Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 1670, Purchase Capen, Conn.
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SERVICE: Conn.
Capen, Purchase (Theodosia)
NUMBER: R 1670
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No 5689
Theodosia Capen
Mass.
Act 4 July '36
m. 76 d. 27

Elijah Clark Esq.
Brighton Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Hampshire, ss. 
On this twenty third day of August eighteen hundred and forty two. Personally appeared before the Hon Ithamer Conkey, Judge of the Court of Probate in and for the County of Hampshire and State aforesaid Theodosia Capen a resident of Belchertown in said County, eighty six years of age, 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 fourth AD 1836. That she is the Widow of Purchase Capen who was a Captain of a Guard at Simsbury Newgate Prison in the State of Connecticut where Torys and British prisoners were secured in safety, and that he was appointed to this office in the first part of the War of the Revolution in the year 1775, and continued as Captain of this Guard untill some time in the year 1780. making a period of five years, when he declined any further appointment in Department of the Prison, on account of the previous wounds received and the narrow escapes of looseing his life while in the discharge of his duty, and at the time he engaged in this service he was employed in Simsbury now Grandbury in the State of Connecticut. 
She further Declares that she was Married to the said Perchase Capane on the eighteenth day of December in the year seventeen hundred and
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seventy six, that the ceremony was performed by Asaph Holcomb Esq. a Justice of the Peace who resided near the Newgate Prison where the said Perchas Capen was Commander, and that her husband the aforesaid Purchase Capen, Died at his residence in Belchertown aforesaid, on the twenty sixth day of May eighteen hundred and twenty seven, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by refering to the proof hereto annexed.
[Signed] Theodosia Capen
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before me 
[Signed] Ithaman Conkey Judge of Probate

I hereby certify that the said Theodosia Capen the aforesaid applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend Court
[Signed] Ithaman Conkey Judge of Probate 

I Samuel F. Lyman Register the Court of Probate in and for said County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of said Theodosia Capen's application for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 31st day of September 1842. 
[SEAL]
[Signed] Sam. F Lyman Register of Probate
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Extracts from the original Book of Records Kept by Samuel Capen & his son Purchase, In Belchertown, County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts.
Purches Capen, and is wife Theadosha, we was mareed December eighteenth, seveenteen hundred and seventy six. 
I hereby certify that the above is a true exact from the original, with the exception of the date, which is expressed in fair legible figures, as follows, December 18th 1776.
[Signed] Polly Capen

I Polley Capen, of lawful age, depose and say, that I have in my possession the original family Record Book of my father's, Purchase Capen, and grandfather's, Samuel Capen, & that the above is a true extract from the original, with the exception of date expresed on the record, as above certified by me, and I also find on the same page a record as follows:- 
The berth of our children Purches was born ye 5 day of May 1777 and was beptise 9 day January 1777 
Samuel was born 25 day of January 1779 
David was born April 12 1781 
Edmond was born October 21 1782
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Byah was born September 28, 1784
Thedosha was born August 12, 1786 
Sopher was born November 1, 1789 
Polley was born July 19 1792 
Susanna was born October 30 1794 and died July 29 1796 
Sylvester was born April 27 1797 
Almira Jenks was born December the 7th 1805 
Samuel died 9f of January 1814 
Sopher died 3 of May 1816 
Purches Capen died the 26 day of May 1827 
[Signed] Polley Capen 

Hampshire ss. Belchertown August 18th 1842 Then Polly Capen subscriber to the foregoing Affidavit and made solemn Oath that the same is just and true, and I certify that the said Polly Capen sustains a good Character for truth and veracity 
Before me [Signed] Justus Forward Justice of the Peace
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I Samuel Olds of Ludlow in the County of Hampden and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Eighty Six years of age on Oath do testify and say that in the time of the war of the Revolution I resided in Belchertown adjoining said Ludlow and in the immediate neighbourhood where Purchase Capen resided when he was at home I well recollect that the said Purchase Capen was engaged at the time of the Revolution in guarding the prisoners at what was Called Newgate Prison in the State of Connecticut and I recollect distinctly that it was stated that he had the Command there I also recollect the said Purchase Capen was Married to a Miss Theodosia Halcomb in the State of Connecticut while he was there in the service, and some time after he returned to said Belchertown where he resided with his wife untill his death which was near fifteen years since leaving a widow and a large family of children. his widow is now living and remains his worthy widow 
[Signed] Samuel Olds

Commonwealth of Massachusetts-
Hampden ss. Ludlow August 17th 1842 Then Personally appeared the above named Samuel Olds who is a Person worthy of Confidence, and made Oath that the above affidavit by him Subscribed is true 
before me [Signed] Abel Calkins Justice of the Peace
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REJECTED
1670
Theodosia Capen
Widow of
Purchase Capen

List of suspended claims printed in 1852 shows cause of suspension as follows:
"He did not serve six months in a regularly organized corps."
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V
5689
Mass.
Elijah Clark Oct 31 '42
same Nov 18, 1842
1670
act 4. July 36
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Comptroller's Office 
Hartford Ct 
11th Novr 1842 

