Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 13,046, Mills De Forest, Conn.
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(3—1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
DeForest, Mills
NUMBER
S.13,046
carded
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to agent on pending payment & explanation of pensioner 20 Feby 1835
to same 21 April 1835
Hon. S Prentiss Jan 7 1836
18801
Vermont, 18,801
Mills DeForest.
Essex Co in the state of Vermont who was a Private in the Compy. commanded by Captain Smith of the Regt. Commanded by Col. Mead, in the Conn. ma line for 2 years
Col. H. Swift & Col. P. B. Bradley
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of march, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Octr 1833 and sent to Pensioner, Lemington Vt
Arrears to the 4th of Sepr. 33 $200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34 $40.00
$240.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Brown

Note:  Bottom of document torn & missing
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DEFOREST, MILLS
(CONN.) 5-13046
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Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Vermont}
County of Essex} ss
On this 13th day of August A. D. 1832 the Hon. William Gates Judge of the Probate Court within and for the District of Essex in the County of Essex and State of Vermont now sitting Mills De Forrest a resident of Lemington in the County of Essex and State of Vermont 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the month of February in the year 1778 he entered the militia as a volunteer in the town of Stratford in the ^County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut for the term of two months and that he served the whole of said term of two months in a company commanded by Capt Joseph Birdseye and that he was marched with said company to the Saw pits in the State of New York where said company was stationed during said two months and did duty as a guard.
That in the month of April in the year 1778 he entered the militia as a volunteer in the aforesaid Town of Stratford for the term of two months and that he served the whole of said term in a company commanded by Capt. Curtis and that said company was stationed during the whole of said term at said Stratford and did duty in guarding the Port.
That in the month of June or July in the year 1778 he entered the army of the United States as a substitute for Elijah Judson of said Stratford who had enlisted for the term six months.  That said Judson was taken sick at White Plains within two or three weeks after joining the Army under said enlistment and that the said Judson wrote to his family in said Stratford to procure some one to take his place in the Army and that the family of said Judson procured him (the said De Forrest) to serve as a substitute for the said Judson and that he (the said De Forrest) did in said month of June or July 1778 relieve the said Judson at White Plains.  That within one or two days after joining the army as above stated he was detached with a party under the command of Major Grosvener and marched to Waterbury in the State of Connecticut where he was employed in making a military road leading from
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Hartford to Danbury and that he laboured on said road till the setting in of winter when he was marched to Reading Connecticut where the Connecticut troops were in winter quarters and was there discharged having served between five and six months.  That having been detached from the Regiment as before mentioned he does not recollect the names of the officers of the Company and Regiment to which he belonged.
That in the fore part of January in the year 1779 he entered the militia as a volunteer at Stratford in said County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and that he served for the term of two months in a company commanded by Capt. or Lieut. Bailey and that he was marched to Fairfield in the State of Connecticut where he did duty in said company during said term of two months in guarding the sea coast.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States at said Stratford in the month of June or July 1779 for the term of six months and that he joined the army at Nelsons Point, which is opposite West Point, on the Hudson River, and that he was detached from the Regiment and laboured for most of said term of six months in building ^the north redoubt at Nelsons Point:  that said redoubt was completed about the middle of October 1779 when he did duty as a soldier during the remainder of said term of six months in guarding said redoubt.  That he enlisted in the army of the United States at said Stratford in the first part of the month of July in the ^year 1780 that he immediately went to Danbury Connecticut where he passed muster and from thence he marched immediately and joined the army at Nelson's Point where he was stationed and did duty about two months.  that from thence he was marched with the whole Connecticut line ^of troops to the state of New Jersey and that he was stationed for some time at Tappan in the State of New Jersey.  that he was at Tappan at the time and saw the execution of Major Andre.  That upon the setting in of winter he went into winter quarters at Morristown where he remained till near the last of December 1780 and that he was then discharged a few days before said period of six months had expired, that he was so discharged on account of the severity of the winter and the scarcity of provisions in the winter quarters.  That during one ^of the two last mentioned terms he served in a company commanded by Capt Chapman, also that during one of said terms he belonged to the Regiment commanded by Col Philip Burr Bradley and that during the other he served in the Regiment commanded by Col Heman Swift.  That during both of said last mentioned terms he served in ^the Brigade commanded by Gen. Parsons or Gen. Huntington of the Connecticut line of
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continental troops.
That in the month of February or March in the year 1781 he entered the militia as a volunteer at said Stratford in the State of Connecticut and that he served for the full term of one year in a company commanded by Capt. Smith and Lieut Burton in the Regiment commanded by Col. Mead in General Waterbury's Brigade.  That he was stationed during said year at Stanford in the State of Connecticut and that he did duty in guarding the lines and was frequently sent on scouting expeditions.
That he is positive that he did the services above stated, but is not certain in every instance that they were performed at the particular dates above specified, but that those dates are correct according to his best recollection and belief; that he served under all of the officers above named but may be mistaken as to the particular times.
