Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15600, for Timothy Lee, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Lee, Timothy
NUMBER  S. 15600
carded
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No 27987 
Connecticut 
Timothy Lee 
of Guilford in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Hand of the – commanded by – in the Connecticut line for 
12 mo & 7 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 40 Dollars 93 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.   
Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Nov 1834 and sent to R. Woodward, Esq. Geo Town, D.C. 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 34  143.25 
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 35   20.46 
$163.71 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Jno. D. Wilso 
Book E. 2  Vol. 3  Page 24 
J D Smith 21 Bank 1835
Let same 30th April 35 
Letter same 27 June 1835
See claim of Elisha or Elijah Johnson rejected New York who claims served under Capt Vail
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. 
State of Connecticut 
County of New Haven } ss Probate Court Guilford District 
On this third day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Guilford District now sitting, Timothy Lee a resident of Guilford in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 87 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:-   
I was born in Guilford aforesaid in March 1745, do not know of any record of my birth.  I lived in Guilford when first called into service and have ever since & do now live in Guilford.   In March 1776 as detached with others of the Militia under Capt Daniel Hand, Marched to New York, crossed the river to Brooklyn on Long Island & did duty there one month when we were dismissed. In the  summer following I was again detached with the whole militia company commanded by Capt Noah Fowler. Marched to White Plains and did duty in said company two months & was verbally dismissed.  
At the time the British landed & burnt the stores at Danbury I was again called out with most of the Company under Capt Noah Fowler marched to Fairfield and the enemy having embarked on board their ships, we were dismissed & Returned home in one week.   
I was next detached & put under the command of Capt Bazelial Bristol, Lieut Elias Graves & marched to Fishkill and followed the British Shipping up the river as far as Red Hook
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from thence we were marched to West Point & fortified Nichols Hill and was in that service two months, and then discharged.   
I next enlisted as a Coast guard under command of Capt Dan Collins & did duty at Leets Island,  Sachems Head & Point Rocks was in service Seven months.  This was in the year 1779.  I next enlisted as a Coast Guard under Capt Peter Vail & kept guard at Sachems Head and other places & was on duty about seven or eight months in the year 1780.  
Whole term of service one year Seven months & one week.   
I am personally known to Capt Abraham Fowler,  Thomas Scranton, William Spine Esq., Rev’d Aaron Dutton & Joel Griswold who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my serving as a solder in the Revolution
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Application of Timothy Lee
Guilford Ct.
For a Pension
Taken before the Court of Probate for Guilford District
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any 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 
Timothy Lee 
before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate  
We Aaron Dutton a Clergyman, residing in Guilford and Capt Joel Griswold residing in hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Timothy Lee who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 87  years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. 
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid Aaron Dutton
Joel Griswold Junr
before me Reuben Elliott Judge  
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Aaron Dutton who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Guilford and that Capt Joel Griswold who has also signed the same, is a resident in Guilford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Reuben Elliott Judge 
I George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court of Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Timothy Lee for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this third day of August1832  
George Griswold Clk
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Timothy Lee 16695
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss Guilford District  
Be it Remembered that on the day & date aforesaid personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate for Guilford District duly qualified John E. Stone of said Guilford to me personally known who I certify to be a credible witness & being duly sworn on his oath declares & says that he was in the United States service in the revolution was a soldier in Capt Bezeliel Bristols Company & marched to the North River about the time that Burgoyne was taken, and I well remember that Timothy Lee was also a soldier in said Company and continued in that service two months.   He was also one of the Coast Guard in 1777 and kept guard with me at Sachems Head.  I well recollect that said Timothy Lee served in that guard seven months.   
Further the Deponent saith not.
John E. Stone 
Sworn & Subscribed on the day & state aforesaid before the Court Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate 
George Griswold Clerk 
I hereby certify that the above named John E. Stone is a credible witness.  Reuben Elliott Judge
Timothy Lee’s Declaration made before the Court of Probate for Guilford District New Haven County Ct.  
 for a pension under the Law of 1832
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State of Connecticut New Haven County ss 
Probate District Guilford June 18 1833 
Personally appeared in open Court before Reuben Elliott Esquire Judge of said Court Timothy Lee of sd Guilford who has made the foregoing declaration and in order to amend the same,  make the following statements viz:  in the Tour of Duty on the North River we were in Col Newbury’s Regiment and in General Wadsworth’s Brigade.  Peas [Pease] was major,  does not remember the names of any other Field Officers attach to the Brigade, while in service was in no engagement with the enemy, never had any written discharge from the service and has no documentary evidence of the same.  
