Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3715, Samuel Fowler, Conn. Sea Service
Page 1

Conn Sea Service
Fowler, Samuel 
R. 3715
Page 2

Samuel Fowler
Declaration
14337
Page 3

State of New York
Cheuaugo County

On this sixth day of September personally appeared in open Court before Robert Monell Vice Chancellor of the Sixth district in the State of New York at a Court of [partly illegible] now [illegible] in the town of Sherburne in the County of Chenango and State of New York Samuel Fowler – a resident of the town of Sherburne County & State aforesaid aged Sixty Eight years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress [illegible] June 7, 18[illegible]

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated ––

He was born in the State of Rhode Island town of South Kingston, in the year 1764 and resided there until he was Eleven Years of age when his Father and family moved to Stonington Point in Connecticut – his Father resided at Stonington about five years and then moved back into Rhode Island – his first service was in the Naval Service while his Father resided on Stonington Point when he was in his thirteenth year of age, his first voyage was on board the Schooner Cromwell,  Captain Watles – Lieut. Jonathan Bunington – Went a cruise off to Sea – about Sandy Hook and Long Island & Fishers Islands, for the purpose of 
preventing the British and Refugees from taking off Cattle and [illegible] housed and  [illegible] the Inhabitants [illegible] His business on board
Page 4

Was as a [illegible] hand — was out about two weeks — had our [illegible] on the North Side of Love Island with the British [illegible] who had taken some of our vessel, and succeeded in reclaiming the vessel from the British — he run away from his Parents this trip and went on board as a Volunteer his next trip was the same year and on board of the same Vessel — Capt. Jonathan Burrington — [illegible] near the [illegible] route a cruising as before — no skirmishes this trip — gone two or three weeks this cruise — took some fines — our Brigg [word written and then heavily crossed out]  with [illegible] & went as Volunteers this cruise — His third [illegible] was on [illegible] the same Vessel — Capt Reed — this was the next year when he was in his fourteenth year of age they cruised off to the South of Long Island then fell in with three other American Vessels and had an engagement with two English War Briggs and Captured both of them; No other engagement with this [illegible]  — gone three or four weeks — His next [illegible] was the next year on board the Hancock [Hancock is underlined] Capt. Lodowick Champlin — [illegible] of the south of Long Island, and Sandy Hook & and fell in with an English Vessel loaded with Rum and Captured his and brought her into Port at New London — was out three or four week — their main business on all of the aforesaid cruises was to pre-vent the British and [illegible] from driving off our catle [misspelling for cattle?] and plundering the Inhabitants; when on Shore from the time he returned from his first [illegible] in his thirteenth year of his age for four years he was all of the time a Volunteer under Capt. A. Sheffield at Stonington.
Page 5

Point who had charge of the two Forts, Capt.
Sheffield was under Col. Ledgyard who
[was[crossed out]] had charge of the forts at New London -
When the British undertook to Land near
Stonington[?] Point while he was under Capt.
Sheffield the main [illegible] business business [sic] was prevent it and keep them from plundering our inhabitants, and where the British anchored within gun shot of the Fort
they used to fire upon them-- He says
that he was in the service of the United States
in all by Sea and Land about four years
He continued to reside at Stonington untill
the war closed-- he then moved to Rhode
Island and resided there untill he was about
forty five years of age; he then moved into the
town of Lisbon in Connecticutt and lived there
three years - Then moved into the town of
Windham Same State - lived there two years
then moved into the town of Columbia, same
State - lived there four years-- moved from
there into Otsego County - State of New York - lived there nine years - then moved into
Chenango[?] County Same State where he now
resides, and has lived here five years
He never received a written discharge. He
does not know of any person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service nor has he any documentary evidence of it nor is he able to travel in search of Witnesses
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to
a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of Any State
He refers this Hon. Court to Rev. Benjamin
Page 6

Rowland, Deacon Stephen Tillotson, Dea., Stephen Tinker Alexander Holmes Milo Hunt, Reuben Davis Elisha Ray as persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity
and their belief of his services as a Soldier
of the Revolution
Samuel Fowler
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid

Robt Morell
[illegible]

We Benjamin Rowland, a Clergyman residing in the Town of Sherburn County of Chenango and
State of New York and Milo Hunt, Alexander Holmes, Reuben Davis, Elisha Ray, Stephen Tillotson, and Stephen Tinker residing in Sherburn aforesaid, duly certify that we are well acquainted with [illegible] Fowler who has subscribed and sworn the above declaration;  that we believe him to be sixty eight 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
Robt Morell
Levi Chanalla
Benjamin Rowland
Jairus Lathrop

And the said Court does hereby declare his 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
Page 7

