Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,608, for Nathan Munro, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER
P.J.
Munro, Nathan Luther, Elizabeth (Former Widow)
N. 24,608
CONTENTS

Rep.
Rhode Island 7,804
Elizabeth Luther, who was widow of Nathan Munto R.I. who was a Private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28, Dollars 99 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June, 1846. and sent to Hon. N. G. Grewston. House of Representatives
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 17, 1846.
Recorded in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 45.

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the third section of the act of the 4 th July, 1836, and of the act of 7 th July 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows," and of the several acts and resolutions to continue the same in force, or explanatory thereof.
State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
County of Bristol ss.
On this first Monday of January, 1846, personally appeared before the Court of Probate, now in session at Bristol, in and for the town of Bristol, in said County, Elizabeth Luther, a resident of said town, aged eighty six years, who being first sworn, according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed, July 4 th 1836, and of the act of July 7 th 1838, entitled, "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows, and of the several acts to continue the same or explanatory thereof." That she was married to Nathan Munro Jun, who was a private soldier in Major Nathan Munro's Company of soldiers, raised early in the year 1777, and engaged in the defence of this State, in what was called, the Boat service, which company was raised by order of the General Assembly or Council of War, that her said husband served in said company, as such private soldier, from the time it was raised till it was disbanded, by act of said assembly, a period of ten months; that previous to his enlisting into said company, and in the month of December 1776, there was an alarm that the enemy had taken Newport, and thereupon he was called out as a private soldier, in a militia company, under command of William Throop, and served as such, in said company, until he enlisted into said Munro's independent company; that he also served, as a private soldier, at the Battle on Rhode Island, in 1778, and after Sullivan's retreat from said Island, during the same year, a part of the time in Veal Allen's company, and a part in said Throop's company, and in both, a term of two months; that her said husband furthermore was drafted for thirty days, as a private soldier, in July 1780, when General Rochambeau arrived with

the French Fleet, into Newport, a company of men was then drafted, out of the Bristol County Regiment, & was under the command of Vial Allen and stationed, on the said Island, during said period; that her said husband served in the whole of said term fifteen months, for which she claims a pension; And she further declares, that she was married to said Nathan Munro Junr on the ninth day of January A.D. 1785, (seventeen Hundred and eighty five) that her said Husband died September A.D. 1793, that in August of 1798, she married Barnaby Luther, who died in January A.D. 1822, and that she has ever since been and still remains a widow, all which will more fully appear on reference to the proof hereto annexed
Elizabeth Munro
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me, } Wm Shrop Clerk Court of Probate } of the Said Court.
State of Rhode Island &c } County of Bristol } Sc.
Probate Office, at Bristol in said Coun- ty January 5th A. D. 1846, Personally appeared the before- mentioned Elizabeth Munro and made solemn oath to her foregoing declaration.
In testimony whereof I, Wm Shrop Clerk of said Court of Probate have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court - the day and year above written - Wm Shrop. Prob. Cth-

I, Joseph Munro of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island aged but a few days short of eighty four years, on solemn oath depose and say, that I was a private soldier in an Independent Company, commanded by the late Major Nathan Munro, that company was raised by act of the General Assembly, or by order of the Council of War, in this State, about the time, or soon after the Enemy entered the town of Newport - It was in the winter, or early in the Spring of 1777. It consisted, at first of about fifty men, and was increased, just before Spencer's expedition, to about seventy men - Benjamin Howland of Swanton, afterwards a senator in Congress, from this State, was for a while a Lieutenant in said company, and for a while David Gifford of Portsmouth was a Lieutenant in it - This company as I understood, at the time, was raised for the express purpose of serving as a guard to the Row Gallies, public Boats and shipping, which were blockaded, by the English Fleet then in Newport, and were armed, like the regular army and drew the same pay and rations, and in the same manner; they were stationed partly at Kickamutt, where there was considerable many Boats landed, for safety and repair, and near where a number of merchant vessels were hauled up for safety, and just below the shipping, lay the Row Gally Spitfire which was afterwards blown up - Nathan Munro Junr. enlisted with me, as a private soldier, into said company, and served with me, as such, from the time it was raised, until it was disbanded, a period I am confident, of ten months. I remember we were not discharged, till the last of December 1777 - said Howland was one of the officers of said company, from its first raising - said Gifford was appointed sometime afterwards, there was also one David an officer in it. -

