Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1546, Joel Butler, Conn. Conn. Sea Service Privateer
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SERVICE
Conn
Conn Sea Service
Privateer

Butler, Joel

NUMBER
R. 1546
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28.133
Joel Butler
1546
Ref to E Phelps
Claimant
LeRoy
New York
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War Department
Pension Office
Nov 19 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 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 show 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Joel Butler

[Table]
Period when the service was rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and rank of the Field of-ficers under whom he served. 
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Drafted
1777 - - 2 -   Private { Col Newberry Capt Wright | 71 years

1778 | from 4 to 5 {Priv of [illegible] Boat - Capt Jona Russell
5 - Sailor Brig Ranger Capt Howard 
1780 - 2 - " ShipHunter " Smith
1 - - " Brig Fair Trader
Cap Fortin

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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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 brand 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, 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, mucicians [musicians] or privates, will, in the first instance, 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  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 
This           day of             personally appeared () before
A.B. a resident (b) of          in the county of       and State, Territory or District of      aged (c)       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 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 on that of the 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                 do hereby certify (h) 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 officer (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 the 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                and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with              subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him t be         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 days 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  clergyman, resident in the                and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I,               Clerk of the Court of,                  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 this investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of the narrative with the events of the period of his 

By applying to Elisha Phelps [illegible] Comptroller of the State of Connecticut the [illegible] [illegible] obtain [illegible] After [illegible] under Capt Russell [illegible]
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 Milia of New Hampshire and the State of Virginia Troops.
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 live now?
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 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 in the Revolution. 
  The Court will see that the 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 opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, tow 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. If 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 services 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 inquiry 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. 
    Wherever 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 is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is 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 the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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 sear 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a {blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; 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, 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 "three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pension merely state that they served two years in the militia, & c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 filed or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed by 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 tit 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 certification of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the paper. 

Mode of authenticating papers. 

In every instance where the certificate of the certifying office 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 services 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 witnesses 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.
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of services each person 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 Milia.  State troops, or Volunteers, except the Milia 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 living when called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 
5. State the name 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 services, 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 and was it signed, and what 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 the answers to these questions are embodied int he declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth oft he 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 with that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify tot he 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 inquiry 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 the 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 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 a Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. 
    No payments can be made on account of 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 therein, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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 the 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 invariable 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 this 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 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 {blank} year {blank} months, and {blank} days, I served as a {blank}. For {blank} months and {blank} days, I served as a {blank}; 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, 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.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of 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 why which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of 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 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 of which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify 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. 
  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 the 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 declarations.
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28.133
Joel Butler
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Comptrollers Office
January 1st 1834
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Table
Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify
that the United States are charged on the books of the Pay Table, under date March 19th 1778,
with the Counties of Col. Roger Newberry's 1st Regt Militia; & the pay roll of Capt. Benjamin Wright is also charged under date Feb 5th 1778. But no roll of the company, or regiment has been found, or evidence of the duration of their services.
The names of very few officers who commanded armed boat appear on the books & records in this office. There were one or more boats at every military port on the Sea Coast from Stonington to Greenwich. They were generally subject to the command and of the port. In a few instances, the names of those, who were designated to command such boats appear on
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the journal of the Council of Safety.
The names of Capt Jon Rofell, Howard
of Windsor, Nathan Sage & John Smith have not
been found, or the names of [illegible] or boats said to have been commanded by them.

E. Phelps
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Sir

I send annexed all the evidence I can find of the service of your applicant. His militia service being so strongly corroborated by entries in the public records, I think he may hope to succeed in the {illegible} of his claim; unless it should appear that he served on board of privateers.

I am very respectfully, 

E.  Phelps 

Fee $1.00
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State of New York 
Genesee County 

SS. 
  On this fourteenth day of October 1833 personally appeared before the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of said county Joel Butler, a resident of the town of LeRay in the County of Genesee and state of New York aged seventy six years who being first duly sworn, according to the law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 ,that is to say, I was drafted in the year 1777 some time in the summer season. I then resided in Weathersfield County of Hartford, Stat of Connecticut. I was put into Captain Benjamin Wrights company of militia and Colonel Newbury of Windsor commanded the Regiment from Weathersfield we marched to Danbury from there to Fishkill in New York state. We found the British fleet at Fishkill, we then joined the American Army and marched up to Redhook following up the British fleet, news came that Burgoyne was to keep the British fleet stopped and turned around and we followed them back to Fishkill.  We then crossed the river and worked at the fort building Cheval de friese and continued there until the time was out for which I was drafted, being two months and was lawfully discharged, but they gave {illegible} written discharge. 
   In the year 1778 the British got their word from Huntington on Long Island and were masters of New York. The British kept a guard of about sixty men at Huntington to protect the their wood men. On the opposite side the Americans had a guard at the town of Norwalk of about sixty men commanded by a major whose name I do not recollect. Captain Jonathan Russell got a commission from government to man a whale boat in order to take the British wood {illegible} at Huntington I enlisted under said Russell and went on board at Weathersfield and sailed to Norwalk . and there that said major persuaded Captain Russell and his crew to stay at the fort until he could get men enough to cross over and take the British guard at Huntington. We accordingly staid and in about one month the major had got about one hundred mend and including his guard and the crews of the whale boats and then we went over one night and surrounded the British guard. I saw {illegible} of them shot down and after exchanging several shots the British surrendered and we took fifty one prisoners and delivered them up to the American Army. We also burnt there British vessels in Huntington harbor loaded with wood at the same time. The major still insisted upon our staying  with him as it was a good situation to intercept the British as they passed up and down the sound. We continued there during 



-
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the season or cruise and were discharged. We enlisted for no specified time but to go on a cruise as we called it and took our provision with us. The term of service with Captain Russell was from four to five months and we maintained ourselves during the time and was now expense to government. 
  In the year 1779 I shipped under Captain Nathaniel Howar of Windsor on board the Brig Ranger. Captain Howard had commission from government we showed fourteen guns, but better than half of them was of wood, we sailed  to the West Indies and returned. I served five months on this expedition. 
   In 1780 I shipped under Captain John Smith of Middletown on board the ship Hunter of Middletown. The ship was a large one build at 
Middletown and manned there for privateering and we were a long time getting the ship down the River. The owners of the ship got into difficulty and termed out Captain Smith and put  in Captain Nathan Sage of Middletown. I was three months in that service. I then shipped on board the Brig Hancock of New London, the same year and immediately after the hands were dismissed from the ship Hunter. Captain Lodawich Champlin of New London commanded the Brig Hancock. We cruised off the Hook of New York and took two Brigs and a schooner from the British and sent them into New London, two of the {illegible} were laden with flour for New York and one of the Brigs was going out bound for England. The prisoners we took we put on board the prison ship at New London. I served two months on the last mentioned cruise being the same year. We were cruising off the Hook and had been for some time, we were then chased by a British ship which came so close that we threw all the guns overboard but one and all the water but one hogshead. This was during a calm Captain Champlin rowed for eleven hours without leaving his seat. The British rowed too and they came within pistol shot of us but we finally escaped from them and got into New London harbor and then I was discharged. I served in the last mentioned cruise two months.  
   In the year 1781 I shipped on board the Brig {illegible} Trader at Haddam Connecticut Luke Fortin (or Forchin),Captain of Weathersfield who had a letter of Mark from government
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we sailed for the east Indies. The Brig had no carriage guns we had two chests of small arms, we sailed into the midst of the British fleet in the Latitude of the east Indian Islands in the night. The British fleet consisted of 29 of the line besides frigates and sloops of war. Thus squadrons commanded by Admiral Hughs Drake and Piguet we were taken on board the ship reasonable commanded by Lord Harvey we were kept on board his ship and along with the British fleet cruising for five or six months as prisoners of war. We were then taken to St Lucia in the West Indies where the British fleet went. There we were put on board the prison ship up the [illegible] in the Island of St Lucia we were barred down in the hold of the ship seven hundred in number and kept us there (except they would let us go up on the main deck in the day time) four months during which time I had the small pox. Peace was proclaimed there but the British would not fit out a Cartel and we were detained a month or two. Finally Captain Fortin's brother who resided in Barbados heard of us and took us to Barbados from thence he got us a passage in an English ship to Halifax from there we got a passage to New York and returned home. I served one year the last mentioned cruise and service. There was about five years during the Revolutionary that I served all the time that I could serve. I made it my whole business. There were times I could not be out in the dead of winter, last and times too for a month that I served I would be getting ready that I intended to go in but as constantly in service or  preparing for it oor presented as above mentioned for about five years. My place of residence during the Revolutionary war was Weathersfield before mentioned. I received no written discharge nor did any [illegible] for the like services, nor any other written evidence that I know of. I received no compensation for my services except for the first service mentioned herein. I served as a private solider and sailor in all the services herein mentioned. I was born at Weathersfield aforesaid in the year 1757 I have no record of my age except what I made from my fathers record, The record that I made is in my bible which I now have. My father was in Bunker hill battle, was soon after taken sick and died. I do not know what has become of the
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record which he made of my age. I resided some time at Weathersfield after the war. I then moved to Brooksfield County of Madison state of New York where I lived seventeen years than I moved to LeRoy my present place of residence where I have lived about twenty four years. I do not know of any person living by whom I can prove my services. I presume there may be some of [illegible] that were with me during those services alive but I do not know where to look for them. The Reverend Timothy Bloch and Rufus Robertson Esq. are acquainted with me in my present  neighborhood and can testify to my character for [illegible] and their belief of my services as a soldier in the Revolution.  I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or any annuity, except the present and I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. 
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid in open Court. 

