Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 20,887, for James Morgan, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

*
Morgan, James

NUMBER
S. 20,887

carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Connecticut
-----
James Morgan, Jr.
Private Con Troops
U. S. Army Revy war
-----
Inscribed on Connecticut
roll, at $2.50, and increased
to $4, per month, by act
of 24 Apl. 1816
----
Formal pension certificate
ifsued 26. April 1824
and sent Hon: N. Barber
H. R. -

Printed hist of 1835 shows
pension commenced
Nov. 22. 1788 - under
act June 7 1780

Increased by Sect of War, 28 
July 1824, to $6 pr month, commencing 
17 July 1824, and certificate
sent to Hon: N. Barber Groton,
Connt.
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE, FEBRUARY 9, 1822.

Rules and Regulations for substantiating Claims to Pensions.

Extracts from an act, entitled " An act to provide for persons who were disabled by
known wounds received in the Revolutionary War," passed the tenth of April, 1806,
revived and continued in force for six years longer, by an act of the 25th April, 1812,
again revived and continued in force for one year longer, by the act of the 15th May,
1820; and lastly, revived and continued in force for six years longer, by the act of
February 4, 1822.

"SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That, in substantiating such claim, the following
rules and regulations shall be complied with, that is to say: all evidence shall be
taken on oath or affirmation, before the judge of the district, or one of the judges of
the territory in which such claimant resides, or before some person specially authorized
by commission from said judge.

"Decisive DISABILITY, the effect of a known wound or wounds received while
in the actual service and line of duty against the common enemy, during the Revolutionary
war, must be proved by the affidavit of the commanding officer of the regiment,
corps, company, ship, vessel, or craft, in which such claimant served; or of two other
credible witnesses to the same effect, setting forth the time when, and place where such
known wound or wounds were received and particularly describing the same.

"The nature of such DISABILITY, and in what degree it prevents the claimant
from obtaining his subsistence, must be proved by the affidavit of some reputable physician
or surgeon, stating his opinion, either from his own knowledge and acquaintance
with the claimant, or from an examination of such claimant, on oath or affirmation,
which, when necessary for that purpose, shall be administered to said claimant by
said judge or commissioner. And the said physician or surgeon, in his affidavit, shall
particularly describe the wound or wounds from whence the disability appears to be derived.*

"Every claimant must prove, by at least one credible witness, that he continued
in service during the whole time for which he was detached, or for which he engaged,
unless he was discharged, or left the service in consequence of some derangement of the
army; or in consequence of his disability resigned his commission; or was, after his
disability, in captivity or on parole, until the close of the Revolutionary war. And in
the same manner must prove his mode of life and employment since he left the service, and
the place or places where he has since resided, and his place of residence at the time of
taking such testimony.

*Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That the Secretary for the Department of War return to the respective district judges the names
of all such persons as have been transmitted to him by the several district judges, pursuant to the act for
the regulation of claims to invalid pensions, and in whose cases the examining physicians have neglected
to specify the ratio of disability, together with such defective returns of physicians. And the said district
judges, respectively, shall forthwith cause the examining physicians to specify the several rates of disability
which have been so neglected; or, in case of sickness, death, or removal of one or both such physicians, to
make new appointments, and cause the several rates of disability to be specified, and by the said physicians
returned to them as soon as may be, of which they shall make return to the Secretary of War, &c. &c. &c.
VIDE Law of the 18th April, 1796.--- Laws of the U. S. Vol. 3, page 374.
Page 4

"Every claimant shall, by his affidavit, give satisfactory reasons why he did not
make application for a pension before, and that he is not on the pension list of any state;
and the judge, or commissioner, shall certify in writing his opinion of the credibility of
the witnesses, whose affidavits he shall take, in all those cases, where, by this act, it is
said the proof shall be made by a credible witness or witnesses. And, also, that the
examining physician or surgeon is reputable in his profession.

"SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said judge of the district, or person
by him commissioned, as aforesaid, shall transmit a list of such claims, accompanied
by the evidence, affidavits, certificates, and proceedings had thereon, in pursuance of
this act, noting particularly the day on which the testimony was closed before him, to the
Secretary for the Department of War," &c. &c. &c. "And it shall be the duty of the
judge, or commissioner, aforesaid, to permit each claimant to take a transcript of the
evidence and proceedings had respecting his claim, if he shall desire it, and to certify
the same to be correct."

"SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That an increase of pension may be allowed
to persons already placed upon the pension list of the United States, for disabilities
caused by known wounds received during the Revolutionary war, in all cases where
justice shall require the same: Provided, That the increase, when added to the pension
formerly received, shall in no case exceed a full pension."

"Every invalid making application for this purpose shall be examined by two
reputable physicians or surgeons, to be authorized by commission from the judge of
the district where such invalid resides; who shall report, in writing, on oath or affirmation
their opinion of the nature of the applicant's disability, and in what degree it
presents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor, which report shall be transmitted
by said physicians or surgeons, to the Secretary for the Department of War,"
&c. &c. &c.
------
Extract from an act of Congress of the 25th of April, 1808, entitled "An act concerning
Invalid Pensioners."

"SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That any officer, non-commissioned officer musician, 
or private, who has been wounded or disabled since the Revolutionary war,
while in the line of his duty, in the actual service of the United States, whether he belong
to the military establishment or to the militia, or any volunteer corps, called into
service under the authority of the United States, may be placed on the pension list
of the United States, at such rate of compensation, and under such regulations, as are
prescribed by the act, entitled ""An act to provide for persons who were disabled by
known wounds received in the Revolutionary war,” passed April the tenth, one thousand 
eight hundred and six."

The act of the 25th April, 1808, is not limited.

Act of 18th April, 1814. -- Depositions substantiating claims to pension to be hereafter
taken before any judge of any of the courts of the state or territory in which
such person may reside the certificate of the clerk of the court whereof the said judge
is a member, sufficient to prove his being such judge.
Page 5

ORIGINAL CLAIM.

United States

DISTRICT, SS.
I, ____ Judge of
the District Court of the United States of America,
for the ____ District; by
AUTHORITY of an act of Congress, passed the 25th
day of April, 1812, entitled "An act to revive and
continue in force an 'Act to provide for persons who
were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary
war, and for other purposes," DO HEREBY 
ESPECIALLY AUTHORIZE AND COMMISSION
____ of the county of
and district of ____
to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said act, for substantiating
the claim of ____ of the town of
____ in the County of ____ and district of
____ to be placed on the Pension List of the United States,
by reason of known wounds received in said war, or since, (as prescribed in the fourth
section of "An act concerning invalid pensioners," passed the 25th of April, 1808,)
while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And
when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates, and
proceedings had hereupon, together with this commission, to the Secretary for the Department
of War.
Given under my hand and seal, at ____
the ____ day of ____ in
the year one thousand eight hundred and ____
Page 6

INCREASE OF PENSION.

United States.

Connecticut, DISTRICT, SS. Bridgeport.
to Doctor John. O. Miner
of Groton in New London County and
Doctor Benjamin F. Stoddard of
the same Town and County in ----
---- said district.
Pursuant to an act of congress of the United
States, passed the 4th February 1822 entitled "An
act to revive and continue in force 'An act to provide
for persons who were disabled by known wounds received
in the Revolutionary war, and for other purposes,"
you are hereby appointed and authorized to examine James Morgan
who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States, and is claimant for an increase
of pension, conformably to the 5th section of the act of the 10th April, 1806,
revived as aforesaid; and you are to report, in writing, and on oath or affirmation,
your opinion of the nature of his disability and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining
a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you
are to be regulated and governed by said act.
Given under my hand and seal, at Bridgeport.
this 19th day of May
in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty four
Philp Edwards Dep Judge
Page 7

INCREASE OF PENSION
_______________
IT is hereby certified that James Morgan Jr. formerly a private of captain J. Williams's company, in the 8th Regiment of Connecticut Militia who it appears by the accompanying certificate was placed on the pension roll at the rate of four dollars per month, on account, as he states, of having received a wound in his breast & left shoulder which injures him [illegible] in the use of that arm - which in our opinion amounts to the {illegible] of a total disability while in the line of his duty, and in said service, on or about the 6th day of September in the year 1781 at a place called Fort Griswold in the state or territory of Connecticut, is not only still disabled in consequence of the said injury, but in my opinion is entitled to two Dollars per month more than he already receives as a pensioner.
[signed] John O. Miner, M.D.
[signed] Benj. F. Stoddard

Town of Groton in New London County
State of Connecticut July 17th 1824

State of Connecticut }
New London County } ss.
Groton 17 July 1824
Personally appeared Doctor John O. Miner & Benjamin F. Stoddard signers to the above certificate & made solemn oath that the same is just & true according to their best skill & judgement.

Before Noyes Barber Justice of Peace
I certify that the above signed John O. Miner & Benjamin F. Stoddard are respected Physicians.
[signed] Noyes Barber Justice of Peace
Page 8

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Please give information concerning the Military Record of James Morgan a soldier of the Revolutionary War.

Family papers say he served in Capt. Joseph Gallups 8th Conn Reg. 
Col. Oliver Smith in command.
Sept 8th to Nov 17th 1776.
Was promoted Capt. and served until wounded at Fort Griswold in 1780 or 1781.

1. Of which Reg was he Capt.
2. Did he receive a pension.
3. Did his wife receive a pension after his death.
4. Is there any record of place of birth
5. Place and date of death.

Mrs. John H. Chapman
60 Temple St.
Springfield
Mass.

[date stamp] Nov 27 1929 Record Division
Page 9

20887
INVALID.
__________

File No. 20,887
James Morgan
Pri. Con't Militia
__________

Act: Revy war  Invalid


Index: -- Vol. Q, Page 281
[Arrangement of 1870}


[2nd page]
1920, Dec. 29 Hist to Mrs.
J. H. Chapman - Ew
Page 10

State of Connecticut }
County & City of New London } ss

On this nineteenth day of April in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty four before me the subscriber a Notary Public duly commissioned presiding in said City personally appeared James Morgan of the Town of Groton in New London County & State aforesaid late James Morgan 2d of said Groton who on his Oath declares
that he is the same James Morgan who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Capt John Williams in the eighth regiment of Militia in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Connecticut but has never received a formal Certificate from the Secretary of War & now wishes to obtain one.
James Morgan [signature]

Sworn & subscribed to before
me the day & year aforesaid
Witness my hand & seal of
Office
Eben Learned [signature]
Not. Pub.
Page 11

These may certify that upon examination it
appears that James Morgan Junr. of Groton aged 29 years beloning [belonging] to the first company of Militia in the Town of Groton in the Eighth regiment was wounded by the Enemy in Fort Griswould [Griswold] in said Groton Sept. 6th 1781, in his shoulder and in sundry parts of his body, with a bayonet whereby he remains in some measure disabled, and is a proper subject for some allowance and compensation.

Am therefore of opinion and do adjudge that he is entitled in consideration aforesd to an allowance from the Publick of the sum of four pounds ten Shillings per Annum, during the continuence [illegible].

Dated at New London this 22d day of Nov 1788.
Richard Law Judge of the Supr Court

State of Connecticut ss
Comptrollers Office March 20th 1790
The above is a true copy of the original on file in this Office.
Examined by A. Kingsbury Clerk
Page 12

Rev. War Section.
S. 20887.

December 29, 1920.

Mrs. John H. Chapman,
60 Temple Street,
Springfield, Mass.

Madam:
In response to your letter received November 24, 1920, you are advised that from the records of this Bureau, it appears that James Morgan Jr. of Groton, New London County, Connecticut, belonged to Captain John Williams 1st Company of the 8th Regiment
Connecticut Militia and on September 6, 1781 at Fort Griswold, was wounded in the left shoulder and breast and in sundry parts
of his body by a bayonet.

He was pensioned for the disability resulting from said wounds from November 22, 1788 at which date he was 29 years old, and lived in Groton, Connecticut where he was also residing in 1824.

There is no data on file relative to his family.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.