Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15,464, John Waters, Conn
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                                                  NUMBER
Conn             Waters, John                     W. 15,464
                            Mindwell
Page 2

[on left side]
John Isham Sep 27 1855
  Same October 17 1853
Hon L. Trumbull June 19
  1856 - Seagrave
Smith Aug 30 1856-
John Isham January
  26, 1857 (Jany 26 1857)
John Isham July 28/57
A.B. Isham June 12 /59
Let to 3rd ands Feby 19/59
Jnos. Isham Apl 2d/57
 "       "    Apr. 16 /59 B. L. R.

[on right side]
4. 427
Massachusetts
Mindwell Waters dec'd
widow of John 
who died on the 9 January 1813
of _______ in the State of Mass
who was a Wagon Cond'r & Serg't. commanded
by Captain _________ of the _______ company
by ____________ in the
[Crossed out: line fas'd] Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston
:at the rate of 785 Dollars ___ Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
Inc'd. from $45 
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of
March 1852 and Sent to
Hon. L. H. Waldo
Present
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by R McRae Clerk,
Book D Vol 1 in Page 543
Page 3

[on left side]
Hon G. W. Briggs
12 May 1840

[on right side]
             4427
Massachusetts

Mindwell Waters 
widow of John Waters, dec'd
who was a pensioner under the Act of _____
and who died on the 9th January 1813
of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts 
who was a Sargent in the com commanded 
by Captain Latham of the  reg't commanded
 by Col Ledyard in the Connecticut 
line for 9 months.

Inscribed on the of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 45 Dollars _____ cents per annum to commence on the 4 day of March, 1836.
 Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Oct 1839  & sent to D. N. Dewey, 
Williamstown, Mass.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839  $157.50
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar 40
$22.50
$180.00
{Act July 7,}
{      1838  }
Recorded by D McCurdy Clerk,
Book A.  Vol. 1  Page 144.
Page 4


[Envelope]
                                               Mindwell Waters
Widow Mindwell Waters
Williamstown
Berkshire County, Massachusetts


[vertical]
May 6, 1840
Lucy Phelps
Deposition

                                               [horizontal]
                                           Hon  G. N. Briggs
                                                                 HR
Page 5

I, Lucy Phelps, wife of Elihu Phelps, now residing 
in Northfield, in the county of Franklin, and and Commonwealth 
of Massachusetts,  of lawful age, depose and say, 
that Joseph Waters was my father, who lived an died in 
Hebron, in the state of Connecticut, and that John Waters, a 
brother of mine, and son of said Joseph Waters, resided with 
me, at our father's in said Hebron, at the commencement 
of the revolutionary war; and afterward, my said brother, 
John Waters enlisted into the service, first as a Drummer, and 
went to New London, in Connecticut;-and afterwards enlisted 
again and went to Fort Griswold, in Groton, in Capt. Latham's 
Company, and Col. Ledger's regiment. He, said John Waters, 
was there appointed Sargeant of the Fort, and continued in the 
Continental Service four years. His time of enlistment expired 
in the Spring of the year 1781. While brother John was in said 
Fort, Mr. John Taylor of Hebron was there and served in the 
fort, but how long, I am unable to say.
  In the Spring of 1781, soon after his return to Hebron, from said 
Fort Griswold, my said brother John was appointed Captain, or 
conductor of teams, to go to North 
River; and thence went to 
Virginia; and was at Yorktown, and still in the continental 
service, at the time Lord Cornwallis surrendered his 
whole army. He was taken sick at Yorktown, and when he 
got able, he returned to Hebron. Sometime after the 
close of the war, he married Mindwell Jones, then of said 
Hebron, and afterwards they moved to Vermont State, 
where he died. His widow, Mindwell Waters now resides 
in Williamstown, Berkshire-County, Mass. 
   My age is now seventy three. Some of the above facts, 
came to my knowledge, not by being personally present, 
but from statements from my brother, while living, & 
other indisputable authorities. 
   And farther the Deponent saith not..
                                     [signed] Lucy Phelps
Page 6

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Franklin County ss         April 13 1840
Then the within named Lucy Phelps, whom I
consider a person of fair Character for truth and
veracity, after due caution and careful examination
made solemn oath that the within affidavit, by her
subscribed, contains the whole truth and nothing but
the truth, before me,
       [signed] James White Justice of the Peace-

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss
     I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of
Common Pleas for the County of Franklin, do
hereby certify that James White Esq. is a Justice of
the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned 
and qualified; and that the above signature, 
purporting to be his, is genuine.
    In testimony whereof I hereunto set my
    hand and affix the seal of said court, at
    Greenfield, this fourteenth day of April,
    A.D. 1840
                          [signed] E. Alvord, Clerk
Page 7

Laura Waters application for a Pension

State of Connecticut New London County ss
Colchester On this 18th day of August AD 1853
There personally appeared in open Court
before the Court of Probate within and
for the District of Colchester in said
New London County Laura Waters late
of Williamstown in the County of Berkshire
and State of Massachusetts but now
of the town of Colchester in said New London
County aged 52 years and having been
duly sworn according to law doth
make the following declaration to obtain
the benefit of the provisions of the same
act of Congress passed from the fourth
(4) of March 1831 to the 3d of February 1833
granting and allowing Pensions and
additional Pensions to the surviving
Child or children of a deceased
Pensioner who has died leaving a child
or children and no widow for services
rendered in the war of the revolution
for which services an pension has been
granted to or applied for by said
deceased  Pensioner or his widow in 
their lifetime viz that she the said
Laura Waters is the only surviving child
and Daughter of John Waters late of the
town of Newfane in the State of Vermont
Page 8

deceased and that he died January 
9th AD 1813 at said town of Newfun
leaving a widow Mindwell J Waters 
[a line crossed out]
and she says that her father the said 
John Waters served in the war of the revolution and that he rendered said 
service in said war at then different 
times towich First as a Drummer and 
sergeant at Groton fort in said 
New  London County for about two 
years for which service the said 
Mindwell J Waters widow of the said 
John Waters obtained  a pension at 
the rate of forty five dollars per year 
and continued to draw the sum 
at the above rate until [inserted: March 4th previous to] her death 
which was July 2nd AD 1841.  
Next he afterward entered the 
army again in said war and 
served as a Conductor of teams 
about a year and one half at 
Yorktown in the state of Virginia 
for which said last mentioned 
services she the said Laura Waters 
obtained and received a pension 
as the only surviving child of 
said John Waters deceased
Page 9

and she further declares and says
that after the service last aforesaid
rendered by her said father at
Yorktown he the said John Waters
returned to the town of Hebron in
the County of Tolland and State of
Connecticut where he then lived
and I am informed that soon after to
wit in the fall
of 1782 he again joined the army
at Fishkill in the State of New York
when he served as commissary
for six month or more in
providing and distributing rations
for the army at that place
and that there has not been any
application made nor any pensions
obtained for the last aforesaid
named services of her said father
John Waters either by said John Waters
or Mindwell Waters widow of said
John Waters or by his surviving
children and for a pension by
reason of said last mentioned
services she makes this declaration
and she further says that she
is now the only surviving child
of the said John Waters and
that Mindwell Waters widow of the
Page 10

John Waters her father is now dead
and that she alone is entitled to
to a pension for the last above
named survivor.
Sworn to and subscribed on this
18th day of August AD 1853
                                  [signed] Laura Waters

State of Connecticut}
New London County}ss    Probate Court for
the District of Colchester August 18th 1853
Then personally appeared in open
Court Laura Waters the identical
person who subscribed the foregoing
declaration and application for
a pension and made oath to the
truth of the same before me the
undersigned authority and
the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion that the above named
applicant is the daughter and
only surviving child of John
Waters and that the said John
Waters was a revolutionary soldier
and served as stated by said
Laura Waters in the above application
                      [signed] Joshua B. Wheeler
                                    Judge Probater
                                    District Colchester
Page 11

State of Connecticut. Probate
Office - for district of Colchester
I Jared F. Crocker, Clerk
of said Court do hereby
certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Laura
Waters for a pension
In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand this
18th day of August 1855
                     [signed] Jared F. Crocker
                                  Clerk of said Court
Page 12

John Isham, Power of Atty
Know all men by these presents that I
Laura Waters of the town of Colchester
County of New London and State 
of Connecticut but late of Williamstown
County of Berkshire in the State of
Massachutes have made constitute and
appointed and by these
presents do make constitute and
appoint Col John Isham of the
town of Colchester in said
New London County my true
and lawful attorney for me and
in my name to act and obtain
and receive the Pension and
certificate that may be granted
to me upon the foregoing application
giving and granting to my said
attorney full power to do all
acts necessary to be done in the
premises in order to obtain said
pension in as full and ample
a manner as I might or could
do if personally present And
I do hereby certify and confirm
all the acts of my said Attorney
lawfully done in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this
Page 13

18th day of August AD 1853
Signed sealed and delivered
in presence of
[signed] Segrove  Smith  
[signed] S.M. Gallup       [signed] Laura Waters

State of Connecticut New London County
Colchester August 18th AD 1853 then
personally appeared Laura Waters
Signer and Sealer of the foregoing instrument (Power of Attorney) and
acknowledged the same to be her
act and deed before me
                      [signed] Langrace Smith
                                   Justice of the peace
Page 14

2507

Mindwell Waters
widow of John
Act 7 July 38
Mass.
m 87.d.13.
Secy's Certificate
9 mo 

adn'd - [illegible]
9 mo Serg't
$45.
No deduction
D. N. Dewey esq.
Wmstown
Mass.
[signed] Hon. G. N. Briggs
H. R
Page 15

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress of the 7th July 1838 -

State of Massachusetts}
County of Berkshire} ss
          On this ninth day of
October Eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before William P. Walker Judge
of Probate of the County of Berkshire aforesaid Mindwell
Waters a resident of the town of Williamstown in the
County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts aged seventy five
years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on
her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain 
the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed July Seventh 1838-
That she is the widow of John Waters who was a drummer & orderly 
Seargeant in the War of the Revolution. He lived in Hebron in the State of Connecticut at the time he enlisted - he was
in the company commanded by Capt. William Lokan at Fort
Griswold near New London, Col. Ledyard commanded at the Fort
according to my recollection my husband above stated that he was
at the Fort nearly two years- the year in which he went then
I do not recollect without reference to the affidavit of John
Taylor had annexed - I well remember that my husband
often spoke of John Taylor as being in the same mess &
a great eater-- After he left the Fort he went to New
York with the army and was called Captain of a company of
Teamsters -he drew a Continental horse which he owned sometime
after we were married. he had a [llegible] by the name of
Joshua Frank-- he remained with the army
til the close
of the war-- was at the surrender of Cornwallis. He was
sick of the yellow fever at Fredericksburgh
Page 16

She further declares that she was married to the said
John Waters on the first day of February AD. 1787 at
the house of my father Ezekiel Jones in Hebron in
the State of Connecticut by the Rev Mr. Lathrop--
We lived together in Hebron 4 years then removed to
to the place afterwards called Brookline in the State of Vermont
and afterwards to Newfun in the same State, My
husband died on the ninth day of January AD 1818 at
Newfun & She has ever since remained a widow as
will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto
annexed-
That she removed to Williamstown in the year 1817 &
has lived there ever since.
                         [signed] Mindwell Waters

  Sworn to & subscribed
Before me And I certify that the said applicant from
bodily infirmity was & is unable to attend to make her
declaration in open Court & the same was made at her
dwelling in Williamstown in said County
   [signed] William P. Walker Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss.
               I Henry W. Bishop Register of the
Court of Probate within & for the said County
of Berkshire do certify that the foregoing 
contains 
the original proceedings of said Court
in the matter of the application of Mindwell
Waters for a pension-- and that the Hon
William P. Walker is the Judge of said Court
and that the annexed signature his genuine
Page 17

signature --In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
the seal of said Court this
ninth day of October in
the year of our Lord one
thousand Eight hundred and
thirty Eight.
      [signed] Henry W. Bishop. Register Probate
Page 18

I Charity Root of Williamstown in the State of
Massachusetts on testify & say that I am sister of
Mindwell Waters the widow of John Waters. I was present at the marriage of said Mindwell & John
at the house of our father Ezekiel Jones in Hebron
in the State of Connecticut --Saw them married by the
Rev M. Lathrop. I was then fifteen years old. I
am now Sixty six years old, the marriage of my
sister was in the year 1787 - in the winter-
the said Waters & my sister lived together several
years in Hebron & afterwards removed to the state
of Vermont-- I afterwards visited them at Brookline
in the State of Vermont - She has never been married since the death of her husband John Waters.
                                [signed] Charity Root

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss. October 4th 1838
Charity Root the signer of the foregoing appeared
before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said
County made oath in due form of law to the will of
the same, & I further certify that I am acquainted 
with the said Charity. She is a person of good character
& reputation for truth & veracity -
                [signed] Daniel N. Dewey Justice
                                of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss  I, Henry W Bishop Register
of the Court of Probate within & for the
County of Berkshire do certify that
Daniel H. Dewey Esq'r before whom
the foregoing affidavit was taken was
Page 19

at the the time of the taking thereof 
and now is one of the Justices of the
Peace within & for said County duly
commissioned and qualified and
that his signature subjoined to the
foregoing certificate of the oath of said
deponent is his genuine signature.
  In testimony whereof I have here
  unto set my hand & the seal of said
  Court this ninth day of October
  in the year of our Lord one thousand
  Eight hundred and thirty Eight
    [signed] Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate
Page 20

I Laura Waters of Williamston in the State of Massachusetts testify & say that I am the daughter of
John Waters & Mindwell Waters - that I was nine years
old at the time of my fathers death which was on
the ninth day of January A.D. 1813. at Newfane in the
State of Vermont. I have a very distinct recollection of
my father. I was sick at the time of his death &
was afterwards carried into the room & saw his
corpse-- I have lived with my mother ever since
& she always remained a widow-- We removed
from Newsom to Williamstown in the year 1817.
                             [signed] Laura Waters

State of Massachuestts
Berkshire County ss       October 4th 1838
Laura Waters signer of the foregoing appeared before 
the subscriber a Justice of peace for said
County & made oath in due form of law to the
truth of the same & I certify that I am acquainted
with the said Laura & that she is a person
of good character & reputation for truth & veracity.
                    [signed] Daniel N. Dewey Justice
                                   of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss     I Henry W Bishop - Register of
the Court of Probate within & for said County of
Berkshire do certify that Daniel N Dewey Esq'r
before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken
was at the time of the taking thereof & now is
one of the Justices of the Peace within and
for said County and that his signature subjoined
to the foregoing certificate of the oath
of said deponent is his genuine signature
Page 21

In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand & the seal of said Court
this ninth day of October in the year
of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight.
     [signed] Henry W Bishop - Register of Probate
Page 22

Certificate of Marriage
Page 23

State of Connecticut Tolland County} 
Hebron Town Clerks Office}ss August 27th 1838

                               Copy
John Waters & Mindwell Jones both of Hebron
were joined in Marriage February first One
Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Seven.

I certify that the above is a true copy of the Record
with the exception of the date which is expressed
on the record in fair legible figures as follows
Feb 21st 1787. 
Attest [signed] Henry H. Fitch Town Clerk

I Henry H. Fitch above named depose & say
that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County
Town & State aforesaid and that the above is a
true extract from the records of said Town of Hebron
with the exception above named as certified by me.
                    [signed] Henry H. Fitch Clerk of the
                                    Town of Hebron

State of Connecticut}
Holland County } ss
     Be it known that on this 27th day
of August 1838 before me Abner Hendee
a Notary Public for the State aforesaid
personally appeared Henry H. Fitch who
has subscribed the foregoing certificate &
made oath to the truth of the same
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed my Seal of Office
the day above written.
                      [signed] Abner Hendee
                                    Notary Public
Page 24

State of Connecticut}
New London County}ss Court of Probate

          District of Colchester June 26th 1857
   On this 26th day of June 1857 Personally appeared
in open Court, before me Albert B. Isham Judge
of the Court of Probate for the District of Colchester, Anson
Gillett of the Town of Hebron County of Tolland and
State of Connecticut Aged Eighty Six years last August
depose and say on oath. That I was intimately acquainted 
with Capt John Waters formerly of the Town of Hebron in the
adjoining County of Tolland and State aforesaid and lived
within a half a mile of the said Waters till he removed
from the Town and State aforesaid. That I am perfectly
sure that the above named John Waters is the identical
John Waters who served as Drummer and Sergeant at Groton
Fort for about two years in the for part [sic] of the  Revolutionary
War and was a conductor of Teams raised in this vicinity
by the United States for the Military Campaign of 1781
when Cornwallis was taken; That a brother of the identical
John Waters viz Joseph Waters married a Sister of mine
which is the reason of our intimacy, and I have always
understood that said John Waters entered the Army at Fishkill
State of New York in 1783 and served as purchasing
Commissary for about six months, 
and also served for six months 
more as receiving and issuing Commissary and in distributing rations for the
Continental Army and that the above named John Waters is the
identical John Waters who died at Newfane State of Vermont
in January the 9th 1813 and that his widow Mrs Mindwell Waters
died July 2d 1841 and further I never have known a person
by the name of John Waters except the identical one above
named.
                    [signed] Anson Gillet

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of this
Probate Court this 26th day
of June 1857
[signed] Albert B Isham Judge
Page 25

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims.

Know all men by these Presents, That I, Laura Waters of
Williamstown in the County of Berkshire
hereby constitute and appoint John Isham of Colchester, Conn
my true and lawful Agent and Afforney, to prosecute the Claim of said Laura
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said
Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at Washington
City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for
said Claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to him & authorize him
to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or
could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully
do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 28 day of February A. D. 1852
                     [signed] Laura  Waters 
Signed and Sealed in the presence of}  
[signed] Daniel N Dewey}     


STATE of Massachusetts}
COUNTY OF Bukshire}ss
On this twenty eighth day of
February A.D. 1852
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared
Laura Waters
and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her
act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand,}
the day and year aforesaid.}
       [signed] Daniel N. Dewey Justice Peace,

Thirty second Congess House of Representate, 
 March 9th 1852
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Daniel N.
Dewey Esq. above named, and that I have satisfactory evidence that he
was on the 28th day of February 1852 a Justice of the peace within
and for the County of Berkshire in the State of Massachusetts
                [signed] Orin Fowler  Member
                              of Congress from Mass
Page 26

[ a blank form } 
CLAIM OF 
ACT OF

STATE OF }ss.
COUNTY OF

Be it known, That on this ______day of ____ A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty __, before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared ________ , a resident of _______ in said County, and made oath according to law that   he is the _______             

who as a Revolutionary Pensioner

at the rate of ______ Dollars per annum; that_____ has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me   }ss
J. Peace

I, _________, Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, do hereby certify that ______who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
J. Peace

I, ________, Clerk of the _________ Court in the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that ___________ before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is ___ signature.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official Seal this ______ day of A. D. 185__.

Clerk
Page 27

STATE of Massachusetts}
COUNTY of Berkshire }ss.

