Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8274, for William Pittman, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
R. I. Sea Service
Pittman, William
P 8274
CONTENTS

23241
The Application of William Pittman for Pension 1833
J. Hinman Agent Utica N.Y.

Declaration in Order to Obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 -
State of New York
County of Oneida ss. On the thru twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three. Personally appeared before Nathan Williams Vice Chancellor of the Fifth circuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of New York in open Court now sitting in the City of Utica in said County of Oneida William Pittman a resident of the town of New Hartford in said County of Oneida and State of New York aged sixty four years and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. That he this deponent was born on the twenty fourth day of March in the year seventeen hundred and sixty eight at Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island, and that he believes his birth was recorded or registered in a Book kept by the clerk of the said Town of Providence soon there after and a Memorandum of his said birth is made and entered in a blank page made for the purpose in the bible of the family of this deponent, father in his said fathers handwriting, which said Bible and Memorandum is now in the possession of this deponent. And this deponent further says that in the fore part of the month of April in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred and seventy nine at Providence aforesaid this Deponent by and with the consent and advice of his said Father Thomas Pittman with whom this deponent then lived, enlisted in company of his said father who also had previously in the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight enlisted as a Gunner in the Marine Corps in the American Service and had served and was then serving in said Corps under the Command of Captain Clark whom given name this deponent thinks

was Jerry then on Board of a Morphrodite Brigg called the Gally then lying at Fields point in Providence river, and this deponent says that on the day he was so inlisted he went on Board of the said Ship Gally, that then contained a crew of about thirty men his said father and this deponent included under the Command of said Clark, And this deponent says that the Lieutenants name was Coffins, and there was an other Officer of the Crew whose name was Reed, And the Sailing Masters name was Gar- ner as this deponent thinks, and believes, the Boatswains name was John Waters all attached to said Ship. The deponent further says that the said Ship and crew this deponent included laid at Fields point aforesaid until the latter part of May or the first part of June following his said enlistment when the Ship & crew left said Fields point and sailed for Towlusit about five Miles from Providence and remained there until the month of September following when the Ship & crew sailed to the Harbor at New- port on the mouth of said Providence river where then the said Ship & crew remained until the month of November in the year Eighteen hundred and eighty when & from whence the Ship & crew sailed to Providence aforesaid and about one week there- after most of the men forming said crew were hon- orably discharged from further duty - And this de- ponent says that he was then and there honorably Ver- bally and not otherwise discharged by said Clark from doing further duty under and by virtue of his said enlistment. And this deponent says that the said Ship & crew of whom this deponent was one, were in the service of the Con- tinental American Army during the time he was as aforesaid on board of said Ship and were by General

orders directed and their business was to prevent the Tories and others from the carrying of provisions and Military Stores down said Providence River to Supply the British Fleet that was during a portion of the year 1789 and 1790 lying at Newport and remained there until August or September in the last mentioned year: that after the said British Fleet left the Harbor at Newport the Brig and crew were ordered on to Newport and remained there doing regular duty until the month of November 1790 and this deponent says that although he was young at the time of his said Enlistment he did with other young men in board of whom there were six or seven, regular marine duty for the term of one year and seven months following his said enlistment and did regularly obey all orders of the officers of said crew and others who kept him in daily employ being attached to a Gun of the Ship for the purpose of carrying Cartridges in Salutes &c in performing Errands and doing many things according to his ability while in said service as aforesaid until his said discharge which discharge was some time previous to the discharge of his said Father from his service That this Deponent was in no regular Battle, but that during his said service and in the month of June 1779 a Whale Boat so called was boarded by the crew of the Ship Gally from said Whale Boat was taken some considerable powder & property that was supposed & believed by said Clark would have been and was intended to be carried to the British fleet. and the deponent says that after the crew left Point Judith and while at Newport & in the month of October 1779 a Sloop was boarded by the crew of said Brig which Sloop was loaded with clothing intended as was believed for the British Army which prize was sent to Providence and this

deponent understood and believes was converted to the use of the American Army -
This deponent further says after his discharge aforesaid he went home to his father's house in Providence where the deponent resided until he was about twenty five years of age at which age upon thence the deponent went to Belingham in Massachusetts where the deponent resided for about three years thence from whence the deponent went to Mendon in same State and resided there about seven years, at the termination of which time the deponent moved into the County of Oneida where he has since resided and now resides.
And this deponent further says that he has no documentary evidence (other than the memorandum of his birth as aforesaid) and that he knows of no person or persons whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service other than William Ladd of Utica in said County of Oneida who resided at Providence at the time this deponent enlisted who was at that time informed of this deponent's enlistment and service - And also William Alverson of the same place last aforesaid who can testify that it is reputed in the town where he resides & where this deponent resides, that this deponent was a revolutionary soldier - And this deponent further says that there is no regular settled clergyman in that part of the town of New Hartford where he resides and that the residence of the nearest clergyman is at Utica two or three miles from the residence of the deponent. That there is occasional preaching by traveling clergymen at the School House near the residence of this deponent when this deponent sometimes attends. This deponent says that he knows of no clergyman who is acquainted with the reports of the inhabitants of that part of the town where the deponent resides as to the reputation of this deponent as a soldier of the Revolution or otherwise.

