Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 12,316, John L Boss, R.I.

SERVICE
R.I.
Boss, John L. Sarah
NUMBER
W. 12,316
CONTENTS

Rhode Island 570
Sarah Boss
widow of John L. Boss
who died on the
of in the State of
who was an Ensign in the commanded
by Captain of the commanded
by in the R. Island
line for 10 months
Inscribed on the Roll of R. Island at the rate of 100 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 th day of March 1837 and sent to D. J. Pierce
Arrears to the 4th of March '37 600.00 Pension, allowance ending 4 th Sep. " 50.00
$650.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d . }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book — Vol. 1 — Page 97

Declaration Mrs. V. B. B.

State of Rhode Island &c.
Newport, Sc. at Newport.
On this 25 th day of January A.D. 1837, personally appeared before Joseph Tuckerman, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Newport, Mrs. Sarah Bops a resident of Newport in the county and state aforesaid, aged seventy nine years, who being first engaged according to law to declare truly, doth, on her solemn affirmation, make the following Declaration; (in order to obtain the benefit of the provision, made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836;) Viz. I am the widow of John L. Bops Esq. late of Newport deceased, who held the office of ensign in the war of the Revolution & belonged to a company in the town of Point-Kingston, - I do not recollect the year, but it was previous to our marriage. He was in the action on this Island in Sullivan's Expedition. He was frequently out on guard, & on alarms. In the Spring of the year 1780, we came to this town, and after we came here, he was frequently out on guard and on alarms. My health being poor, I went to Charlestown in this state, my husband at the same time being absent upon duty, and this place being frequently alarmed. I passed the summer at my father's in Charlestown, & returned in October or November. During my absence he was, I understood, an adjutant in a regiment in which Simon Martin was Major, but who

was Colonel I do not recollect. I believe my husband was always ready, and performed his duty all times as the law directs, and frequently volunteered his services on expeditions and alarms. Some time after we were married, a party of the enemy & refugees collected upon the Island of Bonanicut for the purpose of cutting out the Poquomucan Privateer from the harbor of Newport, and my husband with a company of soldiers went over in the night and captured them.
I further declare that I was married to my said husband at Charlestown 21 st February 1779, - and that he died the 7 th August 1824, and that I have remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to proof hereto annexed. And I further declare that from my age and infirmity I could not attend Court for the purpose of making my declaration, and have not been out of my house the year past.
Sarah Bots
The above declaration was made and subscribed, according to the purport thereof, at the residence of Mrs. Sarah Bots, where I attended for the purpose of taking it, and for the reason, as represented to me, that it could not be done elsewhere, which was evidently the case. And I further certify that I have reason to

believe her character for truth and veracity to be good, — and there is in the family-bible, proved to be made in the hand-writing of the said John L. Bopp, the following record: viz. "John & Lu- ciah intermarried at Charlestown, R.I. 21 Feby 1779."
In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand, on the day & year above written, Joseph D. Drown, C. Just. C. C. Pheas, N. Report " " "

State of Rhode Island, County of Newport } S.S.
I, Stephen Topham one of the Judges of the Court of Probate of the Town of Newport, being a Court of Record for the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that it has been made to appear to my satisfaction that Mrs. Sarah Boss, deceased late a United States Pensioner died on the Twenty second day of September in the Eighteen hundred Forty one — leaving the following named children her surviving heirs, Mrs. Sarah Hoskins, Mrs. Harriet Pearce and Elliot Boss, who are all still living and are her only surviving chil- -dren Stephen Topham Judge of Court. of Probate of the Town of Newport
State of Rhode Island Newport ss
Court of Probate of the Town of Newport Clerks Office January 21 st 1851.
I Benjamin B Howland, Clerk of the Court of Probate of the Town of Newport, duly elected and sworn, do hereby certify that Stephen Topham Esquire is Judge of Probate of the Town of Newport, duly elected and sworn, and that his signature to the above is his genuine signature, and is entitled to due faith and credit in judicature and without, and that said Certificate is in due form of law.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the day and year first above written.
Benj B Howland Prob. Clk.