It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me Daniel N Dewey
Judge of Probate for the County of Berkshire
that
aforesaid Mindwell Walters was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United
States at the rate of forty five dollars per annum and that She died on the
Second day of July eighteen hundred and forty one
leaving surviving Laura Waters her daughter by her husband
John Waters
and that the said Laura Waters is
the only surviving child
of the aforesaid Mindwell Waters and her
husband John Waters -   That said 
John Waters died the 9th January 1813

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of office this twenty eighth day of Feb'y
one thousand eight hundred and fifty two
                 [signed] Daniel N. Dewey Judge
                               of Probate
Page 28

Know all Men by these presents that I John 
Isham of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut
do hereby substitute and appoint the Hon Loren P. Waldo
of Tolland, County of Tolland, State of Connecticut my true
Lawful atty for me & in my name as atty and [crossed out: and agent] for
Laura Waters of Williamstown County of Berkshire Mass is
to ask & demand all sums of Money [inserted: or arrears of Pension] which may be due
the said Laura Waters for Military services which were performed
by her Father in the Revolutionary War in the year 1781
by John Waters who was a Conductor and did actually raise ten
teams for the United States to serve in the Campaign of 1781
and I do hereby authorise & empower my said substitute and
agent to do  all things that I might or could do  lawfully if I were
personally present, hereby ratifying & confirming all that my
said substitute & agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
                      [signed] John Isham

County of New London ss Colchester March 2nd 1852
on this 2nd day of March 1852
Before me the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace
in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John
Isham Esq. and acknowlege the foregoing power of
attorney to be his act & deed for the purposes therein
mentioned. In testimony whereof I hereunto set
my hand the day and year aforesaid
         [signed] A M Hurlbut  Justice of the Peace

I am satisfied the above
named A. M. Hurlbut is
Justin of the Peace
               [Signed] C. F. Cleveland
                                [illegible]
Page 29

State of Connecticut Court of Probate District of
New London County Ss    Colchester June 12th 1857
Present Albert B. Isham Judge
In open Court is Asa Strong of the Town 
of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut
aged Ninety one! [sic] Years depose and say on oath that
on reflection I am perfectly satisfied that I did
not state in my former Affidavit as fully as I ought
to have done respecting the identity of Capt'n John Waters
and would further state that I was perfectly well acquainted 
with the said John Waters of Hebron in the adjoining County
of Tolland and lived within about one and a half miles of said
Waters and we were mates together, and I am perfectly sure
that he the said John Waters is the identical John Waters
who served at Groton Fort as Drummer and Sargeant
for about Two Years in the early part of the Revolutionary War.
and further that he is the identical John Waters who
was authorized to raise ten teams for the said Army and
did conduct said teams to York Town in Virginia in the
Compaign of 1781, the year that Cornwallis was taken,
and also am sure that he the said Waters is the identical
person who in the fall of 1782 joined the Army at Fishkill
in the State of New York and did serve as purchasing Commisary
for about six Months and as Issuing Commissary for about
six months more in supplying the army with fresh Provisions
and in distributing rations for said Continental Army and
that he the said John Waters is the identical person who
returned home to the Town of Hebron in said State aforesaid
in the year 1783, where he lived till he left the Town and
Page 30

who served at Groton Fort as Drummer and Sergeant
for about Two years in the early part of the Revolutionary War
and further that he is the identical John Waters who
was authorized to raise ten teams for the said Army and
did conduct said teams to York Town in Virginia in the
campaign of 1781, the year that Cornwallis was taken,
and also am sure that he the said Waters is the identical
person who in the fall of 1782 joined the Army at Fishkill
in the State of New York and did serve as purchasing Commisary
for about six months and as Issuing Commissary for about
six months more in supplying the Army with fresh Provisions
and in distributing rations for said Continental Army and
that he the said John Waters is the identical person who
returned home to the Town of Hebron in said State aforesaid
in the year 1783, where he lived till he left the Town and
State aforesaid and is the identical John Waters who died
at Newfane State of Vermont Jany 9. 1813 & he is the only
John Waters I ever knew.
                        [signed] Asa Strong

Personally appeared Asa Shay the signer of 
the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the
truth of the same before me & by me well
Known as a man of strict truth and veracity
and his statement is entitled to the fullest
Credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal
of this Court for this Probate District
this 12th day of June 1857
                        [signed] Albert B. Isham
                                      Judge
Page 31

John Morgan of Groton, County of New London & State of
Connecticut aged seventy Eight years being cautioned
and sworn doth on his oath depose and say that he
was personally acquainted with John Waters formerly
of Hebron in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut
that said Waters enlisted and served as sergeant for
the term of one year in the Matross Company stationed
at fort Griswold in Groton New London County
aforesaid under the command of Capt William
Latham and under the chief command of Major
William Ledyard who also had the command of
fort Trumbull on the west side of the River Thames
That owing to the long period which has elapsed since
said service was performed deponent does not recollect
The time when said Waters service commenced, but according 
to the best of deponents recollection, it commenced in
the spring of seventeen hundred seventy seven or the
spring of seventeen hundred seventy eight, and which
deponent does not now distinctly recollect; that deponent
was in the service at said fort at said time, and further
deponent saith not.
                    [signed] John Morgan

New London County ss  Groton September 21st 1839
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of
the Peace for New London County aforesaid John
Morgan of said town of Groton and made solemn
oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him
subscribed and certify that he is a credible person
     [signed] Elisha Morgan Justice of the Peace
Page 32

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby
certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
THAT Elisha Morgan Esq
is
and for more than two months last past, has
been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of
New London in said State, duly appointed
commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by
the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds
and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses
and to take Affidavits
and depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof;
and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the
official acts and attestations of the said Morgan
in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof I have in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed
the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State the 24th day
of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine
And I certify that the signature of said Morgan
hereunto annexed is genuine.
                     [signed] R R Hinman  Secretary.
Page 33

Amos Gallup, of Stonington in the County of
New London State of Connecticut, aged eighty four years
being duly cautioned and sworn, deposeth and saith that
in the spring of 1779 he enlisted as Sergeant into Capt.
William Latham's company of Matross stationed at
fort Griswold in Groton, New London County, Connecticut,
(said fort, which was situated on the east side
of the river Thames as well as fort Trumbull which
was situated on the west side of said river, was, at said
time, under the command of William Ledyard Major
Commandant,) that deponent continued in the service
in said company until sometime in the month of
April 1780 when he was honorably discharged.
     Deponent further saith that he was personally
acquainted with John Waters formerly of Hebron in
the County of Tolland, that in the fall of the year 1779,
said Waters joined said Capt Latham's company of
Matross as a Sergeant and served as Sergeant in said
company until deponent was discharged as aforesaid, (viz.
until sometime in the month of April 1780,) and according
to the best of deponent's recollection, said Waters served
in said company as Sergeant thereof at least six months
while deponent was a member thereof; and deponent further
saith, that he left said Waters in the service as
Sergeant in said company at the time he, deponent was
discharged as aforesaid.-     Deponent further saith
that while he was in the service in the company aforesaid,
he frequently heard it said that said Waters was Sergeant
of said company the year before deponent enlisted therein
as aforesaid, and further deponent saith not -
Stonington Sept. 20th 1839.
                                 [signed] Amos Gallup

I certify that the words "being". & "was" were erased in the above
deposition before signing.
               Attest [signed] S W Wood
                                       Justice of Peace
Page 34

State of Connecticut ss. New London County
    On this 20th day of Sept A.D. 1839. personally
appeared, Amos Gallup Esq. within named and made
oath that the within deposition by him subscribed
is true before me. And I certify that he is a
reputable person and that his testimony is entitled
to full credit.
                             [signed] Samuel W Wood
                                          Justice of the Peace
Page 35

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hearby
certify and make known [text blocked by ribbon] it doth or may concern,
Samuel W Wood Esq
and for more than three months last past has
been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of
New London in said State, duly appointed
commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by
the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds
and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses
and to take Affidavits
and depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof:
and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the
official acts and attestations of the said Wood
in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof I have in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed
the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State the 24th day
of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 39.
And I certify that the signatures of said Wood
hereunto annexed are genuine.
                      [signed] R R Hinman Secretary
Page 36

[Envelope}
Hon. J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[Postmark] 
LENOX 
  MAY 
   18
MASS

[Written sideways] In at July 21
Mass

[Written at bottom]
Waters
Page 37

Williamstown Mass. May 15
1839
Hon J. L. Edwards
       Sir
       In regard to the application
of Widow Mindwell Waters for a pension
under the law I am desired by her to ask
you to state specifically about  what the
deficiency in her declaration or proof is.
From your communication to Mr. Briggs
on this subject she is not able to determine what more is necessary. Her declaration
does not state the precise period of her
husbands services because he did not
know except by the deposition of Mr. Taylor
to which she refers. Taylors deposition does
fix one period of service with certainty. for
the poor widows sake will you look at these
papers again.
  In January last I sent to you the
application of Widow Duarete of Kingstown & have never yet heard of your
decisions in regard to it. Will you
please to inform me as early as convenient
 in regard to same.
                     Your respectfully
              [signed] Daniel N. Dewey
-
Page 38

[Envelope]
Free

J. L. Edwards Esq
      Commissioner of Pensions
             Washington
                  D.C.

[vertically on left]
2507  Od 75
In 7 July 1838
Waters

[Postmark]
WILLIAMSTOWN 
        OCT 
         10
      MASS
Page 39

Williamstown Mass. October
10. 1878
J L Edwards Esq  Con't
                Dear Sir
                      I enclose the papers of 
Widow Mindwell Waters of this town for
a pension. I have only to say that a speedy
& favorable decision would give some comfort
to a worthy woman now supported by the
needle of an industrious daughter-
                      Yours very respectfly
                 [signed] Daniel N. Dewey
Page 40

Asa Strong
depontion
July 21st, 1852
Miss Waters case
Page 41

State of Connecticut}
County of New London} ss Colchester Feby 21 1852
        On the 21st Day of Feby 1852 personally
appeared before me A. M. Hurlbut a Justice of the
Peace for the Town of Colchester & County of New London duly
Authorized by Law to Administer Oaths, Asa Strong of
said Colchester aged Eighty five years last April
who being first duly sworn according to Law, depose & say
on Oath that he was born in said Colchester where he
has always resided, that he was well acquainted with
the late Cap't John Waters from his youth who was a
Conductor of Trains and who resided in the south
part of Hebron in Tolland County about one & a half miles 
from where he the said Stone then lived & still lives
for a number of years before he the said Waters
mov'd to the West and for a number of years after the
close of the Rev'y War that he well recollects the said
John Waters having been appointed Conductor & authorized
to raise ten teams for the U. States to serve in the
Campaign of 1781 he well recollects that the said Waters
applied to his Father the late Zebulon Strong with whom
I then liv'd and agreed with him to furnish one of the
Teams and he my Father agreed with Gena'l Webster
of Lebanon to drive it, Samuel Bridges agree to furnish
another Team which he did and drove the same, Mr Gillett
a Neighbor of ours furnished another of the Teams & Joshua
Frank a Mantatto Man drove it, he has forgotton the
remainder, he recollects perfectly well when it was said
that the said Conductor Waters & the ten teams he raised
had started for Virginia with the Continental Army it being
the same year that Cornwallis surrendered I recollect when news
came that the said Conductor Waters was very sick in Virginia and that
his sickness lasted until the next spring, and that
Joshua Frank who drove Mr Gilletts Team staid and took
case of him until he got able to come home. Webster
who drove my Father's Team sickened & died at York Town

[The remainder is cut off, showing only the below]
in an orchard
Page 42


[First paragraph is repeated from previous page]

the same year that Cornwallis surrendered I recollect when news
came that the said Conductor Waters was very sick in Virginia and that
his sickness lasted until the next spring, and that
Joshua Frank who drove Mr Gilletts Team staid and took
case of him until he got able to come home. Webster
who drove my Father's Team sickened & died at York Town
[End of repeat] and I understand was buried in an  orchard under an Apple tree there-
I was as before stated well acquainted with the said
Conductor Waters before he went to Virginia and
after he returnd until he moved to the West, and
there never has the least doubt enterd my mind
but that he was the Conductor of the before mentiond teams
of which my Father was one and that he accompanied
the Army on their March to Virginia in 1781 as before stated.
                  [signed] Asa Strong

Sworn to & Subscribed this 21st Day of Feb'y
1852 before me and I further certify
that I am well acquainted with the Deponent Asa
Strong and consider him a substitial Man
& credible Witness
Before me [signed]  A M Hurlbut
                                 Justice of the Peace
Page 43

State of Connecticut}
Tolland County}  ss
Be it known that on the 28th day August 
1838 personally appeared before Abner Hendee
a Notary Public for the State aforesaid
John Taylor aged 81 years who being first
sworn according to Law did on his oath declare
& say that in the month of August 1779 I was drafted to do a Tour of Duty at New London
& staid my time out [words scratched out] when I enlisted
into a company as a Sergeant under Capt.
William Latham who commanded a company
of Artillery in the fort for the term of one year
& at the time I inlisted John Waters a townsman
of mine was orderly Sergeant of said Company
doing duty as such & did that duty while I was
in the Fort which was one year & when
I left the service I left him there a sergeant
& know he was there as such for three months
while I was in the Militia I also say that
s'd Waters messed with me during the time I
was in the fort slept in the same bed
& further saith not
John Taylor

State of Connecticut}
Tolland County} ss Hebron August 28th 1838

Abner Hendee Notary public for the
State aforesaid do certify that John Taylor
who has subscribed & sworn to the above deposition 
is a person of truth & his statement is entitled
to credit    In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand & seal of office the
day & year above written
Abner Henlee
Notary Public
Page 44

Colchester Aug 12th 1856
Hon J. Minot Commissioner of Pensions
                      Dear Sir
Col John Isham of our place being indisposed
and unable to attend to business
called upon me to write you in
regard to the application of Laura
Waters for a Pension on account of
her fathers services as a Commissary
at Fishkill N.Y. in the war of the
revolution-
     If I understand this correctly
it is an application for additional
service that Mindwell Waters drew
a pension for the service of her husband
in the first place at Groton or New
London and that afterwards this
Laura Waters obtained a pension
for the service of her father John Waters
as a conductor of teams at Yorktown
Va and now she applies for an
additional pension on account of
the service of her father John Waters
as a commissary at Fishkill N.Y.
I suppose it to be necessary to prove
two facts in order to make out the
case-- First that one John Waters
performed the Service of Commissary
Page 45

as setforth in the application.
Second that said Laura Waters who makes
this application is the daughter of the
identical John Waters who performed
the service as aforesaid-
First- Is the service proved
You have as proof of the same
a certificate from the Comptroller Office
of this State showing that John Waters
and one Gillete served at Fishkill
N.Y. in 1782 & 3 both as purchasing
receiving and distributing
Commissary and in addition to
that is the deposition of the Mr
Holdrige that he was there at
Fishkill and received his rations
from him and also the testimony
of Asa Strong that one John Waters
purchased cattle of his father and
that he called him Commissary
which testimony to prove
the fact beyond a doubt that 
the services were performed by
one John Waters as Commissary
as alledged in her application
as to the testimony in regard to the
identity that is proved as that
fact must of necessity be proved in
Page 46

expert on the point of identity
please inform me as I know of
no other testimony than that of the
two old men who are the only
survivors of those who fought the
battles of the revolution in our
county and who was personally
acquainted with John Waters
and the reason that it was not
applied for in the applications,
of Mindwell and Laura Waters
there was a knowledge at that
time of the record evidence of his
service and it was deemed
[illegible] to ask for that
which could not be proved
without other testimony
Let me hear from you soon
and much oblige.
Yours truly
[signed] Seagrove Smith
To Hon J. Minot
Commissioner
Page 47

expert on the point of identity
please inform me as I know of
no other testimony than that of the
two old men who are the only
survivors of those who fought the
battles of the revolution in our
county and who was personally
acquainted with John Waters
and the reason that it was not
applied for in the applications,
of Mindwell and Laura Waters
there was a knowledge at that
time of the record evidence of his
service and it was deemed
[illegible] to ask for that
which could not be proved
without other testimony
Let me hear from you soon
and much oblige.
                                 Yours truly
                    [signed] Seagrove Smith
To Hon J. Minot
Commissioner
Page 48

[Envelope]
Free

Hon J Minott
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[Postmark]
COLCHESTER 
     OCT 
      17
     CT

[vertically on left]
Mindwell Waters
John
Mass--at 1838
Page 49

Hon. J. Minot}    Colchester Count Oct 16. 1855
Com of Pension } Dear Sir-- Your favor of 27th Sept last came duly
to hand saying that the case of M'rs Mindwell Waters had been found
and that in all her papers there is not the slightest intimation
that her Husband ever served as a commisary, and the furnished
affidavits of various persons who professed to have known him in service
all their lives until he died, this was undoubted confinded to his tour
of duly at Groton as Sergeant & Drummer this must have been four
or five years before the time vis 1783 actually took place, all the knowledge
her witnesses could have had, was in this service. Ens. P Foote informed
me that Lauras Mother tried to make out-- I therefore beg leave to
state that in my opinion that Laura's case is amply proved that
Asa Strong is one of our best farmers a person of an uncommon Memory
a person of property &c. Mr Holdridge is poor but quite intelligble
and the Certificate of Mr Robinson Comptroller I feel as though it
is sufficient to way down all objections, I enclose you a line which I
received from Mr Robinson before I requested him to forward me a
me a [sic] Certificate of the services of John Waters in the
Continental Army as Commisary not only as purchaser but as
receiver to a very large Army.- I was at Marlborough yesterday
I saw Laura Waters who is on a visit at Esg'n Footer, I told her that her Petition
met with difficulty and wished her to write you a line which she has
and I herein enclose the same, hoping it will shew some light on
the subject, and sufficient for you Sir to grant her a Pension
                      Very Respectfully your Ob't Serv't
         [signed] John Isham
Page 50

[Written sideways at the top]
From1 June 
to 1 March 
9 mo-

State of Connecticut
Office of the Secretary
of State Jun 24th 1839
    I hereby certify that at the May Session
of the General Assembly of this State 1779, an
act was passed by the Assembly to raise by
voluntary enlistment two Regiments of men for
the defence of the sea costs and frontiers of this
state, to consist of five hundred and
twenty men, exclusive of commissioned
Officers, each Regiment composed of eight
companies, to be commanded by one
Lieutenant Colonel and one Major Each
company to consist of one Captain, one
Lieutenant, and Ensign, four Sergants four
Corporals one drummer, and fifer and fifty
five privates, to be continued in
service until the first day of March
1780, unless sooner discharged as appears
from record in this office
          In Testimony of which
          I have affixed the seal
          of  This State at the date first
          above-
           [signed] R R Hinman Secretary
Page 51

Hon J Minott}  Colchester Conne Oct 2nd 1855
Com'n of Pensions}
      Dear Sir, Your favor of Sept 27th 1855 I recd
by last evenings Mail-- I am very glad to find that your doubts
are removed respecting Miss Mindwell Waters, Widow of
the late John Waters dece'd, being a Pensioner of the U. States, you
Sir further state that in all her papers that there is no intimation
that her Husband ever serv'd as a Commissary I beg leave to say
in her application for a Pension which was wholly confer'd
to her said Husbands services for about two years at Groton fort
as a Drummer & Sergeant as I have been informed by George Foote
Esqr of Marlborough who assisted the said M'rs Mindwell Waters 
in obtaining testimony for her Pension, this was done in the forepart
of the War and of course had nothing to do with her Husband
services in 1783 as Commissary at & near Fishkill
if the Testimony esblished by her the said Laura from Mr Robinson of the two
affidavits of Asa Strong & Robert Holdridge are to be depended on
and I consider that they are, I think Lauras case fully proven
and I cannot but hope & believe that your Hon Department
will on reflection grant the said Laura the sum ask'd for
and remit a certificate accordingly  -----
                Very respectfully your Obed't Serv't
                 [signed] John Isham

