Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21816, John Hill, R.I.

SERVICE
R. I.
Hill, John
NUMBER
S. 21816
CONTENTS

21.76 3/4 Rhode Island
John Hill
of Providence in the State of Rh. Island who was a Private in the Comp commanded by Captain Williams of the Regt. commanded by Col. Knight in the R.I. State line for 15 Months "
Inserted in the Roll of Rh. Island at the rate of 50 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct. 1822 and due to B. Cowell Providence
Arrear to the 14th of April 23 $ 125 Semi-annual allowance ending Apr 14 25 $ 150
Revolutionary Claim, for June 7, 1832.
Recorded by C. C. Hull Clerk Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 112

No 18848
John Hill Providence City Rhode Island
Per at 15 Monthly
506 July 6 1893
P 4241
B. Cowell Providence Rhode Island

BRIEF in the case of John Hill County of Providence 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? 82 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.     Drafted In 1776 Dec r 1 private Gen. William Col. Knight,   Drafted 1777 Feb y 1 private Same Company & officers   Drafted 1777 April 1 private Same Company & officers   Drafted 1777 Aug private Gen. B. Collins, Col. Thos. Gorton   to service every 3 d Month & 3 d Day to 1780 time not stated, but thinks he served more than 1 year in all  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? None stated  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Providence County Rhode Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional, 2 living witnesses certified credible, Clergymans certificate  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly Attached 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Rich d S. Keyes Examining Clerk.

John Hill 295
2:
/ 8848

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Rhode-Island District, sc. August Term 1881
County of Providence
On this 17 th day of September A. D. 1882 personally appeared in open Court, being a special District Court of the United States within and for said District, now in session— John H. Hill a resident of Scituate in the County of Providence and State of Rhode Island aged 82 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.
He was born March 13 th 1750 in North Kingstown, his birth was recorded in Scituate where he lived when he entered the service. Since the war has always resided in Scituate his present place of residence —
and this applicant further states that in Dec r 1776 he was drafted for one month & served at Bristol as a private in Capt Williams company H on Joseph Knights regiment of Rhode Island Militia and this applicant further states that in Feb y 1777 he was drafted & served one month at Warwick in same company & regiment as a private —
and this applicant further states that in April 1777 he was drafted & served one month at Warwick in same company & regiment as a private
and this applicant further states that in May, 1777 he moved into the county of Kent & was immediately after drafted to serve every third month & continued to serve his regular tours until the year 1780 under Capt Benedict Colvin H on Thomas Gorton, he cannot at this distant period particularise all the times & places of his services, but recollects being at Greenwrich two tours, at Newport in Sullivan's expedition, at Warwick two tours, at Bristol one tour & other places which he cannot now recollect, but thinks he must have served under Capt Colvin more than one year
all which drafts he served out & was honorably discharged but never had a written discharge

and this applicant further states that in April 1777 he was drafted & served one month at Warick in same company Regiment as a private and this applicant further states that in May, 1777 he moved into the county of Kent & was immediately after drafted to serve every third month & continued to serve his regular tours until the year 1780 under Colp Benedict Colvin & Col Thomas Gorton, he cannot at this distant period particularize all the times & places of his services, but recollects being at Greenwich two tours, at Newport in Sullivan's expedition, at Warick two tours, at Bristol one tour & other places which he cannot now recollect, but thinks he must have served under Colp Colvin more than one year all which drafts he served and was honorably discharged but never had a written discharge
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.
attest B Laurell CLK John Hill
We, Richard Knight a Clergyman, residing in the town of Cranston and John Hill residing in hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 82 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.
Richard Knight
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
B Laurell 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 Richard Knight who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Cranston & that Thomas Smith and that John Vaughn who have testified who also signed the same is a resident in the for said applicant are resident in this state and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, BENJAMIN COWELL, Clerk of said District Court, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Hill for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 12th day of November 1832
Benjamin Laurell CLK

I John Vaughan of Scituate in the County of Bristol residence in the State of Rhode Island being in the eightyfourth year of my age and engaged according to law do testify and say that I know John Hill of said Scituate aforesaid that I have known him more than sixty years I knew him in the Revolution War called I knew him to be a Soldier in said war in the Company commanded by Captain Samuel Wilbur of the Militia I knew him to be a Soldier at Warwick and at Bristol and on Newport Island so called at the time of Sullivan's Expedition John Hill is now living I consider him to be a Man of truth and Veracity and of steady and temperate habits
his John A Vaughan mark
State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss at Scituate July the 23 D o 1832 Then appeared the aforesaid John Vaughan and after being carefully examined caution- ed and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the foregoing Dep- osition which was then and there reduced to writing and by him subscribed in our presence Benjamin Wilbur Justice of the Peace

