Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,257, John Abel, Conn.
Page 1

Service                    Number
Conn  Able, John  S. 4,257

carded
Page 2

1928.
Ohio. Pittsburgh.
John Abel
Geauga Co in the State of Ohio.
who was a Private & [illegible] in the Company commanded
Captain Waterhouse of the Regiment commanded
Col. Lawrence in the Connecticut,
for some.
$37.80/100

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsbg.
Wife
at the rate of 37. Dollars 83 Cents
per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of
April,
1833  and send to.
E. Phelps and sent to
Cherdon, Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833
75.66
18.91
$94, 57

(Revolutionary Claim,)
(Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by Wm. R Palmer Clerk,
Book 6 Vol. 8 [or 81] Page 105.
Page 3

John Abel
---
23567

-
.
Page 4

The State of Ohio
Geauga County ss
On this seventh day of March A.D. 1833
personally appeared in open Court before the
Court of Common Pleas in and for the County
and state aforesaid, now sitting, John Abel, a resident of Perry in
said County, aged seventy five years on the eighth day of March
last, 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, to wit. He volunteered in June 1777. for three months
in Captain John Penoyer's Company of Connecticut Militia, the
name of the Colonel of the regiment he can not recollect. Lieutenant
Waterhouse belonged to the company,
That he served in the
capacity of Corporal in said Company, and rendezvoused at
Danbury after the public property was burned, he was stationed
there about six weeks and was marched thence to Crompond
with some pieces of Canon and there served untill the expiration
of his term, having served Three months - That he entered into
the above named company at Sharon in the State of Con
necticut-       About the 1st of October in the year 1777 he
was called out at Sharon in the State of Connecticut with the 
militia, by an alarm at the time the British Shipping sailed
up the Hudson river, the company in which he served was
commanded by Captain Ephraim Meriner, E Parsons served
as Lieutenant in the same company which marched under 
the command of said Captain Marriner to the Hudson near
Compond, and followed the Brittish shipping up the river,
and was on the east side of the river at the time Esopess
was burned. When the Shipping droped down the river he
returned with the company to Compond and thence to Sharon
in Connecticut where he was dismissed having served one month
Late in December 1778 he volunteered for three months in a
company commanded by Captain Amos Chapel of Sharon
aforesaid, (the name of the Lieutenant was Dodge and the ensign's
name was Whittlesey) in which company he served
as a corporal, he marched ^to Horseneck with the company
Page 5

which was stationed there during the term, he being most of the time
out on scouting parties to White Plains, New Rochelle dc and
was dismissed at the expiration of his term at Horseneck having
served three months
In June or July 1779 he enlisted at Sharon
for three months in a company of light horse, the names of
the Captain and Lieutenant of said company he has forgotten,
but the Coronet's name was Lawrence.- The company 
undesvoused at Horseneck, and was there at the time Norwalk
and Bedford were burned, and served as a scouting or reconoitering
party untill their term of service expired when he was
dismissed at Horseneck having served three months
That by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he
can not remember the names of the officers under whom he served
other than those before named. That all his service was performed
in the militia of the state of Connecticut, in small detachments.
and that he did not at any time, serve at any place,
where Continental troops were stationed, except that when he
went to Danbury in Captain Penoyers Company in 1777 as before
stated. there was a company of Continental troops there, belonging
to Colonel Meigs' regiment of the Connecticut line, as he believes
but that they immediately after the arrival of the company
in which he served, left that place, and he can not now remember,
 the names of any of the officers of that company -That ┃
he is positive that his terms of service were not less, either of ┃
them, than the time herein stated. That he has no
documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony
 he can procure, to prove his service- That he resided at
Sharon in the State of Connecticut during the Revolutionary 
war, that he afterwards removed to Rensillaerville, Albany
County State of New York where he resided about twenty five
years that he removed thence to Ravenna Portage County in
the State of Ohio in 1816 and lived there untill January 1831.
when he removed to Geauga County in the same state
where he now resides-
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
Page 6

of any state.
Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid in open Court
D.D. Aiken Clerk         John Abel [signature]

We Francis Norwood, a clergyman residing in the town of Painesville
in said County, and Roderick W. Skinner residing in the same
town & County, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
John Abel, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration,
that we believe him to be seventy five 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 and year
aforesaid in open Court
D.D. Aiken Clerk   [signatures on side[ 
                             Francis Norwood
                             Roderick W. Skinner
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 appears to them that Francis Norwood who has signed the preceding
certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the town of Painesville, Geauga
County, and that Roderick W. Skinner, who has also signed the same
is a resident in said town of Painesvile, and is a credible person,
and that this statement is entitled to credit.

I David D. Aiken Clerk of the court of Common pleas in and for the county
of Geauge and State of Ohio do hereby certify. that the foregoing contains the orginal proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John
Abel for a pension.       In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of office this seventh day of
March A.D. 1833
D.D. Aiken, Clerk
Page 7

[written on the back of what looks like a typed page]

23567  7928
John Abel
Geauga Co
Ohio

Adm for 10 months
from 1777.
6. Mo Carporal - 22.00
3   "    Dragoon   12.50
1.  Mo  private      3.33
T                          3.7.83


[44 crossed out in middle of page]


Eawen F. Phelps agent
Chardon Ohio
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
20. April 1838

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of 
your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with he 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 neccessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
[Chart below with columns. Top headings typed then filled in by writing. Columns transcribed by
/  between columns]

A Statement, shewing the Service of John Able Geauga Co Ohio
[Headings]
Period when the service was rendered. /
Duration of the claimant's service Years. Months. Days. /
Rank of the claimant. /
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom her served. /
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. /
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
[Filled in writing]
[vor or vol] 1777 / 3 / Corp / Cap Penoyar T Waterhouse / [illegible] Sharon Conn / Traditionary
Oct [illegible] out 1777 / 1 /Private / Cap Merriner Lt Parsons 
[vor or vol] 1778 / 3/ Corp / Cap Chapel 
Enlisted 1779 / / [illegible] [crossout] /Lt Doge Col Lawrence


I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 9

2
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 Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &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 persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application 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 } 88.
County of
On this day of personally appeared (a) before
A. B. a resident (b) of______  in the county of     
and State, Territory or District
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 States 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. [picture of hand pointing right]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 the 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; they will 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 the 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 days 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 that C. D., who has also signed the same is a 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.
In 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
and State, Territory or District
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.
Page 10

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case  The facts stated 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 exexpected.  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.
6.{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?
6.(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 the 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 neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and 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 a 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 soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: ___For _____year ______months, and ____
days, I served as a _________.  For_______  months and _______days, I served as a _______; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the milita, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly 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 embodied corps called into service by competent authority;
that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
(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 officer, 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 affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

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 claimant's 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.
[indention with a picture of a hand pointing right] 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 in
note (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.

Geo. B Whiting
Page 11

[page with typed and hand written filled in information and written notes in various places]

Rev War
4254
INVALID.
File No. 4257
John Abel
Corp. Lt. Levi
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 1
(Arrangement of 1870.)

[written top right of page]
June 24-1902
Miss Edna E. Boyd
Painsville Ohio
Page 12

R [top right corner]
OWtu
[square stamp saying] U. S. P. B.[one letter in each corner] WAR & NAVY
June 4 1902
FILES
[hand written]
May 29 1902.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C
Dear Sir
Will you kindly
send me any information
that you may have
concerning John Abel.
who enlisted with the
Connecticut State Troop
in the Revolutionary War,
was from Geauga Co.
and drew a pension under 
the act of 1832.
(over)
Page 13

he is my great-
grand father and
any information will
be greatly appreciated
Thanking you in
advance for the favor.
I am
very Sincerely,
(Miss) Edna E. Boyd
160 Erie St,
Painesville,
Ohio

[round stamp at bottom]
PENSION
D
MAY 
31
1982
OFFICE.
U.S.