Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2630, for Abel Phelps, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Phelps, Abel
Williams, Elizabeth Former widow

NUMBER
W. 2630

CONTENTS
Page 2

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Phelps, Abel
Williams, Elizabeth Former widow 

NUMBER
W. 2630

CONTENTS
Page 3

No 9.6.72
Connecticut
Abel Phelps
of Hebron in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Abel of the Regt. commanded by Col. Waite in the Connecticut Militia

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 70 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of June 1833 and delivered to Judge Abner Hendee now in Washington City

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $140.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  35.00
(total) $175.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by F. S. Evans Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 34
Page 4

Feb. 25 - 1854 AB [agency book]  
2822 
Ohio Cleveland, 
Elizabeth Williams 
widow of formerly Abel Phelps who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private Conn Line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of  70 Dollars -  Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of November 1853 and sent to  Henry H. Fitch Hartford Ct. 
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2 1853, Page 170 Vol A
(32)
Page 5

18919
Abel Phelps
Connecticut

Adm for 1 year and 
9 months.

Ml 40+20+10=$70.--

Abner Hendee
Hebron Connect
Tolland Coty
Page 6

WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
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. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Abel Phelps
Tolland Co Connecticut
Period when the service was rendered.  Vol 1781  Duration of Claimant’s Service. 3 months  Rank of the claimant.  Privt   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt White   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col. Mason   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  None  Country through which he marched.  New London  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  68 years  Hebron Connecticut Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Traditionary Evidence & 1 witness
Period when the service was rendered.  Vol 1781  Duration of Claimant’s Service. 6 months  Rank of the claimant.  Privt   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Abel  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Wait  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   None   Country through which he marched.  Fort Grosvenor
Period when the service was rendered.  Sub 1782  Duration of Claimant’s Service.   6 months  Rank of the claimant.  privt  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Holland   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Wait   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  None   Country through which he marched.  
Period when the service was rendered.  Vol 1782  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  6 months Rank of the claimant. Privt  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Holland  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Waite   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  None   Country through which he marched.  
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2            
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
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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---year - months , and days , I served as a - months 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 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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State of Connecticut New London County 
Colchester  Town Clerks Office } ss August 22nd A.D. 1853 
Copy
“This certifies that on the eighth day of February eighteen hundred and twenty one Abel Phelps of Hebron and [unreadable] of Colchester were lawfully joined in marriage by Salmon Cobe  N.D.M.C.“   
I certify that the aforesaid is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows the day “8th day of February 1824”,  Attest A. M. Hurlbut Town Clerk
I A. M. Hurlbut above named depose & say that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County Town & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town of Colchester with the exception above named as certified by me 
A M Hurlbut Town Clerk 
State of Connecticut. New London County ss  
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Notary Public within & for said State and County A. M. Hurlbut Esqr who has subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, And I certify that the deponant is well known to me, that he is Town Clerk of said Town of Colchester and as such as the care and custody of the record of marriages of said Town. And I further certify that I have no interest whatever in the application of Mr Betsy Phelps for a pension.   
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand official seal this 22nd day of August AD 1853 
Lucius J. Hendee Notary Public
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Pension Office
12th Oct. 1858

I hereby certify that Lucius J. Hendee before whom the within affidavit of A. M. Hurlbut was taken was on the 22d day of August 1853 a Notary Public of New London Co. State of Connecticut & that his signature is genuine.
L P Waldo Coms.
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Abel Phelps 18919 
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the within applicant that he is a reputable and creditable member of Society.  June 8th 1833 
Abner Hendee Judge of Probate Court & associate Judge Court for Tolland County State of Connecticut
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STATE OF CONNECTICUT, 
County of Tolland . Hebron Probate District On this 20th day of over personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate of the District of Hebron in the county of Tolland and state of Connecticut, now sitting, Before Abner Hendee Judge, Abel Phelps a resident of Hebron in the county of Tolland and state of Connecticut, aged 68 years, and who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated,   that in the month of Sept. 1781 he volunteered to do a tour of duty at N. London of three months Jeremiah Mason was Col of the Regt, Roger Phelps was Capt., Asaph White Lieut., John Gilbert Ensign,  served in various duties in keeping guard &c and at the expiration of the term he volunteered for a tour of duty of six months at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by Capt. Daniel Abel, Dutton Lieut., Loomis Ensign,  Wait Commanded the Fort & that he there remained keeping garrison & doing various duties as a soldier until the six months expired when he was honourably discharged.   And that in the [unreadable] of six months as a substitute for Sylvanus Phelps at Fort [unreadable] Stonnington who was a three years man as was called [unreadable] he there remained keeping Garrison & repairing the fort until said [unreadable] thereupon volunteered to do another tour of six months as [unreadable] Capt Hallam, the Lieut was not the same does not recollect [unreadable] as Ensign of his Company and thinks that [unreadable] Tours, that he there remained and did duty during [unreadable] expired, was honourably discharged.  That he is [unreadable] of Hebron who can testify as to his character [unreadable]  of the Revolution,  & at the time of entering the service [unreadable] & has resided there ever since.  He has no documentary [unreadable] performed and knows of no person living whose testimony [unreadable].   
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. 
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Abel Phelps 
We Alpheus Gier a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron and Roger Phelps residing in said Hebron hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abel Phelps  who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 68 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. 
Alpheus Gier 
Roger Phelps
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month of June 1782 he volunteered to do a tour of duty at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by one Capt Hallam from [unreadable] Gillet was Lieut, as man from Woodstock was Ensign, name he has forgotten [unreadable] term had expired when he was discharged, and immediately [unreadable]  a substitute for Lina Finney at the same place under the same [unreadable]  his name the aforesaid John Gillet volunteered at this time [unreadable]  commanded the Fort through both of the last aforesaid [unreadable]  the whole of said term of six months & when the same had [unreadable] personally known to Roger Phelps and the Revd Alpheus Gier [unreadable]  for veracity & belief of his services as a Soldier [unreadable] service he resided in Hebron where he was born [unreadable] evidence or written discharges to prove that the services were [unreadable] he can procure except what accompanies this declaration.   
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 Alpheus Gier who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident of Hebron and that Roger Phelps who has also signed the same is a resident of Hebron and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to full credit.   
I Cyrus Mann clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron in the county of Tolland do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Abel Phelps for a pension. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 20th day of October A.D. 1832
Cyrus Mann Clerk
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State of Ohio 
Medina County ss
On this 22d day of March 1853 before me Calvin B Prentiss Probate Judge of said County personally appeared Elizabeth or Betsey Williams a resident of Brunswick in the County of Medina and State aforesaid aged 66 years who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Second Section of the Act of Congress passed the 3d day of February 1853.    That she was the widow of Abel Phelps late of the town of Hebron in Tolland County and State of Connecticut dec’d and now the Widow of Augustus Williams late of in the County of Medina and State of Ohio dec’d that said Abel Phelps was a private in the Army of the Revolution and for whose services she claims a pension, and was a pensioner of the United States under the Act of June 7th 1832. at Seventy Dollars per Annum.    
That she married said Phelps on the 8th day of Feb AD 1821 and that her husband the aforesaid Abel Phelps died at Hebron in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut on the 8th day of November 1835.     That she married for her second husband the said Augustus Williams on the 9th day of Apr AD 1840 in the town of Medina in the State of Ohio and the said Augustus Williams died in the town of the 16th day of July AD 1844.   She further swears that she has ever since remained and now is a widow and that she never before made any application for a pension.
Elizabeth Williams
The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn to before me this 22nd day of March AD 1853 C. B. Prentiss Probate Judge Medina Co Ohio
12” Oct / 53
This case made susp’d [suspended] by Commr. & Mr. Prior  interested pap if proven as widow Robinson Boynton is Authenticated on file public.
Page 15

Widow File No. 2,630, Rev. War, Abel Phelps was allowed pension on his application executed October 20, 1832, while sixty-eight years of age and a resident of Hebron, Connecticut, where he was born (date not stated) and always resided. 
He stated that he enlisted in September, 1781, and served three months under Captain Roger Phelps, Colonel Jeremiah Mason at New London; and six months under Captain Daniel Abel and one year under Captain Hallam at Fort Griswold under -- Wait. 
He married February 8, 1821, Elizabeth or Betsey Nichols of Colchester, Connecticut. Soldier died at Hebron, Connecticut, November 8, 1835, and she married at Medina, Ohio, April 9, 1840, Augustus Williams for her second husband; he died at Hinckley, Ohio, July 16, 1844, and she was allowed pension as the widow of Abel Phelps, on her application executed March 22, 1853, while sixty-six years of age and a resident of Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. 
Widow died Feb 25 - 1854 AB added by AWF Mch 31 – ‘38
There is no further data relative to family, 
Very respectfully, 
G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner.
Nov 26 1915 to F. C. Bissell Depty Compt Conn Hartford
Page 16

Revy WIDOW, &c. 
File No. 2.630 
Elizabeth Williams 
Widow 
Abel Phelps, 
Priv. Rev. War 
Act Feb. 3. 1853. 
Index: --Vol. M. Page 337 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1938 April 1 hist to Mrs. Carrie Pratt Sheldon AWF
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No 3094
Elizabeth Williams
wid: of
Abel Phelps - for

Let: to H. H. Fitch 12" Oct: 1853

Act 3d Feby. 1853
Page 18

Henry H. Fitch, a resident of the City and County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, aged forty three years, depose and say, that I have known Mrs. Betsey or Elizabeth Williams of the town of Brunswick, in Medina County, State of Ohio, formerly Betsey or Elizabeth Nichols, for for thirty years past, and knew her as the wife of Abel Phelps deceased, late of Hebron in Tolland County State of Connecticut, with whom she lived as his wife about fourteen years, and until his death. I further depose, that I have heard and believe, that after the death of her first husband the said Abel Philps, she was married to Augustus Williams, and that the said Williams died in the year 1844, and that the said Betsey or Elizabeth still remains the widow of the said Augustus Williams deceased. 
Henry H. Fitch 
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of September A.D. 1853 and I certify that the said Henry Fitch is a credible witness. 
Geo. Robinson Notary Public
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Hartford Conn. Nov. 3rd 1853. 
Sir,
Herewith please find affidavit of Jared S. Phelps of Brunswick Ohio, to establish the fact that Mrs Elizabeth Williams is now a widow. Mrs Williams application for a pension under the Act of Feb. 3, 1853 was suspended. The affidavit made by me was not satisfactory, therefore have sent to Ohio, where Mrs Elizabeth Williams now resides for an affidavit.  Hope it will be satisfactory.
Yours Respectfully 
Henry H. Fitch Washington D.C.
Hon L. P. Waldo Commr Pensions
Page 20

Jared S. Phelps a resident of the town of Brunswick, in the County of Medina, and State of . Ohio, depose and say that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Elizabeth Williams of said town of Brunswick formerly the widow of Abel Phelps deceased late a resident of Hebron in Tolland County and State of Connecticut, and now the widow of Augustus Williams late of the town of Hinckley in Medina County and State of Ohio deceased, that she has been since the death of the said Augustus Williams and now is the widow of the said Augustus Williams,   
Jared S Phelps 
State of Ohio Medina County} 
On this 29th of October A.D. 1853 personally appeared Jared S. Phelps, to me well known as a credible person, and made oath that the above deposition by him subscribed, is true. 
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Probate Court this 29th day of Oct 1853 
Calvin B. Prentiss Probate Judge
Page 21

