Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15568, for Samuel Peckham, Rhode Island

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
R. l.
Peckham, Samuel
S. 15568
carded
CONTENTS

so, consented on the 10th day of June 1838.
Exhibit A. Receipt of Payment of Account. Date of 6/
Handwritten signature
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The image is a dark, monochromatic scan with a highly irregular, grainy texture. It resembles a heavily degraded photograph or a scan of a dark, noisy surface. There are no discernible objects or figures. The overall appearance is that of a dark, noisy field with some vertical streaks and variations in density.
The image is a dark, monochromatic scan with a highly irregular, noisy texture. It resembles a heavily degraded photograph or a scan of a dark, rough surface. There are no discernible objects, text, or figures. The visual information is dominated by high-contrast noise and some faint, vertical, slightly curved lines that might be artifacts from the scanning process or natural imperfections in the original material.
RECEIVED 1977 FBI NEW YORK
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State of Connecticut New London County - Is be on this 28 th Day of July A D 1882 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich now sitting, Samuel Deekham a resident of Lisbon in the County of New London and State aforesaid aged seventy two years 22 nd Dec last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declarat n in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th A D 1882 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated I first entered into the service of the United States as a substitute to my Father Daniel Deekham of Hopkinton then in Kings County now Washington County State of Rhode Island who was drafted I believe for one month I then lived with my said Father I marched to a place called Boston neck in South Kingstown County of said Washington on the Narraganset Shore January 1776 and there served out said term under Capt Thomas Wells I believe in Col. Joseph Hogges regiment the next term or tower of service I entered into was the next month Feb. 1776 as a substitute to my Father Daniel Deekham of said Hopkinton who was drafted for one month I served said month out at the same place as aforesaid and under the same officer Capt Wells No 1409. I was then offered a sergeant place if I would stay one month longer I agreed with said officers so to do and stayed there at the same place one month more and did sergeant's duty and had the command of a sergeant's guard at said place on said Narraganset Shore at said Boston neck commanded by Capt Wells I was then called on to do a tower for one month for my self I believe drafted I then marched to the north part of point Judith bordering on said Narraganset Shore and served out said month of April 1776 at that place under the command of said Capt Thomas Wells of said Hopkinton I then served the next month as a substitute for Samuel Gardner of said Hopkinton who was drafted for one month in the Militia of said Town which was in the month of May A D 1776 I served out said Samuel Gardner's tower of one month under the command of said Capt Thomas Wells of said Hopkinton.

at the end of Said tower of Said Samuel Gardner then came from Said Hopkinton listing orders to raise eighteen men for the service of Said Hopkinton as there proportion according to the alarm list for three months I then enlisted as a soldier in the service of Said Town for that time I was then at Said point Judith and already equipt and there stayed at that place and served out Said term of three months under the command of Said Capt Thomas Wells of Said Hopkinton in Said County of Washington State of Rhodiland and then I went home - - - - -
I again entered into the service as a soldier of the Revolution as a substitute for my Father Daniel Peckham of Said Hopkinton who was drafted a second time for one month to go to point Judith point I then took his place and marched through Southington to Said point on the Narraganset Shore near where the light House now stands I served the time out and I believe it was in the month of July or August 1777 and under the command of Capt Nathaniel Wells of Said Hopkinton
the next tower I entered into the Revolutionary war was I Voluntarily entered into a part of Capt George Willeses company of the Town of Exeter in Washington County that was called on to guard the Shore I entered for the wages that was to be given I then took up my march in a part of Said company through Southington to a place called List neest point where lay Walleses Ship in the Narraganset Bay the Said part of Said company that I was in was commanded by Lieutenant Caleb Lewis and Ensign John Bates both of Said Exeter I served there one month in the Month of January 1778 Said Lewis Drawed the money to pay Said company and absconded with it and I never got any for Said services
the next tower of service in the Revolution I went as a Substitute for one John Hinson of the Town of Exeter in Said County of Washington State of Rhodiland who was drafted for twenty days in Capt George Willes company in Said Exeter I immediately marched through Southington to Wickford with the drafted troops where a number of companies meet and my being a Substitute I had at Said Wickford liberty

