Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8,843, for Denison Rexford, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Rexford, Denison
or Raxford
or Roxford
NUMBER R. 8843
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Revolutionary Claims. 
STATE OF VERMONT. 
Chittenden County,  ss. }  On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable County Court for the County of Chittenden, now sitting, Denison Rexford  a resident of Colchester in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged seventy one 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. 
That in the year 1777 or 1778 my Brother Benjamin Rexford Junr. entered into Captain Starrs Company in Col. R. Meigs Regiment of Connecticut Troops for three years, that he served a part of his time and by consent I was received and served as his substitute.  I served one full year.   I first joined the Regiment at Reading and we were encamped at that place until February, when a detachment was ordered and with them I marched for Horse Neck from thence we followed the enemy to Harlem Block House from thence we retreated to Kings Street, where we continued about six weeks and from thence we had orders and joined our Regiment at Reading, where we continued until the British attacked Stoney Point fort.  We were then ordered and marched to the Fort - from thence we marched to Nelsons Point, opposite West Point,  where we continued until Arnold [unreadable] the fort at West Point at the time Major Andre was taken prisoner,  from thence we marched to Horse Neck,  Stamford,  Norwalk and Milford from thence we received orders to march immediately back to Nelsons Point where we continued and built a Fort and I was dismissed the latter part of November.   
The next spring after I was drafted and served in Captain Couches Company of Conn troops.   Daniel Hall of Wallingford was my Lieutenant,  the name of by Colonel I do not recollect.  I was  in this tour two months and was dismissed at Mohegan.   
In November following I took the place of my Father Benjamin Rexford who had enlisted for during the war in Capt Sargents company in
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Col Baldwins Regiment of Continental Troops.  I served in this Regiment about eighteen months and was discharged at Fishkill.  My Father was attached to the corps of Artificers and I worked in said Corps as Blacksmith. My Father is dead, and never received a Pension. My Brother Benjamin Rexford Junr has lived in Canada for upwards of forty years and still lives there.  
I was born in Sharon, Litchfield County Conn.  December 16. 1761.  When I first entered the service I lived in Wallingford (Conn),  since the Revolution I lived twenty three years in Westfield Mass since which I have lived the principle part of time in Vermont, having and in Colchester the place of my nine residence for the last eight years. I do not recollect that I ever received a written discharge.  My whole service was  thirty two months.   
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 }  Denison Rexford 
Before Nathan B Maxwell 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 certify, that it appears to them, that Udney H. Persimmon Esqr and Ira Collins who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Colchester are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Attest Eli Brownson 
John Van Sickeles Jr } Judges of Chittenden County Court 
STATE OF VERMONT,
Chittenden County, ss. }  I Nathan B. Maxwell  Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Denison Rexford for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of August A. D. 1832. 
Nathan B Maxwell
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6466 Vt.
In the within application of Denison Rexford for Pension
N.Y.
N.Y. June 7 1832
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State of New York
County of Oneida } ss 
On this 12th day of Jan 12th in the year 1842 personally appeared [unreadable] Nathan Kimball one of the judges of the Oneida [unreadable] Denison Rexford a resident of the town of Augustus in the county of Oneida as aforesaid and the State of New York aged eighty one years & upwards 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 of June the 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the services as a private being drafted in the Militia in [unreadable] in the town of Wallingford and the State of Connecticut under [unreadable] and was Stationed at West Haven in the State last aforesaid & [unreadable] from the 1st day of January in the year 1778 until the 14th day of February of that year [unreadable] discharge from Service. 
[unreadable] the service of the United States under the following named officers
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[unreadable] that he entered the said Service as a Substitute for his brother Benjamin Rexford, in the town of [unreadable] county of Fairfield & State of Connecticut on the 1st day of December in the year 1778 and Served as a solider in Captain Daniel Starr’s company, Colonel Meig’s Regiment and [unreadable] Brigade and served in the same company at [unreadable] 3 Months.
And this deponent  further saith that he remained stationed at [unreadable] aforesaid from the first day of December in the year 1778 until the first day of may 1779 when an alarm was given that the British Army had taken Stoney Point when this deponent was [unreadable] in the company & regiment aforesaid to a place opposite to Stony Point at the mouth of the Hudson River and there served three months.  Was in no particular action but in some light skirmishes then he this deponent was stationed at Nelson’s Point opposite to West point and there remained until General Arnold joined the British Army and this deponent  [unreadable] was given to take Arnold’s men, deponent staid as a Sentinel on the post at the time [unreadable] passed down the River.
