Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14057, for David Orvis, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn
Green Mt Boys [Green Mountain Boys]
Orvis, David
NUMBER
14057
Carded
CONTENTS
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Order to pay 15 April 1839.
17639
Connecticut
David Orvis
Norfolk in the State of Conn
who was a Pri- in the Conn commanded
by Captain
of the Reg commanded
by Col Putnam in the Conn line
for 6 mo 7 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn
at the rate of 20 Dollars 77 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Sep
1833
and sent M. F Mills, Norfolk Conn
Arrears to the 4th of
Sept 1833 $61. 92
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4.34 10.38
$62.30

Revolutionary Claim, ⎬
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk,
Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 33
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13862
David Orvis
6.t.
6 M 7 days private
20.77
M.F. Mills
Norfolk
Connt
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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    David Orvis  Ct.
Period when the service was rendered.  Apl 1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  1 month 12 days   Rank of the claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap Gaylord  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Putnam  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   Country through which he marched.  Roxbury Mass  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.   85, Born in Farmington Ct, There entered, now living in Norfolk Ct.   Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Three surviving witnesses go to prove the 1st and 2d tours.
Certificate of a Clergyman and two Citizens
Period when the service was rendered.  Augt 5th 1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  5 months  Rank of the claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap Allen  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Warner    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Taking of Ft. St. Johns [St. Jean]  Country through which he marched.  Joined the Army at Ticonderoga on the Lake at St. Johns   
When Danbury was burnt he was called out served about 14 days  11 Cap Gaylor 
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every 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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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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I Michael G Mills Clerk of the Court
of Probate for the District of Norfolk
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the Original proceedings
of said Court in the matter of the
application of David Orvis of
and Norfolk for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 11-day of August AD 1832
Michael G Mills Clerk
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Declaration in order to obtain the
benefit the act of Congress passed June
7th 1832.
State of Connecticut ss
Litchfield County
 Norfolk Probate District on this 11 day
of July AD 1833 personally
appeared in open Court
before Michael F. Mills Esquire judge of the
Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk David Orvis of said Norfolk 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 in addition to
her former Declaration made before this court on the 11 day of August  AD 1832, that from circumstances he is now convinced that he was all of the time Danbury was burned or [illegible] in his home [illegible]
but one week
and further that in the year 1775 as mentioned
at the time he was called to Boston he was
as he is confident out from home six weeks
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
David Orvis
In the Court before me
Michael F. Mills Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk
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I, Michael G. Mills Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the District of Norfolk
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of said
court in the matter of the application
of David Orvis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
office this 11 day of July AD 1833
Michael G Mills Clerk

[Paper seal with ribbons attached][Illegible]
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15862
David Orvis
Declaration
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
State of Connecticut  
Litchfield County } ss 
Norfolk Probate District
On this 11th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court new sitting Michael F. Mills Esquire Judge of Probate holding said Court David Orvis a resident of the Town of Norfolk in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut aged eighty five years last January 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 in the year 1775 in the month of April he
entered the Service of the United States under
Col Timothy Gaylord  then of said Norfolk and he says that the News Reached Norfolk
that the British had killed some men at
Concord Massachusetts that the Militia 
was immediately called out and left New London for Boston under Capt Timothy
Gaylord that he was one of the men so called out that he marched to Roxbury and after
he arrived at Roxbury Capt Gaylord soon
left and came home that the said Orvis
was placed under Capt Parrot that Col Putnam was there and took command but that
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he cannot say that he was placed on any
particular regt that he was out six weeks
and one or two days and returned home
and further that on the 5 day of August 1778 he again entered the service by Enlistment
the Company of Capt Heman Allen in Col
Warner Regt and marched and joined the
Northern Army at Ticonderoga and from there was marched to the Lake and then by Water
to near St Johns was landed about two
or three miles this side of St Johns where he
stayed one or two day was then marched but
of St John through a lone wet Ground to
what was then called Butlers Encampment to keep the Enemy from leaving St. John
where he staid five days and was then
Marched to Lebanon  Lieutenant Stanton 
took the command of the comp Capt Allen
being Sick. that soon after part of the
Company & he near one of them was taken
about Nine miles down the river to a
place called Long Sale the company did
not all of them set Back to St John until after
of the fort was taken but that he was near at the taking of the fort near them at the time
the fort surrender was one that went in one of the Boats, and helped bring the British Garrison to what was then called Cats Creek
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and that he served his full term of five months and was released but had no discharge. 
