Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,686, Wanton Casey, R.I. Also Under St. Clair 1788

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.I.
Casey Wanton
S. 21,686
Also under St. Clair 1788.
CONTENTS

Ph: Island 21, 0 24
Warton Caley,
of Kevin _____ in the State of Ala. who was a private in the Corp commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col. _____ on the Re. Alabama done for 2 Years. _____
Subscribed on the Roll of A. Sland at the rate of 80 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Aug 1833 and unto S. Whitcomb E. Searched
Arrears to the 4th of Mo. V. $ 16 0 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mo. V. 40 $ 20 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. Ketchum Clerk, Book 6 , Vol. 2 , Page 109

State of Rhode Island } Court of Common Pleas County of Kent, ss. } August - Term D 1832
On this Twenty ninth day of August D 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Judges or Justices of the Court of Common Pleas, now sitting, Martin Casey a resident of East Greenwich in the County & State aforesaid, aged Twenty Two 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 of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832. — That he intends the service of the United States under the following named Officers, & served as herein stated. — That he was born at s d East Greenwich, on the twenty fourth day of February 1760 — That soon after his birth, (which is recorded in the Town Clerks office of said Town) his Father removed to Warwick, about forty rods distant from the place of his birth, where he resided, when he intends the service of the United States until Dec r 1778 — when on account of the State of his health, he embarked at Boston for France — where he resided until after the peace. He then returned by the way of London to America & resided at said Warwick until the year 1788 — He then removed to the Territory North West of the River Ohio & resided about seven years at Marietta & Belprie was one of the first Settlers of Marietta, where he received from Gov r St. Clair a Lieutenants Commission dated 3 rd Aug t 1788, in the first regiment of Militia of the County of Washington. Before the Indian war commenced he removed to Belprie, & remained there during that period, was in actual service during that time, & received a Major's Commission — He then returned to East Greenwich aforesaid, where he has ever since resided. That his age is recorded in his old family bible. That he was a Member of the Independent Company of Kentish Guards, & did duty therein in the Revolutionary war until he went to France in Dec r 1778 —  1 over 1

December 1778. Said Company were established at S t East Green- wich & received their Charter from the Legislature in Oct r , 1774, & consisted most of the time of between Eighty and One Hundred men rank & file — That on receiving information of the battle of Lexington in April 1775 — said Company were in less than three hours after assembled and on their march with 110 men rank & file (some volunteers having joined them) for the scene of Action. But, while said Company were at Pawtucket on their way thither, an express arrived giving infor- -mation that the Enemy had retreated to Boston, and we therefor returned back to East Greenwich, where we continued to do duty, by keeping up a regular guard during the remainder of that year, & subsequently until the Claimant left the Country for Europe Col s James Mitchel Varian was, at this time, Com- -mander of said Company — That, before & after the com- -mencement of hostilities, much of the time of the said Company was employed in military exercise & in acquir- -ing Military Knowledge & discipline — said Company furnished not less than thirty five Officers of diffe- -rent grades for the Continental Army, among whom were Genl. Nathl. Greene, Genl. Varian, Colonels - Christopher Green, Crary & Dister & Major Hlaff. In the year 1776, & in 1777, James Wallac, who comman- -ded a British Ship, mounting between 20 & 30 Guns and Capt. Ascoug, another, mounting about 20 Guns with several small armed vessels as Tendrs, were fre- -quently up the River in Narragansett Bay, & kept the Company constantly upon the alert. They could land about 300 men including marines. Capt. Wal- -lac landed a number of his men on Conanicut & burnt most of the Houses on the Island; and plundered the furniture & provisions, killed their Cattle & some of the Inhabitants & made Prisoners of others. East Greenwich, situated on the Narragan- -sett Bay, was exposed to his depredations — and this Claimant believes that nothing, but the continued efforts of said Company, prevented their burning the Town. We erected a Fort at the Entrance of the Harbour, & had some Cannon mounted to prevent their Boats & Tendrs getting into the Harbour, & kept a regular Guard there for a long time. A vessel, which had been driven on shore at Warwick Neck by (Continued)

two British Tenders full of Men, was rescued from the hands of the Enemy by said Company, at that time, under the Command of Col o Richard Fry, after an engagement of three or four hours. Some time afterwards, Wallac came up the river from the harbour of Newport & anchor d between Bristol & the Island of Prudenc e . It was expected his intentions were to burn the houses on Prudenc e & plunder the Island. Col o Fry caused a Company to be carried on to the Island in Boats a distance of about six miles to prevent their landing. While there we received information in the morning by a man who rode very fast, that the enemy were landing three or four miles below. In the meantime we had sent back our Boats for a reinforcement, and being but 80 in number, & knowing that the Enemy could land at least 250 men, we were compelled to make the best show of resistance we could. Accordingly we immediately formed a march towards them resolutely; & the Enemy on discovering us returned to their vessels. In the afternoon we received a reinforcement & the Enemy got under way in the night & returned to Newport, and we returned to Greenwich. But, sometime after the Enemy landed on Prudenc e & burnt most, if not all the houses on the Island. Our Company was frequently called out & marched in the night to Greenwich, a distance of between 3 & 4 miles, to prevent the Enemy's taking off stock & plundering the Inhabitants. There were a number of Tories, well acquainted with that part of the Country, who abetted the Enemy, & we could not keep their Boats at a respectful distance until we had two pieces of Artillery attached to the Company - 18 pdr, & after the Enemy took possession of Rhode Island, detachments of said Company were frequently called out, to take up Tories & suspected Persons, many of whom, were at that time in this part of the Country. This Claimant will remember being called out one night with a detachment of said Company, under the command of Genl. Varnum & Col o Sherburne, to go in search of a man by the name of Hart, a spy from the Enemy. After riding all night, we obtained information of the place of his concealment,
(over) And
more end Dec r 1778

and took him early in the morning at Exeter together with some other suspected Persons. He was carried to Providence tried by a Court Martial & executed. He had enlisted a number of Men, some of whom procured Boats & joined the Enemy on Rhode Island. This Claimant was on Rhode Island in Sullivan's expedition with said Company, then under the Command of the said Col. Fry — That he saw Genl. Nathl. Greene there & many other general Officers, with whom he was acquainted. The Company came off before the battle took place, the time of their service having expired & there being no prospect of an engagement soon taking place.
On hearing the firing of the advanced guards, on the day of the Action, said Company embarked on board a Packet, with the view of landing on the North end of the Island as a reinforcement. After passing Providence Island, one of the Enemy's vessels endeavoured to cut us off, & we were obliged to land on the main about two miles North of the Island. Learning that the Army were about to retreat off the Island, we did not go on, but helped to take care of the wounded, who, were brought to said place — This Claimant did, according to his estimation three years duty as a volunteer during the Revolutionary war, without any pay or reward reward whatever, but the consciousness of doing, as he then supposed, & as he still does, his duty to his Country. He has no documentary evidence of his services.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Wanton Gasey
Sworn to in open Court.
Witness John Brown Atty
had been sworn in
(Contem. un.)

N o 9345
Winton basey
Guard Training
For at 2 years
Patent not properly when issued. period of service not correctly dated agreeably to the regulations
Nov. 13. 1832
N. Whiting Esq.
E. Greenwich R.I.

BRIEF in the case of  Manton Casey of the County of Kent  in the State of  R. Island  (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? 72 years.  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. Gen.   Years, Months, Days.     In 1775, Ap. 19, to Decr. 1778 3 — — Volunteer In the Independent Company of Kentish Guards Commanded by Col. Warner & Col. Fay  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Warwick Neck  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Warwick  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, the original Certificates 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Levin Belt Examining Clerk.

Revolution
21 686 INVALID.
File No. 21,686
Winton Casey Prs Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 61
[Arrangement of 1870.]

South I Stephen Green of North Kingstown in the county of Washington, do hereby certify, that I resided at East Greenwich in the County of Kent during the Revolutionary war and that I was a member of the Independent Com- pany of Kentish Guards from the time said Company was first formed until after the war was over, and I also certify that Wanton Casey was one of the first members of said Company and did duty therein until he left this County for France, the time I cannot recollect, and I well remember his being with said Company at Warwick neck when we had a Skirmish with the enemy.
Stephen Green
3rd Kent Jc. Court of Common Pleas August Term 1832 Sworn to in open Court the third day of the Term Witness John Brown Atk
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 Ezra Seamans of East Greenwich in our County of Kent & Stephen Green of South Kingstown, County of Washington who also signed the same are residents in the State of Rhode Island in S d several Counties 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 Wanton Casey 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

I Ezra Simmons of East Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island do hereby cer- tify that Wanton Casey of said East Greenwich aforesaid was a member of the Independent Company of Kentish Guards when I joined the Company in Dec r 1776. and that he did duty therein until he left this Country for France in the beginning of the winter of 1778. or in the beginning of the year 1779 — 8 th
Ezra Simmons
Kent Sc. Court of Common Pleas August Term A D 1832
Sworn to in open Court the eighth day of the Term
Witness
John Brown Clk

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations.
Kent ss
At least Greenwich April 16 th 1833. Personally appeared before Joseph J. Tillinghast, an Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, Wanton Casey of said East Greenwich, who being duly sworn, doth on his oath, make the following Affidavit in addition to his former Declaration and Statement - That the the services therein stated were actual military services , rendered in the Kentish Guards, which was an embodied corps , organized by the General Assembly of this State, and commanded by Col. James  Warnum firstly, and afterwards by him  Col. Richard Fry , an Officers appointed by the same General Assembly, or Governor and Council, and commissioned by the Governor; and therefore said Company was organized and commanded by competent Authority. - And this Applicant further States, that the most of his time, from the commencement of the War until he left the Country, on account of his health, in the last of December A. D. 1878. was (together with the rest of the company) employed in actual military services in guarding and training , under the immediate direction of the Governor, or Commissioner in Chief of this State.
Wanton Casey
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year before written. before me J. J. Tillinghast, Just 66 Pleas

I Wanton Gasey of Eastgreenwich in the County of Kent do hereby certify that I well recollect that Stephen Green of South Kingston in the County of Washington, an Applicant for a Pension, was a Sergeant in the Independent Company of Kentish Guards in the commencement of the Revolutionary War; and according to the best of my recollection, he continued a Sergeant therein so long as I remained a member of said Company, which was in the close of the year 1778, when I went to Europe. That I should have stated this fact in my former Affidavit, given on the thirty first of August A.D. 1832. but was not. interrogated thereto. Wanton Gasey
State of Rhode Island.
Kent County ss At Eastgreenwich May 24 th 1833. Subscribed and sworn to before me; And I certify that the Deponent has always sustained a good character for truth.
Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Wherefore The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations do hereby certify that Mathias H. Hiles Esq. is a Justice of the Peace in the Town of Eastgreenwich in the County of Kent, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand, and that full faith and credit should be given to all his official acts. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & the seal of said Court at Eastgreenwich this twenty eighth day of May in the year 1833 John Brown. Clerk

State of Rhode Island & County of Kent
on this first day of December A.D. 1832. Personally appeared before Joseph G. Tillinghast, an Associate Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in said County, Wanton Casey of East Greenwich in said County, who being duly sworn doth on his oath, make the following statement, sup- plementary to, and in amendment  addition of his former Decla- ration, made before the Court of Common Pleas in said County at their August Term A.D. 1832.
That he served as a volunteer in the said Company of Kentish Guards in the year 1775. and was on actual duty in said Company, at East Greenwich, Warwick and North Kingstown for the the term of not less than six months in the spring, summer and fall of that year; and was employed a part of the time in erecting a fort. That in the year 1776. he was in actual service in said Company, at said East Greenwich, Warwick neck, North Kingstown and the Island of Prudence, for the term of six months or more. That in the year 1777. he was on duty and in actual service in said Company not less than six months at said East Greenwich, War- wick, North Kingstown and Tiverton. That in the year 1778. he was on duty and in actual service in said Company at said East Greenwich, Warwick, North Kingstown and on Rhode Island six months or more; making, to his certain knowledge, more than two years of actual mili- tary service in the Revolutionary War, for which he claims a pension.
Wanton Casey
Kent Co. at East Greenwich.
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Wanton Casey the day & year above written.
Reference
J. G. Tillinghast Jus. C. P. Pleas

I Michael Burdett of East Greenwich in the County of Kent A Clergyman - being twenty nine years of age - do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Wanton Casey Esq. who is subscriber to the within Application for a pension and believe him to be of the age of seventy two years as he has stated - and that his character for Truth & Veracity is good - and that he is reputed in the Neighbourhood where he resides to have rendered military Service during the Revolutionary War - and that I concur in that Opinion — Michael Burdett
Wanton Casey -
Sworn to at East Greenwich
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Michael Burdett this 3 rd day of December 1832. And I hereby certify that the said Deposition is a Clergyman of good Standing at said East Greenwich Witness J. S. J. P. M c Hugh
Sub 66 Plead -
Know Ye. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerk's Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Joseph J. Billingshall is a Justice of said Court, that the within is proper signature in his own hand writing In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & seal of office at East Greenwich this third day of December in the year 1832
John Brown Clerk

War Department Pension Office March 9 th 1833
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Wanton Casey has been again examined. It is doubtful whether the service alleged in his supplemental affidavit, to have been performed at Norwich included the service of guarding and training as set forth in his original declaration. The act is construed to provide for actual military service in an embodied corps, organized and commanded by competent authority.
He is therefore required to make an additional affidavit, which shall in terms set forth his actual service of the above description.
His papers are herewith returned.
I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt. J L Edwards
Hon. T. Burgess Providence R.I.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Casey, William GRADE Private LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11068 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED October 6, 1794 to Henry Purdy, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.