Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 639, Thomas Baxter, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Mass.
Baxter, Thomas Prudence
P. 639
CONTENTS

Tho Baxter 34682 Thomas Baxter R. Island. Act 7 June 1832
639
March 1832
Ha J. L. Tillinghast H.R.

State of Rhode Island
to County of Providence
On this 4 day of September A D 1838.
personally appeared in open court being the Municipal Court of the City of Providence, Thomas Baxter, non resident in the town of North Providence in said County aged 82 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 of June 7th 1832, but first in answer to the interrogatories prescribed by the War department he answers and says, to
1st. He was born in North Dennis in the State of Massachusetts November 30th 1755.
2nd. He expects his birth is recorded in said town but is not certain.
3rd. He lived in North Dennis when he entered the service, and lived there until after the War. He has resided in North Providence for the last seven years until then he lived in Massachusetts - 4th He was drafted.
5th He served under Captain John Acheson & Capt Crowell
6th He never received any military discharge
And he further declares that in the year 1776 he was drafted nine months in Capt John Michelson's Company of Artillery in guarding the Coast on Cape Cod & served as a private

And he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension whatever, except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
And he further declares that the reason why he never applied for a pension before was that he understood none but confirmed & Traps were entitled to pensions under said act & that those that served in the minute service were not entitled.
Thomas Baxter
Municipal Court of the City of Providence, September 4 th , 1888. Subscribed, and duly sworn to by Thomas Baxter, in open Court. Albert Greene, Clerk.

I Martin Cheney of North Providence & a Uuryman resident in said town do testify & say that I am well acquainted with Thomas Baxtu who has signed the pre- ceding declaration & have been acquainted with him for the last twelve or thirteen years he is about eighty two years of age & has always been considered in our neighborhood a man of truth & veracity & has the reputation of having served as a soldier in the War of the revolution He removed to Rhode Island from Massachusetts & was born in some town on Cape Cod as I have understood
Martin Cheney
Municipal Court of the City of Providence, October 19, 1838.
Subscribed and sworn to by Martin Cheney in New Court,
Albert G. Greene Clerk

I Thomas Crowell of Dennis in the county of Barnstable and State of Mass- achusetts being Seventy eight years old do testify and say that Thomas Bayter formerly a resident of said town of Dennis was drafted to do Military duty in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt John Nickerson for the purpose of guarding the Sea coast in said county in the time of the Revolu- tionary War. I was present at the time the said Thomas was drafted which was for the term of nine months. It was in the early part of the said War and near as I can recollect it was in the year of 1776
Thomas Crowell
Barnstable 18 October 2 d 1838
On the second day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight Thomas Crowell the aforesaid deponent was examined and cautioned and sworn agreeable to law to the deposition before said by him subscribed I being well acquainted with the said Thomas Crowell and know him to be a person of truth and respectability
Pehenuah Baker { Justice of the Peace

I Patience Baker of Dennis in County of Barnstable and State of Massachusetts being eighty six years old do testify and say that Thomas Baxter formerly a resident of this town, was drafted to do Military duty in the Company commanded by Capt John Nickerson in the time of the Revolu- tionary War for the purpose of guarding the sea coast for the term as I believe nine months and also believe that the service was performed in the year of 1776 The said Thomas was a near neighbour of mine at the time he was drafted to do the aforesaid service
Patience her Baker Mark
Barnstable Is
On the second day of October in the one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight Patience Baker the aforesaid deponent was examined cautioned and sworn agreeable to law to the deposition by her subscribed I being well acquainted with the said Patience Baker and know her to be a person of veracity and truth
Nathaniel Baker { Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 3 d 1838.
I hereby Certify, That Nehemiah Baker Esq r is now, and has been for three months last past, a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above-named Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to said Court, that Martin Cheney, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the Town of North Providence in the County of Providence, aforesaid, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
I Albert Greene Clerk of the Municipal Court of the City of Providence, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the Application of Thomas Baxter, for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have affixed the seal of said Court, this eleventh day of December A.D. 1838.
Albert Greene, Clerk

Madam Pardon, Wid of Thomas who died 25 June 1839

I Prudence Baxter of North Providence in the County of Providence, State of Rhode Island, on oath do testify and say: That I am the widow of Thomas Baxter, late of North Providence, and formerly of Yarmouth (Mass) in that part since set off and forms the Town of Dennis. That I was married to said Thomas the 25th day of December 1793. and that said Thomas died, the 25th of June last 1839. I recollect during the Revolutionary War, that said Thomas Baxter was a minuteman, & remember his being called on during the second year of the War, and that he was alternately at Edathorn Barnstable, & Yarmouth, watching at the Shore's. The Capt of the Company he then went in, was named Jonathan Cromwell. & I think Colonel Hallet, was then Col of that Company. I knew several of the Company, one named Allen Bangs, and one named Elisha Cromwell. My Uncle Herman Baker, was the Drummer, and Zephaniel Baker was the Piper. said Thomas Baxter was on duty three six months, or more, we are not positive but it was longer. I was knowing to said Thomas Baxter being called on at various times, during an alarm to go to the sea Shore, untill the year 1781. At one time I recollect Nickerson, was a lieutenant, can't say how long. I remember at one time, the British shewed themselves, with several vessels, one said to be a 74. at Yarmouth, now Dennis, and required the Inhabitants to "send them a thousand dolls. or they would come ashore, and burn and destroy" and this Company of which Thomas Baxter was one, sent them word. "They would pay them the sum, in Powder and Ball." & they beat the Ships off. I further testify that the reason my husband Thomas Baxter, did not apply immediately after the Pension act of 1831, was he did not then know, that minutemen were entitled to the benefit of said Act. The second Captain was John Nickerson he served till the war ended. North Providence April 4 th 1840. Prudence Baxter

United States of America Rhode Island District ss: on this fourth day of April personally appeared the within named Prudence Bafter signing to the foregoing Affidavit and made oath that the foregoing affidavit is true
Before me John Pitman District Judge U.S. for D. District

Ex'r.
INVALID.
REJECTED
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Thomas Baxter
P. O. _____
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

Official Mailing
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting Com te of Pensions Washington D.C.