My said Brother was also out as a private Soldier, in Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island, in 1778. I was there with him - He in Viol Allen's Company, and I in Robert Garris - both of the same Regiment. The draft that called us out was for twenty days, but such was the alarm, after Sullivan's retreat, that the neighboring militia for several miles around were kept together in the service for two months, and my said Brother was in it, during the whole of that time, the latter part of which term, he served in Captain William Throop's company -
My said Brother also was drafted to serve for one month, in the summer of 1780, and served under said Viol Allen, on Rhode Island, and was stationed at what was called the Stoddard House on the West side of the Island - this was while the French Fleet lay in Newport, and the draft was made on the militia, to aid the Fleet, in case the Fleet of the enemy should attempt to enter the Harbor at Newport, of which there was serious apprehensions, as the English Fleet had been just reinforced, by a new arrival, and a part of it was then in Long Island Sound. My said Brother further served in said Throop's company of militia, most if not all the time, from the arrival of the enemy in Newport in 1776, in December, till he enlisted into said Boat Company.
My said Brother was married to Elizabeth Munro of Newport, a few years after the peace, say in 1785, or 1786, and died in September 1793 - His widow, after his death a few years, married Barnaby Luther, who also died many years ago, and left the said Elizabeth a widow, and she still lives the said Luther's widow. J. D. [?]

State of Rhode Island &c County of Bristol ss-
At Bristol this 27 th day of December A D 1845, personally appear- -ed before me Joseph Munroe, the before named deponent - and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition - And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid Joseph Munroe - and that he is a man of character for truth and ve- -racity -
Attest
J. R. Bullock
Justice Peace -

I, Seth Cole of Warren in the State of Rhode Island aged eighty five years, on solemn oath depose and say, that I was well acquainted with Nathan Munro junr. of Bristol from his youth, until his death, for though our Homes and birth places were in different towns, we were born and lived but a short distance from each other - and I further depose, that we both enlisted as private soldiers into Major Nathan Munro's Boat company, at the time it was first raised and early in the year 1777 - and we both served as private soldiers in said company, until it was disbanded, late of in that year, and we both served I think ten months in said company - I think the company was first raised for a shorter term, but it was continued in the service, on account of an intention to get possession of Rhode Island, which was attempted in the Fall of the above year, by Spencer's expedition - said company was engaged in that expedition and said Nathan Munro junr. and myself with them - During said period of service, a part of said company was stationed, at Seekonk Bridge, the head of navigation, on that arm of our Bay, where the State's Boats and river craft were hauled up, for repairs and for safety, and where much property of that kind was burnt, by the enemy, the Spring after that company was disbanded - the other part of the company was stationed at Howland's Ferry in Tiverton, to guard the narrow passage there, across which the Bridge has been since built, a place which commanded the Eastern entrance to all our commercial Ports, then under our control, within the State - These two portions of the company were both called from their respective stations, and acted together, whenever there was an alarm, or when other occasions made

it necessary, as was especially the case, in General Spencer's expedition - We drew the same pay and rations, while in the service of said company, as were drawn by the regular Troops of the State - Our rations were regularly served out to us, by Col Pardon Gray, the Commissary, and although our service was performed with Boots we were armed with guns and bayonets and otherwise equipped, like the regular army -
I was also in the Battle on Rhode Island, in August 1778, and think said Nathan Munro was there in that expedition also, but not in the same company, for we belonged to different Militia companies, as we belonged to different towns - I am very positive he was there, I do not recollect the names of all the officers of the said company, they were appointed from different parts of the State, but I remember David Gifford was a Lieutenant in it, at the time of Spencer's expedition,
Seth Cole
State of Rhode Island, &c County of Bristol, p
At Bristol this 27 th day of December A D 1845. personally appeared before me Seth Cole, the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the of the truth of the foregoing dep- osition - And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the said Seth Cole, and that he is a man of character for truth and veracity -
J. R. Bullock
Justice of the Peace

