Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,651, Gideon Borden, R. I.

SERVICE
R.I.
Borden, Gideon
NUMBER
S. 29,651
CONTENTS

10.057 Massachusetts
Isaac Gordon of Bristol in the State of Mass who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Cook of the Reg t commanded by Col Church in the Massachusetts line for 9 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 80 - Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of March 1835 and sent Year 1835 Widow Sarah Gordon Arrears to 4th of March 1835 $160.00 Semizant. allowance ending Sept. 4. '33 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by A. H. Atkinson Clerk Book 6 Vol 2 Page 4

Gideon Borden
18-85
of apron - upper
lower
S. L. Hodges N.R.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, BRISTOL, ss.
This certifies that
A Court of Sessions held at third day of October
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, before the me  Honorable HODIAH BAYLIES, Judge of the Probate, &c. for said County, personally appeared Gideon Borden a resident of Westport in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty two 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 herein stated vizt first by under Captain William Cook in Colonel Church Regiment - 2 d under Capt Daniel Deadols in Colonel Cook Regiment - a particular account of his services in the war is related under the 5 th 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 Scituate in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and 87  August 19 th .
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it?
Ans. all the record I have of my age is on the family bible.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Ans. When I was called into service I lived in the Town of Scituate in the State of Rhode Island - and lived in S. Scituate some time after the war aforesaid - then moved into Westport in the County of Bristol and have lived there ever since - (I have lived in Westport aforesaid about forty years.)
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. first by enlistment, and afterwards by draft - and substitute for my Brother Benjamin Borden.
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.
The said Gideon hereby declares that he entered the service of the united states in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy five - in the month of April or May - in Captain William Cooks Company - by enlistment for eight, or nine months - will not be positive which - at Howlands Ferry in Scituate in the State of Rhode Island - To go to Boston for the defense of that place - in Colonel Thomas Church Regiment - That immediately after his enlistment he marched to Boston Roxbury near Boston , made a short stop there - was in Roxbury when the Battle was fought at Bunker Hill - from thence to Cambridge - and from thence to Prospect Hill - and was the most of the time at Prospect Hill until the term of enlistment aforesaid expired - which he thinks was in January following - when he was discharged and returned home - Gilbert Manshute was a Lieutenant of the Company to which he belonged - and marched with them from Scituate aforesaid to Roxbury - he has no recollection of receiving an order discharge.
The said Gideon further declares that in the spring of the year Seventeen hundred and seventy six - thinks in the month of April - after his return from Boston, - he went to Howlands Ferry -

Henry - and enlisted in the Service of united States in Captain Daniel Dana's Company of Artillery - in Colonel Cook's Regiment, for six months that during this term of service he was most of the time stationed at and near Howland's Ferry - a part of the time he was on the Island of Rhode Island - and part of the time southerly from the Ferry - between the Ferry aforesaid and Fall River so called, at the end of this term of service he was discharged - but he has no recollection of having a written discharge
6 mo. The said Gideon further declares, that in the Spring of the year Seventeen Hundred and Seventy Seven - in the month of April or May - he again enlisted in the service of the united States, for six months in Captain Ebenezer Slocum's Company of Artillery, Lieutenant Deo L Thomas - in Colonel Cook's Regiment - and was stationed at Howland's Ferry so called in the State of Rhode Island between Howland's Ferry and Second Point - the British at this time had possession of Rhode Island - he was employed as a guard on the Shore - and watching the movements of the enemy that some time during the Summer of that year a number of boats were collected for what was called Spencer's expedition The said Gideon having been somewhat acquainted with boats, and the management of them - he was turned over to the boat company as it was called - and was made an aide-de-camp with the boat company that he attended to that duty - while the boats were made use of that season and in the fall - the object for which the boats were collected having in some measure failed - he with a number of others was sent to New Bedford to return the boats that had been obtained from that place that on the expiration of the aforesaid term of six months - he was dismissed or discharged - and returned home - does not think he had any written discharge.
6 mo. The said Gideon further declares that soon after his return home as aforesaid in the winter of 1777 - he was drafted from the Militia in Liviston for one month - to go to Howland's Ferry - that under, and in consequence of said draft he went to Howland's Ferry aforesaid, served a month and was discharged - and returned home -
6 mo. The said Gideon further declares, during the summer of 1778 fall and winter of 1778 - he was drafted for one third part of the time - that the company to which he belonged in Liviston, was called upon to furnish, by draft one third of its members - and from that he was drafted as aforesaid part of the time two weeks to a draft - that this continued through the year 1778 - and part of 1779 - and until the British left Newport, that the said Gideon recollects - that in this manner he was called upon for about eighteen months - that in at each and every time as aforesaid when said draft was made upon him, did go into the service and perform all the service required of him in consequence of said draft - which he avers to amount to six months service.
6 mo. and the said Gideon further declares that he was a substitute for his Brother Benjamin Borden during the above period of eighteen months - all the time that that he was drafted - which was one third of the time - the same as I was myself as above stated which he avers to be six months 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? Ans. I was a soldier and I am new to my recollection - received a written discharge
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.
Elder Borden. Elder Howard Lipp. Elder Daniel Alex. Nathan E. Brownell Esq. Frederick Brownell. Samuel B. Gifford Esq. Samuel Gifford. Peleg W. Bickham. Stephen Howland. Jonathan Bickham. Isaac H. Brownell. Myron H. Brownell. William Brownell. Resear Borden. Job Ladd. Jonathan Davis. Abial Davis. George C. Brownell.
And the said Gideon Borden doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of Gideon Borden
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
H. Baylies In of Probate.
and I certify that said Gideon Borden, by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to appear or attend in Open Court, and I administered the oath of fidelity to him at his dwelling house in Westport aforesaid
H. Baylies Judge of Probate
WE Howard Lipp a clergyman residing in Watrous and Westport and Henry B. Gifford Esq. residing in the same Westport hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gideon Borden who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about eighty two 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.
H. Baylies Judge of Probate
AND the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that preceding certificate is resident in the Town of Bristol, and that 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.
putting the inter- dier and served as who has signed the in said County of Judge of Probate. Register of Probate.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BRISTOL, ss.
I 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 of 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.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. I Anselm Bussett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that the Hon. Hodijah Baylies is the Judge of Probate for said County of Bristol, which is a Court of Record, and that the signature above in two places, purporting to be his, is his genuine signature - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this first day of November eighteen hundred and thirty two - Anselm Bussett

