Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,684, Benjamin Carpenter, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Carpenter Benjamin
S. 21,684
CONTENTS

21.969 Rhode Island
Benjamin Carpenter of Warwick in the State of Rh: Island who was a Pr. of Artil. in the Comp. commanded by Captain Price — of the Regt. commanded by Col. — " — in the Rho de Island line for 1 Yr. Pr. of Suf. " " " " Artil. }
50
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 90 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Decr. 1833 — and unto Hon. D. J. — Pearce Hon. of Rep.
180 45 225
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 33 $225 Semi-ant. allowance ending N. 34 15
$270
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 2. Page 105.

Kent ss
Court of Common Pleas
on the 29 th day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the justices of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Kent now sitting Benjamin Carpenter a resident of Warwick in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island &c aged seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law soth or his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832
That he was born in Providence in this State on the 26 th day of April A.D. 1760 in the records of which town his age is recorded and also in the family bible now in the possession of his sister Lydia Whitman That he removed to Warwick with his father when a child and has ever since and still resides in said Warwick That on the completion of his sixteenth year he was enrolled in the Militia company cons then commanded by Capt Reuben Whitman and afterwards by Capt Squire Wilber That from the time of his enrolment as aforesaid to the month of March 1779 he continued subject to all draughts draughts ordered by the General Assembly or by the Governor of War That during said period the militia and this company with the others was draughted from time to time and usually into two divisions one of which was almost constantly in service That the term of service of each division was usually one month at the expiration of which it was relieved by the other That during said period he served whenever called upon or required so to do which he believes was nearly or quite or half the time during that period but he can not now recollect all the particular term of service That he served as a substitute for his father Wilbone Carpenter one month at Old Warwick and quartered at General Sippitt and served under Capt Robert Rhodes in the spring of the year 1776.

That he served was draughted and served one month under Lieut John Stafford at Old Warwick in said town of Warwick and quartered in the house of a Widow Warner but does not recollect the particular time That he was again draughted and served one month under Lieut Anthony Holden and quartered at the same place serving at said Old Warwick in the summer of 1776
That he was again draughted and served at said Old Warwick under Capt Job Randall one month in April 1777 That he was again draughted and served at said Old Warwick in July 1777 one month under Lieut Anthony Holden That in the winter of the year 1777 he was again draughted and served at said Old Warwick and served one month Lieut Pardox Potter commanding
That in the latter part of the same winter he again served one month (being draughted), at said Old Warwick under Capt Thomas Rice
That in the spring of the year 1778 he was again draughted and served one month at said Old Warwick under but who his captain was he does not now recollect
That in the month of May or June 1778 he again served at said Old Warwick under Lieut John Stafford one month
That he served at two several periods of one month each under Capt Ebenezer Miller at said Old Warwick and quartered one of said periods at what was called the "Stone garrison" and the other of said periods at Eldon Charles Holden's house the particular times he does not now recollect
That in the month of November 1778 he was again draughted and served under Lieut Anthony Holden at said Old Warwick one month
That he served at Bristol in this state in the summer season the year he can not now particularly recollect but thinks it was in the year 1777 and in the month of August and served one month
That in the month of March 1779 he enlisted in an Artillery Company raised by the State of Rhode Island and commanded

Capt John Gaze for the term of one year and served in said company at East Greenwich until the enemy evacuated the Island of Rhode Island when said company went to the said Island and served out said term of one year when he was discharged by parole. That during said time they took a small sloop near Quittusset Creek in North Kingstown in this state.
That in the month of March 1781 he was again drafted and served at Middletown on Rhode Island one month under Capt Squire Miller part of said time and the residue under Sergeant Jeremiah Baily.
That he has no served during said revolutionary war as he verily believes in the whole more than two years. That he has no written discharge, that he knows of no one now living who belonged to said Artillery Company. and he 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.
Benjamin Carpenter

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 William Rice, Samuel Miller, William Severy & Samuel Sweet who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the or Depositions and that
who also signed the same are residents in the Town of Warwick in our s s County and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Carpenter for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this eighth day of September in the year 1832
John Brown

26978
Benjamin Carpenter
6. 4 14.06
Remale of Account 12 months
" " Antity 12 "
2 years
Adm'd
Henry J. Trace House of Reps from a  Ames  to
Attorney
R.I.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov 5 1833
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 Brig Carpenter
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Not stated Service entire Capt Miller   1779   1776 1 Private Capt Rhodes   " 1 " Lt Holden   " 1 " " "   1777 1 " Capt Randall   " 1 " Lt Potter   " 1 " Capt Price   1778 1 " not recalled   " 1 " Lt Staffner   " 1 " Capt Miller   " 1 " Lt Holden   1777 1   1779 12 " Acting Capt Gage   1781 1 " Capt Miller  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
The names of the Field officers under whom the claimant served should be stated, & the credibility of all the witnesses should be certified by the officer before whom their affidavits were taken.

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 days 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 inquiry 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 _____; 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 [j] 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.
[t] 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.

Deposition of Leroy Rice
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page. The text is mostly illegible but appears to be a formal deposition.]

State of Rhode Island &c County of Kent &c
On this 27 th day of November A D 1833 personally appeared Lucy Rice of Warwick in said County and being first duly sworn depose and say that she is the sister of Benja- min Carpenter an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that she well recollects that he enlisted in Capt Garzee's company of Artillery for one year and that he served out said term, that he served seven or eight months at East Greenwich under Capt Garzee and that one mile of her residence and that he was often during that time at her house that he afterwards marched to Newport and served there in said company in the hard winter which was all winter believed was in 1780 and that he returned from said service in the spring following
Lucy Rice
Subscribed and sworn to before me by the said Lucy Rice this 27 th day of November A D 1833 I hereby certify that the said Lucy is a credible person Geo A Bragton Justice of the Peace
Witness. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that George A Bragton Esquire is a Justice of the peace for the Town of Warwick in our County of Kent, the above is his proper signature, in his own hand writing, that full faith is and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 27 th day of November in the year 1833 John Brown. Clk

I William Rice of Warwick in the County of Kent on oath depose and say that I well remember being called upon by Wilbor Carpenter to go to Newport with him to see his son Benjamin Carpenter then sick at said Newport & to carry him some necessaries for his comfort in his illness. That it was during the hard winter and I think in 1780 that I went with him upon the ice to the Island of Rhode Island and thence to Newport that at that time the said Benjamin Carpenter was attached to an Artillery company commanded by Capt. Gaze that he served with said Benjamin Carpenter at Old Warwick and quartered at the widow Warner & served under Anthony Holden and that said Benjamin served there about one month. That he served with said Benjamin one month at Old Warwick under Squire Miller's Capt and quartered at the "Stone Garrison". William Rice
I Samuel Millard of Warwick in the County of Kent depose and say that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Carpenter that his character for truth and veracity is good y s Samuel Millard
Next the Court of Common Pleas August Term A.D. 1832
Sworn to in open Court the seventh day of the Term by William Rice & Samuel Millard Witness John Brown Clk

Resolutions
21684 INVALID.
File No. 21,684
Benjamin Carpenter Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 61
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I William Sevalley of Warwick in the County of Kent aged Seventy two years depose and say that I served in the militia from the town of Warwick in April 1777 under Randal Holder in July 1777 under Lieut Anthony Holder in November 1778 under said Holder in Warwick and served at each of said times one month and that Benjamin Carpenter served with me during each of said periods that he also served with me at Bristol in this state in the summer season the year he does not particularly recollect that he also served with me at Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition one month and that he also served with me at Middletown under Squire Miller's Captain and afterwards under Sergeant Bailey one month in March 1781 7# William Sevalley
I Samuel Sweet of Warwick in the County of Kent depose and say that Benjamin Carpenter of said Warwick served with me in the revolutionary war at Old Warwick that we quartered at that time at Old Stone Garrison one month also that he served with me at said Old Warwick one month and quartered at the widow Warner's and I recollect seeing him frequently in the service at other times Samuel Sweet his Mark
Kent Co. Court of Common Pleas. August Term A.D. 1832 Sworn to by William Sevalley & Samuel Sweet in open court the Seventh day of the Term
Witness John Brown Clk

