Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19006, for William Niles, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Niles, William
NUMBER  S. 19,006
carded
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1640 
Vermont 
William Niles of Monkton in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Yates of the Regiment commanded by Col Mead in the Conn troops for 
3 ½ months as Sergeant    7.50
14 ½ months as private   48.32
$65.82
Inscribed on the Roll of  Vermont at the rate of 65 Dollars 82 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of November 1832 and sent to S Haight Present 
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832      98.73
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th Mch 1833  32.91
$131.64
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by J M Duffield Clerk 
Book D Vol. 4 Page 75 
See letter 5 April 1849 to Hon G. P. Marsh 
Timothy C. Smith 7th Sept. 1853.
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William Niles 
No 3053 
PO
Admitted 
3 ½ Sergt 
14 ½  private 
18 mos.
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State of Vermont 
District of Addison ss } 
On this 28th day of July 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court for the said District of Addison being a Court of record now sitting, William Niles a resident in Monkton in the County of Addison and State of Vermont, aged Seventy Six 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:- 
In the Spring of the year 1776, I enlisted into the State of the State of Connecticut, for the term of nine months, in a company commanded by Captain Samuel Mather of Lyme in that State, in which town I then resided & enlisted.  We were marched directly to New London where we were stationed and were employed building a fort - then called Fort Trumbull.  I was myself also employed in superintending the washing for the officers & troops; and cooking for the officers. 
Having been engaged in several services, my mind is confused and my recollection is indistinct as to particular facts.  At the close of the time of my enlistment, I was discharged, and think I had a written discharge  - am not confident, and if I had one, it is lost. 
In the spring of the year 1779, I enlisted under Captain William Watson of the aforesaid, who superintended the teaming for the Continental troops, and suppose belonged to the Continental Establishment, but are not certain.  I enlisted & served for the term of six months and was employed in teaming and as a waiter to the said Capt Watson in transporting provisions &c from Hartford to Boston and from Hartford to Hudson River, when the army was stationed there.  And we were on our way to Peekskill
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or Fishkill, forget which, when the news of the surrender of Burgoyne reached us. There was a considerable number of teams in company, and I well recollect the great joy, which the news occasioned among us.  Previous to that time the prospects of the Country had been very gloomy - the whole northern army seemed to be surrounded by the British troops who were attempting to make their passage through the country from the north & south, and unite their forces in the heart of the County. On occasion of the news we had a celebration among us, and the following toast was made & given out by one of the company, which I have never since forgotten:- 
“Here is health to the States, and to the brave Genl Gates 
who fought with his carriage so fine, 
In the year seventy seven, By the blessing of heaven  
He conquered that horrid Burgoyne.”
I think I served at least six months or more.  Some part of the time I remained at Brooklyn & was employed in teaming in the neighbourhood of Boston. At one time I recollect Capt Matson sent me to Hartford, on horseback, and brought back my saddle bags almost full of that of Continental money.   
In the Spring of 1779, I engaged as a substitute for a man, living in Danbury whose name I cannot recollect, at Stratford in the County of Fairfield, since set off & organized as a town by the name of Huntington, where I then resided, in a company commanded by Captain John Yates of that place, in a regiment commanded by Colonel Matthew Mead for the term of nine months - We were marched to Horseneck, where we were stationed and where served for the whole term of nine months. We were employed in guarding the lines, as scouts &c. While I was there, a deserter from the army was brought in, and I was sent as one of a Sergeants guard to carry him to the Head Quarters of the army at Peekskill or Fishkill, I forget which place, on the North
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River, and having a furlough for a certain number of day we went around to our homes, by a great effort, travelling in one day & night about seventy miles, and were able to get back in the time limited.  While on this service I was appointed Sergeant & received a warrant from Colonel Mead, which is annexed.   
I was born at Lyme in the State of Connecticut, on 11th day of May 1756, as I learned from my parents.  I know of no record made at the time.  At an early day what year I do not recollect from the information I had obtained I made a record of my birth and age on a paper, which was kept in the family until within a few years and perhaps may yet be in existence in the family records from this paper the record was transferred in a book, with other family records and is now preserved in the family.   At the time of my first & second enlistment, I lived in Lyme, Connecticut.  Before my third enlistment I removed to Stratford for the purpose of taking the farm of Esq. Miles. And remained there & in other parishes of that town until I removed into Charlotte in Vermont, about forty years ago and remained until about 16 years ago, when I removed into Monkton, where I have since resided. I think had a written discharge from each of my enlistments, but if I had, they are lost, and I have no knowledge where they are.   And I have no documentary evidence or other evidence of my service, except what accompanies this declaration.  Besides the above mentioned service, I was enlisted in a corps of minute men in that neighbourhood in the year 1778 who were to hold themselves in readiness to turn out, whenever called for, and I was called suddenly in several cases of a for several days, at a time, and one time I was kept in service four or five weeks in guarding New London and was detained so long that my crops were nearly lost.  
And the said William Niles hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the
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agency of any State.  
Gor the [unreadable] refer to the Hon Stephen Haight, Hon Daniel Collins, Johnson Finney, & Ira Ladd Esquires, residence of his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.  
William Niles
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.  
Saml Swift Judge
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We Ira Ladd Esqr and Ethan Smith residing in the town of Monkton in the County of Addison, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Niles Esquire of said Monkton who has made application before the Probate Court for the District of Addison for a pension for revolutionary services, that we have often & many years ago heard him speak of his being engaged in the Revolutionary war and relate events & transactions, which occurred where he was in the service, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood, where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.   
Ira Ladd 
Ethan Smith
Sworn & subscribed on this 27th day of July 1832 than Smith Before me, 
Stoddard Hollis Justice Peace 
State of Vermont 
Addison County ss} I. Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Stoddard Hollis, before whom the fore going certificate was sworn was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County, and that his name thereto subscribed is his own  Signature.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 30th day of July 1832.   
Saml Swift Clerk
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Ira Ladd is a Justice of the peace residing in the said town of Monkton & a credible & respectable man, and that Ethan Smith, who has also signed the same is a resident in said town of Monton, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit; and that there is no clergyman, at this time residing in said town.  
Saml Swift, Judge
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State of Vermont 
District of Addison ss}   I Harvey Bell Register of the Probate Court for the said District of Addison do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Niles for a pension.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 30th day of July 1832 
Harvey Bell Register
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No 3053  
See special letter to Judge Haight Nov. 7, 1832, 
Admitted 
$ 65.82 
3 ½ mo Sergt 17.50 
14½ mo Private 48.32
65.82
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BRIEF in the case of  William [Niles} of Monkton 
in the State of  Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  In the Probate court.
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?   76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  In 1776 Spring   Duration of Service.  9 Months  Rank.  As a private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Conn State Troops, Capt Mather
Period.  1777 Spring   Duration of Service.  6 Months   Rank.  as a Teamster   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Watson
Period.  1779 Spring   Duration of Service.  9 months  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Substitute under Capt. Yates, Col. Mead, appointed sergeant in November 5.
5. In what battles was he engaged?  None mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Lyme, Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   A Sergeant’s warrant is annexed, 1st service proved by one living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
Examining Clerk
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P 19006 
INVALID. 
OWN 
File No. 19006 
William Niles 
Sergt Rev War 
Act: June 7" 32 
Index:- Vol.  1 , Page 275 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Com’r of Pensions Monkton Vt. July 5 / 53 
Sir
William Niles of this town was a revolutionary pensioner.  He drew pay as a Sergeant and a private  $65.82 pr annum until his death his pension certificate was dated Nov 8th 1832 & he died Apr 17. 1848. His widow survive several years after but received no pension her marriage with him having been subsequent to limit in the then law. The heirs now wish to obtain the pension which would be allowable under the existing laws to her & also any increase on the whole of William Niles & her if such increase is now allowable on conditions not considered at the time his certificate was granted under the law of 7th June 1832.   Please forward to me such instructions on the subject as will enable me to make the application in proper form. 
