Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 21,682, George Bliven, R.I.

SERVICE
R.J.
Bliven, George Vashti
NUMBER
N 21,682
CONTENTS

Rhode Island
Nastita Oliver
widow of George Oliver who was a Private
in the R.I. Line
for 6 months
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of Oct. 1843 and sent to Rajon Cornell Providence R.I.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book C Vol. 1 Page 54.
Ppl Oct 31

State of Rhode Island County of Washington On this 17 th day of June June 1839 personally appeared before the subscriber one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas in said County of Was- hington Sarah Bliven a resident of Westerly in the county of Washington aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled "An act gran- ting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of George Bliven late of said Westerly deceased who as she believes served more than two years in the revolutionary war as a private soldier She has understood from her said husband and others that he the said George served as a guard upon the shore in said town of Westerly against the enemy from the middle of March 1776 to the first of December following a period of eight and a half months and that early in said December her said husband who belonged to the second company of militia in said town of Westerly in Col. Voyes' Regiment was ordered on duty with Lieutenant Stephen Saunders and marched to Boston where so called in South Kingstown where her said husband remained and continued to serve in said company against the enemy until the fore part of April 1777 a period of four months and that in the summer of said year her said husband was again drafted under said Lieutenant Stephen Saunders and

Stationed and served at Point Judith in South Kingstown against the enemy in the grade of a private during two months and in the month of October she thinks 1777 her said husband was again drafted and served one month at Tiverton in Spencer's expedition so called and in the month of January she thinks 1778 her said husband was again drafted in the grade of a private in said company and was stationed at said Point Judith and served one month under Capt John Gant and in the spring of the same year her said husband was again drafted in the grade of a private in said company and stationed at or near Green Hill so called in said South Kingstown under said Lieut Stephen Saunders where he served two months and in July or August of the same year her said husband was again drafted in the grade of a private in said company and served at Rhode Island one month under Capt John Gant in Sullivan's expedition so called and in the spring and summer of 1779 her said husband served three months in South Kingstown at a place called Backside and in the month of June 1780 she thinks her said husband was again drafted and served one month under William Diven she thinks and was stationed at South Kingstown near Upside Newtown so called and in the autumn of the same year her said husband served two months in Charlestown at a place called Quonocantough neck after which time in 1781 and 1782 her said husband served many times during short periods upon the shores of Charlestown and Westerly until the war ended. She further declares that she has

no documentary evidence in proof of her said husband's service as aforesaid but refers to the evidence herewith transmitted. (She further declares that she was married to the said George Bliven in the town of Westport by the Rev. Isaiah Willcox an ordained minister on the 12 th day of August 1784. (She further declares that her said husband died on the 22 nd day of December 1821 that she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1799 at the time above stated.  George D. Croft - Edward Bliven Vashtha Bliven marks -  Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
Before George D. Croft Justice Court Common Pleas
I hereby certify that the within named Vashtha Bliven by reason of bodily infirmities is unable to appear in court to make the foregoing declaration.  George D. Croft Justice Court Common Pleas -

I hereby certify that George Blain son of Maj. Edward Blain Late of Westerly deceased, and Vashie Gavit daughter of Capt. Samuel Gavit of S d Westerly deceased were lawfully joined together in Marriage on the Twelfth day of August A.D. one thousand seven hundred and eighty four By me the subscriber Isaiah Willett Elder
Entered December 8 th 1884
for Joseph Bransdel Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island &c
Washington County } for Westerly June 7 th A.D. 1839
I Jesse Morrison Clerk of the Town of Westerly in the County of Washington aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the state which are expressed in fine legible figures as follows (Viz)
"on the 12 th day of August A.D. 1784"
Certified by me
Jesse Morrison Town Clerk
I Jesse Morrison above named do hereby certify that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of Westerly above mentioned and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town as certified by me. . . . Jesse Morrison Town Clerk
State of Rhode Island
County of Washington } for Charlestown June 7 th 1839
Personally came before me Jesse Morrison above named and made oath to the truth of the above certificates by him subscribed
Dear King Fisher Pease