Timothy Lee 
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of Probate for Guilford District Timothy Lee who being duly sworn deposeth saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades for one year seven months and Seven days. 
I served as a private Soldier and for such service I claim a pension. 
Timothy Lee x his mark 
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
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George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original additional proceeding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Lee for a Pension.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 18th Day of [unreadable]  1833 
George Griswold Clerk
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State of Connecticut
County of New Haven} ss  Probate Court Guilford District 
On this first day of November 1833 Personally appeared in open Court before Reuben Elliott Esqr Judge of said Court Timothy Lee who has made the foregoing Declaration, and being first sworn according to Law Doth on his oath make this the following additional declaration in order to amend the foregoing, and in order to obtain the benefit of the act as aforesaid.   
1st
That for his first tour of duty in the year 1776 he was drafted by Capt Noah Fowler, to whose company he belonged & put under the command of Capt Daniel Hand & was marched with the and Company under his command, through New Haven, Stratford, Fairfield, Norwalk, Rye &c to New York, crossed the river to Brooklyn and was stationed there with the troops one month & was verbally Dismissed by Capt Hand and returned with many others of the company by water in a Sloop to New Haven & from thence by land to Guilford.   For proof of this service be has obtained the testimony of Nath’l Fowler who was in the same service & whose deposition is attached hereto.   That he had no written discharge from this service or any documentary evidence of the same, and does not now know of any other person living who can testify to this service.   
2d
That the same year in the month of August or September he was again ordered by Capt Noah Fowler & with the whole militia company
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under his command to march to New York and was again marched in the same road as before to Fort Washington near New York, and was joined to Col Worthingtons Regt then commanded by Maj Graves, from Fort Washington retreated with the army to White Plains & from thence after the engagement retreated to North Castle, where the company was dismissed, Having served constantly as a private soldier two months. & Twenty in days.   That he has no written discharge or any document any evidence of this service but for proof thereof has obtained the testimony of Thomas Scranton and Nathaniel Fowler whose depositions are herewith transmitted.   And further that when he made his first declaration he could not recollect the length of this service so distinctly as to state positively that it was more than two months, although impressed with the idea that it was longer than he claimed.  
3d    That in his tour viz  to Fairfield he had always retained an impression that he was in service one week & had no doubt of that fact at the time of making his first application, but the positive assurance of Nathaniel Fowler who went & returned with him & who has testified for him in proof of this service has induced him to reduce this term of service to four days. He has no written discharge or any documentary evidence of this service.
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4th That in regard to his service under Capt Bezeliel Bristol he would state that he was drafted by Capt Noah Fowler to whose company he still belonged. That he was put under the immediate command of Capt Bristol & Marched through New Haven, Derby, Danbury &c to Fishkill, was there joined to Col Newbury's Regt. The British ships had gone up the River & the American forces followed them as for as Redhook, from thence we were taken to West Point and to Nichols hill where we were verbally discharged. Having served constantly as a private Soldier Two months.  For proof of this service see the Deposition of John E. Stone annexed to the foregoing declaration.  That he has no written discharge or any documentary evidence of this service & knows of no other person living whose can testify for him to this term of service.
5th  That in the month of May in the year 1779 He enlisted for seven months under Capt Dan Collins as stated in his former Declaration - & served as therein stated viz for seven months,  constantly as a private soldier and was dismissed having served the full term of my his enlistment of this service.  He has no written discharge or any documentary evidence  & knows of no person living who can testify  to this service except John E Stone whose deposition is attached to his first declaration
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6th    That in the year 1780 he enlisted under Capt Peter Vaill [Vail] as one of the Coast Guard and the sea shore that Wilmot Goldsmith was sgt of the Guard.  That he was stationed alternately at Leets Island & Sachems Head and served constantly as a private Soldier Seven months during which time he was not engaged in other business but was on duty every day & every night & recd pay for the same.  That he has no written discharge or any documentary evidence of this service.   That he does not now recollect or know of any person living who can testify to this term of service.  
He now again declares & says that for One Year Seven Months & Twenty five days he did serve constantly in his several tours as a private soldier and for such service claims a pension
Timothy Lee x his mark 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Reuben Elliott Judge 
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original and additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Lee for a pension.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 1st Day of No. AD 1833- George Griswold Clerk
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I Nathaniel Fowler of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged seventy five years do depose and say that in the year 1776 I belonged to the militia company commanded by Capt Noah Fowler and that in the month of March in the same year I was detached with others of the Company and put under command of Capt Daniel Hand,  Lieut John Hopson & Ensign Augustus Collins and was marched with Compy through New Haven,  Stratford and other Towns to New York and immediately crossed the Ferry  to Brooklin on Long Island where the Company was employed in building fortification and keeping Guard for twenty Eight days when we were discharged and returned to New Haven on a sloop and from there to Guilford by Land and further that I was personally acquainted with Timothy Lee who has made the annexed declaration and very well recollect that said Timothy Lee belonged to said company and  that he served therein through the whole of that Tour of Duty and that he returned home with me in the same vessel and further the Deponent saith not respecting this tour of duty.  
And further I do depose and say that in the latter part of August or fore part of September in the same year I was detached together with the whole of Capt Noah Fowlers Company and that said company was immediately marched through the above named towns to Fort Washington and there were marched to White Plains and was in the engagement with the enemy at that place & soon after the Battle the troops were marched to North Castle where our company was discharged 
over
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and returned home, and that I very well member that Timothy Lee before mentioned belonged to Capt Fowlers Company and that said Lee served therein as a soldier through the whole of that tour of Duty which was two months & twenty one days and further the deponent saith not concerning this tour of Duty.  
And further I do depose and say that when the British burnt the public stores Danbury I still belonged to Capt Fowlers Company the whole company was again called out and marched as far as Fairfield when news came that the enemy had embarked on board their shipping and the company returned home in four days and that I well remember that Timothy Lee was with the company as a solder in that tour of Duty and further the deponent saith not.  
Nathaniel Fowler 
New Haven County ss Guilford October 31. 1833 
Personally appeared Nathaniel Fowler signer of the above deposition who I certify is a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me 
Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
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I Thomas Scranton of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged Seventy four years do depose & say that in the fore part of September 1776 I was detached with the whole Militia company commanded by Capt Noah Fowler was marched to Fairfield from thence to Fort Washington near New York and there joined the army commanded by Genl Washington was stationed at Fort Washington four or five weeks then retreated to White Plains was in the engagement with the Enemy at that place then retreated to North Castle where the company was discharged, and I very well recollect that Timothy Lee who has made the annexed Declaration belonged to the same Company with me and that said he served therein as a Soldier through that tour of Duty and further the deponent saith not
Thos Scranton
New Haven Guilford Oct 31. 1833 
Personally appeared Thomas Scranton who has subscribed the above deposition and who I certify is a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the same 
before me  Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington D. C. , 19 -
In reply to your request of – received – for a statement of the military history of   Timothy Lee 
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, the following is taken from the soldiers claim for pension.  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   Mar 1776  LENGTH OF SERVICE  1 mo. RANK.  Pvt.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Danl Hand STATE.   Conn.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  June 1776 LENGTH OF SERVICE   2 mos. RANK.  Pvt.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Noah Fowler, Colonel Worthington  STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  1777  LENGTH OF SERVICE  4 days  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Noah Fowler STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  1777  LENGTH OF SERVICE  2 mos.  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Bezeliel Bristol  Colonel Newberry  STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   1779  LENGTH OF SERVICE  7 mos. RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Dan Collins STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  1780  LENGTH OF SERVICE  7 or 8 mos.  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Peter Vail  STATE. 
Battles engaged in,  At burning of Danbury
Residence of soldier at enlistment,   Guilford Conn.
Date of application for pension,  Aug. 3 1832 al. [allowed]
Residence at date of application,  Guilford, New Haven Co., Conn.
Age at date of application,  B. Mar 1745 in Guilford, Conn.
Remarks:   No fam. [family] data
Respectfully
Commissioner
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1923, Feb 28 – hist to Frank F. Starr EW 
15600 INVALID.
File No  15,600  
Timothy Lee
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32 
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 222 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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FRANK FARNSWORTH STARR, 
GENEALOGIST AND FAMILY HISTORIAN. 