State of Rhode Island &c. Kent ss
On this 20 day of November A.D. 1833 personally appeared before me Charles Mayton a justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of the State of Rhode Island &c.
Benjamin Carpenter and on oath deposes and says that the within declarant and on oath deposes and says that during his service in the year 1776 as stated in his declaration he was in Col Watermans regiment. That during his service in the year 1777 as therein stated his regiment was commanded by Brigadier Cornell. That at all other times he served in the regiment of Col Waterman except during his enlistment that his service in the Spring of 1778 was under Capt. Millers, and in Col Watermans regiment that his service as stated in his declaration when he quartered at the Stone garri- son was was performed in January 1777 and at the time he quartered at Charles Holder was in the month of January October 1776. That at the time of his service at Bristol in August 1777 he served under Capt. Thomas Rice. That he now recollects that he served one other month in Oct 1781 at Middletown on Rhode Island as a substitute for Joseph Brown who was draughted and served under Capt. Millers the company being detached from Col Watermans regiment and that he served also one month in June  August 1777 as a substitute for Peleg Salisbury who was draughted and served under Capt. Holder and in the regiment commanded by said Cornell. That during all his service in the militia as aforesaid when not serving as a substi- tute for others he was draughted & when serving for others as a substitute he served for those who were draughted and was not during any of said services engaged in any civil pursuit That as to during his enlistment in Capt. Gages company of Artillery he was in the regiment of Col Elliot and that he re- collects the circumstances in relation to said service that said company marched to Newport & arrived while the British were embark- ing from Newton's Point and that on the day afterwards they a large

Bruback Schooner appeared in the outer harbor & that British Colours were hoisted on the fort by which means she was destroyed in and takes that his name is on a copy of the roll of the State regiments now in the possession of Benjamin Coverd of Providence.
Benjamin Carpenter
Subscribed & sworn to by the said Benjamin Carpenter before me this 20 th day of November A.D. 1833
Charles Mayton Judicial the Supreme Judicial Court
I hereby certify that Charles Brayton is Judge of the Judicial Supreme Court as above stated and that the above is his proper signature - Dutcher J. Pease
Dec. 7 th 1833

State of Rhode Island &c County of Kent
On this 10 th day of June A D 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate of the town of Warwick in the County of Kent Benjamin Carpenter who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration and being just ly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the fol- lowing additional declaration that he cannot state more par- ticular than he has herein before stated for old age & loss of memory nor can he swear more positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the follow- ing periods and in the grades mentioned below for two years and six months as a private and for such service I claim a pension.
Benjamin Carpenter
Subscribed and sworn to in open court
June 10 th A D 1833
Thomas Clarke Brayton Probate Clerk
And We Thomas Warehester residing in West Greenwich but also a resident in said Warwick a clergyman and Edmund Burke of said the residing in said Warwick hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Carpenter who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he re- sides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed and sworn to in open court June
the 10 th A D 1833
Thomas Clarke Brayton Probate Clerk
Thos Warehester
Edmund Burke

And the said Court of Probate do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the said Court further certifies that it appears to them that there is no clergyman residing in the neighbourhood of the applicant that Thomas Manchester who has signed the foregoing certificate is a clergyman resident in West Greenwich in this State that he was lately and for a long time resident in said Warwick and now has the pastoral care of a church therein that Edmund Burke who has also signed the same is a resident in said Warwick and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Charles Brayton clerk of the said Court of Probate of said Town of Warwick do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court on the matter of the application of Benjamin Carpenter for a pension.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of June in the Year 1833
Charles Brayton Probate Clerk
Rev. a. Carpenter Warwick R.I. 26/9/38
Yours a. May the Rev Warwick R.I.

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Warwick Nov 23 1883
Dear Sir
In relation to the declaration of Benjamin Carpenter I apprehend that the department have overlooked one fact stated in the declaration viz that the regiment of Artillery in which he served was raised by and in the pay of this State & not of the United States & that the note referred to in your letter of the 4 th Nov does not apply to this case. I have annexed hereto a statement of his services as I understand them and I believe they will appear from the papers.
Respectfully Your Ob t Servt Geo A Mayhew

   1776 Spring  1  Private  Capt Rhodes  Col Matumaz    " Summer  1  "  St Holder    "  1  "  St Stafford    " Oct  1  "  Capt Millers    1777 Jan'y  1  "  " Williams  " Cornell    " April  1  "  " Rendall    " Winter  1  "  St Potter    "  1  "  Capt Rice    " Augt  1  "  "    " July  1  "  St Holder    1778 Spring  1  "  St Holder  Col Matumaz    " May  1  "  Capt Millers    " Nov  1  "  St Stafford    1779  12  "  St Holder  Col Elliot    1781 March  1  "  Capt Gaze    " Oct.  1  "  Capt Millers  Col Matumaz      "  "