Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 18320, Elisha Bosworth, Continental R. I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental N.G.
Bosworth, Elisha.
8 18 320
Carded
CONTENTS

12.244 P
Massachusetts Elisha Bosworth
of _____ in the state of who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Clap of the Rhode Island line, for the term of 1 Year  Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 10 of April 1818 .
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of July 1819 and sent to Saunders Ware Wrentham - Mass
Arrears to 4th of March 1819  81 63 semi-ann. all'ce ending 16 Sept 1819  418 10 25 4 30 35  $1 34 63
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }
Norfolk County Providence
Note hereafter sent to Genl. Sprague 2/2/20/22 21 May 1823.

Elisha Bostwick
21507
Male
15 Months
Almond
Sn. J. L. Hoag

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss.
At a COURT of PROBATE holden at Dighton — in and for said County on the fourth day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two three , before the Honorable HODIJAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Elisha Bosworth — a resident of Dighton — in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit : under the fifth interrogatory —
and further declares as follows; in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Neholoth — in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts — in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty sixty four and on the fifth day of December of that year —
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? R. I have no record of my age —
I rec d the information, of the time of my birth from my parents —
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? R. When first called into service as herein mentioned I resided in Providence in the State of Rhode Island, having served an apprenticeship there, and my time having expired after my services thereto — since the Revolutionary War, I have resided in Providence in Cumberland in the State of Rhode Island not far from twenty years — since which time I have resided in the same territory, first being in Dighton , then after to Wallingford — then again after to Dighton , by acts of the legislature of Massachusetts —
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom? R. By voluntary enlistment, receiving at one time and there as a substitute —
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
A. — On the first or second or third day of January Seventeen hundred and Seventy six, then being on a visit among my relations near Boston, I voluntarily enlisted, at Prospect Hill, so called, as a private, in a company of Continental troops commanded by Capt. John Spurr, in the eleventh Regiment of foot, so called, commanded by Col. Daniel Hichcock, in Genl. Nathaniel Green's Brigade — From thence we were ordered to New York & marched first to Providence, thence to New Bedford in Connecticut, where we took passage on board a vessel, and arrived in New York, as I think and believe on the 19th of April 1776 — I was in the battle on Long Island, which took place on the 26th or 27th of August 1776 when Genl. Sullivan was captured by the British — Genl. Sullivan was held as a prisoner with the British but a few days — The company to which I belonged escaped capture & returned to New York — Afterwards we marched to Harlem Heights and was in the battle at that place in September 1776 but do not recollect the day of the month — I was afterwards discharged at Peekskill in New York on the third day of January Seventeen hundred and Seventy seven, after having served as a soldier one year — I do not recollect of receiving a written discharge & if I did, it is lost by time & accident — I refer to the affidavit of Uriah Reed, herewith annexed, for proof of this service —
I further state, that I heretofore received BOSWORTH, ELISHA

a Pension Certificate under the Act of Congress of Eighteen hundred and eighteen, and was afterwards stricken off, as I have been informed , of account of my having some property - Afterwards I made application to John Sumner Russell Esq. for assistance, in procuring my name to be restored on the Pension list or roll - I delivered my Pension certificate to said Russell & have never seen it since - It is lost to me - Mr. Russell's Affidavit is herewith annexed -
19 th . In June 1777, being then at Providence, I entered the service under Capt. David Howell whose Lieut. was Benjamin Still or Shiley & whose Ensign was Benjamin Cushing; and was soon after transferred to a company commanded by Capt. Joseph Sprague - In this service I was employed in erecting redoubts & fortifications for the defence of Providence and served at least one month - The precise time I entered or was discharged from this service I do not now recollect - I had no written discharge - I entered for one month & served that time - I know of no one living by whom I can prove this service, although I have made diligent enquiry therefor - Those whom I recollect have since died -
19 th . On the first day of October Seventeen hundred and Seventy seven I again entered and served as a substitute for one  Tripp (whose first name I have forgotten, but he resided in North Providence) under Capt. Stephen Jencks, whose Lieut. and Ensign I have forgotten, in a Regiment commanded by Col. John Bowen whose Lieut. Col. was Edward Major John Angell, and served therein as a soldier one month and was discharged on the last day of October or first day of November of the same year - In this service I was employed in Spencer's Expedition to Rhode Island, to called - There is no man living, to my knowledge who can testify to my service as aforesaid - I had no written discharge -
19 th . Afterwards in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight I enlisted and served one month as a soldier, in a company commanded by Capt. Aaron Mann, whose Lieut. was Reynolds and Ensign - Russell - It was before Genl. Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island - I do not recollect the time I entered said service or when discharged - I do recollect and know that I served one month in said company - I refer to my Captain's affidavit herewith annexed as proof of this service - I know of no other person living by whom I can further prove this service -

