Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20669, Gershoon Banks, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Banks, Gershoon or
Gershom
Ruth

NUMBER
W. 20669
Page 2

17.138 Connecticut
Gershom Banks
of Fairfield in the State of Con
who was a Pri of In in the Com commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Reg commanded
by Col Dimons in the Conn
militia and Gov 2 yr
Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 90 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of July
1833 and sent Hon G.
Tomlinson, Fairfield Ct
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $180
Semi-anl. allowance ending Sep 4   45
$225
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 5

w. no
Page 3

State of Connecticut,
County of Fairfield, ss.
On this 30th day of July 1832 personally appeared, in open Court before
the Court of Probate held at Weston in and for the
Probate District of Weston it being a Court of Record
now sitting, Gershom Banks of Fairfield a resident
of the Town of Fairfield, in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged
Seventy Nine years, who being first sworn according to low, 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.
viz I Gershom Banks do hereby certify that in the year
of 1775 I enlisted under Capt. Eben Hill of Fairfield and joined
Col. Jonathon Simons Regt and marched to New York and assisted
in defending the City and in entrenching and fortifying on Governors
Island. I served six months and was discharged.
In the summer of 1776, I think in June or July, I joined the Troop of Horse in the
Militia commanded by Lieut Jonathan Stillman and joined
the Regt commanded by Major Jabez Hill and marched
to New York and Joined the Continental Army under the
command of General Washington and served three months
and was discharged. being the term of enlistment
In the year of 1777 I served in the same Troop of Horse under
the command of Lieut Jonathan Silliman nine months
stationed at White Plains. Sawpits &c on guard and was
regularly dismissed after service expired. I enlisted in August
In 1778 I think in June. I enlisted in the Fort at Black Rock
called the Fairfield Guard commanded by Capt. Isaac
Jarvis. Charles Burr Lieut. and served one year & was dismissed
I was in the battles and skirmishes in 1779 at the burning of
Fairfield and Norwalk and at the burning of Greensfarms
Meeting house and at the battle at Compe. Served one week
I also enlisted and served as a Minute Man in the Guard at
Fairfield from the burning of the same in 1779 to the close of the
Revolutionary War under the command of Capt Thomas Nash
Daniel Duncan Lieut and served full eighteen months under said enlistment
And I the said Gershom Banks further certify that I was born in August 1752 at said Fairfield
from the best information I can obtain I have no record of
my age except in my family bible I was living in Fairfield
Page 4

when I went into the service where I have lived ever since the
Revolution and where I now live. I never had a written discharge
from no officer and my drafts and enlistments are as
before stated, and in consequence of the Death of the Revolutionary
Soldiers which were with me in the War makes it
impossible to produce any further evidence except what
is here annexed. I enlisted and performed all of the
before named services as a private soldier
and The said Gershom Banks 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.
Gershom Banks

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Att Oliver C Sanford Clerk

We, Burr Middlebrook residing in the town of Fairfield
and Abram Banks residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Gershom Banks who has subscribed and worn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the
neighbourhood 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.
Burr Middlebrooks
Abram Banks

Att Oliver C. Sanford 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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier,
and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that Burr Middlebrook
& Abram Banks who has signed the preceding certificate, are resident in the town of
Fairfield and well known to the Court
and crdible
persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Bradford Winton
Judge of said Court

I Oliver C. Sanford Clerk of the said Court of Probate
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the origiinal proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application
of Gershom Banks for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office,
this 30th day of July 1832.
Att Oliver C. Sanford Clerk
Page 5

State of Connecticut SS Fairfield in Fairfield County July 15th 1832
I Benjamin Banks of said Fairfield County afore. of lawful age
hereby certify That I am well acquainted with Gershom
Banks of said Fairfield That we were in the service of the United States
together. He went down to New York with me. he enlisted under
Capt. Eben Hill of said Fairfield I was knowing to his serving in New
York in fortifying and in entrenching on Governor's Island making a six months
service & was regularly dismiss. This he served in the Militia Infantry under
Col. David Dimon. This was in the year 1775.
In the summer of 1776 I think in June he joined the troop of
Horse Lieut Jonathan Silliman, Major of the Regt Jabez Hill & marched
to New York & joined the Continental Army under Gen. Washington
the term of service three months.
In the year 1777 he served in the troop with me under Lieut
Jonathan Silliman nine months stationed at White Plains & Sawpits
on guard & was regularly dismissed.
He enlisted & served with me one year on guard at Fairfield
Blackrock under Capt. Jarvis who commanded the Fort at Blackrock
Charles Burr was Lieut & was regularly [illegible] in January 1778.
He was in the Battles and Skirmishes at the burning of Fairfield &
Norwalk & at the burning of Greenfarms Meeting house & one week
at the battle at Compe.
He served with me as a minute man from the time of the
burning of Faifield in 1777 to the close of the war under Capt.
Thomas Nash & Lieut. Daniel Duncan.
And I further certify that I believe that the Applicant
who subscribed the declaration to which this Affidavit is annexed
79 years of age that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he
resides to be a man of veracity & to have been a solder of the Revolution
Benjamin Banks

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Before me
Hull Bradley Just of Peace
Page 6

State of Connecticut ss. Fairfield July 18th 1833
I hereby certify that Benjamin Banks who has subscribed & sworn 
to the within Deposition is a man of veracity
Hull Bradley Jus. of Peace

Gershom Banks
Pensin Papers
Page 7

State of Connecticut ss. District of Fairfield August 4th 1832
I Thomas Wheeler aged seventy three years, a resident
of the Town of Fairfield in said State hereby certify
that I am well acquainted with Gershom Banks
a resident of said Town and State. am knowing to
his having been drafted on the 4th day of July
1776 and was marched to New York in the
Company of Capt. Jabez Hill of said Fairfield
and Major Daniel Starr of Danbury commanded
the regiment and according to the best of my
recollection he served there fifteen days and
was then discharged but had no written discharge
And he was again drafted sometime in the latter
part of October 1776 according to the best of my
recollection for two months and went down
to the Sawpits in the time under Capt Jabez
Hill and Major Daniel Starr and he served
there two months the time for which he was
drafted. he was then dismissed or discharged
General Wooster of Connecticut was the
general.
Thomas Wheeler

Sworn to and subscribed in the
day and year aforesaid
before David Hill Judge of the
County Probate for the district aforesaid

State of Connecticut ss. District of Fairfield June the 30th 1833
I hereby certify that Thomas Wheeler who has subscribed and sworn to the
above deposition was when living (he being now dead), a man of the strictest
veracity and his testimony was invariably entitled to the fullest credit
Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for Dist. aforesaid
Page 8

I Oliver C Sanford Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Weston in Fairfield County 
Connecticut hereby certify that Bradford Winton is
Judge of the Court of Probate for the District
aforesaid and that the signature of his name
to the within Declaration is his genuine signature
I further certify that Hull Bradley Esq is a Justice of
the Peace for Fairfield County that I am acquainted with
his hand writing & that the signature of hs name to the
Ceclaration of Benj. Banks hereto annexed is his genuine
signature. I further certify that David Hill Esq is Judge
of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield
that I am well acquaintd with the said Hill &
also with his hand writing & that I verily believe the
signature of his name to the Deposition of Thos. Wheeler
hereto annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and the seal of said
Court at Weston this 6th day of
August 1832
Att Oliver C Sanford Clerk
Page 9

Connecticut 339
[Ru]th Banks
Fairfield in the State of Ct
was a [blank] in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by Conn. in the
widow of Gershom Banks
decd late private of Inf & Cav
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 90 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 [illegible]
to 11 January 1835 to be deducted.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Dec
1836 and sent Hon. G.
Tomlinson Senate U.S.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836   $495.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 May '37   45.00
$540.00
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book C Vol. 1 Page 75

1891
May 2, C. S. Bradley history Prior
Page 10

Ruth Banks
831 3. dec
Ct
3d Ju
1836

Hon. G. Tomlinson
Senate US
Page 11

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss
On this eighth day of November 1836 personally appeared
Ruth Banks a Resident of Fairfield & County
& State aforesaid aged Eighty two 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 4th 1836. That she is the
Widow of Gershom Banks late of Fairfield now
Decd. who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary War &
served as a private in the Infantry & Cavalry in said
War & had made proof of the same to the satisfaction
of the War Department & had obtained a pension
for said services under the Act of Congress of
June 7th 1832 of Ninety dollars a year as by the
Records of the War Department will appear & a
certificate of that amount was sent to the
said Gershom Banks in his lifetime & was by
the said Ruth Banks surrendered to the Agent
for paying pensions at Hartford in the State of Connecticut
in March 1835 as will appear from
the Records of the War Department reference thereto
being had
She further says that she has no documentary
evidence nor the evidence of any living witness
that she knows of. the witnesses that testified to the
Declaration of the said Decd Gersom Banks are
all dead & the declarent rests her case entirely
on the evidence establishing the pension of her
Decd husband.
She further declares and says that she was married
to the said Gershom Banks on the 20th day of
April 1774 by the Revd William Tennent then a
Minister of the Gospel of the Presbyterian Society
Page 12

in the Parish of Greenfield in said Town of Fairfield
& has long since deceased, which was previous to
his services rendered. That her husband the 
aforesaid Gershom Banks died at said Fairfield
on the 11th day of January 1835 & that she has
remained a Widow ever since that period as
will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Ruth Banks

Sworn & subscribed on the
day & year above written
before Thomas Robinson Judge
of Probate for the District of Fairfield, State of Connecticut

State of Connecticut
District of Fairfield ss.
I Jeremiah Sturges Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the District of Fairfield do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceeding of said
Court in the matter of the application of Ruth Banks
for a Pension for Services Rendered by her decd husband
Gershom Banks in testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of said Court of Probate in
Fairfield this 8th day of November AD 1836
Jeremiah Sturges Clerk
Page 13

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss.
I Nathaniel Freeman of Fairfield in the County
of Fairfield & State of Connecticut & Minister of the
Gospel of the Presbyterian or Congregational Society
in the Parish of Greenfield in said Town of Fairfield
aged Fifty Six years hereby certify that Gershom
Banks & Ruth Banks both of said Fairfield were
united in marriage in said Fairfield (Greenfield
Parish) on the 20th day of April 1774 as appears
from the Records of the Church made by the Revd
William Tennent who was at that time pastor
of said Church & Society & who removed from there
into the State of Pennsylvania & has long since Decd.
Said Records being now in my possession, I
further certify that I was acquainted with the
said Decd Gershom Banks for a number of years
previous to his death & that he died at said
Fairfield on the 11th day of January 1835 that I
attended the funeral of the said Decd Gershom Banks
on the 12th day of said January as appears from
the memorandum by me made in the Church
Records of said Parish at that time. That he
has left a widow by the name of Ruth Banks
who I have also been acquainted with for a
number of years & who I should think was over eighty
years of age & is now a Widow & is the same Ruth
Banks who has subscribed & sworn to the pending
Declaration
Nathaniel Freeman

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss.
On this 8th day of November
1836 at said Fairfield Personally appeared the 
Revd Nathaniel Freeman Signer & Sealer of the
foregoing Deposition & made oath to the truth
of the same. I further certify that he is a minister
[crossed out: Sturges Morehouse Jus. of Peace]
Page 14

of the Gospel in good standing & that his Deposition
is entitled to Credit.
Before me
Sturges Morehouse Jus. of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss
I Gershom Wakeman of Fairfield in Fairfield
County & State of Connecticut residing in the Parish
of Greenfield in said Town of Fairfield aged Seventy
Four Years testify & say that I have always been
acquainted with Gershom Banks late of said
Fairfield now Decd. That I have always lived in the
same neighbourhood in which he lived. that though
young I well remember when he was married to
Ruth Banks of said Town & Parish by the Revd
Willian Tennent who was at that time Minister
in said Parish & has long since Decd & that the said
Gershom Banks & Ruth Banks have always lived
together since the time they were united in marriage
which was in the year 1774 to the time of
his death which was in January 1835 & that Ruth
Banks the present applicant is the Widow of
the said Decd Gershom Banks & has remained
his Widow ever since his death
Gershom Wakeman

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss
On this 8th day of November
1836 at Fairfield in said County Personally appeared
Gershom Wakeman Signer & Sealer of the foregoing
Deposition & made oath to the truth of the same
Before me I further certify that he is a man
of credibility & that his Deposition is entitled to
full credit
Sturges Morehouse Jus. of Peace
Page 16

G. W. & N. Div.
D. S.
M. K. C.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 9, 1894
Sir:-
In response to your personal request for the military history
of Gershom Banks, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, I have the
honor to advise you that he enlisted in the year 1776 as a private
in Capt. Ebenezer Hill's company, Col. Dimon's Connecticut regiment
, marched to the York and assisted in doing the city and
intrenching a parting on Governor's island this service was
for six months.
In the summer of 1776, Jane or July, he joined
a troop of horse in the militia, commended by Lt. Jonathan lime
in the regiment commanded by Major Jabez £1, and marched to new York
, where he joined the comprental army and served ten months.
1777 he served in the same troop of horse months and was
stationed at White Plains, Carpets, &c. in June, he is
ed and served one year at least at Black Rock in the
commanded by Capt. Isaac Jarvis was in the battles and
mishes in 1779 at the burning of Fairfield and formal, and at
the burning of the firm's he line, also at the battle of
Compo. From the time Fairfield was burned, in 1819, to the close
served as a man and the command of a
Page 17

Thomas Nash, and was frequently called into service whenever
occasion demanded.
He was born at Fairfield, Connecticut, in August, 1752, and
always lived in the same town. In 1832 he applied to the general
government for a pension and the same was allowed. He died
January 11, 1835.
The history of [illegible] Banks was forwarded to you by this
Bureau under date of May 6th.
Very respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner

Hon. John J. Hall,
Asst. Attorney General,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Page 18

May 9 1894 Hist
to John I Hall
Asst Atty Gen.
City
Mar. 11.1899 - History
to Mr. H. C. Sherwood
c/o H. L. Hochkiss
Bridgeport Conn.
Feby 4 98. Mrs C. H -
Platt.
New Haven, Conn.

