Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17,661, Joseph Corbitt, Conn
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn

Corbitt, Joseph
Hannah

NUMBER
W 17,661

CONTENTS
Page 2

Connecticut 4452

Hannah Corbit

widow of Joseph Corbitt
who was a private
in the Revolution
Conn

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars --- [strikethrough] Cents [strikethrough] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Jan. 1844 and sent to Obadiah Spencer Deep River, Con.

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 1. Page 64

Rep’d Dead
Letter to Hon S. Ingham 
21, Octo 1846
Page 3

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex} ss.
On this 5th day of October 1838 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Saybrook, in said County and State, Hannah Corbitt, a resident of the town of Saybrook in the County and State aforesaid - aged 77 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows” - That she is the widow of Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook deceased, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, as she has understood and verily believes, at various times from the Spring of 1775 to the year 1781 by various enlistments and drafts, in the whole more than two years, a part of the time in the capacity of Corporal, and part of the time as a private - That by reason of infirmities and loss of memory she is unable to state the particulars of the services of her said husband - and that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim. She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Corbitt on the eighteenth day of July in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two - that the only record she has of her said marriage,  is on a half sheet of paper which is hereto appended, marked A and which was copied from an old paper, which was several years ago destroyed or lost - That her husband, the aforesaid Joseph Corbitt died on the first day of December eighteen hundred and twenty - that she was not married to him prior to the last period of his said services, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated - And that she has remained a widow and unmarried ever since the death of her said husband Joseph Corbitt. Her maiden name was Hannah Doan, sometimes written Done.
X her mark
Hannah Corbitt
Page 4

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me
Obadiah Spencer Judge of Probate for the District of Saybrook

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. Before me
Obadiah Spencer Judge of Probate for the District of Saybrook
Page 5

Saybrook February 20 1821

Family Rechard taken from the old Rechard

Hannah Corbitt    Born June: 10---1783:
Lydia Corbitt   Born January: 16: 1785:
Joseph Corbitt   Born January 26. 1787:
Anna-Mary Corbitt.  Born April: 26: 1790:
John Corbitt.  Born May---: 10: 1792:
Charles Corbitt - - - Born April -- 14--1794:
Samuel Corbitt.  Born April: 19: 1796:
Elknah Corbitt - - Born Christmas: 1799:
William Corbitt   Born June ---: 5: 1802:
William Porter    Born June 3: 1802 in F20.1803
Louisa Corbitt   Born January: 20 - 1803:
Maritta Corbitt   Born January: 2 1807:

Joseph Corbitt  Marnia
July 18 1782. To Kenneth Done
Page 6

Typed form completed in handwriting

Rev WIDOW, & c.

File No.  17661
Hannah Corbitt
widow of 
Joseph Corbitt
Priv. Rev War

Act: March 3, 1843

Index: - Vol. A, Page 130

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 7

Typed form completed in handwriting

Connecticut  1640

Hannah Corbitt, widow of Joseph Corbitt, dec’d -
who was a pensioner under the Act of ---
and who died on the 1st of Dec’r 1820
of Middlesex co in the State of Conn’t who was a pri in the compy commanded by Captain Chapman of the Reg’t commanded by Col. McClellan in the Connecticut line for 2 years private

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars --- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of January 1839 and sent to Hon. S. Ingham, H. R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1838 = $200:00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 M. ’39 - 40:00
                                                                    $240:00

{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 1  Page 172
Page 8

Oct 17, 1846
[?] due

Hannah Corby, de’d

Done & James Perkins to 
Basy Sons.

J. L. Edwards
Comm. of pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 9

Say Brook Oct 19th 1846

Dear Sir
I wrote you some time since in regard to the right of Dan’l and James Perkins, soldiers in the last war with England to Bounty Land,  [?] received no answer.

Hannah Cordy late of this town, widow of Joseph Corby deceased who was, I believe a revolutionary pensioner has herself rec’d a pension & dec’d Dec. 11 1846 {?] children has been in different parts of the country. A arrears of pension is of course due- I suppose it good to the children, said [?] one of them [?] it for himself & the [?] it is not so. It would be [?] & probably impossible to get the signatures of all the children as some of them are in remote parts of the Country. Will you inform me what can be done, and send me blank forms.
Respectfully
Your Ob’t Servant
Samuel Ingham

Hon’ble H. L. Edwards 
Commi’s to 

See over -
Page 10

I believe [?] draft the pension application of either Mr. or Mrs. Corby and do not know, what the amount of pension was [?] does [?] son who has applied to me [?] but thinking it [?] He says that she had at the time of her death no pension certificate, that it had [?] to this pension office. [?] containing it copy of the death of Mr. & Mrs in [?] signed by myself, and a letter [?] to you by Mrs. Parris both under date of the 25th June 1844 and appended to these as a set of forms to [?] pensions entitled to obtain the benefits of [?] act. I would like to know what the acount of her pension soon
S. Ingham
Page 11

Essex Conn. Oct. 15. 1838

Sir
I send you herewith the application of widow Hannah Corbitt for a pension. Presume you will find the proceedings in relation thereto to be correct - If not please inform me -

On granting the application please forward me the proper certificate & Oblige

Dear Sir
Yours with great Respect
Obadiah Spencer

N.B. Please have the goodness to send me the Rules for making application for pension under act of 7th July 1838
O.S.

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm’r of Pensions
Washington
Page 12

Corbett

free

Hon Samuel Ingham
U. C.
Washington

There is a stamp
ESSEX
CO
Jan 41
2nd

Hon. S. Ingham - 
V8R
Page 13

Essex December 29, 1838

Hon. Sam’l. Ingham

Dear Sir
Some time in the early part of October last (I think it was) I forwarded to the Hon. J. L. Edwards, Com’r of Pensions, the application of Mrs. Hannah Corbitt of this town for a pension. Presuming her case would be attended to in its term. I have waited patiently to the present time without hearing any thing from the Department respecting it.

You are respectfully but earnestly requested on receipt of this to enjoin at the office respecting it and if practicable procure her certificate and forward to me. You know the applicant - are well acquainted with all the deponents, and the officiating magistrates: and probably have personal knowledge of the justness of her claim.

It is well known here that “Corporal Corbitt” as he was generally called, served in the Revolutionary War with great zeal and fidelity - but having died some 20 years ago, never drew a pension; and his widow still indulges the confident expectation that she shall yet have a pittance of the public bounty to comfort her in her ‘many infirmaties’ as she
Page 14

follows the gallant “Corporal” to the toomb.

Yours with great Respect
Obadiah Spencer
Page 15

4788 Nov. 13, 1843
Han. Corbitt
March 5 1843,
Conn
$80 per an
Obadiah Spencer
Deep River
Con

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

There is an illegible postal stamp in the corner
Page 16

Deep River Conn. Nov 8. 1843

Dear Sir
I send you inclosed the application of Mrs. Hannah Corbitt for the benefit of Act of Congress of March 3rd 1843 - When granted please send me the Certificate and much oblige

Yours with great respect
Obadiah Spencer

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm’r of Pensions
Washington
Page 17

I Henry W Spencer Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Saybrook and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Obadiah Spencer Esq’r. before whom the accompanying depositions of Rev. Aaron Hovey, Ethan Bushnell, Joseph Plumb and George Clark were taken, is, and at all times during more than three months last past hath been Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Saybrook, Connecticut - and Joshua L Hommedieu Esq’r before whom the depositions of John Parker, Joseph Clark and Michael Spencer were taken, and Seldin M. Pratt before whom the deposition of Obadiah Spencer was taken, severally are, and at all times during more than three months last past hath been Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut - and that the names of said Spencer, L. Hommedieu and Pratt as they are severally affixed to the foregoing certificates, are on their own proper hand writing. - And I do hereby further certify that the within contains the proceedings of said Court In the case of the application of Mrs. Hannah Corbitt for a pension, with the evidence in said case.

Given under my hand and seal this 15th day of October Anno Domini 1838-
Henry W Spencer
Clerk

There is an attached seal.
Page 18

4788
Page 19

Declaration,
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838.

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County ss.

