Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,281, Nathan Belcher, Conn.
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SERVICE                                     NUMBER
Connecticut    Belcher, Nathan   W. 17.281
                                     Lucy

CONTENTS
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9629
Connecticut
Nathan Belcher
 of New London in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Jewett of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Selden in the Connec-ticut line for 12 1/2 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 41 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence the 4th day of March, 183

Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of June 1833 and sent John Hyde, Norwich, Connecticut

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 -  83.32
Semi-annual allowance ending 4
September 1833                              20.83
                                                     $104.15
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by William Clerk,
Book E   Volume 3   Page 4

Connecticut Agent April 13, 1837
[illegible] S. W. Wood May 27, 1843
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                                3858
                           Connecticut
                            Lucy Belcher
Widow of Nathan Belcher
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private
               Connecticut

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
            41 Dollars 66
      Cents per annum, to commence on
      the 4th day of March, 1848
Certificate of Pension the
      14 day of February 1849
and send to 
Honorable John A Rockwell
                     [illegible]

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2,1848, Page 260 Volume 1

Reported
February 14, 1849
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                 Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
On this 11th day of September A. D, 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate holden at Norwich within and for the District of Norwich in New London County in the State of Connecticut, it being a Court of record having by [illegible] a seal and a clerk, Nathan Belcher, a resident of the town of Griswold in the County of New London in the State Connecticut aged seventy-three 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 in the month of June 1775 he enlisted for eight months, he thinks, to go to Roxbury in Massachusetts in the Company of troops of the Colony of Connecticut, commanded by Captain Jewett of Lyme in said Colony, Nathaniel Gove of the town of Preston in said New London County was his Lieutenant, to who he was a [illegible]. He was attached to Regiment commanded by Colonel Jedidiah Huntington, then of Norwich, afterwards of New London. He well recollects that he commenced his march with the company on Sabbath Day, and marched to Providence in Rhode Island and from thence to Roxbury where they arrived at the time after the Battle of Bunker Hill. That the Regiment to which he belonged was stationed at Roxbury and other Connecticut troops were stationed at Prospect Hill, so called. He cannot
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nor state the day of the month he arrived at Roxbury, but recollects that it was soon after the Battle of Bunker Hill, and before the arrival of Commander-in-Chief General Washington at Cambridge where he kept his quarters. I will remember seeing him frequently at Roxbury. Boston at this time was in possession of the British under General Gage. He was in the battle during this campaign, that there were frequent attacks made on the out posts, and firing from the floating batteries. He continued in the service of Roxbury until the month of January, 1776 when he was discharged and returned home. He was in the service in this campaign six months and a half. He has no documentary evidence because the time of his enlistment or discharge and knows of no person living whose testimony he can obtain in proof of the service above stated.
That in the month of June, 1776, he again enlisted for the term of six months to go to New York as a soldier in the company of state troops of Connecticut commanded by his father Captain William Belcher of the Town of Preston aforesaid, and one Fitch of Norwich was his Lieutenant. He belonged to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Selden of Lyme, and Jonathan Latimer was Lieutenant Colonel. He recollects of sailing from Norwich in the month of June, 1776 with the Company and that they were ten days on their voyage and that they arrived in New York about the time of the Declaration of Independence. That he was in the orchard fight so called, near New York in which he was wounded
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knee, and was assisted off the ground by his father who commanded the Company. He was confined by his wound he received about two months at New Rochelle about twenty miles from New York. He joined his Company again as soon as he recovered from his wound, he thinks the day after the Battle of White Plains and continued in the Army in its march to a place on the North river called Cortlandts Manor where he was discharged the last of December he thinks about the time of the Battle of Trenton.
He was in the service at this time six months which was the term of time for which he is entitled. In proof of his service, he has the affidavit of Charles Fanning, Esquire of Griswold who was an Ensign in Captain Joshua Huntington's Company belonging to the same Regiment to whom at that time and ever since he has been well known. He has no documentary evidence through the time of his enlistment or discharge in this last campaign. In the year 1780, he was drafted to go to New London immediately after the burning of the town by the British under Arnold and the capture of Fort Griswold, and once or twice afterwards in the same year, but he does not now recollect the length of time that
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he was out at either time and does not therefore state this as a substantive ground of claim. As to his character for truth and veracity he refers to the following and the annexed certificates. In answers to the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department he says that he was born the 20th day of June 1759 in the town of Preston in New London County in that part of town which is now Griswold when age is recorded where he lived when he entered the service and where he lived ever since.
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 other state.
         Sworn and subscribed the day and 
         year aforesaid
                                  Nathan Belcher
Before me
     John Hyde
           Judge
Said George Perkins a clergyman, residing in the town of Griswold in New London County and John Johnson residing in the same town and Postmaster in the village of Jewett City and Nathan Geer and Charles Fanning both residing in said Griswold hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Belcher who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.
                                   Charles Fanning
                                   John Johnson
                                   Nathan Geer
                                   George Perkins
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Number 10172
Lucy Belcher
Connecticut
Act July 7th 1838
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"Nathan Belcher and Lucy Huntington both of Preston were married November tenth seventeen hundred and eighty five."

