Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21644, David Bissell, Privateer R. I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Privateer R.I.
Bissell, David
S. 21,644
CONTENTS

27123 Rhode Island
David Bissell of North King in the State of R.I. who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded by Captain Cook of the Reg t commanded by Colo Dyer in the No 9 line for 11 Months Sergeant 13 " Private
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of $8. Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Jan y 1831 and Sent to S. G. Shiarman Esq. Wickford R.I.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep r 1833. $215. 86 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 st Mar 31 19. 16 $395.02
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Saylor Clerk, Book C Vol. 2 Page 126

Declaration in order, to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June the 7 th 1832.
State of Rhode Island -
County of Washington,
Court of Exchequer, for the Town of North Kingston, in said County.
On this 14 th Day of October - 1853, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Exchequer, for the Town of North Kingston, in said County, the same being a Court of Record and now sitting. David Bispell a Resident of said North Kingston, aged seventy one 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 Act of Congress, passed June the seventh 1832 -
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named Officers, and several herein stated. In the summer of 1776, he enlisted into a Company of State Troops, for the State of Rhode Island, of which Samuel Phillips was Captain, and Benjamin West sent, he then resided with his Father family in the Town of Exeter, in said County of Washington. The Company was stationed on the fort at Newport, and served as a unit in said Company, ten months, he never knew what Regiment, the Company was attached to, nor any of

the Field Officer, as he was dismissed, on account of his youth, being then  only about fourteen years of age, after serving the two months as a pioneer. In December 1776, he volunteered into a company of Artillery, belonging to said Exeter, of which John Hoxsie, was Captain & George Sweet lieut and served one Month, in said company, stationed down in Friendset Neck, as it is called, at the Wilson House, in the Town of North Kingston. At the expiration of that Month, he took the place of one John Goshin, and served as a substitute for him, in the same company, at the same place, under the same Officer, one month, and at the expiration of that month, he took the place of one John O'Neall, and served as a substitute for him, he being drafted in said company, one Month, at the same place, & under the same Officer, and was dismissed about the middle of March 1777. Charles Dyer,

& John Ripell went chose captain of said Company, and he continued to serve in said Company, as a Private  sergeant , until the middle of December 1777, when he was discharged. He served the whole time, above stated, without any interruption, & at time part of the time, at the village of Wickford, part of the time, at the North Ferry, at the House of David Greene in North Kingston, and the House of Rowland Atkinson in South Kingston, and many other Houses, along the shores of Narragansett Bay, to guard against landings and depredations of the Enemy; who then had possession of the Port of Newport and Island of Rhode Island, and filled the Bay, with their cruisers, Galleys and Barges, and often landed on the shores & burnt Houses, and carried off, both men & cattle. During this time, whilst he was stationed in Boston Neck, a skirmish took place, between the Rebels, and a party of the Enemy, which landed there. His whole term of service, in that Company, under Captain Foster and Captain Fennington, was nine Months.
In December 1777, soon after he left the Company of Captain Fennington, he shipped on board a Privateer, called the Marlborough, commanded by Captain George W. Babcock, they made a cruise, on the 25th of December 1777, and was absent, about nine Months, and returned home, in October 1778. He entered the Company, called the

Sturminster Company, of the Town of Exeter, of which Walter Clark was Captain, attached to Colonel Dyer's Regiment, in the month of November 1778, and were as a substitute for some one, liable to do duty in said Company, whose name, he has forgotten two months, stationed at the Village of Middlesex in North Kingston, and was dismissed in January 1779. In the month of February, in that year, he went to Boston, and shipped on board, a Privateer, called the Minuteman, commanded by Captain Baleat, and was absent on the cruise ten months, she carried twenty Guns, during the cruise, we captured the British ships of war Elephant of sixteen Guns, and the Tartar a ship of twenty six Guns, after much hard fighting, and many sail of Merchantmen. He came home, from this cruise in December 1779. In the summer of 1780, troops were enlisting, for filling up the Continental Regiments, and the people, who had escaped doing their terms of duty, in the Militia, were divided into Classes, and one was to be drawn or drafted to serve from the Class, to serve six months, in the Continental Line, and he took the place, of one Nathaniel Sweet, and went and served in his stead, six months, in the Continental Regiment, of which Captain

