Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,813, for Isaac Morse, Connecticut
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SERVICE Conn.
Morse, Isaac
NUMBER S. 23813
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G418
New York
Isaac Morse
Canandaigua in the State of New York who was a Pri. Fifer [illegible] in the Company commanded by Captain - of the Reg. commanded by Col Lewis in the Connecticut line for 6 months & 8 days private, 9 months & days Fifer, 4 months Fife Major and 4 months and 15 days Trumpeter.
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 92 Dollars 25 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of March 1833 and sent to Hon J Dickson
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832 $138.37
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March 33 46.12
$184.50
{Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J Cromwell Clerk, 
Book 4 Vol. 5 Page 175
[added by hand "Date of death [illegible]"]
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State of New York
Ontario County SS
In the matter of Isaac Morse application for a pension

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in & for said County. Elihu Morse who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is the brother of Isaac Morse named in the foregoing declaration. That in 1775 they both were enlisted in Captain Clarks company in Colonel Lewis Regiment, and served out the term of two months - that in the year 1776 he was in Captain Tomlinsons Company in Colonel Lewis Regiment with the said Isaac Morse in New York and was on duty there when the declaration of Independence was received and he knows that the said Isaac Morse was Fife Major at this time - he also served with the said Isaac in Lieutenant Commander Burr's company at Black Rock and served six months - They were also at Danbury when it burned - This deponent was not there in the same company - They were on this tour two months - In 1778 this deponent was in Captain Enoch Lewis Company with the said Isaac Morse and was on duty at New Haven at the same time - and this deponent further saith that he does not know of all the service set forth in the said Isaac's declaration but he does  know that he was devoted to the service during the war, and he believes that he served as he states. 
Elihu Morse
Subscribed and sworn before me the eighth day of January 1833.
Henry Chapin J.P.
I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named deponent and that he is a credible witness. 
Henry Chapin J.P.
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State of New York
Ontario County SS
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said county, do hereby certify that Henry Chapin, whose name is subscribed to the certificates within was, at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe that said signatures to be his proper act and deeds. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of January A.D. 1833.
Charles Crane
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State of New York
Ontario County SS
In the matter of Isaac Morse
Application for a Pension

Personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the Peace in for said County Isaac Morse who being duly sworn according to the law deposeth and saith, (being thereunto required by a requisition from the War Department) that the periods he served during the war of the Revolution as set forth in his declaration before the County Court on the 28th day of August 1832 is not than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades:
under the 1st head in 1775 he served as a musician for six months as a Fifer -
under the 2nd head he served two months as a Fifer - under the 3rd head he served four months as a Fifer Major - under the 4th head he served as a private soldier for six months - under the 5th head he served two weeks as a private soldier under the 6th head he served two months as a Trumpeter in the Dragoons under the 7th head he served not less than 2 and a half months as Trumpeter and besides this did the duty of quartermaster under the 8th head he served as a private for two weeks and four days - under the 9th head he served as a musician not less than one month and a quarter of a month - He served in all two years, two months, and twelve days of which he served not less than 7 3/4 months as a musician and not less than 8 3/4 months as a private for which he claims a pension.
Isaac Morse
Sworn to and subscribed this Eighth day of January 1833 before me
Henry Chapin J.P.

State of New York
Ontario County SS.
I, Charles Crane, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Henry Chapin, whose name is subscribed to the above certificate of affidavit, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county; and that I am will acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the said signature to be his proper act and deed: In testimony whereof, I have hereunto let set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of January A.D. 1833.
Charles Crane
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State of New York
Ontario County Ss.