From Nelson’s Point this deponent marched to Horse Neck and Stamford & Norwalk & he was [unreadable]
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and that the said marches were very fatiguing without camps & with [unreadable] this deponent with the said Regiment marched to Robinson’s Farm South east of West Point and there remained in Said Regiment until the first day of December in the year 1779 when this deponent was discharged.
And this deponent further Saith that some time in the month of December or November in the year 1780 this deponent joined a [unreadable]  Sargen’s Company & Colonel  [unreadable]  Regiment as a Substitute for his father, Benjamin Rexford at a place called Totaway New Jersey and from there [unreadable]  regiment at Fishkill where he remained and at West Point one year & seven months that the Captain of Said Company was Jabez [unreadable] and the Colonel of the said Regiment was Jeduthan Baldwin.
This deponent further saith that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify as to his services toher than the affidavits of Jonathan Hall & John N. Parker and further this deponent saith that he applied to
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to the war department of the United States in the year 1833 when he resided at Burlington Vt. and further this deponent saith not.
This declarant hereby relinquishes every claim what ever 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.  
Denneson Rexford
Sworn to and subscribed  the day year aforesaid  
We Orlo Bartholmew, a clergyman residing in the town of Augusta in the County of Oneida and State of New York and Amasa Frost residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Denison Rexford who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be Eighty years of age; that he is reputed the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion.  
Orlo Bartholomew 
Amasa Frost
Sworn & subscribed the day aforesaid Nathan Kimball Judge of Oneida Com. Pleas
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State of New York
County of Oneida} ss And I the said Nathan Kimball one of the Judges of the Oneida Common Pleas  do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & 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 [unreadable]  certify that it appears to me that  that Orlo  Bartholemew who has signed the same is a resident in the town of Augusta in the County of Oneida aforesaid and is a clergyman & signed the preceding certificate and that Amasa Frost who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Augusta & County of Oneida aforesaid and is a credible person & that their statement entitled to credit - And I do further certify that the applicant is unable appear  in Court by reason of bodily infirmity & [unreadable] of old age [unreadable] 
Nathan Kimball Judge of Oneida Common Pleas
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to the War Department of the United States some time in the year 1833 when he resided at Burlington Vermont and further this deponent [unreadable]
State of New York 
Oneida County ss  
I P. Shelden Root Clerk of the said County of Oneida and also Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said county, do hereby certify, that Nathan Kimball Esqr. whose name is subscribed to the Certificate & to the jurat foregoing affidavit, was at the time of taking & subscribing the same, a Judge of Oneida Common Pleas in and for the said County dwelling in the said county, commissioned and [unreadable] and duly authorized to act as such; & that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge & verily believe that the signatures to the said Jurat & to the said Certificate are genuine.   
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my official seal the 28th day of January 1842
P. Sheldon Root Clk
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No. 6466   8843
Denison Rexford
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BRIEF in the case of   Denison Rexford County of Chittendon
in the State of   Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?    71 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  In 1777 or 1778  Duration of Service.  1 Year  Rank. Private Substitute of Benj Rexford   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Col. R. J. Meigs, Conn Troops
Period.  Next Spring after    Duration of Service.  2 Months  Rank.  drafted   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Surgent
Period.   November same year  Duration of Service. 1 Year 6 months   Rank.  Substitute  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Col. Baldwin
5. In what battles was he engaged? 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Wallingford 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?    Two Living Witnesses, not certified credible, Traditionary Evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?   Defective, Not properly attached
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Vinal Luce
Examining Clerk
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N.Y.
Vermont 
Denison Rexford 
rejected 
Letter to N B Haswell 29th April 1833 
declaration contradicted by Rolls as claimant says he was substitute 
Letter to Arad Joy 15 March ‘45
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8843
Denison Rexford
REJECTED
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Mar 10 45
[stamp] OVID NY MAR 5
FREE
Hon J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington D. C.
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Ovid March 4th 1845 
Dear Sir
I am again called upon from necessity to ask you respectfully to please give me a history of the case of an old Soldier. The case I have had on hand more than a year & without being able to make any progress, I therefore respectfully ask you to please give me a history of the service claimed by Denison Rexford (or Raxford, or Roxford)  who applied under the law of 1832 from Oneida County New York, also please let me know the State of this case.   
Respectfully Your Most Obt Svt 
Arad Joy
Hon J L Edwards 
Comr of Pensions 
Washington D. C.
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Denison Rexford
Colchester – 32 Months
No 6466
Not on rolls
Meigs
No such Capt in the Regt
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County }  We the undersigned inhabitants of Colchester in the County of Chittenden State of Vermont do hereby certify on oath that we am well acquainted with Denison Rexford of said Colchester and that we believe him be about seventy one years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a revolutionary soldier and we concur in that opinion.   
W. S. V. Penniman
Ira Collins
Sworn and subscribed this 17th day of August AD 1832 and I hereby certify  the above deponents are credible witnesses 
STATE OF VERMONT. 
Chittenden County, ss.}  I Nathan B Maxwell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify that, Levi Comstock & Wm Noble Esqr before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, was at the time thereof, a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe his name thereto subscribed, to be his own proper signatures.   
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 17th day of August A. D. 1832 
Nathan B Maxwell
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County }  We the undersigned inhabitants of Colchester in the County of Chittenden State of Vermont do hereby certify on oath that we am well acquainted with Denison Rexford of said Colchester and that we believe him be about seventy one years of age and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a revolutionary soldier and we concur in that opinion.   
W. S. V. Penniman
Ira Collins
Sworn and subscribed this 17th day of August AD 1832 and I hereby certify  the above deponents are credible witnesses 
Before me Levi Comstock Justice Peace
STATE OF VERMONT. 
taken, was at the time thereof, a Justice of the Peace, duly qualified, acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe his name thereto subscribed, to be his own proper signatures.   
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, at Burlington, this 17th day of August A. D. 1832 
Nathan B Maxwell
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Denison Rexford
Martha Clark's Declaration
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I Martha Clark of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont aged Sixty Eight being duly sworn depose & say, that I am well acquainted with Denison Rexford of Colchester in said County, he being my Brother & know that he served as a Soldier in the Revolutionary War as one of the State troops of Connecticut, that he served as a substitute for Benjamin Rexford Jr. who was enlisted for three years, about one year, but what year I do not recollect. I am confident it was in the forepart of the War.   I know also that he served as a substitute for my Father Benjamin Rexford, who was enlisted, also, I believe during the war in the Connecticut troops that he so served about one year & an half.   I lived at this time & so did my Father & Denison & all the family in Wallingford in the County of New Haven, Connecticut.
It is so long since I cannot recollect dates correctly.   I know that said Denison went as a soldier, at other times during the war, with the Militia but whether drafted, or how or how long I do not recollect. Charlotte Augt 13th 1832 
Martha Clark x her mark 
State of Vermont 
Chittenden County ss } Charlotte  Augt. 13, 1832  
Personally appeared Martha Clark & made solemn oath that the above deposition by her subscribed, as above, is true to the best of her knowledge & belief. Before me, 
William Noble Justice Peace
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Denison Rexford
Lamberton Clark's Deposition
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I Lamberton Clark of Charlotte in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged Seventy three, being duly sworn depose & say that I am well acquainted with Denison Rexford of Colchester in said County, & know that the said Denison was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, that he served as a substitute for his Brother  Benjamin Rexford Junr. who was enlisted in the State troops of Connecticut for three years as I understood the said Denison remained in the service as such substitute, at that time, about one year being the year before the capture of Maj. Andre according to my best recollection. 1 know also that the said Denison served as a soldier as aforesaid about one year & an half in said troops, as a substitute for his Father Benjamin Rexford.  
In the first term of one year I was with said Denison as a solder in the same service.   He served in Col. Return J Meig’s Regiment & Capt. Starrs Company, under Genl Enoch Parson or Pierson.
The said Denison at this time lived in Wallingford in the State of Connecticut. and I lived in Middletown in Connecticut.  
Charlotte Augt 13 1832
Lamberton Clark 
State of Vermont 
Chittenden County ss} Charlotte Augt 13 1832 Personally appeared Lamberton Clark made solemn oath, that the above deposition by him subscribed is true according to his best knowledge & belief, before me 
William Noble Justice Peace