Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5540, for Oliver Phelps, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Phelps, Oliver
Phebe

NUMBER
W. 5540
Page 2

Connecticut. 22521
==========
Oliver Phelps
of Hartford in the State of Conn't who was a Private in the Co. commanded by Captain Pettibone of the Regt. commanded by Col. Ward in the Connect line for 19 mos.

63. 33/100

19.346

==========

Inscribed on the Roll of Connect. at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
==========
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Sep 1833 and sent to Hon. J.O. Pettibone, Simsbury, Ct.
==========
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833.           158.33
Semi-anl allowance ending 21 Mar 34. 59.66

==========
$189.99
==========
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer, Clerk,
Book E. Vol. three Page 35
Page 3

515
Connecticut
==========
Phebe Phelps
widow of Oliver Phelps who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private

Capt Pettibone  Ct Line
==========
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the3rd February 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of May 1853 and sent to Justus D. Wilcox
West Granby, Conn't
==========
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under [page] 64 Vo. A 

1832
Page 4

19346


These papers were attached but sepperated [separated] in Briefing.

George Taylor [signature]
Page 5

State of Connecticut } ss. Simsbury 
Hartford County }. Sept. 10, 1832

On this 10th day of Sept. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the court of Probate for Simsbury District in said County now sitting, Oliver Phelps of Canton in said County & State, aged 76 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 & served as herein stated, viz. 
1st. - That he enlisted in the fore part of the year 1776 in the town of Windsor in said County, into a company commanded by Capt. Ozias Pettibone.   The Lieutenants were George Griswold & Uriel Holmes - the Ensign's name was Gaines - That he was marched from said Windsor to Middletown, then embarked on board of a vessel & sailed to New York.  That when he arrived in N. York, the company was put into a Regiment commanded by Col. Andrew Ward.  The Major's name not exactly recollected, but believes it was Kant.  General Sullivan was his General.  That Capts. Meigs, Phelps, Prior, Stedman & Allyn were the Captains of Companies in the same Regiment.  

That he enlisted to serve one year - that he served out the time of his engagement, in the vicinity of New York, and in the State of New Jersey in the towns of Morristown & Chatham etc. - and that he was discharged in said N. Jersey & does not recollect of having received a written discharge.  

2nd - That in the year that Burgoine [Burgoyne] was taken he & 14 others volunteered & marched from said Windsor to Red Hook in the State of N. York, under the command of Ensign David Barber; this was at the time the
Page 6

British sailed up the north river - That he was on duty this tour one month.  That he knows of no person now living by whom he can prove this tour or term of service.

5.  That in the year 1778, according to his recollection he enlisted into the guard, to guard the Continental Stores at said Windsor, where he served or did duty 5 or 6 months, cannot certainly which. The officer of
the guard was Sergt Denslow.

That his first tour of service was in the
Continental Army & the 2 last were in the
State service, as he supposes.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present, & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.

Oliver Phelps [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - 
John O Pettibone [signature] Judge of Probate

To the interrogatories propounded by the
Court he answers to the
1st.  That he was born in Windsor, June 7th 1758.
2nd.  That the record of his birth is in the family Bible.
3rd.  That he lived in Windsor at the times he entered into the service - lived there till he was about 50 years old; that since that time, excepting 2 years that he lived in Barkhampsted, he has lived in that part of Canton formerly part of Simsbury, where
he now lives.

4th & 5th - Answered before
6th - Does not recollect of having received &
written discharge.
7th  - All the people in Canton, & many in
Windsor & Simsbury.
Page 7

I Samuel Porter of Berlin County of Hartford and State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify and say that I am well acquainted with Oliver Phelps of Canton County & State aforesaid - that I am knowing to his enlisting in the continental army in the forepart of the year 1776 for the term of one year and that said Phelps served this term aforesaid of one year the most of the time with me in the was of the revolution in the company under the command of Capt Ozias Pettebone & in the regiment commanded by Col. Andrew Ward - said services were mostly performed in the vicinity of the City of New York & in the State of New Jersey.

Samuel Porter [signature]


State of Connecticut}
Hartford County ss. }
Canton June 29th 1832

Personally appeared the above named Samuel Porter and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed - before me
Ephraim Mills [signature] Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Samuel Porter and that he is a credible person.

Ephraim Mills [signature] Justice of the Peace
Page 8

State of Connecticut, County of Hartford ss.

I Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for said County of Hartford, do hereby certify, that Ephraim Mills Esq. before whom the within affidavit of Samuel Porter was taken, was, on the 29th day of June A.D. 1832, a Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Hartford, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, & that the several signatures purporting to be said Ephraim Mills are genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court this 8th day of July AD 1833.

Jared Griswold, Clerk [signature]


[label, inverted at bottom of page]
Samuel Porter's 
Affidavit
Page 9

We, Jairus Burt, a clergyman, residing in the town of Canton & County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, & William H. Hallock, residing in the same town of Canton, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Oliver Phelps  of said Canton & residing therein, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration,
that we believe him to be 76 years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

James Burt [signature]
W. H. Hallock [signature]

Subscribed & sworn to Nov. 9- 1832-
before me 
John O Pettibone Judge of Probate [signature]

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
above named applicant, Oliver Phelps, was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies, at it appears to said Court that James Burt who has
signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in town of Canton aforesaid & that William H. Hallock who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same town and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John O. Pettebone  Judge of Probate [signature]

I Benjamin Ely, Clerk of the Court of Probate for Simsbury District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Oliver Phelps for a pension.  And I also certify that John O. Pettibone, who has affixed his name, in his own proper handwriting as above, is Judge of Probate for Simsbury District.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10th day of Sept. 1832

Benjamin Ely [signature]
Clerk
Page 10

19346
Oliver Phelps
Ct.

228371
Adm 1. year & 7 months
Private. ---  

$ 40.00
   23.33
----------
$63.33

126.66
  31.67
----------
158.33
  31.66
----------
189.99


Hon. J. C. Pettibone
Simsbury
Connt.
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
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 compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of  Oliver Phelps Ct.
Period when the service was rendered.  1776 enlstd [enlisted]  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  1 year   Rank of the claimant. Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt Pettibone  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col. Ward   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   Country through which he marched.  Windsor to N York, N. J., P Hook NY    Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  76 Windsor  Ct. now lives in Simsbury   Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  A living witness proves the one years Service, Certificate of Clergyman and one Citizen.
Period when the service was rendered.  1777  Duration of Claimant’s Service. 1 month   Rank of the claimant. Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Ensign Barber  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.   
Period when the service was rendered.  1778 enlisted five or six months but cannot be certain   Duration of Claimant’s Service.   Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 in stance, 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, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) 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 entered 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 that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[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 hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter 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 hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. 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 day 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
As Sargent Denslow is now living the applicant should of the Sargent to his last tour of Service [or in order to substantiate his claim produce the testimony.]
Page 13

3
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 Town officer 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. 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 Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed 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 declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person 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 rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where 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 claimant 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 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 - months and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held 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 in the militia, &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 he 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.    
[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 it 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.               
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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.         
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 claimant's 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. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all 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 indispensable 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.          
in order to substantiate his claim produce the testimony.
Page 14

State of Connecticut }
Hartford County. } ss

On this 8th day of March AD. 1853, personally appeared before me, Orrin P. Case Judge of the Court of Probate holden at Canton within and for the district of said Canton, Phebe Phelps, as resident of said Canton aged Eighty Eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed Feby 2nd 1848 and Feby 3d 1853, entitled an act to continue half pay pensions to certain widows &c. That she is the widow of
Oliver Phelps who was a private in the army
of the revolution & served one year from early
in the summer of 1776 in Capt Ozias Pettibones company & in Col Wards Regt the particulars of which service were set forth in the application of said Oliver Phelps for a pension, and are referred to at the pension office. She further declares, that her husband, the said Oliver Phelps obtained a pension on the roll of the Connecticut
agency at the rate of $63.33 per annum.  That his residence at the time he entered the
service & at the time of our marriage was
in Windsor in the County & State aforesaid. She further declares that her maiden name was Phebe Wickom, & that the place of her residence at the time of her marriage was Barkhamsted at which place she was married to the said Oliver Phelps on the 6th day of January AD 1800 by the Rev'd Aaron Church then the settled Pastor of the church in Hartland, now long since dead;
Page 15

That her husband, the aforesaid Oliver Phelps, died on the 21st day of September AD 1834 at Canton aforesaid, as will appear by certificate of Court accompanying my application for the ballance [balance] due on my husbands pension certificate at his decease, leaving me a widow by the name of Phebe Phelps, & that I have ever since remained such - 
Phebe Phelps [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed on the day and year above written before me, & I certify that I am fully satisfied that the foregoing statement is true - & that the declaration of the applicant was taken at her own residence in consequence of her extreme age & enfeebled health.
Orrin S. Case Judge [signature]

I John H. Thompson Clerk of the Court of Probate holden at Canton within and for the district of Canton, do certify that Orrin S. Case Esq. is Judge of Probate for the district of Canton aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified, & that full faith & credit are to be given to his official acts as such - & further that the signature hereon purporting to be his, is his own genuine signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at Canton this 8th day of March AD 1853.
John H. Thompson [signature]
Clerk of the Court of Probate for Canton District
Page 16

State of Connecticut }
County of Hartford }  ss
Hartland first Parish } 
Feb. 28 D 1853

I Nelson Scott, Minister of the Parish aforesaid & having custody of the records of the Congregational Church in said Parish, do certify that I have examined the Records of Marriages kept by Rev. Aaron Church former Pastor of this Church, & do find that Oliver
Phelps of Windsor was married to Phebe Wickom of Barkhamsted on the sixth day of January AD one thousand eight hundred, & that the foregoing is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the
date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows:  

"1800 Jany 6th 
Oliver Phelps of Windsor to
Phebe Wickom of Barkhamsted"

I Nelson Scott above named, depose & say that I hold the office of Pastor in the County, town, & State aforesaid, & that the above is a true extract from the records of said Church, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
Nelson Scott [signature]
Pastor of Sd Church.

Sworn before me 
[seal affixed] Justus D. Wilcox, Notary Public 
and I certify that said Nelson Scott
is pastor of the church as above stated
J.D. Wilcox N. P. [signature]
Page 17

[left margin] Justus D. Wilcox Notary Public

[top of page]
State of Connecticut  }
Hartford County }  ss
Probate district of Granby }

I George W. Holcomb, Clerk of the Court of
Probate holden at Granby within & for the district of Granby, do certify that Justus D. Wilcox is a Notary Public in & for the State aforesaid, duly appointed, commissioned & sworn.  That his commission took effect on the 18th day of August AD. 1852, & will expire on the 18th day of August AD. 1854, and that the signature on the margin purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 5th day of March AD. 1852

George W Holcomb [signature] Clerk of
Court of Probate for Granby District
Page 18

State of Connecticut  }
Hartford County}   ss 
Canton March 8th AD 1853

We Averit Wilcox and Israel W. Graham of Canton in the County & State aforesaid
of lawful age, after being duly cautioned
& sworn, depose & say that we are, & for many years past have been personally acquainted with Mrs. Phebe Phelps, the aged widow of Oliver Phelps, who was a Revolutionary pensioner & died many years since at Canton, leaving her the said Phebe a
widow, & that she has never since been
married. That from our personal knowledge of the said Oliver Phelps & our recollection of the period of his death we have no doubt whatever that his death occured at the time specified in the declaration of his widow this day made & further deponents say not.
Averit Wilcox {signature]
Israel W Graham [signature]

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above written before me, & I certify that I am personally acquainted with both the above named deponents, that they are credible witnesses, & their statements may be relied on.
Justus D. Wilcox Notary Public [signature]
Page 19

Rev. &1812 Wars Section.
MMHF

November 25, 1925

Honorable Hiram Bingham
United States Senate

My dear Senator:
In response to your inquiry of November 23, 1925, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 5540 it appears that Oliver Phelps was born June 7, 1756 in Windsor, Hartford
County, Connecticut.

While a resident of said Windsor he enlisted in early part of 1776 and served one year as a private in Captain Ozias Pettibone's company, Colonel Andrew Ward's Connecticut Regiment.

He volunteered in 1777 and served one month under Ensign David Barber in the Connecticut Troops.

He enlisted in 1778 and served six months guarding Continental Stores at Windsor, Connecticut, under Sergeant Elijah Denslow.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 10, 1832 while a resident of Canton, Hartford
Page 20

County, Connecticut. He died September 21, 1834 in said Canton.

Soldier married January 6, 1800 in Barkhamsted, Connecticut, Phebe Wickom of  said Barkhamsted. She was allowed pension on her application executed March 8, 1853 while living in Canton, Connecticut aged eighty-
eight years.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 21

[Left side, handwritten]
Jany 5. 1905. His to
Mrs Chas L. Phelps
Turnerville Conn
__________

1925 - Nov. 25. Hist. to Hon. Hiram Bingham for F.C. Bissell.


[Right side]
Revy. 

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5540
Phebe Phelps
Wid.
Oliver Phelps
Pvt.  Rev War
---
Act: 1832
Index: -- Vol. M., Page 127


[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 22

This behalf of F.C. Bissell of Hartford, Conn. - who wanted Oliver Phelps, Hartford Co. Conn. pension & Francis Bacon of Canton, Conn - Mr. Bissell 


United States Senate,
Washington, Nov. 23, 1925.

The Commissioner of Pension,
Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.

Sir:
I have the honor to submit the following communication for your consideration, and to ask that the request made therein be complied with if possible.

When the matter is disposed of, will you kindly have the letter returned to my office, and oblige.

Yours truly,
by direction of
HIRAM BINGHAM
U. S. S.
Page 23

No 686  
Appl [application] of Phebe Phelps widow of  Oliver 
Connt  32 
22521 
Act 3d Feby. 1853 
$63.33/100 per annum Commencing Feby 3d 1853 
Revy
Justus D. Wilcox West Granby Connt 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
Pension Office, Official Business
Page 24

Brief in the case of Phebe Phelps, Widow of Oliver, Hartford County and State of Connecticut, act 3d February 1853.
==========
Claim, ("original")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls?  If either, state the substance.

Husband was a pensioner, under act of
7th of June, 1832.

Marriage proven by Certified Copy of Record entry of the same & parole proof certified to be credible.

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?


Justus D. Wilcox, Esqr [signature]
West Granby,
Conn.
Name and residence of Agent

S. C. Boynton [signature]
Examining Clerk.
Page 25

W. Granby Ct
March 25
Hon J. E. Heath
Comr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 26

West Granby Ct. March 25th 1853.

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comr of Pensions,

I herewith enclose the application of Mrs. Phebe Phelps for a Pension under the recent & forever acts of Congress, & remark that her husband was in service a longer period than she has set forth in her declaration, being some time in service as a guard of the continental stores at Windsor , Ct., the  particulars of which service were stated in her husbands declaration, & being refered to at the pension office, it was deemed unnecessary to repeat them in the enclosed declaration -

Please address Justus D. Wilcox
West Granby
Connecticut

Will the Department be kind enough to inform me whether the children of officers & Soldiers of the war of 1812 who were slain in service & who were under 16 years of age
Page 27

at the termination of the 5 years bounty under the former act, are entitled to the benefits of the recent act, while they remained under 16 years of age, the mother being deceased?

An Early answer to this query will much obliged, 
some children interested,

J. D. Wilcox [signature]
Page 28

I certify that I have examined the 
records of the session in May 1776  
ordered a regiment to be raised for the period of one year, & appointed Andrew Ward Col & Obediah Johnson Lt Colo thereof July 8th 1833. 
Elisha Phelps 
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify that it appears by the books in the office appertaining to the Pay Table office that in the account of the expences of Col Wards regiment raised in May 1776 there is charged to the United States, viz, under date May 28th 1776 “To order on Treasurer to Capt. Ozias Pettibone  additional bounty of 30 / for his Company, Colo. Wards regiment  £135,0,0 commissions 40/6  £137,0,6”. 
And that under date 22nd of December 1777 there is charged to the United States on the
Page 29

journal of the Pay Table viz. "To order on Treasurer in favor of Oliver Phelps hospital expence " Wards regiment, £11.5.7 “
Elisha Phelps
Page 30

I Elijah Denslow of Windsor in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut Depose and say that I have been acquainted with Oliver Phelps ever since before the revolutionary War who formerly resided in Windsor and now resides in Canton in this State, and that the said Oliver Phelps served in the Guard at Windsor to guard the Hospital & the Stores deposited at said Windsor, for the term of six months from the best of my recollection and I believe in the year 1778.   And that my Father, Elijah Denslow was Sergeant of the guard who died in the year 1796, that I was a private in the year and served in the 1778 with the above named Oliver Phelps.   
Elijah Denslow 
Dated Windson July 8th 1833 
State of Connecticut 
Hartford County ss Windsor July 8th 1833 
Personally appeared the above named Elijah Denslow to me well known as a credible person and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me 
Henry Sill Justice of the Peace
Page 31

State of Connecticut }
County of Hartford } ss.

I Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for said County of Hartford, do hereby certify, That Henry Sill Esq. before whom the within affidavit of Elijah Denslow was taken, was, on the 8th day of July AD 1833, a Justice of the peace in & for the County of Hartford, duly commissioned
& qualified according to law & that the signature purporting to be said Henry Sill, is genuine.

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of said
County Court this 8th day of July AD. 1833

Jared Griswold, Clerk [signature]
Page 32

State of Connecticut }
Hartford County }
ss. Probate Office, Simsbury District,
July 9th 1833

Present, Hon. John C. Pettibone, Judge.

The original papers in the application of Oliver Phelps a resident of Canton in said County, having been returned to the Judge, by the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions; also a brief, noticing sundry particulars to which the attention of the Court was particularly directed; an additional affidavit from Elijah Denslow has been procured - and a certificate on the back thereof duly sealed & signed by Jared Griswold, Esq. Clerk of Hartford County Court.  This Court has a seal & has directed the Clerk to give a description
of it; and in affixing it to this paper and on the
ends of the narrow ribbon or tape connecting all the papers together, to make the impression as plain as possible.

And the Court doth declare his opinion, on investigation of the whole matter that the
applicant, Oliver Phelps, was a private, a soldier in the revolutionary war & served as stated in his declaration; and that the time he served on the guard at Windsor was six months.

I Benjamin Ely, Clerk of the Court of Probate
for Simsbury District, do certify that the foregoing contains the whole proceedings in the matter of the application of Oliver Phelps for a pension. And I also certify that John O. Pettibone, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate for Simsbury District.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of Office this 9th day of July 1833.
Benjamin Ely Clerk  [signature]

The seal used in this Office is the same that was used by the first Judge of the District. The device, a sheaf & a dove standing on it, on the dexter side of the sheaf a lion rampant; on the sinister side, a serpent. The motto, Plenty, Peace, Strength, Wisdom.  The impression of the device can easily be made; the motto cannot be made legible with or by a wafer on paper.