That he received two written discharges from service which are now lost.  That he has no documantary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  That he has a Bible in his possession which he has brought here into Court in which there is a record in the hand writing of his father by which it appears that he was born on the 24th of May 1763.  That he was born at Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut where he resided when called into service, that he removed to Norwich in the State of Vermont in 1784 where he resided four years when he removed to Lemmington in the County of Essex and State of Vermont where he has ever since resided and where he now resides.
He hereby relinquished 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-
Mills De Forest
We Seth Cushman Esq residing in Guildhall in the County of Essex and State of Vermont and Jesse Hugh residing in Maidstone in said Essex County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mills De Forest who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty nine 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 to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid-
Seth Cushman
Jesse Hugh
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And the said Court do hereby declare this 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 Seth Cushman Esquire who has signed the preceeding [preceding] certificate is resident in the town of Guildhall in the County of Essex and State of Vermont and that Jesse Hugh who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Maidstone in said Essex County and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Wm Gates Judge
I William Heywood Jun Register of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Essex in the County of Essex and State of Vermont do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mills De Forrest for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day August in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Two.
William Heywood Jun Register
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Essex do hereby testify that Wm Gates Esq before whom the within declaration of Mills DeForest was taken and subscribed is the Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the district of Essex in the County of Essex aforesd. and that his name thereto subscribed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of sd Court at Lunenburg in sd County this 20th day of August AD 1832
Wm Gates Clerk
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State of New York Chenango Co ss
On this 28th day of September 1835 personally came before me Gideon De Forrest who being duly sworn deposeth & says that he is seventy years of age that he was a soldier of the Revolution that he was born at Stratford in the parish of New Stratford in the State of Connecticut that he resided at said Stratford during the Revolutionary war that he is a brother of Mills De Forrest of Lemmington Vermont & that during the said war they were members of the same family that he knows that the said Mills enlisted for three campaigns in the Continental army for six months in each year that he left home about the first of July in each year and returned in January in each year but did not see him in the continental service but understood at the time that he served in Meigs, Swifts & Bradleys Regiments that he recollects his returning in January 1780 the hard winter much exhausted by the hardship & the severity of the season does not reccollect [recollect] positively the other years but is confident that it was the two previous years that on or about the first of March 1778 Mills De Forrest volunteered in Capt Birdseyes militia company & served two months on guard at the Saw Pitts in the State of New York & returned about the first of May & that he (the witness) served in the same company & during the same period & that immediately or within a day or two after their return the said Mills volunteered in Capt Curtisses militia company & went to Stratford as witness understood at the time & served another two months witness was not with him in this tour but reccollects distinctly his going immediately after they returned from the Saw Pits & that he returned not far from the first of July he also knows of his being at black rock in Fairfield under Capt. Bradly & also knows of his being gone to Stamford several months in the militia but
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cannot state the year nor company that being a soldier himself he was from home much of the time and cannot state all the terms of his brothers services but knows (in part from his own knowledge & partly what he learned in the family and from his brother at the time) that he was gone from home in the service the most part of the time from March 1778 untill 1782 that he now resides in the town of Edmeston Otsego County New York
Gideon De Forest
Sworn & subscribed before me the day
& year aforesaid
Isaac Jones Jr Commissioner of Deeds
I certify that I am well acquainted with Gideon De Forrest above named & that he is a credible person & his statements entitled to full credit 
Isaac Jones Jr Commissioner of Deeds
State of New York}
Chenango Co ss}
On this 29th day of September 1835 came before me Abel De Forrest who being duly sworn deposeth & says that he's 74 years of age that he was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, that during the said war he resided in the parish of New Stratford in the town of Stratford State of Connecticut that he is brother of Mills De Forrest of Lemmington State of Vermont that during the Revolutionary war he resided in the same family with said Mills, except when one or both were in service he enlisted in Meigs' Regt in 1778 with the said Mills & knows that said Mills served in said Regt six months also enlisted and served six months in Swifts or Bradleys Regiment recollects distinctly that they were together in the army at Tapan at the time of Andre's execution and were discharged
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together at Connecticut Flats in the Highlands he knows also that said Mills in the year 1779 enlisted & was gone six months in the service but did not serve with him that year -
he knows also that said Mills was in the service in the militia the most of the time from 1778 to the close of the war when not in the continental service
Abel De Forest
Sworn & Subscribed before me
this 29th day of Sept 1835
Isaac Jones Jr Commissioner of Deeds
I Certify that I am well acquainted with Abel De Forrest who has signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit that he is a reputable person & that his statement is

State of New-York,}
Chenango County Clerk's Office.} ss.
I, P. Randall, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify, that Isaac Jones Jr. Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof & acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and thereon written, was, at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County, duly authorised to take the same:  and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this first day of October 1835
Perez Randall Clerk.
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together at Connecticut Flats in the Highlands he knows also that said Mills in the year 1779 enlisted & was gone six months in the service but did not serve with him that year -
he knows also that said Mills was in the service in the militia the most of the time from 1778 to the close of the war when not in the continental service
Abel De Forest
Sworn & subscribed before me
this 28th day of Sept 1835
Isaac Jones Jr Commissioner of Deeds
I certify that I am well acquainted with Abel De Forrest who has signed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit that he is a reputable person & that his statement is entitled to full credit
Isaac Jones Jr Commissioner of Deeds

and for said County, duly authorised to take the same:  and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment to be genuine.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said county, this first day of October 1835
Perez Randall Clerk.
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Affidavits of Saml. De Forest & John Munro in the matter of the Pension of Mills De Forest
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State of New York}
Saratoga County SS.}
I, John Munroe, of the town of Ballston, County & State aforesaid of the age of seventy seven years on this eighth day of March last, being duly sworn do depose & say that he entered into the service of the Revolution as soldier in the Connecticut troops in May in the year 1775 for the space of seven ^months in the Regiment of Colonel Waterbury
On the 12th of March in the year 1776 I entered into the Regiment of Col. Ellmore as a soldier of the Connecticut troops & served for the term of one year
On or about the seventh day of April in the year 1777 I enlisted in the Regiment commanded by Col John Chandler in the Connecticut line to serve during the war & did serve as a soldier under different commanders until the close of the war 1783-
I am now a pensioner drawing ninety six dollar per year as a Revolutionary soldier- This deponent during his own services has frequently seen Mills De Forest of the town of Lemington County of Essex & State aforesaid in the Army of the Revolution serving as a soldier though not in the same regiment that this deponent served in- that for two summers certainly & this deponent believes for three summers he frequently saw the said Mills De Forest serving as a soldier in the Revolutionary Army--
John Munro  
Sworn to before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of the County of
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Saratoga this 21st day of September 1835
Oran G. Otis
Justice
I certify that I am acquainted with John Munro the above named Deponent & that he is of a good character for truth & veracity.
Oran T Otis
Justice
Ballston Spa
STATE OF NEW-YORK,}
SARATOGA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,} ss.
I, Alpheus Goodrich, Clerk of the county of Saratoga, Do Certify, that Oran G. Otis before whom the annexed affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county, and that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature 
WITNESS my hand and seal of Office, the 21 day of September 1835
A Goodrich Clerk
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Saratoga this 21st day of September 1835
Oran G. Otis
Justice
I certify that I am acquainted with John Munro the above named Deponent & that he is of a good character for truth & veracity
Oran G Otis
Justice
Ballston Spa
September 21, 1835
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State of New York}
Saratoga County ss.}
I Samuel Deforest of the town of Ballston County of Saratoga and State aforesaid of the age of seventy seven years in July last being duly sworn doth depose & swear that Mills Deforest of the town of Lemington County of Essex & State of Vermont is a brother of the deponent & that this deponent has been acquainted with his said Brother from his infancy- being brought up in the same family of Our Father & that while so living together the said Mills Deforest in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy eight entered into the Continental Service as a soldier in the Connecticut Line- and that in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred & seventy nine ^this deponent received a letter from his said brother stating that the troops to which he belonged were almost in a state of starvation & that the only allowance they had for fourteen days was one gill of rice per day And this deponent knows that his said Brother was in the service for more than three years
Saml DForest
Sworn before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of this County of Saratoga this 21st day of September 1835.
Oran G. Otis
Justice
I certify that I am well & personally acquainted with the above named deponent Samuel 
De Forest & that he is good character for truth & veracity
Oran G. Otis
Justice
September 21, 1835
Ballston Spa.
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I Elihu De Forest of Lawful age do testify and say that I am Brother of Mills De forest of Lemington and that we lived in the same family during the whole of the Revolutionary war and that I well remember that my brother Mills was frequently going to and returning home from the army and that it is my full belief that he served as a soldier in that war as much as three years in the whole time
Elihu De Forest
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Lemington August 12, 1835
Then personally appeared Elihu De Forest & subscribed and swore to the above deposition Before me
Daniel Judd Justice Peace
I hereby certify that there is no other Clergyman except the Revd. Ebenr G Bradford within the distance of about thirty miles of this Town & that the said Bradford is a regular ordained Minister in the Town of Colebrook N, H. adjoining the town of Lemington Vt.
Damiel Judd Justice Peace
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
I hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with Elihu De forest who has subscribed and sworn to the above affidavit and that he is considered a man of truth and veracity & his statement is entitled to credit
Daniel Jus Peace
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that Daniel Judd whose name is subscribed to the above and foregoing is a Justice of the Peace ^for the County of Essex, and I believe the same to be his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I [illegible] to subscribe my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 29th day of August AD 1835
Wm Gates Clerk
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I, Ebenezer G. Bradford, a Clergyman residing in the town of Colebrook, New Hampshire, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Judge Mills De Forest, who has witnessed and sworn to the above Declaration, that I believe him to be seventy years of age, and that he is respected and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution.  I further certify, that the said De Forest is a gentleman of much respectability; that he has held for years offices of trust, such as Town Clerk & Selectman of the town of Lemington, Representative of the same to the General Assembly of the State, and Judge of the Court in the County of Essex, Vermont; and that his character for veracity is good.
Ebenezer G. Bradford
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Lemington August 12, 1833
Then personally appeared the Revd. Ebenezer G Bradford a Clergyman in Colebrook New Hampshire adjoining Lemington in Vermont and subscribed the above certificate and solemnly affirmed the same to be true agreeable to the form and office of a statute of this State
Before me
Daniel Judd
Justice Peace
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No 3718
Vermont
Admt
2 years $80
Col. Bradley
July 1, '80
Dec. 14
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BRIEF in the case of Mills De Forest of Lemington County of Essex 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?  69
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Feby In 1778
April 1778
June or July 1778
Jany 1779
June or July 1779
July 1780
March 1781
Duration of Services.  Years, Months, Days.
2 mos
2 mos
6 mos substitute
2 mos
6 mos
1 year
Rank.
Private
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt Birdseye
Capt Curtis
Major Grovsnor
Capt Bailey
Capt Chapman, Col Bailey
Col Swift
Capt Smith, Col Mead, Genl Waterbury
Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct
I Certify that the foregoing-statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Jas Wilson Examing Clerk.
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3718
Mills De Forest
Limington
Essex Co
Vt
Index
Claimant
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
23 April 1833
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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Mills De Forest
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's services.
1778  [ink blot] Months
1779  [ink blot]
1780  6 mos
1781  12 mos
Rank of the claimant.
Private
Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt. J. Birdseye
Capt Curtis
6 mos in the Continental troops
1790 2 mo Militia 
6 mo Continental
in Ct. State troops
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered service. *
70 years 24 May last
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
*I am 70 years of age & resided at Stratford in Connecticut when the services were performed & now reside in Limington Vermont.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr Mills de Forest
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Document stating the REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
Page 2
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Document stating the REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
Page 3
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rejected 28 March 1832
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Washington March 26, 1832.
Sir,
I enclose a letter and papers of Mills De Forrest, of Lemington, Vermont, for a pension, and solicit a favorable consideration and reply - some of the papers, I perceive, have before been presented.
I am very respectfully
Your most obedient servant
W. Cahoon
The Honl. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office.
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Honl Lewis Cass Secty at War
Washington City
Lemington Vt
Novr. 15