NB I hope Sir that the above
will prove satisfactory to your
Hon'ble department if not if you
have the goodnes to inform me
wherein I will try again our old
People are almost all Dead which
makes it very difficult to find proof
for Revolutionary Soldiers
                                  J. I
Page 52

                                     Colchester Conn'c
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting}   April 12 1859
Comm's of Pensions}    
                    Dear Sir
                             I was not a little
disappointed in not receiving by your Letter last
Friday Evening some relief for Miss Laura
Waters on account of the Military services of
her deceased Father John Waters. In the first place
at Groton Fort the forepart of the Revolutionary War
for the term of nearly two years, and for services in the
Teaming Service in raising ten teams and accompanying
the same to Yorktown in Virginia & was at the taking
of Cornwallis in 1781 - And afterward the said
John Waters in 1783 Enlisted and served at
Fishkill State of New York for six Mo. as purchasing
Commissary for the Continental Army and afterwards
for 6 Mo. more as Issuing Commissary and served his
time out. the said Waters was a very efficient
and thorough officer and belonged to the said Continental
Army until peace took place in 1783. and there wou'd
be no doubt but that her Mother if living now be
entitled to a Land Warrant, and now Sir will your
Hon. Department be so good as to take her case into
consideration and grant her (Laura Waters) a Land
Warrant -- Miss Waters feels very much grieved
at the decision of your last letter of Apl 2nd Ins't
                               Very Respectfully
                                              Yours
                     [signed] John Isham aged 85 years

NB You will please pardon me
for troubling you again in this
matter, but I feel as though
she is honestly entitled.
                               J. I.
Page 53

                Colchester Conn    June 25th 1857
Hon Geo C Whiting} 
Com's of Pensions}
P. Cole the Clerk}
     Gentlemen you permit me to address a few 
lines to you supporting the application of Laura Waters only 
Child living of Cap't John Waters and his 
Widow  Mindwell J Waters both deceased. Capt John Waters died Jany 9th 1813 his 
Widow M'rs Mindwell J Waters died July 2nd 1841. At the time
 her mother died it was not known that persons who held 
this office of Commissary in the Army were entitled to pensions. 
I am inform'd that Capt Waters serv'd his appointment from 
under the Command of Col Henry Champion who was Sub 
Commisary [Commissionary] of the Army at Fishkill -- and I have been inform'd 
that the papers belonging to Col'o Champion have within a 
few years been sent to the City of Washington. Miss Waters inform'd me that her Mother M'rs Mindwell Waters 
woul'd have applied for pay for her Husband service at Fishkill. 
When she applied for his services at Gorton Fort but she could not 
find as Government allow'd anything. I enclose you the 2 affidavit 
of Asa Strong & Anson Gillet in which I feel as though the case 
of identity [1 illegible] Capt John Waters is [1 illegible] they being 
two of our best Citizens'  I have likewise forwarded in support 
of Miss Waters application the certificate of Geo Robinson Comptroller  
Joseph Waters' affidavit & Anson Gilletts 2nd & Asa Strong 2nd 
affidavits  which your Hon'ble Body are requested to reexamine 
and very much oblige Miss Laura Waters and your obid't Servant
                                 [signed] John Isham 
NB I forwarded the affidavit of Joseph 
Waters of N York to the Hon Mr. Minot 
from which I never rec'd any returns.
                                                    JI

"NB I am in the 84 year of my age"
 the above words having been attended to upon this had it not [1 illegible] for [1 illegible] health  JI

Please turn over J I
Page 54

NB I have always understood that when a pensioner
died and there is a Pension due him in case he has left a
Widow the Pension goes to her-- and in case there is no
Widow to the child or Children and in case there is no
Child or Children of the decas'd then to the legal Representative
that is the Situation of Mrs Laura Waters she
is the only child living of Capt John Waters &
M'rs Mindwell J Waters both decas'd --- I recollect the
said John Waters perfectly well and do not
recollect another by his name.
                                    [signed] John Isham
Page 55

Brief in the case of Mindell Waters dec'd widow of John
Berkshire County and State of Massachusetts
act 7 July 1838.
Claim, ([crossed out: "original" or] "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

(If for increase.)
    Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Evidence showing that her husband
served one year as Wagon Conductor
(See papers of Sam Bridges, 32, who
was allowed one year as Teamster
under Capt Waters)

Name and residence of Agent
Hon L. P. Waldo 
H of R

                                             [signed] S. Cole
                                                Examining Clerk.
Page 56

Colechester Conn Dec 25, 1856
Hon
S Cole
Acting Comm'r of Pensions
Washington
                              Dear Sir, please
pardon me for endeavoring to explain the true
Situation of the Application of Laura Waters
for a Pension, now pending before your Honors
Department at Washington. In the first place
She claims a Pension for the services of her late
Father John Waters, deceased for six (6) Months
service purchasing & receiving as Commissary at
and near Fishkill on the North River State of N York 
in 1783. and for six (6) months receiving & distributing
provisions to the Continental Army the year 1783
as Commissary aforesaid, the proof she has
exhibited and forwarded to the Comm'n is Asa 
Strong of Col Muster & Robert Holdredge of Hebron
likewise the certificate of George Robertson Esq
Comptroller the State of Connecticut, and the Affidavit
of Joseph Waters of Franklin State of N. York
the latter I have not heard from since I forwarded
it May 1856 to the Hon J. Minot Comm'r and
from the manner of his treatment of the Application
of Miss Waters together with her evidence forwarded
He refers me to his letter of the 27 Sept. last and to her
letter of the 17th Oct last for information respecting her
mother Mrs Mindwell J. Waters. I cannot imagine
what the late Comm'r had in view when he bro't into
   over
Page 57

notice Mrs Mindwell J Waters Widow John
Waters deceased I have no recollection
of ever mentioning her name any other way
unless it was to show the relation she stood
in to her Seagrove Smith Esq'e who wrote you
in relation to the Matter of Lauras Pension says he
has no recollection of making use of her name
at all. Will You have the goodness to inform me
how Miss Waters Petition stands  I feel as
though she has proved beyond doubt that
her Father the said John Waters served about
twelve Months faithfully in the Commissary
Department for which he has received no
compensation.
                                          Very Respectfully
                             [signed] John Isham
-
Page 58

I ROYAL R HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, do hereby
certify, that Abner Hendee is a Notary Public of
this State, duly commissioned, and recorded in this Office as such and that he
has the power by the Laws of this State to administer an oath, take depositions,
to take acknowledgment of deeds, &c. and with his seal of office and signature
may certify any official act to which due credit is to be given in Court and country.
    In testimony of which I have hereto affixed
     the public Seal of this State, and signed the 
     same at the Office of the Secretary of said State,
     in Hartford, 24, day of September
     A. D. 1838
     By
      [signed] Royal R Hinman
Page 59

[Envelope]
Waters

J L Edwards Sr
Comss of Pens

[vertical on left]
Jan 15
Ime't

[vertical on right]
Hon G.N. Briggs
HR
Page 60

13 [July?] 39
Sir,
    I am [1 illegible] to enquire after the case of Mindwell Waters of Hebron.

                     Resp'ly
            [signed] M'r G N Briggs
Page 61

Copy of Letter from
Secetary of State
-
Mindwell Waters, de'd
Act 7 July 1838: 
[Illegible] 1 yr Wag Con'r  $240
     "          9 mos Sgt         ___45__
                Due to                $285
duty former pays
at $45 per annum,
Com'g 4 March 1836
& ending 4 March 1841
payable to
Laura Waters
only sur'g [surviving] child
Hon L. P. Waldo
     Present
Page 62

(Copy)
                Department of State
                Washington December 21, 1850.
Hon. Loren P. Waldo,
                   House of Representatives, U.S.
          Sir,
                  In reply to your letter of the 
19th inst. I have to communicate to you the following information
 respecting the services of John Waters, in the Revolutionary War.
     There is on page 29, Vol 18 of the "Letters to Washington", a "List of Conductors who have consented 
to raise Teams and Drivers for the Ensuing Campaign 
and Entered into Bonds" in which the name of Said 
Waters appears as engaged March 20 1781.
     This paper bears neither date nor signature, but it is 
affixed to what seems to be the form of a Blank 
Bond, to be executed between "Ralph Pomoroy 
Deputy Quarter Master, for the State of 
Connecticut, and _ _ Conductor of Ox Teams
"drawn up on the " _ March 1781"
A careful examination has not been succesful 
in finding further evidence of the service
 of
Page 63

of John Waters.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Very Respectfully
Your obedient Servant
[signed] W. S. Denick
Acting Secretary of State.
Page 64

                                        Colchester, Conn
                                                Mch 28, 1859
Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Comm's of Pensions
                     Dear Sir
                                 Permit me to State 
to your Hon'e Department that Miss Laura
Waters of Massachusetts. The only Heir of Captn 
John Waters & Mrs Mindwell J Waters both late 
deceased, claims a pension for the Military 
services of her Father John Waters aforesaid 
who served at Fishkill State of New York in 1783 
as purchasing Commissary for the term of Six months & also served as issuing Commissary
for six months more in said Year. And if practicable 
she the said Laura Waters also claims 
a Land Warrant for the above Military services
of her Father John Waters aforesaid.
     The evidence to establish above claims 
have been forwarded to your Hon'b Department 
& are now on file in your Office (to wit) Asa
Strong, Robert Holdridge, Anson Gillett, 
Geo. Robinson Comptroller of this State &
Joseph Waters of State of New York to which 
I would respectfully call your attention. 
     They are all to me personally known and to be very
likly Men and noible witnesses.
                With Much Respect
                    I am very Truly
      [signed} John Isham
                     Atty for Laura Waters of 
                     Williamstown
                                       Mass'ts
Page 65