State of Connecticut
New London County [illegible]        
                      Town Clerk's Office
                       Preston June 8th A. D. 1843
I Henry Haskell, Clerk of the town of Preston aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record, in fair legible figures as follows, viz"
            "November 10th A. D. 1785"
I Henry Haskell above named depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of Preston aforesaid and that the above is a true extract for the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me.

                Attest, Henry Haskell Town Clerk
State of Connecticut
New London County  {illegible]
                 June 8th A. D. 1843
Personally appeared before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid, Henry Haskell Esquire above named and made oath to the truth of the above certificate and deposition by him subscribed.

             Before me
                         Seabury Thomas
                         Justice of the Peace
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                       Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838, entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
State of Connecticut
Windham County [illegible]
           Probate District of Voluntown
On this 16th day of June 1843, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid, Lucy Belcher a resident of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged seventy eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. - That she is the widow of Nathan Belcher, who was a Private in the Revolution and who was a pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832 and received a pension of Forty one Dollars and sixty six cents per annum.
     She further declares that she was married to the said Nathan Belcher on the tenth day of November seventeen hundred and eighty five, that her husband, the aforesaid Nathan Belcher died on the twelfth day of August eighteen hundred and forty, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz, at the term above stated.
                           Lucy Belcher
Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written.
In presence of                 Before said Court
Samuel W. Wood            Attest, 
                                        Harvey Campbell
                                        Judge
And the said Court do hereby certify that Mrs.
Lucy Belcher, the declarant above named, is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit
                     Harvey Campbell Judge
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State of Connecticut
Windham County   [illegible] 
                         Probate Office, District of 
                         Voluntown, June 16th A.D 1843
                         I Charles E. Leonard, Clerk of the
                         Court of Probate. for the District
                         aforesaid do hereby certify that 
                         the within foregoing contains the
                         original proceedings in the matter of the application of Mrs. Lucy Belcher for a pension and as Clerk of said Court I do hereby certify that Nathan Stanton Esquire before whom the depositions of Elizabeth Coit, Lydia Lord and Charles E. Leonard hereto annexed were taken is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London and that Seabury Thomas Esquire before whom the certificate and deposition of Henry Haskell Esquire hereto annexed, was taken, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London aforesaid, and that their signatures written to the certificates annexed to said depo-
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sitions are genuine.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County
                 Charles E. Leonard Clerk
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                               12756
                        Nathan Belcher
                            Connecticut


                         Admitted
      Private - Connecticut Militia
                  12 1/2 monthly



                        John Hyde
                        Norwich
                  Connecticut
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                                                               183

Sir:
     The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the paper are herewith returned. The following is a statement your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when your return your paper to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of Nathan Belcher, CT
Period when the Service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
June 1775 enter 6  15 waiter Corporal Jewett Colonel Huntington March to Providence, R. I.
73 born in New London entered Service ther and still lives in said place
June 1776. 6 soldier Corporal Belcher Colonel Selden  was in the orchard fight near New York was wounded in the knee  New York
1780 went to New London
once or twice afterwards, but does not recollect length of time
2 tours proved by a living witness
Certificate of Clergyman and two citizens

         I am, respectfully,
             Your obedient servant,
                 J. L. Edwards,
                   Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832