On application in behalf of the Widow of Purches Capin, for testimony of his services during the Revolutionary War, as one of the Guard at the Prison in Simsbury, called New Gate, I have searched the records of the Council of Safety, the books of the Pay Table Comtee. and also the state papers for evidence. It is a matter of history, and there is abundance of proof that New Gate prison at Simsbury was used during the revolutionary war for confining Tory prisoners, suspected persons, and state offenders. 
The following extract is from the records of the Council of Safety-  "July 15th 1776 " On representation of the Comtee. of Inspection, for Simsbury & others, of the dangerous situation of New Gate Prison and especially since a number of Tory Prisoners are committed there, and the great uneasiness of the People concerning them, and that the Keeper is uneasy with his situation &c. and requesting liberty of a guard &c - Considered and voted that the Overseers of New Gate Prison be advised and directed, and they are hereby advised and directed to procure and place a Guard of two faithful men every night, or more if they shall judge necessary, carefully to watch and guard said Prisoners and all the avenues thereof in order to prevent the exape [escape] of any of said Prisoners, and any access to them by unknown or suspicious persons - and that said Comtee. be divised to examine into the true situation and circumstances of said affair and inform his Honr. the Governor as soon as may be and of the necessity of the Case in order to receive further instruction in the premises." 
On the 12th of September 1776, the
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Council of Safety "Voted and Ordered that Mr Horner [?] do as soon as may be procure some proper person to proceed directly to Simsbury, and Salisbury, if needful, and forward the six pound cannon that in ready there to Hartford or Middletown with shot for them, and assist and Consult with Mr Humphery therein" &c 
I also find in the files of the State Department sundry papers, and among them an account "To the Colony of Connecticut - To New Gate Prison - To sundries for support of Prisoners &c and other expenses" May 21st 1776. In this acct, which was allowed by the Genl Assembly, is the following item "To Purchase Capen as per bill £15.4.7" Also "to Capt John Viets as per bill £58.12.6" Also "to Saml Prouty as per bill £4.13.6." In October 1776 there is a similar account, and among the items allowed is one "To Purches Capen for 5 months Labor and sundry disbursments as pr Bill £12.14. 3." Then bills were presented to, allowed and passed by the General Assembly.
In October 1776, Capt John Viets resigned his place as Keeper, and a preamble and resolution were adopted in relation to the prison from which I make the following extract 
"Whereas Capt John Viets of Simsbury hath resigned his trust of Keeper of New Gate Prison in said Simsbury and as then is need of another to be appointed in his stead, and whereas there is want of an addition to be made to the Block House over the said Prison &c. 
"Resolved by this Assembly, that the Overseers of said Prison be and they are hereby empowered and directed to appoint a Keeper to said Prison from time to time as occasion may require, and until further orders from this Assembly, and said Overseers are further empowered to make such Additions as is necessary to said Block House" &c 
This delegated duty appears to have been
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discharged by the Overseers until October 1780, when Elijah Owen was specially Commissioned as a Lieutenant with two non Commissioned Officers and 24 privates as a guard at said Prison. In May 1781 Lieut Owen petitioned the Genl Assembly for pay for himself, two Corporals and 24 privates at New Gate, stating that their pay was the same as that of Militia in actual service. In Haskell's Receipts I find the following entry "1781 June 16. Lt. Elijah Owen Militia service New Gate Guard £382.1.2". This was allowed and paid by the United States. 
On the Books of the Pay Table Committee, there is an account opened in July 1776 with "Committee for Prisoners," which is continued to June 1778. In 1779 Oct 22 an account is opened with "New Gate Committee" who are charged on that day with an "Order on Treasure £3000." This amount is charged "War" when the Committee rendered their account. 
I do not find the name of Purchase Capen on the Pay Table books, nor any mention of individuals connected with the guard, from the time that the duty of selecting a Keeper was delegated to the Overseers, until the Commissioning of Lieut Owen in 1780 by the General Assembly. 
On the 1st of February 1776 - the Council of Safety passed the following votes which are extracted from the Records - "Voted and Resolved that Mr Jesse Root of Hartford be added to the Committee appointed by this Assembly to take care of the Prisoners who are in or may be in this Colony, And Voted that the Committee for taking care of Prisoners be, and they are hereby directed to make out a proper and clear account of the Charge and Expense, [illegible] and incurred, for the Expense and support of all Prisoners in this Colony, from their first coming, to the 1st of Febry inst, with the
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proper vouchers, together with the charges of taking care of them, and the same transmit to his Honr. the Govr .to be laid before Congress for payment."
[Signed] Gideon Welles Comptr.
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Brighton Nov. 15th 1842

Dear Sir: 
I herewith enclose the within Documentary evidence in support of the claims of Mrs Theadosia Capen, the Widow of Purchase Capen. 
Very Resptly 
Your Obt Sevt 
[Signed] Elijah Clark 

Hon. J. L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions 
at Washington
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I Keziah Viets of Granby in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut in the Eighty fifth year of my age do hereby depose & testify that at the commencement of the Revolutionary War I resided within one mile of the Simsbury Mine, and at that time the mines were made into a prison to keep the Tories and British prisoners in for safe keeping. The prison was under the superintendance of the Committee of Safety in this State and I think by order of the Congress of the United States 
At the time the first prisoners were put into the prison which was in the year 1775, then were two Guards over the prisoners, Purchase Capin & Samuel Prouty. The said Purchase Capin was a guard over the prisoners in this prison which was then called New Gate Person & for a number of years. I think he was the principal man of the guard. There were other men as assistant guard 
There was in the buildings near by large guns or Ordnance which were in the keeping of the guard 
Captain John Viets who resided in the immediate Vicinity of the prison supplied rations for the guard & prisoners. 
I well recollect that the said Purchase Capin was married to Theodosia Holcomb who resided at the time with the said Capt John Viets which marriage took place the last part of the year 1776. near the close of the revolutionary War, the said Purchase Capin with his family removed from the Prison to Belchertown Massachusetts
 In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand at
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Granby this 20th day of October AD 1842 
[Signed] Keziah Viets 

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County ss.} Granby October 20th AD 1842 
Personally appeared the above named Keziah Viet, and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the deposition subscribed by her and I certify that she is a person in good standing as to truth & Veracity.
[Signed] Charles T. Hillyer, Justice of Peace 

I Timothy Holcomb of Granby in the County of Hartford and the State of Connecticut a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States Eighty Seven years of age on oath do testify and say- That in the time of the Revolution I resided within three miles of Simsbury mines called Newgate Prison and I well recollect that in said Prison there were kept under a guard Tories and British Prisoners which were taken in different parts of the United States I recollect that there were a number of men there as Guard in and about the Prison and I well recollect that the name of the officer of the Guard was Capin and that he was there as Officer of the Guard for the
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space of two or more years during which time I frequently saw him at the Prison on duty I was knowing by Common report that this said Capin was married to a Miss Holcomb in the vicinity of said Simsbury mines - now the town of Granby 
[Signed] Timothy Holcomb

State of Connecticut}
Hartford County ss.} Bloomfield October 21" AD 1842 
Personally appeared the above named Timothy Holcomb and made oath in due form of law to the truth of the affidavit subscribed by him -  the words "the county of Hartford and" and the words "by common report" were interlined before signing. And I hereby certify that I belive [sic] the said Holcomb to be in good standing as to truth and veracity and that his testimony is Entitled to credit. 
[Signed] Hiram Roberts Justice of the Pence
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State of Connecticut ss. 
Office of Secretary of State 
Hartford Oct. 21. 1842 

I hereby certify that Charles T. Hillyer Esq whose signature is attached to the foregoing deposition of Keziah Viets is, and since the 20th day of June last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hartford duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, as appears of record in this office, and that his said signature is genuine. 
I further certify that Hiram Roberts Esq whose signature is attached to the foregoing deposition of Timothy Holcomb is, and since the 20th day of June last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Hartford, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, as appears of record in this office, and that his said signature is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said State and officially signed the same the day & year first above written. 
[SEAL]
[Signed] N.A. Phelps 
Secretary of State
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
Secretary's Office, October 24th 1842. 

[SEAL]
I hereby Certify, That at the dates of their respective attestations Justus Forward was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampshire, and Abel Calkins is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hampden,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court. 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written. 
[Signed] John P. Bigelow 
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
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385 
Pen Off
Oct 31 '42 

Sir
The claim of Theodosia Capen has been examined & her papers filed under the act of 4 July '36. It is apparent from the statement that the service set forth was not under military enlistment & obligations so as to bring her case within the act. Her late husband was probably one of the Keepers of the Jail where the disaffected were imprisoned - But if he commanded an organized military guard for four or five years at Symsbury Cont. the records at Hartford will furnish full proof of it.

Elijah Clark Esq 
Brighton Mass
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E. Clark
Nov. 18 '42
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159
Pen off 
Nov. 18, '42 

Sir
The certificate of the Comptr. of Connt. enclosed in yours of 15 inst in the case of Theodosia Capen confirms the view taken of her late husbands service in my letter of 31 ult. Her claim is asserted for service as Capt of a guard at Symsbury Jail from 75 to some time in 1780. The certificate shews that the first organization of a Military guard was in Oct 1780 under Lt Owen. She is not entitled.

Elijah Clark Esq 
Brighton Mass.
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Brighton October 29th 1842 

Dear Sir
I herewith enclose to you the Documents of Mrs Theadosia Capen, the widow of Purchase Capen of Belchertown, claims for a pension under the Act of 1836, which case came to me by a request of her friends in Cambridge. You will pleas to make the return to Your Very Respt Obt. Servant,
[Signed] Elijah Clark 


Hon J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions at Washington