Brief in the case of Elizabeth Williams, formerly widow of Abel Phelps Medina County and State of Ohio 
act 3d Feby. 1853 
Claim, "original"  
Proof Exhibited (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by the rolls?  If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 7th June 1832. 
Record evidence of Marriage 
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what?
Henry H. Fitch Esq  Hartford Ct.
Name and residence of Agent 
S. C. Boynton
Examining Clerk
Page 22

Know all men by these presents that I Elizabeth Williams of the town of Brunswick, in the County of Medina and State of Ohio, widow of Abel Phelps late of the town of Hebron in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut dec’d who was a pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and  appoint Henry H. Fitch of the town of Hartford in Hartford County and State of Connecticut, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to make an application to the proper department in the City of Washington for such pension as may be due me from the United States on account of the services of my late husband the said Abel Phelps dec’d and I hereby give the said Fitch full power and authority to do every thing necessary in my name to obtain said pension in as full and complete manner as I myself could do if personally present, with power of substitution and I hereby declare that this power of Attorney shall be irrevocable, and I hereby certify and confirm whatever my said Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises. 
Elizabeth William [LS] 
State of Ohio Medina County On this 22d day of March 1853 before me the subscribers Calvin B Prentiss Probate Judge of said County personally appeared Elizabeth Williams above named and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her free act and deed.  
In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name the day and year aforesaid.  And I certify that I am not directly or indirectly interested in the foregoing power of attorney.
C. B. Prentiss Probate Judge of  Medina Co. Ohio
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I Daniel Phelps of Hebron Tolland County State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify & say that in the month of September 1781 I volunteered to do a tour of duty at New London of three months, Jeremiah Mason was Col of My Regt.. Roger Phelps Capt.. Asaph White Lieut., John Gilbert Ensign.  That I served in all the various duties of keeping garrison &c until the term expired & was discharged verbally and at the same time I volunteered to do another tour of duty of six months at Fort Griswold in a company commanded by Daniel Abel,  one Dutton was Lieut,  Loomis Ensign, one Wait Commanded the Fort & that I there remained keeping garrison and doing various other duties until the six months had expired when was honourably but verbally discharged and I well remember that Abel Phelps was a private in the same company with me during the whole time of the aforesaid terms & performed the duties assigned him faithfully & was discharged at the same time with me. Further say not.
Daniel Phelps  
State of Connecticut Tolland County ss 
Hebron Probate District 
Personally appeared in open Court before Abner Hendee Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for said District Daniel Phelps of Hebron signer of the foregoing deposition made solemn oath that the same contains the truth nothing but the truth & the said Court certifies that the Daniel Phelps is a man of truth & that his statement is entitled to credit.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 17th day of November 1832 
Cyrus Mann Clerk
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M1 Rev Sec
[seal] STATE OF CONNECTICUT COMPTROLLERS OFFICE 
STATE OF CONNECTICUT COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE 
HARTFORD 
Comm Pensions
[unreadable] in the Revolutionary Record of 
W. 2,2630 Abel Phillips
S. 14,142  Erastus Phelps
from Tolland Co. Conn. 
List of 1832 
Respectfully,
F. C. Bissell
Dep Compr
al.  Capt. Absalom Peters S.14,129 
New London County 
from date
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Rupert, Vermont 
March 14 - 1938 
Mr. A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant 
Veteran Administration 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sir: Will you please send me a copy of the Revolutionary Record of the following men?
Abel Phelps b. May 5-22-1730 d. 1804 Tilland, Conn. only
Asahel Spear b. 1769 in Suffield, Conn. 
Both are said to have been Rev. soldiers. 
Will you also give me the correct address of the bureau from which I should get the the Pension record? 
Thanking you for the attention 
I am Yours truly 
No signature?
(Mrs. Carrie Pratt Sheldon 
For info pension records address the Vets Ad. this City.
EASTER 87 SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 1837 278
[stamp] RECEIVED APR 15 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER #54
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In reply to your request of – received - a statement of the military history of Abel Phelps soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired formation as contained in his (or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 2630  
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. Sept 1781  LENGTH OF SERVICE. 3 months  RANK.  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Roger Phelps  Colonel Jeremiah Mason  STATE. Conn
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  1781  LENGTH OF SERVICE. 6 months  RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Daniel Abel at Fort Griswold Colonel Wait  STATE.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  June 1782  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  6 months  RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Hallam  Colonel Wait  STATE.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  1782  LENGTH OF SERVICE.  6 months  RANK.   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.  Captain Hallam  Colonel Wait  STATE.
Battles engaged in,   
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hebron Tolland Co. Conn. 
Date of application for pension, Oct. 20, 1832. His claim was allowed.   
Residence at date of application, Hebron, Conn. 
Age at date of application, sixty-eight years born at Hebron Conn 
Remarks: He married Feby 8, 1821 Elizabeth or Betsey Nichols of Colchester, Conn;  he died at Hebron Nov 3, 1835 & she married at Medina, Ohio, Apl. 9, 1840, Augustus Williams who died at Hinckley, Ohio July 14 1844, & she was all. Pens [allowed pension] as widow of Abel Phelps on her applic. executed Mch. 22, 1853 while sixty six years of age & a res. of Brunswick Medina Ohio 
No other data relative to family.
Respectfully, Commissioner,
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April 1, 1938 
Abel Phelps 
W. 2630 
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Carrie Pratt Sheldon 
Rupert Vermont 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Abel Phelps, and Asahel Spear, both of Connecticut, and wish to be advised the correct address from which to obtain pension records. 
For information relative to pension records address the Veterans Administration, this city. 
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension found based upon the service of Asahel Spear, under any spelling of the surname. 
The record of Abel Phelps furnished herein was obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 2630, based upon his service in the War of the Revolution. This is the record of the only Abel Phelps found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. 
Abel Phelps was born in Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut, date not given, nor were the names of his parents stated. While a resident of said Hebron, Abel Phelps volunteered sometime in September, 1781, served three months as private in Captain Roger Phelps’ company, Colonel Jeremiah Mason’s Connecticut Regiment, and shortly after, six months at Fort
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Griswold in Captain Daniel Abel's company. He enlisted sometime in June, 1782, served six months as substitute for Sylvanus Phelps, at Fort Griswold in Captain Hallam's company, and a little later, six months at Fort Griswold, under same captain. 
The soldier, Abel Phelps, was allowed pension on his application executed October 20, 1832, at which time he was sixty-eight years of age, and a resident of Hebron, Connecticut, where he had lived always.  
Abel Phelps married February 8, 1821, Elizabeth or Betsey Nichols of Colchester, New London County, Connecticut. The date and place of her birth and names of parents were not given. 
Abel Phelps died in Hebron, Connecticut November 8, 1835. 
His widow, Elizabeth Phelps, married April 9, 1840, Augustus Williams, who died July 16, 1844 in Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio. 
The widow, Elizabeth Williams, was allowed pension on account of the service of her husband, Abel Phelps, on her application executed March 22, 1853, at which time she was aged sixty-six years, and a resident of Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio. She died February 25, 1854. 
It was not stated whether there were any children.   
Daniel Phelps was a resident of Hebron, Connecticut in 1833; he was a soldier in the War of the Revolution. Roger Phelps was living in said Hebron in 1832; it was not stated that he was identical with the Captain Roger Phelps, under whom Abel Phelps served in 1781. Jared S. Phelps was living in 1853 in Brunswick, Ohio. It was not shown that these persons were related to the family of the soldier, Abel Phelps, or that the
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Sylvanus Phelps for whom he served as substitute was a relative. 
In order to obtain the name of the person paid the last payment of this pension, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C. , and furnish the following data – 
Elizabeth Williams, widow of Abel Phelps 
Certificate # 2822 
Issued November 9, 1853 
Rate $70.00 per annum 
Commenced February 3, 1853 
Act of February 3, 1853 
Ohio, Cleveland, Agency. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator