Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,614, for John Evarts Stone, Connecticut
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(3—1776)
SERVICE
Conn.   
Stone, John Evarts    
NUMBER
S. 18614
carded
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9033[?]
Connecticut
John Evarts Stone
of Guilford in the State of Connt who was a Pri. in the Com. commanded by Captain Collins of the Regt commanded by ~~ in the Connt. state troops. 9 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connt. at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of March 1833 and sent to G. Griswold Guilford CT

Arrears to the 4th of March 33  $60.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 33  15.00
______
$75.00

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 39
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No. 1644

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut, 
County of New-Haven} ss. Probate Court Guilford District
On this third day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Guilford District now sitting, John E. Stone a resident of Guilford in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 72 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: - 
That he was born in Guilford County of New Haven and State of Connecticut Nov 28th AD 1760, as by the annexed certificate of the town clerk of said town will fully appear, and that he has always been a resident of said town from his birth to the present time. That on the first Monday in Oct 1777 he was draughted from the company of Capt Noah Fowler of the militia of Guilford (the Lieutenant of which company was Saml Lee.) together with Timothy Lee, Stephen Stone and Amos Leet, and placed under the orders of Capt. Bazaleel Bristol of Killingworth Connecticut, whose Lieutenant was Elias Graves of Madison Connecticut. He then, together with the others draughted, was marched to New Haven, and from there to Danbury where they drew three days provision and marched thence to Fishkill where they arrived a few days previous to the surrender of Gen. Burgoyne. From Fishkill the whole detachment were ordered by General Putnam who was first in command at that place to march up the Hudson River to watch the motions of the British fleet, which was then ascending the said River. They accordingly marched up as far as Red Hook,, which took them three days, they keeping abreast of the fleet all the way. There the enemy put about, and went down the River and they did the same keeping pace with the enemy's squadron till they got back to Fishkill. Soon after this, they were ordered to New Windsor where they were employed in erecting a fortification till the first of December following when he was discharged and came home. The major of their battalion was named Pease. He was from Hartford.
He further declares that on the first of June 1779 he enlisted under the command of Capt. Dan Collins, of Guilford aforesaid, in a corps raised by the state of Connecticut for the defense of the sea board, and was immediately ordered to Sachems Head and stationed there as a regular guard under the immediate orders of Sergt Joel Griffing, as Capt. Collins company was divided into small parties, and each party placed under a Sergt or Corporal at
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those points on the shore which were most exposed to the depredations of the enemy. The only men now living in this town who enlisted at the same time under Capt. Collins and served on this guard are Samuel Robinson, Timothy Lee, Reuben Fowler and Samuel Bartlett, the father of Samuel Robinson procured his discharge by hiring a substitute. They remained on duty till the first of Jany 1780 during which time he the said Stone stood sentry every night excepting part of the month of December, when the Sound was frozen so far out that no water could be seen with the naked eye. While stationed at Sachem's Head they captured a small schooner loaded with Rye and some other small articles with forged papers, license, &c. She was labelled condemned and sold according to Law. On the first of Jany 1780 he was regularly discharged. Joel Tuttle of this place was the commissary of the guard.
In June 1781 a detachment of British and Refugees landed at a small district in this town on the sea shore called Leetes Island and set fire to a number of buildings and commenced plundering. The alarm reached the village about sunrise when he the said Stone and several others hastened to the point of attack, distant nearly four miles, and there joined the guard who were skirmishing with the enemy from behind [illegible], trees, &c. After they joined forces, the effective strength was about twenty five, the enemy numbered about one hundred, after more than one hours hard fighting they drove the British on board their boat, two of the American party were killed, viz Denison [?] Liet and Ebenezer Hart and two wounded, viz Chas Faulkner and James Davis. The enemy loss could never be ascertained with certainty but was reported by a deserter to be eighteen killed. 
At another time during said war he the said Stone with  fourteen others recaptured a schooner from Boston prize to a British privateer. The schooner was [illegible] at Thimble Island, off Branford. They went in a long boat and canoe, the prize crew escaped in their boat. The prize was brought into Sachems Head and restored to her owners and crew, who escaped on shore at Branford when the privateer took possession of the schooner.
I would name Timothy Lee & Samuel Bartlett neighbors & townsmen who can testify as to my character for truth & veracity, thus to my services.
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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
John E Stone
before me Reuben Elliot Judge

We, Alvah B Goldsmith a clergyman, residing in Guilford and Joseph Griffing residing in Guilford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John E Stone who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
Alvah B Goldsmith
Joseph Griffing
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

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 above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Alvah B Guilford who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Guilford and that Joseph Griffing who has also signed the same, is a resident in Guilford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Reuben Elliott Judge

I George Griswold Clerk of the Probate Court of Guilford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John E Stone for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this third day of August 183?
George Griswold Clerk
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John Evarts Stone, son of Asher Stone by Carine his wife was born November 28th 1760.

A true copy from the Records of the town of Guilford.

Attest Samuel Fowler Town Clerk
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Court of Probate Ss. Guilford August 3 1832
Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before said court Timothy Lee of said Guilford well known to the court as a credible witness and on his oath declares and says he was in the service of the United States in Capt. Bazaleel Bristols company and marched to the North River about the time of Burgoynes surrender and well remembers that John E. Stone was a soldier in said company and that said Stone continued in the service two months at that time.
He also was in the coast guard 1779 and kept guard at Sachem's Head and well recollects that said Stone belonged to said guard and did duty therein seven months and further the deponent saith not.
Timothy Lee

Sworn and subscribed on the day & date above before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate

Court of Probate Ss. Guilford Augt 7 1832
Personally appeared before said Court Samuel Bartlet well known to the court and a credible witness and on his oath declares and says that he belonged to the guard in the year 1779. Said guard was stationed at Sachem's Head in Guilford CT under command of Capt. Dan Collins, Joel Griffing sergeant of said guard and that he well remembers that John E. Stone belonged to said guard and served therein as he has stated in his declaration and further the deponent saith not.
Samuel Bartlet

Sworn and subscribed the day and date above.
Before me Reuben Elliott Judge of said Court
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven} ss. Probate Court District of Guilford

On this 4th day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Probate Court of Guilford District, now sitting John E Stone a resident of Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 72 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 7th 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. That he was born in Guilford, County of New Have and State of Connecticut Nov 28th 1760 as by the annexed certificate of the town Clerk of sd town will fully appear, and that he is now and always has been a resident of sd town from his birth to the present time. That on the first Monday in October 1777 according to the best of his recollection he was drafted for he company of Capt Noah Fowler of the Militia of Guilford (the Lieutenant of whole company was Saml Lee) together with Timothy Lee, Stephen Stone and Amos Leet, neither of whom are living but Timothy Lee, whose affidavit is annexed to this declaration. They were placed under the command of Captain Bazeleel Bristol of Killingworth Middlesex County of Connecticut aforesaid (who he believes was a Militia Officer in that town) who was Captain of the company od draughted Militia collected from Guilford and the adjacent towns. Elias Graves of Madison was the
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Lieutenant of sd draughted company. The name of the Ensign he does not remember. They were immediately marched to New Haven and from there to Danbury where they drew three days provisions and marched to Fishkill where they arrived a few days previous to the surrender of General Burgoyne. From Fishkill a detachment of which he the sd Stone was one, were ordered by General Putman who was first in command at that place to march up the Hudson river to watch the motions of the British fleet, which was then ascending the sd River, they accordingly marched up the River as far as Red Hook, which took them three days they keeping abreast of the fleet all the way. There the Squadron put about and they did the same and went down the River, keeping pace with the enemy till they arrived at Fishkill again. Soon after this he with others were ordered to New Windsor, where they were employed in erecting a fortification til the first of December following when they were dismissed by a verbal liberty to go home, given to the company by Captain Bristol, according to orders which he said he had received from General Putnam from the Eastside of the River. He has no written documents to prove either his draught or discharge. He does not remember the names of any but the following officers and through lapse of time, old age, and consequent loss of memory, he is unable to say whether all those were of the Regular line, viz General Putnam, Col Webb, Major Pease, and Lieutenant Hull. He is doubtful whether Major Pease, who was from Harford Connecticut was not a Militia officer. He thinks Col Webb commanded a regiment who were styled Red Coats, the detachment of which he the sd Stone was one, were, when about to march from Fishkill to Red Hook, ordered to open to right and left and line
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each side if the road, while Col. Webb's regiment marched thro the defile. He remembers that they made a splendid appearance. From the time he was draughted till his discharge was two months in this tour of duty. He further declares and says that on the first of June 1779 he enlisted as a private under the command of Capt Dan Collins of Guilford for the defense of the sea board and was immediately ordered to Sachems Head a point of land on the shore about three miles south west of the village of Guilford and stationed there as a regular guard under the immediate orders of Serg Joel Griffins of this place, as a Capt Collin's company was divided into small partied or sections, and each party placed under the orders of a Sergt or Corporal at those points on the Shore which were most exposed to sudden incursions and depredation of the enemy. The only men now living in this town who enlisted under Capt Collins, and served on this guard are Timothy Lee & Samuel Bartlett, Samuel Robinson enlisted at the same time but his Father prepared for his discharge by hiring a substitute. Reuben Fowler also was one but has been dead about three weeks, this fact is named because Reuben Fowler was mentioned in his former declaration which was informed  and therefore returned. They remained on duty regularly and without intermission the sd Stone stood sentry every night, except a part of the month of December when the Sound was frozen so far out, that no water was visible to the naked eye. While stationed at Jackson Head they captured a small schooner, name and tonnage not remembered, traded with Rye and some other small articles with forged papers. She was libelled, condemned, and sot according to law.
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On the first day of Jany 1780, he was verbally discharged by Capt Collins, having served without intermission on this tour of duty seven months, the Commissary of the Guard was Joel Tuttle of Guilford aforesaid, he does not remember the name of the other commissary officers of the guard. The Lieut was stationed he thinks, at East Guilford, then so called, now Madison in this County & State. He has no written documents and never had any to prove his enlistment or discharge. In June 1781, a detachment of British and refugees landed at a small district on the shore of Guilford called Leets Island and set fire to a number of buildings and commenced plundering, the alarm reached the village about sunrise, when he the sd Stone, and several others hastened to the point of attack, distant about four miles and joined the guard who were skirmishing with the enemy from behind rock, trees, &c. They joined forces their effective strength was about twenty five. The enemy numbered about one hundred. After more than one hour hard fighting they succeeded in driving them on board their boats. Two of the American party were killed viz Simeon Leet, & Ebenezer Hart, and two wounded viz Charles Faulkner and James Davis. The loss of the enemy could never be ascertained with certainty but was reported by a deserter to be eighteen killed. At another time during the sd war he the sd Stone with fourteen others in a Long Boat and Canoe recaptured a schooner from Boston off Branford in Connecticut aforesd, prize to a British privateer the schooner was becalmed near Thimble Islands the prize crew escaped in their boats. The schooner was brought into Jackson s Head and restored to her owners and crew who had abandoned her
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and escaped on shore when she was taken possession of by the privateers, whole time in service by draught as a private in Capt [unk] company two months, on guard seven months, whole time for which he claims a pension nine months. He would name Timothy Lee & Samuel Bartlett his neighbors and townsmen who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and as to the time and manner of his services and discharges. There is no man living but Tim Lee who can testify to his services at the time he was draughted or at least none within the compass of his knowledge, neither does he remember the name or number of the regiment in which he served, but it was commanded by Col Newbury of Harford Conn. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.

John E Stone

Personally appeared before me Reuben Elliott a Justice of the Peace for the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut John E Stone of Guildford county and State as aforesaid who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise  length of his service but according to the best of his recollection the following grade-for nine months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.

John E Stone

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me.