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John L. Bove , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct 14 1777 Ensign ✓ 2 nd Col. of Northampton Regt.   1778 ✓ ✓ ✓   joined the Pennsylvania Key-Stone Battery   after the Battle of Brandywine joined the Pennsylvania Key-Stone Battery   1779 ✓ Adjutant ✓ ✓  
Battles engaged in, during Sullivan's Expedition to the Delaware
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ✓
Date of application for pension, Jan'y 25 1837. Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, at West Phila.
Age at date of application, 79 years
Remarks: Admitted to pension July 21 1837. Her claim was allowed. She died Aug. 7 1824, and her children were all dead. She had 22 grandchildren. Her husband was John Bove. She was 5 feet 4 inches high, and weighed 120 lbs. Her eyes were blue, and her hair was gray.
Very respectfully, (Mrs. John Bove)

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1910 Dec. 8. Hist. to Mrs. Helen F. Hurlbut &c.
File No. 12316
Sarah Cross
Widow of
John L. Boos
Assistant New War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index:—Vol. a , Page 73
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15 Feb Mrs. Dr. J. Pierce Care Mrs. Sarah Pope
Dear Mother
Hon. S. J. Pierce H.R.
Galena, Ill.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Sarah Pope R.R.

Ad. H. North
Washington February 14 th 1837
Sir, Mr. Mayes has informed me that he has sent you, the application of Miss Sarah-Boys, for a pension, with a synopsis of her declaration, and the evidence to support it - a copy of which he has sent me, which I have enclosed you.
This good lady is my mother in law, and the mother of Miss P. I ask you to favor me on that account, in her behalf; but have to request your attention to her application, as soon as it can well be given; and in case your next visit, in your examination, any difficulties, which I trust will not be the case, that you would make the same known to me, as it may be in my power to remove them. Yr. S. Edwards, Esq. with respect your obedt. commissioner of Sove. D. L. J. Pease Pensylvania —

Sarah Bess Widow of Wm L Bess. (A. D.)
Has let to Hon. S. J. Pease July 23. 1837.
Act 4 July 1836.

Sir.
Newport Feby 6. 1837.
Enclosed I forward you the declaration of Mrs Sarah Boss, Widow of the late John L. Boss. Esq. of this Town, and sundry depositions in support of her claim for the benefit of a pension made by act of long respassed, 11 th March 1836. By Mrs Boss declaration it appears that said John L. Boss was an ensign in the War of the Revolution, Was in the action on this Island, under Gen. Sullivan and was frequently out on guard & alarm. In the year 1780 she came with her husband to this town, and after they came here he was frequently out on guard & alarm in the militia of a Regiment & was one of a party that took a company of the enemy from the Island of Canonicut. That she was married to said John Feb y 21 st 1779 & that he died Aug t 7 th 1824, and that she has remained a Widow since that period. In support of her declaration I beg leave to offer the commission of John Boss as Ensign bearing date Oct r 14 th 1777 & the following depositions, viz. - Peter Cranston, who testifies that he saw John L. Boss on duty at South Kingston at the time the ship was in Shoals at Point Judith (The ship of 28 guns was stranded Nov r 5 th 1777) understood him to be Ensign of a company belonging to South Kingston. Was an Officer in the American Army in '78, and attached to Sullivan's expedition, Was one of a party that captured a company of the enemy on Canonicut, That said Boss was an active & courageous Officer - Thos H. Hazard Esq. formerly a member of the Senate of this State and a strict & respectable member of the Society of Friends, affirms, that he was well acquainted with John Boss in the year 1780 & 81, that he was an Officer in the American Army, but did not recollect his rank,