State of Rhode Island 84 Subscribed July the 23 d A D 1082 I certify that I know W th Vangh an subscriber to the afore going Deposition and have never heard any thing but what he is a Man of Truth and Veracity
Benjamin Wilbur Justice of the Peace

I Thomas Smith of Scituate in the County of Providence in the State of Rhode Island being in the seven- tysecond year of my age and engaged according to law do testify and say that, I know John Hill of said Scituate aforesaid that I have always known him ever since I have any knowl- edge of knowing any body out of our own family and have lived near neighbor to him most part of the time I know him to be a Soldier in the Militia in the time of the Re- volution War I know him to be a Soldier at Bristol under Captain Samuel Wilbur I consider said John Hill to be a Man of Truth and Veracity temperance and sobriety
Thomas Smith
State of Rhode Island &c Providence ss at Scituate July the 23 d 1832 Then appeared the aforesaid Thomas Smith and after being carefully examined cautioned and sworn to testify the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth gave the aforesaid Deposition which was by me in his presence reduced to writing and him sub- scribed in my presence
Benjamin Wilbur Justice of the Peace I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Thomas Smith Subscriber to the foregoing

Deposition and consider him to be a Man of Truth and Veracity and of Temperate and Steady habits Benjamin Wilbur Justice of the Peace Situate July the 23 D 1832
State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
Providence sc.
I, WILLIAM R. WATSON, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for the County of Providence, in said State, do hereby certify that Benjamin Wilbur is a Justice of the Peace for the town of Situate in said county and State:—that he is by the laws of said State, authorised to administer oaths and take depositions: and that the signature to the annexed document, purporting to be his, are in the proper hand writing of said Benjamin Wilbur
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court, at Providence, this twelfth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty- two
Wm R Watson

And now on this 12 day of September 1833 John Hile maketh further oath in addition to explanation of his former declaration made September 17 1832 in Court. Said John declares that in December 1776 he served one month as stated in said Declaration - 1 In Feb 1777 one month as stated - 1 In April 1777 one month as stated - 1 In May 1777 he moved into the County of Kent & was immediately drafted to serve every third month as stated & he so continued to serve until July or August 1780. But at the distant period he cannot particularize the particular places of his said services, but they were mostly performed in guarding the western shore of Narragansett Bay against the incursions of the enemy then in possession of Newport - and they were all performed in Capt Ben- edict Calvins Company & Col Gorton's Regi- ment of Rhode Island militia An order came that one third of this Regiment should always be on duty - And said John declares that between May 1777 and the month of December

of that year he served not less than Brandytown 3 two months at least at the places mentioned — } 2 between Jany 1778 and December of } that year not less than four months — 4 Between Jany 1779 & December of that year, not less than four months at least } 4 and between Jany 1780 & July of that } year not less than two months — \frac{2}{15} 
He never missed a single time of duty during all the time & he knows he served one third of the time — Therefore he must have served 12 months after he removed into Kent which together with the three months before make in all fifteen months he served as a private of a which he claims a pension
John Hill
In Pensions Sept 12 1833 I know to be said John Hill before me — Benjamin Cawell Committee Dist Court R. & Dist

I Israel Manchester of Tuscumbia in the State of Rhode Island on oath do testify & say that I am well acquainted with John Hill who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. I believe him to be about 83 years of age. Said Hill has sustained a fair character for truth and veracity and I believe he served in the War of the Revolution as he has stated in his said declaration Israel Manchester Sept 12 1833 sworn to before me and further certify that said deponent is a respectable inhabitant of said Tuscumbia & is a credible witness
Oliver C. Ladd Commissioner of Dist Court R I Dist

18848
John Hile
Tutuala
May 5 & 16 christened BC
Blanchett Esq Provisional R.G.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Nill 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 - He must set forth each particular term of service & when he was discharged &c &c. 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? Yes
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? 2 Witness
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? Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 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?
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.

Revolution
21816 INVALID.
File No. 21,816
John Hill Dis Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 185
[Arrangement of 1870.]