Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 20181, for Joshua Jennings, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Jennings, Joshua
Sarah

NUMBER
W20181

CONTENTS
Page 2

271.
Connecticut
Sarah Jennings
Conn.
widow of Joshua Jennings
who was a private
in the Connecticut line
for 14 Months.

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 46. Dollars 66. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1843. and sent to 
Thomas Robinson
South Port [Southport]
Fairfield County
Connt.

(Act of March 3, 1843.)
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1. Page 70.

Rep
Page 3

✓ No 8238
Sarah Jennings - 
Con:
act 7 July 38.

m91. d28.

Two seasons - one of the in '83.
admd
14 mo pri
----------
46.66

no deduction

Hon T. B. Osborne 
HR
Page 4

State of Connecticut 
District of Fairfield ss
on this 5th day of April AD 1842 before a Special Court of Probate holden at Fairfield in and for the District of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut and now sitting personally appeared Sarah Jennings a resident of Fairfield in said District and State aged seventy two years & nearly seventy three, 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 Joshua Jennings deceased formerly of Fairfield in said District and State who was a private in the war of the Revolution That she recollects that in the latter part of said War she and her parents lived in a house in sd Fairfield in Greensfarms near the sea coast owned by Capt Thomas Nash a part of which was used by said Capt Nash as a guard house. That she recollects that said Joshua Jennings then Joshua Jennings Jr. served in sd Capt Nashs Guard on said Coast for two successive terms but in what particular year he commenced she does not recollect it was after the year 1780, she recollects his being in service for the greater part of two successive years, and was at the said guard house where she saw him, how long each term of service was she does not know being young at that time, but she believes not less than nine months in each year & that it was continuous She has also frequently heard said Joshua tell over his sd services[?] & that it was under enlistment with said Capt
Page 5

Capt Nashs Guard for nine month each time she further declares that before she was married her name was Sarah Morehouse and that she was married to said Joshua Jennings then Joshua Jennings jr on the 5th day of June 1791 (June fifth Seventeen hundred & ninety one, that her husband the aforsd Joshua Jennings died on the 13th day of February 1830 (thirteenth day of February Eighteen hundred & thirty) and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto annexed. that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January Seventeen hundred & ninety four towit [to wit] at the time before stated that she was married in Greensfarms in sd Fairfield where she & her husband lived untill his decease & that he died in sd Greensfarms 
Sarah her X mark Jennings
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year before written before me, and "& that it was continuous" first duly written 
Rufus Blakeman Judge 

and the sd Court does hereby declare its opinion that the facts set forth in the foregoing Declaration are true- 
Rufus Blakeman Judge
Page 6

I Henry Baldwin Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Jennings for a Pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Said Court in Fairfield this 5th day of April AD 1842 
Henry Baldwin Clerk
Page 7

I Dan C. Curtiss, of Fairfield in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Paster [Pastor] of the Congregational Church in the Parish of Greens Farms in said Fairfield, and as such having the custody of the Records of said church, do hereby certify that I find under the head of "marriages" the following record viz: June 5th 1791 June fifth Seventeen hundred and ninety one, Joshua Jenning Jun. & Sarah Morehouse- 
I Dan C. Curtiss above named depose & say that I hold the office of Paster [Pastor] of the Congregational Church in said Parish of Greens Farms, in the town, County & State aforesaid & that the above is a true extract from the Records of Said Church, with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures, as follows- "1791 June 5 Joshua Jennings Jun. Sarah Morehouse" 
Attest Dan C. Curtiss 
Paster [Pastor] of said Church, 
Greens Farms April 4" 1842. 

Fairfield April 4th 1842 
Sworn to before me this day 
David Coley Justice of Peace
Page 8

I Morehouse Jennings of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut aged forty Eight years being duly sworn do depose and say that Joshua Jennings deceased formerly of said Fairfield was my father, that said Joshua died in said Fairfield February 13th 1830 that I have personal recollection of the date of his decease and that the same date is entered on his grave stone said Joshua left a widow living by the name of Sarah Jennings who is my mother and is an applicant for a pension as the widow of my said father - and further saith not 
Morehouse Jennings 

I Ebenr. Jennings of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut aged forty five years being duly sworn do depose and say that I have read the above deposition of Morehouse Jennings and that the facts therein stated as to the date of the decease of Joshua Jennings therein named are true and that Sarah Jennings now living is the widow of said Joshua decd and further saith not 
Ebenezer Jennings 

