Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,230, for Shubael Preston, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE   Conn.
Preston, Shubael
NUMBER  S. 14,230
carded
Page 2

8819
New York
Shubael Preston 
of Homer in the state of New York who was a private the company commanded by Captain Marcey of the Regt commanded by Col.  Gallap in the Cont line for 24 mos.  
Inscribed on the Roll of New York the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of Apl 1833 and sent to L. B. Canfield Homer 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $160.00 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 40.00
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim, June 7, 1832} 
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk 
Book E Vol. 4 Page 70
Page 3

13.439
S. Preston
Pension papers
Admitted
24 mo Private
Page 4

Declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 
State of New York 
County of Cortland  ss } On this twenty Sixth  day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for the County of Cortland now sitting Shubael Preston a resident of the Town of Homer in the County of Cortland and State of New York, aged Seventy three years the twentieth of November last past, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June Seventh Eighteen hundred and thirty two - that in the year one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six, in the month of June, or before the tenth day of July in the aforesaid year I enlisted for the term of six months in Captain Reuben Marceys Company and served in the Regiment under the command of Colonel John Chester of the Connecticut Troops in the Army of the Revolution, & that I continued in the service aforesaid, until the full term of six months, when I was honorably discharged at Morristown in the State of New Jersey.   I further declare, that at the time of my discharge, I was left sick there, and remained sick for five weeks before I was able to go home. I paid my own expenses while sick, and never have received any remuneration for the same, neither for my time, from any one.  I  also declare, that in the year seventeen hundred and Seventy Seven, on the fourth of July in the same year I went as a substitute for the term of two months, for Billy Snow in Captain Caleb Hendys, Company, and think the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Gallap and that I served the full term of two months, when I was
Page 5

honorably Discharged at Groton in Connecticut.  Also in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight, I again Enlisted for the term of one year, in Captain Squire Hills Company, and the Regiment was commanded by Colonel Samuel McClellen, Connecticut Troops. I served faithfully six months, and I was held as minute man the remainder of the time. I enlisted the fifteenth day of June the same year, served three months til the fifteenth of September after - then returned home, and in October after I went into the service again in the same Company and in the same Regiment, and Served the full term of three months til into January Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine - after which, I stood as a minute man til into June Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine, when I was honorably discharged at Canterbury, Connecticut.  The first three months, of the last year aforesaid, I went to Northward, and to Westpoint in New York, the next three months in the same year, I went to New London and remained there all the time.  
He says that he never had this a written Discharge, of any of his services.  He says he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service.  He was born in Asford [Ashford], Windham County & State of Connecticut. he was born in Seventeen hundred and Fifty Eight.  He has no Received of his age, except in the Town of Ashford aforesaid.  He lived in said Ashford when called into the service.  He says Elder Alfred Bennett & Deacon Thomas Chollar can testify as to his character for truth and veracity, and their belief as to his services in the army of the Revolution he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State 
Shubael Preston
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid Samuel Hotchkiss Clk
Page 6

We Elder Alfred Bennet a Clergiman residing in the Town of Homer, and Thomas Chollar residing in the Town of Homer & both in the County of Cortland and State of New York hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Shubael Preston who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.   
Sworn and subscribed this 26th day of September 1832 before me Lewis B. Canfield Justice Peace
Alfred Bennett Pastor of the Baptist Church in Homer
Thomas Chollar 
I certify that Alfred Bennett & Thomas Chollar are men of truth & veracity & credible in their neighbourhood – Legier B. Canfield Justice Peace 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states,  and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Elder Alfred Bennett who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Homer and that Thomas Chollar who has signed the same is a resident in the Town of Homer and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.   
William Mallery 
Andrew Dickson 
Aaron  Brown 
Oliver Kingman Judges of  Cortland Common pleas 
I Samuel Hotchkiss Junior Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Cortland, do hereby Certify that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings
Page 7

of the said Court in the Matter of the application of Shubael Preston for a Pension - and that Legier B. Canfield Esquire before whom the foregoing Certificate of Elder Alfred Bennett & Thomas Chollar was sworn, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of Homer and the County of Cortland, and that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice and know that his signature to the same is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Official seal this 29 day of September 1832 
Samuel Hotchkiss Jr. Clerk
Page 8

13.439
Shubael Preston
Admitted
24 mo Private
L. B. Canfield
Homer N. York
Page 9

BRIEF in the case of   Shubel Preston
of Homer  in the State of  N. York
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?    73 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. In 1776   Duration of Service.  6 months  Rank.  Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. R. Marcey, Col. Jno Chester
Period.  July 4th 1777  Duration of Service.  2 Months   Rank.  Substitute  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt. Caleb Hendy, Col. Gallap
Period.  1778  Duration of Service.  6 Months  Rank.  Private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Hill, Colonel Saml McClellan
Period.  June 15th 1778   Duration of Service. 3 Months  Rank. Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Hill, Colonel Saml McClellan
Period.  October 1778   Duration of Service. 3 Months   Rank. Private  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt Hill, Colonel Saml McClellan
States that he afterwards stood as a Minute Man from Jany to June 1779
5. In what battles was he engaged?  none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Ashford Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   Traditionary evidence alone
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?   They are properly attached.  
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Wm. Gordon
Examining Clerk
Page 10

14230
Revy war INVALID. 
File No. 14,230 
Shubael Preston 
Priv  Rev War – 
Act: June 7" 1832 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 353 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 1
Apr 15 1898 E. M. Preston Nevada City Cal.
1907 Apl 23 – Hist to N. D. Preston
1923. June 16 Hist. to Ruth A. Rogers AWF
Page 11