20-669
Rev WIDOW, &c
File No. 20669
Ruth Banks
Wid of
Gershom Banks
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th [illegible]
Index:--Vol. A, Page 38
(Arrangement of 1870.)

To what time was Gershom Banks last paid
act 1832 Connecticut?

To the 11th January 1835 the day of his death.
[illegible]
Page 19

Suspd
Ansd Hon. G. Tomlinson
Dec 22 '36
Issue cert.
Page 20

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.
MEMORANDA.
-
Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Gershom Banks
Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Fairfield, Fairfield Co. Conn.
Place of residence after service: 
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Probably same
Date of death (as near as possible):
[blank]
Christian name of widow:
[blank]
Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He did for service as
Priv. of Cav. in Conn. Continental
Pensioned under act June 7 /32,
age(?) probably about 81
Pension began Mar 4/36
Your name and address:
Hon. John I. Hall
Asst Attorney General
Jut Dept.
Page 21

RETURN THIS LETTER,
Pension Bureau
Washington D.C.
Will you send me
a copy of the Military
Service of Gersham Banks
of Fairfield Co. Coun
Mrs. C. H. Platt
624 Orange St
New Haven Ct
January 19 '98
Gersham Banks was a
pensioner in the Revolutionary 
war. his wife's name was Ruth
Page 22

Fairfield July 24. 1833
Sir
The package containing the 
pension application of Gershom
Banks, about which I addressed you
some ago having been misdirected
was now duly received. Since its reception,
however the errors noticed in the
accompanying communication from you have
been corrected and it is herewith returned.
For your satisfaction, I state
that Hull Bradley is & has been for many 
years a Justice of the Peace in Fairfield
County, that David Hill is & has long
been the Judge of the Court of Probate
for the District of Fairfield and that
their signatures appearing on the
affidavits annexed to the declaration
of Mr Banks are genuine & entitled
to full credit.
Page 23

The applicant being old and
infirm and Benjamin Banks whose
affidavit accompanies his declaration
having been allowed a pension several
months ago, he is very solicitous
to have his claim allowed without
further delay. I therefore take
leave to request you to act on his
case as speedily as may be
practicable.
With great respect,
I am your obdnt Svnt
G. Thomlinson

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Page 24

D. W. B.
W. 20669
[illegible]
February 4th, 1898
Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning Gershom
Banks, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that he made
an application for pension on July 30, 1833, at which time he was 79
years of age and residing in Fairfield, Conn., and his pension was allowed 
for two years' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops,
Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Hill and
Col. Dimond. He enlisted at Fairfield, Conn.
His widow, Ruth, made application and received a pension for
the service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.

Mrs. C. H. Platt,
624 Orange St.,
New Haven, Conn.
Page 25

[handwritten] NM
[letterhead]
PRESIDENT.
JONATHAN TRUMBULL,
NORWICH,
VICE-PRESIDENT.
EDWIN S. GREELEY.
NEW HAVEN.
SECRETARY
DECIUS L. PIERSON,
HARTFORD,

THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY.
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

TREASURER.
JOHN C. HOLLISTER.
NEW HAVEN.
REGISTRAR.
HOBART L. HOTCHKISS.
NEW HAVEN.
HISTORIAN.
JOSEPH G. WOODWARD.
HARTFORD.

New Haven Feby. 11. 1897
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: Will you please send
me the record of service of Gersham
Banks, a Revolutionary pensioner from
Connecticut in 1837.
This record is for use on the
application of Henry Clinton Sherwood
of Bridgeport Conn.
Yours respectfully,
Hobart L. Hotchkiss
Page 26

L. W. B.
W. 20669.

This Bureau can furnish the military
record of only such Revolutionary soldiers
as were pensioned or whose widows were
pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay
rolls of the Revolutionary War and the
War of 1812 as are now in the possession
of the Government are on file in the
Record and Pension Office, War Department.
Original rolls and other records
pertaining to service in the Revolutionary
War may also be on file in the
archives of many of the original States.
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,

March 11, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military
record of Gershom Banks, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are
advised that he made an application for pension on July 30, 1832,
at which time he was 79 years of age and residing at Fairfield, Conn.,
and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private
in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served
under Capt. Hill and Col. Dimond. He enlisted at Fairfield, Conn.
his widow, Ruth, made application and received a pension for the
service of her husband as above set forth.
Very respectfully,
[blank]
Commissioner.

Mr. Henry C. Sherwood,
c/o Hobart L. Hotchkiss,
Bridgeport, Conn.