Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18336, Eleazer Bulkley, Conn. Conn. Sea Service
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn   
Conn.SeaService   

Bulkley, Eleazer
or Eleazar

NUMBER
S. 18336

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

6824
Navy
Eleazer Bulkley
of Fairfield in State of Connecticut 
who was a Private Marine of the Marine Company commanded
by Captain ... of the ... commanded 
by... in the ...
line for Connecticut troops and  Connecticut Sea Service
2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 80 Dollars __ Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of March 1833 and sent Honorable G Tomlinson Senate US
Arrears to the 4th of March 33               160
Semi-annual. allowance ending 4 September     40
                                                                $200
{Revolutionary Clerk,
Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by REler Clerk,
Book D Volume 3 Page 10
Page 3

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}ss Fairfield

On this 23d day of July AD 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before a Ismal Sepron of the County Court holden at Fairfield in and for the County of Fairfield on the 23rd day of July AD 1832 now sitting, Eleazer Bulkley a resident of Fairfield in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged sixty nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated, viz at the commencement of his services in the Revolutionary War in the month of March 1776, then a resident of the Town of Fairfield aforesaid he enlisted  and entered on board of the Brig Defense Captain Seth Harding of Norwich in Connecticut Ebenezer Bartram 1st Lieutenant and Samuel Smedley second Lieutenant both of Fairfield aforesaid. the Brig carried sixteen guns and belonged to the state of Connecticut and then lying in the Harbour of New Haven in said Connecticut from which we sailed on a cruise down Long Island Sound, visiting different harbours and finally to Plymouth Harbour in the State of Massachusetts  and about three weeks after the British evacuated Boston, and left Plymouth Harbour and fell in with [in Boston Bay], two English transports a ship and Brig. with Troops and Military Stores bound to Boston, they not knowing that the English had evacuated Boston, they were commanded by Colonel Campbell, we attacked them near Ginger Island in Boston Harbour within pistol shot and served in capturing them both, and after laying some time in Boston Harbour we proceeded to New London in Connecticut and there abandoned the aforesaid Brig on the account of her being a dull sailor and put her armament on board of  a Morgan built vessel upon which was riged into a bug, and called the same name as the other, (Defense) and commanded by the same Captain Seth Harding and officers and crew and sailed on a cruise in the latter part of the same summer of 1776 and Captured two English ships on their passage from Jamaica to England in about latitude 35 or 36 north one laden with sugar and the other a [illegible] in Ballast, both of which arrived. in New London, at which place we arrived soon after in the fall of the same year, Captain Harden then resigned the command of the Brig to Lieutenant Samuel Smedley of Fairfield Connecticut, and after refitting we sailed. I think some time in November for a winter cruise, Lieutenant Bartram having left the vessel previous to the [illegible] [illegible] and to the landward of the West Indies Islands we captured four [illegible] [illegible] with provisions principally and we returned in the Spring of the [illegible] [illegible] New Bedford in Massachusetts, about the time the English burnt Danbury [illegible] [illegible] of the crew (myself for one) asked Captain Smedley to discharge us that in [illegible]  [illegible] he answerd in you have no home the emeny has possession of your [illegible]  [illegible] back, and you are better off where you are (or words to that effect) [illegible] on board sometime after that, and I was discharged making the time I served on board about fourteen months to the best of my recollection. Some time after this perhaps a year or more I entered on board of the [illegible] after she was rigged into a ship of eighteen guns and was on board
Page 4