     The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia." and "volunteers." all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keeper, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
     Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
          1.  The Regular Troops.
          2.  The State Troops, Militia, and
               Volunteers.
          3.  Persons employed in the Naval 
               Service.
          4.  Indian Spies.
     As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all person, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make applications by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
                     DECLARATION
     In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
     Congress of the 7th of June, 1832
           State, Territory, or District of {
              County of                           {  ss.
     On this      day of      personally appeared (a) before
         A.B.  a resident (b) of        in the county of
        aged (c)     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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United State in the year (d)       , with     and served in the             (e) regiment of the         line, under the following named officers:
      [Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched.  - This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c]

     He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of 
     Sworn to and subscribed the day and year 
     aforesaid.                                A.B.
     [And then will follow the certificate of the
       Court]
     And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
     I                                of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
            In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of         &c.
     If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, the produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
     Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with following additions, viz:
     (k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C.D residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with       , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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.
                     Sworn and subscribed the
                     day and year aforesaid.
       [ And then will follow the certificate of]
         the Court. 
     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 A. B.  who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the               and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
     I,       Clerk of the Court of        do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
               I testimony whereof, I have hereunto 
               set my hand and seal of office, this
               day of              &c.
     Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure. If possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his  personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
     If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be in dispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The fats state I will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
To a Soldier.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given
and what has become of it?
 To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known 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.
     The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
     The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
     The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
    Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
     No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
{a} The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant
will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
{b} The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
{c}The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
{d}The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
{e} Every Continental officer or soldiers gave the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot to be had. Every claimant must state,with precision, the length of his service and the different grandes in which he served, in language definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affadavit in the followingwords: whereon to let her ter era in
as to enable the Deartment to deter me to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of
of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affadavit 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 services 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 highly objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years
highly in the militia, & c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This for of declaration is highly objectionable. . It must, in every case, be clearly shown 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 embodies corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or garrison; and the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
{f}The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
{g} the opinion of the Court is always required.
{h}The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
{i}The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying, should accompany the papers.
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 afifdavit, or other papers authenticated, the certficate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which a pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
{j} 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.
{}The notes from {a} to {i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule is not {j] applies to continental troops only.
{k} This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
{l} If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
{m}The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State  of New York
County of Cayuga s s Be it known that on the 22nd day of September 1843 personally came to before me, Horace Perkins Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Thurza Buck, whose maiden name was Thurza Drake, aged sixty seven years on the 10th day of December next hereafter, and now a resident of the Town of Mentz in the County of Cayuga, aforesaid, who being by me, first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath depose and say, that, she is the sister of Sarah Belcher, an applicant for a pension under the Act of July 7, 1838, that, she (this deponent) was married to Elijah Buck, her present husband, on the 16th day of February 1797, that, at that time (the marriage of this deponent) her sister, Sarah Belcher, aforesaid, had five children, namely, Lewis Belcher, [illegible] Belcher, Uri Belcher, Sarah Belcher, and Hannah Belcher, that Lewis Belcher, her oldest child is now over fifty one years of age, that she (this deponent) positively knows, that the aforesaid Sarah Belcher, was married to Jonathan Belcher, whose widow, she now is, having never since been married to any other person, previous to the 1st day of January 1794, to wit, in the fall of the year 1789, or the year 1790, that she does not recollect the month, or which year, that she Sarah Belcher was 76 years old on the 17th day of July 1843; that her father, at the time of her marriage resided in the Town of Goshen in the County of Orange in the State of New York that he removed from Chemung then in the County of Tioga, on the 18th day of February 1796, on which day, Hannah Belcher, the youngest child of said Sarah Belcher, was born, that the aforesaid, Sarah Belcher was married
Page 18

in the Town of Wantage in the County of Sussex in the State of New Jersey adjoining the County of Orange in the State of New York and she knows no family records naming the brothers or sisters, of marriages, births or deaths
Subscribed and sworn this 22nd day of September 1843 before me.
                Horace Perkins, Justice of the Peace
                in and for the County of Cayuga

I hereby certify that the above deponent is a person of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit may be placed in the obligations set forth in the witness affidavit.
     [illegible] Mentz Cayuga County NY
        Horace Perkins Justice of the Peace

State of New York
Cayuga County Clerks Office{ ss.  I William Richardson Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Horace Perkins Esq was on the 22nd day of September 1843 a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County duly appointed and qualified. And that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and verily believe the signature to the aforegoing instrument in writing to be genuine -
     In witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said County the 23rd Day of September 1843
                    W. Richardson
                               Clerk
Page 19


Weedsport, Cayuga County, New York
                     September 25, 1843

Sir,
     I send you another affidavit, Support of the claim, of Sarah Belcher for a pension if it it is not sufficient, will you please inform me soon as possible, and will try to procure more proof, though I know not how nor when, at present.
             