Reg  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21682
Nasiti Bliven Wid. of George Bliven Rev. Rev. War
Act: March 3 d 1843
Index:—Vol. A , Page 69
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Rhode Island-7226.
Refo c Kay 6
Tashti Bliven
widow of George Bliven
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 22 d December 1821 — of Washington in the State of R. Island who was a private in the company — commanded by Captain Bliven — of the Regt. — commanded by Col. Sayer — in the line for 6 months —
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 20 — Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 th day of May, 1823 — and sent to Benj. Buel Providence, R. Island —
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending
5100.00 —
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by W. H. Sturtevant Clerk, Book A — Vol 2 — Page 2

6921.
R.I.
See list to Benj. Cowee May 21. 1840.-
act 7. July '38
Geo. Blevin
  March to Dec. 76. 2 nd Comp y . Co y Noyes regt.  Westerly -  see 8 th no    Dec. 76 to apt. 77: Lt Saunders -  Boston Neck -  4 -    Summer 77. in  Point Judith  2 -    Oct. 77. in Spencer's expedition  Liverton  1 -    Jany 78 said Company Lt Saunders.  Green Hill & Kingston  2 -    Aug 78. Gavit Sullivan's expedition   1 -    Spring 79 served at Backside   3 -    June 80 Capt Blevin  North Kingston -  1 -    Autumn 80 no officers  Charlestown  2 -  

Providence March 30 1840
Sir
I herewith enclose the applications of Vachel Bliss and widow of George Bliss & Emma Clark widow of Aaron Clark for pensions under the act of act of lumpsum of July 7 1838 The latter has been delayed in the hopes that further testimony might be obtained as to the service but the survivors are most all dead even the witness John Butterworth in this case has dead since his deposition was taken - I presume however enough is proved in each case to entitled them to pensions -
I am respectfully Yours obed Servt
J. L. Edwards Esq
Benja Lowell

Providence April 24 1845
Sir
I received your letter of May 21 1840 respecting the claim of Vashie Bliven widow of George, since since that period I have been in expectation that some further testimony would be furnished by her friends. But I am informed nothing further can be obtained, the witnesses being dead or not able to give any thing more explicit. You observed that the terms of 2, 3, 4 & 8 months duration in the Militia were not consistent with the known service of the R.I. Militia? This I admit. But to this general character there were some exceptions, and such as have been recognized by you. These exceptions were when the services were done in a fort or a military station. The Council of War frequently ordered this done. The Forts, or military stations at Providence, Warren & Bristol & several others, and Long Island Sound in Connecticut & Westerly were of this description & such, I believe, was the character of the service on "Warwick Neck" where Bliven served. This service in order of the Council of War was continuous, whatever might have been its length as such has often been allowed by you - I ask for nothing but what is legal & right in this case and if the evidence in the opinion of the Department is not satisfactory for all the services,

alleged I hope it is for a part — It would seem there is no objection to 3 months, alleged to have been done, two in Spences & Sullivan, in 77 & 78 and one in June 80 of the balance I hope such part will be allowed as may be consistent with law & right under your Rules of practice & a satisfactory settlement
I am respectfully yours at best Benjamin Cowell
J. L. Edwards Esq

3159 Nashville Bliven
$20. per ann.
Benfowlle Providence Rhode Island

State of Rhode Island
County of Washington
On this 7 th day of July 1843 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in said County Vashti Blaine now resident Westerly in said County aged 87 years who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed March 3 rd 1843 viz that she is the widow of George Blaine late of said Westerly deceased, who served in said War as a private, that she received pension under the act of Congress of July 7 1838 at the rate of $20 per annum payable at the Agency in Providence
Attest Joseph H. Griffin Vashti Blaine Mark
Washington ss In Westerly July 7. 1843.
Personally appeared before me the above named Vashti Blaine and made oath to the truth of the above declaration by her signed and I further certify her statement is entitled to Full Credit
Joseph H. Griffin Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington Clerk Office Court of Common Pleas July 17 th A.D. 1843 I hereby certify that Joseph R. Griffin Esq. is one of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Charlestown in the County & State aforesaid That he is duly Commissioned by the Governor of this State otherwise legally qualified to act as such and that the foregoing signature purport- ing to be his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court the being end Year above written
Witness Walter Shaw Clerk Atk