Her when she was Cast away on Goshen Reef. What length of time I cannot tell but should think not more than one month. And early in the spring of the year 1779 he enlisted in a Company of Connecticut State Troop commanded by Captain Eliphalet Thorp in Colonel Dimms Regiment and was stationed in the  town of Fairfield a Guard of the Sea Coast where he served one year untill the spring of the year 1780 in the year of 1782 he was either enlisted or drafted on Guard of the Coast of Fairfield one or two times but for what length of time he cannot tell but should think about five months. And in the fall of the same year Volunteered on board of transport boat to carry troops across Long Island Sound to Long Island on a expedition under Colonel. or Major Talmage. How long he was in service that time cannot tell he has no written discharges or any documentary evidence of service. I was born on September 2nd in 1763. Recorded in India ink on my arm and no other. I lived in Fairfield aforesaid when I enlisted the service and lived there ever since. I was called into the service by enlisting board of Brog Defense. I never had any written discharge to my knowledge if I (had it long time was lost. Jeremiah Sturges and Abel Ogden will testify as to my character and their belief of my service in the Revolution.
The said Eleazer Bulkley hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Eleazar Bulkley
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open court. Test [attest] Thomas B Osborne Clerk, 
We, Jeremiah Sturges, residing in the town of Fairfield and Abel Ogden residing in same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Eleazer Bulkley who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in open court.  Jeremiah Sturges  Abel Ogden
Test [attest] Thomas B. Osborne Clerk
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 Jeremiah Sturges, and Abel Ogden who have signed the preceding certificate are resident in the town of Fairfield and are a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit 
John Q Wilson
Chief Judge
I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the said County Court for Fairfield County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eleazer Bulkley for a pension,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 23d day of July 1832. 
I further certify that Abram Bulkley and Hezekiah Burr appeared in open court before said county court and severally made solemn oath to the truth of the annexed depositions by their respectively subscribed. I further certify that Jeremiah Sturges, Esq. before whom the annexed deposition of Daniel Thorp was sworn in an was on the 27th day of June 1832 a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and the signature to the certificate on said deposition purporting to be his is genuine and in the proper hand writing of the said Jeremiah Sturges. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 23d day of July AD 1832 Thomas B. Osborne Clerk of said County Court for Fairfield County
Page 5

I Eleazer Bulkly of the Town and County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut Aged
Sixty nine years in Explanation of my Declaration made and Subscribed on the 
23d day of July 1832 Claiming a Pension under the of Act of Congress Passed June 
7th 1832 for Services Rendered in the Revolutionary War, being duly Cautioned
And Sworn do Testify and Say that in the Month of March 1776 I Enlisted and
Entered on board of the Armed Brig Defence in the State Service Commanded
by Capt. Seth Harding where I Served untill late in the Summer of the
Same year and was then Transfered with the rest of the crew and officers to another
Brig called the Defence which had been attened from a New Providence Sloop or
Morgan built vessel, into a Brig and was Commanded a part of the time by
the said Captain Harding and a part of the time by his former second
Lieutenant Samuel Smedley and that I was in actual Service on
board of the Two vessels untill the month of June 1777 the full time
of fourteen months, and I Enlisted and Served in a Company
of State Troops Commanded by Captain Eliphalet Thorp and stationed in the 
Town of Fairfield aforesaid the full term of twelve months from the
Spring of the year 1779 to the Spring of the year 1780., for all of
which Services I found my claim for a full Pension for Two years
Services under the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 Notwithstanding
I served a much greater length of time under the same and other
officers, _ and further the deponent saith not. Dated at Fairfield afore-
said this 10th day of Novr 1832- Eleazar Bulkley

State of Connecticut ss }
County of Fairfield } ss Fairfield November 10. 1832 personally
appeared Eleazar Bulkley signer of the foregoing Deposition
and made oath to the truth of. the same before me
and I hereby Certify that the said Eleazar Bulkley is a man
of Truth and Veracity undoubted.
Jeremiah Sturges Justice of the Peace
Page 6

RECORD DIVISION
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION
S18336 [handwritten]

3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C., [BLANK], 19[BLANK]

In reply to your request of [BLANK], received [BLANK] for a statement of the military history of Eleazer Bulkley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.]

1. Mar 1776. 14 mos. Marine. Seth Harding. on Brig Defence. -.
2. -. -. -. {Samuel Smedley. -. -. 
3. Spring 79. 1 yr. Pvt. Eliphalet Thorp. Jonathan Dimon. Conn.
4. 1782. 2 mos. -. on guard of coast at Fairfield. 

Battles engaged in, captured 8 vessels
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fairfield Conn
Date of application for pension, July 23, 1832, His el - was al
Residence at date of application, Fairfield Conn
Age at date of application, 69 b. Feb. 2 1763
Remarks: no fam data

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6—2856
Page 7

1892 APr 18
Hist E B Bulkley
returned
also Feby 17, 1897 Conn

Oct 24, 1901
Esther L Patchen
Waltin N.Y.
1922 Sept 1 Hist to A.B. Nichols

Invalid

File no. 18336 Navy
Eleazer Bulkley
Marine
U.S. Navy
Rev War

Act June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 70
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 8

