Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,439, for Austin Phelps, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Phelps, Austin
Deborah
NUMBER   W. 17,439
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Connecticut 952  
Deborah Phelps 
widow of Austin Phelps who died on the 17 April 1820 of Hartford Co in the State of Connecticut who was a Lt. & Ensign in the - commanded by Captain - of the -  commanded by Conn  in the Revolution for 
4 months Lieut        53.33 
3 months Ensign     30.00
$83.33 
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 83 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 day of June 1837 and sent to S. H. Parsons Hartford, Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of March 37     500.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 37   41.66 
$541.66
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk 
Book  A   Vol. 1   Page 86
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No 519 
3 Sec   
Deborah Phelps 
widow of Austin 
Conn.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the 3 section of the act of Congress of the 4 July 1836 
State of Connecticut  
County of Hartford}  ss 
On the 31 day of October 1836 before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford personally appeared Deborah Phelps aged 91 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 4 1836.  That she is the widow of Austin Phelps late of said Windsor deceased who was a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war and according to the best of her knowledge and belief served under the following named offices at the periods and places hereinafter mentioned. In 1776  He served in the army of the Revolution at Roxbury in the vicinity of Boston, in the company commanded (as it is believed) by Capt Abner Prior as Ensign before the Brittish troops vacated Boston.  That he
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rec’d a commission from Governor Trumbull as Ensign of the first company of Militia in the town of Windsor Command by Capt Abner Prior in Major Roger Newberry’s Regt and went about the first of August to New York and was absent at Roxbury and N. York not less than three months.  The commission is annexed hereto
2d)
In 1777 he served as a Lieut in Captain Jonathan Wadsworths Company in Col Thaddeus Cooks at the Northward, not less than three months, and was in the battle in Oct. 1777 when Gen Burgoyne was taken as she was informed after his return home.  The pay roll in [unreadable] abstract of said company is hereto annexed.   
3
He also served as Lieut on a tour to White Plains, a Guard, having been detached from a militia company in Windsor under the command of a Lieut Phelps to guard several pieces of Cannon from Farmington to White plains which had been previously taken from Gen Burgoyne, and was absent at this tour
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as she verily believes at least one month Making in the whole in the Revolutionary war three months as an Ensign and four months as a Lieut.  
She further declares that she was married to said Lieut Phelps on the 28 day of October 1768. That her husband the aforesaid Austin Phelps died at said Windsor on the 17th day of April 1820.   That she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to proof hereto annexed.
Deborah Phelps 
Sworn to and subscribed this 31 day of Octo 1836 
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Probate Court and subscribed my name the day and year hereto above mentioned 
Thomas H. Seymour Judge
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Town Clerks office 
Windsor December 19, 1836 
I hereby certify that Austin Phelps and Deborah Moore both of Windsor were Married October 28. 1768 as by the Records appears.  I further certify that Mrs Deborah Phelps has remained the widow of said Austin Phelps ever since his decease and is now a resident of said Windsor.  
Wm Howard Town Clerk 
State of Connecticut 
Hartford County of Windsor Decr 19, 1836 
Personally appeared William Howard the signer of the above certificate and made oath to the truth of of the same Before me 
James Loomis Just of Peace 
State of Connecticut 
County of Hartford} ss  I Philo A. Goodwin Clerk of the County Court for County of Hartford do herby certify that James Loomis, whose name is  subscribed to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hartford, regularly commissioned &c that
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I am acquainted with his hand writing & that the forgoing signature purporting to be his is genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.   
In testimony whereof have hereunto affixed the seal of said County Court & subscribed my name this twenty second day of December A D 1836 
Philo A. Goodin Clerk
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AWF 
Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. 
October 13, 1927 
Mrs. Winfield S. Peirsol 
102 S. Swarthmore Ave 
Ventnor, N. J. 