State of Connecticut, 
Fairfield County ss 
Fairfield April 5th 1842 
Personally appeared Morehouse Jennings & Ebenr. Jennings and severally made oath to the truth of each of the forgoing depositions which they respectively subscribed and I certify that they are both well known to me, are credible witnesses & fully entitled to belief Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace
Page 9

I William Allen of that part of Westport in Fairfield County Connecticut untill lately embraced in the limits of Fairfield in sd County aged Seventy ["six years and nearly seventy" crossed out] seven years being duly sworn do depose and say that during the Revolutionary War I well knew Joshua Jennings, now decd who then and to the time of his decease was a resident of sd Fairfield and with whom I was well acquainted untill his sd decease having during all of sd time resided in the same neighbourhood. The said Joshua Jennings about the year 1781 in the spring of the year then of Capt Joseph Bennetts Company Col Abels Regt of State Troops enlisted and serve a term of nine months as a private soldier in the State Guard so called and performed the said service for the full term aforsd stationed at military posts at Greensfarms in sd Fairfield on the sea coast - And again in the Spring of the year next following the before mentioned service he again enlisted and served another term of nine months, said last mentioned service was performed on said sea coast of Fairfield at said Greensfarms, said Guard was an embodied Corps called into service by competent authority and Capt Thomas Nash was the commandant said Guard was divided into detached guards & which were under the particular charge of particular officers, but whom I do not now recollect- I cannot be positive when said service commenced, but know that it was about the year 1781 and am positive of the aforsd two terms of service of sd Joshua Jennings towit [to wit] of nine months each, said services were continuous-
Page 10

the reason of my knowledge of the aforesaid services is that I served with said Joshua during both of said terms, lived near him and knew him well - 
The erasure of words on the other side hereof in 3d & 4th lines from top & interlineation of word "years" first duly made 
William Allen

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield ss Fairfield April 2d 1842 
Personally appeared William Allen the above named deponent and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed before me, and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said William Allen that he is a person of unimpeachable character for truth, of good standing in Society and is a credible witness - 
Thomas Robinson 
Justice of Peace
Page 11

I Stephen Allen of Danbury in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy six years, being duly sworn, do depose and say, that during the Revolutionary War I resided in Fairfield County, and resided there for many years afterwards- and I knew, and was acquainted with Joshua Jennings then of said Fairfield, but since deceased- 
The Said Joshua Jennings served a term of nine months as a Private Soldier in the Company commanded by Captain Joseph Bennett, in the Regiment of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Colonel Elijah Abel from the 1st day of April 1782, to the 1st day of January 1783 - the said service was performed at military posts on Long Island Sound at Greensfarms and Camps in said County of Fairfield -
And this Deponent further saith that the said Joshua Jennings, on the 1st day of April 1783 again entered the service of the United States as a private soldier in the company of Connecticut State Troops commanded by Captain Thomas Nash & served in said Company from said 1st day of April until the 1st day of January following, being the full term of nine months - Said last mentioned service was performed at the same posts of Camps & Greensfarms- 
This Deponent may be mistaken as to the
Page 12

years respectively in which said two terms of service were performed, and the first term may have been in the year 1781, and the second in the year 1782, instead of the times above stated- but he is entirely confident that he served as above stated- This Deponent served in the same company with the said Joshua Jennings the whole of said first term of service - and the second term until the month of July when the Deponent was taken Prisoner- and further the Deponent saith not- Stephen Allen 

State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield s.s- 
on the 1st day of April 1842 before the Subscriber a Justice of the Peace within & for said County personally appeared Stephen Allen the above named Deponent and subscribed the foregoing Deposition, and being duly sworn that the same contains the truth, the whole truth, & nothing but the truth- I do further certify that said Stephen Allen is well known to me, and is a man of good character for truth, & is a credible witness- 
Sworn & subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid 
Reuben Booth Justice of Peace
Page 13

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County ss 
I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut & keeper of the seal thereof & of the Commissions of the Justices of the Peace for said County Do hereby certify that David Coley, Reuben Booth and Thomas Robinson Esquires are now and on the 1st 2d 4th & 5th days of Instant April were Justices of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and acting as such & duly authorized to administer oaths & take the acknowledgment of deeds- That these respective commissions are dated June 10th 1841 and will expire with the 19th day of June 1842 and I certify that the signatures annexed to the foregoing Depositions of Daniel C. Curtis, Morehouse Jennings & Ebenr. Jennings, William Allen & Stephen Allen respectively purporting to be theirs, are known to me to be their genuine official signatures 
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 5th day of April 1842 
Thomas Robinson Clerk
Page 14

M.C.S.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 

March 30, 1927

Honorable Thomas M. Bell 
House of Representatives 
My dear Mr. Bell: 
In response to your letter of March 28, 1927, I have the honor to advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 20181, that JOSHUA JENNINGS, while a resident of Fairfield, Connecticut, enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: 
From April 1, 1781, nine months in Captain Joseph Bennett's Company in Colonel Elijah Abel's Regiment. 
From April 1, 1782, nine months in Captain Thomas Nash's Company. 
He was married June 5, 1791, at the Congregational Church, Parish of Greens Farms, Fairfield, Connecticut, to Sarah Morehouse. 
He died February 13, 1830, in Fairfield, Connecticut. 
His widow, Sarah, was allowed pension on her application executed April 5, 1842, at which time she was seventy-two years of age and was living in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Page 15

In 1842 their son, Morehouse Jennings, was forty-eight years of age and was living in Fairfield, Connecticut.
This is the only soldier by the name of Joshua Jennings that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 16

872
May 1- 43

Thos. Robinson
South Port
["Town of" crossed out] Fairfield
Con
Page 17

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County ss
On this 25th day of April 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Sarah Jennings a resident of the town of Westport in Fairfield County & State aforesaid and of that part of Westport called Greensfarms which untill about a year since a part of the town of Fairfield, aged Seventy four 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 on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of Joshua Jennings deceased who was a private in the War of the Revolution that she received a Pension as such Widow under the act of Congress of July 7, 1838, The annual amount of which was forty six dollars and sixty six cents- she further declares that she is still a widow- 
Sarah Jennings
sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above mentioned before me. The figure "3d" preceding word March first duly made Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace 

I further certify that the above named Sarah Jennings the Declarant is well & personally known to me, and that she was a pensioner under the act of Congress of July 7. 1838 
Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace 
I further certify that the above named Declarant was assisted in signing her name by having her hand guided by one of her children, the Declarants hand being tremulous- This & the preceding certificate made the day & year first above written. Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace
Page 18

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
County of Fairfield
COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE. SS. Bridgeport
I, Wm H Noble Esq., Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Fairfield and keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of Peace for said County, hereby CERTIFY:-

Thomas Robinson Esquire was on the 25 day of April 1843 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgement of DEEDS and other instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to this instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Court this 25th day of April 1843
Wm. H Noble, Clerk.
Page 19

Hon T.B. Osborne
H.R.
June 29 1842.
Page 20

Comptrollers Office 
17th June 1842 
This may certify that I find in "Haskells Receipt" the following entries viz. under the head of "Sundry expenditures for the service and expense of Troops stationed at Greenwich" &c- 
"1782 Octor 22d Capt Jos Bennett, post at Greenwich £183:10:2" 
"1782 Jany 28th Capt Jos Bennett Post at Greenwich 183:10:2" 
I also find in "Haskells Receipt," under the item of "sundry expenditures for the service and expense of Guards on the sea coast" &c 
the following entries viz: 
"1780 April 6th Capt Thomas Nash coast guards at Fairfield £144:13:2" 
"1782 Jany 28th Capt Thos Nash coast guards at Fairfield 180:13:2" 
"1782 Jany 28th Capt Thos Nash coast guards at Fairfield  1396:2:8"
"1783 May 15th Capt Thos Nash coast guards at Fairfield 43:8:10" 
Gideon Willes Comptroller
Page 21

Southport April 5. 1842 
Hon Thos B Osborne 
Dear Sir 
Enclosed I forward to you the Pension Claim of widow Sarah Jennings of Fairfield- Will you be pleased in her behalf to present her Claim to J L Edwards Esq Commr. of Pensions and request his attention to the same as early as may be convenient- of the witnesses who have testified to the services of her husband one towit [to wit] Stephen Allen whose credibility is certified to by Mr Booth I do not know, he living remote from me, but the other towit [to wit] Wm Allen I do know and if necessary sworn certificates of his good character for truth could be obtained from gentlemen of the first respectability in his neighbourhood- I hope her claim will receive a favorable consideration- 
I am very Respectfully 
Your Obedt Servt 
Thomas Robinson
Page 22

House of Representatives 
April 13. 1842 
Sir- 
Please give to the enclosed application of Sarah Jennings as early an attention as you can and communicate the decision to me 
very respectfully 
Your Obedt Servt 
Tho. B Osborne

Samuel L Edwards Esquire 
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 23

Washington June 28, 1842 
J. L. Edwards Esquire 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Dr Sir 
I enclose herewith the Certificate of the Controller of Connecticut to be used in the case of Mrs Sarah Jennings' application for a Pension, the same having been procured in conformity with the suggestion of your Letter of 25th of April last. The Certificate shows the amount paid by the State & is evidence that these guards were duly authorized by the State - I hope there will be no objection now remaining to the allowance of a pension to Mrs Jennings- 
very respectfully 
Your Obedt Servt 
Thomas B Osborne
Page 24

M.C.S.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 

June 4, 1926 

Honorable Thomas M. Bell 
House of Representatives 

My dear Mr. Bell: 
In response to your letter of the second instant, I have the honor to advise you that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 20181, that JOSHUA JENNINGS, while a resident of Fairfield, Connecticut, enlisted and served as private with the Connecticut troops as follows: 
From April 1, 1781, nine months in Captain Joseph Bennett's Company, Colonel Elijah Abel's Regiment. 
From April 1, 1782, nine months in Captain Thomas Nash's Company. 
He was married June 3, 1791, at the Congregational Church, Parish of Greens Farms, Fairfield, Connecticut to Sarah Morehouse. 
He died February 18, 1830, in Fairfield, Connecticut. 
His widow, Sarah, was allowed pension on her application executed April 5, 1842, at which time she was seventy-two years of age and was living in Fairfield, Connecticut. 
In 1842 their son, Morehouse Jennings, was forty-eight years of age and was living in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Page 25

This is the only soldier by the name of Joshua Jennings, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 26

awf

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.

March 25, 1927

Honorable Thomas M. Bell
House of Representatives

My dear Mr. Bell:
In response to your letter of the twenty-third instant, I have the honor to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Joshua Jennings, who served in the Virginia Troops, or who later resided in that state.
You were furnished, June 4, 1926, the history of the only Joshua Jennings, W. 20181 (he was of Connecticut), found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
Very truly yours,

Winfield Scott
Commissioner.
Page 27

8238
Cont.
Suspended
Letter to Honble T. B. Osborne April 25th 1843

act 7 July 38
Page 28

THOMAS M. BELL 
9TH DISTRICT GEORGIA 

House of Representatives 
COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS 
Washington, D. C. 
June 2, 1926. 

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
Will you please advise me if you have any record of a Revolutionary War soldier by the name of Josha Jennings. It is not knownfrom what state this soldier enlisted but it is thought from New Jersey, New York, or Virginia. 
Any information given will be appreciated. Very respectfully,
Tho M Bell

PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
L
JUN 3 1926
Page 29

THOMAS M. BELL
9TH DISTRICT GEORGIA

House of Representatives
COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS
Washington, D. C.
March 23, 1927.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Please advise me if there is any record of pension having been paid Joshua Jennings, a Revolutionary War soldier from Virginia.
Very respectfully,
Tho M Bell

PENSION [illegible]
U.S.
MAR 24 1927
Page 30

THOMAS M. BELL 
9TH DISTRICT GEORGIA 
House of Representatives 
COMMITTEE ON POST OFFICE AND POST ROADS 
Washington, D. C. 

March 28, 1927. 

[arrow to "March 25th" in body of letter] Which letter was returned to Mr. Bell when his request of Mar. 28 was answered

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir: 
I am returning your letter of March 25th, and will ask that you kind furnish me with record of the Joshua Jennings from Connecticut, mentioned, as I have misplaced your former letter. 
Very respectfully,
Tho M Bell

Incl.

PENSION OFFICE
U.S.
MAR 29 1927
Page 31

6696 ✓
Connecticut 
Sarah Jennings widow of Joshua Jennings decd ["who was a pensioner under the Act of" crossed out] and who died on the 13 Feb. 1830 of Fairfield in the State of Connt who was a private in the Comp commanded by Captain Nash of the regt commanded by ---- in the Connt line for 14 months 

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of July 1842 and sent to Hon T.B. Osborne, H. Reps. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 41 233.30 
Semi-annual allowance ending 
233.30 
Act July 7, 1838. 
Recorded by Theo. L Moody Clerk, 
Book A Vol. 1 Page 189

Reported
Page 32

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 20181
Sarah Jennings
widow of Joshua Jennings
Priv. Rev. War

Act: March 3, 1843
Index:- Vol. A, Page 374
(Arrangement of 1870.)

Feby 20, 1904. His to Abbie M. Peffers Westport Conn
1926 June 4 hist. to Hon. Thos. M. Bell M.C.S.
1927 Mch 25 Hon. Thos. M. Bell inf only Joshua Jennings awf
1927 Mar. 30 hist. to Hon. Thos. W. Bell. M.C.S.