                    I am your humble Servant
                              Robert Gallt

Jas. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington City, D. C.
Page 20

                Rev
                           WIDOW, & c,
           File No. 7281
           Lucy Belcher
Widow of 
Nathan Belcher
Private Revolutionary War
Act: February 22nd, 48
Index:  - Vol. 1    Page 53
[Arrangement of 1870]

Mar 18 '44
   Mat
CL
Lucy Belcher
Ann Williams
Mahala Hewit
Mary Ingraham
Delight Chappell
[illegible]
J.W. Huntington
     J.L. Edwards Esq
        Pension Office
Honorable J. W. Huntington
       Senate U. S.
Page 21

V       No 10-172
      Lucy Belcher
      Connecticut
   Suspended

Set to S. W. Wood, Aug 28 '45

            Act July 7th 1838
   
5666
Connecticut
Lucy Belcher
widow of Nathan
who was a private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
       41 Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Increased from $34.21.
Certificate of Pension issued the 
      14 day of July 1849
and sent to 
      Hon John A Rockwell
          [illegible]
[ Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 
           17, 1844]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2. Page 50.

Huntington  
Capt Jewitt  6:15
in 1775
6 m 76 as a soldier
Belcher
Page 22

STATE OF CONNECTICUT 
County of New London             ss.

I, JAMES STEDMAN, Clerk of the COunty Court in and for said County, do hereby Certify that John Houghton & Charles E. Leonard & Oliver Hewitt are Justices of the Peace in and for said County, duly empowered to take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the Seal of said Court
this 1st day of September A. D. 1848
             James Stedman Clerk
Page 23

                           5666
       Connecticut 
       Lucy Belcher
widow of Nathan Belcher
who was a Privilege 
In the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
           34 Dollars 11
Cents per annum, to commend on
the 4th day of March, 1843
Certificate of Pension issued the 
     6th day of June 1844
and sent to G. W. Wood
                    Ledyard
                            Court

      [Act of March 3, 1843]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 63

Reported
Letter to Pension Agt. 27 March
1847
Page 24

                               8209
                         Connecticut
                         Lucy Belcher
Widow of Nathan
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 12 August 1840
of N. London in the State of  Connecticut
who was a pri. in the Company
commanded by Captain Jewett of the 
Regt. commanded by Col. Selden in
the Connect. line for wo mos. 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford
at the rate of 41. Dollars 66
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Increased for $34  21
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day 
Feb. 1849 and sent to
     Hon. John A. Rockwell, Hart
           Total amount   $
         [Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Leo Jenkins Clerk,
Book D   Vol. 1 Page 77
Page 25

                             8209
V
                       Connecticut
                        Lucy Belcher
widow of Nathan Belcher
who was a  pensioner under the Act of 1832
and who died on the 12th of August 1840
of N, London in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the company
commanded by Captain Jewett of the 
Reg't commanded by Col Selden in 
the Connecticut line for 10 mos 8 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 34 Dollars 21
Cents  per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of  
March 1844 and sent to G. W,
Woods Ledyard Connecticut through the
Honorable J. W. Huntington U S Senate
             Total amount,      $171. 15
     [Act July 7, 1838]
Recorded By F. H. Davidge Clerk,
Book D     Vol. 1   Page 77

Let. S. W. Wood
       April 18, 1844
Page 26

I, Lydia Lord of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged seventy-five years, do on my oath, depose and say that I was acquainted with Nathan Belcher, late of that part of the late town of Preston that is now the town of Griswold aforesaid deceased, that said Belcher was reported to have been a pensioner of the United States, and that he died two years ago last August
     I further depose and say that I am acquainted with Lucy Belcher, the widow of said Nathan. The said Nathan and Lucy were married to the best of my recollection at the time I was about eighteen years old, that I was present at the wedding and saw them married that the said Lucy now resides in the said Griswold and still remains the widow of said Nathan as I verily believe, and further deponent saith no.
                                       Lydia Lord
State of Connecticut of New London County
Be it known that on the 15th day of June A. D.
1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Mrs. Lydia Lord named in the foregoing deposition and made oath that said deposition by her subscribed is true and I certify that she is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit, I do certify that the word deceased was interlined in the above deposition before signing
           Nathan Stanton   Justice of the Peace
Page 27