to join any militia company I chose & then joined Capt Richard Bailey's company of Richmond in said county, - - the same day at night I marched to East Greenwich there I took Boating and in the morning I was at Givertown and the same day by ten o'clock I was on the enemy's shore at Newport I served out said term of twenty days under the command of said Capt Richard Bailey in Col. Charles Dyers Regiment Jonathan Masson was Major John Sullivan Major Gen. and I believe it was in the first part of August 1778 I also was drafted at Hopkinton to serve at the end of the last mentioned twenty days in the same expedition called Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island for twenty days if needed I served I believe about ten days Capt Uriah Crandal had the command and then the siege was raised and our army retreated off the Island it was the last part of August 1778 and I went home to Hopkinton in the state of Rhode Island where I was a resident and belonged the whole time of my services as before stated in the foregoing Declaration and I have no more evidence within my power to testify to my services they being dead and gone I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension except the present and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Samuel Peckham
We Levi Nelson a clergyman residing in the town of Linton; and Amos Read residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Peckham Esq; who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolu- tion; and that we concur in that opinion.
Levi Nelson Amos Read

Said London County ss Lisbon July 28 th 1832 Personally appeared Levi Nelson and Amos Read subscribed to the within and foregoing certificate and made oath to the truth of the same before me
Freeman Tracy Justice of Peace
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 Levi Nelson who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of Lisbon in said Probate District and that Amos Read, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the said town of Lisbon and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
I Burrill Lathrop clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the state of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Peckham of said Probate District for a pension. and I further certify that Freeman Tracy is a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office of this court this twenty eighth day of July Anno Domini 1832.
Burrill Lathrop Clerk

Voted that the Soldiers now ordered to be raised in proportion according to the alarm-list That is to say - there shall be 18 Men together with an officer &c - Men raised
Voted that Capt. George Thurston be appointed to furnish the Soldiers now enlisted for the present expedition with all accoutrements required by a late Resolves of the General Assembly to act in the Ranks of the General Assembly by two of the Cloaks in the afternoon tomorrow at his own house &c -
The foregoing is a true copy of Record taken at the Town Clerk's office at Hopkinton, County of - Washington. State of Rhode Island (July 22d) in the year 1832 - I hereby certify that I find nothing of Record Respecting the raising of the Soldiers raised
Witness Christ. C. Lucien

Sam l Peckham
19345
✓

A Declaration in addition to a Declaration made & subscribed on the 28th Day of July A.D. 1882 by Samuel Peckham a petitioner as will appear by said Declaration had before the War Department Pension Office. I understand by said War Department communicated to me that I must declare in said Declaration the time & place of my birth.
I was born in the Town of Charlestown County of Washington State of Rhode Island on the 22nd Day of December A.D. 1759 as appears on record in a Family Bible kept by my Father Daniel Peckham the of said Charlestown since of Hopkinton deceased from which it took my age at which makes me seventy three years old next month 22nd Dec A.D. 1882 and I know of no other record within my power that I can obtain of my birth place and age. The first specified time of service pointed out in said Declaration is one month in January 1776 the circumstance attending that month was the enemy was then hovering about our shores and the Tories it was said were feeding them. The next term of service was one month Feb 1776 and under the same circumstances as to the enemy. The next term of service stated in said Declaration is one month and should have been stated March 1776 as I now do I was then acting as a Sergeant in said Company the enemy then had Newport and James Town on an island called Conanicut near which was one circumstance occurred at that time I marched my guard of men to Col John Gardner's house near the shore of the bay at night I ordered my Corporal to set one centry at the door & two on the shore in the night one of the Centries at the shore fired a gun I turned out with the guard at the house marched them to the shore and was hailed by the Centry Zekeil Hall & answered Guard the said guard stood Sergeant advance & give the countersign to which he said he saw three men coming towards him he said he hailed three times & received no answer he said he brought the old lady up and the old lady said he brought up the old lady again and the old lady went it caused an alarm of guns firing Drums beating to arms Companies turning out and clearing the shores next morning found in the lot where Hall stood three horses one that but none essential. The next term of time service I served one month it was in the month of April 1776 in that month an enemy Brig run ashore we captured her took out 10 men and sent them to Providence.