Children of Nathan Munro Jun r and Elizabeth his wife
George Munro born Oct r 2 h 1785
Thomas Munro " Jan y 9 th 1788
Henechia Munro " March 16 th 1790
Edward B. Munro " Aug t 6 th 1792
Town Clerk's Office Bristol Jan y 13-1846
I certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the Record of Births in my custody in this Office -
Wm Shrop Town Clerk.
Probate Office at Bristol aforesaid January 13 th 1846- I certify that Elizabeth Munro who is now the widow of Barnaby Luther was on the 4 th day of Nov r 1793. appointed Ad- ministrator to the estate of Nathan Munro Jun r then deceased, as his widow, as appears by the Records of said Court now in my custody
Attest, Wm Shrop Probate

I, George Munro of Bristol, in the State of Rhode- Island, aged sixty years, on solemn oath depose and say, that I am the eldest son of Nathan Munro Jun and his wife Elizabeth Munro, now Elizabeth Luther, my said father died the 7 th day of September, in the year 1793, as appears by the inscription on the Headstone, standing at his Grave; and I further depose that my said mother, in the year 1798 was married to Barnaby Luther, who died more than twenty years since, and my mother still has ever since lived his widow - and I also depose that I used, while living at home with my mother, to see the certificate of her marriage with my said father, said Nathan Munro Jun, but I have not seen it for many years, but I well remember the import of the certificate was that the marriage was solemnized, in January in the year 1785 - I have never seen any other record of said marriage
George Munro
State of Rhode Island &c County of Bristol
Sc. At Bristol Jan. 10-1846-
Personally came George Munro, above named and made solemn oath to the truth of his Affidavit, aforesaid, and subscribed the same before me.
And I further certify that said Affiant is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth and veracity.
Before me, Wm. Shipp Justice of the Peace.

I, Edward B. Munro of Bristol, in the State of Rhode Island aged fifty three years, on solemn oath depose and say, that I am the son of Nathan Munro Jun, by his wife, Elizabeth Munro, now Elizabeth Luther, that my father died in my infancy, so that I have no recollection of him, that sometime in the year 1798, my mother married Barnaby Luther, with whom, I lived till his death, which happened in the month of January, A.D. 1822, and my mother, the said Elizabeth Luther, has ever since remained and still remains the widow of said Luther - and I further testify, that many years ago, I saw the certificate of the marriage, between my father, the said Nathan Munro Jun and my said mother, and I remember it certified the marriage to have taken place in the year 1785, and I feel positive, it was in January of that year, but I never saw any other record or memorandum of the marriage, and that certificate has been destroyed or lost, many years, and I further depose, that my said mother, ever since the death of my father has been living Luther, has been living and now lives, in the House and on the Land, left as her first Husband's and which was set off to her, as dower in her said first husband's estate. Edward B. Munro
State of Rhode Island &c County of Bristol
Se. at Bristol January 10th A. D. 1846.
Personally came Edward B. Munro, and made solemn oath to the truth of to the truth of the foregoing affidavit, and subscribed the same before me. And I further certify that the the affiant is personally known to me, and sustains a good character for truth, and veracity. - Before me - Wm. Knapp Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations County of Bristol sc.
I, Stephen S. Bennett, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify, that William Throop is Clerk of the Court of Probate for the town of Bristol, and that he and also J. Russell Bullock are each respectively Justices of the Peace for said County of Bristol, duly Commissioned and qualified, and I further certify that the signature of said Throop as Clerk of Probate to the foregoing declaration of Elizabeth Luther since also that his signature to the annexed deposition of George Munro and Edward B. Munro are respectively his genuine signatures and I further certify that the signature of J. Russell Bullock to the annexed deposition of Joseph Munro and N. H. Cole are respectively the genuine signatures of said Bullock.
In testimony whereof I the said M. S. Bennett have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Common Pleas this 14th day of January A.D. 1846.
M. S. Bennett Clerk of the Court of C. Pleas

