Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5806, for Aaron Keeler, Connecticut
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SECTION                                         NUMBER
 Conn.           Keeler, Aaron             R. 5806
                                 Chloe
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      Declaration
State of New York
County of Cayuga}SS
            On this 21st day of October 1854,
personally appeared before me, the Judge of the County Court of Cayuga County aforsaid, Chloe Keeler, a resident of the Town of Skaneateles, in the County of Onondaga, aged 84 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 29th 1848; That she is the widow of Aaron Keeler, who was, she believes, a Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and Ensign, in the 8th Connecticut Regt., commanded by Col. Isaac Sherman in the Revolutionary war, and that he served she believes over five years in various times during said war,   She further declares that she was married to the said Aaron Keeler, on the 15th day of December 1794.  That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place prior to the 2nd of January 1800.  Viz, at the time afore stated, She further swears that she is now a widow,
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and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband the said Aaron Keeler, which took place on the 7th day of August 1851.  That she has never before made a Declaration for a pension, but believes that the case was not completed, and that her application was never presented to the Penson Department, or if it was, that she has never known of its having been as presented.   
     (And she makes this declaration also for the purpose of obtaining whatever she may be entitled to on account of the pension to which her said husband was entitled to under the Acts of May 15th 1828, and June 7th 1832, but died without receiving.)
   That her said husband died at Skaneateles aforesaid at the time hereinbefore mentioned soon after having made application for a pension, but never received any.
                                                  her
                                      Chloe    X     Keeler
                                                mark
   Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year first hereinbefore written. And I hereby certify that I am satisfied that she is the person she represents herself to be, And that I am not interested not concerned in the result of this case or its [illegible].
              [Signed] Geo. Humphreys
                            County Judge of
                            Cayuga County.
Attest as to declarants signatures
                                  George Humphreys
                                  Harriet Nye
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   POWER OF ATTORNEY AND CERTFICATE.

Know all men by these presents, That I, Chloe Keeler of the County of Onondaga and State of New York and appoint H.H. Bostwick, of Auburn, N. Y., my true and lawful attorney, irrevocable, for me and in my behalf, to prosecute my claim for whatever pension benefits I may be entitled to as the widow of Aaron Keeler deceased, on account of his services in the Revolutionary war
and to receive such Certificate as may be issued, and to appoint one or more attorneys under him for the purpose aforesaid, hereby revoking any power of attorney which may have been heretofore given,  and confirming all things that my attorney, the said H.H. Bostwick, may lawfully do in the premises.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of October A.D. 1854
Geo. Humpreys}                      her
                                     Chloe   X   Keeler
                                               mark

Acknowledged before me the day and year last above written.  And I certify that I am not interested or concerned in the prosecution or result of this case.    
   [Signed]  Geo. Humpreys,
                   County Judge of Cuyuga County
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State of New York
Cayuga County Clerk's Office.}
  I hereby certify that Geo. Humphreys, before whom the annexed Deposition or Declaration & acknowledgement was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Judge in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected and authorized to take the same,  and that the signature thereto purporting to be his, are genuine.
      IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of said county, and of the Court of Record thereof, this 23rd day of October 1854   And I further certify that I am not interested or concerned in the prosecution or result of this case.
   [Signed]   E.B. Marvin
                  County Clerk, of Cayuga County NY
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                                      State of Connecticut
                                      Comptrollers Office
                                      Hartford Oct. 14th 1854
I certify that an application for evidence of service of Aaron Keeler [name underlined] in the war of the Revolution I have examined the document remaining in this office, and find the name of Aaron Keeler[name underlined] on a Pay Roll under the following heading, viz,  "Settlement with the 8th Connecticut Regt. Isaac Sherman Esq. Colonel before January 1780." where the said Keeler [name underlined] is credited with service as a Sergeant [last three words underlined] from April 21st 1797 to Jany 1st 1780 -2 years 8 mos 10 days  [both dates and total are underlined]    
In another settlement with Col. Shermans Regiment "for the year 1870", I also find the name of Aaron Keeler [name underlined] where he is credited with services as a Sergt. M. [rank underlined] from Jany. 1st to April 21st, 3 mos, 21 days, [date and total underlined], and as an Ensign [underlined]from April 22nd to Dec 31st 1791 - 8 mos. 9 days [date and total underlined]
    [Signed] John Dunham, Comptroller
                  by Geo. Robinson CLerk
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        37702
  Aaron Keeler
          NY
  Act 7 June 1832

Rejected  was but 12
years old when he said 
he entered the service
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State of New York
County of Onondaga} Js
On this twenty seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before me Freeborn G. Jewett Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York ------------Aaron Keeler resident of the town of Skaneateles, County and State aforesaid, aged Eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the Seventh One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, - that he was born on the thirty first day of August one thousand seven hundred and sixty four in the town of Norwalk County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut  - that he entered the service of the United States under Captain David Olmstead in the town of Norwalk in the State of Connecticut in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, the day and month in which he so entered the said service he cannot now recollect by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory, - that the Company in which he served was a Militia Company, - that he was ordered [illegible] by said Captain Olmstead and served six months at Norwalk in the State of Connecticut, - that shortly after the said term of service he volunteered for six months service in
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an Artillery company organized for the defense of that part of the State of Connecticut in and about Norwalk - that the said Artillery company was commanded by Captain Ebenezer Whitney and that he served in said Artillery company for the full term of Six months - that he served both of the aforementioned terms of service in or near Norwalk in said State of Connecticut - that at the time of entering the said companies he lived in the town of Norwalk; county of Fairfield - and State of Connecticut - that the highest officer under whom he served during wither the said terms of Service was that of Captain - that he had no record of his age nor any documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no person living whore testimony he can procure who can testify to his services - that he never received a written discharge from said services for the reason that it was not customary among the State troops and Militia where he served to do so.  He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the Agency of any State.
            [Signed] Aaron Keeler]
Subsribed and sworn before me this
22nd day of October 1849
Freedom G, Jewett Chief Judge of the
Court of Appeals of the State of New York
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State of New York
Onondaga County Js  Freeborn G. Jewett Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York do hereby certify and declare, after investigation of the matter that I am of the opinion that the above named applicant Aaron Keeler was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and that for some time past, he has been and at this time remains unable to appear in open Court - Dated October 22d 1849
    [Signed]  Freeborn G. Jewett
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals
     of this State of New York

State of New York
Onondaga County Js  On this 22d day of October one thousand eight hundred & forty nine personally appeared before me Freeborn G. Jewett Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals in the State of New York residing at Skaneateles, in the County & State aforesaid Chester Parsons a resident of the town of Skaneateles County & State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to Law deposes and says that he is of the age of fifty eight years, that he is well acquainted with Aaron Keeler a resident of the town of Skaneateles aforesaid, that he knows him to be a person of good moral character, whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that the deponent concurs in that opinion -
    [Signed]  Chester Parsons
Subscribed and sworn
to this day and year above
written before me - 
Freeborn G. Jewett
Chief Judge of the Court of
Appeals of the State of New York
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State of New York
Onondaga County Js   On this 22d day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before me Freeman G. Jewett Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New York residing at Skaneateles in the County and State aforesaid Charles Pardu a resident of the town of Skaneateles, County and State aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to Law deposes and says that he is of the age of forty nine years, that he is well acquainted with Aaron Keeler a resident of the town of Skaneateles aforesaid - that he is known to him to be a person of good moral character whose statements are entitled to full credit and belief that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that deponent concurs in that opinion -
     [Signed]  C. Pardee
Subscribed & sworn this day and year
above written - before me
Freeborn G. Jewett
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals
of the State of New York
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         UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
                             BY
                HAMILTON FISH,
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

It is hereby certified that Freeborn G. Jewett before whom the annesed (annexed) affidavits were made on the 22nd day of October 1849  Chief Justice of Appeals of the State duly Elected and sworn and residing at Skaneateles in the county of Onondaga in this state: That the signature "Freeborn G. Jewett" to the Jurat of each of the said affidavits, and to the certificate relative to Aaron Keeler, is the proper hand writing of the Said Chief Justice and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts -

In Testimony Whereof, the Great Seal of the State is hereunto affixed.  Witness my hand, at the City of Albany, the Twenty fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine
     [Signed]  Hamilton Fish
Passed the Secretary's Office, the
25th day of October 1849.}
  [Signed] Arch Campbell Dep. Sec of State
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                 No 37702
               Aaron Keeler
                       NY
Letter Henry D. Barron 24th Nov 1849
    " to Same  Dec 1st/49
Let. to Hon N. Evans  Jany 29
  1850 with copies to _______
                 Rejected
let D.D. Benedict July 16,'51
      same        Nov 5/51

   Act of June 1832
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                 No 1386
    Chloe Keeler widow
of Aaron.
                New York.