                               Lucy Belcher

      said  act 38, 43 & 44
    at $41.66 per annum
    [illegible] former payoff

Said Act 48 at $41.66
Page 28

State of Connecticut 
County of New London 
     On this 4th day of September 1848 before Hon. Charles E. Leonard a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London Personally appeared Lucy Belcher a resident of the Town of Griswold in said New London County and State of Connecticut being first sworn according to Law and doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by A t of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848 granting pensions to Widows of Person who served in the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Nathan Belcher who was a private in the Revolutionary Army that he received a pension under the Act of June 7th 1844 at the rate of Thirty four dollars and twenty one cents per annum. She further acclaims that she is still a widow.
Signed in part
Chas. E. Leonard.             her
L. B. Turkmen.          Lucy x Belcher
                                          mark 
Sworn to and subscribed
on the day and year 
above mentioned
         Before me       Chas. E. Leonard
Page 29

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the within Lucy Belcher and know she is the identical person who drew a pension as stated in the within declaration 

         Chas. E. Leonard Justice of the Peace
Page 30

                     Bozrah Sept 18th 188
Sir
     I send you the declarations of Caroline Johnson, Mercy Tuber, Lucy Belcher, [illegible] witnesses under the Act of Feb 2nd 1848 also John Minan can [illegible] pension for new certificate
     Said court [illegible] August 9th 1848 the declarations of Molly Ann Voil. [illegible] Armstrong Anna Manning. [illegible] Marshall and Hannah Carwell. There [illegible] seems to be somewhat [illegible] about their money. Will you do the favor to let me know if they have been received that please send me a copy of the Act of  February 2nd 1848 together with the form of declaration
                       I am sincerely yours
                           very Respectfully
                             John W. Houghton
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 31

                   Ledyard Sept 21st 1843
Hon Sir,
     Yours of the 28th [illegible] in the case of Lucy Belcher's application for a pension has been received. And as required, the certificate of the Comptroller has been procured and is herewith enclosed.
                               I am [illegible] respectfully
                                   Your [illegible] Servt
                                       Sam W Wood
Page 32

                                  State of Connecticut
                                  Comptrollers Office
                                  Hartford 8th Sept. 1843

     I certify that an application for evidence of the service of Nathan Belcher in the war of the revolution I find his name on "A Pay Roll of the 5th Company of the 8th Regt and by order of the Genl Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut July 1775" commanded by Capt Jewett as follows Nathan Belcher Time of Enlistment July 10th Discharged 17th [illegible] There are no Pay Rolls of Captain Belcher Service Col Selden's Regt [ineligible] in June 1776 to serve until the 25th of December Capt Belcher commanded a Company to that Regiment
                              Gideon Welles
                                   Comptroller
 5.8
 5
10.8

33.33
     88

34.21
Page 33

Hon Sir,
     Herewith enclosed you have the  application
of Mrs Lucy Belcher, widow of Nathan Belcher for a pension under the law of March 3, 1843.
     Be pleased to address returns to your Obedient Servant
                                  Sam W. Wood
                                      Ledyard
                                           Ct


Hon James L Edwards
     Comm of Pensions
Page 34

                             W 10.72
                        Lucy Belcher 
                            Congress
                        Act 7th July ‘38

Add
10 months 8 days
Private
$34.21 per annum

   34.21
            4
     17 [illegible] 25
Samuel W. Woods Esquire
Ledyard
Connecticut
Page 35

                                            Pension Office
                                            March 1844.

Sir,
     The additional testimony in the case of Lucy
Belcher has been examined and filed. The comptroller's certificate only shows service to the intent of ten months and eight cays on the part
of Nathan Belcher consequently the utmost allowance that can be made is thirty four dollars and twenty one days instead of forty one dollars and sixty six cents heretofore allowed to him.
When Nathan Belchers claim was admitted there were no rolls to which access could be had and
[illegible] was received as the best that could be provided
Page 36

                            12.956
Page 37

I Nathan Geer of the town of Griswold in New London County and State of Connecticut now seventy-five years of age depose and say that I have ever been acquainted with Nathan Belcher of the town of Griswold aforesaid from my youth and know him ever to have sustained and does now [illegible] a fair character for truth and veracity in the vicinity where he is known and his statement is entitled to credit and further this deponent saith not.
                                     Nathan Geer

I John Johnson of the town of Griswold in New London County State of Connecticut, Postmaster in the village of Jewett City in said town depose and say that I have been well acquainted with Nathan Belcher of said town for more than thirty years and can certify that he has ever sustained a fair character for truth and veracity and that his statements were he is personally known would receive credit.
                                     John Johnson

New London County Griswold Sept. 11, 1832 then personally appeared Nathan Geer and John Johnson credible witnesses to me well known and made oath to the truth of the above certificate by them who respectfully subscribed in
Page 38

I Charles Fanning of the town of Griswold in New London County of State of Connecticut now aged eighty three years depose and say that I was well acquainted with Nathan Belcher then of the town of Preston now of the town of Griswold in the revolutionary war and have know him ever since having always lived in the same town with him I will recollect that he was a soldier in the troops of the State of Connecticut in our campaign in New York in the year 1776 in the company commanded by his father Colonel William Belcher of Preston who was also well known to me, said company was attached to Col Selden's regiment I belonged. I will remember that the said said Belcher was in the Orchard Fight, so called, and was there wounded in his knee by a bayonet and that he was lifted off the ground by his father. I well remember that when we were on our retreat out of the orchard we had a wall with top poles which [illegible] had to [illegible] and when we were getting over it Captain Belcher called on me to give way saying that it was his son. I recollect that the said Belcher
Page 39

was confined for a considerable time with his wound after his recovery her again joined the army and continued with us until we were discharged the tenth of December, I should think around Christmas. It was after the news had arrived of the Battle of Trenton. Since the war of the revolution I have familiarly acquainted with said Belcher having resided always within two miles of him and I have ever considered him a man of integrity and high standing in society for veracity and further this deponent saith not.
                                   Charles Fanning

New London County Griswold September 11th 1832 then personally appeared Charles Fanning,
Esquire, a credible witness and to me well known and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed in my presence and before me.
              Samuel C. Morgan Justice of the Peace
                      for New London County
Page 40

State of Connecticut
New London County Griswold Sept. 11th 1832
Then personally appeared the Rev. George Perkins a clergyman, John Johnson Postmaster, Charles Fanning and Nathan Geer all of said Griswold credible witnesses and persons well known to me and made oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate by them respectfully subscribed in my presence before me.
     Samuel C Morgan Justice of the Peace
         for New London County

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after proving the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies it appears to them the George Perkins who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Griswold in New London County and that John Johnson Charles Fanning and Nathan Geer who have also signed the same are residents of the same town and credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Burrel Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Norwich do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
Page 41

proceeding the said Court in the matter of the application of Nathan Belcher for a pension and I do further certify that Samuel C Morgan Esq of the town of Griswold is a Justice of the Peace in and for New London County and that his name to the affidavit and certificate hereto annexed in his own proper handwriting.
     In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and affix my seal of office this 11th day of Sept. 1832 - 

                                Burrel Lathrop
                                            Clerk
Page 42

     3972

Lucy Belcher
   Act '43

$34.21 per an

S. W. Wood
    Ledyard
       Con.
Page 43

                  Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 3rd March 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widow how have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1835.

State of Connecticut for New London County
     On the 27th day of April A. D. 1844, personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London aforesaid Lucy Belcher a resident of Griswold - in the County aforesaid aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war.
That she is the widow of Nathan Belcher- who was a Private - in the Revolution and that she has received a pension Certificate for thirty-four 00/100 Dollars per annum under the act of July 7, 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
                                          Lucy Belcher
sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written.
In presence of                 Before
Lucy B. Turkman                   Chas E Leonard
                                         Justice of the Peace

I certify that Lucy Belcher- named in the foregoing declaration is a credible person and is known to men "of Congress" interlined in the above declaration
                                   Chas E Leonard
                                    Justice of the Peace
Page 44

State of Connecticut
New London County   ss  May 23rd 1844

    I Edmund Spicer Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Ledyard in the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles E. Leonard Esq. before whom the annexed declaration of Lucy Belcher purports to have been taken, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and his signature written to the certificate annexed to said declaration. I believe to be genuine.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court.