3718
November 26
Vt.
Additional Doct. in case Mills De Forest
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Lemington Vt Novr. 15 1832
Honl Lewis Cass
Dear Sir the enclosed affidavit is intended for my benefit in obtaining a pension.  You will therefor be pleased [to] add the same to my other papers, previously sent on to the the war department, and oblige an old Revolutionary solder [soldier]
Mills De Forest
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Lemington Vt July 2[?] 1833
J. L. Edwards Esqr
My Dear
On the 13 of August last I made out a Declaration of my services in the Revolution was [illegible] of the act of Congress, granting a pension to all the old soldiers and at that time being unable to journey myself I wrote to my friends living in the State of New York (being something more than 300 miles off) to procure what testimony they could to substantiate my claim and they wrote in to the following effect.  That Samuel De Forest made his affidavit that he lived during the whole of the [illegible] he was in the same family with me & that he was knowing to my being in army more than three years Abel De Forest testified that he served with me in the same company two months campaign in the Continental army & that he knew of my being gone one other six months tour in the Continental army also a number of tours in the States service he thinks then three years in the whole.  Gideon De Forest testified that he served with me in Capt Joseph Birdseyes company at the Sawpits the term of two months.  That he knows of my going into the Continental army three six months tours & also that I served in the States service a number of tours he should think in the whole more than three years.  Elezer Durin testifies that he served in the same company with me in the Continental army for the term of six months.  all four of the above named persons made out their affidavits in their native states and as I was informed sent on to the war department, if so you will probably find them and if found will I think confirm my
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my service I have therefore concluded to send my claim with a little amendment back with a full belief (that if the Depositions are found in your office) will be successful, and that I believe so [illegibled] stongly is be valued.  I know then [remainder of sentence is illegible]
Mills De Forest
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
This packet is designed only establish my [illegible] of Character
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State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Town Clerks Office
Limington August 12 -1833
I hereby certify that it appears by the records in this Office that Mills De Forest Esqr held the Office of Town Clerk from the Year 1796 to the year 1818 and from the Year 1819 to the year 1828 - and that he has frequently held the Office of Select Man and other Town Offices from the Year 1796 to the present time  I also Certify that by the Journals of the General Assembly of said State now in this Office it appears that the said Mills De Forest Esqr was a member of said General Assembly in the Years - 1801 - 1803 - 1804 - 1805 - 1808 - 1809 -1810 -1811 - 1813 - 1814 - 1821 - and 1826 -
Attest Abdiel Blodgett Town Clerk
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Personally appeared before ^me the undersigned Daniel Judd a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Essex & State of Vermont Mills De Forest Esquire late one of Judges of said County Court who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot sware [swear] positively as to the processes dates and officers that he served under but according to the best of his recollection he served in the whole something more than three years as a private soldier and in the order mentioned in his former declaration excepting he believes that he served one six months tour in the Continental army under Colonel Meigs & I here recapitulate my former statement
1- at the saw pits 2 mo
2  at Stratford 2 mo
3  at Whiteplains 6mo 10 in 1778
4  at Fairfield 2 mo  8 in 1779
5- at West Point 6 mo
6- at West Point 6 - 6 mo in 1780
7  at Stanford in the Connecticut State troops 11 months
36 months in the whole making three years for which services I claim a pension
Mills De Forest
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Limington August 12 - 1833
Then the above named Mills De Forest personally appeared and subscribed & made oath to the above declaration before me
Daniel Judd
Justice of Peace
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Mills De Forest
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Limington Vt
Sept 13
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner Pensions
Washington