STARR'S ANCESTRAL REGISTER. 
January 29, 1923
Middletown, Conn. 
Pension Office 
Washington, D.C. 
Sir  
I wish to obtain a statement of the services in the War of the Revolution of Timothy Lee of Connecticut as shown in his application for pension, file number S15600. 
Respectfully, 
Frank Farnsworth Starr
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE G JAN 31 1923
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Ct. Apl 23 
Guilford
Apl 23
Free
J L. Edwards Esqr  
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington City
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Guilford April 23rd 1835 
J. L. Edwards Esq Com of Pen, 
Sir I yesterday made up a package and sent it on to Washington respecting the application of Timothy Lee of Guilford for a pension additional to that he now receives and intended to enclose & said back his certificate according to the directions of your letter of March 22 ult - but I found afterwards that I had not enclosed his certificate by mistake I now send it enclosed.   
Yours R D Smith
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J L. Edwards Esqr  
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington City
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Milford April 10th AD 1835 
J. L. Edwards Esqr 
Sir-- Yours of the 22d ult is received.   You state that the discrepancies in the time stated in the former and supplementary declaration of Timothy Lee under Capt Peter Vail require further proof to explain.   
Mr Lee is quite feeble and old over ninety years and his power of communication distinctly injured by the failure of his memory and from infirmities.   
He would however further state that the Guard on the coast of Guilford under Capt Peter Vail in 1781 was enlisted for nine months that he thinks it was to commence on the first of April 1781 and terminate on the the first of January 1782, that as well as he can recollect the enlistment was not filled as early as the first of April and that he did not go down until some time in May but that when he did go down he continued there constantly in service until the time he was discharged the 1st of January 1782, that he was stationed at Sachen's Head when he first went down and continued there some time untill the British attacked & burnt Leets Island a station still further west two or three miles which happened in June 1781, that then he was removed to Leets island and was there some time and their went back to Sachen's head, and some time he was at Point Rocks the next station East - that he was down the constantly at these three Stations in constant service but most of the time at Sachen’s head until he was discharged - that there are none living that were with him at the Sachen’s head station but the Jared Bishop was with me at  - Station and his deposition I have taken
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that his in addition to the testimony he has already sent or is the best & only testimony he can procure that the terms of the enlistment was for nine months, but that because he went done sometime after the first of April he stated of that he was engaged in constant service “for seven or eight months” which being sent back for indefiniteness of the expression "seven or eight months,” he for fear of getting to long a time be put down “seven months” - knowing that he was at least there during that time.  He now as the best testimony he can procure in addition to what he has already furnished affiexed his own affidavit annexed to this deposition or declaration Sworn & subscribed before me Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court Probate for the District of Guilford at Guilford in said District - Timothy Lee 
Ralph D Smith Clerk of Ct of Probate 
State of Connecticut 
New Haven County } ss Guilford Probate District Guilford April 14th AD 1835
Personally appeared before me Ralph D Smith Justice of Peace for New Haven County the undersign Timothy Lee of said Guilford well known to the subscriber as a man of truth and veracity - who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of the service, but according to the best of his of recollection he served not less than the period below mentioned in constant actual service under Capt Peter Vail in the year 1781 as a private for seven months and for such service I
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claim a pension in addition to what I already receive.   Timothy Lee 
Sworn & subscribed before me 
Ralph D. Smith Justice of Peace
I Jared Bishop of Guilford in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of the age of seventy years having been duly cautioned & sworn depose & say that I was out in the service under Capt Peter Vail in AD 1781 that our service closed on the first day of January AD 1782 that we were out from the middle of April the first of May 1781 untill said 1st day of January 1782 in Constant service at various stations on the Coast of Guilford in constant service, that I well remember that Timothy Lee of Guilford who now applies for a [unreadable]  was out in that service and I should think as far as my memory serves me he was out pretty much all the time in constant service, that said Timothy Lee is the only one now living of that name in Guilford & is well known to me & that he has always resided in Guilford.
Jared Bishop
State of Connecticut 
New Haven County}  ss Guilford April 22d 1835  
Personally appeared on the day & year last aforesaid before Ralph D. Smith Justice of the Peace for New Haven County Jared Bishop of said Gilford who has subscribed the
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foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the statement contained in the same the said Jared Bishop is well known to the subscribing authority of this deposition as a man of good character of for truth and veracity 
Ralph D.  Smith Justice of Peace 
To. J. L. Edwards Esq Sir 
According to your directions I enclose Mr. Lee's certificate- 
Yours Repectfully R D. Smith Clerk of Probate Guilford Dist 
Esqr
[pensions]
City
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Ct. June 26 
J L. Edwards Esqr  
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington D.C.
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Guilford Conn June 18th 1835
To J. L. Edwards Com of Pensions 
Sir Sometime in 1832 or 33 Mr Timothy Lee of Guilford forwarded his declaration for a pension under the act of Congress June 7th 1832, through the Probate Court of this District. His declaration was drawn by Geo. Griswold Esqr, the Clerk of Court, claiming for service during the Rev. War, part of which service was performed under Peter Vail, who was Capt of a Guard, stationed by the State of Con. at Guilford, during the year 1781. Last year a certificate was sent Mr Lee, for all his service, except that part claimed under Capt Vail, and in a communication from you, he was informed, that further information was necessary, respecting Captain Vail’s service, under the State, & refference was made to the records in the Controllers office at Hartford.   On application to the Controller, it was ascertained, that Capt Vail’s name was not on the Records of that office, for the year 1781 - That the only record was, that a guard was ordered to be stationed that year at Guilford under a Captain. It was also ascertained, that payment for the services of that year was made to Lieut. Timothy Fields in February of 1782. & a certificate of the Controller, to said payment was obtained from Controller.  On enquiring of Mr Lee, & others, it was ascertained that Capt Vail died, (in consequence of overexertion at Leet’s Island on the Coast of Guilford during the year 1781), in the January following and that payment was made to Timothy Field, who was Capt Vails Lieut in Feby after. To prove this, the deposition of Timo  Graves & Eber Norton who served under Capt Vail that year were taken, & forwarded to you, this being now the best evidence to be obtained in this point. Mr Timo Lee made out his supplementary declaration, which he signed & & made solemn oath to, in open Court on the 24th of Novr last, which was also forwarded at the same time, also the records of the probate of the will of Capt Vail, which will was dated Janry 1782. (the month he died)
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and other documents, the best proof to be obtained which is all that is required. 
On the 21st of March last, a line was forwarded to me from you stating that "the discrepancies between the times of the service under Capt Vail, stated in original & supplemental declaration of Timo Lee, render further proof necessary before a decision can be made, on its being furnished & his pension certificate being returned, this portion of the claim will be examined.” 
On receiving this communication, supposing more definiteness as to the precise length of the service of Mr Timo Lee was required, I forwarded Mr Timo Lee's Affidavit which he also signed in my presence before the probate Court, and made solemn oath to the same, before said Court, and also the deposition of Mr Jared Bishop, a witness of this vicinity & well known as a man of strict truth & veracity was taken to the same point. I did not then understand the expression “discrepancies between the times &c” to refer to any thing except the beginning & ending of Mr Timo Lees Service, during the year 1781. There, again, I considered the best testimony to the point I supposed to be in question, & forwarded them to you.   
I received your letter of April 30th 1835 in [unreadable] stating 
“On comparing the signatures of the declaration purporting & certified to have been subscribed & sworn to by Timothy Lee with the signatures of the papers formerly transmitted it is very certain that the hand writing is that of another person. In all his statements made previous to the issuing of his certificate the services under Capt Vail are alleged to have been performed for a year entirely different from that now stated.   By the Connecticut archives it does not appear that that Capt Vail ever commanded the guard in Guilford.   The Records of the council of safety shew that Samuel Lee commanded the guard from May 1780 untill Lieut Field was appointed, no doubt but Captain Vail
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was a militia officer and whatever service was actually performed under him must be specifically shown.  The certificate remains on file for further explanation.   
I have transcribed the whole of your letter, for the purpose of bringing the communications on this subject together, & for more ease in replying to the same.
