Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,717, Peleg Cross, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.J.
Cross Peleg
S. 21.717
CONTENTS

Deposition base of Beleg onyx -

The deposition of Ethan Crandall of Charleston in the County of Washington State of Rhode Island aged 74 years on oath before me says that I well know Peter Cross now an applicant for a pension - That in the year 1777 I was then a substitute for my father and was in the same company with the said Peter Cross and he was a private and sergeant of the Guard therein - Said company was commanded by Capt. Amos Greene of Charleston and was stationed at the Munford house in Point Judith, Washington County Rhode Island - The duty of said company was to guard the shore and that one month said Cross was with said company all the time Ethan Crandall

ays Regiment the Second, Thomas Sheffield was Major Our regiment was formed on the Left of the 2d Line The Battle was fought between the American Army & the British Army, the next day after the Battle, when a breach was made across the Island in front of Bunker hill, the night following, Genl Sullivan evacuated the Island & landed on Scituate Shore.
In 1779 had a Lieut Commission as will appear in Infy 1780 - was ordered out with 25 men from Charlestown Drafted for 30 Days marched thence to Rhode Island Joined a company from North Kingstown commanded by Capt Lawrence Pierce, formed a Regiment on the Island commanded by Col Church, we remained there the time out or nearly & was called no more. The whole term of service, that is to say, the time which he was left here, under arms was six months. When he was in the minute men of Captain Green's Company, he and his officers, were left always under arms, to move at a moment's notice, were called at a Minute's warning, on the 10th of December, coming up the sea, the Enemy were at the coast, landing, & driving our shells on shore, which whenever they did, he and his officers were obliged to march off and encamp at the place immediately, he was actually engaged attending to alarm of the kind above stated, at least two months, which to be allowed, to that company of minute men. The above is on record, on the Town Clerks Office, in the Town of Charlestown, that is to say the time of his service was his Colonel, all the time, Thomas Sheffield Adjutant, in Sullivan Expedition, he has always lived in Charlestown. He never went under any Continental service, except in Sullivan Expedition, when all the troops were commanded by him. He saw General Lafayette on the Island of Rhode Island in Sullivan Expedition, and General Greene who commanded the Rhode Island State troops. Other Generals & Colonels were with him in Captain Green's Company, which is to say to duty in Boston Neck & Boston Neck guarding the bridge, as also state, Lieut Colonel & Sylvester Brainerd, one having to be Landing on the Island of Rhode Island - for -
with him in Captain Green's Company, which is to say to duty in Boston Neck & Boston Neck guarding the bridge, as also state, Lieut Colonel & Sylvester Brainerd, one having to be Landing on the Island of Rhode Island - for -

Governor, in Rhode Island, who commanded the Rhode Island State Troops. Ethan Brundall & Edmund Clarke met with him in Captain Green's Camp, which was on the road to duty in Brant Point & State Road. In order to have, as also state, that Brundall & Sylvester Brundall, one having to be his being to be the head of Rhode Island in General Sullivan's Expedition Brundall to the expedition of General Sullivan in 1778, there was an expedition, under General Hecker, who attempted to make a landing on the Island, and he was called into, to be in the camp in Captain Green's Camp, and was ordered to return and reported that the plan was abandoned, and his associates were ordered out in thirty days, but he presumed were not detained so long. He also knows not with him a Rhode Island Militia, when he had a Lieutenant's Commission, at the time last spoken of and will so testify, he does not know that Blegyman in his vicinity, who can testify to the report and belief at that time, of his being to a Colonel or Militia Man, in the Revolution, or to his character for truth, but refers the Court to Edmund Wilcox & Moses Dey of Charleston - who are acquainted with him and will testify to the same. His Lieutenant's Commission is herewith forwarded -
Town Clerk's Office Charlestown August 15 th AD 1832 I hereby certify to All whom it may concern, that it appears by the Records of this Town that Betsy Cross was born June 26 th AD 1759. Taken from first Book in Town for Registering Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc. and N o . 92. page 38. Witness Samuel Stanton V. Clerk
I Samuel Helme do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Betsy Cross Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Justices of the Peace for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17 th day of September 1832 Sam l Helme Clerk
I certify that the above name is the handwriting of S l Helme & the seal that of his office, Samuel J. Rand

... Rhode Island State Troops. Ethan Bransdall & Edna Black
... with him in Captain Green's Company, which was ordered to duty in Rhode Island & South West guarding the Coast, as also state. First Lieutenant & Adjutant General, and having to leave him on the Island of Rhode Island in General Sullivan's Expedition. Previous to the expedition of General Sullivan in 1778, there was an expedition, under General Spencer, who attempted to make a landing on the Island, and he was called into, to be in the command of Captain Green's Company, and was ordered to Rhode Island and dispersed but the plan was abandoned, and his appointments were ordered out in New York, but he presumed were not detained so long. He was then with him on Rhode Island with him, when he had a Lieutenant's Commission, at the time last taken off and will so testify. He does not know if any other person was in his company, who can testify to the effect and left at this time, of his being a soldier or Militia Man, in the Revolution, or to his character for truth, but refers the Court to Edmund Wilcox & Horace Berry of Charleston - who are acquainted with him and will testify to the same. His Lieutenant's Commission is herewith forwarded -
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. Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Phileg Cross
We, Edmund Wilcox residing in the Town of Charleston - and Horace Berry - residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Phileg Cross who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day aforesaid.
Edmund Wilcox Horace Berry
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 the person who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the Town of Charlestown and that Edmund Wilcox & Horace Berry are who have also signed the same are residents in the Town of Charlestown and are credible persons; and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Samuel Helme Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Justices of the Peace do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Phileg Cross for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 19th day of September 1832
Sam. Helme Clerk
I certify that the above name is the handwriting of Samuel Helme & the seal that of his office. Samuel J. Rand

On this 10th Day of September A.D. 1832. personally appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Washington & State of Rhode Island &c
Peter Gove a resident of the town of Charlestown in the County of Washington and State Aforesaid. Aged Seventy three 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he belonged to Capt Amos Grimes Company of Militia in the town of Charlestown, And that he with one half Capt Grimes Company, On the 6 th Day of December 1776, then marched from Charlestown to Boston Neck & was encamped at the Sias Garden House (so called) This was the Day the British Fleet went into the Harbour of Newport and took possession of the Island of Rhode Island, remained there about two months, guarding the Shore &c, was then moved to Point Judith, where at the Munford House, guarding the Shore from narrow river to Point Judith Point, remained there until some time in the month of April following was then relieved and returned to Charlestown, Soon after a part of Capt Grimes Company was drafted and equipped with 24 pound Each man, called minutemen ready to march at a moments warning, and was on duty a considerable part of the time for four months, marching to the Shore when the enemies vessels came in sight to prevent their Landing and taking of Stock as they frequently did and protesting our Vessels when drove on Shore by the Enemy. In the month of August 1778. was drafted for one month, called the 2 d Division of Militia to March on Rhode Island, Genl Sullivan's Expedition Commanded by Brig Genl Lewis Lieutenant, joined Col Joseph Hays Regiment

I certify that Whipdike was at the time of taking these depts of still is in Justice Peace witness J. Bann

6229
Rhode Island
Pileg Cross
of Charleston in the State of R.I. who was a Lieut. & Co. in the company commanded by Captain Grimes in the Regt. commanded by Col. Way in the Rhode Island line for 7 months & 24 days Sergt 6 mo & 24 days Lieut 1 "
Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 47 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Feby 1833 and sent to Hon J. D. Pierce To R
Arrears to 14th of Sept 1832 $70.99 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March 23.66 $94.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832.

Revolutions
21 717 INVALID.
File No. 21,717
Alleg Cross Light Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 65
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Resolutions
21 717 INVALID.
1
File No. 21,717
Blk Cross
Leont Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 35
[Arrangement of 1870.]

By his Excellency William Greene Esq. Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Ch. and over the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Pl.
to Peleg Cross. _____ Gentleman, GREETING.
Uthe said Peleg Cross _____ being by the General Assembly elected and chosen to the Place and Office of Lieutenant _____ of the Second or Trained Band of the Town of Charlestown _____ in the County of Kings _____ in the State aforesaid, are hereby, in the Name of the Governor and Company of the said State, author- ized, empowered, and commissioned, to exercise the Office of Lieutenant _____ 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 ut- most 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, 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 Commission shall be your sufficient War- rant and Discharge.
G I V E N under my Hand and Seal of the said State, the Twenty Day of June _____ in the Year of our Lord One Thou- Seven Hundred and Seventy-nine
By his Excellency's Command,
Henry Ward
W. Greene
AM BR RT

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, &c. } Washington County,
Sc. South Kingstown, Sept. 15 1882.
Personally appeared the aforementioned Silas Hamey, Sylvester Brodhead, Edwin Blake & Ethan Brandee and before deposing as aforesaid, were by me, carefully cautioned, examined and sworn to testify the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and gave the foregoing deposition, which were reduced to writing by me, in their presence and they signed the same in my presence. And I further certify that the said deponents are well known to me and that they sustain a fair character for truth, and that their deposition are entitled to credit.
Wilkins Updike Justice Peace.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
Washington County, sc.
I Samuel Helme, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Washington, & state, aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wilkins Updike, Esq. before whom the deposition annexed were taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace, duly elected and qualified within and for the county of Washington, in said state and that his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this _____ day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty two.

The deposition of Elias Harvey of Charleston in the County of Washington, State of Rhode Island aged 71 years on oath before me says. That I well know Pileg Cross now an applicant for a pension. That in the year 1780 that Pileg Cross was a lieutenant of militia in Charleston in this County and twenty five men were drafted and put under his command (I was one of them) for thirty days term of duty and said Cross marched from Charleston on to Rhode Island and there joined a company from North Kingston commanded by Capt Lawrence Pease and joined the regiment under Col. Church he remained there, & myself with him, the time out or nearly so & returned home - then we had no written discharges - Elias his Harvey mark
Test to Elias Harvey signing - W. Updegraff

The deposition of Sylvester Burdick of Charlestown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath testifies I say. That I am 78 years of age that I have always known Pileg Cook now an applicant for a pension. That I know that said Pileg was orderly sergeant in the company of Lieut: Beriah Lewis. Commanding, in Col Joseph Noyes regiment on Rhode Island in the expedition under Gen. Sullivan in August 1778 and served then doing duty in said engagement and stood then during the whole expedition Sylvester Burdick

The deposition of Edward Clarke of Charlestown in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island on oath testifies & says that he is 77 years old that I well knows Peleg Cross now an applicant for a pension - That before at the time the British entered & took possession of Newport R.I. in December 1776 Col Peleg Cross the aforesaid applicant & myself were both drafted into Captain Amos Greene's company of Militia in the Town of Charlestown and said Cross was elected orderly Sergeant and said company immediately marched to Boston Neck in South Kingston opposite to Newport and was quartered at the Lieut Governor House located in said Boston Neck and said Cross & myself remained there two months doing duty in said company in guarding the shores against the attacks of the enemy - After that two months had expired said company was ordered to Point Judith in the same town to guard the shores then and said company was quartered at the Munford House guarding the shores from Narrow River to Point Judith Point and then said company remained he doing duty as a private until the month of April and was then relieved and

relieved and we returned home
I also know that said Capt was on Rhode Island in the Expedition under Genl Sullivan in August 1778 - said Capt was in Capt. Benezet's Company of Noyes Regiment and was in the engagement.
See Edward Clarke sign. Wapacke Jean
Edward his mark
Deborah D. Dyer N. H. Winter - Add. Bk

10.158 Percy Crop
Of the length of service in each grade is omitted to be stated by the asplacant, but a clearly promise of other testimony, and labor may be recognized.
L.C.
Sept 6 Month & 24 days
Sent 1 Math
7 — 24 — $47.33
Alma Grimes Nays
Woon N. J. Place
House of Reps

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Relg Crop 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? NO - 4 yrs (1841-45) 1st Regt Pa. Inf. 1 yr (1845-46) 1st Regt Pa. Inf. 2 yrs (1846-48) 1st Regt Pa. Inf.
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? no device or inscription

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? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 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 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No 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 in the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
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 official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡ 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.