Olneyville Nov 11. 1839
I hereby certify that I have heard Mr. Thomas Basset of Olneyville speak of his being in the revolutionary war. he stated that the exact time he served he could not state, but it was six months or more --
This conversation took place I think last winter at his house -- while speaking of his wants & of the probability of his obtaining a pension --
Mr. Basset was a man of veracity and I have no doubt of the truth of his statement -- Martin Cheney
Pastor of the Baptist Church in Olneyville

Thomas Lawrence Patricia Baker returned to take with Baker Brown to Dennis

South Dennis June 18, 1838 Mr The Bayter
Dear Sir
Your wife has taken unwearied pains to obtain evidence of your service in the War of the Revolution I have rendered her all needed assistance in the case with pleasure. The evidence obtained is small - it is all that can be ob- tained at present, if I should learn of any further evidence you may be assured I will send it to you. Nearly all the old Patriots in this region who fought for the liberties of their country have been removed to another we find no one who did military duty with you in the war. if you had applied soon after the Pension Act of 1831 you then it is probable would found a number who could testify to your the services that you performed in that day that tried mens souls. Respectfully Nehemiah Baker

To The Hon. Geo. C. Whiting, (Com. 2 of Pensions) — If it is proper to make the inquiry — I am requested by Freeman Baxter one of the Children of Thomas Bay- ter formerly of Olneyville near Provi- dence in the State of Rhode Island a Revolutionary soldier — to ask if said Thomas Baxter, or any party representing themselves to be his children ever received the pen- sion which was due to him under the law of 1832 —
And whether Prudence Bay- ter wife of said Thomas received her pension after the decease of said Thomas — or her children or persons representing themselves to be her children — have received such pension —
It would have been paid at Providence, I suppose if paid at all —

The reason of this inquiry is, That it has been represented to the above named Freeman Bay- liss that the pension due to said Thomas and Prudence, has been paid to Josiah Bayliss and Prudence Juliana Hawes both of Providence R.I. Mother and Sister of said Freeman—
Very respectfully Your obedt servt J. R. Perkins
North Bridgewater Feb. 24 th 1857—
P.S. { Thomas Bayliss died— in June 1837 — in Olneyville Prudence his wife died in July 1850 — in Providence.

I Sylvanus Baker of North Providence in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island do on oath do testify and say: I was present and saw Prudence Baker, who was then Prudence Baker, married to Thomas Baker late of the Village of Olneyville in North Providence whose widow she now is. They were married at Yarmouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in that part which has since been set off and forms the town of Dennis. The marriage was solemnized by the Rev. Nathan Stone then a clergyman or minister located there, and it took place in December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Three. I was present at the ceremony and saw them stand up, and saw them married. I well recollect it, but cannot be particular and positive as to the day, from my own knowledge, but think it to have been the sixth day of that month.
Sylvanus Baker Providence Is In North Providence this sixth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred & Forty the aforegoing Deposition was subscribed and sworn to before me by the said Sylvanus Baker — John H. Weedon Just. Peace

J L Edwards Esq.
War Department Pension Office.
Washington (D.C.)

Providence April 10 th 1840.
Sir. I was in error respecting the certificates forwarded to the Pension Office, which I stated to you were forwarded recently in behalf of the claims of Mrs Prudence Baxter. I find by esq r Cornell's statement, they were "forwarded by him on Spring. some time last Summer," & he says "the two certificates of Thomas Cornell & Patience Baker, were not returned to him, but must now be in the Pension Office, That you merely wrote him, 'the testimony was not sufficient.' & Mrs Baxter understood at the time, after application that the certificate of her Marriage, was what was wanting. She has therefore been at immense pains to look up the only living witness of the Marriage. The record having been burned up, at the time so many public Documents were destroyed at North Yarmouth, as I before stated. Her own testimony given before Judge Pitman of the District Court of the U.S. is thought remarkably comprehensive for a person of her great age. You will see she claims the Pension under the Law of 1838. & probably upon looking over the Muster Roll, of the Captain's she names, find Thomas Baxter's name. In the statement he made to Rev Mr Cidney, he spoke of the six months in which he was in active duty, it appears he was called on many times after, in an alarm, which quickly subsiding he would return again to his home. You will know, whether his name as a minut man is on the Roll's. If it would be any inducement to render her speedy relief to know she is exceedingly poor, & very aged. I believe you may rely on those facts. If you will please advise me of the success of her application, & in case of its failure let me know what is lacking, what ground it is refused on, you will confer a favour. Very respectfully
Catharine R Williams.
J L Edwards esq r . War Department.
* These Certificates were forwarded in support of the claim of Thomas Baxter, original as I now understand it, but I do not understand how he should have known that a Marriage Certificate was wanted, before his application was acted on. The en

closed lines from Jeremiah Baker of South Dennis, & which covered the certificates, proves to me, that it must have been the summer of '38 - instead of '39 When Mr Lowell forwarded them to the War Department.

34,682/R. I. Act 7 June '32
Thos Baxter susp d . Letter
to Hon J. L. Tillinghast
29 Dec '38.
Miss Catharine R. Williams
May 2 nd 1840.
J. R. Perkins Mar. 9. 1857.
act-7 th June 1832