I Benjamin Borden of Tiverton in the county of Newton and State of Rhode Island aged ninety five years - testify and say that during the war of the Revolution I lived in said town of Tiverton - and in the same family with my Brother Gideon - who now lives in Westport in the county of Bristol - and who I understand has applied for a pension - That from my own knowledge - my said Brother - was in the service in the war of the Revolution - most of the time from the commencement of the war aforesaid until the fall of the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy nine - That in the years 1778 - and 1779. he and myself were drafted from the militia in Tiverton to serve for one third of the time each, (I should think for as much as eighteen months) in  than  two  years - that the said Gideon served for me as a substitute for all the time that I was drafted as aforesaid - which I should think was equal to six months service - his Benjamin X Borden mark.
Witnss A. B. Gifford
State of Massachusetts County of Bristol - S.S. - On this eighth day of October. A.D. 1832. personally appeared the above named Benjamin Borden and made oath according to Law that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts. before me Honor B. Gifford Jus. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Bristol ss.
I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Abner B. Gifford is a Justice of the Peace for said County of Bristol, and that the signatures to the foregoing Affidavits purporting to be his, are his genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hands, & the seal of said Court, this thirty first day of October, eighteen hundred & thirty two -
Anselm Bassett

Washington March 7 th 1833
I hereby certify that the testimony of Thomas Thurston and Mary Borden herein given is entitled to full credit
James L. Hodges,

16785
Gideon Porden
Phila
2 years
at 5. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 1833
at 5. 6. 8. 10. 12. 14. 16. 18. 20. 1833
$261.
$80.
J. L. Hodge, Trenton May 11 R

16,785  BRIEF in the case of  Gideon Borden  of Bristol  Mass  in the State of  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? yes  3. How old is he? 82  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. As a Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     75 Apr or May - to Jan? — 8 or 9 — private Capt. Cook - Col. Church   76 he thinks — 6 — " Capt. Devol - Col. Cook   76 Spring - thinks April — 6 — part of time orderly Sgt. of a boat company Capt. Glocum Col. Cook   77 Apr or May — 6 — private   77 Winter — 1 — "   78 Summer, fall & Winter — 6 — Subst.   + part of 79 During same period — 6 —  
5. In what battles was he engaged?
Monument d
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Tiverton
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Right
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
H. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
15 Feb 1833

16,785
Gideon Borden
J. Hodge
HR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Gideon Borden 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? No VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No 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 Judge  Court given this  their opinion? No 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 ?
None
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 ?
None
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO  3 out 5
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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 ?
Yes
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 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 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 shewn 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.
† 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 authenticates 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 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

