Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,222, for Azel Peck, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Peck, Azel

NUMBER
S.11,222

carded
Page 2

Dead. See letter to A. C. Wilson  July 25 1835 
Examined with Orig Rolls Sept. 1883 M. G 
Died Feb 21 1834 see A. B. [agency book]
New York, 14694. 
Azel Peck 
of Columbus in the State of N. Y. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Miles  of the Regt commanded by Major Humphrey in the *Continental line for 
20 mos 13 days 
Conn line, May 2d 05. 
Records corrected SC 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 68 Dollars 10 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of June 1833 and sent to 
Patterson L Morrell, Greene Chenango Co  
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 136.20 
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 34.05 
$170.25. 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by T. T. Franciosi Clerk
Book  E. Vol. 4 Page 71
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July 25

[round stamp illegible]

War Department
Pension Office
Washington
D. C. 

25 Apl 19 [crossed out]

14694
Page 4

Azel Peck a Pensioner died last year leaving a widow with whom he had not lived for several years, These was due to Mr Peck at the time of his death nearly 6 months pension  the widow refuses to collect what is due    says she shall have nothing to do with it,  Mr. Pecks sons have requested her to write to the Department & ascertain what is necessary to be done to collect the back pay  will Mr. Edward or some other gentleman in the Pension Office be so good as to inform me what cause must be pursued by the heirs to collect it as the widow declines altogether