A furtherman says, "From what I have seen and heard myself, do know that he was actively employed from the year 1780 to the end of the War." Elizer Smith, a private, and a pensioner, testifies that said Ross was Adjutant of a Regiment in the American Service in 1780, that he served 9 Mos. 22 days, that he found said Ross acting as Adjutant when he came & left him on duty in said Office. Mrs Mary Smith testifies, that she was well acquainted with John L. Ross Esq. late of Newport, R.I. & is now with his Widow Sarah Ross. Was present at the Marriage in Charleston in Feb. 1779 Was knowing to his being out on duty & was in Sullivan's Exped- -ition. I would also beg leave to refer you to the Declaration of Deleg Barker a private, & pensioner. Who as I am informed served in a Regiment of which John L. Ross was Adjutant, and who is now very low, and incompetent to testify. Then as respects the marriage Justice Selden has attached to his certificate an extract from the Family Record, proved to be in the hand writing of the late John L. Ross. In conclusion would observe that Mrs Ross' Maiden Name was Sarah Ross, all of which is most respectfully submitted by Com-Off.  James I. Edwards Esq.      Very Humble Servt. Com te of Pensions      W m R. Rogers Washington D.C.      Agent for Mrs. Sarah Ross

1202 Lipe
Miss M Howard Miss Bafi

I Thomas B. Ware of SouthKingstown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island and aged Six- ty one years being engaged according to law do affirm and say That I was several years an appointment in the Town of Newport and having a sister there I passed a considerable part of my time in that place I was well acquainted with John & Bob who was an officer in the year 1861-65 in the Ameri- can army but what his rank I do not recollect him being a member of the Society of Friends so called I did not pay much attention to these things said John was an active enterprising brave man was always ready for any expedition in defence of his country's cause I recollect him well on account of his opposition to the Quakers who were not will- ing to take up arms From what I have seen and and heard and so far as I know that he was actively employed from the year 1861 to the end of the war
Thomas B. Hazard.
Washington St. SouthKingstown Jan. 29 th 1937 When personally appeared before me Thomas B. Ware and Esau and affirmed in due form of law to the truth of the above statement by him signed the same being reduced to writing by me in his presence I also certify that said Thomas B. Ware and Esau is a person of truth and veracity
John D. Whittier Justice of the peace

The disposition of Ebenezer Smith of South Kingstown
Chas. Smith in Mrs Bops Claims
25

The deposition of Ebenezer Smith of South Kingstown Rhode Island aged seventy nine years who being duly sworn according to law on oath deposes and says that he was formerly well acquainted with John Le Boss Esqr whose widow is now applying for a pension, that he the deponent was on the Island of Rhode Island in the year 1780 in the American service and while there in that term of service I served nine months and twenty two days and was discharged from service in the latter part of said year 1780. Said Boss was adjutant of a regiment in the American service when the deponent went on to the island and continued in that office all the time the deponent remained there and was in the same office in the service when the deponent came away. Said Boss was an active and enterprising man and ready on all occasions to join in any expedition that was undertaken for the benefit of the service.
His Ebenezer X Smith mark
South Kingstown R. I. Jan 28. 1836 Then the above named Ebenezer Smith before the subscriber made oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition in due form of law and signed the same in my presence. I further certify that said Smith's character for truth and veracity is good and his statement in my opinion entitled to credit
J. R. Potter Justice of the Peace