Court further certifies that it appears to him that Benjamin Rowland who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the town of  Sherburne aforesaid. and that [Milo [crossed out]] Jairus Lathrop [Hunt[crossed out]] [Names marked out] who have also Signed the Same are residents in the town of Sherburne aforesaid, and are credible persons and that their statement is Entitled to credit
Robt. Morell
[illegible] Chancellor

[Stamp to left]
I Jonathan L. Woods. Clerk of the Court of Chauncey of the Sixth circuit of the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Fowler for a pension ~
In witness whereof I have hereinto Set my hand and Seal of the Office this 6. day of Septmember 1832
Joseph D.P. Freer
Deputy Clerk
Page 8

Interrogations put to 
Samuel Fowler
Page 9

Answers to Interrogatory First.
He was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island 
in the year 1764.
Second, 
He has no record of his age
Third.
In Stonington, in Connecticut, and 
was then as soon as the War closed he 
moved to Rhode Island and resided until 
he was about 45 years of age -then lived in 
Conn. State, nine years - then in Otsego 
County town of Lexington nine years - then in Chenango County joining Otsego five years where he now resides
Fourth.
He was a Volunteer the whole of his Service
Fifth. 
Capt. Watles- Capt. Reed. Capt. Champlin. Capt.  Sheffield - Col. Ledgyard - 
Sixth. 
He never received a written discharge 
Seventh
Dea. Stephen Tillitson: Dea. Stephen Tinker; 
Reuben Davis, Rev. Benjamin Howland 
Jairus Lathrop
Robt Morell
Vice[?] Chancell --
Page 10

14.337
Samuel Fowler
N.Y.
Susp?
5-16 ob
May 4 - 1833
p. 373
A. K. Maynard
Sherburn
Chenango N.Y.
Page 11

14.337
BRIEF in case of Samuel Fowler
County of Chenango in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? ----
3.  How old is he? 68.
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
                                     | Years, Months, Days | As a | Gen
Vol. on board In 1777 | "about 14." | Common Hand. | Capt. Wallis, Lieut. Burrington --
Schooner "Cromwell". 
Vol. in same vessel, 1777. | "gone 2 or 3 weeks." | ditto. | Capt. Jonathan Burrington --
Same Vessell. 1778 | "gone 3 or 4 weeks." | ditto. | Capt. Reed --
"Hancock " 1779 | "was out 3 or 4 weeks." | ditto. | Capt. Lodowick [?] Champlin --


5.  In what battles was he engaged?

6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Stonington Point, Conn:

7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? They are not attached to the seal as required.
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Note. - He says, "When on shore from the time he returned from his first cruise, for four years he was all of the time a Volunteer under Capt. A. Sheffield & Col. Ledyard"
And, "That he was in the service of the United States in all, by Sea and land, about four years."

Examining Clerk.

F. Waugh

March 7, 1833

[Added a second space between numbers in the list and first letter of sentence to reflect actual spacing]
Page 12

3716
P.O. Samuel Fowler
Service: -----
Enlisted: -----,18
REJECTED
Discharged: -----,18
Application filed: ----,18
Alleges: -------
Re-enlisted: ----------
Attorney: ----------
P.O. ----------
------ Recognized. -----Contract.
------Cert. of Dis.   Searched for --------,18 .
Page 13

Revo.
New York
Suspended at 7 Jun '32
letter 31 Oct[?] 1833
To
A. K. Maynerd
Page 14

Sam Fowler
Affidavit
Page 15

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace of Chenango County, Samuel Fowler, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he can not 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 two months on board of a Vesel as a Common hand I served and I also served for two years at least, I served as a private soldier as a Volunteer and for such service I claim a pension
Sworn and subscribed
this 25th day of June 1833
before me Milo Hunt, J.P.
Samuel Fowler

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Samuel Fowler, who subscribed and sworn
to the above affidavit, and that he is a man
of truth and veracity and to be believed.
June 25. 1833 Milo Hunt J.P.

State of New York
Chendego County: I [illegible] Prindle Clerk of the said
County certify that Milo Hunt
before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the peace in [illegible] for the said County and that I am acquainted with
his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to this said affidavit to be his genuine hand writing and signature
Witness my hand and seal of Office this
26th June 1833-
P.B. Prindle
Dep. Clerk
Page 16

Samuel Fowler
N.Y.

5. --- 16----

A K Maynerd
Sherburn
Chenango
N.Y
Page 17

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the nerative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Samuel Fowler which require further proof of explanation. 
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? ---
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned 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? No, no so specific as to determine amount of pension
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 18

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? ---

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
---
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? ---
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? ---

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? ---

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No [illegible]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
yes
--------

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 ______ months and ______days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 19

3
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 they served two years 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the durationof 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
[finger pointing right] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.