Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4953, William Bliss, Conn. R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn, R.I.
Bliss, William
S. 4953.
Carded
CONTENTS

2625 Massachusetts William Slip
of Mr Bedford the State of Mass who was a First Lieut in the Company commanded by Captain Dayton of the Regt commanded by Col. Coots in the State. time for 10 mos Sept 5 14 u Ensign
R.S. and Conn Service Records corrected Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 190 - Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Feb y . 1832 and sent to Claimant Mr Bedford Massachusetts Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $285. Semi-annual allowance ending 11 Mar 33 95. $380
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. C. Addison Clerk Book D Vol. 1 Page 95

State of Massachusetts - Bristol ss.
On this thirtyfirst day of September  July A.D. 1832, personally appeared in court before the Justices of the Court of Probate  Common Pleas at Newport  Newport in & for the County of Bristol now sitting. William Bliss of New Bed- ford in said County, aged seventy three years, who being 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 7. 1832 - viz That he enlisted into the service of the United States under the following named officers, & served as herein after stated, viz. in September 1776, (being then of Newport in the State of Rhode Island, & Middletown in County of Newport being the place of his birth, ) in the company commanded by Capt. Gifford & Col. Cook's regiment, raised by the State of Rhode Island, & continu- ed therein for three months, the term for which he enlisted - that in April 1777. (being then a resident of Preston in the State of Connecticut) he enlisted

in the Continental service, but in the Connecticut Line, under Capt. Belcher & in Col. Huntington's Regt. for nine months; that said Regt. was soon ordered to Red Bank on the Delaware & we were stationed a short time at a place near called Mount Holly that he served out said term of nine months, when he & others who enlisted when he did for some time were dismissed, but re- ceived no formal discharge. That in Feb y 1778. he enlisted as a Corporal in John Capt. Garris's company of Col. Archibald  Brig  of Rhode Island State  Brig  Regiment for twelve thirteen months, & served accordingly, part of the time as Corporal, & a part as Ser- geant, in the State of R. Island, (the troops being also raised by that State,) that he was in the battle on the Island in the expedition the last said year under Genl. Sullivan - That he served the whole of said term - & then again enlisted in the same company & Regiment, under command of the same officer, for twelve months, as a non com- missioned officer, to wit, as a Sergeant That he served the whole of said term in the State of R. Island, but not wholly on the Island.

That on the fourth day of June 1781, he received a commission as Ensign from the Gov. of R. Island (which he now has in his possession) in the company commanded by Philip Trafton, in Col. Bailey's Regt. to serve in the State of R. Island for the defence thereof. who served for five months - That on the fourth of Novr. 1781. when the last said troops were disbanded he received  received an Ensign's commission, from the Gov. of R. Island, in a company raised by the General Assembly of the State, in the company commanded by Henry Dayton, raised as well for defence of the U. States, as for the State of R. Island, & that he continued to serve in said company in said capacity till April 1782; That he then, agreeably to a resolve of the General Assembly of said State, continued in the service & office aforesaid for in a corps raised for the term of nine months, in the State & on the Island of R. Island; & continued so to serve till some time in the summer when he was discharged. He refers to two Commissions herewith appointing him Ensign as above stated, & to copies of acts & resolves of the General Assembly of R. Island accompanying, referring to his service as Ensign as aforesaid -

That when he enlisted & for some time after his father was living of the same name & he was then called & styled William Bliss Jr. He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension or gratuity except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any State. That he made application for a pension in the year 1818, but his papers were returned, as he understood, to the judge who sent them, & his "claim rejected because he was in the State service".
William Bliss
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war depart- ment, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as a state & that Sylvester Holman, who has signed the annexed certificate is a Clappymont from Bedford, & that Richard Williams is a respectable character, an inhabitant from Bedford, and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first aforesaid.
H. Bangs, 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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and Officer and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Sylvester Holmes, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of New Bedford in the County of Bristol aforesaid; and that Richard Williams, who is Postmaster in New Bedford aforesaid, who has also signed the same is a resident in said New Bedford, and is a credible person; and that their statement is entitled to credit. — H. Baylies Judge of Probate.
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate within and for the County of Bristol aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Bliss for a pension. —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office on the day and year aforesaid — Anselm Bassett

William Bliss New Bedford Mass
N o 908
14 men Ensign 10 men Sergeant
24 men
Admiral
Clamant New Bedford Mass

Wa Case  BRIEF in the case of  William Bliss of Stockbridge in the State of Massachusetts (Act 7 June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? Seventy Three  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1776 3 Private Col. Cook   9 " Col. Washington   78 13 Corporal Col. A. Crary   79 12 Sergeant " A. Crary & Genl. Sullivan   80 0 Ensign Col. Gaily   81 5 " Capt. Mayhew   82 4 " " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None named  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New Port R. Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary proof & traditional evidence  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. H. Madison Examining Clerk.

Wm Bliss
Map 32
2625
2630 J. D. Addison
May 2, 57

New Bedford, Mass. 31. March 1851.
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir,
My late Father, William Bliss, was a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of 7. June 1832, as Lieutenant, at $190.- per year, and died on 31. July 1846.
Understanding that some Increase is probably due him, I have employed Daniel D. Addison Esq. to prosecute the claim, and have to request that you will allow him to examine all my Father's papers on your files, to enable him to take the proper steps. The amount which may be due, will of course be payable to me as Administrator, for the benefit of all the children now living.
Very Respectfully, Yr. Obt. St.
Isaac Bliss Adm r . of Wm. Bliss, dec d .
He drew his Pension } at Boston.

By His Excellency William Greene Esquire Governor, Captain General and Commander in chief of and over the State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
To William Bliss jun. Gentleman Greeting.
Whereas the General Assembly of the State aforesaid at their Session on the last Monday in October last passed an Act for raising and embodying a company of One Hundred Men for the Service of this State and the United States in general, and particularly for the Defence of the Island of Rhode Island and appointed you the said William Bliss jun. First Ensign of said Company: I do therefore hereby authorize empower and commission you the said William Bliss jun. to exercise the Office of First Ensign of and over the Company aforesaid; and to command guide and conduct the same. And in case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this State you are to alarm and gather together the Company under your Command or such Part thereof as you shall deem sufficient, and therewith to the utmost of your Skill and Ability you are to resist expel kill and destroy the same in order to preserve the Interest of the good People in these Parts. You are also to follow such Instructions Directions and Orders as shall from Time to Time be further given forth either by the General Assembly the Governor and General Council or other your Superior Officers. And for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the said State this Fourth Day of November A. D. 1781 and in the Sixth Year of Independence.
W. Greene
By His Excellency's Command Henry Ward Secy

Revolutionary Claims — for Pension
FREE E & D H. L. L. C. P. L. Hon. Levi C. P. L. Secy. of War Washington

The commencing of Wm. Bliss, omitted when the other papers were sent A. Bradburn

By His Excellency William Greene Esquire. Governor, Captain General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
To William Bliss jun o Gentleman Greeting
You the said William Bliss being by the General Assembly of the State aforesaid, elected and chosen to the place and Office of Ensign of a Company in the Regiment of Militia ordered by the General Assembly at their Session in May last to be posted on Rhode-Island are hereby in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State authorized, empowered & commissioned to exercise the Office of Ensign of and over the Company as aforesaid, and to command the same and conduct the same according to the Rules and Articles of War, and in case of an Invasion or Assault of a Common Enemy to resist or distrust the same, and to train and gather together the Company under your command, or such a part thereof as you shall desire, and there withal to kill and destroy the same, and to use such other skill and Artillery you are to resist and destroy the same, and to follow such Instructions, directions and Orders as shall from time to time be given you by the General Assembly, the Governor and General Council or other your Superior Officers, and your so doing this Commission shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge.
Given under my hand and seal of the said State the Fourth day of June A.D. 1781. and in the Fifth year of Independence.
By his Excellency's Command, Henry Ward Secy
W. Greene

2'96 Doct d to Mrs H B es. New Bedford Mass. SWB
Aug 6'96 Doct pound w (SWB) w/ J. Taylor New Bedford Mass.
Rev War
4953 INVALID.
May. Pens Jan
File No. 4953
William Bliss Sgt Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 34
[Arrangement of 1870.]

William Skip Mrs Bedford Map 1908
14 nos Ensign 10 nos Target 2 years
$190
Return to Clamant

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Bliss which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes, but
has no documentary proof
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 the 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.
QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

We Sylvester Holmes, Pastor of the north Church & Society in New Bedford in the County of Bristol, and Richard Williams Esq. residing in the same place & County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Bliss of New Bedford that we believe him to be seventy three years old, that he is reputed & believed in this place & vicinity to have been a soldier & officer in the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion —
Subscribed as now Sylvester Holmes — to this 13th day of Richard Williams July A.D. 1832.
Before me
Aldeen Bradford
Justice of the peace
Given under my hand and seal this 13th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two

The Court in Farmington in September could be attended with great inconvenience to them as well as expense to the said Bishop the distance being nearly thirty miles, & their associations & duties requiring them to be at home Alden Bradford
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Bristol ss. I James Sprout, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Alden Bradford Esq., whose signature is affixed to the within certificate, is a Justice of the Peace in said County of Bristol and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this Eleventh day of August in the year of our Lord, One thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Jas Sprout

1908 William Bliss -
No 1908.
Alden Brar N.

No 1908.
Wm. Bliss
Alden Bradford Esq.
New Bedford
Massachusetts.
Ms. A. 9. 2. 24 p. 10

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office July 10 A D 1832.
I certify that at the session of the General Assembly of said State holden on the fourth Monday in May A D 1781. an act was passed entitled "An act for incorporating and bringing into the field five hundred able bodied effective men, of the militia, to serve within this State for one month, from the time of their rendezvous, and no longer, and not to be marched out of the same."
That the time of rendezvous appointed by said act was the "Eighth day of June" then next, ensuing.
That in and by said act "William Bliss jun." was appointed an "Ensign."
That in August 1781. an act was passed similar in title to the foregoing.
That the time of rendezvous was "by the 8th day of September next" at Newport.
That by said act "William Bliss" was appointed "Ensign."
That in October 1781. an act was passed for raising a company of one hundred men for the defence of the State (and not to march out of the same), to do duty therein until the first day of April then next unless sooner discharged.
That "William Bliss jun." was appointed "second Ensign" therein.
That "Henry Dayton" was appointed Captain of said company.

That in December 1781. a resolution was passed for supplying rations from the first day of December to the first day of April to " the troops doing duty on Rhode Island, under the command of Capt. Henry Dayton."
That in January 1782. a resolution was passed to repay seven hundred & fifty pounds of beef which " Christopher Ellery Esq. hath supplied Captain Dayton's company."
That in February 1782 it was voted and resolved, " That a company to be commanded by Lieutenant James Miller and Ensign William Bliss jun. to consist of three serjeants, three corporals, one drummer, one fifer, and forty five privates, be raised within this State, to do duty on the Island of Rhode-Island for the space of nine months, from the first day of April next, unless sooner discharged by the General Assembly; and that they be allowed the same pay, wages and rations as are allowed officers and soldiers of the same rank in the continental Army.
" and it is further voted and resolved, That the supplies of provisions be furnished and the rations delivered by the said William Bliss jun. agreeable to the former resolutions of this Assembly.
" and it is further voted and resolved, That so many of the men now doing duty within this State under the command of Capt. Henry Dayton as exceed the number above ordered be by him dismissed: And that the said Henry Dayton Lieutenant John Miller and Ensign Stone be permitted to retire from the service. "

At May session 1782.
"upon a pay abstract exhibited unto this Assembly for a company of men, stationed on Rhode Island commanded by Lieutenant James Miller from the first of April to the fourth of the present month: which being duly considered, It is voted and Resolved, That the amount thereof, being thirty six pounds eleven shillings and three pence silver money, be allowed and paid unto the said James Miller out of the General Treasury, for the use of the persons whose names are contained in the said abstract. And that he pay the same accordingly. "
June session 1782.
"Whereas Lieut. James Miller who was appointed to command a corps ordered to be raised for the defence of the town of Newport, represented to this Assembly, that he finds it impracticable to raise the number of men ordered by the General Assembly, and therefore prayed leave to resign: and the same being duly considered, It is voted and resolved, That he be and he is hereby permitted to resign accordingly. "
Witness
Henry Bowen Secy.
(fee 82 if able.)

TAYLOR &amp; SAWTELLE,
92 PURCHASE STREET.
Wall Paper, Crockery, AND House Furnishing Goods.
New Bedford, Mass.
B July 29 th 1896
Department of Pensions Sir:-
Will you kindly send me a certified statement that William Bliss was an Officer and pensioner of the Revolutionary War .
He was created an Ensign in Colonel Archibald Crary's regiment (Rhode Island) in July 1780, afterward pensioned and died in New Bedford Mass July 30 - 1846. Let me know the expense and I will forward check
Very Truly Yours William T. Taylor

Mrs. Mabel L. Little, Pres.
Mrs. Minnie F. Taber, Treas.
Mrs. Laura M. Marshall, Sec.
Headquarters
WILLIAM LOGAN RODMAN
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS NO. 53,
DEPARTMENT OF MASS.
Auxiliary to Wm. Logan Rodman Post 1, G. A. R.
New Bedford Mass. Apr. 27 1896
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Will you kindly favor me with a copy of the service of William Bliss in the war of the Revolution - if on file in Pension office. He was an Ensign in a 3 months Reg't in 1780, Col. Crary commanding, but I don't know whether of Mass. or R. I. was a Pensioner in 1845, died in New Bedford. Any information will be gratefully received by Yours respectfully,
(Mrs) Henry B. James
21 Arch St.
New Bedford, Mass.