Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,554, for James Lockwood, Connecticut
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Conn
Lockwood, James
S17554
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17538 Connecticut
James Lockwood
of New Canaan in the State of Connecticut
who was a PR. and Sgt. Drq. in the Company commanded
by Captain St. John of the Regt. commanded
by Cove Silliman on the Connecticut
line for 3 months Privates of Infantry
21 months Sergt. of Cavalry

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 167 Dollars 50 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of April 
1833 and Lat B Isaaes 
of Norwalk Con Present

Arrears to the 4th of Mar '33 $353.00
Semi-amt. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 $83.75
$418.75
{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Ina Brommell Clerk
Book E Vol 3 Page 24
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No. 3140

State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss.

Probate Court, District of Norwalk May 1st
1833. Personally appeared the within named James Lockwood and
being duly sworn in open Court according to Law depose
and say that in explination of his declaration here set forth
that on the first of October 1776, I inlisted as herein stated under Lieut
Caleb St John (the Capt. of the Company Samuel Beldre bring a Tory we would
not serve under him) Major Storr Col. Silliman and we marched to
County in this State and was on guard and in actual service over
two months

Our Company was immediately ordered and we marched under Gen
Wooster to Fort Independence now Kings bridge State of New York and was
there in Queens and in actual and constant service three months

On the first of March 1777, I enlisted as Sergant in the aforesaid
Company, under Capt. Caleb St John Major Storr Col Silliman and was in
the battle when Danbury was burnt and at Ridgefield and near Gen
Wooster when he was killed, and was on guard at Norwalk and on
the lines at Horse neck until the first of December next
following in actual service nine months

In February 1778 was order on guard at Norwalk under
Capt. Caleb St John and was guard at Norwalk and on the
lines at Horse neck, Rye, and at Fishkill under Gen'l.
Silliman & Gen'l Poor and was in constant and actual
Service as Sergant. Eleven months

On the first of March 1779, I continued in the same service
in the same company under Capt. Cable [Caleb] St John was in the
Battles when Fairfield and Norwalk was burnt and was on Guard at
Norwalk, Horse Neck, and at Bedford and was in contant and actual
service as Sergeant Nine Months

On the first of May 1780 Abraham Gregory was chosen Capt of said Comp.
of horse, and I continued in said Company and served as Sergeant
under Col. St John J Mead under Gen Silliman and was on guard at
Norwalk, Horse neck and on the lines and was in actual and
constant service Six Months

On the first of March 1781, I again entered said Company and
served as a Sergeant under Capt Abraham Gregory Col Stephen St
John Gen. Silliman and on guard at Norwalk and on the lines and
at North Coltt under Gen. Washington and was in constant and
actual service for more than Six Months
[signed] James Lockwood

Sworn and Subscibed in
open Court the day and
year aforesaid
[signed] Benjamin Isaacs Judge
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State of Connecticut, }
County of Fairfield, } ss.

On this 31 day of July, 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before
the Court of Probate within and for the District
of Norwalk in said County
now sitting, James Lockwood, a resident
of New Canaan, in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged
Eighty five years, who being first 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.

That in the year 1776 on the first of October I
Inlisted [enlisted] in the Parish of Canaan, then a part of the
town of Nowalk and now made a town called
New Canaan, in said County under Cornet Caleb
St John, in the troop of horse as a Sergeant there being
no higher officer in said Company than said Cornet,
and served under him until he was chosen Capt of
said Company in the year 1777. And I continued my
service under said Cornet until he was chosen
Capt. of said Company, and continued therein until the
year 1780 at which time Abraham Gregory of Wilton
was chosen Capt. of said Company, and I continued
my service in said Company and under him until
the close or end of the Revolution War, and was then
discharged at said New Canaan. Was in the battle when
Danbury Fairfield and Norwalk was burnt, and part
of the time served under Major Storr - was acquainted
and part of the time with Gen Washington, Gens. Putnam
& Wooster, on the lines when stationed there.
Was principal part of my aforesaid time of service
engaged in protecting and guarding the Sea coast
at Norwalk horse neck and in the lines as
a Sergeant in said Company, and was discharged
in said New Canaan. I was born in said town of New
Canaan on Oct. 25, 1746 Recorded in my Fathers bible
and the Record produced in Court, and have always
lived in said town. Never Rec'd [received] any written discharges
and have no documentary evidence --
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The said James Lockwood 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.
[signed] James Lockwood

We, William Bonney a clergyman, residing in the town of
and Isaac Benedict residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with James Lockwood, who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 86 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.
[signed] William Bonney
[signed] Isaac Benedict

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier,
and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that William
Bonney, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of
New Canaan and that Isaac Benedict who
has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Canaan, and is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[signed] Benj'm [Benjamin] Isaacs Judge

I, Charles Isaacs Clerk of the said Probate Court
do hereby certify that the foreging [foregoing] contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of James Lockwood for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Office,
this 31 day of July, 1832.
[office seal]
[signed] Chas Isaacs Clerk
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O. W. & N. Division.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
F. S. M.E.C.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. , May 14, 1895.

Sir:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
of --- James Lockwood --- a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his
widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.

Oct. 1776
Dec. 1776
Mar. 1777
Feb. 1778
Mar. 1779
May 1780
Mar. 1781

LENGTH
OF SERVICE.

2 mos.
3 mos.
9 mos.
11 mos.
9 mos.
6 mos.
6 mos.

RANK.

Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.
Sgt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.

CAPTAIN.

Caleb St. John
Caleb St. John
Caleb St. John
Caleb St. John
Caleb St. John
Abraham Gregory
Abraham Gregory

COLONEL.

Silliman
Gen. Wooster
Silliman
Silliman
Silliman
St. John & Mead
Stephen St. John

STATE.

Conn.
Conn.
Conn.
Conn.
Conn.
Conn.
Conn.

Battles engaged in, Burning of Danbury, Fairfield, and Norwalk.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Canaan, Conn.
Date of application for pension, July 31, 1832.
Residence at date of application, New Canaan, Conn.
Age at date of application, Born at New Canaan, Oct. 25, 1746.
Remarks:

Mr. Hiram Calkins, Jr.,
147 West 49th St.,
New York, N. Y.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
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State of Connecticut }
Farfield County } ss Probate Court District of Norwalk
on the 31 day of July 1832 before said Court Personally
appeared James Benedict aged Eighty Nine years of
New Canaan in said County being duly sworn according
to law in open Court doth depose and say, that he is well
acquainted with James Lockwood of said New Canaan,
that in the year 1776 said Lockwood and myself Inlisted [enlisted]
in the troop of horse both of us as Sergents under the
Command of Cornet Caleb St John and we served
under him in guarding and protecting the Sea coast
and on the lines until he was chosen Capt of said Company
in the year 1777 and continued on same together until
the year 1780 at which time Abraham Gregory of Wilton
was chosen Capt of said Company and we continued the
same service until the close of the Revolution War.
We were principally engaged during the time aforesaid
at Norwalk horse neck and on the lines and was part
of the time under Major Storr.
[signed] James Benedict

Sworn and Subscribed in open
Court [signed] Benj'n [Benjamin] Isaacs Judge

At the same Court, Personally appeared Thaddeus Sterling
of Wilton aged 83 years in said County being duly sworn
according to law in open Court doth depose and say, that
he is well acquainted with James Lockwood of New
Canaan in said County, that in year 1776 said Lockwood
and myself Inlisted in the troop of horse Commanded
by Cornet Caleb St John the said Lockwood as a Sergeant
and we served under him in guarding and protecting
the Sea Coast and on the lines until he was chosen Capt
of said Company in the year 1777 and continued our
Service together until the year 1780, at which time
Abraham Gregory of Wilton was chosen Capt of
said Company and we continued the same service
until the dose of the Revolutionary War we were
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principal engaged during the term of time aforesaid
at Norwalk horseneck and on the lines and was part
of the time under Major Storr
[signed] Thad' [Thaddeus] Sterling

Sworn and Subscribed in open Court
[signed] Benj'n [Benjamin] Isaacs Judge

State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss. Probate Court District of Norwalk
May 1 1833. This may certify that, I am well acquainted
with the within deponents James Benedict and Thaddeus
Sterling, and know them both to be respectable and
Credable Persons
[signed] Benj'n [Benjamin] Isaacs Judge
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[postmark] U S PENSION OFFICE. A MAY 2 1895

[stamp] OLD WAR & [illegible] FILES MAY 4 1895
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N OWN L

N. Y. April 31st., 1895

To the Pension Office:-

Gentlemen:-

Under the Act of 1832
James Lockwood of Fairfield Co., Conn., received a pension for
services rendered in the Revolutionary War. Will you have
the kindness to furnish me with a certified copy of all
papers submitted by him in his application and oblige

Respectfully Yours,
[signed] Hiram Calkins Jr.
147 West 49 St.
N. Y. City.
Page 11

17554
INVALID.

File No. 17554
James Lockwood
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index: -- Vol. / , Page 228

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 12

J. Lockwood

5.6.14.17

B Isaacs

aom'd
21: Sargt. [Sergeant] Cavalry.
3 mo pri [private] - Infy. [Infantry]

P 141.
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3146

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
James Lockwood --- 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 amout [amount] of pension
he is entitled?
--- no --- actual service in the field
camp or garrison only is to be stated, as that alone
comes within the act

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
No

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?
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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. [footnote 2] 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?

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. [footnote 3] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
4 subsequent

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."
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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.

[footnote 2] 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.

[footnote 3] 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.