Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,524, Samuel B P Arnold, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
  Conn.
Arnold, Samuel B. P.
NUMBER
  31524
CONTENTS
  ----
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17.407
Connecticut

Saml. B. P. Arnold of Middlesex in the State of Conn who was a private in the Conn commanded by Captain Brainard of the Regt. commanded by Col. Sage in the Conn line for 11 ½ mos

Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 38 Dollars 22 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Aug. 1833 and [illegible]
F. G. Comstock
Chatham

Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]            $76.64
Semianl. [Semi-annual]
 allowance ending 14 Sept. [illegible]  $19.16
                                                            --------
                                                            $95.80
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.      }

Recorded by [illegible] Clerk, Book 6, Vol. 2, Page A
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Samuel B. P. Arnold
Application for a pension
No. 3339
[illegible]
aomd [amount] 114 [illegible]mo. pri [private]

36.60
  1.66
-------
 38.32
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State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss.
  On this 7th day of August A.D. 18,32 personally appeared in
open Court, before the Court of Probate for the district of
Chatham, now sitting, Samuel B. P. Arnold, a resident of
Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged seventy years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth, on oath, make the following declaration,
in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein
stated. In Capt Daniel Brainard's company in the Regiment
commanded by Col Sage, from the latter part of August 1777
to the latter part of October of the same year, embracing a period of about two months when he left the service. That at the
time he entered the said services he resided in the town of
Haddam, County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut
that the whole company to which he belonged was called into 
service, and he with it marched from Chatham in Connecticut to Danbury in Connecticut and
from thence to Fishkill
in the State of New York and from thence up the Hudson
River to Red Hook and from thence back to Fishkill, that
he was in no regular battles,
but had frequent skirmishes
with the English fleet which then was sailing up the River to
meet the Brittish [British] army commanded by Gen Burgoyne
which was then making from the north that he knew Gen.
Putnam & Maj. Warner officers of the Continental line, that there
was with him in the same company a private soldier
by the name of Jacob Hurd, whose deposition is hereto on
annexed.
  That in February 1779 he was drafted to perform a three months
tour of duty at New Haven in Connecticut and immediately
marched to that place, that in the month of March following he
enlisted into Capt Chapman's Company in the Regiment commanded
by Col Abraham Tyler, [illegible] by the State of Connecticut for the
term of one year that the company was stationed at New Haven for the
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term of three or four months, that we then marched to Fort Trumball in New London Harbor, Connecticut, where we performed the remainder of our service. That there was a private soldier in the said Company by the name of Jacob Hurd whose deposition is hereto annexed.
  In answer to the interrogations of the Court the said Samuel B. P. Arnold says that he was born in the year 1762 at Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut. That at the time when called into the service he lived at said Haddam, where he has since, and still lives. That he was called into the service in the manner heretofore stated. That the names of the officers and the general circumstances of his service are as above specified. That he never received a discharge. That Jacob Hurd and Benjamin Hurd are his neighbors who on testify to his character for veracity and their belief of services as a soldier of the revolution. 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.
Samuel B P Arnold

  And the said court do hereby declare their opinion, [crossed out] after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations provided by the [illegible] deponent [end crossed out] that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
  I William G. Comstock Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Chatham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the [illegible] proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of  Samuel B. P. Arnold for a pension
  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7th day of August A.D. 1832.
  W. G. Comstock Clerk
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State of Connecticut}
Middlesex County,   } ss.

  On this 17th day of December A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Chatham, now sitting, Samuel B. P. Arnold a resident of the Town of Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged Seventy 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated:--

1. In the company commanded by Captain Daniel Brainerd in the Regiment commanded by Col Sage from the latter part of August 1777 to the latter part of October of the same year embracing a period of two months, when he left the service, that at the time he entered the service he resided in the town of Haddam County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, that the whole company to which he belonged was called into service and that he with it marched from Chatham in Connecticut to Danbury in Connecticut and from thence to Fishkill in in the State of New York, and from thence up the Hudson River to Red Hook and from thence back to Fishkill, that he was in no regular battles, but had frequent skirmish with the English fleet which then was sailing up the River to meet the British army commanded by General Burgoyne which was then marching from the north, that he
knew Gen. Putnam and Maj. Warner officers of the continental officers, that at this time he performed two months service as a private, that then was with him
in the same company a private soldier by the name of Jacob Hurd whose deposition is hereto annexed

2. That in February 1779 he was drafted to perform a three
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months tour of duty at New Haven in Connecticut and immediately marched to that place, that after being there about six weeks and before the expiration of his draft he enlisted into Capt Chapmans company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Abraham Tyler as a private soldier for the term of one year, that the company was stationed at New Haven for the term of three or four months, that then he marched with the company to Fort Trumbull in New London Harbor Connecticut, where he performed service the remainder of his enlistment. The Lieutenant of the company was Aaron Hale, the name of the Ensign was Harrison.
  That at this time, including the draft, he performed thirteen and a half months duty as a private, that Jacob Hurd was a private soldier in said company whose deposition is hereunto annexed. That at the several tours mentioned in this declaration performed not less than fifteen and a half months service as a private for which he claims a pension. That he has no documentary evidence not having ever received a written discharge.
  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.
 
 In answer to the interrogations he says

1. That he was born in the year 1762 of Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut.
2. That he has a record of his age in his Bible.
3. That when he was called into the service he was living at Haddam in the County of Middlesex & state of Connecticut where he has since and still resides.
4. That he knew Gen. Putnam and Major Warner Continental officers.
5. That he was called into service in the manner stated in this declaration.
6. That he never received a written discharge.
7. That he is known to Rev. Charles Bentley and Jacob Hurd in his present neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity in their delivery of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

  Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Samuel B. P. Arnold
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  We Charles Bentley a Clergyman residing in the town of Chatham and Jacob Hurd residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel B. P. Arnold who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
  Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, Charles Bentley, Jacob Hurd

  And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Rev. Charles Bentley who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the same town of and Jacob Hurd who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
  I William G. Comstock Clerk of the court of probate for the District of Chatham do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Samuel B. P. Arnold for a pension
  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17 day of December A.D. 1832
  Wm. G. Comstock Clk

State of Connecticut}
Middlesex County   } ss.

  On this 13th day of May A.D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the district of Chatham, now sitting Samuel B.P.  Arnold a resident of the town of Haddam in the County of Middlesex  in State of Connecticut, aged seventy two years who by first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath make the following amendment to his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Court posted June 7, 1832, that it was in February 1778 instead of February 1779 as stated in his declaration that he enlisted into Capt. Chapmans company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Tyler for the term of one year that he was out in actual service eight months as a private, that at this and the other tours he was in actual service he was out eleven and a half month as a private for which claims he a pension, that in his [illegible]
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declaration he erroneously stated his age, that in fact he was born in year 1761 and is seventy two years of age. 
  Sworn to & Subscribed this day & year aforesaid Samuel B P Arnold

  I William G. Comstock Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of  [illegible] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original providings of the Court in the matter of the Amendment of the application of Samuel B. P. Arnold for a pensioner
  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 13th day of May, A.D. 1833.
  W. G. Comstock Clk
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  In reply to your request of ----,
received ----
for a statement of the military history of Samuel B. P. Arnold
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out] (or his widow's) [end crossed out] application for a
pension on file in this Bureau.

S. File 31,524
ctl. 17407

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
  Aug. 77
  Feby 79
  Mch [March] 79
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
  2 mos.
  1 1/2 mos.
  1 year
RANK
  Pri. [Private]
  Pri. [Private]
  Pri. [Private]
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
  Captain. Daniel Brainard (at New Haven)
  Colonel. Sage
  Captain. Chapman
  Colonel. Abraham Tyler
STATE.
  Conn.

Battles engaged in, [check mark]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Haddam, Middlesex Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 7, 1832. Allotment
Residence at date of application, Haddam, Conn.
Age at date of application, Born in 1762 at Haddam Conn.

Remarks: To and for death etc.
Page 11

No. 31524
Reg INVALID.

File No. 31,524
Samuel B P Arnold
Pri [Private] Rev War
Act: June 7th 32nd
Index: ---- Vol. 2, Page 11
(Arrangement of 1870.)

1909 Jan. 29. Hist. to J. Griswold Dolson &c
1911 May 27. Mrs. Cephas Brainerd Jr. &c
1911 June 30th Mrs. E. B. Davis &c
1913 Nov. 10. Mrs. E. B. Davis ref to Aud.
Page 12

Jacob Hurd affidavit in case of Samuel B. P. Arnold
Page 13

  I Jacob Hurd of Chatham in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I was in the Company of Militia commanded by Capt Daniel Brainard, in the Regiment commanded by Col Sage, from the latter part of August 1777 to the latter part of October of the same year, embracing a period of about two months in the service of the United States, that said company marched from Chatham in Connecticut to Danbury in said Connecticut and thence to Fishkill in the State of New York and from thence up the Hudson River to Red Hook and from thence back to said Fishkill, that Samuel B. P. Arnold now is living in the town of Haddam Middlesex County Connecticut was a private soldier in said company during the whole of said period of two months. I further depose and say that I was an enlisted soldier in the company commanded by Capt Chapman in the Regiment commanded by Col Tyler, raised [illegible] by the State of Connecticut for the term of one year, and that I was acquainted with Samuel B. P. Arnold a private soldier in said Company and know that he performed all the service required of him as a Soldier during that period of enlistment
  Jacob Hurd

  Sworn to & subscribed this 7th day of Aug. AD. 1832.
  Before me
F. G. Comstock
Just. Peace

  I certify that the above deponent is personally known to me and is a competent and credible witness
  Franklin G. Comstock, Justice of the Peace
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  I, THOMAS DAY, 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 Franklin G. Comstock Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Jacob Hurd was taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.
  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the city of Hartford, in said State, the 22nd day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and thirty-two.
  Thomas Day
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Saml B. P. Arnold.
asmd [illegible]
[illegible] man at 16 [illegible]


To Franklin G. Comstock
Judge of Probate
Chatham Ct.

Page 81.
Page 16

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Samuel B. P. Arnold 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 which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
  Not definitively, and positively
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? No.
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[page] 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.

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No.

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? No.
  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 18

[page] 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 [italics] about three or four months [end italics] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

+QUERE XIV. [italics] Proof of Service. [end italics]
  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. [italics] Mode of authenticating papers. [end italics]
  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.
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William Ryle & Co.
54 Howard Street
P. O. Box 1357

New York, January 12, 1909.

Commissioner of Pensions.
Old War Record Division
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
  Will you kindly send me a copy of the record concerning my ancestor, Samuel B. P. Arnold who I understand, received a pension from the United States for Revolutionary Service. I desire this solely for genealogical purposes, and thanking you in advance for your courtesy, I beg to remain,
  Respectfully yours,
Griswold Dolson

[ink stamp] PENSION U.S.A. OFFICE
JAN 13 1909
Page 20

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Commissioner
  Dear Sir:
I found through this department in 1908 the Record of Joseph Clark of Haddam Ct. (3-525 Record Division)
It was a long going from
Page 21

Department to Department
  Before I wrote you & no accurate record. In the same regiment Aaron Stevens Capt. Col. Samuel Mott was another grandfather.
  Samuel Arnold son of Samuel Arnold of Haddam. Kindly send me the record of Samuel Arnold.

  Sincerely Harriett Arnold Brainerd
(Mrs Cephas Brainerd Jr.)
May 1911.
Page 22

G. C. K.

P. S. Record Division
V. L. M.
Widows File 20871.
  These marks are on the Joseph clerks paper --
H. M. B.
Haddam Ct.
Page 23

FAITH TRUMBULL CHAPTER, D. A. R.
NORWICH, CONNECTICUT

June 27, 1911.

U.S. Pension Office 
Washington D.C.

  I am desirous of obtaining the date of birth and the military service of Samuel Brown Prince Arnold, spoken of as a pensioner in 1832, on page 653 Connecticut men in the Revolution.
  I also wish the record of Reuben Brown of
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  Connecticut born in Stonington, Conn. Aug. 20, 1738. He served three years in the Revolution and was a pensioner.
  Any information which this Pension Office may furnish will be greatly appreciated and whatever remuneration in customary will be promptly forwarded.
  Very respectfully,
Elizabeth Brewster Davis

Adrss. [illegible]
E. B. Davis
30 Grove St.
Norwich, Conn
Page 25

Norwich Conn.,
Nov. 4, 1913.

  The United States Pension Office,
Washington D.C.

[ink stamp] PENSION OFFICE 
NOV 6 1913

  Would it be possible [illegible] Pension Records, [illegible] this date of the death of Samuel Brown Prince Arnold, a pensioner of the Revolutionary war residing in Middlesex County, Connecticut in 1832. Pensioner under the act of 1832
  Samuel B. P. Arnold's name does not appear on pension lists of 1840 and presumably died between 1832 and 1840.
  If there is no record of his death (or date given) I should
Page 26

find this last date of payment of his pension useful.
  Very respectfully
Elizabeth Brewster Davis

Mr. E .B. Davis
105 Williams St.
Norwich, Conn.
Page 27

Rev. War Section.

November 10, 1913.

Mrs. E. B. Davis,
105 William Street.
Norwich, Conn.

Madam:

  In response to your letter dated the 4th and received the 6th instant, in regard to Samuel B. P. Arnold, Sur. File No. 31,524, Rev. War, whose history was furnished you under date of June 30, 1911, you are again advised that in order to ascertain the date of the soldier's death or the last payment of his pension and to whom paid, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S. Treasury Department, giving him all of the following data:

  "Samuel B. P. Arnold, Certificate No. 17,407, issued August 13, 1833, at $38.32, per annum. from March 4, 1831, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Connecticut Agency."
  Very respectfully,
G M Saltzgaber
Commissioner.