Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,911, for Stephen Page, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. J.
Page, Stephen
S. 21911
CONTENTS

15-701 Who Island
Stephen Page of Providence in the State of R. Island who was a Male in the Company commanded by Captain Whipple of the 18 th commanded by Colonel Brown in the A. line for 17 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Who Island at the rate of 23 Dollars 53 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of July 1833 and sent to Atwell Gloncy in IRA
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. 11.67
$58.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by L. H. Brown Clerk Book 2 Vol. 32 Page 124

Application { for Stephen Page { pension
23559

Seal of the Court Hull W. Watson
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
COUNTY OF PROVIDENCE Ss.
On this Seventh day of August A. D. 1882 personally appeared in open Court, being a special Court of Common Pleas within and for said County, now in session— Stephen Page a resident of Gloucester in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, aged 71 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832, viz.
I was born in said Gloucester the 22 d December 1760. There is a record of my age in a family bible now in the possession of my brother, family live Otsego, New York. I have always lived in said Gloucester. In the Autumn of 1776 I became in October, I was drafted in Capt. Benjamin Whipple's Comp y 1 st Rhode Island Regiment R.I. militia. I was stationed at Bristol one month. In December 1777 I went as a substitute for my brother Joseph Page in Capt. John Eddy's Comp y 1 st Rhode Island Regiment & was stationed at Providence one month, when this month was out I was drafted in the same company for the next month & was stationed at the same place, when this term was out I served one month in the same Comp y as a substitute for William Page & was stationed at said Providence. I served three months in Providence this winter. In October 1777 I was drafted in Capt. John Eddy's Comp y 1 st Rhode Island Regiment & joined the troops under Genl. Sullivan at Newton R.I. We were stationed there & at Little Compton one month. We did not go onto the island. In July 1778 I was drafted in the same company & joined the army under Genl. Sullivan. We marched to Trenton & there crossed over the ferry to Rhode Island. We went to Whipple's plain & our company lay there during the storm. We lay there one month when my term being out I took the place of one Capt. as a substitute in the same company. On the 28 th of August we retreated to the hollow between Buth & Quaker hills where on the 29 th we had a fight with the British. After the fight we came off the island in the night to Trenton, when shortly after I was discharged. I served two months on this expedition Genl. Sullivan

Genl Greene Genl Howe, Genl La Fayette Genl Cornwall, Col. Jackson was Officer with the troops on the island. From this time until the peace in 1783 I served on a draft & as a substitute for my brother Joseph Page several times in said Company & was stationed at Providence R.I. I have no doubt I served during this time at least six months. It is impossible for me to recollect the different times or the officers under whom I served; it is so long since, but I well remember I was called out very frequently - I was at said Providence assisting in building fort when the French Officers were there - I never received any written discharge. - The testimony of such surviving witnesses as I know of is hereunto annexed - Jesse Stone, Stephen Hawkins, Enock Stone, Gideon Smith, Richard Eddy are persons who resided in my neighborhood & who can testify as to my character for veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Attest
W. R. Watson Clerk

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Stephen Page
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. in Open Court
Attest. Wm R Watson Clerk
We, Stephen Hawkins & William Wheeler
residing in said Gloucester hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Stephen Page who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Stephen Hawkins William Wheeler
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. in Open Court
Attest. Wm R Watson Clerk
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Stephen Hawkins & William Wheeler who have signed the preceding certificate, resident in said Gloucester
are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. That no clergyman resides in the vicinity of said applicant
I, WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Stephen Page for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this seventh day of August in the year 1832 -
Wm R Watson

I Stephen Hawkins of Gloucester in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island & aged 79 years being only known on oath do testify & say that I was a Soldier of the revolution & served in the militia of the said State as will appear by my application for a pension under the act of June 7 th 1832. I further say that I never knew Stephen Page of said Gloucester He was a Soldier with me in Capt John Brown Company Col Brown's regiment R.I. militia in Genl Sheldon's expedition in October 1777 & served one month. He was also a Soldier with me in the same Company in Genl Sullivan's expedition in July & August 1778. We were stationed principally on Rhode Island until after the battle of the 29 th of August, & served two months. - I served with him in the same Company two months & was stationed at Providence R.I. I knew of his being as a private in said Col. Brown's Company other times. But do not recollect the particular
Stephen Hawkins
State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss.
In Gloucester this third day of December 1832 before me personally appeared Stephen

Waukon who is well known to me & who being first class owner on route says that the foregoing disposition by him against is just & true in all its parts. I further certify that the said Waukon is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit Attest
W. P. Owens C.C.C.P. 3

State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
I WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, within and for the county of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that Brace  Evans is a Judge of the court of Common Pleas aforesaid, which court is a Court of Record; that the signature to the annexed document purporting to be his, is in the proper hand writing of the said Evans ; and that full faith and credit are due to the official attestations of the said Evans —
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said Court, at Providence this fifth day of December in the year of our Lord 1832
W. R. Watson
with his artillery. After the fight we came off the island in the night to Tiverton, where shortly after I was discharged. I served only two months on this expedition Genl Sullivan

23559
Stephen Page Rhode Island
March 7 Mrs
Yolanda Gloucester Rhode Island

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Stephen Page R Island
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Araf 1776 1 privat Capt Whipple Col Brann Quaker Bristol 71 years Tradition.   Sub 1777 1 Capt Eddy Same Heult Rhode Gloucester   Araf 1777 " 1 " Same Same Borden Rhode Island Evidence   Sub 1777 " 1 " " Same a "   Araf 1777 " 1 " " Same Gen Spencer Tiverton H. H. Knight   " 1778 " 1 " a a Rhode I.   Sub 1778 " 1 a a a   Tiverton  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Resolutions
21911
INVALID.
File No. 21911
Stephen P. Dyer
Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 312
[Arrangement of 1870.]

To the Hon. Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Humble request
Stephen Page of Glendale in the County of Providence State of Rhode Island that he was a soldier of the revolution as will appear by the annexed documents. He therefore prays that a pension may be granted to him in conformity with the provisions of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 having equity to
Stephen Page by his Atty James G. Smith (S)
Please acknowledge at Glendale R.I. J. G. Smith