Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,854, for Theodore King, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn.
King, Theodore
Lydia
W. 24,854
CONTENTS
Page 2

Vermont - 2788
---
Lydia King
widow of Theodore King
Con
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June
'32
and who died on the 28th March
1833
of Rutland in the State of Vermont
who was a Pri. in the Compy commanded
by Captain Bissell of the Regt. commanded
by Butler in the Con.
line for 11 mos 6 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington
at the rate of 37 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 day of May
'39, and sent to Jesse Gove
Rutland, Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. - $111.99
Semi=annual allowance ending 18.66
$130.65
{Act July 7,
1838.}
Recorded by R. Burdin Clerk,
Book A Vol. L- Page 44

Setl. Jesse Gove, May 14 '39
Page 3

Order to suspend payment
16 Dec 1833
Letter to R Temple 16 Dec 33
(letter not sent but enclosed)

Vermont  18.498.
Theodore King
of Rutland Co in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Bissell of the Regt commanded
by Col Butler in the Connt. 
line for 19 mo 61 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 63 Dollars 89. Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Sept
1833 and sent to
R. Temple Rutland
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 $159.72
Semi-anl. allowance ending March '34- 31.95
$191.67
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3. Page 72
Page 4

Theodore King
Poultney
20 months
PO
No 5221
M. King has mentioned
with [illegible] the length
of his service, vis
1st period 3 months
2d do 3 do
3d do 8 do
4 do 6 do
20 months in
the whole
R Temple
Page 5

STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, SS.}
On this 20th day of July A.D. 1832 personnally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Rutland Dist.
now sitting, Theodore King a resident of the County of Rutland and State of 
Vermont, aged 70 years almost, 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 under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In 1777 he lived at East Windsor, Connecticut
& in the winter of that year or the following he volunteered to serve
three months in a Sergeant, guard, under Serg. Thompson, which
was called out to guard Geo. Franklin a British officer who
was kept a prisoner at East Windsor about 2 years. The
deponent served out his term of 3 months & was discharged.
In the summer following he volunteered & served on the same
guard under Sergeant Wolcott, another three months as
aforesd. In 1779, in the summer, his father was drafted for Eight
months, & the deponent took his place, as a substitute &
served out the 8 months in Capt. Bissel: Company, Lt. Francis
Ensign Thrall, Col Wells Regt. May Peters marched to New
London. Then to New Haven and Stratford where he was dismissed.
In 1780, in May or June, he enlisted for six months to fill up
continental Regiments & served in Col. Butler:  Regt commanded
by Lt Col Hoyt, Maj. Walbridge, in Capt Wolcott's compy. part of
the time & part of the time in the Major: Co. joined at
Nelson: point opposite West Point - marched to Fishkill,
crossed at Kings ferry, marched thru Orangetown & various
places in N Jersey to the South part of the State - then
back to the Highlands where he was discharged, but does
not remember who signed his discharge which is lost. He was
at Orangetown when Arnold attempted to give up West Point
& was present on guard when Andre was hung. He never
recd. a written discharge that he recollects, except the last
mentioned. He belonged to Huntington Brigade - he recollects
serving with the Congress Regt & with Parson; Brigade.
He knew Genl Washington, Bacon Steuben, Putman, Green & many
others - He has no documentary evidence, but Danl. Eaton Esq
can testify to a part of his services. He was born at
East Windsor, the 6 Augt. 1762- his age is recorded in his
father account book. Since the revolution he lived in East
Page 6

Windsor until about 40 years ago, when he moved to
Vermont & lived in Middletown one year, one year in
he & ever since has lived in Poultney where he now
lives. There is no clergyman residing in his immediate vicinity. he lives near the line between
Poultney & Castleton & is known to most of the old
inhabitants of both places

He 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
R. Royce Reg.
Theodore King
We Stephen D. Eaton residing in Castleton
and Philip Pond residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Theodore King who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 70
years of age; that he is reputed and believed,
in the neighbourhood 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.
Philip Pond
Stephen D Eaton
R. Royce Reg

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 Stephen D. Eaton
who has signed the preceding
certificate, is a resident in Castleton and that Philip Pond
who has also signed the same, is a resident in Castleton, near Poultney
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Rodney C. Royce Reg 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 Theodore King
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this 3d
day of August AD 1832.
R. Royce Reg
Page 7

State of Vermont
Rutland}
On the 20th day of July 1832 personally came
Daniel Eaton Esq. a credible witness, who being duly
sworn doth depose & say, that he is acquainted with
Theodore King & was acquainted with him during the
revolutionary war & that he knows said Theodore
King served at the two periods of three months each
in 1777 or 1778 in guarding Gov. Franklin & also six
months in 1780, as stated by him in the annexed
declaration. The deponent was in the same service
Before me
R. Pierpoint Judge Probate Court

The above affidavit is taken before the Judge
of the Court the declaration was made -
said to having "mentioned: that Danl. Eaton Esq is the 
credible witness is considered, in veracity and
to having "certified" the fact - R

On rolls from 1 July 1780
to 6 Dec. 1
Page 8

3008
Lydia King's
Declaration
Vt
act of July 38
admd
11.6- pri
$37.33
No deduction
Jesse Gove
Rutland
Vt
Page 9

United States of America,
Vermont District, towit:}
On this fourth day of October, 1838, personally
appeared before the Hon. Circuit Court of the second circuit of
the United States, now sitting at Rutland in and for the said
Vermont District, Lydia King, a resident of Castleton in
said District, aged 74 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 7, 1838, entitled
"an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of Theodore King, late of
Poultney in the District
aforesaid, deceased, who was a private in the Connecticut militia
in the revolutionary army, as set forth at page 125 of the
Vermont Pension Roll, and was pensioned under the act of Congress
passed June 7, 1832, at the rate of 63 dollars 89 cents
per annum; for proof of whose services, she hereby refers to the
declaration, and accompanying proofs of the said Theodore, now
remaining in the war office of the United States.
She further declares, that she was married to the said
Theodore King on the 25th day of December, in the year
Seventeen hundred and eighty six; that her husband, the
aforesaid Theodore King, died on the 28th day of March
one thousand eight hundred and thirty three; 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, to wit, at the time above stated.
Lydia King
Sworn to and subscribed, in open Court, the day
year above written, before me,
Smith Thompson
Associate Justice of Court
U.S. assigned to the Second District
Page 10

United States of America
Vermont District to wit.}
I, Jesse Gove, Clerk of the
United States Court in and for
the said Vermont District, do hereby
certify, that the Hon Smith Thompson
is the Presiding Judge of the Circuit
Court of the second Circuit of the
United States in said District, and
that the foregoing signature, purporting
to be his, is genuine; and, that the
word "Poultney, in lieu of "Castleton, which
is struck out in the first line of the
second paragraph, and the words "in the
District," in the next line thereto; and the
words "thirty three" in the fourth line
from the bottom of the same paragraph,
were all severally interlined before the
signing or swearing of the said applicant.
In testimony whereof, I have affixed the seal of
our said Circuit Court, and subscribed my name at
Rutland in said District, this fourth day of
October in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight
hundred and thirty eight, and of the Independence
of the United States the sixty third.
Jesse Gove
Page 11

I, William King, of Castleton in the County of Rutland
and State of Vermont, aged 33 years and upwards, do depose
and say, that Theodore King, late of Poultney in said
County, deceased, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States
at the rate of sixty three dollars eighty nine
cents per annum was my father; that he died at said Poultney
on the twenty eighth day of March, 1833. - And I further
depose and say, that Mrs Lydia King now
residing at said Castleton, is my mother; that she was
the reputed lawful wife of the said Theodore King, deceased,
and that she hath not intermarried since the decease
of her said husband.
Wm King
Subscribed and sworn in Court
this 4th day of October 1838
Smith Thompson

United States of America
Vermont District, towit: ⎬
I, Jesse Gove, Clerk of the
United States Courts in the said Vermont District, do
hereby certify, that the Hon Smith Thompson is the
Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court of the second Circuit
of the United States in said Vermont District; that the
foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine; and that the
word "Poultney" in lieu of "Castleton" struck out in the third
line of the preceding affidavit, and the words "per annum,"
and the word "Poultney" in lieu of "Castleton" struck out, in the
sixth line of the said deposition, were interlined before the
signing or swearing thereto by the said deponent: and I do
further certify, by order of said Court, that the
said deponent is a credible witness.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
affixed the seal of our said Circuit Court,
and subscribed my name at Rutland
Page 12

in said District, this fourth day of
October, in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty
eight, and of the Independence of the
United States the sixty third.
Jesse Gove
Page 13

Lydia King
Proof of Marriage
Vt. 
act 1838.

Jesse Gove
Rutland
Vt.
Nov 6.
Page 14

State of Connecticut
County of Windham} SS Windham October 26, 1838
I William B Sprague Clerk of the 2d Congregational
Church in the town of Windham aforesaid do hereby certify
that I find on the Church records the marriage of
Theodore King to Lydia Smith December Twenty fifth
Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Six and the foregoing
is a true copy of record with the exception of the
dates which are entered in fair legible figures
as follow viz "Theodore King to Lydia Smith Decr 25.
1786" In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand officially the day & year above written
Wm. B. Sprague Church Clerk

State of Connecticut
County of Windham ⎬ SS Windham
Be it Known that on the 26th day of October 1828
before me Joel W White Notary Public within and
for the State of Connecticut personally appeared
William B Sprague Clerk of the 2d Congregational
Church in the town of Windham who signed and made
solemn oath to the foregoing Certificate. I further certify
that said William Sprague is a credible person & his
statements entitled to full credit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand officially and affixed my seal
of office the day & year above written
Joel M White Notary Public
Page 15

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24854
Lydia King
Wid of
Theadore King
Pri Conn Line
---
Act: July 7th 1838
Index:- Vol. a, Page 404
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

No 5221
Vermont
Theodore King
service in Sergeants
guard over Gov Franklin
should be proved to
be military- the Records
of Connt may furnished
Completed
R Temple
Admit
19 mos 6 days
63.33
.56
63.89
127.78
31.94
159.72
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Theodore King which require
further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
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? Without
pension
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what 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? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes, but it it has not been subscribed
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
Page 18

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? No Clergyman. 2 other credible persons
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
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? The magistrate has mentioned but not certified the 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? The affidavit of the 
witness only to a traditionary proof.
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes.
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? Satisfactorily to the court.
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 _. For _ months
and _ days, I served as a _; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 19

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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
Page 20

War Dep
P.C.
Dec 16th 1833
Sir
Upon a revision of the claim of Theodore
King it is found that the evidence that
a permanent military guard was established
at East Windsor is totally insufficient. There
being no evidence of the fact. We found upon
the records of the pay table or journals of the
Council of safety of Connecticut it must be presumed that
Mr King & Mr Eaton are mistaken. That military services of a very minute
character are to be claim from that source
is proved by the charge for the services of an
escort of four horsemen for a short
distance. This service must be
stricken from his claim. He was also
allowed without sufficient proof for eight months service in
Page 21

Col Wells regt in 1779-80. As it appears that
this Regiment was ordered by the Legislature at
their duly session in 1779 to be raised until the March
following but assembling two companies on special
service of which Bissels does not appear to be one was discharged. The January following
only six months actual service can be allowed.
The services which will be allowed in addition to these
in month, are five months six days in in Col Buller's Regt
in 1780, entitling him to a pension of thirty seven
dollars thirty three cents instead of his present rate.
The agent for paying pensions has been directed
to suspend all further payment to Mr King
until further directions from this office. You will be
pleased to notify him of this fact in order that
his pension certificate may be returned for the necessary
correction.

R Temple Esq
Present-
Page 22

Paper delived to R Temple, taken from
admitted case of Theodore King by order of Mr. Edwards
Letter from E Phelps to R Temple explaining custody
of Gov Franklin dated 26th May 1833
to do 11 June 1833 saying if officer of guard or near could know whether rolls changed.
certificate of 6 Light Horse men to guard Brenton
bushel salt old Capt Grant/ a guard
Page 23

Daniel Eaton
Theodore King
Returned cases
Page 24

Rutland Vt. 15 June 1833
Sir
I write to the Sec'y of State of Conn. in
behalf of Danl. Eaton & Theodore King, and by the
answer of the Comptroller (enclosed) it appeared
that they had conformed the names of two British
prisoners, namely Geo. Franklin & Genl. Prescott a
rather had mistaken one for the other, both being
at the time prisoners in Connecticut. I notified
M. Eaton, who called on me the truth & corrected
the mistake, as you will see by his explanatory
declaration. I then wrote again to M. Phelps,
Comptroller of Cont. & recd. his letter of the 11
inst. in reply, by which I presume
you will
be satisfied as to the military character of
their services. - You will not be surprised in
this life in their memories, after a lapse of more
than half a century. Indeed one of them, at the time
of making the declarations, thought they had made
a mistake in the name of the prisoner.
I am [illegible] respectfully
Your [illegible]
R. Temple

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm
Page 25

June 26
P.S. Since writing the foregoing, I have obtained
the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut
which will be found in the file of Theodore
King.
RL
Page 26

Theodore King
testimony
Page 27

State of Vermont
Rutland -}
On the 6 day of June 1833, personally came
before the undersigned authority, Daniel
Eaton Esq. to me well known & a credible
witness, who being duly sworn doth depose
& say, that in making his affidavit the 20 July
1832, before the Hon. Robert Pierpoint Judge of the
Probate Court, in behalf of Theodore King, he was
mistaken in saying said King served in guarding
Geo. Franklin, it was in guarding Genl. Prescott
who was taken prisoner by Col. Barton at Rhode
Island. The deponent & said King both served in
said guard-- they also served together in Col.
Butler: Regt in 1778, as related by them, respectively, in their declaration of 20 July 1832.
Sworn before me the day & year afrd.
R Temple Jus. Peace

State of Vermont
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland
County Court do certify, that Robert
Temple, before whom the above affidavit
was taken, is a Justice of Peace for said
County, duly commissioned and that the
above is his signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand
and affix the seal of said Court this 6 June 1833
R Pierpoint
Page 28

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12 - 5 - 41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME King, Thomas GRADE Private 
LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11411 ACREAGE 100
ISSUED September 12, 1792
to- not shown-
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.