With regard to the “discrepancies”  it seems that some mistake must have been made as to the year in the original declaration drawn up by Geo. Griswold,  he informs me that he has not a copy but there might have been a mistake in a date either a slip of the pen, or Old Mr Lee might not remember the the year distinctly, as he is now over 90 years of age but the year that has every been stated by me has been 1781 for his service under Capt Vail, & that is the one time intended.  With regard to the signatures before me I have stated that old Mr Timothy Lee  made them all before me himself and if required Mr Griswold myself will make out an affidavits & forward them to you.  As to how the signatures compared with each other I have no recollection.  
During the session of our legislature of this State, just closed I was at Hartford & examined the Records in the Controllers office and the records of the Council of Safety but there were no records respecting the guard service of the year 1781, save the order that a guard should be stationed, under a Captain at Guilford, that year & the record of payment to Lieut Field - as before stated. Capt Samuel Lee was Capt of the Guard 1780. not 1781. He was brother to the applicant Timothy Lee & is dead. It is a well known fact among the old Revolutionary soldiers that Captain Vail commanded the State Guard at Guilford that year and if required I will forward you depositions to that effect but I have already in the 24th of Novr last forwarded two Timo Evans & Eber Norton to that effect-- It may not be impertinent to add that Mr Lee is a childish man over 90 of yrs of age and dependant
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on the charity of his relations for his support has no children, or any obliged by law to take care of him, and is one of those for whom the pension law was originally intended.   But I would refer to Mr Roswell Woodward of Georgetown formerly of Guilford who is I believe known to Mr Edwards to substantiation respecting the present situation of Mr. Lee.  And now sir,  further proof is required to any fact or statement it shall be forwarded if it can be obtained.   
Respectfully Yr Obt Svt
Ralph D. Smith Clerk of the Ct of Probate Guilford District 
Edwards Esqr 
of Pensions
[Washington] D.C.
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J L. Edwards Esqr  
Commissioner of Pensions  
FREE
R. Woodward Esquire
Georgetown D.C.
[unreadable]
R. Woodward
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Department of War 
Pension Office Nov. 5, 1834 
Sir
I have examined the additional evidence submitted in the case of Timothy Lee's claim, and have admitted the same for twelve months and seven days.   
As additional evidence has been adduced in support of the alleged service under Captain Vail, as none can be found among the public documents in the Office of the Comptroller, establishing the fact of Vail ever having a command at Guilford or  any other place, this service is disallowed.  
The certificate of pension will be sent you, should you so advise me. 
The papers remain on file.
I am very respectfully Your Obt Svt
J. L. Edwards 
R. Woodward Esq 
Georgetown D. C.
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J L. Edwards Esqr  
Commr of Pens 
Washington City
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State of Connecticut 
Comptrollers office Hartford 
20th November 1834 
On examination of the Books of this office it appears that on the 22nd of February 1782 Lieut. Timothy Field received an order on the treasurer for £1307, 11, 10 for amount pay roll for guard at Guilford, that there no pay rolls, nor any record from which can be ascertained the names of the persons serving under him, or the time for which they were paid.   
Certified by Roger Huntington Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Eber Horton of the town of Guilford in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut having been duly cautioned & sworn depose & say that I am of the age of 78 years that I have always resided at Guilford that in AD 1781 I was out in the service under Capt Peter Vail, that our enlistment was for nine months commencing in the spring and ending at the close of the year.  I remember that our Lieutenant was Timothy Field. That our Ensign was Doct Jonathan Todd. I well recollect that Capt Peter Vail was engaged in a battle with the enemy during the month of June of the same year 1781 and that he overheat himself during the battle and went into a consumption soon after done died as it was supposed by over exerting himself in that battle so that I do not know who drew the pay for the service the Capt or Lieutenant & further the Deponant saith not.   
Eber Norton 
State of Connecticut 
New Haven County } ss Guilford 
Be it remembered that on the 24th day of November AD 1834 personally appeared before me the subscribing Authority, Eber Norton who signed the foregoing Deposition and who is known to me as a man of truth & veracity and made solemn oath to the facts stated in the foregoing deposition 
Ralph D Smith Justice of Peace
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I Timothy Grave of the town of Madison of the County New Haven & State of Connecticut being of the age 76 years having been duly cautioned and sworn depose and say that in the year 1781 I was engaged in a company of State guards at Guilford commanded by Peter Vail Capt under whom we enlisted and by Timothy Field a Lieutenant and Doct Jonathan Todd was Ensign. I recollect that the company was paid on State orders and that I was paid off by Lieutenant Timothy Field. That I am a pensioner under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 and draw a pension for my service of nine months under Capt Peter Vail & Lieut Timothy Field. I should think there then were between 20 & 30 in the east part of the town who belonged to the Guard in the year 1781.   We were posted along in different stations in the coast. I do not recollect any privates that belonged in the west part of the town, we never exchanged guard with those on the west side of the town. Madison was then a part of Guilford having been made a town within a few years past and for the Deponent saith not.   
