Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2,897, for Edward Sutton, Connecticut
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Conn.  Sutton, Edward  W.2897
Lawrence, Abigail
Former widow
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(left side)
1827
Hartford, Connecticut
Abigail Lawrence deceased formerly the widow of Edward Sutton who died on the 6 Sept 1776 of Hartford Con. in the State of Connec. who was a Surgeon in the Compy commanded by Captain ________ of the Regt. commanded by Col Burrall in the Connecticut line for 7 Mos. 18 Days.  Increased from 132 per Annum
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford at the rate of 190 Dollars __ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 (illegible) 23 Apl. 1838, day of her Death 
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Feby 1844 and Sent to Hon S. H. Reymond H R
Arrears to the 23 Apl 1838  $353.80
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836 Section the
Recorded by F. L. Sramm Clerk Book C Vol 1 Page 7k7 Payl. to Abigail Marsh, Mille (illegible) & Charlotte Sage only surviving Children directing what has already been paid.

(right side)  Rep. 10. Feb '44
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2919
Abigail Lawrence formerly widow Edward Sutton
aomd
7 mo 18& Surgeon
N. Perry New Milford Con.
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of this third section of the act of 4th July 1836 and of the 1st section of the act of 3 March 1837
State of Connecticut
County of Litchfields ss Colebrook in the Probate District of Norfolk
On this 3rd day of November AD 1837 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Norfolk, in the County and State aforesaid. In open Court the same being a Court of Records and now sitting. Abigail Lawrence a resident of Colebrook aged Ninety 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 provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 and the act explanatory of said Acts passed March 3, 1837. That she the said applicant is the daughter of Col Charles Burnall formerly of Canaan in the County and Stte aforesaid, now deceased. That she was born at said Canaan on the 5th day of December 1747. and that on the 15th day of August AD 1770 she was married to Doctor Edward Sutton at her fathers residence in said Canaan by the Revd. Daniel Farrand who was then the settled pastor of the first ecclesiastical society of said Canaan, but has long since deceased. The applicant further states that on the 19th day of January 1776 the said Edward Sutton was appointed and commissioned as the Surgeon of a Regiment of Infantry raised by authroity of the Continental Congress for services in the Northern
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department during the pleasure of Congress in the Revolutionary War, the said Regiment being then commanded by the S Col Charles Burnall father of the Applicant the said Edward Sutton immediately joined said regiment and marched with them into the western part of the State of Vermont and into Canada and that he continued with said Regiment and served as their surgeon untill September 1776 when he was taken sick with the dysentery and Camp distemper of which disease he died on the 6th day of September 1776 having served during the whole time as surgeon of Regiment from the 19th day of January 1776 to the 6th day of September 1776.  She further states that she was married to the said Edward Sutton on the 15th day of August 1779 and that her husband the aforesaid Edward Sutton died on the 6th day of September 1776. That she was afterwards to Nehemiah L. Lawrence of said Canaan on the 19th day of October 1786 and that he the said Nehemiah Lawrence died at said Canaan on the 15th day of July 1800 and that she has remained a widow from that time to the present, was a widow on the 4th day of July 1836 and still remains a widow as will more fully appear by reference & the proof hereto annexeds.
R (illegible) Lawrence
Sworn to and subscribed on this day and year above written Before Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate for the district of Norfolk
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Also at the same Court, the said applicant produced in support of her said claims the depositions of Revd. Charles Prentice, Samuel Bickley and Benjah Douglas and also the certificate of Wm. P. Burrall, clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Sharon and prays that said Documents may be hereunto attached under the seal of this Court and this Court having examined said documents doth certify that Wm P Burrall Esq before whom the said deposition of Charles Prentice Benjah Douglas and Samuel Beckley purport to have been taken is a justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut and that his handwriting is well known to this Court and that the signatures to the certificates attached to said depositions are genuine and that full faith and credit are to be given thereto. Wherefore this Court doth direct said documents to be attached hereunto under the seal of this Court, as also the Commission of the said Edward Sutton which was at the same time presented by the said applicant.
Michael F. Miller Judge of Probate for the district of Norfolk
I Michael G. Mills Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the district of Norfolk in the State of Connecticut do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of sd Court in the matter of the application of Abigail Lawrence for a pension.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this third day of November 1837
Attest Michael G. Mills Clerk
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I Charles Prentice of Canaan in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut do depose and say that I am in the sixtieth year of my age and that for thirty three years past I have been and now am Pastor of the First Congregational Church and Society in said Canaan. And that I have in my possession all of the records of the said Church and of marriages, births, and deaths in said Society from the first settlement of said Town, kept by the ministers of said Society and which are now to my knowledge in existence, except such records as may be found in the Offices of Town Clerk of said Canaan. The early records in my possession are very loose and in an imperfect State, being mere memoranda upon small books. I found names of marriages in several years previous to and am up to the year 1759 and also from the year 1773 during many succeeding years, but from the year 1759 to the year 1773. I find no record of any marriages celebrated by either of the ministers of the parish who preceded me. I know of no record of marriages during the space of times from 1759 to 1773 above mentioned and presume that none exists. I do not find any record of the marriage  of Edward Sutton or Abigail Burnall or either of them.  there is among the said old records a small book in  the handwriting of Rev Daniel Farrant who was the minister of this Parish for a great number of years next preceding my ordination, which said Book is inscribed "Bell of Moritality" and contains notices of deaths during a great number of years. And under the date 1776 I find the following entry in the hand writing of said Rev. Daniel Ferrand viz. "There have died 5 in rgt camp that went from the society viz Died E Sutton, Jessi Grandy, Elkanah Cleveland. Obedient, Jonathan Ensign" and further the deponent saith not.
Charles Prentice
State of Connecticut Litchfield County & Canaan
On this 2d day of November AD 1837 before the subscribers a justice of the Peace within and for said County, personally appeared Rev Charles Prentice and subscribed the foregoing   deposition and made solemn oath in due forms of said to the truth of the facts therein stated. I further certify that I am well acquainted with said deponent and that he is a man of Unblemished character for truth and a credible witness.
Wm P Burnall Justice of the Peace.
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State of Connecticut Litchfield County & Canaan
On this 2d day of November AD 1837, before the subscriber a justice of the peace within and for said County, personally appeared Rev Charles Prentice and subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath in due form of said to the truth of the facts therein stated. I further certify that I am well acquainted with said deponent and that he is a man of unblemished character for truth and a credible witness.
Wm P Burnall Justice of the Peace.

I Royal R. Hisman Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That William P Burnell Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said W Burnell in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 4th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred Thirty seven and I further certify that the signature of P Wm Burnell above & hereto entitleth as (illegible) his genuine signature.
Royal A Hisman Secretary of the State
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I Samuel Beckley of Canaan in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut do depose and say that I am in the eighty seventh year of my age, and that from my birth I have always resided in said Town of Canaan. And that in my youth I have a perfect recollection that several years before the revolutionary war one Doctor Edward Sutton then lived in said Canaan and was a practising physician. And I also recollect that several years before the war. It was said that Doct Sutton was about to be married to Abigail Burnall daughter of Col Charles Burnall, and I was at meeting when their intention of marriage  was published eds. And it was said a few days afterwards that they were married and I have no doubt that they were so, though I did not attend the wedding, but I know that they soon commenced keeping House and lived together as man and wife, untill Doct. Sutton went into the army. I know that they were married before the revolutionary war, as well as I can know any fact from information of others or from in circumstantial evidence. I was frequently at their house gefore the Coctor went into the army. I also recollect that during the revolutionary war and I should think in 1776 Col Burnall of said Canaan was going to the north with his regiment to serve against the enemy. And I also recollect that Doct. Sutton came to my house and told us that he was going into the army as surgeon to Col Burnalls regiment and that he wanted to get some sage to take with him, as it was sometimes useful in sickness and my people let him have some very soon after that he went with Col Burnall as surgeon of his regimentto join the army at the north. And I never saw him again but was informed that he died sometime afterwards in the army and I have no doubt of the fact. At the time that he left home and died he had three children, one daughter and two sons. I also recollect that several years after the death of Doctor Sutton as before
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(men)tioned his widow the said Abigail married one Nehemiah Lawrence of said Canaan and lived with him as his wife for a number of years how many I do not precisely remember when the said Lawrence died, having the said Abigail again a widow. And she has remarried his widow as I am informed and verily believe from that time to the present. The said Abigail Lawrence now resides in Colebrook in said Litchfield County and I am informed is making application for a pension.
Samuel (his X mark) Beckley
Present Anan Hine

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield & Canaan
On this 2d day of November AD 1837 before the subscribed a Justice of the Peace within and for said County personally appeared Samuel Beckley and subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath in due form of Law to the truth of the same and I do further certify that I am well acquainted with said Samuel Beckley, and that he is unable to write his name in consequence of traumatic affection, but that he is a highly respectable and intelligent person and is a credible witness. 
Wm P Burnall Justice of the Peace
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I Binjah Douglas of Canaan in Litchfield County and  State of Connecticut, do depose and say that I am and for many years have been Town Clerk of the said Town of Canaan, and that I have examined the records of said Town in behalf of Widow Abigail Lawrence of Colebrook in said County. And that I do not find any record of the marriage of Edward Sutton formerly of said Canaan to any person, cut I do find upon a volume of ancient records of said Town the following entities, towit "Abigail Sutton daughter to Edward Sutton and Abigail his wife was born November 5, 1771. Entered for Abial Fellow, Town Clerk." "Charles Burnall Sutton son to Edward Sutton and Abigail his wife was born April ye 14th 1773 entered by Abiel Fellows Town Clerk." "Edward Sutton son to Edward Sutton and Abigail his wife was born March ye 12th 1755. entered by Abiel Fellows Town Clerk." "Doctor Edward Sutton departed this life September 6th 1776. entered Abiel Fellows Town Clerk."  Also afterward I find the following entry.
"Capt. Nehemiah Lawrence was married to the Widow Abigail Sutton October 19th 1786."
I also further say that I am sixty four years old, and that in my youth I was well acquainted with the three children of Doct. Sutton whose births are recorded in the above exactly, and also with their mother the widow Abigail Sutton who was afterwards married to Capt. Nehemiah Lawrence, and lived with with him several years when he the said Lawrence died leaving the said Abigail his widow.  The said Abigail now resides in Colebrook in the Litchfield County and is the widow of the said Nehemiah Lawrence, and as I am informed is making application for a pension. I also say that the early records of marriages in the said Town are very defective and that
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very many of the marriages which took place in said Town in early times are not upon the records of said Town. And further the deponent saith not. Benjah Douglas
State of Connecticut Litchfield County & Canaan
On this 2d day of November 1837 before the subscriber a justice of the Peace within and for said County personally appeared Benjah Douglas  Esq. and subscribed the foregoing deposition and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of the same.  I further certify that I am well acquainted with said deponent and that his character for truth and veracity is unblemished and that he is a credible witness.
Wm P. Burnall Justice of the Peace.
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State of Connecticut County of Litchfield & Canaan in the Probate District of Sharon.
I William P. Burnall Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Sharon in the County and State of foresaid do certify that I have this day examined the records of said Court on the application of Abigail Lawrence of Colebrook in said County and do find 1st That on the second day of October 1776 Administration was granted by said Court upon the estate of Edward Sutton, late of said Canaan decd. to Abigail Sutton as his widow, and that on the same day the said Abigail was appointed Guardian of her three children viz Abigail, Charles Burnall and Edward. And that in the settlement of said Edward Sutton's estate. Dower was assigned out of the same both said Abigail as his widow. 2 That on this 7th day of May 1791, "Capt. Nehemiah Lawrence in the right of his wife Abigail Lawrence formerly Abigail Sutton and wife of Doct. Edward Sutton of S Canaan late dis and Administratix on the Estate of S Edward did exhibited debts against the estate" And 3 that, on the 1st day of August 1800 the said Abigail Lawrence presented the last will & Testament of S Nehemiah Lawrence then recently deceased, in which S wife she the S Abigail was appointed Executrix thereof.
In testimony whereas I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court of the Probate Office in Canaan this 2d day of November A D 1837
Wm P. Burnall Clerk
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Abigail Lawrence died Cen Oct 4 July 30 increase 7 mo. 1800 surgeon
$190 from 4 March 31 to 23 Apl 38 th day April death deduclay what has been paid To Abigail March Miller Lawrence & Charlotte Sage only surviving children
Hon Wm Seymour Adm
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State of Connecticut, Hartford County ss Probate Court district of Hartford, Hartford, Dec 19, 1843
I John Russall, Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Hartford hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before this Court, that Abigail Lawrence, formerly the widow of Doct. Edward Sutton, and last the widow of Nehemiah Lawrence died in Colebrook, in Litchfield County on the 28 day of April, 1838, and at the time of her death she was a Pensioner under the Act of 1836 for the services of her first husband, the said Edward Sutton, and she left the following named Children who now survive her and are her only lawful heirs viz:
Abigail Marsh ( the widow of Amos Marsh) who now resides in New Milford, in Litchfield County and State aforesaid, and is the child of the said Abigail Lawrence, by her first husband the said Edward Sutton.
Villae Lawrence, now residing in the town of Vergennes, in the State of Vermont.
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Charlotte Sage, the wife of Stephen Sage, now residing in the town and County of Hartford and State aforesaid.  Villes Lawrence and Charlotte Sage are children of the Abigail Lawrence by her late husband the said Nehemiah Lawrence.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribed my name and affix the seal of this Probate Court, at the Probate Office in Hartford, this day and year first above written.
John Russell Judge of Probate for Hartford District.
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Decd. Edwd. Sutton is alleged to have served a year in Col. Burnell's Regt. as a Surgeon & Abigail Lawrence formerly his widow was pensioned under the Act of 1836 at the rate 152 Dols. for minimum & the living claim an increase (illegible) of the Pension Dept. that for Surgeon and is entitled at the rate of (illegible) Dollars per annum
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IN CONGRESS.
The delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Suffex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to Wm. Edward Sutton Gentleman

We reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Valour, (illegible) and Fidelity, Do by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to be a Surgeon to Colonel Charles Burrel's Regiment

in the Army of the United Colonies raised for the defence of American Liberty and (illegible) repelling every hostile invasion thereof. You re, therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the (illegible) of a Surgeon, by doing and performing a Manner of Things hereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as a Surgeon. And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies or Committee of Congress, for that Purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being (illegible) the Army of the United Colonies, or any other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.  This Commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress
John Hancock President.
Attest. Chas Thomson Secy.

Dated 19th January 1776
Jn Samuels
M. Gondral
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Rev. WIDOW, &c
File No. 2894
Abigail Lawrence (Formerly) Widow Edward Sutton, Surg. Conn. Lines
Act: July 4th 1896
Index: -- Vol.____, Page ____
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Connecticut 1829
Abigail Lawrence, formerly widow of Edward Sutton, who died on the 6th Sept. 1876 of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Surgeon in the ____command by Captain ____ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Burnall in the Connt. line for 7 mos & 18 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 152 Dollars -- Cents, per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of March 1838 and (illegible) N. Perry, New Milford, Conn.
Arrears to the 4th of insts  $1064.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Sept  76.00
$ 1,140.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by R. Burdion Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 71
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New Milford (Conc) Nov 16th 1837
Sir  I send herewith the declaration of Wid. Abigail Lawrence an applicant for a pension under the Acts of 1836 & 1834. She claims the Pension as late Widow of Dect. Edward Sutton a Surgeon in Col. Charles Burnall's Regt in 1776. She was married in Augt. 1770. She has not been able to prove her marriage by any person who saw the ceremony or by any word but it is, and concurs very conclusively proved by other facts. Viz The affidavit of Samuel Beckley that he heard the publishment, that they soon after commenced housekeeping. the affidavit of Mr. Prentiss the present officiating clergyman in Canaan that there are no records of marriages during the period she claims to have been married.  The affidavit of the Town Clerk showing the imperfect state of records in that office & showing also the records of the birth of their ofthis children previous to the time of his entering the service go to prove conclusively the marriage
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previous to that time. The death of Dr. Sutton is proved by the word in the opinion of the Revd. Mr. Prentiss and the day of his death is proved by the extract from the Town Clerk's records. And the proceedings of the Court of Probate for the district of. I herein furnished additional witness of their marriage & his death. The commission annexed to the declaration shows the time of his appointment. The marriage with Capt. Lawrence & his death an also proved by the accompaning papers.
Please make returns to me
Very Respectfully Your Abt. Servt.
Nathaniel Priny
P. S. The Certificate of the Comptroller's accompanies these papers.  N. P.
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Nathaniel Perry Esq. New Milford Ct.
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Comptrollers Office Hartford Connecticut November 10th 1834
I certify that it appears by the books in this Office that Col Charles Burrels Regt was raised in January 1776 for one year to serve in Canada as for Resolve of Congress January 2d 1776.
The following entry appears on a book in their Office to wit. These certify that Meyers Abner & Joel Chamberlain set abt. from Canaan with two Waggons on Saturday last & last evening arrived in this City & delivered their loads consisting of the Baggage of the Col. Capt & Surgeon of the Battaleon under my Command & I not being able to make & allow their Bill by reason that I know not the time & expense of their return. Therefore  either Commisionary  Strong please to pay them their wages & expense according to your general rule for said service & this is your order from Charles Burrell.
To the Adonijah Strong Commissary Canaan April 22d 1776. Received of Ada Strong Commissany for Col Burrells Regt & 3_19_6 L Mj of Conn. in full for going to Albany from this place with two waggon loads of Baggage for the Col. Capt. & Surgt. of said Regt. being 2 days in the service & bearing the expense of both waggons &c.
Joel Chamberlain Abner Chamberlain II
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I further certify that Dr. Edward Suttons name has not been found wherever he acted as Surgeon of a Regt.  Wm Fields Comptroller.
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Hartford Nov 10th 1837
Sir
Annexed is a certificate of all the evidence I can find relating to Col Burwells Regt.
The name of Dr. Edward Sutton appears on a Book in this office from services as a common physician, but not as Surgeon in Col Burrells REgt, and the service in this case was performed before the 4th of Jany 1776.
I am very respectfuklly your obedient Servant
Wm Field

man theiron
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4 July '36 Abigail Lawrence decd. formerly widow of Edwd. Sutton, who was a Surgeon in the Revo. War is entitled to receive a pension at the rate of #190 per ann. Cony. on 4 Mar '31 & ending on the 23 Apl '38 the day of her death, which will be paid to Abigail Marsh Ville Lawrence and Charlotte Sage only surviving children after deducting the Amt which has already been paid under said Act.
This pension is increased from $152 per annum
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 10th day of February one thousand eight hundred and forth-4.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned } 
Commissioner of Pensions.