H.H. Bostwick 27 Oct. 1854.
                  5806
 Rejected
Aaron claims to have
served when only twelve years old.

Act 29th July 1848.
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                            5806

P.O. ................................................
                     Chloe Keeler
Service: ........................................
Enlisted:      Rejected
Discharged: ...............................

Application filed: .....................

Alleges: ........................................
.........................................................
Reenlisted: ..................................
..........................................................
Attorney: ......................................
P.O. ................................................
..........................................................
..........Recognized.  .........Contract.
.....Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ....... 18...
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Letter to J. L. Edwards
Page 17

Auburn, New York, October 26th 1849.
To the Hon. Com. of Pensions -
   Sir - Inclosed (enclosed) are the requisite papers to sustain the claim of Aaron Keeler, a private Soldier of the Revolution to a Pension from the Government of the United States. 
We claim the Pension under the Act of June the Seventh, one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two, and in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down by the Hon. Secretary of War, on the twenty seventh day of June, one thousand Eight hundred and Thirty two.

    Papers in relation to the matter you will please direct to me at this place.
                   Respectfully yours,
    [Signed]  Henry D. Barron,
            Attorny [sic] of Aaron Keeler.
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    Auburn, N.Y. November 27th 1849.
   Hon. J. L. Edwards
            Sir - Your decision upon the case of Aaron Keeler has been received.  Will you inform me what was the youngest age of persons allowed [last word underlined] to do military duty in the war of the Revolution.
                         Respectfully yours,
         [Signed]     Henry D. Barron
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                   Jany 7/50

     Let these papers
     be copied to-day
               JLE
              29 Jan 50
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                   House Reps 28th Jany 1850 -
Col. J. L. Edwards
        Comr. of Pensions
                         Dr Sir
                                    Towo or three days since
I addressed a note to you asking to have the papers connected with the application of
Aaron Keeler enclosed to me or to the Clerk
of the house - to be used in considering his
petition for a pension referred to the Com. on Revolutionary pensions of which I am a member & as such member have deferred to me the said
petition -  May I ask that those papers be sent in without delay -
                    Your obt Servt
                      [Signed]  N. Evans

Permit me as Chairman of the Com. on Revolutionary pensions to write in the request that the papers named be sent in without delay -
                    [Signed]  Loren P. Waldo
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Com of Pensions
Nov. 24, 1849.
Keelers [illegible word]
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                                  Pension Office,
                         November 24th 1849
Sir:   
 The application of Aaron Keeler, for a pension under the Act of 7th June 1932, has been examined, and his papers have been placed on our files.
   I appears from his own statement that he was in 1776, at the time he alleges he entered the service, but twelve years old. Boys of that age are not required to do Military duty, nor are they capable of military service. Under such circumstances as he has furnished, no evidence whatever in support of his application, his claim cannot be allowed, and is therefore rejected.
               Very Respectfully,
                       Your obt Svt
                    [Signed] J. L. Edwards


Henry D. Barron, Esq
            Auburn,
                     N.Y.
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                            Auburn NY, Oct 21st 1854
Hon LP Waldo.
Com of Pensions,
            Dear Sir,
                                Herewith I send a power of Attorney and Certificate in the case of Aaron Keeler.
    Mr. Aaron Keeler, the person in question applied or a pension some years since, I think in the year 1850, and his claim was rejected n account of his having been under age when he served, and he soon after died.  His widow is still living and desires me to present her claim for a pension, and for what she claims to have been justly his [word underlined] due, from 1831 to the date of his death in 1851, but which he died without receiving.  It appears rom the Certificate that he was "enrolled in a regular organized body" and performed military service for over five years, which would, according to the decision of the Office, entitle
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him, to a pension though under age when the service was performed.
   He was born in the year 1764, And resided in the Town of Norwalk, Fairfield Co Ct, when he entered the service.
   The marriage took place on the 15th Dec 1794,
   I rust the case will be reconsidered, and allowed upon such proofs as may be necessary as to the identity of his widow, the marriage, and his death,
   Please let me hear from you upon the subject soon.
                  Yours truly
                  [Signed] HH Bostwick

PS.  I Also send the Declaration of Chloe Keeler, Widow of said Aaron Keeler, and will
forward the proofs of marriage & death as
soon as completed.                         HHB
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   Auburn NY  August 6th 1851
Hon.
   Sir, in your letter of July 16th in relation to the pension claim of Aaron Keeler you say that if he served as he states, the Records of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut should show that he did so serve - now Sir  it is impossible for me to reconcile that assertion on your part with a Statement, made in a Circular issued at the pension office June 27 in the year 1832 which reads as follows "There are in the department no Rolls of the State Troops, except those of Virginia; and no Rolls of the Militia, except those of New Hampshire
      Applicants who served in the State Troops of Virginia, and applicants who served in the Militia of New Hampshire will be required to produce the same proof as prescribed for those who served upon the Continental Establishment -      But, with respect to the other State Troops and Militia, there is no record to advert to, and no presumption to be rebutted" [all words from 'But' have been underlined]    the  Circular to which I have referred then proceeds to show how a Militia man or a volunteer must proceed to prosecute his Claim - and these directions have been complied with on the part of Aaron Keeler, but if any omission has been made on our part we are most willing to
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bring these things into such a shape that we can, both here and at the pension department have a full and fair standing of the facts in the case - I learn from the Circular just alluded to that it is not the intent of Makers of the pension act, of June 7th 1832 that every claimant for a pension under that act, who claims to have served in the Militia, or volunteers, in the United States in the time of the Revolution Should prove positively by a living witness that he did serve - nor yet, did those law Makers intend that he should be obliged to produce Record evidence of his service for if they did so intend whey would not have been so careful to tell the claimants that there are no Rolls in existence from which the Militia or Volunteers of every State (except Virginia and New Hampshire) can produce Record evidence of their Service and further if the law makers of this Country intended that every volunteer and Militia man could produce either a living witness wo could testify to his services or some documentary evidence Of Records from the State department of the State where Said Soldier served (which last by the way the pension department have taken much pains to show to us do not exist) why does the same Circular just alluded to read as follows, "To require from the applicants positive proof of Service from
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a temporary Survivor, would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the law. And as no presumption is raised against the militia by the existence of Rolls in the Department there is no good why this requisition should be extended to them"  [all words from 'And as' are underlined]   The pension Department then in Said Circular and in the printed pension laws now in force proceed to to show to such applicants in what way to proceed to establish their Claims to a pension - Aaron Keeler has followed the directions laid down in that Circular, and in the printed pension laws of the United States, he had made his Declaration under oath in the Manner prescribed by law, he has proved his character for truthfulness by two witnesses and also by these witnesses proved that Mr. Aaron Keeler is reputed and believed in the vicinity where he resides to be a soldier of the Revolution and further than that, the first Judge of of [sic] the Court of Appeals for the State of New York Signs a Certifficate [sic] Saying to the pension department, that after a fair investigation of those matters he believes that Said Aaron Keeler, is a Soldier of the Revolution, and Served as he states Aaron Keeler did at the time of his application make all the proof required by law in such  cases, that is, if our
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pension laws contain any meaning, he did produce the two witnesses required by law to prove his character as to truth and also to the general belief as to whether Aaron Keeler was a Soldier of the Revolution - He could at that time or now produce one hundred witnesses to these facts if the same was necessary - in a few days I shall send you four more affidavits in order to strengthen what has already been sent to you in that case, and if when you get them you still wish more evidence to establish Said Claim you will  please inform me so
         Respectfully yours
                 [Signed] Daniel DT Benedict
Page 29

L28                               April 29 -1857
                       Auburn N.Y.
                                     April 25/57
Daniel D. T. Benedict
appeals from the decision
of the late [word underlined] Comr of Pensions
in the case of Aaron
Keeler for Revolutionary
Pension etc.

Cap Triplett

Referred to Comr of Pensions
for reexamination
Dept Into
   Apl 28/57
Page 30

    Auburn NY  April 25th 1851
Hon.
    Sir   I herewith enclose to you a Report of the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions on the Claim of Aaron Keeler a Claimant fora Revolutionary pension this claim as you will see was Rejected on the ground that, Aaron Keeler was to [sic] young to do military duty at the time that he aid to have done the same - The Hon. Commissioner further states that in his Report on this case that Aaron Keeler has not furnished any evidence [word underlined]  in his case -- Now in the first place as to Mr. Keeler's age, if he was but twelve years of age at the time of his service he, being a volunteer [word underlined] and continuing in actual service for the time required by law [last three words underlined] Should be allowed the same pension pay or bounty as a man would for the same amount of service - The Hon. Commissioner would seem to say by his decision in this case that boys of that age are never secured in the service of their country in the Army but the contrary to this happens to be the fact that there are now and have ever been since the formation of this Government boys in the United States Army under the age of twelve years who were as much
Page 31

Bound to do military duty as any man in Said Army - In the Second place as it regards evidence of the service of Aaron Keeler I would say that he has now on file at the pension office, all the proof required by law - was as much as every word and sylable [sic]  of the regulations under act of June 7, 1832 id complied with by him and further I know that it is known at the Department of the Interior and also throughout the entire nation that every statement made in Aaron Keelers declaration as related to the incident of the time and place of his service are corroborated by the known history of those times and more particularly by that history as known by military men - after diligent search it is found by the most scrutinizing observers that the statements made by Mr. Keeler concerning his commanding Officer as also in relation to the nature of his and his company's service [last five words underlined] are exactly in keeping with the history of that time and place and it is also shown by the Records of that time and place as now to be found in the comptrollers office of the State of Connecticut that there was such a company as Mr Keeler
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declares he served in, in service at that time and place acting as Sea Fencibles against the enemy and you know that it is a matter of History that most of those Guards that did great service to the country at that time by defending the Sea Coast against the ravages of the enemy's invasions were composed of old men and boys and their service was any the less valuable on that account   History has failed to inform us of that fact - therefore from this decision I most respectfully appeal to you hoping that you will decide the case according to the law and the facts
     Yours with Respect
      [Signed]  Daniel D T Benedict

Hon. Alex N N Stuart
   Secretary of the Interior
Page 33

Know all Men by these Presents, That, I, Chloe Keeler of Skaneateles Onondaga Co N.Y. do hereby constitute and appoint George C. Ames of Washington D.C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of Aaron Keeler deceased of N.Y. for an amount of Pension due him at his decease

and I hereby authorize my said agent and attorney to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or else where additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the certificate that may be issued for said claim, to appoint one or more substitute for the purpose herein expressed, to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present;  hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said agent and attorney shall lawfully do in the premises.
  And I hereby revoke all other agents and attorneys heretofore appointed by me.
Witness my hand and seal this 26th day of February 1853
                  [Signed]                   her
                                       Chloe   X   Keeler
                                                 mark
Signed and delivered
in presence of}
2{  W.H. Jewett
     C Pardee

State of New York
Onondaga County} SS
   BE IT KNOWN that on the 26th day of February 1852 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Chloe Keeler - above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be her act and deed.
   IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year last above mentioned.
     [Signed]  W. H. Jewett a
                     Justice of the Peace
                     in & for the County
                        of Onondaga
Page 34

State of New York
Onondaga County} SS

    Be it known that on this 26th day of February 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county, and state aforesaid, personally appeared Chloe Keeler of Skaneateles county  of Onondaga and state of New York and made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of Aaron Keeler deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier & made an application for a Pension under Act of June 7th 1832 & whose Application was Suspended or Rejected

That she has lately been informed that said pension ought to be allowed, that She is directly interested in said claim as his Widow   That She makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said agent or attorney may use in prosecuting such claim.
     [Signed}                   her
                       Chloe      X       Keeler
                                    mark

Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid before me}
W.H. Jewett
C Pardee

I W.H. Jewett a Justice of the Peace, in and for aid County, do hereby certify, that Chloe Keeler who executed the foregoing papers, is a reputable resident of the county of Onondaga and I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
    [Signed]  W.H. Jewett a
                   Justice of the Peace in
                    Onondaga County
Page 35

STATE OF NEW YORK
ONONDAGA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE} SS.
I Certify, That Wm H Jewett
whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the annexed instrument, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly qualified and authorized to take the same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe the signature to said Jurat is genuine.
   In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, at Syracuse this 12th day of March 1853.
       [Signed]  Barnard Slocum Clerk.