Timothy Grave 
State of Connecticut New Haven County of Guilford ss November 24th A.D. 1834.
Be it Remembered that on the day and year last above written, personally appeared before me the Subscribing Authority, Timothy Grave, the signer of the foregoing deposition, personally known by me as a person of truth and veracity and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition.   
Sworn before me Samuel Fowler Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut
New Haven County } ss   Probate Court for the District of Guilford & Guilford November 24th 1834 
On examination of the Records of this Court of Probate I find that the will of Captn Peter Vail formerly of Guilford is dated January 15th AD. 1782, that it was proved in Court April 15th AD 1782. I find also in the inventory of said Captn Peter Vail recorded in the registry of this Court  an entry of 1 state note £15. 2s. 10d
1  Pay table order         £73  4s  8d on 
The 2/6 tax - 1 State order £ 6. 14s. 8d. 
1 State order £ 26 0s 0d   
1  State order £40, 15s 0d 
these orders appear to have been received by the Executor in the will of Capt Vail 
Certified by --- 
R D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
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Deposition and certificate of Controller of public accounts for the State of Connect authenticated by me to be improved in the matter of the application of James Davis and Jared Bishop both a Guilford in the District of Guilford in their application for a pension under the act of Congress of 7th June AD 1832 now at the pension Department at Washington by me 
R D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for Guilford District State of Connecticut
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State of Connecticut 
New Haven County}   Guilford Probate District Guilford April 18, 1835 
Personally appeared before me Ralph D. Smith Justice of Peace for New Haven County the undersigned Jared Bishop of said Guilford well known to the subscribed as a man of truth & veracity who being duly sworn according to law deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & consequent lapse of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of this service but according to the best of his recollection that agreeably to his former declaration he served not less than the period below mentioned in constant actual service under Capt Peter Vail in the year 1781 as a private for eight months & for such service I claim a pension.  
Jared Bishop 
Sworn subscribed before me 
R. D. Smith Justice of Peace
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J L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions  
Sir, 
Hereto annexed I send you some further testimony respecting the service of James Bishop he considers that he has furnished the best testimony remaining to his service under Capt Peter Vail, - the papers were some of those made out some time since but could not conveniently be forwarded until now.  We sent one Declaration to which this proof is supplement last year 
Yrs R. D. Smith Clk Ct of Probate Guilford
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Supplementary Declaration of Timothy Lee to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832  
State of Connection 
New Haven County } ss Guilford Probate District Nov 24th 1834 
On the 24th day November AD 1834 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford Timothy Lee of said District of Guilford in said County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of the age of 90 years  who being first duly sworn according to law doth make the following supplementary declaration to obtain benefit of the said act of Congress.  
That with regard to the service under Captain Peter Vail – I  commenced the service under him as Captain by enlistment in the beginning of April AD 1781. That we went on duty about the time of first haying and that our enlistment terminated at the end of nine months, that the time I was actually on duty was seven Months as nearly as my [unreadable]  serves me.  That we were [discharged] in the first of January AD 1782, that Capt Peter Vail began to decline in health in June AD 1781, that he died of a consumption in January AD 1782. I dont remember whether I was paid for my service by Capt Vail or by the other officers after his death. I received forty Shillings per month - I should think as near as I can recollect from old age & consequent loss of memory that the time are were out on duty under Capt Vail was seven months. The whole time of enlistment was nine months. I therefore claim a pension for said service in addition to that already received and further I would
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I Timothy Graves of the Town of Madison of the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut being of the [unreadable] 
refer the department to the declaration I have previously forwarded and on which I have received a pension for the service I then claimed except the service under Captain Peter Vail 
Timothy Lee
Sworn & subscribed the day & year before said 
To substantiate the foregoing supplementary declaration of Timothy Lee the following Depositions were taken & hereto annexed and the certificate of Roger Huntington Controller of public accounts for the State of Connecticut that the Lieutenant of the Guard of said service was paid by the State.   
I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the supplementary declaration of Timothy Lee to the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Timothy Lee for a pension.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Probate Court Office of the District of of Guilford this 24 day of Number AD 1834 
Ralph D. Smith Clerk
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I Timothy Grave of the town of Madison of the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut being of the age of 76 years having been duly cautioned & sworn depose & say that in the year 1781 I was engaged in a company of State Guards commanded by Capt Peter Vail,  Timothy Field Lieut & Jonathan Todd ensign. I recollect that the company was paid by the state on State orders & that I was paid off by Lient Timothy Field.   That I am a pensioner under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 & draw a pension for my service of nine months under Capt Peter Vail & Lieut Timothy Field.   The guard was posted part on the west & part on the east end of the town there were between 20 & thirty in the coast and of the town who belonged to that guard we were posted in different station along the coast. I do not recollect any privates that belonged to the west part of the town of Madison was there a part of the time of his having been made a town in a few years past and further the deponent saith not.   
Timothy Grave 
State of Connecticut New Haven County Ss. Guilford November 24th A.D. 1834. Be it Remembered that on the year & day last above written personally appeared before me the subscribing Authority, Timothy Grave the signer of the foregoing deposition who being personally known by me as a person of truth and veracity, and made Solemn oath to the truth of the facts set forth in the foregoing deposition.   
Sworn before me Samuel Fowler Justice of Peace
Page 45

I Eber Norton of the town of Guilford in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut having been duly cautioned & sworn depose & say that I am of the age of 78 years, that I have always resided at said Guilford that in AD 1781 I was out in the service under Capt Peter Vail, that our enlistment was for nine months commencing in the spring and ending at the close of the year.  I remember that Timothy Lee then and now of Guilford who has recently made his application for a pension was out in the same company with me during said service that our Captain was Peter Vail. our Lieutenant was Timothy Field. that our Ensign was Doct Jonathan Todd. I well recollect that Peter Wail was engaged in a battle with the enemy during the month June of the same year 1781 and that the over heat himself during the battle and went into a consumption soon after and died as a it was supposed by over exerting himself in that battle  so that I do not know who drew the pay for the service the Capt or Lieutenant.   I have always known the said Timothy Lee that he has always resided at Guilford and is the only one of that name now in Guilford and is the same for whom this deposition is taken in order to obtain a pension for said service & further Deponent saith not.
Eber Norton 
Newhaven County ss Guilford Novr 22d 1834 
Then Personally appeared the above named Eber Norton of Guilford a man of fair character for truth & veracity and made solemn oath to the truth of facts stated in the foregoing deposition by
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him subscribed 
Attest Ralph D Smith Justice of  the peace for  New Haven County
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State of Connecticut 
New Haven County } ss Probate Court for the District of Guilford & Guilford November 24th 1834 
On examination of the Records of this Court of Probate I find that the will of Captn Peter Vail formerly of Guilford is dated January 15th AD. 1782, that it was proved in Court April 15th AD 1782. 
I find also in the inventory of said Captn Peter Vail recorded in the registry of this Court
An entry of 1 state note £15. 2s. 10d 
1 Pay table order £73 9s 8d 
on The 2/6 tax - 1 State order £ 6. 14s. 8d. 
1 State order £ 26 0s 0d 
1 State order £40, 15s 0d 
these orders appear to have been received by the Executor in the will of Capt Vail 
Certified by  
R D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford
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Comptrollers office Hartford 
20th November 1839 
On examination of the Books of this office it appears, that on the 22nd of February 1782. Lieut Timothy Field received an order on the treasurer for £ 1307. 1.10 for amount pay roll for guard at Guilford, that there are no pay rolls, nor any record from which can be ascertained the names of the persons serving under him or the time for which they were paid.  
Certified by Roger Huntington Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Timothy Lee
Depositions and supplementary Declaration of Timothy Lee of Guilford in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut and a certificate of the controller of public accounts for the State of Connecticut authentication by me to improved in the matter of the application of said Timothy Lee in his application for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th AD 1832 the original declaration of which is now at the pension department at Washington - a certificate of a pension having been received on part of the application and part still being incomplete. 
by me 
Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in State of Connecticut