Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8432, for Samuel Pratt, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Privateer
Pratt, Samuel
NUMBER  R. 8432
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Samuel Pratt
No. 2901
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I Philo Stoddard of Middletown in the County of Rutland of lawful age testify and says that he the year 1776 or 1777 was acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration,  he then belonged to the revolutionary army and I think he belonged to Col Durgees [Durkee’s]  Regt or Col. Wyllys Regt and it is my impression that he was an 8 months man, whether it was at White plains or Peekskill that knew him I cannot tell, but think it was at  Peekskill. I here been acquainted with him ever since the war, and he lived within a few miles of me for the last 32 yrs.  He is now very infirm and his memory almost gone.  
Philo Stoddard
Sworn before me 31 July 1832 & I certify that said Philo Stoddard  is a credible person 
R. Pierpoint Judge of Probate Court 
2d June ’77 In 8 mo
1 Jan 78 Rolls of Durkee
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STATE OF VERMONT, 
RUTLAND COUNTY, SS.} 
On this 31st day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland districts now sitting, Samuel Pratt a resident of the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 76 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 2, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. 
He resided at Hebron Connecticut during the revolutionary war and enlisted into Capt Seeley’s Company Lieut Colo. Phelps & Saml Smith, Ensign Rowe for nine months but his memory is so poor that he cannot recollect the year he enlisted nor the Regiment to which he belonged.  He marched to White plains, and before his time expired he was taken with the Camp distemper and his Father came and carried him home, and he did not recover so as to be able to do duty before his time expired and he did not return.  How long he was with the army he cannot recollect.  
He afterwards enlisted again at Hebron, and served at Peekskill, but how long and under what officers he cannot recollect.  When the  British came into New Haven he was out in the militia two weeks at North Haven, but does not recollect his officers, he afterwards entered as a marine on board the vessel Brigg Dean, Capt. Daniel Scovil, for three months and sailed from New London in the Spring but does not recollect the year, and cruised towards the West Indies, took four prizes (2 Briggs & 2 Sloops)  and brought them into New London.  He was born in Plympton Massachusetts 27 December 1756 and his age is recorded there as he has been told.  He removed from Hebron to Weathersfield Conn and resided there until about 40 years he removed to Vermont and her resided in Wells & Pawlet ever since, he now resides in the latter place,  He is known Mr Daniel Clark & Mr Robert Clark, and other inhabitants of Pawlet.  He does not know of any evidence of his services except what accompanies
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this declaration.  
No Capt Seely
Seth Phelps Lt. Hammon Co.
Ezra Smith Lt. Fitches Co
No Ensign Buel or Hull
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. 
Samuel Pratt
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. R. C. Royce Regr 
We Daniel Clark Clergyman residing in Pawlett and Robert Clark residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 70 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. 
Daniel Clark
Robert Clark
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
R. C. Royce Regr
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 David Clark who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Pawlet and that Robert Clark who has also signed the same, is a resident in Pawlett and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
I Rodney C. Royce Clerk of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Pratt for a Pension & that Robert Pierpoint has signed the certificate on the back in lieu of a Judge of said Court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31 day of July A. D. 1832
R. C. Royce
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I Philo Stoddard of Middletown in the County of Rutland of lawful age testify and says that he the year 1776 or 1777 was acquainted with Samuel Pratt who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, he then belonged to the revolutionary army and I think he belonged to Col Durgees [Durkee’s] Regt or Col. Wyllys Regt and it is my impression that he was an 8 months man, whether it was at White plains or Peekskill that knew him I cannot tell, but think it was at Peekskill. I here been acquainted with him ever since the war, and he lived within a few miles of me for the last 32 yrs. He is now very infirm and his memory almost gone. 
Philo Stoddard 
Sworn before me 31 July 1832 & I certify that said Philo Stoddard is a credible person 
R. Pierpoint Judge of Probate Court 
2d June ’77 In 8 mo 
1 Jan 78 Rolls of Durkee
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Samuel Pratt
Additional Evidence
R. Temple Esqr
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State of New York
Genessee County } ss 
Be it remembered that on the 30th day of May, 1834, before me, Mason G. Smith, a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County appeared James Pratt aged about 67 years, a Revolutionary pensioner, who being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he had a brother by the name of Samuel Pratt, that this deponent and his said brother lived at Hebron, Connecticut, during the revolutionary war, with their father, except while this deponent and his said brother were in service; - that this deponent distinctly recollects that his said brother Samuel was several times engaged in the land service in the Revolutionary Army, but in consequence of this deponents belonging to a different regiment from his brother is unable to state the names of the officers under whom his brother served.  This deponent recollects distinctly that his father went after his brother and brought him home from service, on account of his brother's being sick. This deponent was not at home at the time but heard his father & mother detail the particulars of his journey and sickness. This deponent was in service at the time. This deponent cannot recollect the terms of his brother's service, or their length. His brother has been a cripple for many years on account of a fever sore in his ancle [ankle]; and this deponent has not seen him for many years. This deponent's memory is much impaired by age, but his recollection with regard to his
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brothers being several times engaged in service in the course of the Revolutionary War is very distinct; it was subject of frequent conversation in his father's family. 