Very respectfully
Yours
A. C. Welch

New Berlin
Chenango Co. N. Y.
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On Rolls Wyllys Regt
June 30 Nov 12 ‘80
5 [months] 13 days
Minute service established at 3 mo instead of six as supposed by claimant
admd [admitted] 
20 [months] 13 days pri
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State of New York
Chenango County ss }   On this Thirteenth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand, Eight hundred and ninety two, personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Robert Monell, Vice Chancellor of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New York, at a Court of Chancery held at the residence of the Vice Chancellor, in the town of Greene in the County of Chenango and State aforesaid, now sitting, Azel Peck a resident of the Town of Columbus, in the County of Chenango and State of New York, aged Sixty nine 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 7th 1832.   
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.   That at the breaking out of the revolutionary war he lived in the Town of Norwich, County of New London and State of Connecticut.   
5.13
That in the month of April in the year 1780 he joined the Continental army then stationed at the Highlands and Nelsons Point upon the North River. That he was present and upon duty at the time of the Escape of Arnold, and at the Capture of Andre, and saw him Executed.  He enlisted at this time for the term of six months but was upon service for eight months, as appears from a discharge which he at that time received Dated December 11th 1780, and which is hereto annexed. He was called one of the short Leavey [levy] and was called out to fill up one of the Companies,  after receiving his discharge he returned home. In the month of March 1781 he enlisted into the troops of the State of Connecticut in the Company of Capt. Charles Miles in a Battallion commanded by Major Humphreys, in the Brigade of General Waterbury, he went on the lines to guard the Inhabitants near White plains and Horseneck, and remained there untill the twenty fourth of June following, when
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the Captain of this deponent and about twenty others in the company, who were out as a scouting party were taken prisoners and carried into New York where he was confined about four months, a part of the time, in a Brick Quaker Meeting House, prepared for that purpose, in what was then called little Queens Streets, and the rest of the time in the old Sugar House.   An Exchange of prisoners was made, and he, upon his release returned to the same company to which he belonged at the time of his Capture, and remained with them untill March 1782, when the company was dismissed and he returned home. During the year 1782 and about the close of the War. he was held as one of the minute man, and was repeatedly called out, and who subject to be called out at a moment’s warning and whenever the alarm Guns were fired.   That he was out from time to time, some times for one week, sometimes for a month and frequently for a few days, but at what particular times or for how long he cannot state with certainty, but the time he was actually out and held as a minute man, was at least six months.  That he has never received any other written discharge, Except the one into annexed and before referred to.  That he has no documentary proof except the discharge hereto annexed whereby he could prove any part of his services and knows of no person who can testify as to his services except Gideon De Forest, whose affidavit is hereto annexed and also Judge [unreadable], whose affidavit he expects to obtain and when procured will be hereto annexed. 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. 
Azel Peck
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
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Robt Monell  
Vice Chancellor 
The following question were propounded by the Court to the applicant
First  Where and in what year were you born? 
Ans He was born in the Town of Norwich, New London County State of Connecticut, the 18th of January 1763.   
Second Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it? 
Ans His age is upon the Records of the Town of Norwich aforesaid, and a copy of those Records in the family bible of his fathers family, which is in his possession.   
Third Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?  
Answer. He lived at Norwich Conn. when first called into service since the Revolutionary War & in the year 1793 he moved from Norwich aforesaid to the Town of Columbus, County of Chenango and State of New York, and has since lived there & still lives in the same town.  
Fourth  How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a substitute; and if a substitute for whom? 
Answer He always served as a volunteer or by enlistment.   
Fifth State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.   
General Huntington, Genl. Parsons, Gen. Washington Baron Steuben, Genl Wayne. Genl Putnam, all of whom he frequently saw & well knew. Colonel Willis [Wyllys],  Colonel Durkee,  Colonel Durke's Regiment. Colonel Willis [Wyllys] Regiment,  Colonels Webbs Regiment,  these
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regiments are a part of the State troops of Connecticut. The general circumstances of his services were the escape of Arnold whom he saw in the Barge at the time he made his escape & was received on Board the British man of War stationed in the river near by.  He was present when Andre was  brought in after he was captured  and saw him Executed,  He was in several skirmishes and was wounded at the time he was taken prisoner as alluded to in his declaration.  
Sixth Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 
Answer He has no recollection of ever receiving any other discharge except the one he has attended to in his declaration & which is hereto annexed. & this was given by Robert Warner, dated Decr. 11th 1780.  
Seventh State the names of persons in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  
Answer Thomas Howard, Isaac Greene,  Genl Augustus Welch, Charles Knapp, & Joseph Morse
We Isaac Greene, residing in the town of Columbus, in the County of Chenango, and State of New York, and William Comstock of the Town of Greene, in the County of Chenango aforesaid hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Azel Peck, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be sixty nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.   
Isaac Green
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Robt Morell Vice Chanceller
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William Comstock  
And the said Court does hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting of 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 him that Isaac Greene and William Comstock, who have signed the preceeding certificate  are residents,  the one of the Town of Columbus, other of the Town of Greene, County of Chenango, State of New York, and are credible person, and their statement is entitled to credit.  
Robt Monell Vice Chancellor
I Jonathan L. Wood, Clerk of the Court of Chancery of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New York, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Azel Peck for a pension.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office, this Ninteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand, Eight hundred, and Thirty Two  
Jonathan Wood
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State of New York 
Chenango County ss} Azel Bently of the town of Mather in the County of Chenango being duly sworn in open court deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Azel Peck who has made the above declaration and that I was well acquainted with him in year 1780 in the revolutionary war , and that I have heard that part of his declaration read in relation to his services in that year and that I know he served as their stated that I served with him and concur in the truth of his statement and further saith not.  
Azel Bentley
Sworn & Subscribed the thirteenth day of August 1832 before me in open Court 
Robt Monell Vice Chancellor  
I certify that Azel Bentley who has made and subscribed the above affidavit is a credible Witness and that he is entitled to credit.   
Robt Monell Vice Chancellor
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Gideon De Forest Edmeston in the County Otsego being duly sworn doth depose & says 
That he was a soldier of the Revolution & served under Capt. Smith & Majors Shipman & Humphreys of in the Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Waterbury in the Town of Stamford in the State of Connecticut.  That in the spring of the year 1781 this deponent became acquainted with Azel Peck, and that the said Azel Peck to this deponents knowledge served one year in the Company Commanded by Capt. Charles Miles in Stamford Connecticut, and at White Plains in the State of New York with the exception of a few months during which time the said Peck was taken prisoner by the British.  Capt. Smith’s Company was in this brigade of Gen Waterbury.   Gen. Washington was at White Plains at the time the said Peck was there previous to the capture of Lord Cornwallis. That in the spring of 1782 this deponent & the said to Peck were discharged from the Service.   And further this deponent saith not.   
Gideon De Forest
Sworn & subscribed this 10th day of August 1832 Justice of Before me 
Charles Medbury Justice of the Peace 
I the said Justice do further certify that I have been long acquainted with Gideon De Forest and believe him to be a man that is entitled to full credit.   
Charles Medbury Justice of the Peace
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Azel Peck
No 6093
State of New York
Chenango County ss}  On this eighth day of February one thousand [unreadable]
State of New York
Chenango County ss:  I James K. Pike Clerk of the said County do certify that Charles Medbury Esq. before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same One of the Justices of the Peace  in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing & signature.  
Witness my hand and seal of Office at Norwich this 4th day of August A.D. 1832 
P. B. Prindle Dep. Clk 
State of New York
Chenango County SS} On this eighth day of February one thousand
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State of New York}
Chenanago County ss}

