Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17477, Joseph Hills, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776) SERVICE of Conn. 
 Hills, Joseph NUMBER S. 17477 
 Carded 
CONTENTS
[Black stamp: This includes FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO]
Page 2

State of Connecticut, County of Hartford
Be it known that before me Seth Terry Judge, of Probate for the District of Hartford personally appeared Mr. Jonathan Roberts of East Hartford in said County and made Oath in due form of law he is signature on the estate of Joseph Hills who was a pensioner and is now dead, & to whom a certificate of Pension was issued of which the following is a copy

                War Department
              Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th of June 1832 Joseph Hills of the State of Connecticut, who was a private during the Revolutionary War in entitled to receive twenty two dollars and twenty two cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831. And Payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.

Given as the War Office of the United States this third day of June o e thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
                                       Lew Cass.
                                       Secretary of War.

Examined and]
Countersigned]
                               J.L. Edwards.
                           Commissioner of Pensions.
That the deceased Pensioner resided in said East Hartford in the State of Connecticut for the space of Seventy .... years. before his death and that previous thereto he resided in the same town of East Hartford
                                     Jonathan Roberts
Sworn and subscribed this 5th. day of January 1839. before me.            Seth Terry Judge
Page 3

State of Connecticut Ss.
County of Hartford}
Probate Districts of Hartford
I, Seth Terry, Judge of the Court of Probate for the Justice of Hartford hereby certify that as a Probate Court held in and for said District as Harford this 5th day of January AD 1839 satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that Joseph Hills was a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of twenty-two dollars and twenty-two cents per annum, was a resident of the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut and died at East Hartford in said State on the twenty seventh day of December AD 1838 & that he did not leave any widow or child.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Hartford this 5th day of January AD 1839
Seth Terry Judge -
[Black Stamp] FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
RECEIVED FROM GAO
Page 4

No. 493 FARMERS AND MECHANICS BANK
HARTFORD, 4 January 1839
Received of Samuel L. Pitkin, Agent for paying pensions, Six Dollars 96 Cents, being for 3 23/30 months pension due to Joseph Hills [...] from the fourth day of September 1838 to the 27 day of December 1838 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.   Jonathon Roberts Administrator
$6.96
Page 5

State of Connecticut } Ss.
County of Hartford}  
On this 7th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate for the District of Hartford now sitting in Court being a Court of Record and having by law a Clerk & seal Joseph Hills a resident of East Hartford in Hartford and State of Connecticut aged 79 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 7th 1822 that he entered the service of the United States under the following service officers and served as herein stated.

He entered the service by enlisting on or about the 8th day of June 1776 for Eight months in a company commanded by Capt. Jonathon Wills of that part of Hartford and State of Connecticut. David Johnson of Ellington County of Tolland then that part of the town of East Windsor and County of Hartford called Goshen was First Lieutenant and Jonathon Robert of that part of Hartford now East Hartford was Second Lieutenant  and Samuel Smith of said Ellington in the county of Tolland then that part of East Windsor in the county of Hartford called Goshen was ensign -We marched from Hartford to New London and these joined the regiment commanded by Col.
Page 6

Erastus Wolcott of the town of East Windsor county of Hartford and State of Connecticut. Erastus Wolcott Jr of the town county and State aforesaid was adjutant to said regiment.  from New London we marched to Groton and there remained until we were discharged on or about the 7th day of January 1777.  that his whole time of [...] was at least six months and twenty days during the whole time he served as a private soldier and have no documentary evidence to prove my service for proof which I found the depositions of Thomas Wyllys & Ashbel Roberts on answer to the interrogatories proposed by the court the applicant made the following answer.  That he was born in that part of the town of Hartford now called East Hartford on the 18th day of April 1753 and the record of his age is on the leaf of an old account book.  That he lived in that part of Hartford now called East Hartford when called into service.  has ever since and now lives in said East Hartford.  I entered the service as above stated by enlistment but do not recollect the names of any officers except one Captain Stark of the town of Preston and County of New London and State aforesaid.  He never received any discharge having served out the term for which he enlisted and there being no clergymen in the town where he resides, he refers to Russel Treat of said East Hartford and James F. Comstock of the town and county of Hartford what can testify to his character for veracity and their belief to his services as a soldier of the revolution.  I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension of 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 & year aforesaid.
Joseph Hills
Page 7

Me Ashbel Roberts of East Hartford, county of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Sixty nine years and upwards, and Thomas Wyllys of the town county and state aforesaid aged Seventy Six years and upwards do certify depose and say that we were in the revolutionary way in the company commanded by Capt Jonathan Mills of that part of Hartford now called Earl Hartford and David Johnson of Ellington in the county of Tolland then of that part of East Windsor called Goshen was First Lieutenant and Jonathan Roberts of that part of Hartford now East Hartford was Second Lieutenant, and Samuel Smith of that part of East Windsor then called Goshen, now Ellington in the county of Tolland was Ensign. Me entered the service about the tenth of June 1776 and were discharged about the 1st of January, 1777, Joseph Hills of that part of Hartford now called East Hartford was a member of the same company and service the same term of service.
                                       Thomas Willys 
                                       Ashbel Roberts

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford} Ss.
         Sworn to and subscribed this 7th. day of August 1832 before me Nathan Johnson first. Just. of Peace. I hereby certify that the Deponents who use known to me are men of good character and standing and creditable witnesses Nathan Johnson Just. of Peace
Page 8

I Matthew H. Smith residing in the town of Hartford in Hartford County a clergyman hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Hills of East Hartford who has subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration and I believe him to be seventy nine years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion. Feby. 8. 1833.
M. H. Smith

Sworn to & subscribed this 8th day of Feby. 1833 before me
Mr. Nathan Johnson Justice of Peace
Page 9

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Ss.
Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford aforesaid, do hereby certify that the Hon. Nathan Johnson Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits of Thomas Willys & Ashbel Roberts, & of M. H. Smith were respectively taken, was on the 7th day of Decr. 1833 & also on the 8th day of Feby 1833, and also on the 7th day of August AD 1832, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law & that the respective signatures, purporting to be his said Nathan Johnson, are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court this 9th day of Decr AD 1833.
Jared Griswold, Clerk

The words "also on the 7th day of August AD 1832" were inserted by Jared Griswold, Clerk
Page 10

2163
Joseph Hills, Decl for pension

Let to Genl H. Johnson
L. 6.
Page 11

We Russel Treat of East Hartford and James F. Comstock of Hartford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Hills who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be upwards of 79 years of age. That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Russel Treat
James F. Comstock

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me
Nathan Johnson Just. of Peace

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 abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Russel Treat who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the town of East Hartford and that James F. Comstock who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Hartford and that both are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Page 12

I, William Whitman, 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 Joseph Hills for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7th day of August AD 1832.
Wm. Whitman, Clk of Courts of Probate for district of Hartford
Page 13

Connecticut no 28,425
Joseph Hills
E. Hartford in the State of Connecticut who was a  private in the Compy commanded by Captain Wells of the Regt commanded by Col. Wolcott in the Connecticut line for 6 mos 20 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 22 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3d day of June 1834 and 
[crossed out "Hon. W. Taylor H. R."] Nathan Johnson, Hartford

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 66.66
Semi-Anl. allowance ending 4th Sept 11.11
____________
$77.77

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk
Book E2 Vol. ~~ Page 17
Page 14

No. 493
Joseph Hills dc
from 4 September 1838 to 27 December 1838
3 months 23 days
$6.96
4 January 1939

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

149
Page 15

At a Court of Probate holden at Hartford, within and for the District of Hartford, on the 3rd day of January 1839. Present, __Seth Terry, Esquire, Judge. This Court doth grant administration on the Estate of Joseph Hills, late of East Hartford, within said District, deceased, unto Jonathan Roberts, of said East Hartford; who accepts said trust, and gives bond, jointly, with Joseph C. Treat, of Hartford, within said district, according to law. Nathaniel Goodwin, Clerk.

State of Connecticut, Ss.
I, Nathaniel Goodwin, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do Certify, that the above is a true copy of the Records of said Court. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed [the] Seal of said Court, and subscribed my name, at Hartford, this 3rd day of January, 1839. Nathaniel Goodwin, Clerk.

State of Connecticut, Ss.
I, Seth Terry, sole Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford, do hereby Certify, that Nathaniel Goodwin, whose name is subscribed to the above written is, and was at the date thereof, Clerk of said Court; and that said attestation is in due form to authenticate said Record 
In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, at Hartford, this 3rd day of January, 1839. Seth Terry Judge
Page 16

Hartford (Con) Jany. 7. 1834

Hon. J. L. Edwards
D. Sir
I return the papers in the case of Joseph Hills, with certificates authentication and the affidavit of a clergyman. The papers were returned from the War office several months since and as an objection was made to the testimony of Ashbel Roberts when papers were at the same time returned with objection that as the said Roberts appeared to be but fourteen years old when he entered service, his history required more proof - I laid order the papers of Mr. Hills and went [illegible] to establish Roberts claim, which was done and his pension granted. This I presume does [illegible] the objection to his testimony in Hills case. Hills papers were mislaid and unfortunately have remained unobserved in my office. I hope they may receive as early attention as the business of your office will permit.
Most Respy Your Obt Servt
Nathaniel Johnson
Page 17

P

17477
INVALID.

File No. 17,477
Joseph Hills
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7th 39
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 175

(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 18

Joseph Hills

Admitted as Private
6 mos 20 days $22.22

Nathan Johnson Esq
Hartford

(1p72)
Page 19

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply tot he claim of Joseph Hills which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to what amount of pension he is entitled?
No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 20

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
None sufficient - is not appearing but one lives in his vicinity if not in the same town.

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
No.

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
Not in the case of Mr. Roberts.

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
[*]QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ____ year ______ months and _______ days, I served as a _______. For ________ months and _______ days, I served as a _______; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 21

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 22

Recd & ansd
7 June 1834
Page 23

House of Representatives
5th June 1834

Sir
The enclosed certificate was rec'd yesterday together with one for Gad Rose. I have enclosed to Mr. Rose his certificate, but have no knowledge of this. I presume there is a mistake in sending it to me. If not please inform me.
I have the honor to be very Respectfully yours &c.
W. Taylor

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Page 24

Payments to be made at Hartford by the
Pres. Far:  &me: B.C.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of
Connecticut

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E 2 Vol..
Page 17 by
R. Burdine Clerk
Page 25

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Hills of the State of Connecticut who was a private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive twenty two dollars and twenty two cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this third day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.} J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions