Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26709, for William Prentice, Connecticut
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SERVICE  Conn.
Prentice, William
Kenyon, Zephrah
NUMBER  W. 26709
Former Widow
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7264. New York 
Zephrah Kenyon, formerly widow of William Prentice, who was a private, in the Connecticut line 
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 40 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 2d day of Sept: 1845 and sent to E. A. Brown Syracuse, N. York
[Act of March 3, 1843. & 17 June 1844] 
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 78 
Rept 2 d
17 June 853
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State of New York 
Onondaga County ss} On this Eleventh day of July one thousand Eight hundred and forty three personally appeared before Daniel Pratt Esq. First Judge of Onondaga County Court holden in & for the County of Onondaga and State aforesaid,  Zephra Kenyon a resident of the Town of Lafayette in said County of  Onondaga, aged about Eighty years who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 and August 23d 1842 granting pensions to certain widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war.  That she is the widow of William Prentice who was a private in the first Regiment of the Connecticut line, & Served for the term of about three or four years between 1776  & 1781.  That he served for a part or all of the time under Captain Miles & Col. Starr. That said William Prentice enlisted at Preston  in Connecticut. as declarant understood, first for six months, and afterwards again enlisted for Eighteen months & continued to serve until about the beginning of the year 1781.  That this declarant saw said William Prentice occasionally during the time of his service & was engaged to be married to him as soon as he left the service.   Declarant further states that she was married to the said William Prentice at the house of her father Daniel Starkweather by Elder Blood a minister of the Baptist
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Denomination, at the Town of Shaftsbury County of Bennington and State of Vermont according to the best of her present recollection on the third day of September 1781, but she is not now perfectly Clear in her recollection of the time of such marriage, but she can positively State that said marriage took place within a short time after said William Prentice left the service - & she verily believes that she was so married within one year after he left the service & during the war months.  That she has no record of such marriage & never has had & she does not know whether there is any record thereof in existence or not.   
Declarant further States that her said husband William Prentice died at the Town of Lafayette in said County of Onondaga on the Eleventh day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and twelve.  
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and Ninety four Viz at the time above stated. She further declares that after the death of the husband aforesaid she was married to Simon Kenyon  on the Sixteenth day of eighteen hundred and fourteen And that he died on the Eleventh day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty nine at the Town of Lafayette aforesaid
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And that she is still a widow
Zephrah Kenyon her mark
Sworn to & subscribed on the year first above written before me 
Daniel Pratt First Judge of Onondaga County 
I certify that the words "or four" & "May" were interlined in the foregoing declaration before the same was executed.  
Daniel Pratt C First Judge of Onondaga County 
State of New York 
Onondaga County ss} I, Daniel Pratt. First Judge of Onondaga County Court before whom the foregoing declaration of Zephra Kenyon was this day taken, do hereby certify that, in my opinion, the said declarant, on account of her and age & infirmity is unable to attend the Courts of which I am a Judge as aforesaid from her present appearances, I do not think she will be able to attend such Court, at the next term thereof for the purpose of making her said Declaration.  
[unreadable] Syracuse July 11th 1843 
Daniel Pratt First Judge of Onandaga
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State of New York 
Onondaga County} ss  Johnson Hall of the Village of Syracuse in said County & State being duly sworn says that he is acquainted with Zephrah Kenyon of the Town of La Fayette whose declaration is prefixed to this affidavit was taken before Judge Pratt on the 11th day of July Inst.   That this deponent has known said Zephra for the space of about thirty five years last past. That this deponent was formerly acquainted with William Prentice the former husband of said Zephra. That he said Prentice formerly resided in that part of the of Old Town of Pompey now called La Fayette in the County aforesaid and died at that place about thirty one years ago.  That said Zophra after the Death of her said husband William as this deponent has been informed & verily believes intermarried with one Simeon Kenyon who did several years since. Deponent further says he recollects of said Prentice & said Zelpha living together as husband and wife & further that he believes her to be a credible person & that her statement in said Declaration are entitled to full credit. & further says not. 
