Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 17,837, for Caleb Smith, Connecticut
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SERVICE Conn Conn Sea Service
Smith, Caleb Sarah
NUMBER W. 17837
CONTENTS rls. of East Haven, New Haven Co. he was lost at sea about Oct 1810
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2376 Sarah Smith widow of Caleb Smith, Conn
who was a pensioner under the Act of __
And who died in the October 1810
of N. Haven in the State of Connecticut
Who was a Pri and Marine in the Compy commanded by Captain Douglass of the Regt. commanded by __ in the Conn. line for 13 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of Apl ‘39, and sent and Bela Farnham E. Haven, Con.
Arrears to the 4th of March $129.99
Semi-annual allowance ending [$] 21.66
$151.65
Act July 7, 1838.
Recorded by R. Burden Clerk, Book A Vol. 1 Page 208
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502 Sarah Smith widow of Caleb Con.
Act 7 July 38 5 years Married in 1782
admd 7 mo. Pri 6 m Marine 13 mo $43.33/100
Bela Farnham E. Haven Con.
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STATE OF CONNECTICUT, NEW HAVEN COUNTY: COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE. SS
I, Jno Beach, Clerk of the County Court, within and for said County, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commissions of Justices of Peace, within and for said County, hereby certify that Bela Farnham Esq. is a JUSTICE OF PEACE within and for the said County, duly appointed Commissioned and sworn, with power to administer oaths and take the acknowledgment of Deeds: that his Commission is dated the 28th day of May A.D. 1838, and will expire on the twentieth day of June, A. D. 1839. That I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of said Court, this 18th day of August A.D. 1838 Jno Beach Clerk.
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State of Connecticut New Haven County ss
On this 18th day of August 1838 personally appeared before the Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the Probate District of New Haven, Sarah Smith, a resident of the Town of East Haven County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, aged 79 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 7, 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Caleb Smith of said East Haven, who was a Soldier and a Marine in the war of the Revolution, that according to her belief, he enlisted as a private in the State Service in a Company under the command of Capt William Douglass, for the term of seven months in the month of April 1777, that he went with said Company to Crown point and to Lake George, was attached to Col. Waterburys Regment, and was employed a considerable part of the time as waiter to Capt Douglass, and continued in service before his return eight months.
That in the month of January 1778, he entered as a Marine on board of the Armed Ship called the Oliver Cromwell, owned and equiped [equipped] by the by the State of Connecticut, and commanded by Captain Timothy Parker, sailed from Boston the fore part of March, following on a cruis [cruise] against the enemy, went to the West indes [Indies], captured two or more Ships from the enemy, and returned to New London in September, following a term of time of eight months.
She further says that she knows of no Documentary evidence to refer to, and must depend on the depositions herewith accompanying this declaration.
She further declares that she was married to the said Caleb Smith on the tenth day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty two, and that her husband the aforesaid Caleb Smith sailed from the harbour of New Haven on or about the 29th day of September 1810, as
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Commander of a vessel laden with live stock bound to the westines [West Indies], having on board his only son and a crew of young men, and that it is well known that there was a severe Gale of Wind the fore part of October following, it has been ever sence [since] believed that he was lost in said Gale, as said Vessel or Crew has never since been heard from, it has been believed by the report of survivors, from the loss of other vessels at the time, that he the said Caleb Smith with his crew and vessel was lost on the 7th day of said October.
She was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January one thousand seven hundred and ninety four, at the time above stated. The words "he" and “year" were interligned [inserted] before signing.
[signed] Sarah Smith
Sworn to, and subscribed before me, the day and date before written, Nathaniel R Clark, Judge of Probate for the District of New Haven
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss
I Jno Beach Clerk of the Court of Probate in & for the District of New Haven in said County, hereby certify that Nathaniel R. Clark is Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the District of New Haven, and that the above is genuine official signature. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of Court this 18 day of August 1838 Jno Beach Clerk
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This may certify that on the Book of the Church records of the Congregational Church of North Branford, in New Haven County and State of Connecticut, in the hand writing of the Revd Samuel Elles, then Pastor of said Church, is the following entry, “October 10 1782 Caleb Smith and Sarah Russel were married.” John D. Baldwin Pastor of said Church aforesaid
I, John D Baldwin above named, Depose and say that I hold the office of Pastor and keeper of records of the Congregational Church in said North Branford, and that the above is a true copy of the records of said Marriage. Certified by me John D. Baldwin Pastor of the aforesaid Church
North Branford August 13th 1838 Sworn and subscribed the day and year above before me Bela Farnham Just. of Peace
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I Edmond Morris of Branford in New Haven County and State of Connecticut, aged 79 years, Depose and say, that I entered as a Marine on board of the Ship called Oliver Cromwell, owned and equiped [equipped] by the State of Connecticut, and then under the command of Capt Timothy Parker, and was employed against the Enemy in the war of the Revolution.
that I went on board of said Ship at Boston in the first part of January 1778, said Ship having been repaired at Boston, that we sailed on a cruise the forepart of March following, and cruised among the West India Islands, Captured two ships from the enemy, and returned to New London in said State in September following, a term of eight months or more.
And I well remember that Caleb Smith, of East Haven in said County of New Haven, served as a Marine on board of said ship during said cruise, and continued in service, according to my recollection, as long as I did. The word “Edmond" was altered before signing.
[signed] Edmond Morris
State of Connecticut New Haven County SS Branford
On this 13th day of August 1838 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the peace for the County of New Haven, Edmond Morris, the signer of the foregoing Deposition, and who is known to me as a credible person, and made oath to the truth of the same. Bela Farnham Justice of peace
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I Soloman Talmage of North Branford in New Haven County State of Connecticut, aged 84 years, Depose and say that in the month of April 1775, I enlisted as a private in the State Service in the war of the Revolution, in a Company under the command of Capt William Douglass, and marched to the Northward, was attached to Col Waterbury’s Regiment in Genl Wooster’s Brigade, was at Lake George and Crown point, and continued in service a of term of eight months.
And I am knowing that Caleb Smith of East Haven in said County was a Soldier in said Company, and served as weighter [waiter] to said Capt Douglass, and continued in service the whole time.
[signed] Solomon Talmage
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss North Branford
On this 13th day of August 1838 personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Solomon Talmage, signer of the foregoing Deposition, and who is well known to me for credibility, and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the same. Bela Farnham Just. of Peace
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I Stephen Smith of the Town of North Branford in New Haven County and State of Connecticut, aged 87 years, depose and say that I served as a private in the State Service in the war of the revolution at various times,
that in the month of May 1777, I entered as a hand on board of the Ship Oliver Cromwell, of twenty guns, owned and fitted by said State, and commanded by Seth Hander, sailed from New London, and was employed on board of said ship about five months, and arrived at Boston, and ship was repaired, and went to Sea another voige [voyage].
And I well remember Caleb Smith. A Brother of mine went in said Ship the next voy’ge [voyage] after I did, and was gone on the West Indies, Station a period of time, according to my recollection, nearly on quite six months.
And I well remember that he went to the Northward, in Capt Douglass’ Company in the year 1778, and was gone seven or eight months. That he became sick, and I went up with a horse late in the season and helped him home.
[signed] Stephen Smith
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss North Branford
On this 13th day of August 1838, personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Stephen Smith, who is well known to me for credibility, and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed, to Bela Farnham Just. of Peace
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I Enos Hemingway of East Haven in New Haven County and State of Connecticut, aged 82, Depose and say that in the month of April 1775, I enlisted as a Soldier in the State service in the war of the revolution, in a Company under Capt William Douglass, and went to Crown point and Lake George, was present at the taking of St Johns, and was attached to Col. Waterbury's Regiment. The enlistment was for seven months, but was about eight months before I returned.
And I am knowing that Caleb Smith was a Soldier in said Company, and served, according to my belief, the full time that I did. I further say that the said Caleb Smith sailed as Master of a vessel from New Haven, in the fall of the year 1810, and that he has not since been heard from, but was believed to have been lost in a gale of wind.
And that Sarah Smith his widow is now residing in this town, not having been married since his decease.
[signed] Enos Hemingway
State of Connecticut New Haven County ss East Haven
On this 16th day of August 1838, personally appeared before the Subscriber, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Enos Hemingway, who is well known to me as a credible witness, and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed to Bela Farnham Justice of Peace
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East Haven August 18th 1838
Sir In the application of Sarah Smith, the widow of Caleb Smith, I am satisfied that the Copy of the record of Marriage is correct, as I examined the record to be satisfied thereof. And am knowing of the time and circumstances of his going to sea and of his supposed loss. And the widow remains unmarried and always sustained a reputable character.
As respects the service, we have procured the best, and as is thought the only, evidence that we know of, and from the known reputation of the deponent, and the widow and her family have no reason to doubt the correctness of the application.
Yours respectfully Bela Farnham Agent
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions
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Comptrollers Office Hartford Connt Oct 8 1838
I certify that on examination in reference to the Services of the Ship Olivr. Cromwell, I find at a meeting of the Council of Safety dated Jany 13, 1778, the following record, “Voted to draw on the Committee of the Pay Table in favour of John Smith Lieut of the Ship Olivr. Cromwell in the Service of this State for the sum of £ 150 0 0 Lawful Money to be by him improved in paying the wages of the men he has enlisted, and may enlist, to serve on board said Ship.”
Again Jany 15 1778, "Voted that Lieut Day be and is hereby appointed Capt of Marines on board the Ship Olivr. Cromwell belonging to this State.” Henry Kilbourn Comp.
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East Haven Oct 11th 1838
Sir In further support of the Claim of Sarah Smith widow of Caleb Smith deceased, I send you the Certificate of the Comptroller relating to the Ship Oliver Cromwell, as being a State Ship, also the service of Capt Douglass in 1775, which with the former testimony, it is believed to be all that is known with respect to the service of the deceased. Respectfully yours Bela Farnham
To. J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions
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[This document is illegible]
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Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 17837 Sarah Smith Wid. of Caleb Smith Priv. & Marine Rev War
Act: July 7, 1838. Index:—Vol. M, Page 223 Arrangement of 1870.
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Comptrollers Office Hartford Connt. Oct 8 1838
I certify that in reference to the Services of Capt Wm Douglass in the War of the Revolution, I find the following entry on Pay Table Book, “May 26 1775 Capt Wm Douglass Dr. to order on Treas. on account your company Genl Woosters Regt £ 516. 0. 0. July 5 1775, ditto your Cr. £ 60. Nov. 1775, ditto Genl Woosters Regt. £ 62. 8. Apl. 11th 1776. To order on Treas. £ 1200. 9. 2. Apl 11 1776, Cr. By your accnt rendered Genl Woosters Regt £ 1832. 17. 2.”
No Pay Roll of Capt Wm Douglass can be found in this Office, being recorded among the missing with 7 others for the year 1775. Henry Kilbourn Comp.