I Abram Bulkly of the Town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged seventy seven years, being duly cautioned and sworn do testify and say, that in the month of March 1776, I enlisted in the Sea Service of the State of Connecticut and entered on board of the  armed Brig called the Defense mounting sixteen guns, commanded by Capt. Seth Harding, Ebenezer Bartram was the first Liet. and Samuel Smedley 2nd Lieut, then lying in the Harbour of New Haven from where we said on a cruise and about then look after the British Fleet left Boston Harbour, we took, a ship and a Brig in Boston Bay with British Troops & Stores on board & carried them into Boston,  then we prowled to New London and there abandoned the aforesaid vessel on account of her being a Dull Sailor, put her armament on board of another Brig called the same name (Defence) commanded by the same officer with the same crew, and saild on a cruise in the latter part of the Summer 1776 and took two English ships, one laden with sugar the other a gunnerman in ballast and sent them into New London where we soon after arrivd. it then being late in the Fall of the year 1776, when I was taken sick and left the vessel some time in the following winter, and further the deponent testifies and says that Eleazer Bulkley of said Fairfield enlisted and entered on board of the same vessel with him, and served  on board of the several vessels under the same command, during the whole time he did and the deponent further testifies and says that when he was taken sick & left the vessel, the said Eleazer Bulkley was then on board and that he left him there, how long he continued after he cannot say, but believe in event [illegible] again on another [illegible], and further this Deponent [illegible]. Dated at Fairfield this 18th day of July 1832.

Abram Bulkley

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} ss Fairfield

July 18th 1832 the foregoing deposition was taken, subscribed and sworn to before me.

Jeremiah Sturges Jus P

Sworn to in open court
Tho B Osborne Clerk
Page 9

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} ss Fairfield July 25, 1833

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the within deponent Abram Bulkley & that he is a man in good standing in society and of truth & veracity and [illegible]

Jeremiah Sturges Jus. Pc.
Page 10

I Hezekiah Burr of the Town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged sixty nine years, being duly cautioned and sworn do testify and say that some time in the Spring of the year 1779, I enlisted in a Company of the State Troops commanded by Captain Eliphalet Thorp in Col Dimons Regt and served in the Guard of the Sea Coast of the town of Fairfield until in the Spring of the year 1780, I was stationd, when the Town of Fairfield was burnt at Black Rock in said Fairfield, and after the Town was burnt I was removed to Fansih Green at on old shop for a Guard Tour; and further the deponent testifies and say that Eleazer Bulkly of said Fairfield enlisted at the same time and served with him the deponent as Guard of the Sea Coast of the Town of Fairfield at the aforesaid place, during the whole time that he did viz from the Spring of the year 1779 until the Spring of the year 1780, he enlisted for one year and served out times amt mon the aforesaid Capt Eliphalet Thorp in Col Dimms Regt as guard of the Coast aforesaid, we served months more particular command (of the Guard) of Lieut Travis and Sergeant Turney and further the deponent saith not. Dated at Fairfield this 23d day of July 1832.

Hezekiah Burr

Sworn to in open Court [unk] Tho B Coborne Clerk

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} ss Fairfield July 23d 1832 the forgoing deposition of Hezekiah Burr was taken subscribed and sworn to before me.

Jermiah Sturges JofP
Page 11

Eleazer Bulkly [Bulkley]

to the Honorable County Court to be holdin at    and for the county of Fairfield on the the [sic] deposition of Daniel Thorp as proof of the service of Eleazer Bulkley in the War of the Revolution taken and sealed up this 27th day of June 1832 at Fairfield in the County of Fairfield before me
Jermiah Sturges Jus.  P

admit 2 year marine in Navy & private in army
$80
Hon G Tomlinson
Page 12

I Daniel Thorp of lawful age of the Town of Harpersfield in the County of Delaware and State of New York do testify & say that in the Spring of the year 1779, I enlisted in a company of Commitment State Troops stationed in the Town of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut to guard the Sea Coast.  Said Company was commanded by Captain Eliphalet Thorp of Col. Jonathan Dimons Ridgement [Regiment] in which Company the deponent served as a private soldier during the term of one year untill [until] the Spring of the year 1780, and the deponent further testifies & says that Eleazer Bulkley of the Town & County of Fairfield & State of Commitment served with him in the afore Company and Ridgment [Regiment] as a private soldier during the same term of one year (viz) from the spring of the year 1779 & the spring of the year 1780.  the particular day or month of his the said Bulkleys enlistment or discharge the deponent cannot tell and further the deponent saith not.
Daniel Thorp
Fairfield County Fairfield
on the 27th day of June 1832, the aforesaid Daniel Thorp was examined cautioned and sworn agreeable to law to the foregoing deposition taken at the request of Eleazer Bulkley to be used as proof of his service in the war of the Revolution before any proper Court of Record to hear and determine the same, the deponent living more than twenty miles from the place of hearing is the [illegible] to taking this deposition
Certified by me
Jeremiah Sturges Jus. Pc.
I Certify that I am not personally acquainted with the above deponent Daniel Thorp, but believe him to be a man in good standing in society and of Truth and Veracity
Jeremiah Sturges Jus. Pc.
Page 13

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ss
George Moyer of the Town of Fairfield in the County and State aforesaid, being duly sworn doth depose and say, that on the first Monday of May 1776 he enlisted as a Marine and served as such, on board the Brig Defence, of sixteen guns, commanded by Seth Harding, owned and fitted out for the public service by the State of Connecticut -
That under the enlistment aforesaid, the deponent served fourteen months on board of said Brig - and this deponent further saith that he now resides in the Town of Fairfield and has lived there ever since the Revolutionary War.  that he is now about seventy six [76] years of age and from bodily infirmity is unable to travel to court, which is held seven or eight miles from his the deponents dwelling, but in the same Town of Fairfield - and this deponent further saith that he knows Eleazar Bulkley of the said town and has been acquainted with him ever since he was a boy. - That the said Eleazar is as old as sixty nine years for in the year 1776 as aforesaid he was on board the said brig defence and was then thirteen or fourteen years old and he served in company with this deponent as aforesaid the full period of 14 months.  this deponent is positive as to the identity of the said Eleazar Buckley [Bulkley] and as to the service aforesaid in as much as it has (in former years, when this deponent was in active life) been the subject of conversation between them
George Moyer
Sworn this 20th day of July 1832
before me
John Q Wilson
Chief Judge of Fairfield County Court
Page 14

State of Connecticut }         
Fairfield County}           ss   

I Thomas B Coborne Clerk of the County
Court within & for the County of Fairfield
in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that John Q. Wilson Esquire, whose own proper signature known to me to be genuine is annexed to the Certificate of the within Deposition is the Chief Judge of said County Court duly commissioned & acting as such. In testimony whereof I have hereinto set my hand and officiate the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 26th day of July in 1832.

Thomas B Colborne Clerk of said County Court for Fairfield County
 
State of Connecticut}     
Fairfield County}  ss. Fairfield. Feb 25 1833
 I certify that the within Deponent George Moyer is a man of good standing in society and that I am personally acquainted with him and that for truth and veracity his is unquestioned

Jeremiah Sturges Jus. Pc.

no 1079
Page 15

At a meeting of the Governor and council of
Safety, August first. 1776.
Resolved and ordered, that Captain John 
Delton and Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Junior be, and they are
instructed to purchase the New Providence
Sloop belonging to Mr. Charles Walker, now lying
at New London, for the use of this government, to be
fitted as an armed vessel, at the easiest and cheapest
rate in their power, and to execute proper contracts
on the part of this colony for that purpose, and receive
suitable writings of conveyance to [illegible] the property of
the same to this state accordingly and that
there upon, Captain Seth Harding do immediately
proceed to alter and fit up said sloop as an armed  armed┃
Brigantine, with the greatest dispatch, and that he
make use of the masts, sails, rigging, guns and other
implements and furniture of the Brigantine Defence
now under his command for that purpose; and that
he employ the officers, sailors and marines of said 
Brigantine Defence, in fitting up said Sloop as aforesaid.
And said Mr. Shaw is directed to furnish Captain
Harding with what shall be necessary for that purpose.
A true Copy from the records of the
governor and Council of Safety, deposited
in the State House at Hartford,
examined and certified under the Seal of
the State, by
Thomas Day Secretary
Page 16

At a meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety August 12th 1776. --
Gave an order on Captain Samuel Squire of Fairfield, in favor of Captain Seth Harding of the Brig Defence, for forty barrels of Pork, forty barrels of Beef, forty bushels of beans and peas, and forty bushels of Indian corn, for the use of the Brig Defence.
Order delivered to Captain Harding August 12th 1776. --
Gave an order on Captain Samuel Squire of Fairfield, in favor of Mr. Nathaniel Shaw Junr. for sixty barrels of Pork - the colony's use.
Order delivered to Captain Harding, August 12th 1776. --
The above are true extracts from the records of the Governor and Council of Safety, deposited in the State House at Hartford, examined and certified under the Seal of the State, by
Thomas Day, Secretary.
Page 17