Greene, new Colonel, one Ward whose Christian Name, he has forgotten was the Colonel and one Hogg, Major. He joined the Regiment, at Newport, where they remained some time, and after remaining there some time, they were called over to East Greenwich, in order to march, and join the main Army, then to the Westward, as it was said, but for some cause to him unknown, the plan was abandoned, and they were called back to Newport again, after remaining at Greenwich some time. Towards winter, the Regiment was divided, and the Company, to which he belonged, of which John Holder was Captain, was sent out to Providence, and stationed there, where he served with the remainder of the six months, and was discharged. At the time of his discharge, however, the last mentioned service, he had a winter discharge, which is now lost or mislaid. In the Spring of 1781, he served two months, at Newport, as a substitute, for some one, whose name, he has forgot, in a Company of Artillery, commanded by Spencer Taylor, attached to the Regiment, of which Thomas Tillinghast was Colonel, and one month, immediately after the expiration of said two months, in a Company,

commander, by a Captain Severy whose Christian Name he has forgot, and at the end of three Months, he again entered into the company, of Captain Walter Clarke, and served a Month in said Company, took up the month's wages, Captain Clarke returned home, and one Johnson, took the command of the Company. He was discharged in September 1781, he served this last four months as Sergeant, all the rest of his service, was as a Private. He never served under any Continental Officers, except those mentioned in his Declaration, but he knew General Council, who was Brigadier General of the Rhode Island State Troops, and also knew General Sullivan. He never had any other discharge, except the one above mentioned which was is lost - State Project He was born in Exeter , in this County, in March 1762, but has no record of his age. He lived in Exeter, during the Revolutionary War, but moved into North Kingston, in 1795, and has lived there ever since. John Smith, & David Greene of North Kingston, are acquainted with some of his services in the Militia. George Congdon, and Job Cheever, served with him the two first mentioned Months, in Captain Phillips Company, and he expects will testify to the same. John Bliss. Samuel George Bliss served with him, in Captain Holden Company, in Colonel Greenes continental Regiment, and he presumed, will testify to the same. His whole

term of service, now twelve  two months as a Private and  eleven months as a Sergeant, exclusive of the time spent in furloughs. During the whole of the thirty six months, above mentioned, he was in actual service, under arms, and under the command of his superior officers, and not engaged in any civil pursuit or occupation, any part of the time. He is not acquainted with any organizer in his vicinity, who can testify as to the report and belief, in his neighborhood, of his having been a soldier of the Revolution, but refers the Court to Benjamin Smith & Benjamin Leavitt
of North Kingston, who have long been acquainted with him, and can testify as to the report and belief, in his neighborhood, of his having been a soldier of the Revolution, and to the goodness of his character, for truth & veracity. He hereby disavows, every claim, whatever to a Pension or Annuity, except the present, and declares that his name, is not on the Pension Roll Bill, of the agency of any State.
In witness whereof, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand & year aforesaid David Bissell 
Hon. Reynolds Pettibone
We Benjamin Smith & Benjamin Leavitt residing in the Town of North Kingston, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Bissell who has resided in our neighborhood for a long time, and we believe him to be a true and faithful soldier of the Revolution.

which are above in the foregoing order as aforesaid to have been a true and correct translation and that no use of that opinion -
Benjamin Smith Swain to & subscribe the Deed and decree thereof -
Benjamin Lawlor Hon. Reynolds Phelps
In the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after further the interrogatories, especially the War department, that the said David Bishop, was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states, In the said Court, further certifies, that it appears to them, that Benjamin Smith & Benjamin Lawlor, who have signed the foregoing certificate, are respectable people and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit, and that they are residents of North Kingston.
I Jonathan Reynolds Clerk of the Court of Bristol, for the Court of North Kingston, in the county of Washington, State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the Affiliation, of David Bishop for a Pension.
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 14th Day of October in the year 1855.
Hon. Reynolds Phelps

Provisions
21644 INVALID.
File No. 21,644
David Bissell
Long River Mass
Act: June 7 th 1889
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 27
[Arrangement of 1870.]

29211 Appreciation of Darin Bissell
29211
Please forward the within pages of the certificate when discharged At to S. C. Shearman Eagle Harbor, State of Rhode Island
Adm - 11 th Sergeant 13 - Private Cape Black Bolo Byen

Job Shearman of Exeter, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, an Twenty six Years of Age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew David Bissell, who then belonged to the town of Exeter, but who has for a long time since resided, and now resides, in the Town of North Kingston, in this County. In the summer of 1776 I was doing duty as a soldier, being enlisted some time before that, for a year, in the Company of State Troops, for the State of Rhode Island of which Samuel Phillips was Captain, attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Auchmud. In during that summer, the said David Bissell, enlisted into the said Company as a private soldier, and served in the same Company, I cannot say precisely how long he served, but am sure, that he served as much as two Months, when he was discharged. He was stationed during the time before mentioned on the Fort at Newport -
Job Shearman
Washington Is. In State's Hospital.
December 26 th 1893.
Generally appeared before me, the above subscribed Job Shearman, who being first justly examined, acknowledged, gave the above Deposition, which was by me reduced to writing in his presence, and by him acknowledged his presence, and further acknowledged that the said Job Shearman, is well known to me, that his character for truth & veracity is good, and that said Deposition is entitled to full & implicit Credit.
Sylvester G. Shearman Justice of the Peace