Very Respectfully 
Timothy C. Smith on of and in behalf of the other heirs of the Widow S. Niles
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[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF HE UNITED STATES
[stamp] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF HE UNITED STATES
Wm. Niles
S. F. 19006
Conn
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By Matthew Mead Esqr Colonel of the first Battalion of foot [unreadable] for the Defence of the State of Connecticut
To William Niles Greeting 
By Virtue of the power and authority to me given by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut do by these present reposing special trust in Your fidelity courage and good conduct constitute and appoint you the said William Niles to be A Sargeant in the Battalion aforesaid. You are therefore carefully and Diligently to discharge the duty of a Sargent in [unreadable] and exercising the Company to which you belong and your self to observe such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me or Others your superior officers for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant, Given under my hand this 15th Day of Nov AD 1779 in the fourth of the Independence of America.  
Matthew Mead Col’l
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I John Colt now residing in Duxbury in County of Washington and State of Vermont of lawfull age do testify and say that I was soldier in the Revolutionary  war in the year of our Lord 1776, in Samuel Mathers Company nine months and during that Campaign there was a soldier by the name of William Niles who served in said Company the above said term of Nine months. I was acquainted with said Niles previous to his serving in said Company and have been acquainted with him since his residence in Monkton in Addison County and know him to the same William Niles which served with me in said Matthers Company. 
 I further testify and say that I served with the said Niles in the year 1777 six months in the company commanded by Capt William Matson and further not.  
John Colt 
Sworn before me at Duxbury this 9th day  of July 1832 
Jason Carpenter Justice of Peace 
I certify that I am acquainted with John Cott who subscribed the above affidavit and that he is a man of truth & veracity
Jason Carpenter
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State of Vermont 
Washington County ss } I Joshua Y Vail Clerk of Washington County Court do hereby certify that Jason Carpenter Esqr before whom the within affidavit of John Colt was taken is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Washington duly appointed & acting under the authority of this State and that his name subscribed thereto as such is his own proper hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my official hand and affixed the seal of Court this 28th day of D. 1832 – 
Attest Joshua Y Vail Clerk
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I Samuel D. Hyde of Charlotte County of Chittenden and State of Vermont of lawful age testify and say that I am well acquainted with William Niles of Monkton in the State of Vermont and have been from my youth during the Revolution we both resided in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and I well remember that he inlisted as a soldier in the year 1779 according to my best recollection and belief and left the Town to Join the Army as I was informed and believed.   I understood that the said Niles belonged to the company commanded by Capt John Yates and altho was not in the service at the time myself I have no doubt resting are my mind that he served Nine months or during the campaign the reasons why I believe he served I often received letters from him dated at Horseneck in the State of New York or State of Connecticut not certain which state giving an account of their proceedings and at the close of the campaign he immediately returned into the neighbourhood where he had formerly resided and where soon after he married a young lady to whom he had been engaged previous to his Joining the Army. I further testify and say that I have always understood that the said Niles served as a soldier in two other campaigns but cannot testify from any personal knowledge as he did not reside in my neighbourhood at the time but it was always understood after  he came to reside with us that he had served in two campaigns previous to his residing in our neighbourhood nor have I any knowledge
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of his ever Joining the Army after his marriage but have always understood and believe that he served more or less in the Army from the year 1776 to the year 1779 and further say not 
Samuel D. Hyde 
Sworn before me at Monkton July 5th July 1832. 
Johnson Finney Just Peace 
from my knowledge of the moral and religious character of the Deponant I have no hesitation in saying that he is a man of truth and veracity.   Johnson Finney Just Peace 
I concur in the above Wm Elliot 
Sam’l D. Hyde’s Affidavit 
State of Vermont 
Addison County Ss.}  I Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Johnson Finney, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County and his name subscribed thereto is his own Signature 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 30th day of July 1832 
Saml Swift Clk