Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25363, Caleb Avery, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE:  Conn.
Avery, Caleb (Mary)
NUMBER: W. 25363
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Left side:
Connecticut 9336. 
Caleb Avery 
of New London in the State of Connt. 
who was a private in the Company commanded 
by Captain Gallup of the Regt commanded 
by Col. Troup in the Militia line for [blank]

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut 
at the rate of 20. Dollars 44 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of May 1833 
and Sent to Hon. N. Barber, Groton Ct. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 33 40.88. 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 33. 10.22 
[=] 51.10. 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by Francis F. Franciori Clerk, 
Book E. Vol. 3d Page 1. 

Right side:
Dead 
Paid at the Treasury under of the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1835 to the 6th April 1835, the day of his death.  Agent Notified 20th Aug 1838.
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Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
State of Connecticut} 
County of New London} ss. 
On this 20th day of April A.D. 1833 personally appeared in Open Court before Asa Fish Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington in the State of Connecticut, now sitting, Caleb Avery a resident of the Town of Groton, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut aged Seventy three years and upwards, 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 7, 1832 
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated 

That at Groton aforesaid, where The declarant was born and then lived, on or before the 15th day of November 1776, he voluntarily enlisted as a private in the company commanded by Capt Joseph Gallup Lieutenant John Gardiner Ensign Daniel Avery, volunteer Connecticut State Troops, to serve four months, sd. Company belonged to a Battalion commanded by Major Nathan Gallup, and in the Regiment commanded by Col Troup, who resided in New London, where a part of sd. Regiment was stationed 

That on or before sd. 15th November 1776 he joined the said Company at Fort Griswold in sd. Groton, and was constantly engaged in Garrison duty in said Fort Griswold till on or after the 15th day of March 1777 when, the term of his engagement - to wit - four months had fully expired. he was honorably discharged, but recd no writing.  ["4 mo" in left margin] That from and after the 15th March 1777 he continued to reside in sd. Groton, and belonged as a private to the militia company commanded
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by Capt Ralph Stoddard, and was frequently and many times, till the year 1780, called out and served at alarms, and Short tours of duty, but not being be to state the commencement, duration or termination of sd. Tours, with precision, he does not claim a Pension for such services. 

That at Groton aforesaid, on the 6th day of September 1781, he belonged to the Militia Company, then commanded by Capt Simeon Allyn, Lieut. Joseph Lewis, Ensign John Lester in the Regiment command by Col Nathan Gallup. That on sd. 6th September he volunteered and entered the sd. Fort Griswold, The Garrison being commanded by Col Wm Ledyard. The artillery company in sd. Fort Commanded by Capt Wm Latham, Lieuts Obadiah Perkins & Enoch Stanton. That on the morning of  sd. 6th Sept 1781, On hearing the alarm Guns he entered sd. Fort with his arms and equipments and was stationed, by ^order of one of the officers of the Fort at an embrasure - about midday The British attacked the Fort, and after a severe Struggle succeeded in entering the fort, opened the Gates and massacred almost all the Garrison, that he with about thirty more American Soldiers were taken prisoners, that the evening of the same day, he with several others was put on board a Small Refugee Sloop, Capt. Thomas was kept on board sd. Sloop two or three days, when at Gardiner's Bay he was put on board the British Frigate Amphion of 40 Guns, the Frigate sailed for New York through Long Island Sound and having contrary winds, did not arrive at New York till the 15th September 1781. That he was landed at New York, and put in prison in a Sugar house used for a Prison to keep and hold American Prisoners of War, That he was kept in sd. Prison more than Forty two days - that on or about the 28th
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day of October 1781, he with about one hundred other prisoners were taken out of sd. prison and put on board a large Sloop and transported to Elizabeth Town Point in New Jersey - about Twenty miles from New York, and near Staten Island, where he with the other prisoners were landed, that the names of the Prisoners were taken by the Commissary Genl. Skinner (in the American Service), that he with the others were ordered to Major Wilson's for instructions and orders - That orders were given to him and other prisoners, to march to Springfield New Jersey - thence to Danbury about forty miles Westerly of Springfield - thence to pursue the Back road, so called, to Peekskill or Stony Point & then cross the Hudson river & taken such rout as they pleased - home to Connecticut. That he pursued the rout aforesaid agreeably to orders - That they drew provisions at sd Danberry for their journey, that he marched home with all the speed and despatch of which he was capable, being lame, and suffering with fatigue and arrived on or after the 10th day of November 1781. 

That he has no documentary evidence of his sd. alleged services or any part Thereof and knows of no person, whose Testimony he can procure, who can testify to his first Tour of duty in 1776 and 1777 - four months - That at the time of performing his first sd Tour of duty he was a minor, ^& under lawfull age of 21 years, and that his father James Avery rec'd his pay - and documents relating to his service & engagement, & that he the declarant never had any in his possession.

That he was born in Groton, aforesaid, in the year 1760 25th February.
That he has a record of his age, a certified copy of sd. record under the hand of N. Daboll esqr. Clerk of the Town of Groton & presented to the Court.
That he was living in sd. Groton, when called into service, that since the the Revolutionary war he has ever lived in sd. Groton, and now resides in the same Town 
That (in reply to the 4th Interrogatory), he volunteered, in both Tours
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and never was a substitute. 

That he has stated the names of officers and regiments who were with the troops when he served as far as he can recollect, and also the general circumstances of his service, except, that there were two other companies besides Capt Gallup's serving in fort Griswold in 1776 & 1777,  while he was serving in sd. Fort One of which was raised in Stonington and one in Preston, that he believes the company, from Preston was commanded by Capt Witter. That when he set out from New Jersey, after he was exchanged in October 1781, for home, there were about 40 others set out with him, the principal part belonging to places on the road leading to Peekskill - that while passing home through connecticut he had but one companion viz Peter Avery of sd. Groton.

That he is known to Reverend John G. Wightman, a clergyman in his present neighborhood, and William Latham also residing in his present neighborhood in sd. Town of Groton, who can Testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief in his service as a soldier 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.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington State of Connecticut} [Signed] Caleb Avery
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge 

We John G Wightman, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Groton, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, and William Latham, residing in the same town of Groton, hereby certify that we are
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Caleb Avery Son to James Avery and Elizabeth his Wife was born February 25th 1760.
The above is a true Copy of Record Cetified by me
[Signed] Nathan Dabell Town Clerk
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well acquainted with Caleb Avery esquire, who has subscribed and swore to the foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion 
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid to wit the 20th day of April AD 1833. 
[Signed] John G Wightman
[Signed] William Latham
Before the Court of Probate for the 
District of Stonington aforesaid
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge 

I William Latham of Groton, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, aged Sixty eight years and upwards, being duly sworn according to Law, do on my oath certify declare and say, that I am well acquainted with Caleb Avery Esquire, who subscribed & was sworn to the preceding Declaration in my presence, that I have ever been well acquainted with him, ever since I was a child. That in the year 1781 in the month of September, and untill the 6th day of sd. month I was an enlisted private soldier in Capt William Latham's matross Company in Fort Griswold in sd Groton then and there serving as such, that on sd. sixth day of September 1781, the Fort aforesaid was captured by the British, and I was taken prisoner, and was put with other prisoners on board a Sloop commanded by one Thomas, a refugee - that I was kept on board sd Sloop till she arrived at Huntington, Long Island & was then put on board the Sloop in which was the traitor General Benedict Arnold.  That I went is sd. last mentioned Sloop to New York, where in a few days, I was exchanged and came home to Groton, in Capt Shaw's Cartel. 

That I well remember and know, that the said Caleb Avery, was serving in sd. Fort as a soldier on sd. 6th day of September 1781, that he was among the prisoners taken
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by the enemy on that day, that I well know he was taken on board the Refugee Sloop commanded by Thomas, that he the sd. Caleb, was taken out of sd Sloop at Gardiners Bay, having his hands, bound - was tumbled into a Boat with other American prisoners and carried on board a British frigate lying near. That I did not see him again according to my present recollection for more than two months, when he returned and came near the Fort where I was again serving. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid} Before the Court aforesaid} [Signed] William Latham
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge


I Jesper Latham of Groton in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, aged Seventy nine years being duly sworn according to Law do my oath certify declare and say that I am well acquainted with Caleb Avery Esq of sd. Groton, who subscribed & swore to the foregoing declaration, that I have been well acquainted with him for more than Sixty years.   That I was a volunteer soldier and served & fought in Fort Griswold in sd Groton on the memorable Sixth September 1781. That I was taken by ^the emeny a prisoner on sd. 6th Sept, was put on board a refugee sloop Thence transferred to British frigate Amphion and nine days after being taken, arrived in the City of New York and was put in prison in the Sugar house in Liberty Street, kept there six weeks, thence was taken in a Sloop to Elizabeth Town Point South Westerly of New York - in the State of New Jersey, was there exchanged and ordered home, to march on foot   That I came home on foot in Company with Joshua Baker, another prisoner - having been absent from home since 6th Sept aforesaid more the two months 
That I well know that said Caleb Avery was a soldier in the fort and served said sixth
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of September, was taken prisoner, was put on board the sd Refugee Sloop, thence on board sd Frigate Amphion, that he was put in the sd Sugar house prison in sd. Liberty Street New York, that he continued with me till we were delivered at sd. Elizabeth Town Point, and was exchanged - that he did not get home till several days, after I arrived home at Groton. That I know he is the identical person who performed sd services and was imprisoned as aforesaid. That I believe him to be Seventy three years of age. 
[Signed] Jesper Latham
Sworn to and Subscribed this 22d day of 
April 1833 before the Court aforesaid
[Signed]  Asa Fish Judge 

I Peter Avery of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged Sixty nine years and upwards, being duly sworn according to Law do on my oath certify declare and say, that I am Well acquainted with Caleb Avery esquire, who subscribed the foregoing declaration & that I have been intimately acquainted with him, more than Sixty years past. That on the 6th day of September 1781, at Groton aforesaid where I was born & then lived, on hearing the alarm Guns, I repaired to Fort Griswold in sd. Town, and voluntarily entered as a Soldier to defend it. That I served as a soldier in sd Fort, on said day - That the British forces attacked & took the Fort, and put the principal part of the Garrison and their commander to the sword, that I escaped death, but was taken prisoner with about 30 others, was the same day at evening put on board a Refugee Sloop from Long Island, Capt Thomas & when at Gardiner's Bay, the prisoners being suspected of a design to rise and regain their liberty, were put on board a British Frigate. That I went to New York in a Frigate, having a passage of nine days, from home. That I was landed at N. York
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City, and put in a Sugar house, used for a prison, was kept there six weeks or upwards, while there rec'd by the hand of Ebenezer Ledyard Esq flag ^of Truce or cartel officer -money & clothing sent to me by my father John Avery - That about the last of October, on the 28th day or afterward I was taken out of Prison with the other prisoners and transported in a Sloop to Elizabeth Town point, New Jersey - was exchanged, and ordered home - directed to ^a place to the Westward of the place of exchange, drew rations for our March, & then as directed, kept the Back road to avoid the Cowboys, & tories - that I crossed the Hudson or North River near Stony Point and begged my way on foot home - and arrived at Groton about the 10th November 1781. That I well know and remember that sd Caleb Avery served with me in sd Fort on sd Sixth of September, that he was taken prisoner, was transported to New York, kept in prison, taken to New Jersey there exchanged - marched home on foot, and all the time was with me, a period of more than two months, from and immediately after sd sixth day of September 1781. that I believe him to be Seventy three years of age.  April 26th 1833. 
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid} [Signed] Peter Avery
before the Court aforesaid}
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge 

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 Caleb Avery was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that ^it appears to them that John G. Wightman, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the sd Town of Groton in sd New London County & that William Latham who signed the same is a resident in the sd Town of Groton, and is a credible person and that their Statement is entitled to credit. And the court further certifies, that it appears to sd Court, that sd William Latham and Jesper Latham and Peter Avery, who have each signed a certificate preceding, are all resident in sd Town of Groton, are all credible persons, & that their statements are entitled to credit - and that Nathan Dabell, who has signed a certificate of record, is Town Clerk of sd Town of Groton.
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge 
I Nathan Dabell Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington Ct do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original Proceedings of the sd Court in the matter of the application Caleb Avery for a Pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 27th day of April AD 1833 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Nathan Dabell Clerk

Crosswise, right:
Caleb Avery's application for Pension
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Declaration. 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." 

State of Connecticut}
New London County} ss. Probate District of Stonington. 
On this 3d day of August AD 1838. personally appeared before the Court of Probate of the District aforesaid, Mary Avery a resident of Groton in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged sixty eight 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 Avery who was a private in the Revolutionary War, that her husband the said Caleb Avery was a pensioner of the United States, and received a pension of Twenty dollars and forty four cents per annum. 
She further declares that she was married to the said Caleb Avery on the 16th day of January Seventeen hundred and Eighty eight, and that her husband, the aforesaid Caleb Avery, died on the 6th day of April Eighteen hundred & thirty five; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that that the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz, at the time above stated.
[Signed] Mary Avery 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and 
year above written, Before said Court 
[Signed] Asa Fish Judge
Page 13

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter of the application of the aforesaid Mary Avery for a pension, that she was married to the said Caleb Avery as she states in her declaration, that the said Caleb Avery died on the 6th day of April 1835 and that the said Mary has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband, the said Caleb Avery, the said Court are fully satisfied, And the said Court do hereby certify that the said Mary Avery is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit.
[Signed]  Asa Fish Judge 

State of Connecticut} 
New London County} ss. Probate District of Stonington. August 3rd A.D. 1838. 
I John D Noyes Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Avery for a pension. And as Clerk of said Court I do hereby certify that Samuel W Wood before whom the depositions of Elizabeth S Lester and Capt Peter Avery hereto annexed were taken, and before whom the certificate of Elisha Morgan Esq hereto annexed, was sworn to, is a Notary Public within and for the State of Connecticut duly commissioned & qualified, and that his signatures written to the certificates annexed to said depositions and certificate are in his own proper and genuine hand writing. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court.
[SEAL]
[Signed] John D Noyes Clerk
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I hereby certify that I have examined the records of the town of Groton in New London County, Connecticut, for the Marriage of Caleb Avery of said town deceas'd And Mary Avery and find no record of said Marriage - but find the following entry upon the records of said town 

viz The births of Caleb Averys Children are as follows
(viz) Sally Avery his daughter born June 25th 1790 
James Avery his son born January 16th AD 1794 
Eliza Avery his daughter born August 31st 1796 
Robert Austin Avery his son born August 13th 1803 

I certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the records of the town of Groton Aforesaid 
Attest Elisha Morgan  town Clerk 
Groton August 22d 1838
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State of Connecticut ss New London County. 
I hereby certify that the within certificate was sworn to by the within named Elisha Morgan and subscribed by him on the 2d day of August 1838. And I certify that said Morgan is a credible person. 
[SEAL]
Attest Samuel W Wood 
Notary Public.
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Treasury Department 
Second Comptroller's Office, 
August 11, 1838.

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of Caleb Avery a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of twenty Dollars and forty four Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1835 to the 6th of April 1835 - the day of his death.  Respectfully, yours, 
[Signed] Albion K. Parris 
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 17

587
Connecticut
Mary Avery
widow of Caleb Avery
Con
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20. Dollars 44. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of July, 1848
and sent to S.W. Wood, Ledyard Ct.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 250 Vol. 1

Right side:
Reported
Date of death not in A.B. - i.l.l.
Page 18

October 11, 1933

BA-J/ILL 
Caleb Avery 
W. 25363

Frank F. Walker 
120 Broadway 
New York, New York. 

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Caleb Avery, of Groton, Connecticut. 

The record of that soldier is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 25363, based upon his service in that war. 

Caleb Avery, son of James Avery and Elizabeth, his wife, was born February 25, 1760 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut, and resided in Groton during his entire lifetime. 

He enlisted November 15, 1776, and served four months as a private in Captain Joseph Gallup's company, Colonel Throop's Connecticut regiment; one David Avery was ensign in this company, no relationship to Caleb Avery stated. After this, Caleb Avery belonged to Captain Ralph Stoddard's company of militia and was called out on short tours until the year 1780, further deatils of these services not stated.  While serving as a private in Captain Simeon Allyn's company, Colonel Nathen Gallup's Connecticut regiment, he volunteered on September 6, 1781 to defend Fort Griswold, was there during the attack and capture by the British, was taken prisoner, was put on board a refugee sloop, was transferred, with hands bound, to a British frigate, carried to New York, held in the Old Sugar House for forty days, on October 28, 1781, was taken to New Jersey, where he was later exchanged, and went by foot over back roads to Groton, arriving there November 10, 1781. 

The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed April 20, 1833. He died April 6, 1835.
Page 19

Caleb Avery married on January 16, 1788, Mary. In 1838, Peter Avery and Elizabeth S. Lester, both of Groton, Connecticut, stated that they were acquainted with Mary Avery and Caleb Avery of Groton, and that they were present at the marriage of Caleb Avery and Mary Avery, but did not state whether the maiden name of Mary was Avery. 

Mary Avery, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed August 3, 1838, at which time she was sixty-eight years of age; the date and place of her birth are not stated. In June 1848, she was still a resident on Groton, Connecticut. 

In 1833, Peter Avery, the son of John Avery, stated that he was sixty-nine years of age, that he was born in Groton, Connecticut, that he lived there during the war, and that he served with Caleb Avery (the pensioner), at Fort Griswold, that they were taken prisoners together and returned home to Groton together in November 1781; he did not state any relationship between them. In 1838, Peter Avery stated that he was married in October 1787, but he did not state the name of his wife. In 1843, Henry W. Avery was a Justice of the Peace for New London County, Connecticut, no relationship to the family stated. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, person to whom it was paid, and possibly the date of death of Mary Avery, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing the following data: 
Certificate #587 
Mary Avery, widow of Caleb Avery, 
Issued July 1, 1848 
Rate of $20.44 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1848. 
Act of January 2, 1848. 
Connecticut Agency. 

Very truly yours, 
A. D. HILLER, 
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 20

25363
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25363
Mary Avery
Wid of
Caleb Avery
Pri Rev War
Act: Feb 2nd 1848
Index:-Vo. A, Page 23
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Right side:
Nov. 29 1902 Mrs. D.C. Houghton, Sheffield Ills.
1933 Oct. 11 - Hist to Frank F. Walker i.l.l.
Page 21

Caleb Avery New London Conn. $20.44 When paid Act 32
Died 6 April 1835 Pd to that period D.H.
Page 22

Paid at the Treasury under the 
Act of the 6th April 1838
from 4 March to 4 Sep 1838.
Agt. notified 1 July 1840

Right:
108
Mary Avery
widow of Caleb Avery dec'd.
who died oof the 6th April 1835
of New London Co. in the State of Ct
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Gallup of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Troup in the Ct. line for
6 mos & 4 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Ct at the rate of
20 Dollars 44 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Augt. 1838
and sent to S.W. Wood, Ledyard Ct.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $40.88
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept " 10.22
[=] $51.10

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1st Page 164
Page 23

Connecticut. 1840
Mary Avery
widow of Caleb Avery
who was a private
in the Continental line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
20 Dollars 44 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
5th day of September, 1843 and sent to
S.W. Wood, Ledyard Con:

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 61

Right:
Rept'd 6th Sept 43
2170
Page 24

Mary Avery
$20:44 per anm

S.W. Wood
Ledyard Con.
Page 25

Ledyard June 21 1843

Hon Sir
Herewith enc;osed you have the declaration of Mrs. Mary Avery
Be ppleased to address returns to,
Your Most Obdt. Servt.
[Signed] Saml W Wood
Ledyard P.O.
Conn't.

Hon James L Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Page 26

Groton Con. 29th April 1833.

Sir
I here enclose t[w]o Amos Gallup & Caleb Avery's declarations & evidence - the[y] both claim under the act of Congress of June last. I am well acquainted with these Men they are both as reputable in society as any Men, their words would be taken, and also their witnesses without oath as readyly [sic] as any men in Society, and I do hope their cases may soon be attended to and their certificates forwarded to Me. I left a list of cases with you when I left Washington which I have not yet had returns from - do Sir have the goodness to examine them and let me hear from You. I have lately rec'd from You a pension certificate for Bela Barber & Solomon Tift.
I am Resp Your Obdt Servt
[Signed] Noyes T[?] Barber

J.L. Edwards Esq 
Pension Office 
Washington
Page 27

Payment to be made 
at Hartford Ct
by Saml. S. Pitkin Edq. 
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Connecticut 
First payment to be made 
on the 31 December 1838, and 
on the 4th March and 4th September 
in each year thereafter. 

Recorded in the Pension Office, 
in Book A Vol 1st Page 164 
by D.D. Addison Clerk.
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Five years Pension. 
I certify that in conformity with the first section of the 
act of July 7, 1838, Mary Avery 
widow of Caleb Avery dec'd 
who was a Private in the Revolution 
and died on the 6th day of April 1835 
is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Twenty 
dollars and forty four cents per ^annum commencing on the 
fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage 
of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension
will cease on the day of such marriage or death.
 
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 30th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight 
[SEAL]
[Signed] S. Cooper
Acting Secretary of War. 

Examined and Countersigned. } 
[Signed] J. L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

I Elizabeth S Lester of Groton in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged sixty six years, being duly cautioned and affirmed do depose & testify that I was personally acquainted with Caleb Avery late of said Groton, deceased. 
That said Avery was reputed to have been a pensioner of the United States- 
I further testify that I was personally acquainted with Mary Avery and that the said Caleb Avery and Mary Avery were married in the month of January after I was sixteen years old, viz Fifty years ago last January, that I was present at their wedding & saw them married. 
That the said Caleb Avery died three years ago last spring, & that I was at his funeral.
That the said Mary Avery now resides in Groton aforesaid & still remains the widow of the said Caleb Avery, deceased, as I verily believe, and further deponent saith not.
Groton August 2d 1838  [Signed] Elizabeth S Lester 

Affirmed and subscribed on the day and year last above mentioned, by Elizabeth S Lester above named. And I certify that said Elizabeth is a credible person and that her testimony is entitled to credit. 
[SEAL]
Attest 
[Signed] Samuel W Wood
Notary Public.
Page 30

I Peter Avery of Groton in the County of New London & State of Connecticut aged seventy four years being duly cautioned and affirmed do depose & testify that I was well acquainted with Caleb Avery late of said Groton, deceased 
That said Avery was a pensioner of the United ^States on the roll of the Connecticut Agency.
I further testify that I was personally acquainted with Mary Avery formerly of said Groton & still of said Groton.
That said Caleb Avery & Mary Avery were married in the winter after I was married, and according to the best of my recollection in the month of January - And that I was married in the month of October seventeen hundred and eighty seven - that I was at the wedding of the said Caleb Avery & Mary Avery & saw them married.
That the said Caleb Avery died three years ago last spring, & that I attended his funeral.
That the said Mary now resides in Groton aforesaid, & still remains the widow of the said Caleb, as I verily believe. & further deponent saith not. 
Groton August 2d 1838.  [Signed] Peter Avery 

Affirmed and subscribed on the day and year last above mentioned by Capt Peter Avery above named, And I certify that said Avery is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to credit
Attest
[Signed]  Samuel W Wood 
Notary Public
Page 31

167
Mary Avery
wid of Caleb
Conn
Married 1788
Died
Act 7 July 183[?]
Allow 6 m 4 d
pri $20.44 per anm - from 1835
Page 32

TREASURY DEPARTMENT 
Second Comptroller's Office 
June 22d 1840.

Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Mary Avery, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and forty four Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th July 1838 has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, to the 4th Sept. 1839. 
Respectfully yours, 
[Signed] Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions, 
Present.
Page 33

2170

Edmund Spicer Clerk
Page 34

Declaration, 
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7. 1838.

State of Connecticut} 
New London} ss. 
On this 20th day of June AD. 1843, Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said New London County, Mary Avery a resident of Groton in said County aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. 
That she is the widow of Caleb Avery who was a Private in the Revolution and was a pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7, 1832. 
That she received a pension of Twenty Dollars and Forty four cents per annum under the act July 7, 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow. 
[Signed] Mary Avery 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day 
and year above written, Before 
[Signed] Henry W. Avery 
Justice of the Peace 

I certify that Mary Avery above named is personally known to me and that she is a credible person - and I certify that the words "the Revolution and was a pensioner" were written on an erasure in the above declaration before signing. 
[Signed] Henry W. Avery, Justice of the Peace
Page 35

Declaration, 
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7. 1838.

State of Connecticut} 
New London} ss. 
On this 20th day of June AD. 1843, Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said New London County, Mary Avery a resident of Groton in said County aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. 
That she is the widow of Caleb Avery who was a Private in the Revolution and was a pensioner of the United States under the act of June 7, 1832. 
That she received a pension of Twenty Dollars and Forty four cents per annum under the act July 7, 1838.
She further declares that she is still a widow. 
[Signed] Mary Avery 

Sworn to and subscribed on the day 
and year above written, Before 
[Signed] Henry W. Avery 
Justice of the Peace 

I certify that Mary Avery above named is personally known to me and that she is a credible person - and I certify that the words "the Revolution and was a pensioner" were written on an erasure in the above declaration before signing 
[Signed] Henry W. Avery, Justice of the Peace
Page 36

State of Connecticut} 
New London County} ss Probate Office District of Ledyard June 21st 1843
[SEAL]  I Edmund Spicer Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry W Avery Esq. before ^whom the within declaration of Mary Avery was executor, is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signature written to the certificate annexed to said declaration is genuine- 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court -"whom" in interlined in the above certificate & "and" marked around or expunged. Attest, 
[Signed] Edmund Spicer Clerk
Page 37

Declaration, 
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 2d February 1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving Widows of the Soldiers of the Revolution," 
State of Connecticut}
New London County} ss. 
On this 22d day of June AD. 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber, a ^Notary Public within and for the County of New London aforesaid, Mary Avery a resident of Groton in said County aged seventy eight 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 on the 2d February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of Caleb Avery who was a Private in the Revolution and that she received a pension at the rate of Twenty Dollars and forty four cents per annum, under the act of 17th June 1844.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
[Signed] Mary Avery
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
[Signed] Saml W Wood, Notary Public
[SEAL]
In presence of 
[Signed] Delia F Avery 

I certify that the above named declarant is personally known to me, and that she is the same ^person who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration. 
"person"  interlined  [Signed] Saml W Wood Notary Public 
"Justice of the Peace "erased & "Notary Public" interlined in the foregoing declaration before signing. 
Attest [Signed] Saml W Woods Notary Public
Page 38

State of Connecticut} 
New London County} ss. 
I James Stedman Clerk of the County Court within and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel W Wood before whom the within declaration of Mary Avery purports to have been taken, is a ^Notary Public within and for said County duly commissioned and qualified, and that his signatures written to the certificate annexed to said declaration are genuine. 
[SEAL] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 26th day of June, 1848  I further certify that the words "Justice of the Peace" were erased, and the words "Notary Public" were interlined in the above certificate before signing, I also certify that Notaries Public are duly authorized, by the laws of the State of Connecticut, to administer oaths, take depositions &c. 
[Signed] James Stedman Clerk 

Admitted 
Saml W. Wood 
Ledyard Ct

Crosswise: Mary Avery
Page 39

Sheffield Ill. Nov. 10-1902 
To the Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 

With reference to the inclosed permit me to furnish this additional information. I think Caleb Avery was a volunteer like most of defenders of Fort Griswold. Was taken prisoner by British Sep 6 - and carried to New York where he was Left until some time ^in November of same year. Was cruelly treated & he was quite young at the time. do not know as he saw any other actual service.
Very Respy
[Signed]  Mrs. L. C. Houghton 
Sheffield Ill.
U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 12 1902 [receipt mark]
Page 40

Left:
RECORD & PENSION OFFICE WAR DEPARTMENT NOV 7 1902 [receipt mark]

Sheffield Ill.
Nov. 5 1902
Caleb Avery 
Conn.(?) Rev War 

Mrs L.C. Houghton, requests 
Rev War record of above named 

Right:
Address: " Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D. C." 
Record and Pension Office, 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Washington, Nov. 7, 1902. 

Respectfully returned to 
Mrs. L. C. Houghton, 
Sheffield, Illinois. 
The name Caleb Avery has not been found on the rolls, on file in this office, of any organization of Connecticut or Continental troops in service during the Revolutionary war. 
The collection of Revolutionary war records in this office is far from complete, and it is suggested as a possibility that the desired information may be obtained upon application to the Adjutant General of the State from which the soldier in question is supposed to have enlisted. In view of the statement that he received a pension it is probable that his full military history can be obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., who is the custodian of the pension records of the Revolutionary war. 

BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
[SIGNED] F.C. Ainsworth
Chief, Record and Pension Office.
Page 41

Sheffield Ill. Nov. 5 - 1902 

To Record & Pension Office 
War Department 
Washington D.C. 

I have been informed that my ancestor Caleb Avery (son of Capt James Avery) born in Groton Conn. Feb 25 -1760 was a defender of Fort Griswold in the Revolutionary War and taken a prisoner from Fort Griswold, and for these services received a pension. As I have not the Original certificate in my possession would you kindly verify the above statement. 
Very Respt 
[Signed] Mrs L. C. Houghton 
Sheffield Illinois
U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 12 1902 [receipt mark]
Page 42

BLYTH & CO. INC.
120BROADWAY
NEW YORK

October 2, 1933
Pension Bureau, 
Washington, D. C. 

Gentlemen: 
I wonder if you would be good enough to send me a copy of the pension record of Caleb Avery, born February 25, 1760, Groton, Connecticut, who was a volunteer in the Battle of Groton Heights, Fort Griswold, Sept. 6, 1781, and who died in Groton, Connecticut, April 7, 1835. 
I desire to use this information in my application for membership in the Sons of the Revolution. 
Very truly yours,
[Signed] Frank F. Walker
FFW

RECEIVED OCT 3 1933
Page 43

Misfiled?

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES  Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
Form VAM-51 
12 - 5 - 41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME: Avery, Charles    GRADE: Private    Line: Connecticut
WARRANT NUMBER: 5357   ACREAGE. 100   ISSUED Feb. 17, 1797 to Theophilus Woodward 

*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 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.