W. L. G. Cranston!!
Depe
Mrs. B. B. B. B. B.

I Peleg Cranston of Tiverton county of Newport State of Rhode Island do on solemn oath declare and say, that I am aged eighty two years that I was intimately acquainted with John L. Bops late of Newport etc. from his boyhood until his death, in 1777. I was at Narragansett at the time the Siren frigate and a ship and a schooner run ashore, I there saw John L. Bops on duty as an officer and understood that he was then an Ensign of a company belonging to South Kingstown and that he was an active and enterprising officer and ready for duty at all times, his term of service I do not recollect, but I paid there three weeks & received one hundred dollars for my services, which was very acceptable after being four or five months on a cruise and being a prisoner eight or nine months a prisoner in the Ponds at Newport. I was a prisoner in the year 1778, in Newport, while I was in Newport I understood that John L. Bops was on this Island and an officer in the American army & attached to Sullivan's expedition and was an Ensign I believe but am not sure, that pretty soon after the British troops left Rhode Island he moved back to Newport and commenced fitting out privateers in company Col. Dopham and a Mr. Newman, while the Buckenham privateer was lying in Newport, a number of the enemy landed at Narragansett  Connicut for the purpose of cutting her out, that John L. Bops and a number of volunteers from Newport went over there and captured them, from what I know of John L. Bops character he performed all the duty that was required of him by law, and stood as fair as any man in the State, and was well qualified to fill any place as any man in Newport. I am well acquainted with Sarah Bops widow of said John L. Bops and know that she still remains his widow. Peleg Cranston
Newport R.I. Newport Jan y 24. 1837
Then personally appeared before me Peleg Cranston and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above statements by him subscribed, the same being reduced to writing by me in his presence and by him signed in my presence. I also certify that said Peleg Cranston is a person of truth and veracity -
Wm Gilpin Just. Peace

I Mary Roberts of Newport in the county of Newport state of Rhode Island on solemn oath declare and say. That I am in my seventy fifth year of my age. That I well acquainted with John L. Bop late of said Newport decd. and am now well acquainted with his widow Sarah Bop. of said Newport. That I was present when they were married, in Charlestown Rhode Island, which according to the best of my knowledge and belief was in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine and in the month of February. That I know that said John L. Bop held a commission in the Revolutionary Army. that he was out on alarms &c and was in Sullivan's expedition as a volunteer and that I have no knowledge of his other services.
Mary Roberts
Newport R.I. Newport Feb 5. 1887
Personally appeared before me Mary Roberts and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the above statements by her subscribed the same being reduced to writing by me in her presence and by her subscribed in my presence. I also certify that said Mary Roberts is a person of truth and veracity -
Wm Gilpin Just. Peace.

State of Rho Island and Providence Plantations Against Jo. Nathaniel Sweet Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court County of Newport duly elected commissioned and engra- ved to hereby certify that Joseph Potter is Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Newport before whom Mrs Sarah Bass declared and that William Giffin before whom Riley Carrington & Mrs Mary Roberts testified is a Justice of the Peace duly elected by the General Assembly of this State Commissioned and engaged; and their signatures annexed are genuine. N. Sweet further certifies that George C Shaw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Newport is out of this town.
Nathaniel Sweet Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Newport R. Island

570
Rhode Island
Sarah Boss widow of John L. Boss who died on the 7 th August 1824 of Newport in the State of Rhode Island who was a Sergeant Ensign in the — commanded by Captain — of the — commanded by — in the R. Island line for 10 months Ensign 9 months 23 days Adjutant
Inscribed on the Roll of Providence at the rate of 296 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836 & ending 22 nd Sept r 1841. when she died
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 th day of Jany 1837 and sent to S. S. Addison
Arrears to the 4 th of Present Semi-annual allowance ending
Paid from $100
Recorded by J. Weymouth Clerk, Book L. Vol. 2. Page 330
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd
Sarah Boss, widow of John L. Boss, deceased
Ensign, 10 months, $100 per am — Act 4 July 1836 3 rd section —
R. Island Roll
cert. deliver to Hon. D. J. Pearce, H. R.