In the matter of the application of Laura Waters for an increase of
the pension of Mindwell Waters widow of John Waters decesd.
Under act of July 7. 1838
The original claim was made for the service of John Waters as a 
drummer and orderly Sergeant in the war of the Revolution: and
also as captain or conductor of a Company of Teams in the 
campaign of 1781.-
The marriage of the parties is proved by a copy of the town record
and and the death of John Waters by the deposition of Laura
Waters Catherine Day and Charity Root.
The death of John Waters is also found by the Court of Probate for
the County of Berkshire to have happened on the 9th day
of January 1813, and that Mindwell Waters deceased July 2d 
1841, leaving Laura Waters her only surviving child.
The service is proved
1st By the deposition of Lucy Phelps who testifies that her
  brother John Waters first enlisted and served at New London as 
  a Drummer and afterwards enlisted and served as a sergeant at 
  Fort Griswold in Groton, in Capt. Lathams Company.
  She also says that soon after his return in 1781, he was appointed 
  Captain or conductor of Teams to go to North River, and then
  went to Virginia, and was at Yorktown, and still in the 
  continental service at the time Lord Cornwallis was taken
Page 66

2
John Taylor, says John Waters moved with him these months 
and he left Waters in service at New London in Capt. Lathans 
Co.,
Catherine Day speaks of his wearing a Drummers Coat, when 
he returned from N. London. She also says, He afterward went 
South with the teams & was said to be sick.
Amos Gallup, says that John Waters served in Lathams Co. at 
least six months, while deponent was a member thereof 
and was a Sergent, and he left him in [illegibe]
Anson Gillet aged 82 years, says he was well acquainted with 
Capt. John Waters who was a Conductor of Teams for the 
Campaign of 1781, that he was sick in Virginia, and that
his sickness lasted until the next spring. That there is great
 rejoicing in the neighborhood when news came that he had 
come home with Joshua Frank a Lieutenant.
Asa Strong, aged 85 years, [illegible] Mr Gillete.
[illegible] these witness are highly respectable gentlemen
The letter of the Secretary of State shows that John Waters 
name is among the List of Conductors who have consented to
raise Teams and Driving for the campaign of 1781 
From this it appears he was engaged March 20, 1781.
Page 67

2
John Taylor, says John Waters moved with him these months 
and he left Waters in service at New London in Capt. Lathans 
Co.,
Catherine Day speaks of his wearing a Drummers Coat, when 
he returned from N. London. She also says, He afterward went 
South with the teams & was said to be sick.
Amos Gallup, says that John Waters served in Lathams Co. at 
least six months, while deponent was a member thereof 
and was a Sergent, and he left him in [illegibe]
Anson Gillet aged 82 years, says he was well acquainted with 
Capt. John Waters who was a Conductor of Teams for the 
Campaign of 1781, that he was sick in Virginia, and that
his sickness lasted until the next spring. That there is great
 rejoicing in the neighborhood when news came that he had 
come home with Joshua Frank a Lieutenant.
Asa Strong, aged 85 years, [illegible] Mr Gillete.
[illegible] these witness are highly respectable gentlemen
The letter of the Secretary of State shows that John Waters 
name is among the List of Conductors who have consented to
raise Teams and Driving for the campaign of 1781 
From this it appears he was engaged March 20, 1781.
Page 68

[light pencil, top of page]
W. Gleeson has just
handed me this and
says you have all that
he can get

[upside down at bottom of page]
Please return this
             L P
Page 69

                            Hartford Conn. Aug 22, 1851
Dear Sir,
     I have rec'd your 
letter of the 2nd alt,
I have examined the books 
at the Historical Society 
and found evidence of 
about (6 months service of 
Gilbert and Waters 
as Receivers. I also find 
an entry in 1783 to John 
Waters as a Purchasing 
Commissary, and about 
6 months as a Receiver)
If you wish a certificate 
of this evidence, you can 
apply to Mr. Elon Gleason 
who has these documents 
in his possession, 
You may send me
Page 70

one dollar if you please
for my trouble in this 
matter,
                            I am very respectfully
                            yours
                 [signed] Geo. Robinson
                               for John Isham
 
[vertically on left side]
Hon J Minott
Commissary of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[Bottom left corner upside down]
George Robinson Esq
letter [Illegible]
John Waters Pension
For John Isham
Page 71

one dollar if you please
for my trouble in this
matter,
I am very respectfully
yours
Geo. Robinson
for John Isham

[written sideways]
Hon J Minott
Commissary of Pensions
Washington D.C.

[Bottom left corner upside down]
George Robinson Esq
letter [Illegible]
John Waters Pension
For John Isham
Page 72

Hon J Minott.

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
DC
Page 73

Marlborough Oct 16, 1855
To the Honorable J. Minot Commissioner of Pensions
Sir  
In your communication to J Isham Esqr
relative to my application for a Pension.
I would say to you that My Mothers (Mrs Mindwell 
Waters) application was principally for my Fathers Service 
in the Fort at Groton, Ct. but I have often heard her 
speak of his service in  other places and the service 
as Commissary for which Service the present application
 is made. I have no hesitancy in saying to 
you that I have no doubt of his service as Commissary 
from what I have heard from my Mother and other 
Connections now deceased and that you may
regard the evidence furnished you by Mr Isham as 
good and true and grant the request of your Petitioner.
                   [signed] Laura Waters
Page 74

Oct 5.
cb
Add proof
Mindwell Waters,

[vertically]
J L Edwards 
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 75

                                       Williamstown Sep 21
                                                               1814
J L Edwards Esq
                   Dr Sir
                                      I enclose further
testimony in the application of Mrs Mindwell
Waters for a pension under the act of July
1838. I have obtained from the
Secy of State of Connecticut a certificate
of the law under which the proofs
were raised in 1779 - but it would
seem from all the testimony that Mr.
Waters served a [2 illegible] that this
act provided for and previous to the act. As I understand
Taylors deposition now in your office
he states that Waters served one year &
quarter - that he served some time in
[illegible] & I trust you will make [illegible]
as much as you can for this poor widow.
                             Yours respectfully
                  [signed] D. N. Dewey
Page 76

Official Business
Free

[Postmark]
COLCHESTER 
       Dec 
        22
        CT

Hon  S Cole
First Clerk 
Pension Office
Washington
Page 77

Colchester Conn - Dec 21 1858

Hon S Cole
1st Clerk
Pension Office
Washington

               Dear Sir.   My father having 
been very much unwell for the past year - now requests 
me to write you relative to the application of Miss
Laura Waters for a Pension - in addition to what he had already sent on to you he encloses herein 
a copy of the Affidavit of Joseph Waters of the Town of 
Franklin County of Delaware State of New York 
which my Father calculates can be depended on.
It was [illegible] to the Hon., Samuel A Bridges of Pa
 while he was in Congress, since which my Father 
says he has not heard from your Hon. Department. 
He supposed at the time he sent the above Affidavit 
that it would settle the Matter & your Hon.  Department 
would consider Miss Waters duly entitled to the said Pension
Miss Laura Waters now relinquishes her claim
to a pension for the services of her Father as purchasing  
Commissary but will continue to press her claim for
the services of her late Father John Waters as issuing Commissary 
Your Hon Department will confer a very great favor on 
my Father as well as Miss Waters by looking at Miss 
Waters papers now on file in your office where you will
Page 78

doubtless find the original affidavit of Joseph Waters of the Town of Franklin County of Delaware 
State of New York
     My Father is now 85 yrs of age and has assisted from 30 to 40 in procuring them a pension and this identical case seems to perfectly proved 
he feels very unwilling to give it up
he considers the same as perfectly honest 
& just.
                                Very Respectfully
                                                Yours 
                       [signed] Albert B Isham
                       [signed] John Isham

NB  Mr John Waters & Mrs 
Mindwell J Waters Father 
& Mother to Miss Laura 
Waters the applicant both 
died some time since.
                    [signed] ABI for John Isham
Page 79

                           Colchester Conn Sept. 1818,
Hon J Minott}
Commr. of Pensions}   Dear Sir-- Your please accepting my thanks 
for the promptness in replying to my letter to you of the 18th,
Instant, respecting the application for a Pension of Laura 
Waters only child living of the late John Waters & Mindwell 
Waters his widow, who are both dead, the said Laura Waters 
is on a visit at George Footes Esq. Marlborough, she being a
Commipion [sic] of Mr Foote I went there this morning found Esq Foote 
& Laura shew them your letter states to them what
you wanted- he observ'd that he assisted M's Waters in finding
testimony of her Husband the said John Waters services at
Groton &, which was [1illegible] obtained at & near 
Groton, and was by her carried to Williamstown Massachusetts
and from which her mothers application for a Pension
was made out, and forwarded by Dan'l N Dewey to the City 
of Washington and as her mother liv'd at Williamstown during
 the latter part of her life the Pension of course was payable and was serv'd
by the s'd Dewey at Boston she Laura appears to think that
it was made out under the act of 1837 but is not confident.
Laura appears very clear that as her mother liv'd and
Died at Williamstown that her Pension was not at Boston
Massachusetts. I hope Sir that from the above youl be
able to find out what is lacking I have been quite unwell
for some time past or the above would have been done better
in case the above does not answer please have the goodness
to drop me a line-
                                         Very Respectfully
                                         your Obe'd servant
                           [signed] John Isham
NB the three Bounty Land
claims which I forwarded the
fore part of May you Sir will
oblige three very old Persons
by having their Certificates
forwarded soon as convenient
Miss Waters says that I'll
have Mother Waters even in the
[1 illegible] of putting in her name & 
was [1 illegible]  J.I.
Page 80