On this eighth day of February one thousand eight hundred and thirty three; again personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Robert Monell, Vice Chancellor of the Sixth Circuit of the State of New York, at a court of Chancry held at the residence of the Vice Chancellor in the town of Greene, County of Chenango and State aforesaid now sitting:  Azel Peck, a resident of the Town of Columbus in said County who being again first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following additional declarations__
That in relation to the fifth objection to his original Declaration he answers that it is impossible for him to specify the different tours of duty while held as a minute man during the year 1782, with the accurate or [illegible]-probable data, but he does remember well one tour in which he was absent thirty days__ it was at some time  in the month of June 1782__That he with his Father and Brother has just prepared for cutting their early grass, when the alarm guns at New London, first, & then at Norwich were fired which was a signal for those held as minute men to assemble at the place of general rendezvous__That he went and after they were organized they were marched to New London__ He belonged at this time to the Company of Captain Isaac Johnson, and while at New London they were under the Command of Colonel Zabdial Rogers__They remained at New London for thirty days and then returned home.  
That during the summer and fall of the 1782 the Harbor of New London and the intermediate Country between that place and the Light House near that place, was alarmed at the appearance of the Vessels of War of the enemy and the Country about there pilfered by the British soldiers __ That upon the appearance of any such Vessel the alarm guns at the Harbor
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were immediately fired, and we responded to by those at the places of general rendezvous about the surrounding Country.  That upon these alarms being given they immediately repaired to their places of rendezvous and made preparations for marching to the point where the hostilities had commenced.  This occurred very often but it is impossible to state the particular times.  He can only say in relation to those services as a minute man during the year 1782, that he has no doubt they amounted to six months. 
In relation to the objection (No 6) to his original declaration, he answered that his service in the year 1780 as mentioned in his original declaration were under Captain Robert Warner, in the regiment of Colonel Willis [Wyllys], in the Brigade of General Samuel H. Parsons.  The other tours mentioned in his original declaration give the names of the officers under whom he served according to his recollection.   
In relation to the objection (No. 11 & 12) to the original declaration, he answers that he resides at a distance of about forty miles from the residence of the Vice Chancellor, and that is was difficult to obtain the Certificate of a clergyman acquainted with him, or with whom the Court would have been acquainted.   
Azel Peck 
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid} 
Robt Monell Vice Chancellor 
On Rolls Wyllys Regt
June 30  - Decr 12 ‘80
5.13 days 
Minute service estimated at 3 mo instead of six as supposed by claimant
admd [admitted] 
20.13 days pri
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April 1, 1935

XXXXXXXXX

Azel Peck , S. 11222
Samuel Stebbins, S. 14581
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. J. D. Sornbarger
Kittery Road
Rowley, Massachusetts

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War records of Azel Peck and Samuel Stebbins.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the persons claim, S.11222, based upon the military service of Azel Peck.  The name does not appear as Peek.

Azel Peck was born January 18, 1763, in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut.  The names of his parents were not given.

While living in Norwich, Connecticut, he enlisted in April, 1780, served in Captain Robert Warner's company in Colonel Wyllys' Connecticut regiment, saw Arnold make his escape from West Point , was present when Major Andre was executed and was discharged December 11, 1780.  He enlisted in March, 1781, in Captain Charles Neil's Company in a battalion commanded by Major Humphyrs' on June 4, 1781, he was [illegible] and taken prisoner while on a scouting party, was confined in New York in a Quaker meeting house and later in the Old Sugar House but after four months he was exchanged, rejoined the same company to which he belonged when captured and served until March, 1782.  In 1782 he served as minute man whenever called upon, amounting in all to at least six months, in Captain Isaac Johnson's company in Colonel Zabdiel Rogers' Connecticut regiment.

Azel Peck was allowed pension on his application executed August 13, 1832, at which time he was living in Columbus, Chenango County, New York, having moved there from Norwich, Connecticut, in 1793.

In 1782
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Azel Peck had father and brothers living in 1782 but their names were not given.  Reference was made to the soldier's sons but their names were not given.

Azel Peck died February 21, 1834, and was survived by a widow, her name not given.

The papers in this claim contain not further data relative to the family of Azel Peck.
*************************

The data which follows were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 14581, based upon the military service of Samuel Stebbins.

He enlisted at Springfield, Massachusetts, in the summer or fall of 1775 and served until after the British troops evacuated Boston in March, 1776, as private in Captain Southworth's Massachusetts company  He enlisted in 1776 and served until December, 1776, as private in Captain Colton's company in Colonel Woodbridge's Massachusetts regiment.  He enlisted early in 1777 in Captain Asa Coburn's company served in a Massachusetts regiment commanded first by Colonel Alden and later by Lieutenant Colonel John Brooks, was in the battle of Bemis' Heights, in various skirmishes with the Indians at Cherry Valley, was in General Sullivan's Indian expedition, and at the siege of Yorktown at which time he was first sergeant, and he was discharged in June, 1783.

In 1798 he was living in Hartland, Connecticut .

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 1, 1818, at which time he was living in Sherbourne, Chenango County, New York, "aged fifty-nine years and upwards".

In 1818 he stated that he had educated a family of six children and referred to his wife and three daughters who were then living with him  but he gave no names.  In 1820 he referred to his wife who was aged fifty-six years and to his son-in--law (their names not given) and his daughters, Melissa aged twenty and Jerusha aged seventeen years, his orphan grandson, Samuel S. Pettit aged thirteen years and his brother-in-law, Reverend Nathaniel Gaylord of Hartland, Connecticut.  In 1822 it was stated that the soldier had lost his only son in the :late war" name of son not given.  There are no further data relative to the family of Samuel Stebbins.
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Samuel Stebbins was living in Sherburne, New York, in 1832.

He died March 8, 1833.

Very truly yours
A.D.HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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J. L. Edwards Esq
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Greene Chenango Co
Feb 13th, '33 

J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir__
Enclosed we send you the pension papers of Mr. Azel Peck, with the amendment & alterations you require__
Mr. Peck is a worthy old man_  He desires that the department allow him such part of his Services as a Minute Man as they shall deem proper & to reject the residue without again returning his papers.

Very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt

Patterson & Monel
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6693
New York

admd [admitted]

Patterson & Monell
Greene
Chenango
N. Y.
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  AZEL PECK which require further proof or explanation. 

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant reside:  It does 
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he reside:  He did
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?  [blank]
IV.  Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served:   He has
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?  He has [written very faintly] but was not given a detailed statement of his [illegible] factual duty [rest is illegible]
VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  He has not
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  He has
VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion? It has
IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  He has
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?  It is & is so distinguishable
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2

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 this revolutionary service?  No clergyman evidenced
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  none
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?  [blank]
XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service ice, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are person of credibility?  He hasn't
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?  It does
XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  They are not
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  The are
_________

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, deposit 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 that 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."
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3
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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
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.
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[round stamp to faint to read]

Veterans Administration
Washington D. C. 

Dear Sirs:-

I would like the Revolutionary War service and any family data of the soldiers Azel Peck and Samuel Stebbins.

These Revolutionary soldiers received pensions in Chenango County New York.

Mrs. J. D. Sornbarger
Kittery Road
Romley Massachusetts
Page 26

S File 11222
Azel Peck
Conn
Page 27

Azel Peck a Short Leavy is hereby Discharged from the service having served with fidelity to High Lands Decem’r 10th 1782   R. Warner Capt Comdr  
[unreadable] your provisions to the said soldier while on the Road to Norwich  R. Warner Capt Comdt