Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,143, for Daniel Phelps, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Phelps, Daniel 

NUMBER
S 14.143

Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

9.673 
Connecticut 
Daniel Phelps 
of Hebron in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Abel of the Regt commanded by Col Waite in the Connecticut Militia. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1833 and del’d [delivered] to Judge Abner Hendee [unreadable]  in Washington City 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $  153.33 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept 1833  38.33 
$191.66 

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 1832} 

Recorded by F. S. Evans - Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 3 Page 34
Page 3

18920
Daniel Phelps
Connecticut

Adm for 1 year
and 11 months

40.00
20.00
10.00
6.66
$76.66

76.66. 38.33
153.32

Abner Hendee
Hebron Tolland City
Connecticut
Page 4

WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
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 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 shew what is necessary 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 compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Daniel Phelps Tolland Co., Connecticut
Period when the service was rendered. Enl [Enlisted] 1776   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months    Rank of claimant.  Priv    Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Capt Felber  Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.    Col Hosford    Battles in which the applicant was engaged. -   Country through which he marched.  N. Rochelle   Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  72 years  Hebron  Connecticut   Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Traditionary Evidence, 1 Living Witness 
Period when the service was rendered.  Draf [drafted]   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  2 Months   Rank of claimant.  Priv.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Terrel  Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.    Mason    Battles in which the applicant was engaged. -   Country through which he marched.  N. London 
Period when the service was rendered.   Vol. 1778   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months  Rank of claimant.   Priv.  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Rudd    Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.    Genl Sullivan    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   -  Country through which he marched.  Providence
Period when the service was rendered.  Draf [drafted] 1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months  Rank of claimant.  Priv   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Huntington  Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.    Peters    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  -   Country through which he marched.  Rhode Island
Period when the service was rendered.  1781   Duration of Claimant’s Service.   3 Months  Rank of claimant.  Priv.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Phelps  Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.   -   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  -  Country through which he marched.   Groton
Period when the service was rendered.  --  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months  Rank of claimant.  Priv. Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Phelps  Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Mason   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  -  Country through which he marched.  Fort Monrow
Period when the service was rendered. Vol [Volunteer]   Duration of Claimant’s Service.   6 Months  Rank of claimant.  Priv.  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Abel    Names and rank of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Wait    Battles in which the applicant was engaged. -  Country through which he marched.  Fort Griswold
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
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.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
of
On this
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
Stry
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
line, under the following named officers:
with
and
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.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
A. B.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who has
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 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
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
do hereby certify that the foregoing
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
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The fact 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 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.

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?
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 [t]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 neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[footnotes]
[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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics], 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 militia, &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.
[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
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State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss Hebron Probate District
On this 17 day of Nov. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron in the county of Tolland and state of Connecticut, now sitting, Daniel Phelps a resident of Hebron in the county of Tolland and state of Connecticut , aged 72 years, and 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 & served as herein stated.   In the year 1776 in the month of Sept about the seventh day I was drafted to do a tour of duty of three months at N. York, Joshua Phelps was Capt., Samuel Filer Lieut, Roger Phelps Ensign, Obadiah Horsford was Col. of the Regt.   We were marched to N. Rochelle where we remained in the neighbourhood guarding the provisions & doing various other duties.  
In December 1776 the latter part of the month I was drafted to do a tour of duty of two months at N. London.  Jeremiah Mason was commander of the Regt.,  John Skinner Capt,,  Thomas Terrel Lieut., Roger Phelps Ensign, we were marched to N. London where we remained keeping guard & performing various duties until our term had expired when I was honorably discharged. 
In the year 1778 about the seventh of August I volunteered to do a tour of duty of three months at Providence R. I. as a substitute for Amos Phelps and we were marched to Newport through Windham & there remained until we were drove off by the enemy in the night to Providence where we remained until the three months had expired,  when we were discharged.  One Capt Rudd Commanded my company the other officers are forgotten. General Sullivan Commanded the forces.
In 1779 in the month of September I was drafted to do a tour of duty of three months at Groton Fort.  Huntington was Capt of my company,  the Lieut. I do not recollect.  Joseph Phelps was Ensign.   This company was called the Independent company, one Peters commanded the Regt. and I there remained keeping Garrison & assisting in repairing the Fort until the said term had expired when I was honorably but verbally discharged.
In 1781 in the month of March or April I was drafted to do a tour of duty at N. London of three months.  Roger Phelps was Capt., John Gilbert Lieut.,  Hezekiah Bissell Ensign & I there did this duties of a soldier until the term had expired & I was discharged verbally.
And in the month of September of the same year, I was drafted to do a tour of duty of three months at N. London.  Jeremiah Mason was Col., Roger Phelps Capt of my Company,  Asaph White Lieut & John Gilbert Ensign,  and there remained until the term had expired & was verbally discharged.  And at the same time with others of my company volunteered to do a tour of duty of six month at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by Daniel Abel,  in Dutton was Lieut, and one Loomis Ensign - Wait commanded the Fort & there remained keeping garrison & performing various duties until the said term all expired when I was discharged whether verbally or not cannot remember.  I am known to Roger Phelps of Hebron who was with me through these last aforesaid Tours & whose deposition accompanies this declaration & who can testify to my veracity and his belief of the services performed.  That he  resided in Hebron at the time he entered the service & has resided there 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 state. 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid    Daniel Phelps
B
We, Alpheus Geer a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron and Roger Phelps residing in said Hebron that we are well acquainted with Daniel Phelps hereby certify, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 72 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. 
Alpheus Geer 
Roger Phelps 
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 Alpheus Geer who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Hebron and that Roger Phelps who has also signed the same is a resident in Hebron and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Abner Hendee Judge of Probate event District of Hebron in 
I Cyrus Mann clerk of the Court of Probate for the in the county of Tolland do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Daniel Phelps for a pension.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17th day of November A.D. 1832.
Cyrus Mann Clerk
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David Phelps
18920 
I certify I am well acquainted with the within applicant & that he is respectable & creditable member of Society.  June 8th 1833 Abner Hendee Judge C Court of Probate Court State of Connecticut
Page 9

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
Mrs. B. B. Christianson,
Casper, Box 1940,
Wyo.
Madam;
November 9, 1923.
as
I have to advise you that from the papers in
the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14143, it
appears that Daniel Phelps, while residing at Heron, Connecticut, enlisted and served as a private as follows-
From September 7, 1776, three months in Captain Joshua Phelps' Company, Colonel Obadiah Horsford's Connecticut
Regiment.
From the latter part of December 1776, two months in Captain John Skinner's Company, Colonel Jeremiah Mason's Regiment.
From August 7, 1778, three months in Captain Rudd's Company and was in General Sullivan's Rhode Island Expedition.
From September 1779, three months in Captain Huntington's
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tington's Company, Colonel Peter's Regiment.
From March or April 1781, three months in Captain
Roger help's Company and from September 1781,
three months in same company, Colonel Jeremiah Mason's
Regiment.
After this, he served six months in Captain
Daniel Abel's Company,
He was allowed pension on his application executed
November 17, 1832, while a resident of Hebron,
Tolland County, Connecticut, aged seventy two years.
There is no data on file as to his family,
Respectfully,
Commissioner
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Rev War 
14143 
INVALID. 
File No. 14,143 
Daniel Phelps 
Priv Rev War  
Act: June 7” 1832 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 296 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1909 Dec. 15. Hist to F. C. Bissell Nom catalogue
letter in S. File 16934 Andrew Mann. LC   
1923 - Nov. 9. Hist to Mrs. B.B. Christianson AWF
Page 12

I Roger Phelps of Hebron Tolland County Ct of lawful age do testify & say that in the month of Sept 1781 I was drafted do a tour of duty of three months at N. London, Jeremiah Mason was Col., Roger Phelps Capt,  Asaph White Lieut, John Gilbert Ensign.  That I was marched to N. London & there remained & performed the duties of a soldier in keeping Garrison &c until the term expired & I was discharged.  When I volunteered to do a tour of duty at Groton Fort of six months as a substitute for Lawrence Powers in a company commanded by Daniel Abel, one Dutton Lieut & Loomis Ensign,  that I there remained & performed the various duties of a soldier until the term of six months had expired when I was verbally discharged,  and I well remember that Daniel Phelps was a private in the same company with me & served the whole time that I served with me in both of the aforesaid terms & was discharged at the same time.
Roger Phelps
and further saith not 
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss 
Hebron Probate District 
Personally appeared in open Court before Abner Hendee Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for said District Roger Phelps of Hebron Signer of the foregoing deposition & made solemn oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & this court hereby certifies that the said Roger Phelps is a man of truth & that his statement is entitled to credit.   
In testimony whereof I have set my hand & seal of office this 17th Day of Nov’r 1832
Cyrus Mann Clerk
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Casper, Wyoming
Sept. 27-23
Commr. of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir. The name of Daniel Phelps has been found as a Revolutionary pensioner. Can you give me abstract of his services.
His name appears in the 1840 list of pensioners in Hebron, Litchfield Co. Comm.
Very truly Yours
Mrs. RB. Christianson
Box 1940 Casper, Wyo