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Shubael Preston which require further proof or explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?   yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?  
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?   yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?   yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes
Page 12

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?   yes
XIV.  +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who has administered the oath certified that he, she or they are persons of credibility?  
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. + Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?   yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
EXPLANATORY NOTES. 
#QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For – year -  months and - days, I served as a - .   For - months and  - days, I served as a  - and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 13

3 
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his services. The use of the phrase about three or fours months is too indefinite, and all qualified expressions are objectionable. 
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service 
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his services by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witness, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office 
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 14

Rev
Alfred, N.Y. 
April 23, 1923 
Department of Interior 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 
Sirs. Please send me a copy of the Revolutionary War Record of the following men. 
1. Tolcut Gold (or Gould), born Fairfield, Conn. Jan 17, 1759. Died Friendship, N.Y. 1836  
2. Col. Geo. Stillman, born Westerly, R.I. May 19, 1739. Died June 15, 1817, Westerly, R.I. 
3. Shubael Preston, probably of R.I. I haven’t the dates at hand. 
If there is any charge for this kindly let me know. Thanking you for the trouble, I am 
Yours truly 
Ruth A. Rogers 
Alfred, N. Y.
Page 15

Headquarters Medal of Honor Legion of the United States of America 
P. DELACY, COMMANDER
[stamp with medal] ARMY
[stamp with medal] NAVY
S. B. HORNE. SENIOR VICE COMMANDER WINSTED, CONN. 
WILLIAM SEACH. JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER BOSTON, MASS. 
NOBLE D. PRESTON, QUARTERMASTER, 2312 POPLAR ST. PHILADELPHIA PA.
REV DR. WILLIAM HUBBELL, CHAPLAIN, 31 BIBLE HOUSE, ASTOR PLACE, NEW YORK CITY
JOHN C. HUNTERSON, ADJUTANT 311 WHARTON ST. PHILA, PA. 
WALTER THORN, JUDGE ADVOCATE 371 FULTON ST. BROOKLYN, N. Y. 
CHARLES H. HOUGHTON, INSPECTOR NEWARK, NEW JERSEY 
GABRIEL GRANT, M. D. SURGEON IN CHIEF NEW YORK CITY 
ST. CLAIR A. MULHOLLAND, HISTORIAN PHILADELPHIA, PA. 
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 
M. EMMET URELL, CHAIRMAN CARE WAR DEPT. WASHINGTON, D. C. 
J. MADISON DRAKE. 116 JEFFERSON AVE, ELIZABETH, N. J. 
P. J. KYLE, 6 MT. VERNON ST. CHARLESTOWN, MASS. 
BENJAMIN B. LEVY. 2365 7TH AVE, NEW YORK CITY, 
GERALD E. CRONIN, 2d CLASS, 666 PARK PLACE. BROOKLYN, NEW YORK. 
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER 
PHILADELPHIA, PA. April 22, 1907, 
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: 
I would respectfully request transcripts of the records of Shubel Preston and Jacob Preston, both Revolutionary War pensioners.  
Yours respectfully, 
N. D. Preston 
N. D. PRESTON, 
Q. M. Medal of Honor Legion. 
Poplar Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 
To be referred to Capt Kelly for his Signature
[stamp] DEPUTY COMMISSIONER APR 23 1907
Page 16

OFFICE OF D. S. HIRSHBERG, Superintendent. 
TRUSTEES: E. M. PRESTON, NEVADA CITY. 
L. J. MADDUX, MODESTO. 
DR. F. D. TYRRELL, SACRAMENTO 
[stamp] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES APR 2 1898
PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY. 
Of the State of California
All freight and express should be sent to Ione, Amador Co., Cal; only mail to Waterman, Cal.
Nevada City CALIF, March 25 1898 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington 
Dear Sir: 
Mr. Shubal Preston  of Homer, Cortland County, New York was a Revolutionary War pensioner in 1833. He served in the Connecticut troops organized at Ashford,  Windham County Conn.  
I wish to secure a copy of his military record which is on file in the Pension office. If you will kindly forward me a copy of the record with a bill for the usual free I will I will send you a draft for the fees.  
Asking that you kindly favor me in particular I Ann this Very respectfully to Yours 
P.M. Preston,
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE MAR 31 1898
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION 3-525
AWF
S. 14230
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington D. C. , 192 -
In reply to your request of –  for the history of    Shubael Preston a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, the following is taken from the soldier’s claim for pension.  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  June 1776   LENGTH OF SERVICE  6 mos  RANK.  Pvt   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Reuben Marcy, Colonel John Chester  STATE.   Conn
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT  July 4, 1777  LENGTH OF SERVICE  2 mos    RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.   Captain Caleb Hendee, Colonel Gallup  STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   1778  LENGTH OF SERVICE  1 yr. RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain Squire Hill, Colonel Samuel McClellan  STATE. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   Jan 1779 to LENGTH OF SERVICE  June 1779    RANK. stood as Minute Man   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  STATE. 
Battles engaged in,  None stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Ashford, Windham, Conn
Date of application for pension,  Sept 26, 1832, His claim allowed.
Residence at date of application,  Homer, Cortland Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application,  Born Nov 20, 1758, Ashford Conn.
Remarks  No family data on file.
Very respectfully
Commissioner
Page 18

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME  Preston, Stephen     GRADE   Private   LINE   Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER  11586  ACREAGE  100   ISSUED   February 1, 1790, to – not shown
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives