Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22,558, Elijah Towner, Conn. & Boat Service On Lake Champlain
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SERVICE
Conn.
and boat service 
on Lake Champlain
Towner, Elijah
NUMBER
S 22.558
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11469
Pennsylvania
Elijah Towner
of Brandford in the State of Penna who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Magget of the Regt commanded by Col C  Chandler in the Conn Militia for 15 Mo 10 days
______________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of $7 Dollars 10 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of May 1833 and sent Simon Kinney Toranda Pa
_______________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $102.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 25.55
$127.75
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Ac June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Geo. B. Whiting Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 60

Date of death not rec AB
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of
the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832
State of Pennsylvania
Bradford County SS.
On this Eleventh day of September personally appears before the Hon. Edward Herrick Esqr President of the 13th Judicial district for the County of Bradford and his associates The Hon. John McKean and Jonathan Strong
Esquires, Elijah Towner a resident of Rome Township County of Bradford and State of Penna aged Seventy three 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the army of the United States in the fall part of the month of October in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, at the town of Danbury in the County of old Fairfield, Connecticut for the term of three months in a company commanded by Capt. Eli Magget Lieut. Paul Hamilton, and Ensign Salmon or Zalmon Taylor - His company was attached to the Regiment commanded by Colonel Chandler, whose
given name he does not remember the company joined at Danbury, and marched to New York where they formed the regiment. He continued at the Camp at New York during the term of his enlistment. The business was keeping demand & working on fatigue at what was then called the grand Battery and old fort. At one time he went out with a party, and crossed once to Governors island in the
night, under the sterns of the British shipping and worked at making an entrenchment on the island after being there about twenty four hours, his party was relieved by another
party from the camp, and he and his party returned to N. York There was no important event happened about New York during his term of service, that he knew of; and at the end
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of the term of the enlistment He received a written discharge from Col Chandler. But the discharge the declarant has no knowledge or recollection what became of it; He was at that time only sixteen years of age and was thoughtless concerning. The British ships that lay at New York at the time were the Asia Man of War and two smaller vessels the Phoenix of 40 guns and another of 20 guns.
He thinks that soon after his arrival at N. York [illegible crossed out word] Gen. Putnam came on and took command of the troops there. After his three months tour to New York the said Elijah Towner further states that he returned home to Danbury aforesaid and remained there until about the first of April 1776, at which time he again enlisted into the United States Army at said Danbury, for the term of nine months, and joined the Company commanded by Capt. Jabez Botsford - Lieut. Ezen Star and Ensign Jeremiah Botsford, a cousin to the Captain.
The company marched from Danbury to Skeensborough (since called Whitehall) at the head of Lake Champlain, and arrived there towards the last of June as near as he can recollect, and there joined a part of Col Swift's Regiment The other part of the same Regiment being Stationed at Fort [illegible] [illegible] or Ticonderoga. Soon after his arrival at Skeensborough[?] his company were ordered out to open and improve the road between the old Fort Edwards and Fort Ann so here they were engaged some two months, and then returned to Skeensborough during which time this declarant was with them. Soon after his return he was with his Company ordered to Ticonderoga to join the regiment there not to exceed four weeks after he arrived at Ticonderoga, or rather, Fort Independence, he was detached from his company and put on board the Galley Washington on Lake Champlain, to serve as a marine[?]-After getting the vessel rigged she sailed down the Lake to the west side of Cumberland Bay, her Captain was of the name of
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Thatcher of New Haven Cont for Lieut. Fairweather of Horseneck Cont. The fleet was commanded by Benedict Arnold and Gen. Waterbury of Horseneck was second in command. The latter was on board of the same vessel with this declarant. The Fleet remain sat Cumberland Bay between an Island called Schuyler Island, and the western most shore about two months from the time of his arrival there; where on Friday morning, the British fleet under command of Gen. Carlton came up and formed a line from the South point of the island to the main shore about
seven o Clock in the morning, a battle was commenced between the fleets, and continued during the day. At night the american fleet withdrew and sailed up the lake and the next day was pursued by the British. The Galley Washington has been a good deal damaged in the action and fell behind the other vessels, and on Sunday morning very early the British with a twenty gun ship and two schooners came up with her and Gen. Waterbury
refusing to surrender a battle ensued. Gen. Arnold instead of coming to her assistance ran his ship and the other vessel ashore, and blew them up, and after a conflict 'til about half after ten oclock AM. the Gally being much cut to pieces and many killed & wounded Gen.
Waterbury surrendered the crew and marring[?] prisoners of War. And amongst them this declarant, and he together with the
other were suffered to return home and go at large, on his parole writing for which, signed by Gen. Carlton, here through the hand of Gen. Waterbury; and he immediately returned home. He thinks this was sometime in October, but cannot recollect with certainty In the first battle on Friday Lieut. Fairweather was killed by a double headed shot, and the same shot also killed a seaman by name of Taylor, so near this declarant that his flesh and brains struck him
Capt. Thatcher was badly wounded in his legs in the same battle by a shell. This declarant further saith that within a few days after his return home, he turned out a volunteer for a short expedition, and was in the battle of White Plains in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Justus Barnam; contrary to his parol. But his enthusiasm, inducements
an age was such that he did not sufficiently consider his obligation of parol. He also turned out Volunteer on an expedition to Fort
Mongomery and another in the winter to Kingsbridge, in April
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1777 when the British took and destroyed Danbury. His chest and clothing, and also his written parol which was in the in the chest was taken and rifled and he has never seen either since-
The said Elijah Towner further saith that he has lived in, what is now Bradford County, thirty seven years past, and that he has not at this time, knowledge of any person living, who can prove his service - He hereby relinquishes every claim 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.

Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid

his X Mark
Elijah Towner

JP Beck  [? illegible]

[The following paragraph is crossed out with multiple Xs]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named application was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated

[The text continues without Xs]

We Joseph Kingsbery and Thomas Marshal residing in [illegible], adjoining the Township of Rome, and where the above named  Elijah Towner resided for many years do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the said Elijah Towner who had subscribed and sworn to the above and foregoing declaration that we believe him to be as much as seventy three years of age - that he is respected and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution; and that we fully concur in that opinion - and that we know of said Elijah Towner-

Joseph Kingsbery
Thos. Marshall

Sworn to and subscribed in open court the 11th day of Sept 1832

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he stated-

Bradford County

I, James P. Beck [?] [illegible] of the Court of Common Pleas of Bradford County, certify that the above contains the original proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of Elijah Towner for a pension [illegible] whereas I have hereunto put my name and seal of office this 11th day of September AD 1832

for JP Beck [?]. [illegible]
E. J Goodrich. [illegible]

[Along the lower left margin]
12.434
[or]
12.634
Elijah Towner
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State of Pennsylvania
Bradford County 

Personally appears in open court of Common Pleas of Bradford County aforesaid Elijah Towner the applicant for a pension in the declaration annexed who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age, and the consequence of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service in every tour thereof, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned before and in the following grades[?]

For three months in the first enlistment I served as a private soldier. For six months and twenty five days in the second enlistment for the northern tour until I returned from on parole, I served as a private. For four days in the expedition to White plains, I served as a private, for three days to fort Montgomery I served as a private. For eight days on the expedition to Kingsbridge, I served as a private; and for such services I claim a pension.
                                        Elijah x Towner
                                         * his mark

Sworn & Subscribed in open court February 14, 1833 before me for _______ _______ E.S. Goodrich

Bradford County, I, James P. Bull of the court of Common Pleas Certify that the above is the original amendment to the declaration of Elijah Towner on application  for a pension and that the [illegible] were sworn & subscribed to in open Court by the said Elijah Towner & after being read and considered by the court ordered to be annexed to the original application with my hand and seal of office this 22 day of February 1833.

For J. P. Bull  [illegible]
E.S. Goodrich [illegible]
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Copied from MMHF
September 3, 1932
BA-J/MLB
Elijah Towner
S.22558
L.R. Doern
827 East Mason Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin


Dear Madam,
Reference is made to your letter relative to Elijah Towner, a soldier of the revolutionary war.
The date contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S.22558, based on the Revolutionary War service of Elijah Towner.
While a resident of Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Elijah Towner enlisted in October, 1775, and served three months as a private in Captain Eli Magget's company, Colonel Chandler's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted April 1, 1776, as a private in Captain Jabez Botaford's company, Colonel Swift's Connecticut regiment, and served until about August, 1776, when he was detached to serve as a marine on General Waterbury's galley, "Washington", on Lake Champlain, and he was in the battle of Lake Champlain where was taken prisoner, but released on parole and returned home. He then volunteered, contrary to his parole, and served four days as a private in Captain Justin Barnum's Connecticut company and was in the battle of White Plains. He also volunteered and served one tour of three days, to Fort Montgomery and another of eight day to Kingsbury, officers not named.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, while a resident of Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, at which time he was aged seventy-three years.

There are no data on file as to his family.

The above history is of the only soldier named Elijah Towner, of Danbury, Connecticut, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Very truly yours
A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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Bloomsbury, M.J.
Sept 9, 1929.
[Hand written]Bot 
[Hand written]44
Mr. Earl L. Church
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
My dear Commissioner: Last June 14th you advised me to send 2 names of Revolutionary soldiers from a list I had previously asked information about. Owing to illness I am just now continuing the work I had started.
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John Stearns
searched by aws
Born 1759 Deed 1858.
During the Rev. War while yet a boy
he drove team carrying ordinance &
commissary stores from Worcester
to Boston. His name is engraved
on a bronze tablet with other Rev.
patriots & embedded in a huge boulder
erected by the Canisteo Valley Chapter
Oak on the Armory Grounds in Hornell N.Y.
He moved to the Canisteo Valley with
early settlers in 1790. He married
Elizabeth Upson in 1795 - she died
when their first child was born John
Stearns married twice afterward but
I do not know the names. I am a descendant
through the first wife.
Elijah Towner Born Aug 20, 1757
Died Oct. 7, 1840
Enlisted at Danbury, Conn. I think
Married Mary Krapp, Dec. 17, 1778.
Later residence was Towner Hill Pa.
near Tioga
Page 11

Thanking you for any information
you may be able to give me,
I am,
Very respectfully,
Carrie Jamison Hoffman
(Mrs. F.C.
Box 44.)

Stamp
REVOUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
SEP 10 1929
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Page 12

Return this brief
with the papers.
Elijah Towner


Private 15 Mo 10 days
$57.11
.
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Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elijah Towner 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 determine to what amout [amount] of pension he is entitled? No, see Quere 5.
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?
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                                      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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
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 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."
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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.
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Mrs. J. Albert Kenny
23 Clay Street
Le Roy, N. Y.

March 21, 1933
United States Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Records Section
Washington, D.C. 

Received Mar 23 1933
Mail SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM. PERSON 3

Gentleman: - 
Have you any data on the following:- 
Thaddeus Hemenway, Massachusetts; wf. Lovina- ; dau. Sarah m Gershom Towner; d. Bumpville, Pa. 

Elijah Towner, b. 1759 Danbury, Ct. ; m. 1778, Mary Knapp; d. 1840 Towner Hill, Pa.; son Gershom m. Sarah Hemenway. 

Very truly yours,
Mae Bishop Kenny
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Received AUG 24 1932    
Milwaukee, Wis.   827 E. Mason St.
Aug. WPth. 1932

Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.

My dear Sirs,

Will you kindly give me the Service Record of my great-grandfather Elijah Towner, who served in the Connecticut Line enlisting from Danbury. His wife was Mary Knapp. I would be pleased to receive any record of family data which you may have.
I wish this information to complete a supplementary application paper for the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Yours very respectfully,
L. R. Doern
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New Rochelle, N.Y.
June 22, 1926. 

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, 
D.C.

Will you be so kind as to give me any information or data that you may have of Revolutionary Solider- 
ELIJAH TOWNER
born in Danbury, Connecticut, Aug. 20, 1759, and I believe died at same place October 7, 1840.
I am looking up my lineage for membership in the Daughters Of The American Revolution and anything of interest of record that you can send me will be greatly appreciated. 

Yours very truly,
Z Edna Bailey (Mrs . John A.)

Mrs. John A. Bailey
24 Garden Walk,
New Rochelle, N.Y.

U.S. Pensions Office
JUN 24 1926
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Rev. add 1812
Wars Section
MHF/HMM

September 11, 1929

Mrs. F. C. Hoffman
Bloomsbury, Box 44
New Jersey.

Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 22558, it appears that Elijah Towner while a resident of Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut enlisted in October 1775 and served three months as a private in Captain Eli Magget's Company, Colonel Chandler's Connecticut Regiment.
He enlisted April 1, 1776 as a private in Captain Jabez Hotsford's Company, Colonel Swift's Connecticut Regiment and served until about August 1776 when he was detached to serve as a marine on General Waterbury's galley "Washington" on Lake Champlain, and was in the battle of Lake Champlainn where he was taken prisoner, but released on parole and returned home. He then volunteered, contrary to his parole, served four days as a private in Captain Justus Barnum's Connecticut Company and was in the battle of White Plains. He also volunteered and served one tour of three days to Fort Montgomery and another of eight days to Kingsbury, officers not named.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11,
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1832 while a resident of Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, at which time he was aged seventy-three years.
There are no data on file as to his family.
The above named is the only soldier named Elijah Towner of Danbury, Connecticut, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 

Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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August 21, 1926
Mrs. John A. Bailey
24 Garden Walk
New Rochelle, N.Y.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 22558 it appears that Elijah Towner while a resident of Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut enlisted in October 1775 and served three months as a private in Captain Eli Magget's Company, Colonel Chandler's Connecticut Regiment. 
He enlisted April 1, 1776 as a private in Captain Jabez Botsford's Company, Colonel Swift's Connecticut Regiment and served until about August 1776 when he was detached to serve as a marine on General Waterbury's galley "Washington" on Lake Champlain, and was in the battle of Lake Champlain where he was taken prisoner, but released on parole and returned home. He then volunteered, contrary to his parole, served four days as a private in Captain Justus Barnum's Connecticut Company and was in the battle of White Plains. He also volunteered and served one tour of three days to Fort  Montgomery, and another of eight days to Kings-

(This service on his ...QC'd by Mrs Wilson. She said not use Captain Thatcher.)
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-bury, officers not named.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832 while a resident of Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, at which time he was aged seventy-three years.
There is no data on file as to his family.
The above noted is the only soldier named Elijah Towner of Danbury, Connecticut found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Respectfully,
E.W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.

(Date of death not on AB)
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April 5, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. J. Albert Kenny
23 Clay Street
Leroy, New York

ELIJAH TOWNER, S. 22558
THADDEUS HEMENWAY, R. 4859
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of March 21, in which you request the records of Elijah Towner and Thaddeus Hemenway, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
You are furnished herein the records of the above-named soldiers as requested. The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in their claims for pension, based upon service in the war of the Revolution.
ELIJAH TURNER, S. 22558
The date and place of soldiers' birth and name of his parents are not shown in the claim.
While a resident of Danbury, Fairfield County, Connecticut, Elijah Towner enlisted in October, 1775, and served three months as a private in Captain Eli Magget's company, Colonel Chandler's Connecticut regiment. He enlisted April 1, 1776, as a private in Captain Jabez Botsford's company, Colonel Swift's Connecticut regiment, and served until about August, 1776, when he was detached to serve as a marine on General Waterbury's galley, "Washington", on Lake Champlain, and was in the battle of Lake Champlain where he was taken prisoner, but released on parole and returned home. He then volunteered, contrary to his parole, served four days as a private in Captain Justus Barnum's Connecticut company and was in the battle of White Plains. He also volunteered and served one tour of three days to Fort Montgomery and another of eight days to Kingsbury, officers not named.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 11, 1832, while a resident of Rome Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, at which time he was aged seventy-three years.
Page 24

There are no data on file in regard to the family of Elijah Towner. 
The foregoing history is that of the only soldier named Elijah Towner, of Danbury, Connecticut, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
**********************
THADDEUS HEMENWAY, R. 4859
The papers on file in pension claim R. 4859, of Thaddeus Hemenway do not show the date and place of his birth nor the names of his parents.
He enlisted in Framingham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, April 1, 1777, served as private in Captain Peter Clayes' company, Colonel Thomas Nixon's Massachusetts regiment, was in the battles of Lake George and Stillwater and was discharged in April, 1778. He served on frequent enlistments as a six months' man, officers not named, was in the battle of Newport and served until April, 1781, when he enlisted for three years, served as a private in Captain Jonathan Maynard's company, Colonel Brooks' Massachusetts regiment, until March, 1782, when he stated that he was permitted to go home and he never returned to service.
Thaddeus Hemenway applied for pension February 18, 1819, at which time he was aged fifty-eight years and a resident of Wysox Township, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where he still resided in 1820. 
His claim for pension was not allowed as it appeared by a letter from Governor Brooks under whom the soldier served that he deserted the service. 
In 1820 the soldier referred to his wife, Lovina, aged fifty-eight years and to a son aged sixteen years, whose name he did not give. 
There are no further family data in the claim.
Very truly yours,
A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

2
Page 25

April 5, 1933
xxxxxxxx

Elijah Townes, S. 22558
Thaddeus Hemenway, R. 4859
BA-J/MB

Mrs. J. Albert Kenny
23 Clay Street
Leroy, New York

Dear Madam:

In accordance with you request of March 21, you are furnished herewith the records of Elijah Towner and Thaddeus Hemenway, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

The data contained in the records were obtained from the papers on file in their claims for pension, based upon service in the Revolutionary War.  

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 26

Revolution 22558
INVALID.
File No 22558
Elijah Towner
US Rev War
Act: June 7'' 32''
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 420
{Arrangement of 1870}

1926- Aug- 21- Hist to Mrs John A Bailey- 
1929- Sept 11- Hist to Mrs. F. C. Hoffman
1932, Sept 3- Hist. to L.R. Doern - MLB
1933, Apr. 5- " " Mrs. J. Albert Kenny- MLB