Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18466, for Jirah Isham, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Isham, Jirah

NUMBER
S.18466

Carded

CONTENTS
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Vermont  18601
Jirah Isham
of Chittenden Co. in the state of Vermont
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain – of the Regt commanded by Col Chester in the Ct. ma [Connecticut Militia] line for 19 mo 2 day
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 63 Dollars and 55 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Sept 1833 and Sent to N. B. Maswell, Burlington
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833  $158.87
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March ’34 – 31.77
$190.64
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by W. L. Williams Clerk
Book  E  Vol. 3 Page 71
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6461
Jirah Isham
Adm’d 
19 mo 2 days
63.55
2
127.10
31.77
158.87
N. B. Maswell
Burlington
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
April 27 1833
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
Statement, showing the Service of
Period when the service was rendered. 1776  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  6 Months   Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served.  Col. Chesters Regt of Connecticut Militia  Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service.  73 years old, lived in Colchester (Conn) when I entered the service   Proof by which the declaration is supported.  Jehial Isham and Joshua Isham, both of which persons are on the Pension Roll of the Vermont Agency
Period when the service was rendered.  1777  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  8 Months 2 Days     Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served. In Col. Willis (Wyllys) Regt  
Period when the service was rendered. 1780  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months    Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served.   Col. Troup I think was Col.
I can obtain no proof of this service that I now know of
Period when the service was rendered.  1781  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  2 months   Rank of claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served.   Volunteer at the times New London was burnt
19 Months 2 Days
Period when the service was rendered. 1782   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  2 months   Rank of claimant.  [unreadable]   Names and rank of the Field Officers under whom he served.  On board Whale Boat No. 5, Captain Brown Commander, all the boats being under the Command of Capt Shermon
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Mr. Jiraih Isham
The Isham family are esteemed a very respectable family in this section – were no doubt the best of Soldiers – Mr. Jirah Isham is a man of genuine integrity and I do not think he would make any misstatements.
N. B. Haswell
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.              
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:  
1. The Regular Troops.  
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.    
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.             
4. Indian Spies.                 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.             
DECLARATION.                        
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.           
State, Territory, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:    
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has 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 and year aforesaid.                 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]     
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.         
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.            
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his  alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
The claimant his witness are mistaken as to the his said to have enlisted 28 April 1777 in the term of 8 months as stated and proved by the best evidence that can
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, 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. 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---yearmonths , anddays , I served as amonths and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority ; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.               
Mode of authenticating papers.              
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  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 claimant's 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 wife nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.          
[unreadable] in Wyllys's reg't of the Connecticut Line.  He Appears by the roll & discharged 1 Jan'y 1778.  His other services must be clearly he obtained.
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Jirah Isham
Shelburn
No 6461
Enlist 28 April 1777 for 8 months discharged 1 Jany 1778
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County } County Clerks Office Burlington May 11. 1833 
I hereby certify that the papers hereto attached marked A B & C are the same Documents originally forwarded to the Pension office to substantiate the  Declaration of Jreh Isham of Shelburn made on the 17th day of August AD 1833 before the Honorable County Court for Chittenden County, and that since their relum from the Pension Office the additional documents marked No 1 & 2 have been added.   I further certify that Levi Comstock before whom the Depositions on document marked B were taken, was at the time thereof a Justice of the Peace duly qualified and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature 
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 11th day of May AD 1833
Nathan B Maswell Clerk
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County Burlington May 10. 1833 
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Chittenden Jirah Isham of Shelburn to me known as the same person who made a declaration before the Honorable  County Court for Chittenden County in the 17th day of August 1832 for the purpose of obtaining a Pension under the act of Congress of  June  7, 1832, who being duly sworn deponent says that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss the 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 then the periods mentioned below and in the following grades, for six months in Capt John Isham Company in Col Chesters Regt of Connecticut troops in the year 1776.   In Jany 1777 according to my best recollection I enlisted into what was called the years service and think I joined the Regiment in the Spring, and was discharged Jany 1. 1778.  In 1780 and in July I enlisted & served in Captain Stephen Braynards Company (and commanded by I think Col Troup) three month. In 1781 I volunteered at the time New London was burnt and served two months in Captain Braynards company-- In 1782 I was 
N 1.
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in the marine service and served two months.  All my services was in the capacity of a private soldier.  
Jirah Isham 
Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of May AD 1833 in 
I hereby certify that the above named Jreh Isham is a credible witness 
Nathan B Maswell Justice of the Peace  
State of Vermont 
Chittenden County} I Nathan B. Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby Certify that Nathan Maswell  before whom the above affidavit is taken is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 11th day of May AD 1833 
Nathan B. Maswell
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We the undersigned civil authority and Clergyman residing in the vicinity of Shelburn in the County of Chittenden do hereby certify on oath, that we on well acquainted with Jirah Isham of said Shelburn, who made his declaration before Hon. Chittenden County Court August 17. 1832 for the purpose of obtaining a person under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 that he believe him to be Seventy three 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 
Louis McDonald
Garrad Burritt
Sworn and subscribed this 9th day of May AD. 1833
And I hereby certify that the above subscribed persons are credible witnesses.   I further certify the Louis McDonald who has signed the same is a Clergyman in regular standing 
Levi Comstock Justice of the Peace 
No 2
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State of Vermont 
Chittenden County } I Nathan B. Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County do hereby certify that Levi Constant Esqr before whom the within affidavit is the was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the Peace duly qualified acting under the authority of this State and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 11th  day of May A.D. 1833 
Nathan B Maswell
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I Daniel Isham of Williston in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont aged eighty two years being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I am a brother of Jirah Isham of Shelburn in said County and that I know that said Jirah Isham enlisted into the Continental Army in the spring of Seventeen hundred and seventy six but the exact time I cannot recollect but think it was April or May Capt he enlisted for six months under John Isham in Col Chester Regiment of the Connecticut Troops, and that he marched from Colchester in the State of Connecticut and went as I was informed to New York and in September following I saw said Jirah Isham in the service at West Chester near Kings Bridge,  at this time I in the Militia.  I further say that in the spring of Seventeen and Seventy Seven the said Jirah Isham again enlisted into the Continental service and the time was called a Years service, and he was gone nearly or quite a year as I cannot be positive as to the time when he returned, this last service was in Captain Henry Champion's Company and Col Willis [Wyllys] Regiment, (his given name I think was Samuel) I further say that in May seventeen hundred eighty I left home and returned in July following, and when I returned said Jirah Isham was gone from home and I was informed he was drafted for a tour of three months in the Militia and he had not returned the last of September following.  I moved away and further say not 
Daniel Isham
No 3
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Sworn and subscribed this sixteenth day of May AD 1833 and I certify that the said Daniel Isham is a credible witness 
Before me Mitchell Hinsdell Justice of Peace 
State of Vermont 
Chittenden County }  I Nathan B Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify that Mitchell Hinsdell Esqr before whom the within deponed was taken, was at the time thereof Justice of the peace duly qualified  acting under the authority of this State and that his name thereto subscribed is his own proper signature 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this  21st day of May AD 1833 
Nathan B, Maswell
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Revolutionary Claims
STATE OF VERMONT 
Chittenden County, ss.} On this seventeenth day of August A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable County Court for the County of Chittenden, now sitting, Jirah Isham  a resident of Shelburn in the County of Chittenden and State of Vermont, aged Seventy two 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    
I enlisted I think in April 1776 into Captain John Ishams Company in Col Chester’s Regiment of Connecticut Troops for 3 or 4 months, served that period, in January 1777 I enlisted into Captain Henry Champions company in Col Samuel Willis [Wyllys] Regiment of Connecticut Troops for one year, and served out the full period of my enlistment, and was discharged at a place called the Son Pitts in the State of New York. In July 1780 I was drafted and called out in the Militia, in Capt Stephen Baynards Company of Connecticut troops and served three months.  
In 1781, at the time New London was burnt, I volunteered and served a little over two months in Captain Baynards company. In August 1782 I volunteered or enlisted on board Whale Boat No 5 employed in the Revolutionary service, commanded by Captain Amara Brown, all the Boats being under the command of Captain Sherman, I continued in this service two months, our business being to watch the enemy and see that they did not take our cattle, and also to watch the Tories. In my first service in 1776 we embarked at East Haddom Landing and went to New York continued there till the British landed in Long land-- we crossed over I think in Gen Parsons Brigade - after our defeat we retreated back to New York, from thence we marched to West Chester County and from there to White Plains.  I was upon the highest ground, when we were ordered to retreat, - we retreated five miles, the British continually firing up on us – I was finally dismissed on the North River, but the place is not recollected. In the service of 1777 I think our troops were collected at New Haven, and from them we went to Peekskill and from there to the Jerseys - after the British had [unreadable] we returned to the north river - we encamped a little below Peekskill at the time the British came up and landed at what was called Kings Ferry - the British marched around the mountain and I think to Fort Montgomery, which was commanded by Gen Clinton.   
I was born in East Haddam Connecticut March 24 1760
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I have no record of my age, but think it is on the town Books of East Haddam. 
When I entered the service I was living in Colchester Connecticut, in 1784 I moved to Shelburn Vermont where I have lived ever since 
Jirah Isham 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State. 
Jirah Isham
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid Before Nathan B Maswell Clerk 
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 certify, that it appears to them, that Levi Comstock and Moses Bliss who have signed the annexed certificate and who are residents of the town of Burlington and Shelburn are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Attest E. C. Brownson  Judge of Chittendon County Court
John Van Sickler 
STATE OF VERMONT. Chittenden County, ss. I Nathan B. Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jirah Isham for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 17th day of August A. D. 1832. Nathan B Maswell
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I Joshua Isham of Shelburn in the county of Chittenden & State of Vermont of lawful age do depose and say that in the year 1776, I served as a Soldier in Capt. John Isham’s Company in Col. Chester’s Regiment of Connecticut Troops, and am well knowing that Jirah Isham served in said Company as a Soldier for the term of six months, I well know the Time when he enlisted & we returned home together after his term of service had expired – I also know that the said Jirah Isham enlisted in the year 1777 in Capt. Henry Champions company in col Saml Willis [Wyllys] Regiment of the Connecticut troops for the term of one year & that he served as a Soldier in said Company the full term of one year & posted with him in the army at the time he was discharged which I think was in January 1778 – I continued in the Service during the War and am now a pensioner – I also know from information received from said Jehiel Isham & others at various times during the last fifty years that the said Jirah was drafted & served in the Militia of Connecticut at one time three months & that at the time New London was burnt that he served as a volunteer in the Militia two months or more, and also that he served in a Whale Boat during the Revolutionary war a short period, probably two or three months – as it respects these last mentioned periods of Service I have not any personal knowledge only from information received form him & others about that period & often since – but have no doubt that his declaration in this aspect is true –
And further your Deponent saith not –
Joshua Isham
Sworn & Subscribed this 17th day of  August AD 1832
Before Me Levi Comstock Justice Peace
I hereby certify that the above Deponent is a credible witness
Levi Comstock Justice peace
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I Ichiel Isham of  St. George in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont of lawful age do depose and say that during the  Revolutionary war I resided in Colchester in the State of Connecticut and a near neighbor to Jirah Isham who is a Cousin of mine, and was knowing during said war he enlisted & served in the army of the Connecticut troops at one time the term of six months & at another time one year,  a Brother of mine went with him & served the same period, I was not at that time in the service myself but knew when he and my brother left home & when they returned & he often heard them say they served together in the same company & Regiment during the six months service, from the relation they have always given respecting their services as soldiers I have no doubt that they served at both periods the full time Eighteen months. I was at New London at the time it was burnt & knew that Jirah Isham was there as a soldier, how long he staid I do not now recollect.  I have often heard said Jahiel and others (who were with him) speak of their being in the Service on board a Whale Boat that during the Revolutionary war & how long he served there I cannot [unreadable], but have no doubt that ┃ his declaration in this subject is correct & true as I have lived a near neighbor to him, both in Connecticut & Vermont ever since the war commenced.  
I also knew that in the year 1780 the said Jirah Isham was drafted & called out into Capt Stephen Brainards Company militia of the Connecticut troops, & that he was absent from home three months, I belonged to the Militia Company at the time but was not drafted myself 
Ichiel Isham his mark
Sworn to & subscribed this 17th day of August August AD 1832 – 
Before me - Levi Comstock Justice Peace 
I hereby certify the above deponent is a credible Witness
 Levi Comstock Justice Peace
B
Page 19

We the undersigned inhabitants of Shelburn and Bennington and St George do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jirah Isham who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed declaration that we believe him to be about seventy 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 
Levi Comstock 
Sworn and subscribed this 17th day of August AD 1832 and I hereby certify the above deponents are credible witnesses. 
John Van Sickle Chittenden County Court 
State of Vermont 
Chittenden County ss} I Nathan B. Maswell Clerk of Chittenden County Court do hereby certify the Hon John Van Sickle before whom the foregoing certificate was taken, was at the time thereof an Assistant Judge of Chittenden County Court, duly qualified acting under the authority of this State, and that I believe his name thereto intended to be his own proper signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 17th day of August 1832 
Nathan B Maswell
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18466 
INVALID.
File No. 18,466 
Jirah Isham
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7” 32”
Index: -- Vol. 1 Page 189 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
Aug 26 - 1912. 
History from card to Mr. Homer W. Brainard
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88 Kenyon St. Hartford Ct. 
Aug. 19, 1912 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C 
Dear Sir:- 
I desire to obtain a copy of what your files may contain concerning the service of Jirah or Jireh Isham, a Revolutionary Soldier. He was born in Connecticut, served in a Connecticut regiment but later removed to Vermont settling at Shelburne or some town near Burlington.  He was certainly living in Vermont when a pension was granted to him.  I desire this information
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to be inserted in a genealogy of the Isham family which I am about to publish, and also to enable a descendant to join the Daughters of the Revolution.   
Address as above I remain, 
Very respectfully yours 
Homer W. Brainard