James Pratt 
Sworn & Subscribed this 30th day of May 1834 before me  
Mason G. Smith  Commissioner of Deeds. 
I certify that the above named James Pratt is a man of credibility, and that his statement is entitled to belief.   
Mason G. Smith 
Comr of Deeds
State of New York
County of Genesee } ss  I  Timothy Fitch Clerk of the County of Genesee certify that Mason G. Smith before whom the above affidavit purports to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said County duly authorized to take the same and that his signature to the above affidavit and certificate is genuine.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my name and seal of office this Sixth day of June 1834 
Timothy Fitch Clerk 
By R. Pringle Dep Clk
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Perry 9th June 1834 
Sir
The annexed affidavit contains the best recollections of James Pratt with regard to his brother's service; they are imperfect, and do not in any degree elucidate the defective portion of his brother Samuel's Declaration.  
By enquiries made of an intelligent pensioner whose memory is very perfect, and who belonged to Col. Durkee's regt,  I have obtained the following facts, which may be serviceable in the case - Col. Willis [Wyllys] & Col. Durkee's regiments were consolidated, or rather Col. Willis [Wyllys] command was transferred to Col. Durkee and Col. Willis [Wyllys] left the service and returned home; - Captain Seeley, belonged to Col. Willis [Wyllys]  regiment and left the service at the same time that the Regts. were consolidated.  
Lieut. Phelps, went into Capt. McGregor’s company; and Ensign Buell rose to the rank of Capt. in Col. Durkee's regt.  These changes did not take place at once, I suppose; but happened in the course of the service.  
 Yours &c. Mason G. Smith 
R. Temple, Esq.
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No. 2901 
Saml Pratt
Specific req’d 
Notified
Explanatory declaration enclosed
R. Temple
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BRIEF in the case of   Samuel Pratt
of Rutland Co. in the State of  Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?   Probate Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?   76 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period.  Duration of Service.  Rank.  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. 
In 17    enlisted for 9 months, cannot recollect the time, was taken sick before his time expired & did not return to the army, Rank as a Private, Captain Seeley, Cont Troops
Afterwards enlisted but cannot tell how long he served nor under what officers
Was afterwards out 2 weeks.  Afterwards enlisted as a Mariner on board the Armed Brig Dean, Capt Scovil.
5. In what battles was he engaged?   
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   Hebron Conn
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?   Traditionary & Living Witness – No Clergyman
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?   Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. Brown
Examining Clerk
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Mch 22 1904, hist to Mrs. Jno Miller Horton Buffalo N.Y.
8432
Samuel Pratt
REJECTED
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Revolutionary 
Vermont
Samuel Pratt
Suspended
Act June 7 1832
Letter to R. Temple Rutland Vt.
Sept 26, 1833
Same Sept 25 1834
8432
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State of Vermont 
Rutland ss }  
On the 11th day of July 1833, personally came before  the undersigned Authority, Samuel Pratt of said County, he being duly sworn doth on his oath depose & say, in addition to & explanation of his declaration of 31 July 1832, that one of the periods of service mentioned in said declaration was nine months, the other was three months.  He served nine months  the year that Danbury was burnt (1777) under Capt Seeley at White plains & that neighbourhood.  The other three months he served under Capt Wright at Peekskill, and he thinks the three months service was before the 9 months service,  the 9 months service he thinks was in Col. Willis [Wyllys] Regt but is not certain,  the other he has entirely forgotten the name of his Colonel. He further says that from old age & the consequent loss  of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise  length & period of his several  services, but from the best of his recollection he served not less than one year & 14 days as a private of Infantry & for such service he claims a pension.
He further says that he is very poor - has been a cripple for 38 years past & been obliged to go on crutches during that period. that he is entirely destitute of property, & depends on charity for support & consequently unable to travel about to look for proof of his services, but he has made diligent enquiry & can find no person by whom he can prove his services except Philo Stoddard Esq. whom affidavit accompanied his declaration.  
Sworn before me the day & year aforesaid 
R. Temple Just Peace
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Saml Pratt 
Explanatory Declaration 
Mr Pratt was [unreadable] before me with considerable difficulty, he is very lame & infirm in body & mind, but is very positive as to the length of his service altho he has forgotten the names of his officers & the exact times of service.  He is respected by his neighbors to be a very honest man.
R. Temple
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State of Vermont 
I Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of Rutland County Court, do certify, that Robt Temple before whom the  foregoing affidavit was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said County duly commissioned and that his name thereto is in his own hand writing. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said Court this 1 July 1833 
R Pierpoint