Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,603, for Nathaniel Stillman, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
CONTENTS
---
Stillman, Nathaniel
NUMBER
S.14.603
carded
Page 2

[the following is on left side of page]
9661.
9661
Connecticut
Nathaniel Stillman
of Wethersfield in the State of Con
who was a Pri in the---commanded
by Captain------ of the Reg commanded
by Col Falcot in the Con
Militia 6 mo 14[illegible]
______________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 21 Dollars 40 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
______________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of June
1833 and sent S. H--
Parsons, Hartford Ct
_________________________
Arrears to the 4th of March 33          $42.80
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4 33 10.70
                                                                _________
                                                                $52.70
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
[R]ecorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk,
[B]ook E Vol. 3 Page 40--
[the following is on the right side of page]
1891
March 19TH  L Talcott historyPri or
for M C
Page 3

PENSION ACT OF 1832.
=====================
Declaration of Nathaniel Stillman in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
===============================
STATE OF CONNECTICUT.   )
COUNTY OF Hartford         )SS.  Hartford

On this 10th day August 1832, before the Probate Court for the district of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Nathaniel Stillman a resident of Wethersfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States as a Private Soldier in a company commanded by Captain Chester Welles Lieutenant Hanmer (as the deponent thinks) and Ensign George Stanley at Wethersfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on or about the latter part of December 1775; that said company [illegible words stricken out here] he thinks was commanded by Colonel Sears in New York [illegible words stricken out here]

That he the deponent was he thinks a volunteer [illegible words stricken out here] and continued to serve in the said Corp, until some time about March or February 1776 when he was discharged from the service, at [words stricken out] New York; that when he entered the service, he resided in Wethersfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and was marched from thence to said New York; that he saw Gen. Charles Lee at sd. Wethersfield & saw him again in New York.  that the Company was employed on [words stricken out] duty until ["the Company was" stricken out] discharged & returned home which was in March 1776 (as he thinks).  having served out a two months tour, perhaps a little more.  That Major Joseph Stillman of said Wethersfield served in the same company as a drummer, & will testify to the facts.--Captn Samuel Woodhouse of said Wethersfield also served in same Company & knows this statement to be true, & will so testify.

That he again entered the service as a private in the Militia, in a Company commanded by Lieut or Captn John Hanmer of sd Wethersfield & Ensign George Stanley in a Regiment commanded by Col Elizur Talcott--that he with the Company went from Wethersfield in about July 1776 he thinks, on a tour for two months [last 2 words underlined] & marched to New York--was ordered to Long Island, and was there about the time the British landed at Flatbush & remained upon the Island in the line of his duty untill the American forces, left it & returned to New York--that he was in the Company & Regiment
Page 4

at sundry places, viz Hurlgate--Harlem--Kingsbridge & East Chester where the Regiment was discharged sometime in September 1776 having served out the full term of two [underlined] months & a little longer; that the deponent & the Regt to which he belonged, was in several skirmishes after leaving New York, at Narlene & some other parts.  That on Long Island he saw Genl Washington he is not mistaken Genl Putnam &  those whose names he has forgotten,--that on the retreat from New York he believes but is not positive that he saw Gen Washington & many others.

That Joseph Stillman of said Wethersfield served in [illegible word stricken out] Company as drummer on this tour & will testify to the truth of this statement

That in the Summer or fall of 1777 about August or the forepart of September as he is now pretty confident he again entered the public service in a Company commanded by Captn Chester Welles, Lieut John Hanmer & Ensign George Stanley all of Wethersfield in said Hartford County, on a tour of two months [last 2 words underlined], & marched to Danbury thence to Peeks Kill--thence to FishKill--thence up the river Hudson, as far as Red Hook where we heard that General Burgoyne
Page 5

& his whole army had surrendered prisoners of War to the American forces under the command of Major Genl Horatio Gates--that the Regiment & other troops returned from Red Hook to FishKill, where the Regiment was dismifsed & returned home in Nov or Dec 1777.  Captn Samuel Woodhouse was with the deponent in this tour of service.

That he was absent on this tour of service two months [last 2 words underlined], he is certain.

That on this tour of Service he knows perfectly well that he oftentimes saw Genl Putnam & might have seen several other General & field officers, but he does not remember them.--his memory being somewhat impaired from age.

turn over
Page 6

that the deponant is known to several respectable
inhabitants in sd Wethersfield & among them to the Revd
Caleb J Tenny, John Williams Esqr who can testify
to the reputation of the deponent, as it regards
his moral character & his military services in
the revolutionary war
And in reply to certain interrogatories prescribed by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent 
further declares,
1st. That he was born at Wethersfield in the County of Hartford and State of
Connecticut on the 27th day of November 1754
2d. That the day and year of his birth is recorded in the family bible of  his father
now in his the deponent's possession
3d. and 4th. That when he was called into service, he resided at the place or town as herein before stated; and served
in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration.
5th. That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration and also the names of such officers,
&c. as he distinctly recollects.
6th. That he did not receive a written discharge from the service as he believes
7th. That he is personally known to the Revd Caleb J Tenney, John Williams Joseph
Stillman & Samuel Woodhouse
who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides, and can testify as to his character for veracity, and also
their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. [illegible]
And the said Nathaniel Stillman hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Nathaniel Stillman
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
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 that the Revd Caleb J Tenny is a clergyman in said
Wethersfield, John Williams, Joseph Stillman & Samuel
Woodhouse
whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, Wm Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the district of
Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of Nathaniel Stillman for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 10 day of August 1832
[hand-drawn round circle with hash-mark edges]
Wm Whitman, Clk of the
Court of Probate for district of ┃
Hartford --
Page 7

I Joseph Stillman of Wethersfield in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, aged seventy one years, depose & say,

That I have been well acquainted with Mr Nathaniel Stillman in boyhood & manhood.  that in about December 1775 or perhaps Jan 1776 & from that time, until sometime the latter part of February or March 1776 I served with him on a tour of duty at New York for about two months [last 2 words underlined] under Captn Chester Welles--I served as a drummer & I know & remember perfectly that Mr Nathl Stillman of sd Wethersfield served in the same Company as a private on the same toue.  We were gone a few days over two months as I think & verily believe--

I further depose & say that in July 1776 I served as a drummer in a Company commanded by Captn or Lieutt John Hanmer of Wethersfield & Ensign George Stanley (I believe) in Col. Elizur Talcott's regiment--that the company marched to New York & was on Long Island when the Enemy landed at Flatbush--& continued in the Company & Regiment when the Americans retreated to New York & continued with the troops at various places until about the last of September 1776 at East Chester when & where the Regiment was discharged & returned home having as I think been absent on this tour some days over two months--I further depose & say that said Nathaniel Stillman sustains an unimpeachable
Page 8

reputation for truth & honesty.  & that it is universally believed & always has been in the Town & neighbourhood where he resides that he the said Nathl Stillman served on several tours of military service in the revolutionary war & further the deponant saith not--
Dated at Hartford in sd County of Hartford this 
10th August AD 1832
Joseph Stillman

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year last above written.
Before Mr En Parsons  Just Pec

I certify that Major Joseph Stillman the above deponant, sustains a fair character for truth & entegrity--& that his statements are entitled to credit.
En Parsons  Juste. Pac

State of Connecticut   )
County of Hartford     ) ss  Hartford

In testimony that Enoch Parsons Esquire above named is a Justice of the peace for said County of Hartford, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.  I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 2d day of November 1832.
Sanuel H. Parsons,
Notary Public
Page 9

Major Joseph Stillmans

depn   In application

of

Nathl Stillman
Page 10

Captn. Saml Woodhouse
dep [illegible] application
of
Nathl. Stillman
2
Page 11

I Samuel Woodhouse of Wethersfield in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, aged seventy four years, depose & say

That I have always lived within thirty rods of Mr Nathl Stillman of Wethersfield & have been intimately acquainted with him in boyhood & manhood ["always" stricken out]

I further depose & say that late in the Fall or perhaps in December 1775 or January 1776 I served with said Stillman at New York in a Company of volunteers and Cester Wells Company under the command of a Colo Sears--Genl Lee was there & we served there on fatigue & doing miliary service in the line of our duties untill March 1776, as I think [last 2 words underlined], when we were honorable dismifsed--I dont remember the names of the subordinate officers...but I well remember that we were under Colo Sears & under Genl Lee...The latter General I had seen before in Wethersfield at Silas Deans who was then a Member of Congrefs I am pretty sure

I further depose & say that in 1776 in the summer, I was in Colo John Chesters Regiment & I then saw said Nathl Stillman at New York  he belonged to Colo Elizur Tolcotts Regt of Militia & I saw him several times:  but [word underlined] when he went or when he was dismifsed I am not able to state...but I know he was there & served Colo E Tolcotts Regt.--

I further depose & say that in the Summer of 1777 I know that said Nathl Stillman served in Captn Chester Welles' Company of Militia & went into the State of New York--I was in the same Company & we marched to a number of
Page 12

places in the State of New York & up the
North River as for as Redhook & there
the latter part of October 1777. we heard
of the Capture of Burgoyne & his whole
army--we then marched back to
Fishkill or [illegible] where we were
discharged & returned home in November
of December 1777- we were [illegible] in
this tour of duty I think, about two
months...
I further depose & say that the
declaration made by me July 30th I think
states that the commencement of this tour of
service in Captn. Chester Wells Company was
in April... but having since then reflected upon 
the subject & talked the matter over with
Mr. Stillman & some of our neighbours my
impressions are changed as it regards the
time, we entered on that tour. I then 
thoughtfully believed that it was in April & about the
time that Danbury was burnt but
I now am satisfied on the whole, that it
must have been in August or late in
the summer of that year - my memory
I find is greatly impaired but I always mean
to state correctly- & further the deponant
says not.-- Dated at Hartford 10th August 1832
Sworn to subscribed the day Samuel Woodhouse
& year last above written
Before me En. Parsons Just Pais
Page 13

I certify that Captn Samul Woodhouse the within deponant is somewhat impaired in his memory...but that his character for truth & honesty is perfectly fair
En. Parsons  Justc. Pac

State of Connecticut   )
County of Hartford     ) SS  Hartford

In testimony that Enoch Parsons Esquire above named, is a Justice of the peace for said County of Hartford, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.  ["I have hereunto affixed" have been smudged out]

Witnefs my hand and seal this 29th day of November 1832.
Samuel H Parsons
notary Public
Page 14

State of Connecticut   )
County of Hartford     )  SS  Hartford

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public for said County of Hartford Nathaniel Stillman of Wethersfield in said County of Hartford, whose declaration for a pension taken before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford August 10, 1832 is hereto annexed--and made oath that, by reason of old age, and the consequent lofs 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 lefs than the period mentioned below and in the following grade:

1st--
For at least two months [last 2 words underlined] I served as a private in Captain Chester Melles company of foot in the year 1776--

2nd--For at least two months [last 2 words underlined], I served as a private in a company of foot commanded by Lieutenant or Captain Hanmer in Colonell Elizur Talcotts Regiment--


3rd--
For at least two months [last 2 words underlined], I served as a private in Captain Chester Welles company of foot within the year 1777--I also served as a private at least two weeks at New Haven, under Captain John Hanmer--and for such service I claim a pension--
Nathaniel Stillman

Sworn to & subscribed this 28th day of November 1832
Sanuel H Parsons
notary Public
Page 15

State of Connecticut    )
County of Hartford      ) SS  Hartford

I Jared Griswold a Clerk of the County Court for the Countye of Hartford do Certify that James L. Belden & Enoch Parsons Esquires, before whom the annexed depositions of the Reverend Caleb I. Tenney, John Williams, Joseph Stillman and Samuel Woodhouse were respectively taken, were at the time they the said deposition purport to have been sworn to and such continue to be Justices of the peace in and for faid County of Hartford--

I further Certify that Samuel H Parsons Esqure before whom the annexed deposition of Nathaniel Stillman was taken, was at the time the said deposition or declaration purports to have been sworn to, and still continues to be a notary Public in and for said County of Hartford and that the signatures of said Jackson & said Notary Public as respectively signed to the certificates of the oath of the said deponants appear to be in their handwriting

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County Court this 19th day of April 1833.
Jared Griswold Clerk

State of Connecticut   )
County of Hartford     ) SS. Hartford

On this 20th day of May 1823 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County of Hartford personally appeared Nathaniel Stillman, well known to me as a person of veracity and made oath that the within declaration was Sworn to & subscribed by said deponant the 28th day of November 1832 before Samuel H. Parsons a Notary Public and that the statements therein contained are true [word underlined]--
Nathaniel Stillman

Sworn to & subscribed      )
this 20th day of May 1833 )
Before me.                         )
En. Parsons
Justce Pac

State of Connecticut     )
County of Hartford       )  SS. Hartford

I Jared Griswold Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford do hereby certify that Enoch Parsons Esq before whom the preceding affidavit was executed is a Justice of the peace for said County of Hartford and I believe that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.  Witness my signature & the seal of said County Court this 20th day of May 1833--
Page 16

Recd.  Caleb J. Tenney

& Jno Williams Esq

dep---


In appn.

Nathl. Stillman
Page 17

We CalebJ. Tenney a Clergiman residing in the town of Wethersfield--and County of Hartford and John Williams residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathaniel Stillman--who is an applicant for a pension under the act of Congrefs of June 7 1832  that we believe him to be Seventy nine years of Age--that he is reputed and believed in said Wethersfield where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution--and that we concur in that opinion--
Caleb J. Tenney
John Williams

State of Connecticut   )SS - Wethersfield
County of Hartford     ) August 2 1832
On this 2d of August 1832--before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace--for the County ["of" stricken out] aforesaid--personally appeared Caleb J Tenney who is a clergyman residing in the said town of Wethersfield and John Williams Esq who is a credible person residing in the same town--and made oath that the preceding Certificate by them subscribed is true--and I further certify that their statement is entitled to credit--
James L Belden Justice of peace

Hartford County

In testimony that James L. Belden Esq abovenamed is a Justice of the peace for the County of Hartford and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.  I have hereunto affixed my notarial Seal & signature this 29 day of November 1832
Samuel H. Parsons
Notary Public
Page 18

[left side of page]

[written vertically in upper left corner of page]
Rev War
________________

14.603

[checkmark]  INVALID.
_________________________

File No. 14,603

Nathaniel Stillman
Priv   Rev   War
_________________
Act:  June 7" 1832

Index:--Vol. 1, Page 361

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]

1939 - Dec. 13 - Photos to Mrs
Winifred L. Holman.  See
corres. in John Wight - N 2044 MHF
Page 19

SUBMIT IN DUPLICATE.
1=681
PHONE Branch 476
All inquiries regarding this job should refer to Requisition No. 37934
Requisition for Duplicating, Addressograph, Photostat, and Blue Print Work.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WASHINGTON
CHIEF, Division of Publications,
room G 137. 
December 6, 1929
Please furnish work specified below.
Bureau ordering PENSIONS  Deliver to Room 
No. 5033
(ALL COPY FOR DUPLICATING WORK SHOULD BE PLAIN AND WRITTEN IN ELITE TYPE, EXACTLY LINE FOR LINE AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON FINISHED JOB.)
Title and description of job photostat copies of ten pages from Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14603, Nathaniel Stillman.
No. of copies 1 of each
Shall form be kept standing? _____________days
For further information see M. M. H. Finch 
Room No. 5033 Phone No. 541
Approved:
A D Wilson
Chief Clerk of Bureau.
Margaret M H Finch
Chief of Rev. & 1812 Wars Sec
CHECK WORK DESIRED
Duplicate
Multigraph single or double space? ___________
Facsimile signature? ______________
Mimeograph one side or both sides? __________
Facsimile signature? _____________
Folding once or twice?
Assembling
Stapling Once?  Twice?  Side?  End?
Electric typewriter  Fill in addresses? ___________
Dated? ____________
Addressograph from lists ______________________
Envelopes, size __________ Cards, size ___________
Proof list ____________ Pay rolls ____________
Labels (submit sample) ____________
Corrections _______________
Fill in letters __________ Tabulation sheets ______
Photostat x  Size actual Official use? __________
Repay? yes $1.50
Blue Print _________  Official use?___________
Repay? __________
Remarks __________________________________
(OVER)
See corres. in John Wight (Res.) W. 2041
Page 20

Document is a preprinted second page of previous one.  No information was added to page.
Page 21

Nathl Stillman
2421
Admitted
Private 6 mo &
14 days -- Connt. Militia
T.H. Parsons
Page 78.
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathaniel Stillman 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 whih he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout 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?
Page 23

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?
No

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?
No.

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 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."
Page 24

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 whih 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.
Page 25

Hartford  May 21. 1833

Sir:

I herewith return the pension application of Nathaniel Stillman corrected agreeably to your letter of May 3d--Allow me to hope for an early reply and also to recall your attention to the case of William Graham forwarded the 11th instant

I am. very respectfully
Yr ob st.
Samuel H Parsons

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commifsionn of pensions
Washington
Page 26

Nathl Stillman
Born in Wethersfield Con Nov 27th 1754 where residing in August
1832 when he applied for pension
Enlisted at Wethersfield in Dec 1775 under Capt Chester Wells Con regt Colo Sean (he thinks) marched to N York
In [July crossed out] Augt 1776 enlist for 2 months under [Capt crossed out] Lt John Hanmer & Colo Elijah Talcott, going to NY ordered to Long Island about the time landed at Flatbush & remained until Americans retreated to Ny & was at Hurlgate, Harlem Kings End at East Chester then discharged in Sept 1776 - In several skirmishes at Harlem & some other Ports & Peekskill & Fishkill NY on Hudson river & up the river to Red Hook when he heard Genl Burgoyne ^marched back dischg. in Nov 1777
Joseph Stillman a witness about or before Jany 1, 1776 /Served in same Co with Nathl   
also under Lt Hammer