State of New York}
Delaware County} ss
John Waters of the Town of Franklin
in said County having duly Sworn before me William Smith
Justice of the Peace in said County deposed and said 
on oath that he was well acquainted with John Waters of [1 illegible]
in the County of Tolland State of Connecticut, who married Miss 
Laura of said Hebron and knows that the said John Waters father had been
in the service of the United States during the Revy War
and served as Commissary in purchasing necessary and
distrubting Rations for the Continental Army and [1 illegible]
confident that he served as Commissary at [illegible words]
State of New York about the year  1783 and the deponant 
further says that he was eighty four Years of Age on the thirteenth
day of January 1836 and that he has no interest in any
claims that may be pending by any of the of the [illegible] of John 
Waters for a pension}
[illegible] & Sworn before me}
the 10th day of May 1836}
and in that I know the Deponent [illegible words]
[illegible] the foregoing affidavit to [crossed out words] Waters
[crossed out: and that I have] and that I have no Interest in [illegible]
of this claim
William Smith
the Justice of the Peace
Page 81

2
John Taylor, says John Waters moved with him these months 
and he left Waters in service at New London in Capt. Lathans 
Co.,
Catherine Day speaks of his wearing a Drummers Coat, when 
he returned from N. London. She also says, He afterward went 
South with the teams & was said to be sick.
Amos Gallup, says that John Waters served in Lathams Co. at 
least six months, while deponent was a member thereof 
and was a Sergent, and he left him in [illegibe]
Anson Gillet aged 82 years, says he was well acquainted with 
Capt. John Waters who was a Conductor of Teams for the 
Campaign of 1781, that he was sick in Virginia, and that
his sickness lasted until the next spring. That there is great
 rejoicing in the neighborhood when news came that he had 
come home with Joshua Frank a Lieutenant.
Asa Strong, aged 85 years, [illegible] Mr Gillete.
[illegible] these witness are highly respectable gentlemen
The letter of the Secretary of State shows that John Waters 
name is among the List of Conductors who have consented to
raise Teams and Driving for the campaign of 1781 
From this it appears he was engaged March 20, 1781.
Page 82

Let. to Hon. G. N. Briggs
February 12, 1839
OLC - D. N. Dewey, May 23rd, 
'39
Page 83


Free

[postmark]
COLCHESTER 
       APR 
         12
         CT   

Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[Written sideways]
Geddy

   [postmark]
    PENSION
       APR
[day illegible]
      1859
        CT

Mindwell Waters
John  Capt. Mass 1838
Page 84


Free

[Postmark]
COLCHESTER
     MAR
       29
       CT

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

[Postmark]
PENSION OFFICE
       MAR
       31
     1859

[Written sideways]
[very light pencil]
Mindwell Waters
John -- Capt  of Massachusetts
Mass   w   1838
Miss Laura Waters of Ing
Page 85

Washington, June 4, 1856
Sir, 
The enclosed papers
 have been forwarded me 
with a letter from Col. 
Isham. I will be 
obliged to you to give 
them early attention
Repsectfully
Symon Grambrell
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 86

FREE

[Postmark]
COLCHESTER
      SEP
       13
       CT

Hon Mr Minott
John
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D. C.

[vertical]
John Waters Con &
N.Y. origional
Page 87

No 15350
Mindwell J Waters
dec'd Widow of John
[1 illegible]
John Isham Sep 18/33
Colchester
Ct

July 7 1838
Page 88

Hon. Mr Minott}  Colchester Coun'y Aug 20 1835
Com'm of Pensions}  Dear Sir by request of Miss Laura Waters
Daughter of the late John Waters & Mindwell Waters his Widow
deceas'd I forward to the case of your Hon'ble department the
application of the said Laura Waters the only child they have living
for a Pension for six months services perform'd at and near
Fishkill on the North River State of New York, in 1783 by her
Father the said John Waters as a Commissary in distributing 
provisions rations &c for the Army in which capacity the said
John Waters had the credit of being a very efficient good officer
I likewise inclose you a power of Atty from Miss Waters authorizing
me to act for her in receiving her Pension if granted &
together with the Affidavits of Ara Strong & Robert Holdridge
the latter inform'd me that he enlisted for the War and recev'd
his time out, both of which I calculate are creditable Witnesses
I will thank you Sir to have my power of atty return'd with
the result of Miss Waters claim you sir will confer a favor by
noticing me of said results soon as convenient
Very respectfully your obed't Servant
John Isham
NB your department will confer an addition of favor in
case Miss Waters Pension is granted by having it payable
to me at the Hartford agency in Hartford  State of
Connecticut
John Isham

I likewise forward you Sir this testimony of the Clerk of the
Comptrollers office State of Connecticut showing that the said
John Waters was not only a purchaser of provisions with John
Gilbert but was himself a Receiver & distributier of the same
with Rationing &c for the Continental Army at Fishkill 
in the year 1783
- John Isham
Page 89

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Sept 4th, 1855
     I certify that an application for evidence of the 
service of John Waters as a Purchasing, or Receiving, Commissary 
in the war of the Revolution. I have examined the books kept 
by Henry Champion, who was a Commissary in the State 
of Connecticut in said war, which are now deposited in 
this office, and find as follows, in an account under 
the following heading vis.
"An account of Beef Cattle & Pork Received & Delivered &etc"
Dates | By whom Purchased | By whom Received | Beef
1783
July 13 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 8,558 lbs
July 22 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 1,014 lbs
July 23 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 4,498 lbs
Feb 18 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 8,271 lbs
Feb 21 | Gilbert Waters|  John Waters | 1,898 lbs
March 20|  John Waters | Ray Taylor | 3,283 lbs
May 29 | Gilbert Waters | Joshua Frank | 2,556 lbs
May 30 | do [ditto] | do | 704 lbs
June 19 | do | do |4,528 lbs
June 25 | do | [Blank] | 300 lbs
On the day book kept by the said Henry Champion 
I find the following entries vis.
"1783 March 20, Gilbert J Waters D'r to cash paid Jn'o Gilbut "
Page 90

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Sept 4th, 1855
     I certify that an application for evidence of the 
service of John Waters as a Purchasing, or Receiving, Commissary 
in the war of the Revolution. I have examined the books kept 
by Henry Champion, who was a Commissary in the State 
of Connecticut in said war, which are now deposited in 
this office, and find as follows, in an account under 
the following heading vis.
"An account of Beef Cattle & Pork Received & Delivered &etc"
Dates | By whom Purchased | By whom Received | Beef
1783
July 13 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 8,558 lbs
July 22 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 1,014 lbs
July 23 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 4,498 lbs
Feb 18 | Gilbert Waters | Jno Waters | 8,271 lbs
Feb 21 | Gilbert Waters|  John Waters | 1,898 lbs
March 20|  John Waters | Ray Taylor | 3,283 lbs
May 29 | Gilbert Waters | Joshua Frank | 2,556 lbs
May 30 | do [ditto] | do | 704 lbs
June 19 | do | do |4,528 lbs
June 25 | do |       | 300 lbs
On the day book kept by the said Henry Champion 
I find the following entries vis.
"1783 March 20, Gilbert J Waters D'r to cash paid Jn'o Gilbut"
Page 91

Asa Strong
deposition
Miss Waters, case
Page 92

I Asa Strong of the town of Colchester in
the County of New London and State 
of
Connecticut being Eighty nine
years of age do depose and say
that I was born and always resided
in said town of Colchester in said
New London County near the line of the town 
of Hebron and that I was well
acquainted with Capt John
Waters who served in the war of
the revolution as a drummer and
as a Sargent at Groton fort
in said New London County
for about two years and was
(knowing and have heretofore
testified to the same) that he
served as a conductor of teams
to Yorktown in the State of Virginia
in the said revolutionary war
about one and a half years
and that he returned from
Yorktown to the town of Hebron
where he then lived, about the
year 1782, and that in the fall
of 1782 he again joined the army
at Fishkill in the State of New York
and served as Commisary for
six months or more in providing
Page 93

and distributing rations for the
army
and then he again returned
home to the town of Hebron in the
year 1783 I recollect perfectly
well the time when said Waters
returned home from the army
an additional curcumstance that
I recollect is that the said
Waters came to my fathers
house early one moment I think
late in the fall of 1782 or in the
beginning of the winter of 1783
and my father said to him "Good
Morning Mr. Commissary
Waters" and said Waters
inquired of my father if he had 
a pair of Oxen to sell said
he wanted them for the Continental
Army at Fishkill my father
said he had further set a
price for them and the said Waters
purchased them and took them
away, and I will further
Depose and say that I was
born and always lived within,
about one mile of said Waters
so long as he resided in the
aforesaid town of Hebron
Page 94

which was for a number of years
after the close of the Revolutionary 
war and until he moved to
the State of Vermont town of Newfane  and that
during all the time the said Waters
thus resided in said town of Hebron
I was very well acquainted with
him the said Waters and believe
him to have been a very effective
officer in the revolutionary
war and further the deponent
sayth not
Asa Strong

Conneticut County of New London ss Colchester
August 25 AD 1855 Personally appeared before me the
undersigned authority duly qualified by
law to administer oaths the aforesaid Asa
Strong who subscribed the foregoing deposition
 and under solumn oath to the truth of
 the same and I hereby certify that I saw
said Asa Strong subscribe the same and
that he is the identical person who gave said
deposition and further that I am well
aquainted with said Asa Strong the
deponent and that he is a very respectable
man and a credible witness
Seagrove Smith
Justice of the Peace
Page 95

State of Connecticut}
County of New London} ss
I James Stedman Clerk of the Superior
Court of the said State in and for said
County do hereby certify that Seagrove Smith
whose name in his own proper handwriting is subscribed
to the Certificate or Jurat on the other side hereof written
was at the date of said Certificate a Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly appointed and
Sworn and by law authorized to take acknowledgements
administer oaths, take depositions &c
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court this 23rd
day of August 1855
                          [signed] James Stedman Clerk
Page 96

State of Connecticut}
County of New London} ss
I James Stedman Clerk of the Superior
Court of the said State in and for said
County do hereby certify that Seagrove Smith
whose name in his own proper handwriting is subscribed
to the Certificate or Jurat on the other side hereof written
was at the date of said Certificate a Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly appointed and
Sworn and by law authorized to take acknowledgements
administer oaths, take depositions &c
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and the seal of said Court this 23rd
day of August 1855
[signed] James Stedman Clerk
Page 97

Robert Holdridge depontion for Laura Waters

I Robert Holdridge of Hebron in the
County & Tolland State of Connecticut,
aged ninety seven (97) years
last April, depose & say on oath
that I was born in said Hebron
in the house me, Daniel Gott afterwards 
owned & lived in until
his death, situated about half
a mile north of Landlord Waters
public house, father of John Waters
who served about two years in 
a company of Infantry at
Groton Fort as a Sergeant and
Drummer in the prepart of the
Revolutionary War. He was
then dismissed & returned home
He then made an engagement
to furnish ten (10) teams for the
Campaign of 1781, which were
furnished and were ordered
to march for Yorktown in Virginia
 under the command of
the said John Waters Conductor.
He was there at the Surrender
of Lord Cornwalace [Cornwallis] & returned
home to said Hebron after a
severe fit of sickness. The said
John Waters was a purchaser of
beef for the army in Company
with Major John Gilbert of Hebron
He was then appointed Commissary
& continued to issue the rations
for the army for about six months
Page 98

and I am confident that he was
the indentical person & the same
John Waters mentioned above, who
Married Mindwell Jones of said
Hebron, & I was well acquainted 
with him until he removed
to the town of Newfane in Vermont,
where he soon after died
in 1813 in January, and I will
recollect of receiving my rations
as provisions &c from him during 
the time Con'l Webb's regiment
quartered at Fishkill, and
part of the time I should
say that our regiment quartered
at Peekskill on the North River.
I well knew the above John Waters
from his youth till his removal
to Vermont as before stated, & for
that reason I more particularly
recollect him.
          his
Robert X Holdridge
        mark 

State of Connecticut Tolland County
ss. Hebron August 21st 1855- then
& there the aforesaid Robert Holdridge
who subscribed the foregoing deposition
& affidavit appeared and
made solemn oath to the truth
of the same before me - and
Page 99

I will further certify that for a man of his years
I considered him an uncommonly understanding
& credible witness
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand
affixed my official
seal on the day & year
last aforesaid.
Jared F. Crocker
Notary Public
for the State of
Connecticut
Page 100

I Catherine Day of Williamstown in the State of
Massachusetts do testify & say that I am Sister
to Mindwell Waters now of Williamstown. I
was present at her Marriage to John Waters
in the house of our father Ezekiel Jones at
Hebron in the State of Connecticut. They were
married by Rev. Mr. Lathrop in the winter
of 1787- I was then eighteen years old & am
now sixty nine years old - Mr. & Mrs. Waters
lived together in Hebron six or seven years &
then removed to Vermont- I visited them
at Brookline in State of Vermont. In the year
1814 I was at Newfane in State of Vermont
& went with my sister to the grave yard & saw
there a grave with grave stones & the name of
John Waters thereon, my sister has never
since been married. She has lived in Williamstown since 1817 -
I knew the said John Waters while he was
in the army. I recollect of his coming home
from New London & his wearing a drummers
coat - he lived within two miles of my father's
house when at home-- He afterwards went
South with the teams, was said to be sick.
He was absent for some time-- but the particular
times he went away & returned I
do not remember-- While at Hebron I recollect
hearing said Waters often tell of events
which occured while he was in the service.
                     [signed] Catherine Day

State of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss October 4th 1838-
Catherine Day the signer of the foregoing appeared
before the subscribed a Justice of the peace for said County
& made oath in due form of law to be true
Page 101

of the same & I further certify that I have known
the said Catharine for many years & she is a
person of good character & reputation for   truth & veracity.
Daniel N Dewey
Justice of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire County ss. I Henry W. Bishop. Register
of the Court of Probate within and for the
County of Bulshire do certify that Daniel
N Dewey Esqr before whom the foregoing
affidavit was taken was at the time of
the taking thereof and now is one of the
Justices of the Peace within & for said
County duly commissioned and qualified
of the oath and that his signature subjoined to the certificate
of said Deponent is his genuine
signature-
In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
the seal of said Court this
ninth day of October in the
year of our Lord one thousand
Eight hundred and thirty Eight.
        [signed] Henry W. Bishop Register Probate
Page 102

State of New York}
Delaware County} ss
                   Joseph Waters of 
the town of Franklin in said County being 
duly Sworn before me William Smith a Justice 
of the Peace in and for Said County deposed and Said on Oath that he was well acquanted [acquainted] with John Waters of Hebron in the County of Tolland State of Connecticut who married 
Mindwell Jones of Said Hebron and knows 
that the Said John Waters was in the Service 
of the United States during the latter 
part of the Revolutionary War and Served 
as Commissary in Purhasing, Receiving 
and distributing rations for the Continental
Army and is quite confident that he Served 
as Comissary [Commissary] at Fishkil [Fishkill] in the State of New 
York about the year 1783. And the deponent 
further Says that he was eighty four years 
of age on the thirtieth day of January 1856 
and that he has no Interest in any Claim 
that may be pending by any of the Heirs of 
Said John Waters for a pension 
                          [Signed] Joseph Waters

Subscribed and Sworn before me}
 this 16th day of May 1856}
And I certify that I know the deponent 
Joseph Waters who Subscribed the foregoing 
Affidavit to be credible witness and that 
I have no Interest in the event of the Claim.
       [signed] Hon Smith Justice of the Peace

[Part of affidavit attached to bottom of letter]
State of New-York}
Delaware County Clerk's Office.}  I, Benjamin Cannon, Clerk of the County of Delaware and
also Clerk of the Courts of said County, do hereby certify that 
[signed] William Smith Esquire, before
 whom the annexed deposition purports to have been taken, was at the 
time of taking such deposition, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of 
Delaware aforesaid, elected and sworn, and duly authorised [authorized] by law to take 
the same, and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the 
Seal of the Court and County, this 17th day of May 1856.
                        [signed] Benj. Cannon Clerk
Page 103

Hon J Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 104


L. Trumbull
[illegible]

Hon J. Minot
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
Page 105


Hon J. Minot}  Colchester Conn May 25th 1851
Com of Pensions} Dear Sir -  Miss Laura Waters has  conten'd 
her [illegible] in this quarter until this time, in hopes that 
she wou'd have receiv'd the Pension she claims from Govenment
for the service her father the late John Waters perform'd in
the Revolutionary Army as Commissary for about a year 
at and near Fishkill State of New York herein one enclosed 
affadavit of Joseph Waters of Delaware County New York and
is in addition to the testimony heretofore forwarded  of Asa 
Strong & Robert Holdridge of the s'd John Waters Military 
services and the certificate of Geo. Robinson Comptroller
stating the time the said John Waters serv'd and the action [illegable]
transacted by the said John Waters in 1783 when the [illegible] 
of the said John Waters of the State of New York 
which I heren enclose and hope and believe that 
your Hon'ble department will accept said testimony and
forward the said Laura Waters a Certificate 
as I have not heard from                             Very Respectfully yours
of the Land Warrants of Wm Bridges            [signed] John Isham
No. 142,093 & Wm Beeman
No -142095 you Sir will greatly
oblige them by forwarding their
Warrants and much obliged. Your
                                             Humble Serv't
                                     [signed] J Isham
Page 106

[letters crossed out] Capt Gilbert
deposition on
Miss Waters case
Febry 21st 1852
Page 107

State of Connecticut} 
County of New London} Colchester Feb 21. 1852 
On this 21st day of Feb'y 1852 personally appeared before 
A. M. Hurlbert a Justice of the Peace for the Town and 
County aforesaid and authorized to administer oaths, 
Anson Gillett a resident of the Town of Hebron 
in Tolland County where he was born and has always 
resided aged eighty two years last Aug't  who first being 
duly sworn according to Law, depose and say on oath 
that he has always resided in said Hebron within 
a few rods where he now resides, that he was well acquainted
with the late Capt John Waters who was a Conductor of Teams 
rais'd in this vicinity by the U. States for the Campaign of 1781 
in the Revolutionary War. he the said Waters having been born 
& lived within a half a mile of where he was born and always
resided until he moved to the West a number of years since 
and with his wife Mindwell Jones before they were
 married and after, and having been well acquainted with 
his Father Joseph Waters Family and his Brother Joseph Waters Jun'r he having married a sister of mine, 
I recollect perfectly well that there was great rejoicing in 
the Neighborhood the spring after when news came that
John Waters (he having had a very severe fit of sickness in 
Virginia) had return'd home with Joshua Frank, a teamster 
who staid and took care of him and return'd with him and I 
recollect that the Neighbors all flocked in to see him the said 
John Waters and I among the rest that he appeared in a very 
feeble state of health and I recollect that he the said 
Waters complained of fever sores that he then had
on his back that were caused by his lying on his
back while sick in Virginia for about three months
and I have no Doubt but that the said Waters was a
Conductor of teams as before stated
                                [signed] Anson Gillett

Sworn to and subscribed this 21st day of Feby 1852 before me A M Hulbert Justice of the Peace 
New London County ss Colchester February 21 1852
Personally appeared before me Capt Anson Gillet
 of Hebron to me well known as a credible Witness
and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed before me 
      [signed]  A M Hurlbert Justice of the Peace
Page 108

New London County ss Colchester Feby  21, 1852 
I hereby certify that AM Hurlbert is a Justice 
of the Peace for the County of New London 
and is authorized by law to administer Oaths 
                   Attest [signed] A M Hurlbert
                           Town Clerk 
                           for the Town of Colchester
Page 109

Conn.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 15464
Mindwell Waters 
Widow of 
John Waters
Sergt Rev. War

Act: July 7th, 1838
Index: - Vol. M, Page 310

[Arrangement of 1870.]