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W. 17439, it appears that Austin Phelps served at Roxbury near Boston, before the British evacuated that city, and was appointed May 23, 1776, Ensign of 1st Company of Windsor and served three months in Captain Abner Prior's Company, under Major Roger Newberry with the Connecticut Troops; from August 1777, served three months as Lieutenant in Captain Jonathan Wadsworth's Company, Colonel Thaddeus Cook's Connecticut Regiment, and was at the battle, when Burgoyne was taken; and served from in August or September 1777, one month as Lieutenant, as a guard to some cannon, at White Plains. 
He died April 17, 1820 at Windsor, Connecticut. 
Soldier married October 28, 1768, Deborah
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Moore, they were both then of Windsor, Connecticut. 
She was allowed pension on her application executed October 31, 1836, while a resident of Hartford County, Connecticut, aged ninety-one years. 
There are no further data as to family. 
The above noted Austin Phelps is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. 
This Bureau has no record of services rendered prior to the War of the Revolution. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
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1927 Oct 13 Hist to Mrs. Winfield S. Piersol  AWF
Rev WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 17439 
Deborah Phelps 
Widow of Austin Phelps 
Lt.  Rev War 
Act: July 4 the 1836 
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 128 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire, 
Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the English Colony of CONNECTICUT, in NEW ENGLAND, in AMERICA. 
To. Austin Phelps - Gent. GREETING.  
YOU being by the General Assembly of this Colony accepted to be Ensign of the first Company or Trainband in the Town of Windsor in the first Regiment in this Colony - Reposing special Trust and Confidence, in your Fidelity, courage, and good Conduct, I do, by virtue of the Laws of this Colony, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said company into your Care and Charge, as their Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of Wars keeping them in good order and Government; and commanding them to obey you as their ensign for the Service of this Colony.  And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions,  as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust reposed in you. 
Seal gone when case was filed Mar 21 1911 AW
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of this Colony in Hartford the 23 Day of May Anno domini 1776.
By His Honor's Command,  
George Wyllys Sec’ry
Jon’an Trumbull
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17439. 
Deborah Widow of Austin Phelps 
Roll of Capt Jonathan Wadsworth 
Company of Malitia in a Regiment commanded by Col Thad Cook Conn Mil
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Comptrollers Office 
Hartford Connecticut Jany 1st 1837 
I certify that the Books and papers in this office relating to revolutionary services have been examined with a view to prove the services of Ensign Austin Phelps in the war of the revolution and that his name has not been found.   
Wm Field Comptroller
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Hartford Feby 3. 1837 
Sir
The papers of Deborah Phelps which were forwarded by me the 3d of Nov last are herewith returned with your letter of instructions under date of 21 Nov. to H L  Ellsworth Esq, corrected agreeably thereto.  The certificate of the Town Clerk in relation to the marriage of Mr Phelps having been Sworn to before a magistrate as a true Copy of the Record, and the official character of the magistrate duly certified.   
No further evidence of the service can be found in the Comptrollers Office.    
Mrs Phelps is about of 92 years and cannot probably long enjoy the small sum to be allowed.  
Your early attention will oblige the  Old Lady 
& your very Obt Servt
Samuel H. Parsons
J.L. Edwards Esq 
Comr of pensions Washington
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Hartford November 3. 1836 
I have the pleasure of enclosing an application for a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836 in favor of Mrs Deborah Phelps the widow of Austin Phelps who died at said Windsor April 17th 1820.   Mrs Phelps was married October 28. 1768, about seven years before the revolutionary war and has a fresh recollection of the events of that period, although she has reached the advanced age of ninety one years.   
She is every worthy old lady and much respected in the neighborhood of her residence.   
Her husband was in active service at Roxbury and at New York in 1777; and was in the battle of Stillwater and Saratoga in October 1777, and in 1778 was selected commander of a guard to deliver at White plains, the very Cannon which his bravery had assisted in capturing from the Enemy at Saratoga.  I hope the old lady will
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June 1
Deb Phelps
Ct
James L. Edwards Esqr  
Commissioner of Pensions  
Washington
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Harford 29 May 1837 
Sir
On the 5th ulto. I returned to your Office the papers in the case of Mrs Deborah Phelps an applicant for a pension under the act of 4 July 1836.   The declaration was originally sent to your office Nov 3, 1836, but being defective in some particulars was returned to me for correction.   The applicant is more than 90 years old somewhat impatient to be enrolled as the widow of a faithful Soldier of the revolution and I hope her wishes will be gratified at your earliest convenience.  I am sir yr obt Svt 
Saml H Parsons 
James l. Edwards Esq
Com Pens Washington
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[unreadable]
Lemuel Drake
Austin Phelps
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I Alexander Phelps of Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged 79 years do testify and say I was personally acquainted from before the commencement of Revolutionary war with Austin Phelps late of said Windsor Deed who died at said Windsor many years since leaving a Widow by the name of Deborah Phelps and that she is now his widow and has not  remarried since the death her husband Austin Phelps but has remained his Widow.   
In the year of 1778 I served as a private soldier from the last of August on the first of Sept not less than one month under the command of said Phelps who was then a Lieutenant we were ordered as a part of a Militia company to muster from said Windsor to White plains to guard several pieces of Cross Cannon which had been taken from Gen Burgoyne.  We took the cannon in Farmington in Hartford County and guarded them from thence to White plains in the State of New York where they were delivered [unreadable] to the office there stationed and
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returned to said Windsor.   
Alexander Phelps
Sworn and subscribed at said Windsor this 13 day of March 1837 
Before me James Loomis Just of the Peace 
I certify that the named Alexander Phelps is a resident of Windsor is well known to me is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit.  
James Loomis Just of the Peace
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I Hezekiah Latimer of Bloomfield in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged 75 years, do testify and say, that was personally acquainted, from the commencement of the revolutionary war, with Austin Phelps late of Windsor decd who died at said Windsor several years ago  leaving a widow by the name of Deborah Phelps,  
In the year 1778 I served as a private soldier not less than one month in a company or guard (at White plains, & elsewhere) under the command of said Phelps, who was a Lieutenant.  We were ordered as part of a militia company to march from Windsor to White plains and to guard several brass fieldpieces which had been taken from General Burgoyne.  We found the Cannon at Farmington & guarded them from thence to White plains, State of New York, and delivered them over to the Officer there stationed.   I had frequently understood that Lieutenant Phelps served in the war previous to this service, but was not a member of his company.   I believe he served under Captain Jon’a  Wadsworth who was killed as I have been told at the taking of Burgoyne.  
Hezekiah Latimer
Sworn to subscribed this 29th day of October 1834  Before me 
Jeremiah Brown. Jus. of Peace -
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I ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT James Loomis Esquire is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said James Loomis in Court and Country. 
In testimony whereof, I have in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the ninth day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and further certify that his signature attached to a deposition and affixed is his genuine signature.   
Royal R Hinman Secretary
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I ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT Jeremiah Brown Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said J. Brown in Court and Country. 
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 9th March day of in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and that his signature subscribed to a deposition hereto annexed is his genuine hand writing.    
Royal R Hinman Secretary of State
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I Lemuel Drake of Windsor in Harford County and State of Connecticut aged Eighty two years & a revolutionary pensioner under the act of 7 June 1832, do testify & say that during the revolutionary war I was personally acquainted with Austin Phelps who died several years ago at said Windsor leaving a widow by the name of Deborah Phelps who has remained a widow ever since her said husband decease and is now a resident of said Windsor.  Said Austin Phelps was an Ensign in 1776 in a militia company commanded by Captain Abner Prior in Col or Major Roger  Newbury’s  regt. The company under the command of Benjamin Allen.  The first Lieutenant was ordered to new York the forepart of August 1776 and served three months according to my present impressions. I was during this service a private in said company & said Austin Phelps was Ensign or 2d Lieutenant.   I dont distinctly recollect which office he held. 
I also testify & say that I served more than three months in Captain Jonathan Wadsworths Company in Colonel Thaddeus Cooks regiment at the Northern & elsewhere from about August 1777.   Austin Phelps above named was a Lieutenant of this Compy & Reuben Wadsworth late of Hartford dec’d was sergeant & served the above period & was present at the taking of General Burgoyne in October 1777.   Jonathan Wadsworth was wounded in this battle & died soon after
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Free
Windsor Ct Nove 8 }  
Free
To Henry L. Ellsworth Esqr 
Washington City D. C. 
Windsor Ct Nov 
I beg to refer this letter to the Pension Office H. Ellsworth
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To Henry L Ellsworth Esq 
Dear sir Deborah Phelps the widow of Austin Philps has made an application for a pension according To act of Congress allowing widows of old soldiers a pension.  In her Declaration she says her husband into Boston or Roxbury about the first of March I think under Capt Prior but I think he may [unreadable] a little about his going under Prior,  as near as I can learn & I have heard it stated years ago that about this time the British left Boston they made a movement as if to march into the Country a  message was sent down from Boston for more men.  This came around to Windsor while people were in meeting.  Several left meeting, Austin Phelps was one,   got ready and marched for Boston,  on arriving at Boston or Roxbury  the British were quiting Boston & went off & day after a few days were permitted to return home. I suppose these men, the Windsor troops, manifested that they meant to join Capt Priors Co, from what she says this is what he [unreadable] Capt Prior but I presume they did not now organize at all as they were not wanted after the British left.  I mention this as it is likely they have the muster or pay roll of Capt. Priors Co. at Washington & not finding Austin Phelps name there,  reject that part of her testimony but that he went To Boston there is no doubt,  she says he was gone a number of Days,  dont is how long but thinks to Boston & New York after must be all of three months. Mrs Phelps is 91 years old & some Broken down, as to mind & boddy but she well remembers the anxiety she felt & the privations she underwent while her husband was gone to war.  Mrs Phelps says her husband went as Ensign to Boston.   I think it is likely that he was chosen by the Compt the fall before & Commissioned in May after By Gov Trumbull.   Phelps was undoubtedly in service more than seven months.  He was at Boston, New York,  taking Burgoyne & White planes [White Plains].  He was in 2 or 3 hard fought actions in taking Burgoyne & White Planes.  He was Captain Austin Phelps & his family he was a true whig,  what was called Whig in those days but not such as is Called whig in these days.  He was always ready to turn out & fight for his country &c.  You sure well know Mrs Phelps, her Character & professions,  she would not state an untruth with a view to [unreadable] for a hundred pensions, She has but little property, a small piece of Landon Cook Hill this is all she has, poor & income is in Debt.  This troubles her mind.  
It is the wish of all her acquaintances & friends that she may get a pension.  We think have that it such men as Elijah Denslow & Frederick Chapman & others who were stationed to guard some stores for the army close by there in said & living partly on it stores, we think of such men are deserving of a pension but those that went from home & fought the Battles certainly are & now sir we with you to have the goodness to go to the pension office look at the papers & assist in getting the old Lady a pension.  It is her earnest request & only if it is proper & Consistent for you to do, in so doing you will confer a favor on Mrs Phelps & her friends, & you may depend upon being well rewarded for your trouble.  
Windsor November 6 1836 
Respectfully your Obt Servt &c 
Elihu Loomis
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Sir it is likely the papers concerning this pension will arrive at Washington before this letter & I hope you will attend to this without fail of Consistent.   
The papers comeing this go by direction of  Samuel H Parsons of Hartford who is assisting Miss Phelps &c I believe said on the 4 or 5 of Nov.   
I hope I shall be able to do something for you some time hereafter but I am poor now.   
yours &c E Loomis 
You will I hope will excuse me for my Blunders in letter writing for it is not often I write but hope you will understand it &  of refering her a pension I should like to know why they do please to write
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Stamp
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE  F MAY 17 1927
102 SOUTH SWARTHMORE AVENUE
VENTNOR, N J 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir
Can I secure information from your department concerning the pension record (with dates) of a certain Lieut. Austin Phelps who served in the French war of 1774 also Revolutionary.  In the latter he served 70 days.   Died in Windsor Ct 1823.  I can not give further dates but would appreciate
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greatly any assistance from your office.  
Very truly Yours 
Mrs. Winfield S. Peirsol 
May 14th 1927