Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,500, for James Leach, Connecticut
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SERVICE
Conn
Leach, James Sibbel
NUMBER
W. 24.500
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Vermont - 2786
Sibbel Leach
widow of James Leach
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7th June '32 and who died on the 2nd August 1835 of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a Pri in the Company commanded by Captain Bow of the Regt commanded by Barton in the Conn line for 12 mons
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of  May 39 and sent to G.W. Harman
Pawlet, Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March - $120.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 20.00
$140.00
Act July 7,
1838
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 - Page 45
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Vermont 9534
James Leach
of Rutland in the State of Vermont who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Bow of the Regt. commanded by Col. Barton in the Connt line for 12 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 40 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May '33 and sent Hon. a Warner Poultney, Vt
Arrears to the 4th of March '33 - 80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. '33 - 20
$100
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 74
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Admt as a private - 
12 mo - $40

Hon Almon Warner
Poultney, Vt.
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11.591
BRIEF in the case of James Leach of Pawlet in the State of Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73 years - 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
25 June In 1776 enlisted Conn Troops | 6 months | Private | Gen Sullivan's Brigade Col Chester's Reg Capt Asa Bow Com| Conn State troops enlisted
Aug or Sep 1777 vol | 2 months |Major E Lyon, Col Bartons Reg, Gnl Spencer's Brigade | Volunteer
About 1st Nov 1779 till early in March 1780 | 4 months/12 months | Sergt | Capt Jor Dayes Co, Col Levi Wells Reg | enlisted

5. In what battles was he engaged? battle of White Plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Canterbury Conn
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? 1st & 3rd term by witnesses & the traditionary evidence of others - one a clergyman certified to be credible persons
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens Examining Clerk
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State of Vermont
Rutland County
District of Fairhaven Ss.
On the Sixth day of September in the year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairhaven now sitting James Leach a resident of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, 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 Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as hereinafter stated.
He was born at Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut on the fifth day of April in the year 1779, and has a record of his age at home drawn off from the records of the Town of Canterbury by the Clerk of said Town.
He enlisted at Canterbury aforesaid on the 25th day of June 1776 for six months in the Connecticut state troops and served in the Company of Cap Asa Bacon of Canterbury aforesaid - the other officers of his company were Abner Bacon 1st Lieut - Russ of Coventry 2nd Lieut. Aaron Cleveland of said Canterbury Ensign Ebenezer Felch Sergeant marched in the Company to Norwich landing then in a boat - to New London, when he embarked for the city of New York - the Sloop was chased by a British Frigate and put into Rye and marched them on foot to New York when he joined Col. Chesters Regiment in Genl Sullivans Brigade on the 4th day of July - remained at New York until the Army retreated from New York . then marched to Harlem Heights, thus to Valentine's Hill, thus to White Plains, where he was engaged in the battle in September or October - thus to
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North Castle and afterwards went into New Jersey and at the expiration of his term of Enlistment they were requested to remain till the Army could be somewhat reenlisted or for some other purpose and he with others of his company remained perhaps ten days and were then dismissed without discharge - A part of his company who were in a destitute condition had been left at Peekskill N.Y. - he recollects Colonel Hamilton La Fayette Baron Steuben and General Washington in the Continental Service, as also General Putnam and Lord Sterling.

In the year 1777 and he thinks in August or September he volunteered at Canterbury aforesaid for two months under Ephraim Lyon who he believes was a Major to go on General Spencer's Expedition to Rhode Island, went to Providence Rhode Island when he his arms ascouterments and was quartered at the College - from there he marched to Tivertown and served in Colonel Barton's regiment according to his recollection, in General Spencer's Brigade - he does not recollect that he was attached to any Company and if he was, he does not recollect any officers - he returned from Tivertown to Providence where he remained some time and was dismissed at Providence without discharge.

On or about the 1st of November 1779, he enlisted at Canterbury aforesaid for four months in Connecticut State Troops in Captain Joseph Dugg's Company in which Timothy Cleveland was Lieutenant and Asa Gear was Ensign and Jonathan Downing was a Sergeant - as also one Fenton a Sergeant - marched to New London when he joined Colonel Levi Wells Regiment - remained at New London near 2 months according to his recollection - then marched to New Haven where he remained a few days and then marched to Stratford where he served out his time and was dismissed early in March 1780 without discharge - when he arrived at New London a vacancy occurred and he was elected a Sergeant - and served as such Sergeant during his enlistment.
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He has no documentary evidence of his service and is known to Phineas Strong and John Griswold - who can testify as to his character for veracity and thus belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He moved to Pawlet the last year of the Revolutionary War where he has since resided except about six months at Canterbury aforesaid where he worked about that time.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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 
James Leach

We John Griswold a clergyman residing in the Town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont - and Phineas Strong of Pawlet aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Leach the above mentioned applicant; 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,  and that we concur in this opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the fifth day of September 1832.
John Grisold
Phineas Strong
N. Harmon Just. Peace

Rutland County Ss
I Robert Pierpont Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland hereby certify that Nathaniel Harmon is a Justice of the Peace for the said county and that the signature above purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this sixth day of September 1832.
R Pierpoint
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And the said Court do hereby declare that in the opinion of said court - after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, the above named applicant was a Revolutionary War Soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to the said that John Griswold who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the Town of Pawlet - aforesaid, and that Phineas Strong who has also signed the same is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit.

I Selah H. Merrill Register 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 James Leach for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this sixth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
S.H. Merrill
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I Benjamin Smith of Canterbury in the County of Windham State of Connecticut being of the age of 70 years do depose and say that I am well acquainted with James Leach now of the town of Pawlet in the State of Vermont of the age of 73 years. He was a native of the town of Canterbury in Windham County State of Connecticut. we lived but a short distance from each other in younger life, and was intimately acquainted 
Said James Leach; enlisted with me into Capt Joseph Dungy's Company in Colonel Levi Wells Regement on the 3rd day of November 1779 and served for the time of four months, we joined the Regement at Newlondon [New London] and marched from there to New haven and then to Stratford where we was discharged. 
Benjamin Smith

Windham County Ss. Canterbury August 13th 1832
Then the Deponent appeared being a man of truth and verasity and has made oaths to the above deposition by him subscribed 
Before me
Walter Williams, Justice of the Peace
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I Asa Burgess of Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut being of the age of 75 years do say that I am well acquainted with James Leach of the town of Pawlet in the State of Vermont age 73 yr he was a native of the town of Canterbury Windham County State of Connecticut when we enlisted, we enlisted on the 25th day of June 1776 under Capt Asa Bacon of Canterbury in Colonel Chesters Regiment belonging to the State Troops we went to New York and joined the army on the 4th day of July remained in the service until the 25th day of December when discharged at the end of six month of which appears by Capt Asa Bacons Parroll of which now appears to be shown
Asa Burgess

Windham County Ss Canterbury August 10th 1832
Then personally appeared before me the written named Asa Burgess and has made oath to the above assertion by him subscribed he is a man of truth and verasity to be depended upon
Before me Walter Williams Justice of Peace
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I Ebenezer Park of Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut being of the age of 73 years do testify and say that I am well acquainted with James Leach now living in the town of Pawlet and State of Vermont age 73 years. Said James leach was born in the town of Canterbury Windham County, State of Connecticut he lived a neighbour to me for the space of twenty one years.
he enlisted with me into Capt Joseph Dungy's Comp Commanded by Levi Wells Colonel on the 3 days of November 1779 and served for the time of four months.
[crossed out] Joined the Regiment at Newlondon  and marched on to Newhaven and from there to Stratford where we was discharged.
Ebenezer Park
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I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Walter Williams Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavits annexed hereunto were made is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Windham County, that the foregoing signatures of his name are in his hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such - 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Brooklyn in said County this 20th day of August AD. 1832
Armin Bolles, Clerk

In the matter of the application of James Leach of Pawlet Vermont for a Pension
Declaration 
11591
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I, Ichabod Ward of Norwich in the County of New London State of Connecticut, aged seventy seven years having been duly examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth & being sworn according to law, do on my oath depose testify and say that I was present when James Leach was married to Sybel Cady, both of Canterbury in the County of Windham - they were married by Eli^ashub Adams Esq. a Justice of the Peace for said County of Windham at the house of Jesse Adams a brother in law to said James Leach, he having married his wife's sister - they said James Leach and Sybel Cady were married in June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three. I married Mary Cady the sister of Sybel Cady - we were married the twentieth day of November following in the same year. 
Shortly after they were married they removed to the town of Pawlet in the County of Rutland in the State of Vermont where he resided until his death, and further the deponent saith not.
Ichabod Ward
State of Connecticut
New London County Ss
Norwich Oct 13 - 1838
Personally appeared Ichabod Ward Esq and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed. I hereby certify that Ichabod Ward Esq is a person to me well known, is of good character and his testimony as a witness is entitled to full credit - before me
Asa Roath
Justice of the Peace for New London County
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I Mary Ward of Norwich in the County of New London & State of Connecticut, wife of Ichabod Ward, aged seventy eight years, having been duly examined and cautioned to speak the whole truth, and being sworn according to law do on my oath certify depose and say, that James Leach married my sister Sybel Cady. I was present when they were married, it was at the house of Jesse Adams in Canterbury in Windham County, who married a sister of mine they were married by Eliashub Adams Esq. a Justice of the Peace for said County of Windham - My present husband Ichabod Ward was present at the marriage also - we were married on the 20th day of November following in the same year to wit the year seventeen hundred and eighty three, they said James Leach & Sybel Cady were married in June Seventeen hundred and Eighty three - Soon after they were married they removed to Pawlet in Vermont, where they resided until the death of James Leach and my sister Sybel Leach his widow now resides there - And further the deponent saith not.
Mary Ward
State of Connecticut
New London County Ss.
Norwich Oct. 13 - 1838.
Personally appeared before me Mrs. Mary Ward wife of Ichabod Ward and made solemn
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oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by her subscribed.
I hereby certify that Mrs. Mary Ward is a person to me well known that she is as a witness entitled to full and implicit credit - 
Before me
Asa Roath
Justice of the Peace for New London County

State of Connecticut
New London County Ss.
I John D Witt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that Asa Roath Esq before whom the within and annexed depositions of Ichabod Ward and Mary Ward was taken was on the 13th day of October 1838 and still is a Justice of the peace in and for said New London County and that his signatures affixed to the same are genuine 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 15th day of October AD 1838
John D Witt Clerk
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Sibbel Leach
Declaration
3013
G. W. Harmon
Agent
Pawlet 
Vermont
admd
12 mo Pri
40 $
No deduction
G. W. Harmon
Pawlet Vt
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State of Vermont
County of Rutland Ss.
On this 25th day of October, 1838 personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Fairhaven in the County of Rutland, aforesaid, Sibbel Leach, a resident of Pawlet, in said County & District, aged eighty two 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 7th 1838 entitled "an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows". That she is the widow of James Leach, who was a soldier in the army of the Revolutionary war and who was a pensioner under the act of the Congress of the United States passed on the 7th day of June 1832, and her proof of his service as to grade and length of time, she respectfully refers to the documents in his case on file in the War Department - Also to the pension certificate surrendered after the death of the said James Leach to draw the balance of Pension due at that time.

She further declares, that she was married to the said James Leach on the 15th day of June in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three; that her husband the aforesaid James Leach died on the 2nd day of August 1835, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four - at the time above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
Sibbel Leach
Almon Warner
Judge of Probate
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State of Vermont
Fairhaven Probate District Ss.

I Selah H Merrill Register of the Probate Court for the District of Fairhaven in the County of Rutland do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sibbel Leach for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 25th day of October 1838
S. H. Merrill
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 nx500
Jas Leach
Appln Sept 6 32
Pawlet Vt
73
Sm June 25/76
Canterbury Ch Conn
Capt Asa Bacon
Col Chester
White Plains Battle
6 mos
1777
Eph Lyon
Col Barton
2 mos
Nv. 77 Capt Jos Durkee
Col Levi Wells
4 mos Sgt
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11.591
Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of James Leach 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 war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of this 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? 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?
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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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Only in part
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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 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 this service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below 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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Pawlet Oct. 30 1838

Sir,
Inclosed are the papers in support of the claim of Sibbel Leach - Thus they will receive an early examination and that I may be informed of the results.
I am respectfully 
yours,
G W Harmon

J.L. Edwards Esq
[illegible] Pensions
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Per
Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
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Pawlet Vermont Sept 26th 1838

Sir,
I herewith forward the Declaration affidavits in the matter of the application of James Leach for a Pension. The papers have first been returned to me from the Court of Probate - I perceive thus neither the Judges or Registers name is attached to the Jurat at the close of the Declaration. I suppose the Court probably think the certificate of the Register as the close of the proceedings as sufficient and they have have authenticated all the pension papers per hand by me in the same way, as I did not see the other papers executed before this court after they were completed.
If the Department excepts to the above matter, the papers may be returned for alteration to Almon Warner of Poultney, Judge, or Declare H. Merrill of Castleton Register
If there are other objections they may be returned as information given to me
Your obs Servt
R. F. Strong
To J.L. Edwards
Pension Clerk
P.S. Please forward certificate to me
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Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24,500
---
Sibbel Leach
Wid of
James Leach
Priv  Conn lin
Act: July 7th 1838
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 430
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Jany 25. 1900
Histy to
Jane E. Leach
Norwich Con.
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O W & n
[stamp] O. W. & N. DIVISION DEC 1 1899 RECEIVED


Norwich Ct. Nov. 27, 1899.
Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir.
I should be very grateful to learn 
if it is on record that one James Leach who
lived in Pawlet Vt at the time of death.
received a pension as a revolutionary soldier.
Respectfully,
James E. Leach
62 Summit St.
Norwich Ct.

[stamp] PENSION U.S. OFFICE. H NOV 28 1899PES