Key
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24,608
Elizabeth Smith
Wife of
Nathan Munro
Rev. Pres. war.
Act March 3 rd 1843 June 17 th 1844.
Index : Vol A , Page 447
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elizabeth Luther 17 453 R Island
Married to A Bullock March 31. 1846 Hon. N.Y. Cranston. May 12 th 1846 same June 18. 46.
Act 9 th July 1838.

10,074.
Rep?
Rhode Island
Elizabeth Luther, who was
Widow of Nathan Munro who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the — Sept. 1793. of Bristol Co. in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the regt. commanded by _____ in the Boat Service line for 8 months & 21 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 28 Dollars 99 — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18 th day of June, 1846, and sent to Hon. H. A. G. Cranston, House of Representatives
Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D Brown Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 111.

12.455
Elizabeth Luther R.S
Act 7. July '38
Boat service from 10 June '77 to 31 Dec. '77 - Secy. acct. 1 mo '78. Allen - 1 mo 80. Throop —

James L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Bristol, R. I. April 9 th 1846-
Sir,
I am favoured with yours of 31 st ultimo, and as advised therein now forward the certificate of the Secretary, which establishes the fact, that Major Murrer's Book-Company was raised, early in 1777, by order of the Council of War, and recognized by the Assembly of that year, as in the Continental service, and finally disbanded, at or near the end of the year, by order of the Assembly. I had supposed that company was employed and raised, at the instance of Bristol and Warren, and that its object was merely for town defence, and so that service in it would be rejected, as much other mere guard service, confined to a particular neighbourhood had been. But Mr Bowditch & Judge Cowell informed me, there was plenty of evidence in the Secretary's office, that it was raised, by the State, and that they had procured pensioners, each for one or more persons, in which that service was compensated. This lead me to examine the schedules of the proceedings of the Assembly, in the town Clerk's offices, both here and in Warren, for the law of the State, for a century past, has required that these schedules should be printed and sent to the various town clerks, as soon as practicable. But I found only a very few of those documents in Bristol, for 1777-1778, and 1779- and I found a similar deficiency, in Warren. Nor will this seem strange, when it is known that even the clerks of those towns, like the other inhabitants, engaged in mere civil employments, removed back into Massachusetts, and resided 10 or 12 miles from their real homes, during those troublesome times. The documents, therefore, perhaps, never reached or were lost in the confusion of the revolution.
As to the doings of the council of War but

few people had any knowledge of them, as they were never printed or circulated. Under these circumstances, it is not strange, that the standing of Major Munroe's company was so recently understood, and more especially, as every officer died, before the act of June 7 th 1832 was passed, and nearly all the other members of that company - Seth Coole told me, while I was attending to his deposition taken for Mrs. Luther, he always thought he was entitled to a larger pension, on account of his services in that company, that is for so much as was not estimated for him, in Spencer's expedition, but he could not tell how much time was computed for him, as occupied in that expedition. Munroe's company was evidently raised, with a view to remove the enemy from Newport, soon after they got possession of it, and was disbanded, soon after the enterprise had been abandoned - The company was in existence and in the public service, nearly a year, as appears by the records concerning it, and it seems evident, Mrs. Luther's husband served in it, at least ten months, as claimed by her on that item of her service, I, therefore, hope and trust, she may be considered as entitled to at least fifteen months' pension. I am, Sir, very respectfully your obedt Servt
N. Bullock
James L. Edwards, Esquire, Comr. Pensions

