Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 21,718, Thomas Cruff, R I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
82
Cruff, Thomas.
8 21,718
CONTENTS

10.410.  Rhode Island  Thomas Knapp of Kent in the State of R.I. who was a Pirate in the company commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Varnum in the R.I. was for 1 year 10 mo. Drummer 2 " Pirate
Entered on the Roll of R.I. at the rate of 17 Dollars 76 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 th day of Apr 1833 and sent to  Whiting & Greenwich R.I. Arrear to the 14th of Mar 1833 $95.52 Pension allowance ending 14 Feb " 23.88  $119.40
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. H. S. Blair Clerk, Book 2, Vol. 2 nd Page 104.

9371 Thomas Bruff
Thomas Bruff of Wansbeck in North county

State of Rhode Island & Court of Common Pleas August County of Kent ss Term A.D. 1832.
On this Twentyfirst day of August A.D. 1832. personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, Thomas Cruff, a resident of Coventry in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy eight years. who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his Oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the Year 1775. as a Drummer, and served in Col. James M. Varnum's Regiment of the Rhode Island line, under the following Officers. That he enlisted at East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island for the term of eight Months, and proceeded to Boston and there joined and served said term of time in a Company commanded by Capt. Holloway, and the piper of said Company was a man by the name of Westcott. Said Company was stationed on Prospect Hill. That Augustus Mumford was Adjutant of said Regiment; and after he was killed, John Dexter was the adjutant, whom this Applicant well knew. That immediately on the expiration of said Service, he enlisted, at said Boston as Drummer, in a Company commanded by Capt. Hawkins in Col. Varnum's Regiment of the Rhode Island line for the term of one Year. Thomas Remington was the piper. We marched from Boston to New London, and there our passages by water to New York, where we landed and

and where we were stationed for a while; then we passed across the Ferry to Long Island and were stationed there for a time; and then crossed over to a small Island, where we expected to have an engagement: Two of the enemy's ships passed us and went up the North River; and we retreated off that Island in flat bottomed boats, and went over to New York, and retreated back about a mile from the City on to a Hill; General Washington was there, and General Nathaniel Greene commanded the troops. The battle lasted about two hours. We took some prisoners; and some of our Company were wounded - The next day We retreated over King's bridge and encamped at White Plains. Our Company, after staying there a short time, marched to the North River and crossed over, and went to Morris town, where this Applicant was taken sick. His term of service having expired, he was prevailed upon to enlist again in the same Company for the term of two months, which he did and served said term accordingly at said Morristown. At the end of which time he returned home.
That in the fall of the year 1777, he was called out in the Militia on an Alarm at said Warwick, and served nearly one Month at Bristol, R. Island, under Capt. Rice or Capt. Miller, and this Claimant is not certain which of them. - That in the Summer of 1778, he served on Rhode Island in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt. Rice as a substitute for the term of one Month, and was hired by Richard Green of said Warwick; and in the mean time he was drafted and served one month more under the said Rice on Rhode Island in Genl. sub

Sullivan's Expedition. That he was employed, in these two last mentioned terms of service, in managing the boats.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state
Thomas Buff

I William Levalley of Warwick in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do certify that I saw Thomas Cruff now of Coventry in said County on Rhode Island in Sullivan's Expedition he was then a Soldier in Capt Rice's Company - I am knowing to his serving in said Company and he was employed in managing the boats, during the time I stayed there, which was one month, and left him there in the service, but cannot tell how much longer he served - William Levalley
Next Je. Court of Common Pleas Augt Term D 1832
Sworn to in open court on the second day of the Term John Brown Clk
I William Green of Exeter in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I was a soldier in a Company commanded by Thos Holden in the Year 1775 at Boston in Col. Varnum's Regiment of R. Island State Troops, and Thomas Cruff of Coventry in the County of Kent was at the same time a Drummer in Capt Holbwai's Company in the same Regiment and served there eight months. That when our term of service expired we both enlisted into Capt Hawkins Company in the same Regiment and served the term of one year and two months in
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 served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the and that William Levalley of Warwick in our said County of Kent, & William Green of Exeter in our County of Washington who also signed the same are residents in the State of Rhode Island in the County of Bristol aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Cruff for a pension.

said company & regiment. The said Gruff was Drummer during that time. We were discharged at Morristown or near that place, in February 1777.
William Greene
Heard for Court of Common Pleas, August Term A.D. 1832
Given to in open Court on the seventh day of the Term.
Witness John Brown (Clerk)

I William Green of Exeter in the County of Wash- ington and State of Rhode Island do hereby certify that I was a soldier in a Company commanded by Tho. Holden in the Year 1775 at Boston in Col. Varnum's Regiment of R. Island State Troops; and Thomas Cruff of Plov- ersey in the County of Kent was at the same time a Drummer in Capt. Holloway's Company in the same Regiment and served there eight months. That when our term of service expired we both enlisted into Capt. Hawkins Company in the same Regiment and served the term of one year and two months in
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 served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the
and that William Levalley of Warwick in our said County of Kent, & William Green of Exeter in our County of Washington who also signed the same are residents in the State of Rhode Island in the Counties & Towns aforesaid and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, JOHN BROWN, Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Cruff for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this Sixth day of September in the year 1832
John Brown

N o 9371 Thomas Buff
Dumma 1 year 10 M th Pivat 2 M th
papers not properly authenticated, fund of service not trustworthy
Water
Nov 13 1832
$47.76
N. Whiting Esq. R. L. Burwick R. I.

BRIEF in the case of of Kent
Thomas Gruff of the County in the State of Re (Act 7th 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? 78 years  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 1775 — 8 — Drummer Gen. Col. Varnum, Capt. Holloway   then immediately after 1 — — ditto Same Regt. Capt. Hawkins   immediately after this — 2 — ditto Same   1777 nearly 1 — Private Capt. Rice or Capt. Miller   "78 Substitute 1 for Recd. Green — — Capt. Rice   "79 — 1 — Drafted Same  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? East Greenwich  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Depositions  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? no certificate of clergyman or others 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Bell Examining Clerk.

Rhode Island Dist. Ct.
Special Dist. Ct. U. S.
April 25 1833.
Thomas Craft of Connecticut in said Dist. Ct. maketh oath that he made an application for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832. pursuant to the regulations of said Act, which application was granted and he received a pension certificate No 10,410 - But said pension is only forty Seven dollars & Seventy six cents per annum whereas he is entitled to a larger pension, he enlisted as a drummer soon after the battle of Lexington in April A.D. 1775 in Capt. Hollys Company & Col. Varnums regiment of Rhode Island Troops & he served eight months as a drummer until the end of that year & immediately afterwards Jany 1 st 1776 he again enlisted as a drummer for one year in Capt. Hawkins Company & in the same Regiment & he served out his time & was honorably

discharged. In Jany 1777. he again en- listed as a drummer in the same company & served two months longer & then he was honorably discharged & he came home - He served twenty two months in the army of the Revolution on the continental establish- ment - In proof of this he has the dep- osition of Job Whipple - He, also in the year 1777. he served one month at Bristol on an alarm. This service was as a private in Capt Thomas Rice's Company of Militia. he does not remember the Colonel's name, and it was in the Spring of the year In the year 1778 during Sullivan's Expedition in the months of August & September he served two months. This also was a private service. he forwarded evidence of this service one month of this service, when his former application was transmitted which he presumes is now in the pension office He served twenty two months as a drummer and three months as a private Jehoshaphat Grafton April 25 th 1833. Sworn to in open Court. B. Gowell Clerk

Statement.
Served in the continental army twenty two months months proved by the deposition of Job } 22 Whipple & Geo. D. Dyer — — — — —
Served one month at Bristol (nowidness) 1
Served two months in Sullivan's expedition one of which is proved } by Lively — — — — — 3 25.
22 months as a soldier 3 as a private

Paired
2 nd Declaration of The 8 th Group.

State of Rhode Island County of Kent ss
On this Twenty ninth Day of November A.D. 1832. Personally appeared Thomas Cruff resident at Coventry in said County of Kent before Joseph J. Tillinghast, an Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County of Kent, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his Oath, make the following statement in addition to his Declaration made on the Twenty first day of August A.D. 1832.
That he was born at Coventry in the County of Kent, on the Sixteenth day of March A.D. 1754. That he was brought up in Warwick in said County and resided there when he enlisted into the service of the United States. That after the war he lived at Coventry, East Greenwich, Warwick and Cranston, until the year 1792. when he purchased a farm at said Coventry where he has resided ever since. That he has no record of his age. The other questions prescribed by the War Department are answered in his original Declaration.
Thomas Cruff
Kent ss.
at East Greenwich.
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Thomas Cruff the day and year above written
Before me J. J. Tillinghast Just C.C. Pleas.
I Pardon Tillinghast of East Greenwich in the County of Kent a Clergyman aged Sixty four years do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Cruff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that I believe him to be seventy eight years of age - that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resides & have been a Soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
Pardon Tillinghast
Sworn to & Subscribed at E. Greenwich this 30 th day of Nov r 1832 I hereby certify that the said Pardon Tillinghast is a Clergyman of good standing at E. Greenwich
Witness J. J. Tillinghast Just C.C. Pleas.

Went Jr. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Joseph J. Tillinghast is a Justice of said Court, that the with is his proper signature & in his own hand writing
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office at East Greenwich this thirtieth day of November in the year 1832.
John Brown. Clerk

Resolution
21 7/8
INVALID.
File No. 21,718
Thomas Cuff
Bi Rev Rev
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

667
44 12 22 6 11 3 367 1 806 1.17 87.34

I Job Whipple of Warwick in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island on oath do testify and say that soon after the battle of Lexington in 1775. I enlisted in Capt Thomas Holdens company & 1st Varnums Regiment as a private for Eight months & served out my time. I again enlisted for one year in the same regiment in Capt Hawkins company & served out my time - And I further testify, that I am well acquainted with Thomas Craft of Coventry who was in said regiment also said Craft was a drummer & went with us to Boston in the eight months service and afterwards in January AD 1776. he joined our company & was was drummer during the year until our times expired. Said Craft was a drummer in said Regiment one year and eight months. to my certain knowledge when I returned home I left said Craft with the Regiment said Regiment was a Rhode Island Regiment - I was a Sergeant part of the time
Job Whipple Mark April 26 1833 Sworn to before me. and I further certify that said Job is well known to me and he is a credible & respectable witness & entitled to full credit - Benja Lovell Atty & Commissioner of the U.S. Dist Court R.I. Dist

I William Levalley of Warwick in the County of Kent being now 72 years of age on oath do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Thomas Craft who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration, & have known him ever since the War - And I further testify that during Sullivan's Expedition in the year 1778 in the month of August I served a month as a private - and I well remember said Thomas Craft who was also in said expedition. He served one month to my knowledge, but how much longer I do not know but have no doubt he served two months as he states - He has has & also enjoyed the Reputation of being a man of truth, & is now a member of a Baptist Church in said County -
William Levalley
May 29 th 1833 In Providence
Sworn to before me & I also certify that said Deponent is a credible witness
Benja Lowell Commissioner of Dist Court R.I. Dist

I John Eugey Dexter of Cumberland in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode-Island & Providence Plantation, do testify and declare that I have a perfect knowledge of the Person of Thomas Cuff of Coventry in the County of Kent in said State and of the military Service, performed by him in the Regiment commanded by Colonel James M. Varnum in the Rhode-Island Line on the Continental Establishment; — That he enlisted in the Month of May 1775, for, and served, from thence, a Drummer in said Regiment, to the end of that year, near the close of which he re-enlisted for and served in the same Character, in said Regiment to the thirty first day of December 1776. —
J. Dexter Adjutant of said Regiment, eodem tempore
State of R. Island Kent County ss
The foregoing Affidavit was subscribed & sworn to by the Deponent, at East Greenwich, the Twenty Ninth Day of May A.D. 1833. (The character of the Deponent being well known at the War Department, he needs no recommendation of mine)
Before me Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Kent ss The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation I certify that Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas Nathan Whiting is a justice of the peace for the Town of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand with that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this eighth day of June in the year 1833

No 9371-
Thomas Cruff
Nathan Whiting Esq.
E. Greenwich R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Gruff 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? no — XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no 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? 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 . 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? no XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? no —
 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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
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.

Providence July 23 d 1833
Sir
I herewith enclose the certificate of Thomas Craft and his evidence & statements for an increase of pension - His pension as granted was not so large as he was entitled to for his services as will appear from the evidence as he cannot again draw without his certificate it is hoped the error may be corrected without delay - I am respectfully your obedt servt
Benja Cummins
J L Edwards Esq

Letter to Pension Agent 7 Augt 1833
10.4110
Rhode Island
Thomas Gruff of Kent in the State of R Island who was a Pt. Master in the Company commanded by Captain VARNUM of the Ship commanded by Col. VARNUM in the Rhode Island line for 2 months Service
22 " Drummer This certificate is issued in lieu of one dated 6 April 1833 Issued at
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of - 87 - Dollars - 34 - Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of June 1833 and sent Benj. Carroll Minister of War
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $174.60 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " $36.00 $218.30
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1833.
Recorded by W. N. G. Johnson Clerk Book E Vol. 2. Page 104

J. Bruff
Payments to be made at Providence R.I. by the Paymaster B. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of R.I.
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E. Vol. 2~ Page 104. by J. H. McBlain Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Thomas Knapp of the State of Rhode Island who was a Pirate in the Army of the Revolution.
is entitled to receive Forty Seven — dollars and Seventy Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this Sixth — day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty — three.
Lew C. Chap
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.