On this twenty eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the County Court now sitting, Isaac Morse a resident of the town of Canandaigua County and State aforesaid aged seventy six 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 the 7th day of June 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
1st At the town of Stratford County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut early in the spring of 1775 enlisted as a Fifer in Captain Clarks Company in Colonel Ichabod Lewis' Regiment for six months was out on various short tours to Fairfield, Greenfield and Weston.
2nd On the 1st day of February 1776 enlisted for two months to go to New York in Capt. Blackmans Company in Colonel Waterbury's Regiment went to New York and served out the time and returned home.
3rd About the 1st July 1776 was called out again to go to New York in Captain Tomlinsons Company Col Lewis' Regiment took Sloop at Norwalk and landed in the City. was there when the declaration of Independence was received was at this time Fife Major General Silliman Commanded the Brigade and he knew him well - Colonel Lewis died at White Plains during this campaign. He signed his warrant as Fife Major which is now lost, cannot say how nor when, was taken sick with the Camp distemper, and went home on furlough and was unable to do duty until November when his Company returned home and he joined the Company and was discharged at the same time received pay for 4 months
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4th About the 20th November 1776 enlisted as a private in Lieut. Com. Burr's Company for six months to do duty at Black Rock in the town of Fairfield. Had an engagement with the British. Had a man wounded by springing a Gun, named "Squires" he lost both of his hands - served out the full term of six months & then discharged and went home to Stratford.
5th At Danbury when it was burned in April 1777 under Captain Beardsley and was out two weeks.
6th In July 1777 went to Horseneck in a Company of Dragoons as Trumpeter and was about two months this was Captain Heacox's Company in Colonel Ezra Starr's Regiment was once engaged pursuing a party of British to Birum River - General Oliver Wolcutt was in Command on this station and knew him well.
7th In September 1777 joined Captain Blackmans Company and went to Fishkill when General Putnam Commanded was Trumpeter and also done duty in the Quartermaster department, was often sent to General Putnams quarters to get him to sign requisitions for provisions and delivered them out to stewards of the Companies was discharged in November and was out about two and a half months.
8th In July or August 1778 at Stratford as aforesaid volunteered and ordered to New Haven, this was Captain Enoch Lewis' Company and the stores on Long Wharf was burned at this time was out 4 days. In 1777 when Danbury was burned, was in an engagement at Ridgefield and another at Campor Hill near where the British landed when they burned Danbury - Generals Wooster was killed at Ridgefield at this time.
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9th In 1778 was called out again in Sept Dragoons under Capt Hull or Capt Bradley do not remember which, as Trumpeter, and went to Horse Neck and was out one month. Besides then several tours of duty He was often called on alarms and done various duty until the close of the war, but the tours were short. On one occasion was out a week at Newtown under Colonel Lewis. Besides serving when called on all occasions he once hired Isaac Dickerson to go in his behalf and he verily believes that he himself served the Country more than two years and a half in all. 
Has no documentary evidence, does not remember that he ever had one but once and then from Lieut Burr which is lost.
Was born at Stratford 1st April 1756, has no record of his age, and lived there until after the peace and then in Bethlehem and in Litchfield Connecticut and from thence to Livonia and then to Canandaigua where he now resides and has lived for more than thirty years past. Knows Elihu Morse and served with him part of the time also knows Revd Solomon Goodale and Elishu Morse. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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. 
Isaac Morse
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court.

Mr Elisha Morse of Solomon Goodale clergyman both residing in the Town of Bristol in the County and State of New York do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Issac Morse who had subscribed and sworn to
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No. 9203
Isaac Morse

Admd
4
Witness 

P121
Hon. Beals
Canandaigua N.Y.
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BRIEF in the case of Isaac Morse of Canandaigua in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy Six years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
States that, early in the Spring In 1775 he enlisted in Col. Ichabod Lewis Reg & for 6 mos as a Fifer and was put on various short tours to different places.
Feby 1776| 2 months| | Col. Waterbury
July 1776 called out, service not defined| Fife Major | Col. Lewis
Novem 1776| 6 months| | Lieut. Com Burr Compy
April 1777 | 14 days | | Capt Beardsley
July 1777 | 2 months | Trumpeter | Col. Ezra Starr
Sept 1777 | about 2 1/2 months | | Capt. Blackmores Compy
July 1778 | 1 month 4 days | Trumpeter | Capt. Enoch Lewis & Capt. Bradley or Hull
Alleges that he was afterward called out ^ at various times and believes he served 2 1/2 years in all
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Stratford - Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary and living testimony
8. Are the paper defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers are correct in form and authentication

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Wm Gordon Examining Clerk
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May 14, 1935

Isaac Morse - S.23813
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. F. M. Van Gieson
1027 N. 6th Street
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of May 1, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Isaac Morse, who was born April 1, 1756 and died May 24, 1849, probably in New York, which record has been requested May 6, for you, also, by Miss Helen Van Gieson of this city.

The Revolutionary War record of Isaac Morse which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claims, S. 23813, based upon his service in that war.

Isaac Morse was born April 1, 1756 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, names of his parents not stated.

While a resident of Stratford, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut troops, as follows: 
Early in the spring of 1775, six months as fifer in Captain Clark's company, Colonel Ichabod Lewis' regiment; from February 1, 1776, two months as fifer in Captain Blackman's company, Colonel Waterbury's regiment; from July 1, 1776, four months as fife major in Captain Tomlinson's company, Colonel Lewis' regiment; from November 20, 1776, six months as private in Captain Burr's company, was in an engagement at Black Rock; from in April 1777, about two weeks as private in Captain Beardsley's company, was in the battles of Ridgefield and Crompo Hill; from in July, 1777, two months as trumpeter
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in Captain Heacox's company of Dragoons, Colonel Ezra Starr's regiment; from in September, 1777, two and one half months as trumpeter in Captain Blackman's company; in July or August, 1778, four days as private in Captain Enoch Lewis' company, when the stores on "Long Wharf" were burned; again in 1778, one month as trumpeter in Captain Hull's or Bradley's company of Dragoons. He was also out on other short alarms, once under Colonel Lewis at Newtown about onewweek.

The soldier, Isaac Morse, lived in Stratford, Connecticut until "after peace", then moved to Bethlehem, Litchfield County, Connecticut, then to Livonia and thence to Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 28, 1832, then living in said Canandaigua, where he had lived about thirty years.

Elihu Morse, brother of the soldier, was living in 1832 in Bristol, New York.

There is no reference to wife or children.

In order to obtain information relative to the last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., citing the following data: 
Isaac Morse
Certificate # 6418
Issued March 1, 1833
Rate $92.25 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
New York Agency

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Revolution
23813
INVALID
[added by hand, top right corner: "1935 May 14 Send to Mrs. F. M. Van Gieson"]

File No. 23813
Isaac Morse
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 282
[Arrangement of 1870]
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1027 N. 6th St.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 1st, 1935

[stamp shows RECEIVED May 4, 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV. VETS. ADM. READER 74]

Pension Department
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Do you have in your files any record of Revolutionary soldier Isaac Morse, born April 1st 1756 and died May 24th 1849 probably in New York.
If you have will you kindly send me a copy and if you have nothing I will appreciate any suggestion as to where I can find such records.

Very truly,
(Mrs) F.M. Van Gieson
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VETERANS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON
May 6, 1935

[stamp shows VETERANS ADMINISTRATION]

YOUR FILE REFERENCE:
IN REPLY REFER TO:

Mrs. Finch
Room 1851, Navy Building,
Washington D C

Dear Madam:
Will you kindly check up on the record of Isaac Morse born April 1, 1756 and died May 24, 1849. I am advised that he served during the American Revolution, and would like to obtain definite information in regard to his dates of enlistment and discharge, the company he served in, and, if the record shows it, the name of his wife and childred.

If you are not in a position to give me this information, will you let me know where I can obtain it?

Very truly yours
Helen Van Gieson

Helen Van Gieson
1310 - 16th Street NW
Washington D C

[added by hand at the bottom: "said by phone that she requested this record for Mrs. F.M. Van Gieson whose letter is attached, therefore to make report to Mrs. F.M. Van G. & not send her (Helen) any record. MNF"]