Mercer Sarah Bap do mar. of Lou. L.
R. J. Sept 4 - July 1836 $18.10 mo in $100 9 mo 23d days 195 $295
In ann from H. M. H. 1831 to 22 Sept. 1841, when she died - Payable to Sarah Haskins, Harriet Pierce, & Elliott Bap - her only surviving children
sent sum to D. D. Addison Present

All those who feel disposed to engage my services, will please sign and return to me the following letter:
Scituate Rd. Dec 12 1850.
TO THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS:
SIR:—Mr. D. D. ADDISON, of the city of Washington, is hereby authorized and empowered to act as my attorney in establishing my claim to an increase of Pension. Should he desire to refer to my papers on file in your office, under the act of July 4th 1836, you will confer a favor on me by permitting him to do so. The amount which may be found due, I wish payable to myself, by the United States Pension Agent at Pawtucket in the State of Rhode Island .
Harriet Scituate 
Witness:
W P Bullock
NOTE.—*The place of residence and date must in no case be omitted. If the pensioner be dead, the form must be varied to suit the case, and the relationship of the one signing to the deceased should be stated.
† Here insert the place where you have heretofore drawn your pension.

J. S. Edwards Esq. Comm'r of Pensions 3 Dear Sir.
P. Newport R. Island. Providence Aug 25. 1849.
We have authorised Mr. D. D. Addison of Washington City, to act as our agent in establishing our right to the increase of pension due us as the children of Mrs. Sarah Bop, who was a pensioner under the act of July 4. 1836. and have therefore to request that you will allow him to examine the papers on file in your office in support of her claim. When the claim is allowed we wish the amount due payable to us in Providence by the agent of the United States for paying pensions in this State.
Yours Respectfully
Sarah Hoskins Harriet Pearce Elliot Bop

Washington City D.C. Oct 10 th 1849.
Sir, Sir,
I am requested (as you will perceive from the enclosed letter) by the Children of the late Mrs. Sarah Bops of R. Island, late a pensioner under the Act of 1836, to ask a re-examination of her claim with a view to an increase of pension.
In order to enable me to procure the additional evidence necessary in support of this claim to an increase I have respectfully to request that I may be furnished with a Statement of the service as set forth in Mrs. Bops' declaration, on file in your Office.
I am, Very respectfully, Wm. C. V. S. A. H. Addison
To N. L. Edwards Esq., Commissioner of Pensions

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Secretary of State's Office
Providence, R.I. January 16, 1851.
I certify, that there are no records in this office, which afford evidence of the service of the Regiment of which Simeon Martin was Major, in the years 1780 and 1781, or of the service of John L. Buff as adjutant in said regiment.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said State the day and year before written.
Chas. E. Robbins.
Secy of State.

Washington Oct. 3 rd 1831
Dear Sir,
I have respectfully to request permission to see the papers on file in your Office in the case of Mrs Hannah Hodges of New York act 1832 &c. and in the case of Mrs Sarah Bops of Rhode Island Act 1836. My authority to act in these cases will be found on file with their papers.
I am very respectfully, M m O. S. H. J. C. Madison
Jas E Heath Esq. Com r of Pensions

Record
POSTAL CARD
THE SPACE BELOW IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY.
Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington D. C.

Nov 29. 1910.
Please give me the military & naval history of John Linscourt Boss in the Revolutionary war. I think he was in the navy and from Mass. I believe
Yours truly
Helene F. Hurlbut E 307 Empire Ave Spokane Wash -

The Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esquire, Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plan- tations.
to John Bofs Gentleman, GREETING:
Y OU the said John Bofs being by the Council of War of this State elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Ensign of the Second Company or Trained Band of the Town of South Kingston in the County of Kings-County in the State aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the GOVERNOR and COMPANY of the said State, authorized, empowered, and com- missioned, to exercise the Office of Ensign of and over the Company aforesaid: And to command, guide and conduct the same, or any Part thereof: And in Case of an Invasion or Assault of a common Enemy to infest or disturb this Plantation, 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 Com- mission shall be your sufficient Warrant and Discharge.
GIVEN under my Hand, and Seal of the said State, the Fourteenth Day of October in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-seven.
By His Honor's Command,
Henry Ward
Nicholas Cooke