Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,526, David Field, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE Conn
Field, David
NUMBER R.3.526

CONTENTS
Page 2

6455
David Field

N B Haswell
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
April 27th 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the service of David Field of [illegible]

Period when the Service was rendered
1777
1778
1779
1780
1781
1781

Duration of the claimant's service.
Years  Months Days
1 mo 15 days
6 months 
1 month 15 days
3 months
9 days
4 days

Rank of the claimant.
Private 

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Ennis Strong Connecticut troops
---
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
72  years
when I entered the service I lived in Guilford Conn

Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Connecticut Troops the applicant is unable from old age and loss of memory to give the names of field officers

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant

J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.

David Field
Page 4

2 REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of On this ---day of --- personally appeared (a) before ----- A. B. a resident (b) of ----- in the county of ---- and State, Territory or District of ----- aged (c) --- 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 pension made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ----, with ---- and served in the ---- (e) regiment of the ---- line, under the following named officers (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I -------------------- of the Court of ----------------------------- do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of --------------- for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ------- day of ------------------ & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- 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. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ------- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, -----------Clerk of the Court of ---------------- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- of ---- & c. 

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

actual service must be stated [handwritten with brackets around last paragraph]
Page 5

3 [handwritten brackets around section from top to Question #6]
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. 
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 
1. Where and in what year were you born? 
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. 
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. 
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 

{a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance 
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. 
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. 
[d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served 
[e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, 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 determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." 
[start brackets]
it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the miliia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit, [end brackets]
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required. 
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. 
[start brackets]
Mode of authenticating papers. 
in every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.  [end brackets]
Proof of Service.  
[j] 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 credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases 
[l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
Page 6

Revolutionary Claims.

STATE OF VERMONT
Chittenden County, ss.
On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable County Court for the County of Chittenden, now sitting, David Field a resident of Jericho in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged twenty one 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 7, 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
Page 7

David Field [in left margin]

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
Nathan B Maswell Clerk

And the said court do hereby declare their their opinion 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 certify, that it appears to them, that Hervey Smith is a Clergyman and that Jonathan Ransom and Moses Billings who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Jericho are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest
Eli Brownson
John VanSickler Sr.
Judges of Chittenden County Court

STATE OF VERMONT.
Chittenden County, ss.
I, Nathan Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Field for a Pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 17th day of August A. D. 1832,
Nathan B Maswell
Page 8

Chittenden County, State of Vermont

I, David Field of Jericho, Co and State aforesaid, hereby state the amount of services
rendered my Country in the Revolutionary War.

I was born in the town of Guilford, County of New Haven and State of Connecticut
in the year 1761. My Father whose name was also David, enlisted in 1776, went Skeensborough, now Whitehall, was there taken sick and died about the 10th of Sept. In the spring of 1777, my oldest brother Benjamin was drafted to go to New Haven, he was much needed at home; I went as a substitute for him, and was absent on this tour about six weeks. My Capts name was Augustus Collins, who was afterwards brigadier General. This was soon after the burning of the Stores at Danbury. -  Many troops were then at New Haven under the command of Gen. Wadsworth

In the spring of 1778, believe in the month of March I enlisted for six months in what
was then called the half pay battalions or minute men. The man who enlisted me
was Strong, who was Ensign of the company to which I belonged. Soon after I enlisted our Company were ordered to New Haven, to keep garrison. This was a favorable season for no enemy appeared at New Haven through the whole of our term, and nothing of consequence transpired unless it was the shooting off the jaw of Capt Phipps at the Fort
Page 9

In the year of 1779 I was drafted in the month of June to go to Horseneck, which
is a Parish of Greenwich, and the South West Town of the State. This was a harassing tour. While we were there, the enemy plundered Newhaven, burnt Fairfield and Norwalk in Con. and Bedford in the State of New York while our troops took Stony point. We were routed from Horseneck. by three thousand British troops about a week before  Norwalk and Bedford were burning they sent up their Lighthorse and cut off our guard. We retreated to a hill north of Stanford Village. After this we were marched in a regiment to Newhaven green and were there discharged. I was from home at
this time about six weeks or Colonels name was Hooker from Farmington, my Capt.
Berry, Lieu, Hotchkiss, Ensign Strong, the same man who enlisted in the year be fore, I was his waiter while at Horseneck and lived with the Officers

In June 1780 I enlisted for three months to go to New London. The name of my Col was
Richards, my Capt. Hotchkiss, Lieu, Hall orderly Sergeant Jones. We drew 20 dollars bounty, went to New London and encamped in tents on Winthrop Point near the City, having the river on the east. We staid here several weeks and then moved up the river and encamped on the east side of it. After laboring a while at the fort, we crossed the river Thames at Norwich landing and came to the Indian Village of Mohegan. Here we camped for the third time and stayed the remainder of our Tour
Page 10

at British fleet lay in Gardner's bay most of the time we were at New London. This was
the year before the British burnt New London 

In 1781 I was called out with many others of the company to go to Hudson River to prevent the British from going up the River. We left in a hurry and went as far as Danbury
my with horses. There we left them and went on the next morning on foot. We had not
gone far before an express arrived with orders to halt. We stayed a few days and then had
orders to return home. Went about 50 miles on this tour, and were absent 8 or 9 days. My Capt name at this time was Berry the same I was under two years before at Horseneck. Not far from this time the whole company of Militia was called out to go to the sea side at Guilford. I was from home about three or four days, My Capt's name was Camp

When about 33 years old I removed with my family to Jericho Vermont.

My Father and one of his brother died in the Revolutionary war. Two of his brothers died in the French war. I had three brothers in the Revolutionary and Two of them have been in action, and one wounded. But no one of us have ever had a pension to compensate us for our services and sacrifice for the welfare of our Country

He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State
David Field [signature]

Sworn and subscribed in open Court Aug 17. 1832
Before
Nathan B Maswell Clerk
Page 11

State of Vermont 
Chittenden County,
We the undersigned citizens of Jericho in the County of Chittenden, state of Vermont do hereby certify on oath, that we are are personally acquainted with David Field
of said Jericho, and believe him to be seventy years of age, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Revolutionary soldier
Jonathan Ransom 
Moses Billings 
Henry Smith [signatures]

Sworn and Subscribed to this 15th day of August A.D. 1832, and I hereby certify that the above deponents are credible witnesses
Lyman Field Justice Peace

I hereby further certify that Henry Smith who has signed the foregoing is a Clergyman
of good standing
Lyman Field Justice Peace
Page 12

30226
P.O. David Field
Service: _____
REJECTED

Enlisted: _____
Discharged: _____
Application filed: _____

Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____

Attorney: _____
P.O.: _____
_____ Recognized   _____ Contract
_____ Cert of Dis.  Searched for _____
Page 13

Revolutionary
Vermont.
David Field
Suspended under Act 7 June 32
See Letter to
R.B. Haswell
Burlington Vt.
Oct. 4. 1833

3526
Page 14

Additional Declaration No
State of Vermont
Chittenden County
Personally appeared before me Nathan Maswell a Justice of the Peace for Chittenden County, David Field of Jericho in said County to me known as the same David Field who made his declaration before Chittenden County Court on the 17th day of August AD 1832, who being duly sworn doth make the following 
additional declaration.  That by reason of old age in the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the [illegible] mentioned below and in the following grades

For one month and 15 days as a private in 1777
For six months as a private in 1778
For one month and 15 days-do 1779
for three month - do 1780
for nine days - - do 1781
for  four days - - do 1784

making in all twelve months and Thirteen days for which I claim a pension . - I do
further say that the above under was performed in the Connecticut line of troops
but that I am unable to give any further particulars then that contained in my first declaration, and that is not now in my power to obtain evidence of my said service
David Field [signature]

Sworn to and enlisted this 2d day of September AD 1833 before me
Nathan Braswell Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Chittenden County 
I Nathan Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that
Nathan Maswell Eqsquire when the foregoing declaration is made is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed in his own proper signature, In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 2d day of Sept AD 1833
Nathan B Maswell
Page 15

State of Vermont
Chittenden County

I hereby certify that the papers hereto attached and marched A & B in the same documents heretofore remanded to the Pension office to substantiate the terms of David Field of Jericho, and that since this return, has additional declarations marked No. 1 has been added.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand and official seal of said court at Burlington this 2d day of September AD 1833
Nathan B Maswell Clk
of Chittenden county court