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if 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? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if so by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
a. I served as a Soldier — I had no written discharge, as I recollect —
7. State the names of the 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.
a. The Rev. John Read Richard Westcoat Esq.
And the said Elisha Bosworth — doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of  Elisha Bosworth
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Daylies, Judge of Probate.
WE John Read a Clergyman — residing in Dighton in said County of Bristol — and Richard Westcoat residing in the same Town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Bosworth — who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about seventy eight 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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Read Richard Westcoat H. Daylies, Judge of Probate.
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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Read — who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Dighton in said County of Bristol , and that Richard Westcoat who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town, and is a credible person; and that their — statement is entitled to credit.
H. Daylies, Judge of Probate. Register of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elisha Bosworth — of Dighton — in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written.
Anselm Bassett

copy of Elias Bonworth's Deed for a pension
$548:2 cl.o.del Not attested

Declaration
In order to be restored to the Pension List under the act of March 1st. 1823. drawn up in conformity with the regulations of the War Department of the 26th December 1828.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
On this tenth day of March 1829. personally appeared in open Court of Common Pleas held in and for said County being a Court of Record Elisha Fosworth resident in said County aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration to wit that he is the same person who served in the Revolutionary War in the company commanded by Captain John Speer of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Daniel Atkinson of the line of the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations: that he received a Pension under the act of March 18. 1818. but his name was dropped from the Pension Roll on account of the amount of his property which was valued at less than $760. and he now applies to be restored in consequence of the regulations of the War Department of the 26th December 1828. having at this time the following named property being worth no more than the sums mentioned in the annexed schedule
Elisha Fosworth
And the said Elisha Fosworth doth further on his oath in said Court declare that he never applied to be restored to the Pension Roll because he was advised until since the last regulations of the War Department that his property would prevent it and further in conformity to the act of the 1st of May 1820. he doth swear that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818. and that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an "act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818. & that he has not nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities contracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by him subscribed and that the number of

his pension certificate was 12244.
Elisha Bosworth
A schedule of the whole estate of Mr Elisha Bosworth of Pighton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
  About Forty acres of land with a small one story house and out of repair, with a small barn 600.00   One fallow cow & one heifer $36 one shoat $6 42.00   One iron bar $1 two old axes $0.66 three old pewter platters $0.75 2.41   Other pewter ware $2. one tea pot $0.25 old tin ware $0.50 2.75   Old earthen & iron cookery ware $2. old iron ware $2. 4.00   Old brass kettle $1.50 old flat irons $0.50 2.00   Old linen & wooden wheels $1. twelve old kitchen chairs $2. 3.00   Three old tables & candle stand $3.50 two old cases with drawers $3. 6.50   One old desk $1. three chests $2. three pails & two wash tubs $1.75 4.75   Old baskets $0.25 old hogshead & old barrels $1.75 2.00   Shovel & tongs $0.50 pair old steelyards $0.30 two candlesticks $0.10 0.90   Old churn bread trough & salt mortar & pestle $0.50 0.50   Six punk bottles $0.48 one meat chest $1. skimmer & ladle $0.30 1.78   My library $2. six knives & six forks & table & tea spoons $0.60 2.60   Five cheese rats $0.50 two sieves $0.25 one small grind stone $0.33 1.08   One old warming pan $1.00 old pitchfork & rake $0.25 1.25   One pair andirons $0.50 0.50   Bed & bedding 75.00   Hay 10.00   763.02   Deduct amount of debts owed by said Bosworth 215.00   $ 548.02 
Elisha Bosworth
I Richard Master of Pighton in the County of Bristol Esquire do on oath depose & say that I am well acquainted with Elisha Bosworth whom I saw sign the above declaration & schedule and that I know him to be the same

Person who was formerly on the Pension List as a soldier in the Revolution from having accompanied him when he received his pension as such and having seen his certificate issued from the War Department to that effect
Richard Westcoat
Sworn to and declared on the eighteenth day of March A.D. 1829. before Jas Spratt Clerk
I, James Spratt, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol, do hereby certify, that the foregoing oath, & the schedule thereto annexed, are true copies from the record of said Court, and I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property exhibited, in the aforesaid schedule, is Five hundred Fifty eight Dollars 75 cents.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court, this first day of April A.D. 1829.
Jas. Spratt, Clerk, C.C.P. for the County of Bristol

6926
Massachusetts
Elisha Bosworth
of Dighton in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Spurr of the Regt commanded by Col. Hitchcock in the Continental line for 15 months R.I.
a Continental
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 50 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of March 1833 and sent to Wm L Heages H.R.
Arrears to 4th of March 1833 $10-0.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 25.00
$125.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Darius Boyd Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 98

P 18320 INVALID.
No. 18320
Elisha Boon
Miss Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Lex:—Vol. / , Page 45
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elisha Bormuth Private Col. Witchcock's Reg't Rhode Island Line 1776 - 1781
Image certified copy to the National Archives Admitted
Elisha Bormuth Affidavit

I Elisha Bosworth of Wellington in the County of Bristol; do testify and declare, that sometime in January in the year of our Lord seven hundred seventy six, I enlisted into the Continental service of the United States, for the term of one year, into a company under the command of Capt. John Spurr, in Colonel Daniel Hitchcock's Regiment, under Gen. Greene, at Rhode Island during which time, we were at Prospect Hill near Boston, and a day or two after the British marched from Boston, we marched for New York, after arriving at New York, by order of Genl. Washington, we crossed over to Long Island, where we remained about four months, while there, we had an engagement with the English, during which action Genl. Sullivan was taken - From Long Island the Army retreated to New York, from thence we marched to Harlem Heights, where we had another engagement, after which we went to White Plains of which place we continued until about the first of January 1777 when my term of service expired & I was honorably discharged; I further testify that I am poor & in necessitous circumstances & absolutely in need of assistance from my country; for support  I do not I have no Certificate of my discharge. Elisha Bosworth

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. April 10. 1818. Before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the ss Circuit personally appeared the before named Elisha Bozworth resident in said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned on his Oath made the fore- going declaration by him signed in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress entitled An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the U. States in the revolutionary War. And I the said Judge do certify that it appears that the said Elisha Bozworth did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration for the term of nine months on the Continental Establishment, And I now transmit the proceedings & tes- timony taken and heard before me to the Secretary for the department of War, pursuant to directions of said Act of Congress. with the Certificate of John Spurr & Cyria Henry endorsed. —
Gaius Ware Judge of the Circuit Court Common Pleas for ss Circuit

Additional Evidence
Norfolk Ys. June 26. 1817
From evidence received, on which I fully rely, I hereby certify that I am satisfied the within named Elisha Bosworth is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support.
James Ware Judge of C. C. Ass. Pleas for Gloucester

We Certify that Elisha Aspinwall enlisted in January 1776 for one year in my Company in one of the Rhode Island Regiments Commanded by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock in the Continental Army and served his time out as a Soldier in said Regiment till January 1777
Evidence
June 25 1818
John S. Warren Chap t in said Reg t Ephraim Gerry Lieut t in S d Reg t