M Di Forest Pk

Vt Apl 20
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Limington Vt 
Apl 13 1835
Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir
Yours of the 20 Feby has been recd some time and would have been answered before now had it not been for my poor health & now Sir I can hardly [illegible] the use of it had not the contents of your letter affected my interest and character [illegible] my claim for a pension under the act of 1832 which seems to be involved in hidden mystery  I thought my claim to a pension well substanciated so thought Genl Cushman, Judge Gates and others at the time my papers were made out.  And indeed Sir if you will examing [examine] the affidavits of Abm Dunning, Mansfield Nichols, Samuel De Forest, Abel De Forest, Gideon De Forest, Elizer Durin  &c I think you will be satisfied that I served in the revolutionary war three years according to my estimate now I served 3 2 months, three 6 months campaigns was in the Continental Army one year in the Connecticut Continental Army - one year in the Connecticut State service under Genl Waterbury at Stammford and horse neck, one tour at the Sawpits of two months, six tours, two months at Stratford one two months tour at Blackrock, one tour six weeks at the Peekskills, & some other tours when Newhaven & Fairfield was burned three or four days at a time.  the tours to Pickskill, Newhaven & Fairfield are not mentioned in my papers in your offices-
There has been a certain scoundrel in this vicinity who has written to the war department and caused several pensions suspended and made individuals whose pensions have been stopped give him one half the first Draught to get restored this was under the first act.  I hope for the Honor of our Country that is not the case now.  If you find the affidavits referred to you will be satisfied that a pension is due to your most obedient and very humble servant.
Mills De Forest
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E. W. J. 
Depo
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Eben W. Judd of Middlebury in the County of Addison and State of Vermont aged 74 years, being duly sworn testifies and says, that for about fifty years he has been well acquainted with Mills De Forrest Esqr now of Lemington in the County of Essex and State aforesaid.- Soon after the revolutionary war about the year 1787 he comminsed [commenced] settlement on Connecticut river in the town of Lemington where he now resides. 
This deponent was knowing to, and became acquainted with the revolutionary services of the said Di [De] Forrest [Forest] soon after the war by frequent conversations with him and with his neighbors & connections.  And further, this deponent was well acquainted with said De Forest for a number of years whilst he was member of the Legislature of this state, and one of the Judges of Essex County Court.  And that he has always been considered a man of probity and the strictest integrity.
Eben W. Judd
State of Vermont}
Addison County} ss
Middlebury Apl. 17, 1835.
Personally appeared Eben W. Judd and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit in due form of law before me
Saml. S. Phelps Judge of Supreme Court
Page 38

I certify that I have been personally acquainted with Eben W. Judd for more than twenty years, that he has during that period sustained a respected standing in society and has recently filled the offices of a member of the Executive Council of this State and Judge of the County Court for the County of Addison.
Saml. S. Phelps
State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Samuel S. Phelps, before whom the within affidavit was made, and who has subscribed the foregoing certificate is a Judge of the said Supreme Court, and his name subscribed to the presiding Certificates is his own signature.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 17th day of April 1835.
Saml. Swift Clerk
Page 39

State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Personally appeared before us Isaac F. Redfield John Dodge & Samuel Curtiss Judges of Essex County Court being a Court of record on the 16th day of Decr AD 1835-
Mills D Forest Esqr of Lemington in said County, 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 periods of his different services, but according the the best of his memory, he served not less than the periods below specified, as Soldier in the Army of the American revolution, in the year 1778 from March to May two months, the same year from May until July two months, in the same year from July to January AD 1779 six months more, from the winter of 1779 to May that year, two months, from July 1779 to February 1780 six months more also one tour which ended in January 1781 six months, also twelve months, more in 1781 which terminated in 1782 in the whole three years exclusive of several short tours of duty - at alarms when the fleets of Great Britain came upon the coast of Long Island Sound, making in the whole according to my estimation three years and seven months, which I served as a Soldier in the revolutionary war, for which services I claim a pension -
I further state that on the 4th day of October A. D. 1833, I was placed on the pension roll
Page 40

