Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17452, for Richard Pitts, Connecticut
Page 1

Service
Conn.
Md.

Pitts, Richard
Sarah

Number 
W17452
Page 2

Connecticut Roll.
1000
Richard Pitts,
Private, 4
Conn & Maryland line. 1781 - 3 years
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 13th of April 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th of June 1818,
and sent to the Hon. Simeon Baldwin,
New Haven, Connecticut.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818.
4 months 22/30
$37.86
{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818}

Waterbury, Newhaven
Page 3

Richard Pitts
April 13. 1818
4th Connecticut regt
Col B Butler Regt

correct DN
Page 4

State of Connecticut Ss
On this Thirteenth day of April AD 1818 before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State aforesaid, personally appears Richard Pitts, aged Sixty nine years, resident in Waterbury in New Haven County in said State, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" That he served his country more than five years in said war. That after having served three years the period of his first enlistment in a Maryland Regiment commanded by Col Williams, he enlisted in the Town of Derby in Connecticut, on the 27th Day of December 1780 for three years more into Cap. C Reads Company in Col Bullen being the fourth regiment in the Connecticut line in the army of the United States. That he continued to serve in that regiment till he was transfered to Col Webbs or the 3rd regiment in said line on the 1st Nov 1782 & continued to serve in that till the month of June 1783 - when he was discharged from service at West Point in the State of New York & has lost his discharge - that the reason of his being discharged before the expiration of his term is that he being a waiter to Cap D Dorrance he was discharged at his request to assist in conveying his baggage &c. home. That he was in the battles at the Brandywine, and at Germantown - at Mud-fort till it was evacuated - at Stony-point and in a number of skirmishes - And that he is in reduced circumstances & in need of assistance from his country for support.
Page 5

support & having lost his discharge that he has no other evidence now in his power of his services except the Certificate of the Paymaster of Webbs regiment which he now produces
Richard X his mark Pitts

Sworn to & declared before me the day & year aforesaid
Simeon Baldwin a Judge of the Supr Court of Connecticut

I, Simeon Baldwin Judge & as aforesaid do certify that I have examined the books of the late paymaster of Butten the 4th Connecticut Regiment kept by John Sherman late paymaster now deceased which books are now in my possession & find the mark of said Richard Pitts in the year 1781 & 1782 for wages - And that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Richard Pitts did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceeding declaration, against the common enemy & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony in the case including the certificate of the late paymaster of Webbs regiment, taken & had before me to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of & act of Congress - Dated at New Haven this 13th day of April AD 1818
Simeon Baldwin a Judge of the Supr Court of Connecticut
State of Connecticut New Haven County Ss
New Haven April 25, 1818
Dyer White Clerk of the Supr Court of said State for said County certify that the name Simeon Baldwin subscribed above is the signature of Simeon Baldwin a Judge of Court
In testimony of which I affix the Seal of Court
Dyer White

[seal affixed at left]
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2.397
Connecticut
Sarah Pitts
widow of Richard Pitts decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 6th August 1819
of New Haven Co in the State of Ct.
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Md of the Regt commanded 
by Col Williams in the Md
line for 3 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Ct.
at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Apl
1839 and sent Joel
Hinman Waterbury Ct.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 39 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$280.00

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A Vol. 1st Page 195
Page 7

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
Probate District of Waterbury } Ss
I Charles Scott Clerk of the Court of Probate for said District of Waterbury hereby certify that the annexed papers contain the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Pitts for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 28 day of August AD 1838
Charles Scott Clk
Page 8

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
Probate District of Waterbury } Ss

On this 28 day of August AD 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Waterbury at Waterbury, in the District County & State aforesaid now sitting Sarah Pitts a resident of the town of Waterbury in the District, County & State aforesaid aged Eighty 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 July 7 AD 1838 Entitled
"An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows"
That she is the widow of Richard Pitts who was a private soldier in the Army of the United States during the Revolutionary War, and as such served as the applicant thinks for a period of more than two years but she states that the precise length of his service and the officers under whom he served is at present unknown to her as from old age & the consequent loss of memory she has forgotten them but she states that said Richard Pitts was a pensioner under the Act of March 18th 1818 that his pension commenced as she thinks the 13 day of April 1818 but of this she is not certain but she knows that
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that he was a pensioner and drew pension money in September 1818 and she says that at his death his pension certificate was sent to Washington as she believes by the Administrator on his Estate and she has not now got it in her possession but she refers to said Richard Pitts original application for a pension and to the action of the War Department thereon and to the certificate issued to him, if the same is to be found, & to the files and records of the pension office for proof of her said Husbands service and the length of it and for a statement of the officers under whom he served. The applicant says that said Richard Pitts lived in Waterbury aforesaid and in Oxford in New Haven County Count from the close of the Revolutionary War till his death She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Pitts on the Second day of December Seventeen Hundred & Eighty four 1784 that her husband the aforesaid Richard Pitts died at Waterbury in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut on the 6th day of August 1819
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous
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to the first of January Seventeen Hundred & ninety four viz at the time above stated
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before
Joel Hinman Sarah Pitts
Judge of Probate for the District of Waterbury
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Richard Pitts was married to Sarah Osborn daughter of Daniel Osborn of Waterbury Dec second seventeen Hundred Eighty Four

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
Town of Waterbury }
September 8th 1838 } Ss I Willard Spencer Clerk of the Town of Waterbury certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the record of the marriage of Richard Pitts to Sarah Osborn on the Records in my Office with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows (Dec 2nd 1784)
Willard Spencer Town Clerk

I Willard Spencer above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the Town of Waterbury in the County and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named as certified by me. 
Willard Spencer Town Clerk

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
Probate District of Waterbury } Ss
On this 8th day of September 1838 the above named Willard Spencer appeared before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate and deposition by him subscribed and I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Willard Spencer that he holds the Office of Town Clerk of the said Town of Waterbury and that his
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Certificate and deposition as such is entitled to full faith & credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the Seal of said Probate Court the day & year above written
Joel Hinman Judge of Probate for the District of Waterbury

[seal affixed at left]
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1974
Sarah Pitts
Application for
Pension
Wid of Richard
Conn
Act July 7 1838
Married 1784
died 1819
Allow $80 per ann
Typ pri

Joel Hinman Waterbury Ct
Page 14

I Elijah Wooster of Waterbury New Haven County State of Connecticut now aged Sixty one years depose and say that I was acquainted with Richard Pitts of said Waterbury for more than twenty years previous to his death - I was present at the time he died which was at Waterbury I should think nineteen years ago this present month of August - I have ever since lived within a few rods of Sarah Pitts his widow - I know that she has not been married since the death of said Richard Pitts but is now his widow
Elijah X his mark Wooster
Signed & sworn to in presence of Joel Hinman E. J. Merrell

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
Probate District of Waterbury } Ss
On this 28th day of August 1838 the above named Elijah Wooster appeared before me and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Elijah Wooster that he is a credible witness & his statement is entitled to full credit In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed the seal of said Probate Court the day & year above written
Joel Hinman Judge of Probate for the District of Waterbury

[seal affixed at left]
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This may Certify that Richard Pitts appears on the Muster Rolls of the late 3rd Connecticut Regiment of the Revolutionary Army as having joined said Regiment from the 4 Connecticut Regiment first Nov 1782 & that he served in the 3rd Connect Regiment untill the first of May 1783
Nathan Beers Lieut & Pay Master late 3rd Connect Regiment Comm by Col Garr B. Webb

Sworn to this 13th April 1818 before me
S Baldwin a Judge of the Sup Ct of Connecticut
Page 16

[left side of page]
9/96 ex. by
Aspinwall B of Rev.

[right side of page]
Rev Widow, &c.
File No. 17452
Sarah Pitts
Widow of
Richard Pitts
Priv Rev. War
Act: July 7th 1838
Index: - Vol. M, Page 131

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

Service
Mass.
Privateer

Pitts, Seth

S. 19.032

carded
Page 18

11.426
Maine
Seth Pitts
Kennebec Co. in the State of Maine
was a Private in the Company commanded
Captain Penny of the Regt commanded
Col French in the Mass
Troops & Privateer
23 Mo 23 Ds Pri 79.18

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine
the rate of 79 Dollars 18 Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of April 1833 and Sent to
R. C. Vose Augusta Me
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 158.36
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 39.59
197.95

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk,
Book C - Vol. 1 - Page 42
Page 19

Seth Pitts
Private, Mass troops,
Perry's Co: Sargent's regt 7 months
McCall's Co: French's regt 2 months
Randall's Co: Marshall's regt 6 months
Dean's Co: - 14 days
Dean's Co: Daggett's regt 3 months
Randall's Co: Daggetts regt 3 months
Hodges-King's Co: Lt Col Lane's regt 1 month
Keith's Co: Phinney's regt, 40 days

23 months & 23 days as a private
$79.18

Declaration in open Court made 28th 1833.
R. C. Vose
Augusta, Me

State of Maine
[right side margin of text obscured]
I Shubael Pitts a soldier of the revolution, after oath testify and declare that I knew that 
1775 '76 '77 and '79 as he has within stated 
entered the naval service and understood 
and that he did not return until the