Reuben Elliott Justice of Peace
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Court of Probate ss Guilford Dec 4th 1832

Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before sd Court Samuel Bartlett and on his oath deposes and says that he and John E Stone both enlisted under Capt Dan Collins in a corps raised by the State for defense of the sea coast on the first part of June 1779 and were stationed at Jacksons Head on guard and served regularly till the first of Jany 1780 when they were verbally discharges by Capt Collins, and that the declaration of John E Stone as far as relates to his service on guard, which is the only part of it known to the deponent, is substantially correct and that he served there faithfully seven months. The sd John E Stone is and always has been in the opinion of the deponent a man of undoubted truth and veracity and of good reputation in all respects. The deponent does not remember the name or number of the company to which he and the sd Stone belonged, Joel Griffins of this place was Sergt of the guard and Joel Tuttle commissary the Lieutenant was stationed at Madison he believes and further the deponent saith not. 

Samuel Bartlett

New Haven County ss Guildford Dec 4, 1832

Personally appeared Samuel Bartlett and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify is a credible witness.

Before me Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate
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Court of Probate fr [for] Guilford Dec 4, 1832
Be it remembered that on the day & year aforesaid personally appeared before sd [said] Court Timothy Lee of P. Guilford and on his oath declares and says that he was in the Service of the United States in Capt Bezalul Bristol, Company of Draughted Militia with John E Stone that they were Draughted on the first Monday in October 1777, and immediately marched away. That they were verbally discharged by Capt Bristol at New Windsor on the first Day of December 1777 and arrived at home in about four days having been on duty two months. He further on oath declares and says that the Said John E Stone enlisted under Capt Dan Collins on the first of June 1779 in the corps raised by the State for the defence of the Sea Board, and served without intermission at Sachems Head till the first of Jany [January] 1780 when he was regularly discharged verbally by Capt Collins having served seven months, and that he the sd Lee served with him the whole time, and that the statements in sd Stone's declaration are substantially correct, according to the best of his the sd  Lee's recollection and that sd Lee has always been acquainted with sd Stone and believes that he always has been and is now a man of truth and veracity and of good character. The name or number of the regiment to which he and sd Stone belonged when at Fishhill and New Windsor he does not remember, neither any other regiment. Col. Numbery of Hartford commanded the regiment to which the sd Lee & Stone belonged. Pease of P Hartford area Major. Genl Patnum. Col Treba and Lieut Hale were regular officers at Fishhill. He agrees with sd Stone in all his statements as to his service, and his officers while on guard and further saith not.
his
Timothy X Lee
mark

Mud Haven County fr [Guilford] Dec 4, 1832
Personal appeared Timothy Lee and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and (illegible) was a (illegible) before me. Ruben Elliott Judge of Probate
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We Alvah B Goldsmith a clergyman residing in Guilford and Joseph Griffing residing in Guilford, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John E. Stone who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 72 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 & year aforesaid. 
Alvah B. Boldsmith
Joseph Griffing
Before me, Reuben Elliott Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceeding of the said court in the matter of the application of John E. Stone for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 4th day of December AD 1832.
George Griswold Clerk
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State of Connecticut
New Haven County Ss Guilford
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford, do certify that Reuben Elliott Esq whose signature is affixed to the within & foregoing deposition is a Justice of Peace for New Haven County & a Judge of Probate for Guilford District, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of the state & that full faith and credit is & ought to be given to his acts and attestation in this capacity. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Reuben Elliott & know that his signature to the foregoing are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of the said Court of Probate for said District this 4th day of December AD 1832.
George Griswold Clerk
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18614
INVALID

File No. 18614
John E Stone
Pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7 32

Index:- Vol. 1, Page 363

[Arrangement of 1870]
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John E. Stone
Page 66
Admit
9 mo private
$38
G. Griswold
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1644

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John E. Stone 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?
No
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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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?
uncertain whether the best evidence is produces

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? And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
no written certificate is made in direct terms

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 -------- moths 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.
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 he 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. 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.