Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21129, Edmund Colvin, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Rel.
Colvin, Edmund S. 21129
CONTENTS

21.286 Rhode Island
Emma Calvin of Kent Co in the State of R.I. who was a servant in the Company commanded by Captain Snow of the R.I. commanded by Col. Green in the R.I. Militia for 7 months
Inscribed on the Roll of E. Hland at the rate of 25 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Aug 1833 and sent Rev. Mr. Brown Cornell Providence R.I.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $46.66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept. 11.67 $58.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by T. H. Dorr Clerk, Book E Vol. 2 Page 104

com Emma Calvin
15-75-8

State of Rhode Island &c &c
County of Kent
On this 21 day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court being a Court of Common Pleas within & for said County now in session Edmund Colvin
and State of Rhode Island a resident of Coventry in the County of Kent aged 69 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, 1832, viz.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
Was born May 24 th 1763 in Scituate which is now in the family bible and lived in Coventry when he entered the Service. Ever since and the applicant further states that he enlisted in June 1780 in Capt Snows company & Col Christy's Greene's regiment for six months in the Continental army and was stationed on Rhode Island and the applicant further states that he again enlisted in the same capacity in March 1781 for one month in Capt Haffons company of Rhode Island Troops and was stationed on Rhode Island — all which he served out and was honorably discharged —

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. Edmund Colvin
Witness John Brown. Clk
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 Charles Stone and that Stephen Westcott, Stephen Young who also signed the same are residents in the as stated in their depositions and is a credible person, 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 Edmund Colvin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this fifth day of September in the year 1832
John Brown

157 58 Edmund Colvin Rhode Island
Private 7 Months
1605 July 6 1833 P 1123
Benj Colwell Ror R S

BRIEF in the case of  Edmund Alvin  County of Kent  in the State of  Rhode 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? 69 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.     Enlisted In 1780 — 6 — — private Gen. Capt Snow Col Green   1781 — 1 — — — Capt Traphorn  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Country R.I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Not attached 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Knight Examining Clerk

Provisions 21129 INVALID.
File No. 21,129
Edmund Colvin
Br. Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 77
[Arrangement of 1870.]

15-75-8
Admuna loolvin
Coventry
de No 12 & 16 church
BC
Phys 2 Laurell Eng
Mondine
29

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Edmund Colvin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? ys II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? ys 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? ys 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? ys VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? ys VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? ys VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? ys IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? ys 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? ys

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? Serving witnesses
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ✓
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? ✓
 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
† 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 authenticates 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 ends 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

The Testimony of Stephen Westcot of Situate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island &c being in the seventieth year of his age who saith as follows (to wit) I was enlisted as a Soldier in the Revolutionary war for six months and was stationed on Rhode Island at Middletown Hill (so called) and served under Capt. Snow the first part of the time and after him, under Lieutenant Brown. I also say that Edmund Colvin of Coventry was a Soldier at the same time and under the same officers and belonged to the same mess with me. we served the above mentioned term of Duty in the year A.D. 1780 Attest Asa Stone                      Stephen his X Westcot mark
Read for at Coventry this third day of August 1832 then Personally appeared the above named Stephen Westcot and made solemn oath to the truth of the above written Testimony by him subscribed Before me Asa Stone Jus. Peace

Kent Sc. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Asa Stone is a Justice of the peace for the Town of Coventry in our County of Kent that the within is His proper signature in His own Hand writing - that Full Faith & Credit is & ought to be given to all His official acts - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and seal of office at East Greenwich the third day of September in the year 1832
John Brown. Clk

The affidavit of Stephen Young of Scituate being of Lawfull age who Testifieth that I enlisted with and at the same time that Edmund Colvin of Coventry did as a Soldier in the Revolutionary war under Capt Jonathan Knight of said Scituate for the term of one month we did our Service at or about Newport R. I. and we served part of said month under Capt. Grafton we enlisted in the month of March A. D. 1781 in Stephen Young
Kent Jc Coventry July 26 - 1832
Then the above named Stephen Young appeared & made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above affidavit Before me Asa Stone Just Peace

Went to The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas.
I certify that Asa Stone is a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Coventry in our County of Kent - that the within is his proper signature in his own hand writing - that full faith & credit is & ought to be given to all his official acts - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office. At East Greenwich the third day of September in the year 1832
John Brown - CLK

And now on this the 18 th day of July 1833 Edmund Colvin further maketh oath that he served seven months as stated in his declaration made on 21 st of August 1832 in open Court. that now produces the testimony of the Rev d Charles Stone & Benoni Bates & claims a pension under the act of June 7 1833 J.P. In Providence July 18 1833 the Edmund Colvin
Sworn to by the said Edmund Colvin before me
John Pitman
District Judge U.S. for Rhode Island Dist.

We Charles Stone a Congyman residing in the town of Scituate and Benoni Bates residing in Coventry humbly certify that we are well acquainted with Edmund Colvin who has subscribed and sworn to annexed declara- tion that we believe him now to be 70 years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion
Charles Stone
Benoni Bates
In Providence July 18 1833
Personally appeared before me the above named Charles Stone & Benoni Bates & made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them signed and I further certify that said Charles Stone is a Congyman residing in Scituate & that both he and the said Benoni are credible witnesses & their statement entitled to full credit
John Pitman
(District Judge U.S.
for Rhode Island Dist t

Rhode Island District
Clerk's office U S District Court In Providence July 18 1833
I certify the preceding signatures of "John Pitman" are the true signatures of John Pitman in his own hand writing of John Pitman Judge of the District Court of the United States within & for said Dis- trict
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court on the day & year above written
Benjamin Lawrence Clerk of said Court
Gen. Colburn