And further that when Danbury in Connecticut was burnt was again called out under Col Timothy Gaylord then of Norfolk and Marched to Danbury, was out about two weeks. 
And further that he was born in the Town of Farmington in the State of Connecticut that when eight years of age he with his Father removed to Goshen where he lived until  near twenty years of age when he with his Father removed to Norfolk where he has ever since and now resides. 
That he is well acquainted with the Rev. Rufus Babcock Clergyman of the Town of Colebrook in said County and with Augustus Pettibone Esq and Joseph Battell Esquire of the Town of Norfolk who can testify as his character as he is well known to them.   
And he hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not in the pension Roll of the agency of Any state.  
signed David Orvis  
Sworn and Subscribed the day and aforesaid before me 
Michael F Mills Judge of Probate
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And we Rufus Babcock Clergyman Residing in the Town Clerk of Litchfield Connt and Augustus Pettibone Esq and Joseph Battell Esquire both  Residing in the Town of Norfolk aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Orvis who has subscribed and sworn to the above and within Declaration that we believe him be Eighty four years & that he is reputed and believed within neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  And that he sustains a fair character for truth and veracity and that his statement is entitled to Credit.  
Signed Augustus Pettibone 
Rufus Babcock 
Joseph Battell 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 
Michael F. Mills Judge 
And the saidd Court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named David Orvis applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states. And the Court further certifies they Rufus Babcock who has signed the preceding certificate is Clergyman Residing in the Town of Colebrook and that Augustus Pettibone and Joseph Battell Esquire are resident of the Town of Norfolk and all credible persons and that their statement is entitled to Credit.   
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate
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Eleazer Holt Esq of Norfolk & Litchfield Courts appeared in open Court now setting and deposed and said that in the year 1775 in the month of April the news came to Norfolk that the British had killed some men at Concord and the Militia was called out on Sunday at Norfolk and was Started for Boston on Sunday and that he Started with the Militia and marched as far as Boston in that State and that he was then discharged and did not go any farther and that he well remembers the said Orvis went on to join the army and was gone about one Month and that we were under the command of Capt Timothy Gaylord of said Norfolk.
Eleazer Holt
Subscribed and Sworn before me the day and aforesaid Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate 
And hereby certify that the said Eleazer Holt is a person well known to me that he is a Credible person and that his statement entitled to Credit 
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate
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Norfolk Probate District on this 11 day of August 1832 in open court personally came Reuben Dean of said Norfolk and being first duly sworn according to Law Deposed and said that in the year 1775 he was in the service of the United States in the Northern Army in the Company of Col Heman Allen in Col. Warner Regt was at St John and other Places that he was then acquainted with David Orvis of Norfolk in said State and has been acquainted with him ever since, that the said David Orvis was a soldier with him in the same Company and served five months.   
Reuben Dean 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year for before me Michael F. Miles Judge of Probate And I hereby certify that the said Reubin Dean is a person well known to me at he is a credible person and that his Statement is entitled to credit 
Michael F. Mills Judge Probate
Eleazer
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Charles Walter of Newark in the County appeared in open Court Now Setting and Deposed said that in the year 1775 and he believes in the month of August he enlisted in Col Heman Allens Company Col Warner Regt for the term of five months and that he joined the Northern army at Ticonderoga and that he was well acquainted with David Orvis then and now of said Norfolk and that he well recollects that the said David Orvis was in the same Company and joined the army but Cannot say how long a time he served.  
Charles Walter 
Subscribed in Sworn the day and year aforesaid before me 
Michael F Miles Judge of Probate 
And I hereby certify that the said Charles Walter is person well known to me that he is a person entitled to Credit 
Michael F Mills Judge of Probate
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MCS
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
April 2, 1927 
L. E. Orvis 
U. S. S. Holland 
Balbon, C. Z. 
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14057, it appears that DAVID ORVIS was born in January, 1747, at Farmington, Connecticut.
While a resident of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted in April, 1775, and served six or seven weeks as private in Captains Timothy Gaylord's and Parsons' Connecticut Companies. He enlisted August 5, 1775, and served five months with the Green Mountain Boys under Captain Heman Allen and Colonel Warner; he was at the surrender of the fort at St. John's. He served one week under Captain Timothy Gaylord at the time of the Danbury raid. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Norfolk, Connecticut. The name of his father is not given and there are no data on file relative to wife and children. 
This is the only soldier by the name of David Orvis that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner
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1925, Apr. 2. Hist. Mrs. Jno. Plasier. MCS 
1927 Apr 2 hist to L. E. Orvis  MCS 
Rev War  14057 
INVALID. 
File No. 14,057 
David Orvis 
Pri Rev Walk  
Act: June 7 1832 
Index:--Vol 1 Page 282
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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3-049
Ex. WM  Div  Rev & 1812 Wars Sect 
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., Jan 26, 1925 
The attached letter is respectfully returned with the information that the data furnished is not sufficient to enable this Bureau to make intelligent answer to the queries therein contained. Please fill out such of the blank spaces below as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this Bureau. 
First name of widow   Lydia Hawley Orvis 
Name of soldier, David Orvis 
Reuben Kendall
First Name of Widow: Judith Brown
Address of soldier at enlistment & after service   
(Kendall) Private Lt. Oliver Crosby detachment from 3rd Bellerica Co. 
Col. Greene's Regt. was at Concord battle and afterward at Cambridge. 
State where enlisted Mass. 
Date of Birth  May 20, 1724
If unable to furnish company and regiment give names of commanding officers. 
David Orvis born Jan. 1747 died W 1843 Do not know any other details . 
Return attached letter with reply. 
Hays Haymaker 
Acting Commissioner
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3976 Ellis Ave., 
Chicago, Illinois, 
Jan. 8, 1925. 
Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Sirs:- 
I am tracing two lines of my daughter's Revolutionary ancestors, one, Reuben Kendall, enlisted from Massachusetts, and David Orvis, enlisted from Connecticut. 
I would like to know if they ever drew pensions. 
Thanking you in advance and requesting a prompt reply, 
I am Very truly yours, 
Mrs John Plaiser 
(Jennie K)
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE L JAN 10 1925
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE S FEB 27 1925
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March the Eleventh.  
The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions, 
Department of the Interior, 
Washington, D. C. 
Sir
In order to substantiate my eligibility for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, it is necessary that I obtain the war record of my Great Great Grandfather, who was the father of one Eber Orvis, my Great Grandfather. 
It is understood that Eber Orvis served in the War of 1812 and that his father, of whose name I am not certain, served in the Revolutionary War. 
It is thought that the name of Eber Orvis' father was David Orvis. 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE Y MAR 22 1927
The following are the known details concerning the of Eber Orvis: 
Born in Norfolk, Conn, in August 1790, 
Married Elcy Clark -- 13 February 1817. 
Died 25 July 1856 at Groton, Tompkins Co., New York, where he had been living for some time.
I will be greatly obliged if you can furnish me any of the following information: 
1. Military history of Eber Orvis. 
2. Name of father and mother of Eber Orvis. 
3. Military history of David Orvis, thought to be the father of Eber Orvis, 
4. Names of children of David Orvis. 
5. Name and military history of father of David Orvis. 
Thanking you in advance for any aid you may be able to render, I am 
Yours very respectfully 
L. E. Orvis 
Chief Gunner, U. S. Navy 
L. E. Orvis
U. S. S. HOLLAND, 
Balboa, C. Z.
Page 23

MCS
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
April 21, 1925 
Mrs. John Plaisier 
3976 Ellis Ave. 
Chicago, Ill. 
Madam: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 14057, it appears that DAVID ORVIS was born in January, 1747, at Farmington, Connecticut. 
While a resident of Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, he enlisted in April, 1775, and served six or seven weeks as private in Captain Timothy Gaylord's and Parsons' Connecticut Companies. He enlisted August 5, 1775, and served five months with the Green Mountain Boys under Captain Heman Allen and Colonel Warner was at the surrender of the fort at St. John's. He served one week under Captain Timothy Gaylord at the time of the Danbury Raid. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Norfolk, Connecticut. 
Respectfully, 
WILDER S. METCALF 
Commissioner