Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13380, Joseph Head, R.I.

SERVICE
NUMBER
R.d.
Head, Joseph
S13380
Carded
CONTENTS

Edward Rogers new pen. July 22-30 duplicate certificate issued 24 March 1836 to Edward Rogers Madison, N.Y. See letter L. V. 4. Oct. 4. 1836-
43
my Agency 352 New York
Joseph Head Under in the State of New York was a Private in the Com. B. commanded Captain _____ of the Regt. commanded Col. Green on the _____ for 12 Mos
R. S. Dine.
Records corrected March 6, 1906.
subscribed on the Roll of P. York the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Aug 1834 and due to A. S. Sloan At Madison
means to the 4th of Dec " $ 93.32 increment allowance ending 4 Dec " 23.33 $ 116.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } recorded by P. C. Smith Clerk, bk E Vol. 4, Page 62

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of New York
Madison County ss. On this second day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Dlisha Kendall a judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison & State of New York Joseph Head who by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court who is a resident of the Town of Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York aged seventy one years on the twenty fourth day of February last past, who being first duly sworn or affirmed 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. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. Colonel Cook command- er of a regiment of state troops raised by Rhode Island Captain Henry Wilds Lieutenant John Davis and Ensign Dunbar. That he enlisted into the state troops as a private for three months in the month of August or September 1778 and after he joined the regiment continued in service until the month of November or December in the same year and until the expiration of the term of his enlistment. On account of sickness or for some other cause not now recollected he did not join the troops until about a fortnight after the regiment had entered the service. He was stationed at Newport on Rhode Island and continued there until driven off by the British. That in the summer of 1779. in the month of June after the British had taken possession of Rhode Island he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers of the militia Colonel Gray Captain George Simmons Lieutenant John Davis Ensign, Stephen Meara, that the regiment to which he belonged was raised from the towns of Little Compton and

and Giverton which lay on Scituate river opposite New Port that the militia of these towns were called out in map immediately after the British took possession of Rhode Island and continued in service as a guard until the month of May or June in the year 1777. That then the companies of militia of the town of Little Compton where he resided were divided into three classes and served alternately one third at a time during the continuance of the time the British had possession of Rhode Island or until the month of November 1779. That he became a subject of militia duty and was drafted in the manner above stated and served in Captain George Simmons company of infantry of Little Compton after the month of June 1777. until November 1779. his allotted portion of time. That guards were kept at different stations on Scituate river for more than six miles night and day during the time the British held possession of Rhode Island. That he performed his regular tour of duty of one month in three during said time except about three months in which he was sick and about the same period of time in which the French fleet lay in the harbor and also during the two expeditions of Spencer and Sullivan in which he served as herein after stated. That he received pay and rations during his term of service. That during the expedition of General Spencer he he was drafted and served one month at Giverton under the officers above named. He also served under the same officers during General Sullivan's expedition on Rhode Island for one month the month or day of the month when he entered & when he left the service in these ex- peditions he does not recollect nor has he any data other than general history to ascertain. In Spencer's expedition he was drafted together with one half the company to which he belonged and in Sullivan's expedition he served as a substitute for Tobias Little who was drafted. That including the service in the two expeditions above named he served as a private for more than six months in the militia of Little Compton and was stationed there except the two months before stated. That he served on the Continental establishment under the following named officers Colonel Christopher

Green Lieutenant Col. Ward Major Haff. Lieutenant Johnson had command of the company and was the only commissioned officer of the company - the regiment was called the Black regiment of the Rhode Island line. He enlisted for six months as a private in the month of June or July 1780 and served until the month of November or December in the same year when he was discharged. He was stationed at New Port on Rhode Island and was discharged after he had served five months and a half. He was near tho not engaged in the battle on Rhode Island during Sullivan's expedition. He was marched from Little Compton on to Rhode Island. He was not stationed when in the state troops and militia near any regular troops and does not recollect the names of any officers except as above stated.
He was born at Little Compton in the year 1761. on the twenty fourth day of February; he has no record of his age except in the family bible in his possession but has been informed that a record of his age was made in the town of Dartmouth now Westport in Massachusetts.
He lived in Little Compton when he enlisted into the state troops for three months and when he enlisted into the regular army for six months. and resided there when drafted in the militia and when he served as a substitute for John Little. He resided at Westport in Massachusetts after the close of the war until 1797 when he removed to Madison in New York where he has resided ever since and now lives. He first enlisted into the state troops of Rhode Island afterwards was drafted and served as a substitute for John Little in the militia afterwards enlisted into the Black regiment of the continental army and served for more than fourteen months in the whole.
He knows no regular officers except those stated nei ther does he recollect any regiments except those stated either militia or continental.
He never received any written discharge.

I am known to George Simmons Beth Blair Benjamin Simmons Isaac Lee in the neighborhood where I live who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the revolution.
I have no documentary evidence of service in my profession and no testimony except that of Stephen Mearce whose affidavit 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 or affirmed and submitted Joseph Head the day and year aforesaid
Elisha Randall a judge of Madison County courts
We Beth Blair a neighbor of the above named applicant residing in Madison and Nehemiah Thompson residing in the same place here by certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Head, who has subscribed and sworn or affirmed to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years old on the twenty fourth day of February last past. 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. And we further certify that no clergy man who has resided in town over two years lives in town - Sworn submitted the day & year aforesaid Seth Blair Nehemiah Thompson
Elisha Randall a judge
State of New York Madison County ss. I Elisha Randall a judge of the court of common pleas do declare my opinion, after 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 I further certify that it appears to me Beth Blair and Nehemiah Thompson of Madison are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that the above named applicant Joseph Head and who has subscribed the foregoing declaration by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend court.
Elisha Randall a judge of Madison common pleas

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. I. 13380.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
October 26, 1898.
Madam:-
Replying to your recent communication you are advised that Joseph Head made an application for pension on October 2, 1832, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing at Madison, N. Y., and his pension was allowed for fourteen months' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Lieut. Johnson and Col. Green. Place of his enlistment not stated.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Mrs. F. F. Hatch,
c/o Jarvis A. Head,
Lebanon, N. Y.
Madison Co.

State of New York Madison County Clerks office ss I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings. In the matter of Joseph Head an applicant for a pension had before Eliza Randall a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison in the State of New York and I do certify that Eliza Randall is an acting Judge of said Court duly Commissioned & qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the foregoing signatures are genuine and in his hand writing. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this third day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
A. S. Sloan Clk

Oct 26 '98 Mrs. T. F. Hatch. Lebanon, N.Y.
Reuben
13380 INVALID.
File No. 13380
Joseph Head Brn. Rev. Wm.
Act: June 9 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1, Page 170
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Joseph Read
for dup. Cur.
Has been paid to the 4 th September '33 only - arrears due for upwards of 2 years.
Respectfully referred to the Court of Pensions.
Pen. Office
Aug. 22 nd '36
You may issue a new R.B. Certificate
J.E.E.

Joseph Head
N. Y. R.
fr.
New Can.

State of New York
Madison County ss: On this thirtieth day of July 1838, before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County of Madison personally appeared Joseph Head who on his oath & solemn affirmation declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company of Capt. Am Davis in the militia of Rhode Island in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Cook and he also served in the continental service in the company commanded by Lieutenant Johnson in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Green & called the black regiment in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New York, that he received a certificate of the fact under the signature & seal of the Secretary of War; Which certificate on or about the month of September or October 1833, the day & week is not now known to this deponent, at or near his residence in the town of Madison he this deponent in a fit of partial derangement destroyed his certificate with other papers & this is now lost & gone & even vestige of it. The manner of the loss he cannot state with further particularity or certainty. Sworn & affirmed & subscribed before me, the day & year aforesaid Joseph Head
William Manchester Justice of the peace

State of New York
Madison County ss: Edward Rogers of Madison in the County of Madison & State aforesaid being duly sworn before the said x that he knows Joseph Head of Madison & knows him to be the identical person described in the affidavit on the other side of this sheet and that he is the same person to whom a certificate as therein mentioned was granted & that he this deponent acted as agent in obtaining said certificate and that it was in his opinion when he paid the arrears of pension first due & he has not seen it since. He further deposes that the affidavit of the said Joseph Head is entitled to full faith and credit & that he is a man whose moral character is without blemish or suspicion and further saith not Given & subscribed this 30 th day of July 1836 before me
William Manchester Justice of the Peace
I William Manchester the above named Justice certify that I am acquainted with Joseph Head & have been for many years & know him to be a Revolutionary Pensioner & know him to be a man of veracity. I also certify that I know Edward Rogers who has made & subscribed the above affidavit & know him to be a man of veracity. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 30 th day of July 1836
William Manchester

State of New York Madison County Clerk's Office } ss: I, Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do hereby certify that William Manchester, before whom the two foregoing, or within Affidavits purport to have been sworn. And also whose name appears to the within Certificate, was, at the date of the same, One of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County, duly elected and qualified. - And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavits and Certificate, to be his proper hand writing and signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 30 th day of July 1836. A. S. Sloan Clk.

State of New York
Madison County ss: Stephen Pierce being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath depose & say that he was, seventy six years old last December last that he now resides in the town of Paris in the County of Oneida a State of New York. That he resided during the period of the revolutionary war in the town of Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island. He further says that he is acquainted with Joseph Head of Madison in the County of Madison and State of New York and that he knew him while he resided at Little Compton in the State of Rhode Island that he knew him to have served in the State troops of Rhode Island in the year 1778 for three months on Rhode Island that he served in the company of Captain Henry Wilds of which company John Davis was lieutenant and - Dunbar Ensign that he belonged to Colonel Cooks Regiment. That he enlisted in September of that year and was dismissed in December following and that he saw him while in the service & knew the officers under whom he served and continued on the Island until the British took possession of it on the 7 th of December 1778. during this period he served as a private. He further saith that the said Joseph Head was a private in the company of George Simmons of which John Davis was lieutenant and this Deponent Ensign that the said Joseph Head entered the service of the United States as guard on the expedition of the year 1778 when the British had taken possession of Rhode Island that during that the month of May or June the two companies of Little Compton were divided into three classes and served alternately by allotment during the whole time the British continued in possession of Rhode Island until they retreated from it on the seventh or eighth of November 1779 that the said Joseph Head took his regular tour of duty & served for about ten months prior to May or June of 1778 the militia were called out in Mass and continued in service from the first landing of the British on the 7 th December 1778. The towns of Little Compton & Kingston lay on second

Opposite a part of New Port and the militia of these towns were formed into a regiment under the command of Col. Hilliard first afterwards of Col. Cook & Gray - that the shore of Seconnet river extended for more than six miles on which a guard was constantly kept up and the militia of the town drew pay and rations in proportion to the time of their service - during this period, in Sullivan's expedition the said Joseph Head served on Rhode Island three weeks in the aforesaid company under the command of Col. Gray - when the militia were called out in Mass. The said Head was a soldier in Sullivan's expedition to take possession of Rhode Island in 1777. The exact time he was out is not now recollected but he is positive and distinct in his recollection that the said Head served ten months - He also knows that Joseph Head served on the continental establishment for six months in Regiment of which Christopher Green called the Black Regiment of which Lieutenant Colonel and Ward was - Hagg was Major that he served in the company of which Lieutenant Johnson had command the exact time of enlistment or discharge this deponent does not recollect but believes the enlistment was in the month of June or July or  August & the discharge in the month of November December or January 1780 or . That he this deponent served with said Head during said time that they joined the regiment at Providence and were marched on to Rhode Island and most of the six months were stationed at New Port - and the said deponent saith the foregoing statement is true according to the best of his knowledge recollection and belief and further saith not -
Stephen Pearce
State of New York
Madison County ss I, Ebenezer Howard a Commissioner of deeds, of the town of Madison in the county of Madison and State of New York duly authorized to administer oaths and take affidavits to be read in all courts of law and equity in said state do certify that Stephen Pearce who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit appeared before me on this two eighth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two and made oath to the same

in due form of law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & title of office this twenty eighth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
Ebenezer Howard
Commissioner of Pleadings
State of New York Madison County ss. I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby certify that Ebenezer Howard is an acting Commissioner of deeds duly qualified to administer oaths and take affidavits to be read in all courts of law and equity in said State - and I further certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature of his name and title of office is genuine and in his own hand writing to the foregoing affidavit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 3 d day of October one thousand eight hundred & thirty two.
A. S. Sloan Clk.