Bristol, R.I. June 15 th 1846
Sir,
I am informed, by Hon H. Y. Granston, that you are, as yet, unwilling to allow Mr Luther a pension, for more than 8 months and 20 days, and though it does not belong to me to urge a claim, for more than the evidence, submitted in its favour, will warrant, it does seem to me, with all deference to your discretion and undoubted candour, that the evidence in the case does fully justify and call for a larger amount.
From the records of the council of war and of the proceedings of the General Assembly of which, you now have a transcript, it is plain the Boat-company was in existence, in January 1777, that it was recognized, as in the public service in that month, and again in March of that year. And both S th Cole & Joseph Munro testify, that Mr Luther's husband entered that company, at its commencement, and served, untill it was disbanded, which was done, at the December Session of Assembly, to take effect in 20 days from the rising of that Body - It seems to me, then, inevitable, if Mr Cole and J. Munro are credited, and they are both men of strict veracity, that the claimant's husband proved, at least 10 months service, in the Boat-company - It is also proved that the husband served in 1778, in Sullivan's expedition, and again a month in 1780 - As to the period of service, in Sullivan's expedition, I am confident there has been a misapprehension, in the war Department - from this circumstance, that the militia of the neighbouring States served, but a few days on that occasion, they having returned home, as soon as their retreat from the Island was effected, whereas the militia of this County were kept embodied, after the retreat, for a number of weeks - to prevent encroachments of the enemy, whose camps were fully in sight of the inhabitants of Bristol & who were separated from that enemy, merely by a ferry less than a mile across -
I discover, by Mr Granston's letter, that he labours under a mistake, in supposing the pay of the Boat-company was fixed, for the first time in August 1777, to commence also from the 10 th of the preceding June - That vote refers to the appointments of two Officers of the company only and to

the time from which their pay should commence - It has no reference whatever to the time when the company generally commenced their service or should begin to draw pay - M rs Luther's husband was a nephew of the commander of the company, resided in his neighbourhood, and it is natural to suppose, he would be among the first to join his uncle's corps - I must, in justice to M rs Luther, who has been the wife of two revolutionary soldiers, the last of whom held a commission in the army, but to whom she was united too late to be pensioned, on account of his service, beg you to review the testimony and evidence in her case, When I am confident, you will feel justified, in computing her pension, at 12 months, say 10 months in M unro's company - a month in 1778 and a month in 1780 - Should you limit the service of 1778 to 20 days, the term of the draft, on the militia, for Sullivan's expedition, you could allow only for 11 months and 20 days which is the minimum, beyond which, I trust, you, on a review of the case, will not be satisfied to reduce the pension - and with that the old Lady must be content, on the other hand, should you not feel warranted in that allowance, I will endeavour to procure further testimony, as to the extent of M rs M unro's service, notwithstanding I am weary of this matter, and it is strange if I have not wearied you.
I am, Sir, very respectfully your obdt Servt
J. P. Bullock
J. L t . Edwards Esquire
P.S. Should further evidence be necessary please inform me to which of the three items of service it must be directed -

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
At a Meeting of the Council of War, January 12th AD 1777.
Upon General Spencer's recommendation to appoint a Boat Master: The appointment of Major Munro is very satisfactory to the Council: But they think that Appointment as well as giving him the necessary Directions, to be properly within the Department of the General.
At a Meeting of the Council of War March 13th AD 1777.
Resolved, that Mr Nathan Munro be appointed an officer to have the command of the Men appointed to manage the Boats in the intended Expedition against the Enemy upon Rhode-Island, with the Rank and Pay of Major: and that he be commissioned accordingly.
In General Assembly August session 1777.
It is voted and resolved, That Mr Daniel Deval be chosen Captain, and Mr David Gifford Lieutenant, of Major Munro's Company; and that they draw Pay from the tenth day of June last, they having been on duty from that time.
It is voted and Resolved, that Major Nathan Munro be, and he is hereby empowered to inlist Eighteen Men in addition to those already inlisted into his Company in the Boat Service, to serve for the same term, and be entitled to the same Bounty, Pay and Rations, as those who shall inlist into the Fifteen Months Brigade: That he inlist the Men aforesaid from

