
How the said Pease came to serve two months, in succession, I do not know, as we generally served only one Month, at a time. But I am sure, that he served two Months, with me, as I have stated. He was married to Martha Warner, in the Winter of 1775. He lived near me, at the time of his Marriage and Death. He had been dead, ten or eleven Years and his Widow Martha Pease, is now living in this Town, and has remained his Widow ever since.
Abel Land
I Benjamin Smith, of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn Oath, do testify and say, that I am twenty one years of Age. In the Month of July 1780, I served one Month, as a Private in the Militia, on the Island of Rhode Island, then being of Age to do Military duty, in the Company of which Samuel Dyer was Captain, William Davis Lieut and Stickley Hill Ensign. Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment, to which the Company belonged. The Regiment was called out, to guard Newport, from an expected attack of the Enemy. In Lydus Pease of said North Kingston, who was then living, whom I well knew and who then lived near me, served in the same Company, with me, during the Month as a Private. Afterwards in the year 1781, in June or July, I served in the same Company, with him, on the Island of Rhode Island under the same Officers twenty Days. We both served as Privates. We were stationed there, for the purpose of guarding the Fort. I know that he was Ensign of the Company in 1777, but did no duty under him. He died at North Kingston, on the sixth day of November 1825, at 75 years of Age. As I have left for many years past, a Journal or Diary of the Deaths in my Neighborhood. He left a Widow Martha Pease, who is now living within ten

Widow of mine. And has remained a Widow ever since - I always lived near him -
Benjamin Smith
I William Reynolds of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath, do testify and say that I am Eighty three years of age. I served as a Soldier in the Rhode Island Militia during the Revolutionary War, and knew Sylvester Pease of said North Kingston, now deceased, and belonged to the same Company of Militia with him. In the year 1777 he was Ensign of the Company and in the summer of that year, stationed at the House of Colonel John Gaudine in Boston Neck in South Kingston, whilst we were stationed there, the Enemy landed and we had a small skirmish with them - Peter Wright was Captain of the Company, but the said Sylvester Pease, commanded the front of the Company, which was stationed there. When I left, my time being out, I left him, on duty, and cannot say how much longer he served. I served with him as an officer at other times & places - But cannot state when or where, with precision - Witness Sylvester G. G. Gaudine William Reynolds his mark
I Caleb Hall of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath, do testify and say, that I am Eighty years of age. During the Revolutionary War, I served as a Private and Musician, and knew Sylvester Pease of said North Kingston, now deceased. In the year 1777, in the spring of the year, I served in the Company of Militia of which Peter Wright was Captain, John Noamaster first and the said Sylvester Pease Ensign. The English then had possession Newport and the Militia was divided into three

divisions, and each division had to send a Month, in guarding the shack, and the Captain of the Company, commanded one Month, the Lieut one Month and the Ensign one Month. I was one of the Sergeants of the Company. In in the Spring of the year 1777, I served one Month, but I cannot state the precise Month, stationed at the Willis House in Agawam Neck, in said North Kingston, where a Guard was constantly kept, and the said Sylvester Pease being Ensign commanded us. At the end of the Month, my turn of duty, being out, I took the place of one John Clark who had deceased, who was in the other division and served as a Substitute for him, and it being the turn of John Mawkes the Lieut of the Company, to command, he preferred Pease, the Ensign, to act in his stead, and the said Pease, commanded us through the Month. I served with the said Pease, at other times and places, I am sure, but cannot state, when or where with precision. I joined the Independent Company called the Kentish Guards, the Fall or Winter, following the services before stated and served some after that, in the Company, to which the said Pease belonged.
Witness Sylvester G. Sherman
Caleb his + Hee mark
Washington Is - In North Kingston April 10 th 1848 - Formerly of said place are the Subscribers, or part of the said place North Kingston - Beebe and Benjamin Smith, William Reynolds and Caleb Hill, whereof one subscribed to the annexed deposition, and made oath as to the truth of the deposition, by themselves, which said deposition were by me read to each of them in their presence, and they were read to them in their presence & hearing and the said Beebe and Benjamin Smith, subscribed their names to their deposition in my presence, and the said William Reynolds and Caleb Hill, being unable from old age, to write their names, made their mark in my presence & subscribed their names, in their presence. And I further certify, that the said Beebe and Benjamin Smith, Caleb Hill & William Reynolds, are all well known to me, and that their names are true to the best of my knowledge - Sylvester G. Sherman Justice of the Peace

Washington ss - The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations -
The Undersigned Your Clerk and Clerk of the Court of Probate, of the Town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, in said State of Rhode Island &c - Do hereby
certify, that the Depositions of Sylvester G. Shearman, after which the annexed Depositions of Paeo Bond, Benjamin Smith, William Reynolds and Caleb Hall, were made, taken down to, is a true copy of the same, for the said Town of North Kingston. Legally chosen by the General Assembly of said State, duly commissioned by the Governor thereof, for a Commission bearing date the tenth day of May, in the Year 1836, and duly engaged to said Commission and in all respects legally qualified to act in said Office - And I further certify, that the signature, annexed to said Deposition, purporting to be the signature, of the said Sylvester G. Shearman, is his true and genuine signature, in his own hand writing, known to me at least - And that full faith & credit, ought to be given to the same and to all his official acts - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, at said North Kingston, this tenth day of April, in the year 1837.
Nich. N. Sprink Town & Probate Clerk

J. L. Edward Esqr Committee of Pensions

6 Winfield April 15 th 1837-
Mr J. L. Edmunds
Sir
Herewith I forward you the Application of Martha Pease for a Pension. The Widow of Cypherto Pease. Her application as you well know, has been heretofore forwarded by me to your Office, or rather by Mr Pease, to whom I sent the paper. The paper was sent back to me for Amendment and by me again forwarded to Mr Pease, in the hands of President. It was sent by your last letter to me, on the subject, that the paper was either lost between here & Washington, or lost by Mr Pease or mislaid in your Office. I have therefore taken the opportunity of forwarding a new Application from the Applicant. The whole time claimed is four months at Enlistment & three months & twenty days at Discharge. I hope that you will take into consideration the accident which has befallen, and the delay which has taken place, giving me an decision upon the matter, which I trust will be favorable, as the proof is considerable as possible.
Yours &c -
Cypherto G. Sherman

R.S.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 12,608
Murtha Pearce Wid of Sylvester Pearce Enl. Penn. War.
Act: July 4 th  1836.
Index:—Vol. M , Page 1212
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Secretary's Office April 8 th A D 1837.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State held on the twenty third day of December seventeen hundred seventy six, Sylvester Peirce was elected Ensign of the first Company of Militia in the town of North-Kingstown for and until the first Wednesday of May next. That at the said session on the first Wednesday in May he was continued in said office until the adjourned session held on the nineteenth day of said month, when he was reelected Ensign of said Company, and so continued until the first Wednesday of May seventeen hundred seventy eight when he was superseded.
witness Henry Bowen Secy.

BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode- Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name, " HENRY BOWEN, " to the afore-written attestation subscribed, is the proper hand writing of Henry Bow- en, Esquire, who at the time of subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid, duly elected and qualified according to law: Wherefore unto his said attestation full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Prov-
idence, this eighth
day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- seven and of Independence the sixty- first
John Brown Francis
By His Excellency's Command.
Henry Bowen Secy.