Johnson Hall
Sworn before me this 18th of July 1843 
Daniel Pratt First Judge of Onandaga County
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State of New York 
Onondaga County } ss I, Charles T. Hicks  County Clerk of the said of Onondaga & State of New York do certify, that Daniel Pratt Esq. before whom the within declaration & affidavit were taken & who executed the within Certificate was at the time they respectively bear date still is the First Judge of Onondaga County Courts & that the several signatures within contained, purporting to be his are the genuine signatures of said Daniel Pratt.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 19th day of July 1843.  Chas T. Hicks Clerk
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State of Connecticut 
Comptrollers Office 
Hartford 19th June 1843 
On application for evidence of the service of William Prentice in the war of the revolution I have made examination and find the following facts. In the 1st Vol of the Records of the Connecticut Line, in the "Settlement with the Connecticut Regr Josiah Starr Esq Colonel before 1780 Jany 1st”  there is at page 8 this entry – “William Prentice, Private, commencement of Service Decr 15th 1776, time of this settlement January 1st 1780 - Term 3 years 15 Days.” 
In the same volume same Regt and service page 167 is the following entry “William Prentice, Private, commencement of service January 1780 time of this settlement January 1st 1781 term 1 year." 
Certified from Records 
Gideon Welles Comptroller
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State  of New York 
County of Wyoming} ss: John Starkweather of the Town of Bethany in the County of Genesee and State of New York being duly sworn deposes and says that he was present at the marriage of William Prentice and Zephrah Starkweather, that they were married at the House of Daniel Starkweather in the Town of  Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont in the Summer of 1781 or 1782 or 1783, that said William Prentice served in the Army as a private in the Company of Captain Miles of the Town of Preston in New London County in Connecticut for the time of two years in the Revolutionary War, but this deponent cannot state precisely what years he served in the army.  And this deponent further says he is the Brother of the said Zephrah Starkweather but cannot state more particularly the time of the said Marriage.  
John Starkweather
Sworn & Subscribed this 8th day of April 1843 before me a Justice of the Peace of said County 
L.W. Pray 
State of New York 
Wyoming County} ss I do hereby certify, that Lewis W. Pray Esquire, before whom the above affidavit was taken was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly qualified and sworn and authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal at Warsaw in said County, this 12th day of April 1843. 
Nelson Wolcott Clerk of Wyoming County
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State of New York 
County of Allegany}ss  Billings Starkweather of the Town of Hume County of Allegany and State of New York being duly served deposeth and saith that he was present at the marriage of William Prentice and Zephrah Starkweather that they were married at the House of Daniel Starkweather in the Town of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont in the summer of 1781 that said William Prentice served in the Army as a private in the company of Captain Miles of the Town of Preston in New London County in the State of Conneticut for the term of Two years in the Revolutionary War but this deponent cannot State percisely what years he served in the army and this Deponent further saith he is the Brother of the Zephrah Starkweather.   
Billings Starkweather his mark
Sworn and subscribed his this 10th day of April 1843 before me a Justice of the Peace of the said County 
Charles Mather Justice of the Peace  
I certify that the reason the said Billings Starkweather does not write his name as he informs me he never learned to write and he in my pressure made his mark 
Charles Mather Justice
State of New York  
Allegany County Clerks Office ss  
I hereby certify that Charles Mather Esquire before whom the above Affidavit was taken was at the date of the same Justice of the Peace in and for said County and duly authorized to act as such and
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further that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature to the same purporting to be his is his genuine signature. 
Witness my hand & the Seal of said County at Angelica this Tenth day of April A.D. 1843 William Windsor
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Town of Preston sent one Blanket, 
to Eleven weeks boarding tories 
to William Prentice  service 26-0-0
“No Four”
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40
12
80
40
6/4800/80
48
00
6-8
S.
1-10
1-13-4
6-8
2-00-0
1-13-4
2400-0
2513-4
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Citation for E Brown notification 
February 13th 1786 then the within notification was read in the hearing of the within named Elias Brown Esqr br me 
Ethel Branch 
Fees £ 0 – S 0 – d 7
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To Elias Brown of Preston in New London County Esqr one of the Principle Inhabitants of said Town of Preston 
Greeting You are hereby notified to appear if you see cause on Tuesday the 14th day of February Instant at the Dwelling House of John Harkness inholden in S Preston at 10 O’Clock in the forenoon then and there to Hear Evidence in a Certain Cause whereof Thomas Branch of said Preston is Plaintiff & the said Town of Preston is Defendant, which action is now pending in the County Court Holden by adjournment at New London in & for the County of New London Feby 1786 and which Evidences are to be taken before me the Subscriber a Justice of for said County Dated at Preston February 9th 1786.  
Sam’l Mott Justice Peace
To some Indifferent person to serve & return according to Law
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February 9th 1786 Case of Rhoads pending Before Elias Brown Esqr 
is a case of Vexation Capt Cogswell will testify that he asked me to take his note under grant to save the Let for him Capt Rhoads and Capt Robbins heard me ask Rhoads for the money or make a discount on the Notes he held against me and he utterly refused to pay & said he never would if he could help it.  
And I attacked him and get Execution last sum, it was returned [unreadable], I took an alias and he told me he would not have brought his action if I had not took out an alias. 
Execution Deacon Brown and Mr Barton Cook witnesses 
Deacon Brown
Capt Cogswell
Barton Creek
John Cook
Capt. Rhoads
Substance of Witness
Brown Case
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February 9th 1786 in the case of Branch and town of Preston, Branch & Prentice will say that Elias Brown promised to pay Silver Capts Morgan & Starkweather will say that the Committee was ordered to promise silver money to the Soldiers.
Israel Brumbly will say that Brown promised Silver money to him for his boys wages.  Mr. Ephraim Herrick and Mr. Harkness and and wife heard Mr. Brown promise to pay me all that he ever promised, one this last promise was made 6th of February 1786, Brown and Weber Coit will say any thing that they think will carry the case against me.  
Capt Stewart
“No. Two”
Capt Morgan 
Mr. Ephraim Herrick 
Mr. John Harknas
Mr. Israel Brumbly
William Prentice
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Israel Brumbly of Preston in the County of New London of Lawfull age testifies and says, Sometime in the Spring or Summer of the year 1782. Elias Brown Esq. being one of the Committee of said Town for Inlisting the Town Quota of State Soldiers, came to my house and requested me to Let my Son Encouragement he told me that my son should have forty shillings per month in hard money & have a note of hand for his Security from him the said Brown or any other of the Select Men in behalf of said Town and further the deponent saith not.  
Israel Brumbley 
Quest’n  asked the Deponent under oath by the Plaintiff 
Did not Esqr Brown at that time offer you five pounds Bounty
Ans’r not that I remember 
New London County ss Preston February 14th 1786 
Personally appeared Mr Israel Brumbly Signer to the above Deposition and made Solemn Oath to the truth of the matters contained in the Same  
Before Saml Mott Justice of Peace 
The Deponant Lives more than Twenty miles from the Place of Tryal 
Elias Brown Esqr was notified in behalf of the Town of Preston & was present 
Certified [seal] S. Mott Justice Peace
“No Three”
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February 1786
Wm. Saltonstall clerk
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Preston Vote
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At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Preston Legally [unreadable] and held in said Preston March the 4th A.D. 1782 
Voted to Choose Messrs Elias Brown, Asa Smith, Amos Cleft, Isaac Avery, Wheeler Coit, Capt William Whitney & Major Sam’l Tyler an Inlisting Committee to Inlist this Towns Quota of State Soldiers ordered for Horseneck 
The above is a true Copy of Record
Test [seal]  Daniel Morgan Jr. Town Clerk
“No Five”
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Vote
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At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Preston Legally warred and held in said Preston April 22nd Day AD 1782. 
That Each of the Eight State Soldiers now raising that will take up Satisfyed with Three Pounds Lawful Money for their Bounty shall have their wages given by the State made good Equal to forty Shillings a Month Silver Money by this Town.  
The above is a True Copy of Record 
Test [seal] Danl Morgan Jr Town Clerk
“No Six”
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Advertisement for Wiliam Prentice
William Prentice returne to his Servis 
February 20th 1785
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SIX DOLLERS reward 
Ran away the night following the 24th of January last an apprentice lad named William Prentice 19 years of age about 5 feet 4 inches high of a dark complexion black hair had on and took with him one blew great Coat one Strate bodied blew Ditto with plated buttons; one mill colored Sailer Jacket,  one mill coler Waistcoat, one blew Ditto, one pair of brown breeches, one pair ash colored Ditto, one pair of chek linen Trowsers, one pair wasted Stokings, two pair of yam Ditto, two flannel Shirts, one linen Ditto, on pair Shoes and brass Buckels, one pair plated knebuckels, one felt hat.  Whoever takes up said runaway and returns him to his master in Preston shall have the above Reward paid by Thos Branch 
N. B. all matters of Vessels and others are forbid harboring or carrying of said apprentice at their peril.   
Preston February 3rd 1784 
“No Eight”
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To Mr. Thomas Branch in Preston
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Shaftsbury the February 12. 1785 
Mr Branch Sir I take this oppertunaty to inform you that I have seen William Prentice and  I told him what you told me that if he would Come Back and live with you and do as well as he had done Since he came back before that you wold fullfill the indenture and furthermore that No Reflection Should Be last on him for going away by your family and further more when I told what you would do He concluded to come back and live with you his time out and the Boy and I put so much confidence in you that we think that you will do as you said on William [unreadable] I wrote this letter and sent it by him to you.  I would inform you that I & my family are well & hope your are So. [unreadable] at present this from yours to serve. 
Nathan Wheeler 
To Mr. Thomas Branch in Preston
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Capt Miles Certificate 
Wm Prentice Conn W 26709
6/40/6
36
4
1-10-0-4
5-4
1-13-4
25-13-4
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Richmond Decemr 23th  1785 
This Certifies that William Prentice Conn’t  Inlisted in the States Servous the Seventh of March 1782 and Served till the  six day of April 1783 
Charles Miel Capt
“No Seven”
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Preston, October 5th 1782 
then Recd of Thos Branch of said Preston Six Shillings & Eight pence money which promis to deliver to William Prentice at Stanford within ten days from the date hereof 
[unreadable] Samuel Dickinson
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Thos Branch
Power of Attorney
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To all people to whome these presents shall come Greeting.  Know that I Thomas Branch of Preston in New London County & State of Connecticut do constitute & appoint Uriah Bemont of Preston aforesaid to be my Lawful attorney in a certain Case & for a certain purpose (viz) to  pursue,  apprehend, secure & Return to me a certain Runaway Apprentice Boy Named Wm. Prentice who is an Indentured Servant to me until he arrives to the age of Twenty one years, said Apprentice absconded in the month July 1779 and I Do hereby impower my said attorney to pursue & Return my said Servant and in my Name & [unreadable] to Apprehend & Demand any Wages or whatsoever moneys are due to said Apprentice for his service Granting & allowing what my said attorney shall in my Name Lawfully do in my name.   In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal in Preston this 18th Day of  January AD 1781
Thos Branch
Signed Sealed & D. D. In presence of 
Josh Halsey  
Nathan Ayers 
New London County ss Preston January 18th 1785 
personally appeared Mr Thomas Branch and acknowledged the foregoing Instrument to be his free act & Deed Before me
Jem’h Halsey Justice of Peace
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Revy 26709 
WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 26,709 
Zephrah Kenyon
formerly Widow of William Prentice 
Priv. Rev. War 
Act March 5th 1843. 
June 17th 1844 
Index: Vol. A, Page 394 
[Arrangement of 1870.]