Subscribed and sworn to before
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Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State of Maine, }
Kennebec County, } SS.
On this seventeenth day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared before the Hon. Nathan Weston, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Seth Pitts a resident of Augusta in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine, aged Seventy four 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 provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1775 with Captain James Perry and served in Col. Paul Dudley Sergeant's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: Perry, Captain, Sergeant Colonel that about the first of June 1775, he enlisted as a private for the residue of the year in that company and regiment -That he fully served out this period and was verbally discharged at Cambridge in January 1776 - That the same month of January 1776 he again enlisted as a private for two months in Capt Hall's company and Col. French's Massachusetts regiment - That he fully served out that period, and was verbally discharged at Dorchester in March 1776. That in May 1776 he again enlisted as a private for six months in Capt Matthew Randall's company and Col Marshall's Massachusetts regiment, that this period he fully served and was verbally discharged at Castle William in Boston Harbor in November 1776. That the same month of November he again went upon an alarm to Rhode Island and served fourteen days in Capt Dean's company of Massachusetts troops at the end of which he again enlisted as a private for three months in Capt Dean's company and Col. Dagget's Massachusetts regiment, that this period he served out and was verbally discharged at Howland from the latter part of February 1777. That in the early part of 1778 he again enlisted as a private for three months in Capt Matthew Randall's company and Col Dagget's Massachusetts regiment - that he served [illegible] afterward in Capt.

And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the War Department, he ans
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as a private for three months in Capt Dean's company and Col Dagget's Massachusetts regiment, that this period he served out and was verbally discharged at Howland from the latter part of February 1777. That in the early part of 1778 he again enlisted as a private for three months in Capt Matthew Randall's company and Col Dagget's Massachusetts Regiment, that he served [illegible] was verbally discharged afterward in Capt King's company and in Lt Col Lane's Massachusetts regiment. That in 1779 in the spring he served forty days as as private in Capt. Keith's company and Col Phinney's Massachusetts regiment. That in the fall of 1779 he enlisted as a mariner for a [illegible] on board the Brig Count D' Estaing of 16 guns, which Kendrick's commanding sailed from Boston in December 1779 and that in March 1780 he was taken by the British ship [illegible] of 28 guns in that ship was carried to Lisbon, that he there made his escape in [illegible] travelled through Portugal and Spain and marched home the spring of 1781 having been absent about eighteen months.
And to the interrogatories propounded under the instructions of the War Department, he answers:
that he was born in Taunton Massachusetts in 1758, where he supposes his age was recorded, and lived there until about 1778 when he removed to Norton Massachusetts, and that his home was at Taunton and Norton during his revolutionary services, that in 1781 to the best of his knowledge he removed to what is now Augusta Maine, where he has principally resided, and where he now resides. That in his first service he was in the continental army - His second at Dorchester heights, where he was when the British left Boston, that in his third service he was defending Boston Harbor where [illegible] who commanded part of the time. That is all his other land services, he served at and near Rhode Island. That in 1778 - E Sullivan was in command there. That he never took any written discharge. That any of his neighbors will testify to his character for veracity and belief of his service, and as his lives near to the line of the town of Sidney he names the Rev Asa Wilbur and David Reynolds of that town.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State.
Seth Pitts
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, Before Nathan Weston Justice S. J. C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathan Weston Judge
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Declaration in open Court March 28th 1833.

R.. C. Vose Augusta, Me
State of Maine
I Shubael Pitts a soldier of the revolution, aged sixty six years, upon oath testify and declare, that I know that my brother Seth Pitts served in 1775 '76 '77 and '79 as he has within stated, and I know that he entered the naval service, and understood he was taken prisoner and that he did not return until the spring of 1781.
Shubael Pitts

Subscribed and sworn to before [illegible] deponent [illegible]
Nathan Weston Judge Just S. J. C.

I Jasiel Smith of Bloomfield, Me, aged sixty nine years, do upon oath testify & declare that I well know that the within named Sett Pitts served as he has stated in Capt. Perry's company in Col. Sargent's regiment from June 1775 to January 1776 I having served with him at the same time in the same company & regiment.
Josiel Smith
Subscribed & sworn to August 15, 1832, the deponent being a credible witness.
Before me, Nathan Weston Judge Just. S. J. C.

I George Read of Augusta, aged seventy two years, a revolutionary soldier, do upon oath testify I declare & that having served in the same company & regiment at the same time I well know that the said Seth Pitts served in Capt. Randall's company in Col. Marshall's regiment from May or June to November 1776 as he has within stated.
George Read
Subscribed and sworn to, August 16 1832, the deponent being a credible witness. Before Nathan Weston Just S. J. C.

State of Maine.

Kennebec, ss. - I, John A. Chandler, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. Nathan Weston, Jun'r, before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge, in the matter of the application of Seth Pitts for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 17th day of August A.D. 1832
J. A. Chandler
Page 23

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

March 13, 1925.

[handwritten right corner] UM
[handwritten diagonally below date] not sent

H. D. Moore,
Suite 953 Dexter Horton Bldg.,
Seattle, WASH.

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.19032, it appears that Seth Pitts was born in 1758 in Taunton, Massachusetts, and lived there until about 1778 when he moved to Norton, Massachusetts.
He served as private in the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
From June 1, 1775, in Captain James Perry's Company, Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent's Regiment, and was discharged in January 1776.
From January 1776 two months in Captain Hall's Company, Colonel French's Regiment.
From May 1776 six months in Captain Matthew Randal's Company, Colonel Marshal's Regiment.
From November 1776 three months and fourteen days in Captain Dean's Company, Colonel Daggett's Regiment.
Page 24

From early in 1778 three months in Captain Matthew Randal's Company, Colonel Daggett's Regiment.
*In Captain King's Company, dates not stated.
From the spring of 1779 forty days in Captain Keith's Company, Colonel Phinney's Regiment.
In the fall of 1779 he entered at Boston as Mariner on board the brig, Count D'Estaing, commanded by John Kendrick, taken prisoner in March 1780, carried to Lisbon, escaped and returned home in the spring of 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832, while a resident of Augusta, Maine.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

*Could not make out the name of the Lt. Col. Think he was in Sullivan's R. S. Exp. but not sure, so omitted that.
UM
Page 25

[left side of page]

P 19032
Invalid.
File No. 19.032
Seth Pitts
Pri. Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 1, page 444

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page, entire entry marked out]
1925, Mch. 13 - Hist to H. D. Moore UM.
Page 26

[upper right corner] UM

In Reply Refer To
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
3-1865

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington March 13, 1925.

H. D. Moore,
Suite 953 Dexter Horton Bldg.,
Seattle, WASH.

Sir:

I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.19032, it appears that Seth Pitts was born in 1758 in Taunton, Massachusetts, and lived there until about 1778 when he moved to Norton, Massachusetts.
He served as private in the Massachusetts Troops as follows:
From June 1, 1775, in Captain James Perry's Company, Colonel Paul Dudley Sargent's Regiment, and was discharged in January 1776.
From January 1776 two months in Captain Hall's Company, Colonel French's Regiment.
From May 1776 six months in Captain Matthew Randal's Company, Colonel Marshal's Regiment.
From November 1776 three months and fourteen days in Captain Dean's Company, Colonel Daggett's Regiment.
Page 27

From early in 1778 three months in Captain Matthew Randal's Company, Colonel Daggett's Regiment.
In Captain King's Company, dates not stated.
From the spring of 1779 forty days in Captain Keith's Company, Colonel Phinney's Regiment.
In the fall of 1779 he entered at Boston as Mariner on board the brig, Count D'Estaing, commanded by John Kendrick, taken prisoner in March 1780, carried to Lisbon, escaped and returned home in the spring of 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832, while a resident of Augusta, Maine.
It is not stated whether soldier ever married.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 28

State of Maine.
We Asa Wilbur a Clergyman, residing in the town of Sydney in the County of Kennebec and David Reynolds residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Seth Pitts who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four 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.
Asa Wilbur
David Reynolds

State of Maine.
Kennebec ss. - Sworn and subscribed this fourteenth day of August A.D. 1832,
Before me,
Wm. Woart Jr Justice of the Peace.

William Woart Jr is a Justice of the Peace And the Rev. Asa Wilbur is a Clergyman residing in Sidney. And David Reynolds residing in the same town is a credible person & their statement is entitled to be believed.
Nathan Weston Justice
Page 29

State of Maine.

Kennebec County, ss.
At the Supreme Judicial Court, begun and holden at Augusta, within and for the County of Kennebec, on the first Tuesday of October, A.D. 1832, and thence by adjournment on the 28th day of March A.D. 1833.

Personally appears in open Court Seth Pitts by whom the annexed declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7th, 1832, was made before the Hon. Nathan Weston, Jr. on the 17th day of July A.D. 1832, and makes oath, in due form of law, that the annexed declaration, by him made and signed, is true.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
Nathan Weston

I, John Alphonso Chandler, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Seth Pitts for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix the seal of said Supreme Judicial Court, and subscribe my name this 28th day of March A.D. 1833.
J. A. Chandler