At a General Assembly of the Governor and Company of the State of Connecticut, ^in America holden at Hartford, by adjournment on Thursday the seventh day of January Anno Domini 1779.
Resolved by this Assembly that the Ships Oliver Cromwell and Defence be victualed, manned and sent on a cruise against the enemy, as soon as may be; and that the agent who has the care thereof, take the advice and direction of His Excellency the Governor and his council of safety, from time to time, in prosecuting the same.
And whereas it is found difficult to engage men to enter on board the ships, upon the terms which the men entered the last cruise the ships made; therefore
Resolved by this Assembly, that the same dividend of the prizes which the ships shall take be made to the crew or captors, after deduction for the necessary expense of libelling, condemnation and contingent charges, as has been usual on board private ships of war, viz. one moiety to the crew; and that the mode of division between the officers and men be the same which has been customary among the crews of private vessels of force of the same burthen.
A true Copy of record, examined and certified under the Seal of the State, by 
Thomas Day, Secretary
Page 18

Southport Novr. 10, 1832
Hon. Lew Cass}
Secretary of War}
Sir 
I have the honor to return herewith the papers in the Case of Eleazer Bulkley, with his explanation under oath of his Declaration and the time for which he claims a pension together with the Certificate of the Hon. Thomas Day Secretary of this State showing (as for any record in his office or of the Comptroller office) can be found, that the Armed Brig Defense was in the State service, and that the Morgan Vessel stated in Captn. Bulkleys declaration & called by the committee of Safety the New Providence Sloop, was purchased & fitted out by the State of Cont. and rigged and manned from the crew and materials of the former Brig Defence, which I hope will prove satisfactory to the Department to establish his claim to a full Pension in being a worthy and Reputable Citizen, well entitled to the Bounty of his Country.
I am Sir Your Most Obt Servt,
Jeremiah Sturges
Page 19

Stamped:
PENSION U. S. OFFICE
JUL 27 1922

The 
KALKHOFF COMPANY
Printers - New York
July 26 - 1922
The Department of the Interior
Pension Department
Washington D. C.
Dear Sirs:
I am anxious to join the Sons of the Revolution, and which I believe I can do.
Will you kindly send me information regarding Capt. David Nichols who served under Lieut Colonel Diamonds Regiment 1779 - I believe he was captain of 10th Company in the 4th Regiment of Conn.  I would like if possible to trace down to him, also Eleazar Bulkeley of Fairfield, Ct Pension act of 1832 Folio 650
I understand from Mr. Browne
Page 20

Sec. of Sons of the Revolution State of New York that you can probably help me out
Thanking you in advance
I am
Yours very truly
Albert Bulkley Nichols
216 West 18th St
New York City

The Kalkhoff Company

Stamped:
PENSION U. S. OFFICE
JUL 27 1922
Page 21

Portland
Conn
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir:-
I am very desirous of finding out the service of Eleazer Bulkley of Fairfield Connecticut.  He served in the Revolution and the 1812 war.  Could you give me his record in both stating whether he was an officer - During the Revolution he was on the brig-of-war "Defence" -
I am looking up his record
Page 22

Stamped:
OLD WAR & NAVY
FEB 6 1897
FILES.

for the Military order of Foreign Wars Society.  The records at Fairfield were destroyed and I have had some little trouble in finding out his service.  If I could find that he was an officer in the 1812 war it would cover part of what I am trying to find.
Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated.
Very truly
E. B. Bulkley
Portland Conn

Stamped:
U. S.  PENSION OFFICE
FEB 4 1897
Page 23

PHILADELPHIA, 1876.
FOR
GOOD COLOR UNIFORM TEXTURE
AND DURABILITY
OFFICE OF
THE BRAINERD QUARRY COMPANY
Portland, Conn., April 13th 1892
Chief of the Old War & Navy Div
Pension Bureau Washington D. C.
Dear Sir -
Will you kindly give me what particulars you may find, regarding Eleazer Bulkley of Fairfield County, Connecticut.
(see - Doe, 1st sess 23rd Cong 1833 - 1834)
He was a Revolutionary pensioner and also of the 1812.  He was my gt, gt Grandfather and I need the information to qualify as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Very truly
E Brainerd Bulkley
Portland 
Conn
Stamped:
O. W. & N. DIV
APR 14 1892
CHIEF'S DESK