On this fourth day of November 1843 personally appeared before me Obadiah Spencer a Justice of the peace in and for said County of Middlesex, Hannah Corbitt a resident of Saybrook in said County of Middlesex aged 82 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war, That she is the widow of Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook deceased who was a private in the Revolutionary Army but by reason of age, infirmities and the loss of memory she is unable to state in what Regiment or Corp he served - That the annual amount of the pension which she received under the act of July 7, 1838 was eighty dollar - She further declares she is still a widow
X her mark
Hannah Corbitt

Witnesses
Carnot O. Spencer
Obadiah Spencer

Sworn and subscribed on the day and year above written - and I certify that the declarant Mrs Hannah Corbitt is personally well known to me - that she is a person of truth and veracity and that she is now the widow of Joseph Corbitt, who was a soldier of the Revolution
Obadiah Spencer
Justice of Peace
Page 20

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} 

I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court of said County of Middlesex do certify that Obadiah Spencer Esq is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex as per Commission on file in my Office & that his name subscribed to the preceding Certificate is his proper Hand Writing & signature 

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 4th day of Nov’r A.D. 1843
Jno. Fisk Clk
Page 21

I Obadiah Spencer of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut depose and say that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the Town of said Saybrook, and have the custody of the Records of said town. That I have carefully and faithfully examined the Records of said town, to find the record of the marriage of Joseph Corbitt to Hannah Doan, that I have not been able to find it, and that I verily believe there is no record of said marriage, nor of the marriage of the said Corbitt, or Doan to any person among the Records of said town of Saybrook - and further I say not.
Obadiah Spencer
Town Clerk of the Town of Saybrook

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} ss. 

Saybrook October 15, 1838

Sworn before me and I certify that I am well acquainted with the aforesaid Obadiah Spencer - That he is a credible witness - and that he is now, and has been for more than one year last past, the Town Clerk of said town of Saybrook
Selden M Pratt
Justice of the peace and one of the Selectman of said Saybrook
Page 22

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County

Saybrook October 5th 1838

I Aaron G Covey of said Saybrook depose and say that I am pastor of the Second Congregational Church in said Saybrook.  That from the organization of said church about the year 1722 to the present time, it has been the invariable practice for the pastor of said Church to act, for the time being, as its Clerk.  That consequently I hold the office of Clerk of said Church and have the custody of its records.  That the Rev’d Benjamin Dunning was Pastor of said Church from the year 1775 to May 1785 when he died, and that I have carefully and faithfully examined the said Records, and can find no record of any marriage recorded or solemnized by the said Benjamin Dunning, and that there is no such record.  I further depose that Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook died in the month of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty, and that the following is a true extract, as herinafter explained, from our said Church Records

"1820"
"Dec. Joseph Corbitt"

The figures '1820' being placed at the top of record of deaths for the year, and the names of several persons who died the same year, and before the said Joseph Corbitt, being entered under said figures, and over the said Joseph Corbitt, and that the word died, having been entered at the beginning of the records of deaths on the Record Book, was omitted afterwards, being always understood.

I further depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Hannah Corbitt, the widow of said Joseph Corbitt, That she has lived single, sole, and unmarried ever since the death of her husband, the said Joseph Corbitt, and that I have understood and verily believe she is the person now making application for a pension.  And further I say not.

Aaron Hovey, Pastor & Clerk of said Second Congregational Church in Saybrook, Conn.
Page 23

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County

Saybrook October 5th 1838

Personally appeared Aaron Hovey and made solemn oath that the foregoing disposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth, and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Aaron G Covey and that he is a credible witness.  Sworn to and certified by me
Obeidiah Spencer
Judge of Probate
for the Dist. of Saybrook
Page 24

I Ethan Bushnell of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, depose and say that I am Seventy six years of age - That I was well acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook deceased - That I was present at the marriage of the said Joseph Corbitt to Hannah Doan which was solemnized by the Rev’d Benjamin Dunning near or about the latter part of July in Seventeen hundred and eighty two, according to the best of my recollection; and that I saw them married. That the said Joseph Corbitt is now dead, That I am well acquainted with Hannah Corbitt, the widow of the said Joseph Corbitt - That she now resides in said Town of Saybrook, and has resided in said town ever since her marriage to said Joseph Corbitt and that ever since his death she has remained sole and unmarried, and that she is the same person who is now making application for a pension - And further I say not.
Ethan Bushnell

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex ss.} Saybrook October 6th 1838

Personally appeared Ethan Bushnell and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Ethan Bushnell, and that he is a credible witness

Sworn to, and certified by me
Obadiah Spencer Judge of Probate for the District of Saybrook
Page 25

Comptrollers Office
Hartford County Oct 10 1838

I certify that on application for evidence of the Services of Jos Corbitt. I have examined the Books & papers remaining in this Office relating to the War of the Revolution, and find his name on a “Pay Roll of the 9th Co 6th Regt mustered by order of Gen’l Assembly May 1775 where he is entered as a private in Capt John Ely Co commence service May 8 Time of settlement Dec’r 18 making 7 mo’s all days. I further certify that no Pay Roll of Cap’t Martin Kirtland can be found in this Office, that on Pay Table Book, is the following entry “Feby 28 1777 Capt Martin Kirtland Dr to Cash advanced by O Ellsworth Esq for your Co of Col Woolcott Regt New London on their March with the militia to West Chester Pc “Reict Sept 18 1776 “L77=0=0” and in May 19 1777 Capt Martin Kirtland, Col Douglas Ball Dr to order on Treasu’r acct. this states County 6th Rect  £500--” That in reference to the services of Capt Elisha Chapman no Pay Roll of his can be found in this Office on Pay Table Books is the following entry under the stead of War “Cap’t Elisha Chapman Dr to order on Treas Pay Abstract his C’o Coll McClellan” Regt for the years 1778 & 9 New Haven £2834=1=5”
Henry Kilburn Comp
Page 26

I John Parker of Chester in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut depose and say that I am eighty years of Age.  That at said SayBrook in said County in March 1776, I enlisted into a Company of Infantry Commanded by Capt. Martin Kirtland (Regiment and Commander not recollected.) and served therein in the War of the Revolution Nine months, was stationed at New London from the time of said enlistment until about the first of September of the same year from which place I was marched with said Company to the White Plains, and there served until December following, when and where I was discharged and I further depose and say that I was well acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said SayBrook deceased who served in said Company at New London and at the White Plains during the whole time that I did, and was discharged at the same time that I was.  And further I say not.

John Parker

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County

Chester August 17th AD 1838

Personally appeared John Parker and made solemn oath that the above disposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth, and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said John Parker and that he is a credible witness - Sworn to before and certified by me - 

Joshua Hommedieu
Justice of the Peace
Page 27

I Joseph Plumb of Lyme in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, depose and say that I am seventy nine years of age - that I was born in New London in said County, and resided in said New London until about the first of April 1776 when I enlisted and served in the Revolutionary Army in a company that was raised in the Town of Saybrook in Middlesex County and said state, about the first of March preceding by Capt. John Ely for nine months service, and which company arrived in New London several days before I enlisted - That soon after I enlisted Capt. Ely was promoted to the rank of Major, and Martin Kirtland succeeded to the Command of said Company.  That the Regiment to which this Company was attached was commanded by Col. --- Wolcott.  That I served in said Company at New London till it was ordered to march to White Plains some time in the fore part of September of the same year - and that all the men belonging to said Company left N. London for said White Plains except myself - My home was in New London, and I did not wish to leave it, and was permitted to exchange with a soldier who belonged to another company that was still to be stationed at New London - I further depose and say that at the time I enlisted into said company I became acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook, now deceased - that he belonged to the said Company when I enlisted and that he served in said Company the whole time that I did, and that he marched from New London with said Company when they left for White Plains and that I have no doubt he served the whole term of nine months for which he enlisted - That I removed to said town of Saybrook soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, and was well acquainted with the said Joseph Corbitt until his death  And further I say not.

Joseph Plumb
Page 28

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex SS. Saybrook October 6th 1838

Personally appeared Joseph Plumb and made solemn oath that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Joseph Plumb and that he is a credible witness

Sworn to before, and certified by me
Obadiah Spencer Judge of Probate
for the District of Saybrook
Page 29

six years of age - That at Say Brook in said County my Father Reuben Clark was drafted in May or June 1778 - and that immediately after I took his place as a substitute, and was marched to New Haven, when I arrived there I enlisted into Captain Elisha Chapmans Company of Infantry in Col. Samuel McClellan Regiment for nine Months in the Revolutionary War - and served therein in said Company three months at New Haven, was then dismissed on furlow for a short time - in about two weeks after was ordered to New London and there served three months - was then dismissed for further orders - and was not called on again during the term of my said Enlistment, - and I further depose and say that I am well acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said Say Brook deceased and who was a Corporal in said Company and that he served as such in said Company at New Haven and at New London during the whole time that I did - That said Joseph Corbitt married Hannah Doane in the summer of 1782  I was present at the Wedding and saw them married, - that he is now dead leaving his said Widow, with whom I have been acquainted, and who has ever since his death remained sole and unmarried - She has always resided in said Town of Say Brook, and is now making application for a pension - and further I say not.
Joseph Clark 

State of Connecticut
Middlesex Countyss }
Chester August 17th AD 1838
Personally appeared Joseph Clark and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth - and I certify that I am well acquainted with the said Joseph Clark and that he is a credible Witness - Sworn to before and Certified by me Joshua L Hommedieu Justice of the peace
Page 30

I Michael Spencer of Chester in the County of 
Middlesex and State of Connecticut depose and say that I am seventy six years of age. That at Say Brook in said County in November 1779 I was drafterd to serve in the Company Commanded by Capt. Eliada Praves, Lieu Bossiter and Ensign Zachariah Clark, in the Revolutionary War, and went through New Haven to Stratford, where we joined the Brigade Commanded by General Ward, and soon after returned to New Haven, where we remained till some time in February 1780, having served in this campaign about three months, when we were discharged as near as I can recollect, that I was well acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook now dec[eased], who was a Corporal in said Company and served in that capacity during the whole tie that I was attached to said Company. That I am well acquainted with Mrs. Hannah Corbitt the widow of the said Joseph Corbitt, that she now resides in the Town of Saybrook and has resided there ever since her marriage and still remains the widow of said Joseph Corbitt being sole and unmarried, that she is now making application for a pension, and further I say, not 

Michael Spencer

State of Connecticut     
Middlesex County
Chester August 17th, AD 1838
Personally appeared Michael Spencer and made solemn oath that the above disposition by him subscribed contains that truth and nothing but the truth, and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Michael Spencer and that he is a credible witness.

Sworn to and certified by me
Joshua S Hommediece
Justice of the Peace
Page 31

1640      2595
Hannah Corbett

Con

Act 7 July 38
No proof of Corp grade assigned

2 yrs svc
80$
No deduction

Hon. S. Ingham
Page 32

I George Clark of Saybrook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, depose and say, that I am seventy four years of age.  That at Saybrook in said County in November 1779 I was drafted to serve in the Revolutionary war, in the company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Eliader Graves, and went through New Haven to Stratford, where we joined the Brigade commanded by General Ward.  Our Colonel['s] name not recollected,  a man by the name of Collins was major, that soon after we arrived at Stratford we returned to New Haven where we remained till some time in the month of February 1780 when we were discharged, having served in this campaign three months, as near as I can recollect.  That I was well acquainted with Joseph Corbitt late of said Saybrook, now deceased, who was a Corporal in said Company and served in that capacity during the whole time that I was attached to said Company.   That I am well acquainted with Mrs. Hannah Corbitt, the widow of said Joseph Corbitt, that she now resides in said town of Saybrook, and has resided in said town ever since her marriage to said Joseph Corbitt, that she still remains the widow of said Joseph Corbitt, being sole and unmarried, and that she is the same person who is now making application for a pension And further I say not
[signed] George Clark

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County
Saybrook September 18th 1838
Personally appeared George Clark and made solemn oath that the above disposition by him subscribed contains the truth and nothing but the truth.  And I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said George Clark, and that he is a credible witness.  Sworn to, and certified by me
Obadiah Spencer
Justice of Probate