It then served one month for Samuel Gardner as stated in the Declaration it was in the month of May 1776 it was there ahead in the service and stayed there said month and in said service one circumstance occurred during this term last mentioned in the night one of our Centries said the enemy had passed up the narrow or Salt river there was an alarm made Capt Wells turned out his company of whom I was one he marched them to the beach near said river he said he saw the enemy and ordered us to lie still and crouch or creep to get shot at them & crept on my hands and feet to get at them and soon found them to be plum bushes he then ordered his company to stand and ordered me with one Joseph Brannan to go to the river which we did and returned again to said company and saw no enemy the next specified time in said Declaration I listed for three months I stayed in the service till lasting orders came from Hopkinton I entered into that tower of service the first part of June 1776 and served three months and left the service the first part of Sept 1776 Some time in the three months tower last named the enemy sailed out of Newport in the night  Borne westward two of their ships run a shore on the east side of point Judith a large stone ship called the Syrene and a thirty two gun frigate with a little other vessel they were summoned to surrender but refused we fired at the frigate with an eighteen pounder & small arms killed three or four of them and they surrendered we stripped the ships sent the prisoners to Providence I staid Centry over some of the property a number of watches in the night season I again entered the service July 1777 and served one month ending in August 1777 one circumstance occurred Capt Nathaniel Wells who had the command came to the shore where I was standing Centry in the night and in a violent tempest of thunder & lightning and stayed with me till day light it being the last watch for that night and it caused me to remember him always afterwards the next specified time in said Declaration was at Lut. neck point I entered said service there the first of January 1778 served one month and left said service the first of Feb 1778 at that place a little before said time the enemy landed and took of four men inhabitants of that place took them to Newport gave them the small pox two died and two returned after the disease. Oliver Spink and Remembrance Hinson that was a bold tower and lost my pay

The next tower of Service stated in said Declaration was done at Newport I entered into the Service of that tower the first of August 1778 and left said Service in said Company on the 20th of August 1778 the same Day August 20th 1778 entered a another tower at the same place Newport 20th August and served to the 30th August 1778 then left the Service the siege being raised as stated in my Declaration the whole siege at Newport was a hard one I was called on almost every other night and day to work on the batteries and trenches near the enemies lines I had three very near escapes of my life at that place on Sunday morning our batteries were opened on the enemy the balls and shells flew briskly both to and from said enemy my station at that time was near one of our batteries one Clark Burdick was standing near my side and was shot dead with a cannon ball at the north end of island the enemy being repulsed I was not called into the action I then returned home and was sick for a considerable time I am not pursuing a fictitious claim I have done the services as stated in my Declaration I have consulted no Council I am old and needy if any thing is missed in my Declaration stated to the war Department it must be in the times or times of doing said services all for the want of a better memory to remember so long ago and although I cannot in all instances now state positively the precise time that I entered and left the several terms of service yet I know it is positive that I served as long a time in each as I have therein stated it is that in the whole I served eleven months I have no additional documentary evidence to do not know of any additional proof that I can adduce
Samuel Peckham
Sworn & subscribed this 26th day of November A.D. 1832.
Before me John Hyde Judge of Probate
I Buel Lathrop, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwich, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Samuel Peckham of Lisbon in said District for a pension on the 8th day of July last together with the amendment & additions thereto made on the 26th day of November 1832.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of this court this 26th day of November A.D. 1832.
Buel Lathrop Clerk

1934 Samuel Dikham Con.
for 1776 private I suggest 11 notes, Pr. 100 notes. $33.33 Sept 1 st  5 $38.33
is
1916 5 95.80
J. Hyde Norwich Et.

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 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, showing the Service of Samuel Perkins G. C.
   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.     July 1776 Sub. 1 Private Capt Wells Col Knowl Boston Neck 73 enters Kings Co. A. S.   Feb. " " 1 " " " " now lives in St. London.   March " " 1 Sergeant " " " b.t   " enlisted 1 Private " " part of the service proved by a sur- viving witness   " substituted 1 " " "   " enlisted 3 " " "   1777 Substituted 1 " " "   volunteered 1 " Capt Wilson near the Army Certificate of Clancy - Man and a Citizen   Substituted 30 " Capt Dailey Col Dyer A. S.   confined 10 longer  
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 in note [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.

I Samuel Button of Hopkinton in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island & and of lawful age on oath testifieth and answered to the following questions By the court
Was you in the Service of the Revolutionary War with Samuel Peckham Yes I Was
Was you with Samuel Peckham at Boston Neck on the Narraganset Shore yes I was about Three Months in the Militia of Hopkinton Troops and was under the Command of Capt Thomas Miller of Said Troop and it was in the Winter of A D 1776 and I was knowing to his being at the North part of Point Judith Bordering on the Narraganset Shore as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War in the Months of April and May A D 1776
question Did you Know the Said Peckham to enlist into the Militia Service of the Town of Hopkinton Three Months I Did I believe to have in the Months of June July and August 1776 and I know indeed that he served out Said Three Months at Point Judith under Capt Thomas Miller I was there with Said Peckham the whole Season Question By the court Did you serve with Said Peckham in Said War at any other time yes one Month at Point Judith Point under the Command of Capt Elnathan Miller some time in the year of 1776 question here As are you indeed I am in my Seventy Third year I also draw a Pension from the United States for my service in the Revolutionary War
Samuel Button
Washington Is at Hopkinton on the 23 d day of July A D 1882 personally appeared the above Subscriber Samuel Button and was duly engaged to the truth of the foregoing Deposition
Before me Joseph Spier Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island County of Washington ss. Hopkinton
I Joseph Spicer Jr. a Justice of the Peace for said Hopkinton hereby certify that the within foregoing deposition of Samuel Button was subscribed & sworn to before me & I now further certify that the said Samuel Button is a credible witness In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8 th day of July 1833.
Joseph Spicer Jr.
I Freeman Tracy a Justice of the Peace for the county of New London in the state of Connecticut hereby certify that the preceding certificate of the Rev. Levi Nelson and also the same signed by Amos Reed was sworn to before me & I now further certify that the said Levi Nelson is a clergyman resident in said Lisbon & that the said Amos Reed is also a resident of the same place & is a credible person & that their statement is intitled to full credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 9 th day of July A 1833.
Freeman Tracy Justice of Peace Court of Probate District of Norwich county of New London state of Connecticut
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich Samuel Peckham Esq. of Lisbon in said county & state who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, & the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his declaration recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades; For one month in January 1776. as a private in Capt. Wells company in Col. Noyes' Regiment, one month February same year in do, one month March same year as sergeant in do one month April same year as private in do, one month in May same year as do. in do. three months from June to Sept. of same year as a private in do, one month in July 1777. as a private one month in August of same year as a private one month January 1778. in Capt. Wilcox's company the Regiment forgotten, at Quil mountain point, twenty days in August 1778. in Capt. Bailey's company Col. Dyer's Regiment as a private ten days in Capt. Cramb's company. and for such service I claim a pension making in the whole time not less than eleven months
Before me John Flyde
Judge of the court of Probate

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 Prov-
idence, this second day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- three and of Independence the fifty- seventh
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secy.

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's office July 2 d A D 1833.
I certify that at the date of the annexed certificate signed "Joseph Spicer Jr Just Peace" the said Spicer was a Justice of the Peace for the town of Hopkinton in the county of Washington in said State duly elected and commissioned, as appears of record in this office.
Witness Henry Bowen Secy.

1000000000
FREE
Hon. Lewis C. Carpenter Secretary of War Pension Office Washington City D. C.
6.8 A. to July 157. CON.

Norwich Pt. July 10 th 1833.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Dear Sir. I enclose the Paper of Samuel Peckham Esq. for a Pension mended agreeably to the Brief which if correct please send me the pension certificate
Yours very respectfully John Hyde
Mr. James Hall Esq. 10 Waterford City D. Dub.

P
15568
INVALID.
File No. 15568
Samuel Beckham
Sgt Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 294
[Arrangement of 1870.]