and this Applicant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Wm Pittman Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Wm Williams Vice Chan.
We William Alverson residing in the City of Utica County of Oneida and William Dadd residing in the same City hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Pittman who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty four or sixty five 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. And the said William Alverson further certifies that previous to September last he was a resident of the Town where the Applicant resides and has been acquainted with him for many years past. And the said William Dadd further certifies that he was intimately acquainted with the Applicant when a boy that himself and applicant lived neighbors in the Town of Providence in Rhode Island previous to the year 1779 And that he the said William Dadd well remembers that during the said revolution it was well understood by me the said Wil- iam Dadd that the said Applicant had enlisted with his Father in a Marine Corps serving in the revolutionary war, that that fact was frequently talked of in the family and neighborhood where the said Dadd resided, And that the said Applicant was absent frequently during the war from Providence aforesaid with his Father who was mostly during the war absent from Providence and as to the said Dadd understood serving in the war of the revolution for the Americans. and further that I said Dadd have for many years past been well acquainted with said Applicant.
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Wm Williams Vice Chan.
William Alverson William his Dadd

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 mariner or marines  merchant seaman and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no settled clergyman in the vicinity where the applicant resides that William Alverson and William Dadd both reside in the City of Utica but are both well acquainted with the said Applicant and have been for many years and that the said William Alverson and William Dadd are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
J. W. Williams
23241
The Application of William Pittman for Pension 1839
J. H. Hannan Agent Utica N. Y.

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 mariner or marines  seaman and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no settled clergyman in the vicinity where the applicant resides. That William Alverson and William Ladd both reside in the City of Utica but are both well acquainted with the said Applicant and have been for many years and that the said William Alverson and William Ladd are credible persons and that their statements is entitled to credit.
J. W. Williams
Miss Chancellor,
I James Watson Williams Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the State of New York, for the Fifth Circuit thereof do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Pittman for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of My Office this twenty fourth day of January in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three —
J. Watson Williams Clerk in Chancery 5 th Circuit N.Y.

23241.
William Pittman Oneida Co N. York.
John Hinman Esq. Utica. Oneida Co New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
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 shew 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, shewing the Service of William Pittman. Onida Co New York.
   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.     Ap. 1779 1 7 11 None Capt Clark Lt Bozzard None None Brig Gen by 64 years Provide nce Co Rhode Is. One Witness  
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 the 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.
□ 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 in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Joseph Rowen Esq. Ck.

April 11, 1934.
Mr. H. Minot Pitman 88 Summit Avenue Bronxville, New York.
BA-J/ILL William Pittman R. 8274
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Captain William Pitman who died on a Jersey prison ship during the Revolutiona
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and there is no claim for pension or bounty land on file made to the United States based upon service of the above noted officer. The record of only one William Pittman has been found; it is given herein as shown in the papers on file in pension claim, R. 8274, based upon his service in that war. It may aid you in your research.
William Pittman, as he signed his name, the son of Thomas Pittman, was born March 24, 1768, in Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island; he lived there until about twenty-five years of age, moved then to Bellingham, Massachusetts, for three years, thence to Mendon, Massachusetts, for seven years, after which he settled in Oneida County, New York.
On January 24, 1833, while a resident of New Hartford, Oneida County, New York, he applied for pension on account of his service in the Revolutionary War. He stated then that in April 1779, with the consent of his father who had enlisted in 1778 and was then serving as a gunner in the marine corps on the brig "Gally" lying at Field's Point in the Providence River, under command of Captain "Jerry" Clark, he enlisted, went on board the "Gally" in the same company with his father, sailed to Pawtucket, then to Newport harbor, and continued to serve until November 1780; that during the period of this service, he was attached to a gun on the "Gally", was engaged daily, including cartridges, and doing many things "according to his ability"; that in June 1779, a whale boat was boarded and property and supplies taken, that in October 1779, a sloop bearing clothing for the British was boarded

and her supplies taken for the American Army. He stated that he was discharged before his father.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension law. my mail
There are no further family data in this pension claim.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of Thomas Pittman, the father of William Pittman, in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

Geo. H. H. H.
May 31/35
17.
Recorded Indexed and nullified
Re. vol. 9
Dec. 10/35

Warrenton
Pension off
May 1873.
Sir.
The claim of Wm. Pittman has been examined and disallowed. There is no evidence that the Gally  there was a public ship called the Gally. and if there were, his allegation of enlisting & serving in a marine corps at the tender age of eleven years can not be admitted. His papers are placed on file
act 7 June
John Newman esq Utica - N.Y.

23-241
William Pittman
New York
Act 7 th June 1832
Rejected See letter to J. H. Mann May 31. 33
8 2 7 1/2
act. 7 th June 1832

H. MINOT PITMAN
Genealogist
Tel. Bronxville 3822
Field's Point
88 Summit Avenue Bronxville, N. Y.
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:-
ask Mrs. F.
only one Have you any record of a Capt. William Pitman who died on the Jersey Prison Ship in the Revolution. He would probably have been from Boston Mass. or Prov. R.I.
yours truly
H. Minot Pitman

1934 - April 11 - Hist. to H. Minot Pilsen - 222.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1879.
8274
P. O.
William Pittman
Service: _____
Enlisted: REJECTED , 18____
Discharged: 1859  Rejected - Suspended Printed Volume - Rejected - Suspended Pensions - page 180 - Reason for Rejection - shows -
Application filed: "His age, only, 18 eleven years, precluded his claim for military service."
Alleges: 222- 4/11/34
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18____