COWELL'S SPIRIT OF '76." An Analytical and Explanatory Index. Judge Benjamin Cowell, the author of this work, which was published by him in 1850, was born in Wrentham, Mass., in 1781, and died in Providence, R. I., May 6, 1860. He graduated from Brown University in the class of 1803. He studied law and settled in Providence. For a long term he was pension attorney for this district. During this long term he became acquainted with many of the old soldiers and he Could, from his large mass of anecdote and collections, have produced several very interesting volumes.. The partial list he published was perhaps an afterthought with him in late life 'for, had he commenced with his first practice with the object in view of publishing later, he would have had an immense manuscript which today would be priceless. The partial list he published was not arranged so that a reader, and more particularly one who was anxious to know whether a certain name was in his book or not, could find it without a weary search. In brief his work was utterly destitute of an index of any nature whatever. Judge Cowell's style was that of a lawyer and hence his work carries their earmarks. Had he systematized his notes he would have added much beauty to his work, from a literary point of view. These notes, however, coming as they do from a lawyer, are the more valuable and reliable as they are the facts as clearly as he could obtain them. At the time of the compilation of this work by judge Cowell, an index was not regarded as essential as it is to-day, so that, while the omission was excusable in his day, it would not be excusable now. With all these defects the work still has sterling merits. The large mass of valuable information contained therein has only to be properly indexed to be made useful, and of great value to one who is searching for this kind of historical information. The copy we have in our library we prize as highly as any one book of our Rhode Island works on a special subject. While we regret that the judge did not give us more of it, we are thankful for what he has done. The reader should bear in mind that when the same name as that of his grand, or great-grand-father appears in this list, it may indicate his service, or that of another of the same name. To clinch the proof other evidence must be obtained. Again, there may be several of the same name who served at different times in different places. The reader, therefore, should carefully verify the facts herein given with other authorities. That the reader may be instructed and interested in the perusal of this index is the earnest wish of the compiler. In the introductory portion of judge Cowell's work will be found several biographical sketches of the Rhode Island officers of the Revolution. 119 PEARCE Hon. Dutee )., M. C., his bill passed to pay Rhode Island claims; 184, his testimony. 218 " James, private, Feb., 1781, in Rhode Island regiment, or after. 52 " Jeremiah, private, Capt. Allen's company, Col. Cook's regiment, Sept. 25, 1776. 108 " Jeremiah, private, Col. Crary's regiment, 1776 ; pay due L13 3 1. 116 " Jeremiah, sergeant, 1776 ; pay due X31 16 2. 23 " Job, captain, 3d company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Oct., 1775. 31 " Job, captain, his company in action at Prudence. 24 " John, ensign, in Col. Richmond's regiment, when mustered into Continental Service, 1776. 25 " John, private, Capt. Manchester's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Feb. 17, 1776. 26 " John, private, Capt. Carr's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Oct. 10, 1776. 25 " Nathaniel, private, Capt. Manchester's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Feb. 17, 1776. 46 " Nathaniel, representative from Bristol in General Assembly May, 1776. 25 " Richard, private, Capt. Manchester's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Feb. 17, 1776. 116 " Richard, sergeant, 1776 ; pay due L 31 16 2. 25 " Rouse, private, Capt. Manchester's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Feb. 17, 1776. 31 " Samuel, the house he occupied on Prudence, burnt by Wallace. 21 " Thomas, private, Capt. Kimball's company, Col. Hitch cock's regiment, 1775. 25 " Thomas, private, Capt. Carr's company, Col. Richmond's regiment, Oct. 10, 1776. 40 " William, private,. Capt. Bailey's company, Col. Lippitt's regiment; on company pay roll Sept., 1776. 222 " William, private, Feb., 1781, in Rhode Island regiment, or after. Linda & Warren Pearce Colorado Springs CO 80919-4821