     T. Fitch Bloch
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Service: 

Conn
Conn  Sea Service 
Privateer 

Butler, Joel 

Number: 
R. 1546
Page 16

1546

Joel Butler

Service: Revolutionary
Page 17

1856

John Butler
[illegible] 3 March

N 11 March
Joel Butler
N.Y. Sus 1832
Page 18

Jonia Jonia County Michigan March 3. 1856
Hon F. E. Hassler
Washington City D.C.
Dr Sir
in 1832 I Received some letters from you directed to me then of Binningham
Oakland County Mich. Speaking of the possibility of obtaining
a pension on account of the services of Joel Butler my Father in the Revolution you said the Widow of my father though a second wife was the only one entitled to have what my
father should have drawn this Widow I believe is yet alive and lives with a sister of mine in the State of New York to whom I refer the matter they had several letters from other gentlemen as yourself offering to prosecute the claim or obtain what might be obtained for different
shares one offer was I believe for one quarter what might be obtained
they did not however employ any of those but
sent by a Representative to Congress who seemed to have done but very little about the matter so it has lain along, but they have
now put the matter into my hands or left it with me and as
you was the first gentleman who offered to do the business I thought I would enquire of you first again, and if you think you could do the 
I would enquire of you first again, and if you think you could do the business for one quarter of what might be obtained I think we would employ you supposing that you could do it as low as others.
Please write me on the receipt of this if you are willing to undertake the business
direct as above
Yours Truly
John Butler
Page 19

Feb 15, 1853

Hoat Hascall

Rec'd of Joel Buller

Report to him before the adjournment
Page 20

Hon James E. Heath
Conn. 
Sir.
I have a case on file in your office (the claim of Joel Butler for a revolutionary pension) which I am very desirous should be reexamined
before the adjournment by Congress. As this is an application of long standing permit to
request that it be taken up and disposed of
before the 4th March.
Yours Respectfully
A P. Hascale
Hy Rep
Washington Feby 14. 1853
Page 21

Joel Butler
[possibly in pencil: 28123]  NY
Suspended
See Letter Mar 28 34

Messrs Gates & Haskell LeRoy

[illegible] Hon GloLay
5 June 1834
Same Feb 3 1835

Hadl. P. Harcall
Feb 25 / '53
Act of [illegible] 1832
Page 22

NY Feb 2d
get papers

[Illegible] Feb 3 [date crossed out] 1835

Jas L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
D C 

[Written at right angles across address:

Hon G. W. Lay ]
Page 23

House or Rep. January 21, 1835

Sir
I am requested to inquire into the situation of the papers of Joel Butler, Genesee County, N.Y. The papers are on file --
Yours Respectfully,
George W. Lay
Page 24

New York. returned
original [this is scratched out]
3rd February 1884

L Roy Jany 28 [illegible]

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Note: image includes part of letter at Document 1.
Page 25

LeRoy N.Y. Jany 27 1834

Dear Sir,

Pursuant to instructions we sent Joel Butler's application to Elisha Phelps [illegible] of Connecticut and have attached his certificate to the other papers & herewith send the same. The applicant relies much
upon the very particular manner in which he has detailed his services and circumstances attending the same. As he is infirm and unable to make search for further proof one presumes he would rather receive what you can consistently allow from what service he has definitely stated than to endeavour to increase it by further attempts to procure proof - 

[We?] remain very Respty,
Yours, Gates Hascall

Hon J. L. Edwards