29 657 Rev  INVALID.
File No. 29 657
Tideon Burden
Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 1829.
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 45-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Thomas Thurston of Tiverton in the County of Newport and State of Rhode Island, aged Eighty two years, testify and say that I was in the Service of the United States, sometimes by draft, and sometimes by Voluntary Service, most of the time from the commencement of the war of the Revolution, till the time the British troops left Rhode Island & Newport in 1779. — and that I am well acquainted with Gideon Borden now resident in Westport in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts — that said Gideon previous to. — and during the war of the Revolution lived in Tiverton aforesaid — and not far distant from me, I recollect the said Gideon in the Service of the United States in the year 1776. — at Howlands Ferry — and on Rhode Island I recollect he was in the company of Capt Daniel Devos, in Colonel John Cook's Regiment — and to the best of my recollection he was in the Service most of the time during that year.
And I again recollect him the said Gideon in the Service of the United States in the year 1777. — in Capt Ebenezer Slocum's company of foot  militia — Lieutenant Ellick Thomas, and Colonel Cook's Regiment of militia — I was in the same company — and we were at Howland Ferry — & Second Point, I also recollect the said Gideon in the Boat company so called, — my situation from the commencement of the war — until 1780. — being a great part of the time a teamster, and under the special order and direction of Colonel Cook, — was in various places about Howlands Ferry, Howland Ferry & on Rhode Island — and my acquaintance with said Gideon, and my frequently seeing him in the Service — I have no hesitation in saying that I believe said Gideon was in the Service of the U. States most of that time — in the years. 1776 — 1777 — 1778 & 1779 —
State of Massachusetts Bristol S.S. Thomas Thurston On this twenty third day of September A.D. 1832 personally appeared the above named Thomas Thurston and made oath according to law, that the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed is true before me Henry B. Gifford Just. of Peace

I Joseph Weaver of New Bedford  Dartmouth in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy five years, testify and say - That in the year Seventy Six of the war of the Revolution I was in the service of the United States, at Howland Ferry in Linton - and in the company of Capt Daniel Dyer - I recollect that Gideon Borden of Westport in the county of Bristol aforesaid was in the same company with me, that he served and performed duty as a soldier in the army in the company of Capt Daniel Dyer in Colonel Cooks Regiment during the time or most of the time while I was there, I have been acquainted with the said Gideon from the time of the war aforesaid to the present time. Joseph Weaver
State of Massachusetts. Bristol County - S.S. - On this twenty six th day of September A.D. 1832. personally appeared the above named Joseph Weaver and made solemn oath according to law, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts. before me Alene B. Gifford Just. of Peace and I do further certify that I am acquainted with the aforesaid Joseph Weaver, and I am of opinion his statement is entitled to credit. Alene B. Gifford Justice of the Peace

I Benjamin Neagus of Westport in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy five years last march, testify and say, that I was born in the Town of Mashpee  Wiltown , according to the best evidence I have of my birth place, and became acquainted with Gideon Borden formerly of said Wiltown in the State of Rhode Island - Quite early in life and was acquainted with him during the Revolutionary War, and have been acquainted with him ever since, having all the time aforesaid lived near to him - That I served with him in the war of the Revolution at various times and places, first we were together in the same company and regiment in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy five at Boston, Roxbury and Cambridge and Jamaica plains, for the term of eight months I recollect of seeing him in the service of the United States in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy six, but do not positively recollect of serving with him in the same company and in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred Seventy seven I recollect that the said Gideon Borden was in the boat company so called, I was in the boat company, and the said Gideon was orderly sergeant of said company - remember we served together through the season of 1777 - and that when the boats were returned to New Bedford the said Gideon and myself went with the boats to return them
This
Benjamin Neagus Mark
State of Massachusetts,
Bristol County. S.S. - On this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832. personally appeared the above named Benjamin Neagus, who is well known to me and made solemn oath according to law, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed is true in all its parts.
before me
Henry B. Gifford Jus. of Peace
and I do further certify, that in my opinion the said Benjamin Neagus is entitled to credit.
Henry B. Gifford Jus. of Peace

I, Joshua Pettey of Westport, in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged Seventy five years testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Gideon Borden of Westport aforesaid - from his youth to the present day - that I have lived near to him the whole time aforesaid - that I was in the army of the Revolution most of the time from 1776. to 1780. - that in the early part of the war - (viz) in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Six - while I was at Howlands Ferry of the United States I saw Gideon Borden aforesaid - in the service performing militia duty - he was not in the same company with me - but I frequently saw him in the year 1776. often in the army - and I believe he was there most of the time that year ————— Joshua Pettey
Sept. 11
State of Massachusetts.
Bristol. S.S. - on this 11 th day of September A.D. 1832, personally appeared Joshua Pettey above named and made oath according to law that the deposition aforesaid by him subscribed is true - before me Almon B. Gifford Just. of Peace
and I do further certify that in my opinion, the above named Joshua Pettey is a credible witness - and that his statement is entitled to credit - Almon B. Gifford Just. of Peace