Sanford Vayes of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island do hereby depose and say that I am 78 years of age and that during the Revolutionary war in many years before and afterwards I was well acquainted with George Oliver late of said Westerly deceased and I know that on the 15th day of March 1796 said Oliver belonged to a guard stationed upon the sea shore in said town of Westerly at and about Vayes neck so called and said Oliver served constantly at said station from said 15th day of March until the first part of December following a period of eight and a half months I served in said guard with a number of others this guard was stationed at said place by order of my father Col Joseph Vayes I further say that I am well acquainted with the widow Vashti Oliver who was formerly the wife of the said George Oliver and I know that she has not married since the decease of her said husband I further say that the said George Oliver died at said Westerly in the month of December 1821
Sanford Vayes
Charlestown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island April 10th 1839 On this day personally came before me Sanford Vayes the above named deponent who upon oath by me administered to him gave and subscribed the preceding deposition which was by me taken and reduced to writing I also certify that the said Sanford Vayes is well known to me that he is a person of veracity and his testimony and the preceding deposition are entitled to full credit
Dea King Justice Peace

Washita Bliven 6921 R.I.
act 7. July 38.
m 84 d 21-
adm bmoseri 20 $
Benjn Cavall Providence R.I.

I Stephen Sanders of Westerly in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath depose and say that I am 90 years of age and that during the revolutionary war and long before and afterwards I was well acquainted with George Bliven late of said Westerly deceased said Bliven belonged to the second company of militia in said town of Westerly during the revolutionary war of which company I was lieutenant and well recollect that in the report of December 1776 said Bliven was drafted on detached with said company then under my command and was stationed at Boston neck so called in South Kingstown where said Bliven remained and continued to serve in the grade of a private from the period above named until the last part of April 1777 a period of four months and sometime in the summer of the same year the said Bliven was again drafted in the grade of a private in said company and served under my command against the enemy at Point Judith in said South Kingstown during two months and in the month of January, I think 1778 the said Bliven was again drafted in said company and served at and Point Judith against the enemy in the grade of a private one month and sometime in the spring following the said Bliven was again drafted in the grade of a private and was stationed at South Kingstown near Green Hill so called where he served under my command against the enemy during two months and about the last of July I think of the same year the said Bliven was again drafted in the grade of a private and served in said company with me under Capt John Garet on a raiding expedition located one month and in the spring and summer of the year 1779 said Bliven was again drafted in the grade of a private in said company and served against the enemy under my command at a place called Bunkerhill in said South Kingstown during three months and in the autumn of 1780 said Bliven

was again drafted in the grade of a private in said Company and served under my command in the town of Charlesstown at a place called Maria -cantang neck during two months.
Horick Potter
Stephen Saunders
State of Rhode Island at Charlesstown in the County of Washington April 10 th 1839 On this day personally came before me Stephen Saunders the above named deponent who upon oath by me administered to him gave and subscribed the preceding deposi- -tion which was by me taken and reduced to writing I also certify that the said Stephen San- -ders is well known to me that he is a person of veracity and that his testimony and the preceding deposition are entitled to full credit
Dea. King Justice Peace

State of Rhode Island &c.
Secretarys Office March 20. 1840.
I Henry Bowen, Secretary of said State and Keeper of the Records and the Seal thereof
Do certify, that at the date of the several official certificates annexed, the said George D. Brown was one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas within the County of Washington - and Dan King Justice of the Peace for the town of Charlestown in said County duly elected and commissioned - as appears of record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Providence the day and year above written.
Henry Bowen