from any Town within this State; and that upon their inlisting and entering the said Company, they shall be reckoned to the Towns of which they are Inhabitants, in the same manner as though they had inlisted into the Fifteen Months Brigade, and shall be so reckoned towards discharging the Militia of such Town from present Duty.
In General Assembly December Session A 1777.
Whereas this State hath not received that Benefit from the Company of Boatmen who were inlisted under the Command of Major Nathan Munroe, as was expected when they were ordered to be raised, and they are very expensive:
It is voted and Resolved, That said Company, both Officers and Men be disbanded and dismissed from the Service of this State within twenty days next after the Rising of this Assembly: And that General Spencer have notice thereof, that in the mean Time he may collect all the Boats that have been taken into Continental Service by him, and return them to the several places they have been taken from.
State of Rhode Island &c
Secretary's office May 28th 1846.
I certify that the foregoing are true copies from the records of this office:
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence, the day and year above written
Henry Bowen

House of Representatives 1 st June 1846
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. Pensions
Sir
Enclosed I send to you the certificate of the Secy of State of R.I. as required by you in the case of Elizabeth Luther. I trust the Commissioners will find no difficulty in granting the Pension for fifteen months service, commencing 4 th March 1838, as has been done in similar cases.
I have the honor to be very Respectfully Your Ob t . Serv t . Thos. G. Cranston

March 20/46
Rev. James L. South Elizabeth South
36 to 40 3rd Ave
James L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions Washington
10

Bristol, R. I. March 16 th 1846.
Sir,
I forwarded, something over two months since, to your department, an application from Elizabeth Suther for a pension, on account of the revolutionary services of her first husband, Nathan Munn Jr, but having heard nothing concerning it, I am not without apprehensions that it may have never reached your Bureau —
I am perfectly sure it will be acted upon, in due course, if it has been received, and will now trouble you no further, than to inquire, whether it came to hand, and am, Sir.
very respectfully, your obedt. Servt
N. Bullock
James S. Lawards, Esquire, Comm r of Pensions

Bristol, R. I. January 14 th 1846
Sir,
I herewith inclose the application of Elizabeth Souther for a pension, which I trust, will be found satisfactorily sustained by the evidence accompanying it. This aged woman applied to me, several years since, to prefer her claim, but I understood, at that time, that claims for service, in Major Munn's Independent Company had been disallowed, and without that allowance, I perceived Mrs. Luther's Husbands' service would fall short of six months. However, I am now told by Judge Gowell and Alfred Bowditch Esquire, that service in Major Munn's company has been recognized, by the War Department, and pensions accordingly allowed therefor, on applications preferred by them, and that the Records, in the Secretary's office of this state, furnished ample proof, that that company was raised by the state, and employed by the state, in its defense, at the most disastrous period of the Revolution. I have, therefore, examined those Records and find the facts as stated; that is I find officers appointed for the company, and that it was disbanded by order of Assembly, about the last of

of the year 1777- I should transmit a copy of these records, but am informed by the Secre- tary they are now in your Bureau, and that as Mrs Luther claims, on account of the services of a private soldier only, there is no occasion for these copies - They shall be furnished, however, if required -
Mrs Luther has been the wife of two husbands, both of whom had a share in the toils and perils of the Revolution, Captain Luther her last husband, bore a commission, for sev- eral years, in that war - her claims then, so far as admissible by the rules of the law, are peculiarly just -
With Respect, I am
Sir, your Obedt Servt
N. Bullock
J. L. Edwards, Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

J. L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions Washington

June 18, 1846
Recd of J. L. Father. Mrs —
20
Edwards, Esquire Comm of pensions Washington
!

Elizabeth Luther who was widow of Nathan Munro, Private 8 months & 21 days.
$28:99 per ann.
Act 5 July 1838 - '43 & '44
R. Island Roll
married 9 th January 1785
husband died Sept. 1793.
Issue Two Certificates.
8687
583
cont: to the
Hon. H. Y. Cranston House of Rep