I Uriah Reed of Tanton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts of seventy six years of age do testify and say that I was in the Revolutionary war in Capt John Spurr's Company and the Regiment commanded by Col Daniel Hickock in the year 1776 I there knew Elisha Bosworth of Tanton to serve in the same Company & Regiment and was in the same mess with one one year we went from Prospect Hill in Massachusetts same time in the spring of the said year and marched to Providence State of Rhode Island and from there to New York and to Long Island and was on the Island the rest of the year until after the battle and retreated to New York and then to Harlem and was there in the battle and the said Elisha Bosworth is now here in the taking of this deposition that was then with me one year as above stated
Uriah Reed
Commonwealth of Massachusetts } County of Bristol } December 28th 1832
Then the above named Uriah Reed made oath to the truth of the above declaration by him subscribed
Before Me Richard Westcoat Justice of the Peace
Bristol ss. Dec. 28. 1832 I certify that Uriah Reed who signed the above affidavit is a disinterested and credible witness —
Richard Westcoat Just. of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts — Bristol ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County of Bristol do hereby certify that Richard Westcoat is a Justice of the Peace in said County of Bristol and qualified to administer oaths and that the signatures to the above certificates purporting to be his are his genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this Eighth day of January Eighteen hundred and thirty three — Anselm Bassett

I Aaron Dean of Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island on oath do say— That the within named Elisha Borworth served in General Sullivan's Life Guards, a company which I commanded, one month in the year 1778. said Borworth was a private. Aaron Dean
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,
On the twenty first day of August A D 1832. personally appeared the abovenamed Aaron Dean and made oath, that the facts contained in the above statement, by him signed were just and true—
Before Me,
George A Dean Notary Public

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence ss. I George A. Mean a Public Notary do hereby certify that the within named Affiant Aaron Mean is a disinterested and credible witness. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Providence this 4 th of Jan A.D. 1833
Geo A. Mean Notary Public
Aaron Mean Affiant
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Providence ss. I William R. Watson Clerk of the court of Common Pleas within & for the county of Providence in said State hereby certify that George Fellan is a Notary Public within in & for the county of Providence in said State - That the within and above signatures purporting to his, are in the proper hand writing of said Man and that the said Man is duly author- ized to administer oaths and take depositions.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of said court at Providence this 5 th day of Janu- ary 1833
Wm R. Watson

I, John Summers Russell of New Bedford in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, being a person conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, do solemnly affirm under the pains & penalties of perjury, that on or about the tenth day of March in the year eighteen hundred and twenty nine, Elisha Bosworth resident in said County applied to me to draw his declaration to be restored to the Pension List under the act of March 1. 1823 in conformity with the declarations of the War Department of the 26 th December 1828; that the original declaration on said occasion made by said Bosworth is now before me having just taken it from the files of the Court of Common Pleas in said County; that I am satisfied from inspection of said declaration, that his pension certificate was in my hands when I drew the declaration; that I have diligently searched among my papers and cannot find said Certificate, though I found in its proper place the wrapper in which I kept the pension certificates left with me for the purpose of drawing such declarations as aforesaid of which I drew several at the same term of said Court; that I suppose, but have no recollection whatever of the matter, that I deposited the Pension certificate of said Bosworth with his declaration in the Clerk's office of said Court; and I am informed by said Clerk that if so he probably sent it with an attested copy of the said declaration addressed to the Secretary of War at Washington. John Summers Russell.
Bristol Jr. Jan'y. 2. 1833. John Summers Russell

who signed the foregoing affidavit made solemn affirmation to truth of the same — Before me J Basset Just. of the Peace
I James Spreat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify that I have made search among the files of papers in my office, and do not find the pension certificate of Elisha Dorrance, mentioned in the within affidavit, and that if said certificate was ever filed in my office, as stated in said affidavit it was probably enclosed with the other papers in said case to the War Department at Washington — J. Spreat
Bristol J. Jan'y. 8. 1833 — Subscribed & sworn to Before me J Basset Just. of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol J. I Anselm Basset Register of the Court of Probate in for said County, hereby certify that I am a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and qualified to administer oaths and that my signature as such is admitted to the foregoing certificate — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at the seat of said Court this eighth day of January A. 1833 — Anselm Basset