                               Edmund Spicer Clerk
Page 45

I Elizabeth Coit of Griswold in the County of New London and the State of Connecticut aged seventy eight years do on my oath, depose and say that I was acquainted with Nathan Belcher late of that part of the late town of [Griswold] Preston that is now part of the town of Griswold aforesaid declares that he was reputed to have been a pensioner of the United States, that according to the best of my recollection he died two years ago last summer.
     I further depose and say that I am acquainted with Lucy Belcher the widow of said Nathan Belcher that her maiden name was Lucy Huntington, that that the said Nathan and Lucy were married soon after the close of the Revolutionary War and according to the best of my recollection in the fall or winter after I was twenty years old, that I was present and their wedding and saw them married, that the said Lucy Belcher now resides in Griswold aforesaid and still remains a widow of the said Nathan, as I verily believe and further deponent saith not.
                                Elizabeth Coit

State of Connecticut ss for New London County, June 13th 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Mrs Elizabeth Coit above named and made oath that the above deposition by her subscribed is true, and I certify that she is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit - I also certify that the word "say" was interlined and the the letters "Griswold" and word "that" were marked around or exchanged in the above deposition before signing.
                               Nathan Stanton
                                 Justice of the Peace
Page 46

I Charles Leonard of Griswold in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged thirty nine years, do on my oath depose and say that I was personally acquainted with Nathan Belcher, late of that part of the late town of Preston that is now the Town of Griswold aforesaid declare that said Belcher was a pensioner of the United States, that he died at said Griswold on the twelfth day of August eighteen hundred and forty.
     I further depose and say that I am acquainted with Mrs. Lucy Belcher the widow of said Nathan Belcher, that she now resides in said Griswold and still remains the widow of said Nathan Belcher and further deponent saith not.
                              Charles E. Leonard

State of Connecticut ss New London County June 15th 183 Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, Charles E. Leonard Esq. above named made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed is true, and certify that he is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
                       Nathan Stanton
                               Justice of the Peace
Page 47

                                  [illegible]

Hon James L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
         D. C.

Gales Ferry
May 24
May 27, 1843
Nathan Belcher
Ct [illegible]
Page 48

                            Ledyard May 24 1843

Hon Sir,
     On behalf of Mrs Lucy Belcher widow of Mr Nathan Belcher deceased I would than you to inform me whether she is entitled to a pension.
     Her said husband was a pensioner under the act of June 1832, and died August 1840. They were married in November 1785 - 
     Please address returns to your obedient servant
                                  Sam W. Wood
                                    Ledyard P.O.
                                          Conn
Page 49

                                              Free

Hon J. L. Edwards
    Comm of Pensions
    Washington City
          D. C.

Gales Ferry Ct.
Apr. 10

Apr 15 1844

Col [illegible]
Page 50

                      Ledyard April 9th 1844

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
                               Sir,
                                  The Pension Certificate for Mrs. Lucy Belcher widow of Nathan Belcher, deceased, has been received through the hands of Hon. J. W. Huntington, USS. As I apprehend that there was an accidental mistake in computing the amount due her. I trust you will permit me very respectfully to call your attention to her case again.
     The pension granted her is $34.21  per ann - I therefore suppose the time allowed must have been ten month 8 days.
     I think it should have been eleven months 8 day (viz from July 10th to Dec. 17, 1775, - 5 months 8 day, (and 6 months in 1776, total 11 months 8 days) And that the pension should have been $37.53 per ann instead of $34.21. Will you be so kind as to inform me whether there was not an accidental mistake in computing the amount allowed Mrs. Belcher, and it so, will you please issue another certificate for her.

                     I am Sir very respectfully
                         your obedient servant
                               Sam W. Wood
                                       Ledyard P.O.
                                           Ct
Page 51

                           Ledyard June 17th 1843

Hon Sir,
               Herewith enclosed you have the declaration of Mrs Lucy Belcher.
               Be please to make returns to -
                 Your most obedient Servant
                      Sam W. Wood
                      Ledyard P.O.
                             Conn




Hon James L Edwards
Comm of Pensions