Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 7717, for Eber Norton, Connecticut
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn.  Norton, Eber  R 7717
CONTENTS
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REJECTED
7717
P. O.
Eber Norton
Service:
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed: , 18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18








.
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Eber Norton son of Reuben & Hannah Norton was 
born July 5th 1756
A true Copy from the Records of the 
Town of Guilford
Attest Samuel Fowler Town Clerk
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32.957
Eber Norton
Connecticut
rejected letter RD Smith
1 April 1835
at same 27 June 1835
7717
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sealed up by me }
R D Smith Clerk } Nov. 24th 1834
of the Court of Probate }
for the Dist of Guilford }
State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven } ss Guilford
Probate District }
On this 24th day of November AD 1834 personally 
before Samuel Fowler Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for 
the District of Guilford now sitting at the town of Guilford 
within aforesaid District in open Court 
Eber Norton of said Guilford district & residing at said 
town of Guilford in said New Haven County & State of Connecticut 
aged seventy eight 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 7th AD. 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States 
and served under the following officers as herein stated.
I was drafted to join a company of militia commanded by Samuel Fowler as Captain and Thomas 
Powers as Lieutenant and Dan Collins as Ensign
in the beginning of September AD 1776 that on the 
12th day of September 1776 we marched to join our 
regiment which we met at New Haven. It was 
commanded by Col. Worthington & Major Graves 
we were ordered on to York Island. We staid the 
first night at New Haven and then marched 
along the shore of Long Island Sound to West 
Chester and made our next stand at the house 
of John Jay Esq. After staying there some days 
during which the burning of New York took place we moved 
on & went over Kings Bridge so called to York 
Island where we met several other regiments 
which had been drafted to join the Continental 
Army. We there received orders to build a 
bridge across Harlem River. Our company assisted 
in building the bridge. I should think we were two days
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in building it.  I recollect that it was forty 
three rods long & twenty four feet wide it was 
South East from Kings Bridge. At that time the 
enemy were endeavoring to get round us & enclose 
us. They landed at Morrisania Point and moved on to New Rochelle & to White Plains. As the British 
were moving 
on to New Rochelle, Genl. Washington 
gave orders to march over Kings Bridge to West 
Chester and  then to White Plains keeping in advance 
of the enemy. At White Plains we made our 
entrenchments. a breast work as much as half 
a mile long. I should suppose, where we waited 
for the enemy. We went off to White Plains 
from  West Chester in the night and I can also 
recollect that our orders were not to speak 
or make any noise. In the engagements 
at White Plains I was posted on the left 
wing in the entrenchment which extended nearly 
up to the White Plains Court House. The left 
being I think was commanded by Gen. Putnam 
at any rate he arranged us in the lines & gave 
us our orders. I well recollect that while we 
were being placed in our lines that Gen. Putnam 
hearkened to us as he observed some of rather timorous. 
“Boys if there any of you that are not ready & 
willing to stand the fight step right out & go”. 
Gen. MacDougal was on the right and Genl. 
Washington in the center for the action was in 
the right principally. On our [illegible] on which 
MacDougal  was placed – MacDougal was
obliged to retreat back towards us. MacDougal 
found considerable faults because he was not 
reinforced – but Gen Washington later told him that he 
thought it inexpedient for I would bring in a 
general action. After the battle we went on 
to North Castle & staid there only a few days.
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untill the British went down to York Island
we were then discharged. We returned home
about the first of December following
having been out at this time I think eleven weeks-
Timothy Seward of Guilford now living and
a pensioner was and with me during all this service
and was sent mate with me. I have therefore taken
his Deposition in proof of the foregoing service
This is the best proof I am able to offer as I
have lost my discharge which I received at the close
of this service
My next service was at the burning of the
Stores in Danbury in April 1777. I was ordered
out under Capt Samuel Parmeter with the
rest of the militia: another company from before
was commanded by Capt Augustus Calling another
by Capt Noah Lamb they went thereon to [illegible]
went in above & joined my company when the
roll was call'd in the morning at [illegible]. When
we arrived at Fairfield the British were on
the retreat they embarked between Fairfield &
Norwalk near lamps hill so called are then
returned home & were out only 6 days
they received no writing or discharge
but I have taken the Deposition of my brother
Anah Norton now 75 yrs old who lived with
me at that time. This is the best & only testimony
I can obtain to this service
My next service was at the taking of [illegible]
by the British July 4th & 5th 1779 at that
time I went to East Mann under Capt Samuel
Parmeter when all our company were called and
was out two days. I have no other testimony
to this service except the deposition of my brother
which deposition I have taken and affixed hereto
On the first of April 1781 I joined a company of
Guard raised by order of the State for the protection
of the Coast we were enlisted under Capt Peter
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Vail of Guilford - Our Lieut was Timothy
Field and an ensign was Jonathan Todd we were
posted under Sergeants along the coast in
& guards at different places. I recollect that
I was stationed at a station called Bishops
point of Bishop Rocks - we were in service
whenever called for & relieved each other from day
to day sometimes we were and two days at a time
some time while the enemy were in the sound
in sight we were any longer - I was constantly under the
orders of Capt Peter Vail & the other commissioned
officers except for three weeks when I was sent
over to New Haven to assist the guard there I
do not know who the officers were under whom
I was there this was however was a part of the
service under Capt Peter Vail as I was sent
over by him & staid according to his orders -
Capt Peter Vail I well recollect was engaged in a battle with the British in the month of June
1781 (this year) at a station on the Beach of Guilford
on the extreme west end of the town called Leater
Island and it was always supposed that he over
heard himself in that battle so that he went into
a consumption & died soon after. I do not
know who received the pay from the State
to pay off the company the Captain or the Lieut
But it appears by the certificate of the Controller
of the State of Connecticut hereto annexed
that Lieut Timothy Field recd
posted at Guilford during the year 1781
the payment for the guard on Feby 22d 1782
But I have always understood that Capt Vail died
in Jany 1782, so that day would probably be
[illegible] by the Lieut. We were discharged on the
first of January 1782 & were only nine months
I have taken the deposition of Anah Horton
of Guilford and also the depositions of Curtiss
Evans & Timothy Graves both of Madison really under county to this
service which with the certificate of the Controller
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hereto annexed is the best evidence I have been
able to procure in this service
I would further more state that I now &
have always resided at sd [illegible]
born here, that I have procured the certificate
of the town Clerk to my age which is hereto annexed
That I was living in Guilford each time
when
called into the service and always returned there
That I was drafted the first service before service
ordered out the two [illegible] & enlisted the last said
that I always served for myself having never
served as a substitute or employed any
names [illegible] I have heretofore stated are
all that I recollect - That I always served
as a private in the foregoing service - That I
had no discharges or if I had I lost them
soon after Except I have an idea that I received one for my first service 
but I lost it-- long ago -
In addition to Judge Griffin and Rev Mr Dulton
who have signed the certificate hereto signed I would refer to
the Department to Deacon Abraham Chittenden
Abraham Fowler Josiah Munger Timothy Seward
all of this neighborhood to whom I am know
& who can testify as to my character for truth & veracity
& their belief that I am a soldier of the Revolution
As near then as I can recollect from old age &
consequent loss of memory I served in all the time
I served not less than one year as a private
and for such service I claim a pension-
I furthermore hereby relinquish every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present & declare
that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any state whatever
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Eber Norton
Done in Court }
Attest R D Smith Clerk }
of the Court of Probate }
of the District of Guilford
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We Aaron Dutton a Clergyman residing in Guilford
in the County of New Haven and Nathaniel
Griffing residing in sd Guilford hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Mr Eber Norton
of said Guilford who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing Declaration
herewith annex'd-- that we believe him to be
78 years of age that he is reputed & believed
the neighbourhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in the opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Viz. Novr 24th AD 1834 Aaron Dutton
Pastor of a Church in Guilford
Nath Griffing
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed to the War department, that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served  as he states. And the
Court futher Certifies, that it appears to them that the Revnd
Aaron Dutton who has signed the preceeding certificate, is a
Clergyman resident in the Town of Guilford, And that Nathaniel
Griffing Esq a late Judge of County Court for New Haven County who has
also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Guilford, And
is a Credible person, and that their statement is entitled to Credit
Samuel Fowler Judge of the Court
of Probate for District of Guilford
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I Ralph D. Smith Clerk of the Court
of Probate for the District of Guilford in the County
of Newhaven & State of Connecticut do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court of Probate in
the matter of the application of Eber Norton
Guilford District for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
hereto the seal of this Court
of Probate for sd District
of Guilford this 24th day
of November AD 1834
Ralph D Smith Clerk
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Samuel Fowler Judge of Probate
for the District of Guilford
and also Justice of the Peace
Ralph D Smith Clerk of the County
of Probate & Justice of
Peace
State of Connecticut County of New Haven SS. New Haven
Novr 26th 1834. I John Beach Clerk of the County Court, in &
for New Haven County, Certify that Samuel Fowler is & has been
Judge of Probate for the District of Guilford since the 20th
day of June A.D. 1834 and is duly commissioned & sworn
And that Ralph D. Smith, is Clerk of said Court of Probate
and duly sworn into office, And also that the said Samuel
Fowler and Ralph D. Smith are and have been justice
of the Peace since the 6th day of June A.D. 1834, in & for
said New Haven County and are duly commissioned and
Sworn, And that the signatures by them Respectively made
hereto are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the Seal of said County Court
the day & date above written
J Beach Clerk
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I Timothy Seward of Guilford in the
County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of
the age of 49 years having been duly continued
sworn depose & say that I have always resided
at said Guilford & I will recollect that in
1776 I was out in a company of Militia commanded
by Samuel Parmeller or Capt Thomas Powers and viz
and Dan Collins as ensign attached to a regiment
under Col Worthington and Major Graves I recollect
that we went to York Island and afterwards to
White Plains and that we were in the engagement
there-- that Mr Eben Norton of said Guilford was
tent mate with me and that he was out with
me all the time of service untill we were discharged
I recollect that we were out eleven weeks for
which I have already obtained a pension that
our service commenced in September and closed
some time late in the fall or in the beginning of
winter That said Eber Norton now resides & always
has resided at sd Guilford and is the same who
now applies for a pension under the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 and that he is now before me
at the taking of this deposition and further the
deponent saith not
Timothy Seward
New Haven County ss Guilford of Guilford Probate
District & State of Connecticut Nov. 24th AD 1834
Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid
personally appeared Timothy Seward who has subscribed
the foregoing deposition & who is well known to me
as a man of truth & veracity and made solemn
oath to the facts contained in the same before
me Ralph D Smith Justice of the Peace for
sd Guilford County
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Anah Norton of the town of Guilford in
the County of Guilford & State of Connecticut being
of the age of 75 years having been duly continue
& sworn depose & say that I have resided at
sd Guilford for all my life that in the year 1781
I was out on guard in a company of State
Guard commanded by Capt Peter Vail and
Timothy Field Lieutenant and for a then Todd
Ensign that we were out nine months from
April untill January AD 1782 that I well recollect
that my brother Eber Norton was out in this
service and was posted most of the time at
a station of Guilford Beach called Bishops [illegible]
station. I well recollect that Capt Peter Vail
was engaged in a battle at Lutes Island so called
in said Guilford that he over heat himself there
and went into a consumption soon after & died
the next winter so that I do not recollect
who paid off the guard the Captain or Lieutenant
I have always resided in the same place
with my brother Eber Norton who makes application
for a pension under the act of Congress of June 7th
AD 1832 and he is now before me at the taking
of this deposition - I remember my brother was
and part of the time at New Haven to reinforce
the guard then the same year he was out
several weeks at New Haven - was sent over
by Captain Vail. I remember my brother's going
when Danbury stores were burnt to Fairfield &
that he was out several days. I remember my
brother's going to New Haven in 1779 when it was
taken and that he was out two or three days
and further Deponent saith not
Anah Norton
State of Connecticut }
New Haven County } ss Guilford Nov 24th AD 1834
Then personally appeared
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Anah Morton who has just subscribed the foregoing
Deposition before me and who is known to
me as a man of fair character for truth
& veracity and made solemn oath to the
truth of the facts stated in his deposition
before me
Ralph Smith Justice of Peace
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I Timothy Graves of the town of Madison
of the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut being
of the age of 76 years having been duly cautioned
and sworn depose & say that in the year 1781 I was engage
in a company of State Guards at Guilford commanded
by Peter Vail Captn under whom we enlisted & by
Timothy Field Lieut and [illegible] Jonathan Todd ensign
recollect that the company was paid by the
State in State orders and that I was paid off
by Lieutenant Timothy Field. That I am a pensioner
under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 and draw
a pension for my service of nine months under
Capt Peter Vail & Lieut Timothy Field part 
of the sd guard were passed in the west end
of the time & part in the east end of the town there
were between 20 & thirty in the east part of the
town who belonged to the guard the year 1781
We were posted along in different stations
on the coast I do not recollect any [illegible]
that belonged to the west part of the town Madison
was then a part of Guilford having been made
a town within a few years past and further the
deponent saith not Timothy Grave
State of Connecticut New Haven County Ss. Guilford
November 24th A.D. 1834. Be it Remembered that on the
Day and year last above written, personally appeared before
me the Subscribing Authority, Timothy Grave, the signer of
the foregoing deposition, personally known by one as a person
of truth and veracity, and made Solemn Oath to the truth
of the facts set forth in the foregoing Deposition
Sworn before me, Samuel Fowler Jusice of Peace
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I Curtiss Evarts of the town of Madison
in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut of the
age of 66 years having been duly cautioned & sworn
depose & say that I have resided at Guilford
County of New Haven all my life untill
two years when I have resided at Madison
that in the year 1781 being at that time of the
age of 12 years I well recollect that Mr Eber
Norton then & long after a near neighbor of mine
was at that time in the Guilford State Guard
of which Timothy Field of said Gilford was
Lieut & Doct Jonathan Todd of Sd town
Ensign the other officers I do not recollect
that sd Mr Eber Norton was engaged in sd
guard during a great part of the said year
1781 and that I should think that he was employed
in sd guard full as long as nine months at
sd time that I was accustomed to see him every
day & well recollect that he was stationed
at a place called Bishop point Station
attending [illegible] Maysty point so called in Guilford
beach to Sd Bishop point & that the said
Eben Norton now resides & always has resided at
said Gilford and is the same who now
applies for a pension under the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 and that he is now before
me at the taking of this deposition and further the
Deponent saith not
Curtis Carts
State of Connecticut New Haven County Nov 24th
Guilford Probate Dist Guilford) 1834
Be it remembered that on the 24th day of
November AD 1834 personally appeared before me
Ralph D Smith Justice of Peace for Nolan 5
the above mentioned certify earts well known
to
man of good character for truth & veracity & made
solemn oath to the fact, contained in the foregoing deposition
member the same before me Ralph Smith Justice of peace
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State of Connecticut
Comptrollers office
Hartford
20th November 1834
On examination of the Books of this office it,
appears, that on the 22nd of February 1782. Lieut
Timothy Field received an order on the treasurer
for $1307.11.10 for amount pay roll for Guard at
Guilford
that there are no pay rolls, nor any
record from which can be ascertained the names
of the persons serving under him, or the time for which
they were said
Certified by Roger Huntington Comptroller
of Public Accounts
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Betsey Norton
Power of Attorney
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Affidavit and power of Attorney
State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven } ss
Be it remembered, That on this 8th day of August
1858 I Betsey Norton of the town of Guilford in sd County
do make known and declare that I am the daughter
and heir at law to Eber Norton who was a Revolutionary
soldier, and made application in his life time for
a pension, which [illegible] some cause to me unknown, was
never granted, that he said Eber Norton died
at sd Guilford in the month of August 13th day 1843
Now therefore the true intent of this, is, to qualify and irrevocably 
appoint and empower Wilson H. Clark of the City
town, and County of New Haven, my attorney, to investigate substantiate 
demand and receive the avails of said claim
or claims, and to say, and do all things relative thereto, as
amply as I might do hereby ratifying everything said or
done by my said attorney in virtue hereof. Also, revoking
all power of Attorney or other authority previously given for
any such purposes
Attest } In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my
E. R. Sanders } hand & seal, day and date first above named
S Spencer } Betsey Norton
Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledge before
me the day and year first above written
Edward R. Sanders Justice of the Peace