George Congdon of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, am Seventy three years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew David Bissell, who then belonged to the town of Exeter, but who now resides, and has for a long time since, resided in North Kingston, (In the summer of 1776, I did duty as a soldier, in a company of State Troops, which were afterwards placed on the Continental establishment, of which Samuel Phillips was Captain, attached to a Regiment, commanded by Colonel Saltonstall, having enlisted into said company, some time previous to serving one year. Some time during the summer, the said David Bissell, enlisted into said company as a soldier, and served therein, but I cannot say how long, as soon after he joined the company, I was hurt and carried to the hospital, and when I got well, the said David Bissell had left, having been discharged.
George Congdon
Washington Is. - In North Kingston December 27 th 1893. Personally appeared before me, the above-subscribed George Congdon, who being first duly examined, scanted and snar, gave the above deposition, which was first read to him in his presence, and by him signed in my presence, and further certify, that the said George Congdon is well known to me, and that his character for truth is good. (Signed) G. Shearman Justice of the Peace

John Place of Exeter in the County of or Salem, etc. do say that Washington are eighty four years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew David Bisell, who then resided in, or belonged to the Town of Exeter, but who for a number of years past, lived in the Town of North Kingston in said County. In the summer of 1780, I enlisted as a private in the Regiment of Continental Troops, of which Colonel Greene was Colonel, and Man, whose Christian name I have forgot was at that time a Major. When Bisell was Captain of the Company to which I was attached. The said David Bisell entered the company; as a private for one of the terms that, at the same time that I entered. We both entered for six months. We joined the Regiment at Bristol, and after being stationed there for some time, we were drawn out and engaged to be here to East Greenwich, for the purpose of manning an battery, with the 4 inch guns, to the Westward. I understand that for some reason kind unknown the plan was abandoned and after remaining at East Greenwich some time, we were drawn back to Bristol, where we remained till towards Winter, when the Regiment moved to New Bedford, and the Company to which Bisell and I belonged, was sent up to Providence and stationed there. Where we served on, the remainder of the six months our

was discharged together in the winter of 1881, I should think it was as late as the 4th month of February when we were discharged -
Witness my hand & seal this 10th day of December 1883 - John H. Glance  Glance
Washington D.C. - Crofton, Maryland December 9th 1883 -
Several persons have seen the Cubbale, or Father of the Bear, for the last year or two. He is now in the county of Washington, the other side, whose name is also mother, and who often says, I am, etc. examined, cautioned and now gave the annexed deposition, which was read and reduced to writing, in his presence and he being unable to write signed his mark thereon in presence and I further certify that the said John H. Glance, is well known to me, and that his hand to the said deposition is good - and that said deposition is entitled to full credence in law -
Witness my hand & seal this 10th day of December 1883 - John H. Glance  Glance Father of the Bear

Clerks Office of Court of Oyer & terminer, for the town of South Kingston - Washington Co.
I, Jeremiah Reynolds Clerk of the Court of Oyer & terminer, for the town of South Kingston, in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, and Providence & Plantations, do hereby certify, that Chester G. Sherman Esq., before him, the annexed Deposition were taken and deposed to, and is and was a true copy of the same, in said town of South Kingston at the several times, when the annexed Deposition were taken and sworn to, legally chosen, commissioned, engaged and qualified as the law directs. And I further certify, that the said signature of each annexed one, his proper signature in his own handwriting, and that full faith and credence, ought to be given to the same, and to all his official acts, throughout the United States of America. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and the seal of said Court, this 30 th day of December, in the year 1833 - at said South Kingston.
Hon. Reynolds Phelps

Jonathan Reynolds Clerk of the Court of Probate, for the Town of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, do hereby certify, that Cyrus H. Sherman Esq., to whom the annexed Depositions were taken, is a Justice of the Peace, for said Town, and also a Justice of the Peace, for said County, at the several times when the annexed Depositions were taken and sworn to before him, legally appointed qualified and engaged and qualified as the law directs. And also that the signatures thereto affixed are his true signatures in his own handwriting, that full faith and credence ought to be given to the same, and to all his official acts, throughout the United States of America. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court, at said North Kingston, on the 15th day of July, in the year 1855.
Jon. Reynolds Atty.

Application of David Bissell.

Abraham Ennis of South Kingston, in the County of Washington, and Seventy one years of Age, during the Revolutionary War. I knew David Bisell, who then resided or belonged to the Town of Exeter, but who now resides in North Kingston, in said County. In the summer of 1780, I enlisted as a Private, the Regiment of Continental Troops of which Colonel Christopher Greene was Colonel and War was Colonel Nathan (I have forgot the other Colonel and one Flagg, Major. John Holder was captain of the company, to which I was attached. He said David Bisell entered the company, as a substitute for one Nathaniel Sweet at the same time, that I enlisted. We then entered for six months. We joined the Regiment at Newport, and after staying there for some time, we were transported across Narragansett Bay, to East Greenwich for the purpose of manning & uniting with the main Army, to the Western, at Cumberland, but for some reason to me unknown, the plan was abandoned, and after remaining at East Greenwich some time, we were sent out to Newport, where we remained, till towards Winter, when the Regiment was divided, and the company, to which Bisell and I belonged, was carried to Providence, and stationed there. When we

were out the remainder of the six Months and were discharged together, in the winter of 1881, I should think it was at least at the Mouth of Delaware, when we were discharged -
Abraham Ennis
Washington D.C. Sept 1883 - September 20th 1883 -
Personally appeared before me, the above entitled Abraham Ennis, who after being sworn, duly examined, confirmed an oath, gave the annexed deposition, which was read and acknowledged before me in his presence, and by him subscribed in my presence, and I further certify, that the said Abraham Ennis, is well known to me, that his character for truth & veracity is good, and that said deposition is entitled to full & implicit credit.
Sylvester G. McCammon Justice of the Peace

I John Spink of North Kingston, in the County of Washington, on solemn oath do testify and say, that I am eighty years of age, during the Revolutionary War, I knew David Bissell, who then belonged to the Town of Exeter, but who now resides, and has for a number of years past resided in North Kingston. In December 1776, I was stationed in Redwood Neck, in North Kingston, at a House, occupied by one Wilson, with a part of the Moultonborough Company, to which I belonged, the company was a North Kingston Company, of which Thomas Clarke was Captain. And at the same time, a Moultonborough Company, from the Town of Exeter, of which John Hoane was Captain, was stationed at the same place, and said David Bissell, served as a private, in said Company, at their Head two months. At the end of their two months, the Company, to which Bissell belonged, was called to the House of Daniel Hall, where they quartered another month. And Bissell served with the Company there, another month, to my knowledge, as although I was not stationed at the same place, with him, the last month, as I was the two first, we were only stationed half a Mile apart, the two months, and I saw him often, during the month, and know that he served the month out. He was

discharged in about 1779. I understood at the time, that he was serving as a substitute for some one, but do not remember who.
John Sprink
Washington Co. - New York
December 9th 1877.
Personally appeared before me, the above named John Sprink, who after being first duly examined, acknowledged and swore that the annexed deposition which was by me taken, is true to the best of his knowledge, information and belief. And I further certify that the said John Sprink, is well known to me and that his character to be that of a good and true man. Deposition is entitled to full and impartial credit.
Frederick G. Schumann Justice of the Peace
David Greene of North Kingston in the County of Washington and State of New York, do hereby certify that during the Revolutionary War, I knew David Bissell who then belonged to the Town of Exeter in the County of Washington, but who had since moved, and now resides in North Kingston, in said County. In March 1777 he did duty as a substitute in the Company of Minute Men belonging to the Town of Exeter, of which Jonathan Rootes was Captain, and did duty in said Company for some time, and I know, that the said David Bissell, did duty in said Company from March 1777, to some time until some time in December 1777.

during this time the Company was stationed at the village of Waikiki, part of the time, but the most part of the time, at the house of my Father David Greene in Waimānalo. At Kīngston, they were also stationed some, at the house of Rowland Robinson in South Kīngston, & the base House, in North Kīngston. I spent great part of the time, during our period, with the said David Russell in our Company, and when I did not see in that company, I saw in some other Company, stationed at the same place, that Russell, was stationed as there I know he was all the time, before stated without any interruption. In 1781 I was on the Island of Rhode Island doing duty, as a private, in the Company of which Laurence Beane was Captain, and I saw the said David Russell on the Island, doing duty as a soldier in another Company, but cannot say how long he was there.
David Greene
Washington Is - In North Kīngston.
September 9th, 1833.
Several persons have said, the miscreant, or guilty of the crime, is there in full with Kīngston, the said miscreant David Greene, who being found, duly examined, examined and sworn, gave the crime. I therefore, who was here required to testify in this present, and I further miscreant is now here, and I further add that the said David Greene, is well known and has this character for truth & sincerity in good and evil positions, entitled to full & implicit credit.
Stephen C. Wheeler Justice of the Peace