under the Act of Congress of 7th June 1832.
that on 20 February 1835, I received notice from Pension Office that my pension had been stopped and that my name had been struck from the Pension Roll.  That my former declaration contains a full account of my services in the Revolutionary War.
That my present place of residence is Lemington in the County of Essex and State of Vermont and that at this time my former declaration was made I resided in said Lemington & have resided there ever since.
That I served as a private during all of my said services.  In the Continental service I served in three Regiments to wit, Col Meigs, Col Swift & Col Bradley - all of the Connecticut lines - whom I suppose are all now decd.
In the Connecticut State service I served in Col Meads Regiment, Genl. Waterbury's Brigade All the rest of my said services were under the Captains before mentioned commanding Guards and having no larger detachments.  The Captains names were Birdseye, Curtis, Bailey, Wilson & Blackman.
Mills De Forest
In this case the said Mills De Forrest having made his personal appearance in open Court and having been examined on oath as to the service set forth in this his supplemental declaration.  The Court here are of opinion that he did perform the services therein set forth in the manner at the times, and under the officers therein named and it is ordered that the Clerk certify the proceeding to the office of the Commissioner of Pensions
Attest Wm Gates Clerk
Page 41

State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
I Wm Gates Clerk of the County Court for the County of Essex hereby certify that the foregoing is the original declaration and order thereon in the case of the Declaration of Mills De Forest for a pension under the act therein named--
In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this Court at Guildhall in said County this 16th day of Decr AD 1835
Wm Gates Clerk
Page 42

N Judson
Page 43

City & County of Albany ss:
Nathaniel Judson of the City of Albany being duly sworn saith that he is now eighty one years of age and that he is well acquainted with Mills De Forest who is now a resident of Lemmington Vermont and that this deponent knew that the said Mills De Forest was a Soldier in the Connecticut Line during the revolutionary war, for a number of years.
his signature [hand drawn X] Nathaniel Judson
Sworn before Denis B Gaffney a Justice of the} Peace for the City & County of Albany this}
19th day Sept 1835}
I Certify that Nathaniel Judson to me well known and who has been sworn to the above affidavit is a credible witness
Dated Septr 19th 1835
Denis B Gaffney
Justice of the Peace for the City of Albany
City and County of Albany Clerks office}
I Conrad A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the said City and County do hereby certify that Dennis B. Gaffney before whom the above affidavit was sworn, was a Justice of the Peace in and for the City of Albany on the day of the date of the same and that his signature is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said County this 19th day of Sep. 1835.
C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk
Page 44

I am personally acquainted with Mills De Forest, and know him to be a man of good character and highly respectable standing.  He has held many important offices

See letters to P. Agt.  Feb. 26, 1836
and to 
Hon. S. Prentiss
Senate U. S.
Page 45

I Jesse Hugh of Maidstone in the County of Essex and State of Vermont testify and say that I have lived in the neighbourhood of Mills De Forrest and have been well acquainted with him for more than forty years past that it is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion; that I well recollect soon after my first acquaintance with the said De Forrest of hearing him attest that he did the duties of a soldier in the war of the revolution and of hearing relate circumstances which occurred when he was engaged in the service.
Jesse Hugh
State of Vermont }
Essex County ss}
At Guildhall in sd County of Essex this 13th day of August 1832 Personally appeared Jesse Hugh who subscribed to the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the facts therein contained are Before me
Wm Gates Just Peace
I John Hugh of Averill in the County of Essex and State of Vermont depose and say that I have been acquainted with Mills De Forrest of Lemington in said Essex County for about forty years past and that it is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion.
John Hugh
State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
At Guildhall in sd County of Essex on this 13th day of August 1832 personally appeared John Hugh who subscribed the above affidavit and made solemn oath that the facts therein contained are true
Before me
Wm Gates Just Peace
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Jesse Hugh & John Hugh and they are considered as creditable persons and their statement is entitle[d] to credit
Wm gates Just Peace
Page 46

State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Essex do hereby certify that Wm Gates Esqr before whom the within affidavit of Jesse Hugh & John Hugh was taken & ssworn to is a justive of the peace within and for sd Essex Co.