State of New York
Madison County ss Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace of town of Madison in the County of Madison & State aforesaid Joseph Head who being duly affirmed, deponeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot affirm 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 which are also expressly stated & set forth in his declaration herunto annexed as a private. For two months & fifteen days, in the year 1776 in the State troops of Rhode Island under the officers named in my declaration I served as a private. For six months & more I believe I served as a private as is stated in my declaration during the years 1777, 1778 & 1779, including one month in Sullivan's & one month in Spencer's Expedition. For five months & fifteen days in the regular army as is stated in my declaration in the year 1780. as a private I served in a regiment known as the Black regiment. In the whole I served fourteen months as a private. The witness Stephen Mearns was not aware probably of the cause which prevented my service during the whole period of my enlistments in the State troops & regular army. and of the sickness which prevented my service during the periods when guards were kept at Little Compton. Tho' I feel confident of having served for a longer time than stated in my declaration I would rather fall short than overgo the time. For two months & fifteen days, in the State troops for six months in the militia of Rhode Island & for five months & fifteen days in the regular army in the whole fourteen months I claim a pension. Joseph Head
State of New York
Madison County ss I Thomas Miller Junior a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Madison certify that

Joseph Head who has subscribed the foregoing affidavit or deposition amendatory of his declaration to obtain a pension under the act of Congress of June 7. 1832. was duly affirmed to the same on this eleventh day of May 1833. before me
Thomas Miller J. S. Pease
ack 14 mo. per $46.66
State of New York, Madison County Clerk's office ss. I Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Madison do hereby certify that Thomas Miller J. S. Pease an officer of the Peace duly qualified of the County of Madison and I further certify that I am acquainted with his handwriting and will believe the signature of his name & title of office is genuine and in his own handwriting to the foregoing certificate of affirmation to the within affidavit. And I further certify that annexed to this is the original declaration of Joseph Head with the accompanying certificates of the respective persons & officers required by the Veterans Office and also the affidavit of Stephen Pease a witness for the said Joseph Head with the certificates attached thereto.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 14 th day of May one thousand eight hundred & thirty three -
A. S. Sloan Clk.

H Lebanon, Madison Co. New York Bureau of Pensions.
Washington D.C.
Wishing to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolu- tion, I must obtain a record of the service of my ancestor.
Joseph Heat .
He was born in West- port, Massachusetts, in 1761.
I have been directed by the Sec of State of

Mass to apply to the Bureau of Pensions for desired information. The said Joseph Wood applied for and received a pension, while residing in Madison, Madison Co. New York, his last office address may have been Hamilton, Madison Co. N.Y.
How long he retained the pension is not known to me. He became a drunker & destroyed his pension papers believing it wrong to take it.
I wish for Record of service & pension. Address,
Mrs. H. A. Wood. Care of Davis H. Wood. Lebanon. Madison Co. N.Y.
Enclosed please find One Dollar.

Sept 29/98 - $1 in currency, which accompanied this letter returned to sender this day.
J. E. P. - Finance Div.

Joseph Head, Prov. Albany, Act June 7 '32 at f 46.66 per Ann.
To what time was he last paid?
3 d Auditor
Pension Office Aug. 20 '36
He was paid to the 4 th Sept 1833
JH
R. Russell
Mr. Hasty

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Joseph Head 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 Applicant required to furnish the date & length of each term of service, and the names of the officers under whom he served, with the best evidence the nature of the case will permit he can claim to sustain his declaration.
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 clergyman in immediate neighbourhood.
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? Yes
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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
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? Yes  No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by 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 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.

Aug 8
W. Brumè.
J. L. Edwards Orgue
Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington
FREE

Madison August 2 o 1836.
To L. B. Edwards Esquire comm r of pensions
Sir, Enclosed I forward the affidavits required by the rules of the pension office, in the case of Joseph Head, a pensioner under the act of June 7 th 1832, whose certificate has been lost or destroyed. Please forward a new one to me.
With due respect, I remain your obedient servant Edward Rogers

Joseph Head
arr. July 22:30
July 24. Mr. Brn. Fine
L. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington.

Madison July 16 th 1836
J. B. Edwards Esquire
Sir, Inclosed I forward the affidavit of Joseph Head, in which the loss of his pension certificate is proved. He obtained the certificate in the summer of 1833. as he believes under the act of 7 th June 1832. On this certificate he received the amount of pension then due & has never drawn any since. My recollection as to the time of receiving the first certificate is as to the year the same as his. The date or number of the certificate I do not now remember. As to the facts stated in his affidavit there is no doubt as he is a man in whom implicit confidence may be placed. I am unacquainted with the rules of the office in such cases, but presume that on due proof of loss, which must in most cases, lie, as in this case, wholly within the knowledge of the holder of the certificate, that a new one would be granted or a transcript from the record. For which I now apply on the inclosed affidavit. Please to forward to him through me a new certificate or a certified copy of the record thereof.
I am sir, with great respect your Obedient servant Edward Rogers