Note:  Remainder of document is mostly obliterated by large ink spots.
Page 47

Samuel Ingham
Page 48

I Abraham Duning of Canaan County of Essex & State of Vermont Do testify & say that during the Revolutionary war I was next nabor [neighor] to Mills Di Forist of Limington in sd County of Essex now residing but then thru the war lived in Huntington in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut but said De Forest was about from home a considerable part of the time the war lasted I now think as much as two or three ^or more years which time I have no doubt but that he was a faithful sodur [soldier] of the Continental army. ^I know him to belong to Col Meads Rgment one full year and was reputed to be a Good faithful Sodur
Abraham Dunning 
Date Canaan July 14th 1819
Sworn to before me Oliver Ingham Chief Judge of the Co Court Essex County
State Vermont
Page 49

Daniel Sherod
Page 50

I Mansfield Nicholes of Canaan in the County of Essex and State of Vermont Do testify and say that I was nabor [neighbor] to Mills Deforest during the Revolutionary War we then lived in Huntington in the State of Connecticut and I was well knowing that he belonged to the Continental army I believe two years or more he belonged to Col Meads Regiment one full year he served a number of campaigns in other regiments [remainder is illegible]
Mansfield Nichols
Date Canaan July 15 AD 1879
the above sworn to this 15 day of July AD 1879 before me
Oliver Ingham Judge

Copyists note:  Dates of 1879 are shown but could not possibly be correct
Page 51

and that he is in reduced circumstances and in need of the assistance of his Country for assistance that he has no other evidence of his said services now in his power -
Sworn to and declared before me the day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Ingham Chief Judge of the Country [County] Court for the Country of Essex and State of Vermont
I Oliver Ingham Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Essex as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Mills D Forest did serve as stated in the preceeding declaration for the term of nine months and more at one period of service in the army of the United States and then Continental estates served in the Revolutionary War - against the common enemy ^ in the Connecticut line - and that he is a citizen of the United States and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken & heard in the case before me to the Secretary for the Department of War -  pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Given under my hand [illegible] in said Court of Essex and the Seal of said Court this tenth day of January Anno Domini One thousand eight hundred & nineteen
Oliver Inhgam Chief Judge of the County Court  for the County of Essex
Page 52

State of Vermont}
Essex County ss}
Liminburgh August 2d AD 1819
County Clerks Office
I William Gates Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Essex and State of Vermont do hereby certify that Oliver Ingham Esquire whose name is affixed to the foregoing statement and certificate is and was on the [illegible] day of the dates thereof - Chief Judge of the County Court within and for the County of Essex and State of Vermont acting under the authority of said State and that the said Oliver Ingham signatures aforesaid are in his proper hand writing-
Given under [text is smeared] hand & the seal aforesaid Court the day & year above written.
William Gates Clerk
Mills D Forests Pension Papers
It appears from the Rolls that the applicant enlisted 1st July 1780 and was discharged 14th December following
Registered
Page 53

I Mansfield Nicholes of Canaan in the County of Essex and State of Vermont do testify and say that I was Nabor [neighbor] of Mills Deforest during the Revolutionary War we then lived in Huntington in the State of Connecticut and I was well knowing that he belonged to the Continental army I believe two years or more he belonged to Col Meads Regiment one full year he served a number of Campaigns in other regements
the facts or in [illegible] of all his services I don't know but I am will [well] pursuaded that he served two or three years in the whole perhaps more
 Dated Canaan July 15 AD 1819
Mansfield Nichols
the above sworn to this 15 day of July AD 1819 before me
Oliver Ingham Jun
Page 54

State of Vermont
Essex County ss
On this tenth day of January Anno Domine [Domini] one thousand eight hundred and nineteen before me the subscriber Chief Judge of the County ^Court of Essex aforesaid,  personally appears Mills D Forest aged fifty seven years, resident in Lemington in said County of Essex who being by me first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the late act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War.  That he the said Mills D Forest served according to his best recollection about three years and seven months in the Continantal establishment of the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War ^against the common enemy in the manner herein after mentioned - viz - about the first of April AD 1776 he enlisted under Captain Birdseye and served under him two months at the Saw Pits and there received an honorable discharge.  That he then enlisted under Lieut Barrett, and served under Capt Smith in Col. Meads Regiment for one whole year - served at Stamford & Horseneck the full term of his said enlistment and was Honorably discharged.  that he then enlisted under Capt. Curtis and served under him at Black Rock and Fairfield three months and then was honorably discharged.  That he then enlisted under Capt. Hinman and served under him at Peekskill two months - and was honorably discharged - That he then enlisted under Lieut. Baily for two years - and joined Col. Heman Swifts Regiment at the White Plains - he thinks in July or August AD 1778~
Page 55

and in a few days was sent out of said Regiment on a fatigue party and was sent under Maj Grovenor to work on the rode [road] on Warterbury [Waterbury] Mountain in Connecticut where he laboured until the setting in of winter when he joined the Connecticut Troops at Reading and wintered there and from some reason to him unknown he was returned into Capt. Chapmans Company in Col. Phillip B. Bradly's Regiment and the summer following they were marched to and stationed at Nelsons point where they built the north redoubt opposite west point - and they were afterwards marched into New Jersy [Jersey] and by about arrange and Tappan - untill about the month of November or December when they were marched to Morristown for winter quarters - and on the march they met with a [illegible] and broke two of his riles - in consequence after which he had an honorable discharge from the army - the better part of February he thinks four months before the time of his enlistment expired - all of which services he thinks were prefard in the Connecticut line of the Continental establishment of the Army of the Army [sic] of the United States in the Revolutionary War against the common enemy - That in the month of November AD he removed from Huntington in Connecticut to Lemington Vermont a distance of about three hundred miles.  then he then left with his mother all his discharges from the army some of which were in terms of high approbation of his services as a soldier & the said discharges are lost.  that he never received any compensation worth mentioning for his sd services - that he is a citizen of the United States
Page 56

By his Excellency
ISAAC TICHENOR, ESQUIRE,
CAPTAIN-GENERAL, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF, IN AND OVER THE STATE OF VERMONT.
To the Honorable Daniel Dana, Mills De Forest, and Samuel Wetherbee Esquires, Greeting.
KNOW, That you, and each of you, being duly elected Judges of the County Court, within and for the County of Essex in said State, for the year ensuing:—I DO, therefore, by these Presents, in the name and by the authority of the Freemen of the State of Vermont, fully authorise and empower you, the said Daniel Dana Chief Judge, and you, the said Mills De Forrest, and Samuel Wetherbee Assistant Judges of said Court, for and during the period aforesaid.
YOU, the said Judges, any two of whom shall be a quorum, will, by virtue hereof, take cognizance of all Causes, Actions and Suits; and of all Complaints, Prosecutions, Informations, or Indictments, as well criminal as civil; and do and perform, all and singular, the matters and things properly cognizable in, or coming before said Court; —and do equal right and justice between all parties, and to all persons, agreeably to evidence, and as the laws and statutes of this State do, shall or may require—awarding Execution thereon.—AND all persons, the good people of the said County of Essex and all others concerned, are required to take due notice hereof, and govern themselves accordingly.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I HAVE CAUSED THE SEAL OF THIS STATE TO BE HEREUNTO AFFIXED.
GIVEN under my Hand, in Council Chamber, at Middlebury this third day of November in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and six and of the Independence of the United States, the thirty first—
Isaac Tichenor
BY HIS EXCELLENCY's COMMAND,
William Page Jun Secretary.
Page 57

My object in sending this Commission is only to show the character that I sustain in this region
Mills De Forest

Judges of County Court
Essex County
Page 58

Essex County ss.}
Decr 13th 1826
This day personally appeared Mills D. Forrest and took the oath of office as Judge of said Essex County Court for the year ensuing
before me
Christ. S. Bailey Just. Peace
Page 59

Rev War
13046
INVALID.
File No. 13,046
Mills De Forest
Priv. Rev.d War
Act:  June 7th 1832
Index:—Vol..........., Page..........
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 60

State of New York}
County of Otsego ss}
Abel De Forest of Edmeston in the County of Otsego being a brother of Mills De Forest of Limmington Vermont that they lived in the same family during the Revolutionary War that he knows that in the year 1779 the said Mills De Forest was in the Continental Army for the term of six months he thinks in Col Bradlys Regiment.  that in the year 1778 he & the said Mills served six months together in the same Company in Col Meigs Regiment & also that he & the said Mills in the ^year 1780 served six months together in the same Company in Col Swifts or Col Bradleys Regt is not certain which but thinks in Col Swifts.
& further that he knows that the said Mills was at several times during the Revolutionary War out in the militia service for considerable length of time but cannot state particulars
Abel De Forest
Sworn & subscribed this 27th September 1832
before me
Philo Bennet Justice of the peace
State of New York}
County of Otsego ss}
Gideon De Forest of Edmeston in the County of Otsego being duly sworn doth depose and say that he is a brother of Mills De Forest of Lemington Vermont that they lived in the same family during the Revolutionary War that he knows that the said Mills De Forest was three campaigns in the Continental Army to wit in the year 1778, 1779 & 1780 & also that the said Mills was
Page 61

frequently at other times during the Revolutionary War out in the Militia service for considerable lengths of time but can not state particulars except one tour of two months in the months of March & April 1778 he was out in the same company with the said Mills for two months commanded by Capt Birdseye at the Saw Pits & further saith not --
Gideon De Forest
Sworn & subscribed this 27th day of}
September 1832 before me}
Philo Bennet Justice of the peace}
State of New York}
County of Otsego ss}
Eleazer Durand of New Berlin in the County of Chenango being duly sworn doth depose & say that he was an enlisted soldier in the army of the Revolution for three years in Col Meigs Regiment that in the year 1778 he became acquainted with Mills De Forest of Stratford in the State of Connecticut at Peekskill or its vicinity in the State of New York & that they served in the same company during the campaign & that the said Mills De Forest was discharged about the first of January 1779 same day the deponent got a furlough & accompanied said Mills to his Mother's house in Stratfort took dinner with him & then left & further he saith not
Eleazar Durand
Subscribed and sworn}
this 29th day of September 1832}
before me Philo Bennet Justice of the peace}
Page 62

State of New York}
Otsego County ss}
I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of said County, do certify, that Philo Bennet Esquire, Before whom the several preceding affidavits purport to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County:  And also that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said several affidavits to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand & seal of Office the 15th day of October 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk.