Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 19745, for John Patten, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.  
Patten, John
NUMBER  S. 19745
B.L. Wt. 7294-160 -55 
carded
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Massachusetts    32164
John Patten  
of Berkshire in the State of Mass was a Pri & Corp in the company commanded Captain Winters & others the Reg commanded Col Shelden in the Conn line for 21 months 6 days by private  
2 months 24. days Corpl [corporal]  
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts the rate of 80 Dollars 99 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of June 1844 and sent to Hon. J Rockwell Pittsfield Mass.   
Arrears to the 4th of March 1844 $1037.96 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1845. 40.46 
$1092.42   
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by Tho. Lumpkin Clerk 
Book E Vol. 2 Page 67. 
Reported
Aug 16 1858
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61.582  March 3/55
Apr. 11/55
John Patten
Private 
Capt. Cleft
Col. Durgee [Durkee]
Eut.
Revolutionary Pensioner
Wt. No. 7294 issued Oct 6 / 53
Mass June 3 2 – 32164
Boynton
Private  
Durkee’s Regt
Connt Line
Adm: 160 acres Oct 4 / 55
Dodge
Rd L
Nial Pease
Lenox  Mass
Vol P. Page 4
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John Patten Applicant
as a Revolutionary Soldier
(By Nial Pease) 
Lenox Mass
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BOUNTY LAND DECLARATION 
State of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire } ss ON THIS Nineteenth day of March A. D. one thousand eight hundred and Fifty Five personally appeared before me Theodore Hinsdale a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, John Patten aged Ninety three Massachusetts years, a resident of Pittsfield in the State of Massachusetts who, being duly affirmed according to law, declares that he is the identical person who was a soldier, in the company commanded by Captain  Samuel Cleft of Plainfield  in the company commanded regiment of Militia in the commanded by Col John Durgee [Durkee] in the war with Great Britain, declared by the United States on the AD 1775, as a Revolutionary Soldier and now draws a pass ion at Boston agency.  
And he the said John Patten Enlisted at Norwich Connecticut   
for the term of  & then enlisted for three years & over and continued in actual service in said War for the term of three years and that he has not heretofore made application for bounty land under the act of September 28, 1850, or any other act 
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved the 3d day of March, 1855. He also declares, that he has never applied for nor received, under this or any other act of Congress, any bounty-land warrant
All erasures made before signing, and authorized by Nial Pease to receive his Warrant.  
John Patten
We Nial Pease of Lenox and  - residents of -  in the State of -  upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by John Patton in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be. 
Nial Pease 
Leveret August 
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim. 
Before me Theodore Hinsdale Justice of the peace
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts
 BERKSHIRE SS. 
I CHARLES SEDGWICK, Clerk of the Judicial Court of Commonwealth for the County of Berkshire, do certify that Theodore Hinsdale Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the certificate and the paper hereto annexed, was, at the date thereof, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and acting under the authority of this Commonwealth and that full faith and credit are and ought be given to his acts and attestations done in that capacity; and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Hinsdale and believe his signature to said certificate is genuine. 
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas Commonwealth, this Sixth for day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five. 
Chas Sedgwick CLERK
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35769 
John Patten 
Mass. 
Act 7 June ‘32 
Rolls 
May 4 ‘77. 3 mo. dischd 7 May ‘80,  15 Feby ‘81,  3 yr Copl - 9 June ‘83  
Admd [admitted]
21 mo 6 days pri [private]
2 mo 24 day Copl [corporal]
$80.92
Hon I Rockwell Pittsfield Mass
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
County of Berkshire, ss. 
On this fourteenth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared in open Court before the Supreme Judicial Court holden at Lenox in and for said County & now sitting. John Patten a resident of Pittsfield in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty three years who being first duly affirmed according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated. 
1st service 6 months
First service was an enlistment for six months at Preston in the State of Connecticut in a company of troops commanded by Capt Winters, in a Regt commanded by Col Sheldon or Selden - thinks major's name was Willis [Wyllys], but not positive, under Gen Wadsworth.  Went to New York was there about the time of the battle on Long Island when he was ordered over to a Fort East of Brooklyn. He was a private - troops were of the Connecticut Line.  The enlistment was in May 1776, the precise day he cannot tell,  served the full time of his enlistment - namely six months and was discharged and went home.
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2d service 2 months, 
His next service, Paul Harvey under whom said Patten was learning the trade of shoemaker tanner & Currier was draughted and he the said Patten went as a substitute in his place. Entered service at said Preston as a private in Company of Militia under Capt Boardman in month of March or April 1777 went to New London and staid in service in til some time in May, precise day he cannot state, nor can he tell precisely whether it was before the expiration of said two months.  
3d service 3 years
He there at said New London enlisted into the service of said United States for three years in a company of Troops of the Connecticut Line, commanded by Capt Andrew Fitch,  Beriah Bill was Lieut,  in a Regt commanded by Col John Durkee.  Went to Peekskill in N. York, was at Valley Forge, was in Germantown battle, was at the siege of Mud Fort 14 miles below Philadelphia, was in a flank guard on the left at the battle of Monmouth, but not in the battle. He knew while in Service Miles Avery a Sergeant in another Company in the same Regiment, who now lives in Great Barrington and to whose deposition he refers
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4th service 3 months,  His fourth service was in 1780 in last of August or fore part of Sept of said year.  One Perkins son of a Merchant at Norwich Landing Connecticut was drafted for three months said Patten went in his stead as a substitute and served as a private three months.   This service was in Norwich and vicinity, cutting fascines which he supposed were to be sent to Rhode Island.   His Captain was Elijah Brewster, Major Rogers of Norwich was the Major, was discharged in Nov or Decr of the above year.   
5th service, enlisted for three years.  
In May (as he thinks) in the year 1781, he enlisted as a private for the years at said Norwich in a company Infantry under Capt Samuel Cliff, 1st Connecticut Regiment,  John Durkee Colonel. He joined his Regt at Peekskill he believes. In August 1781, his Company and the other companies viz; one under Capt Rice, one under Captain Bleeker, and under Capt Hamtramck started from White Plains, marched under Command of Lieut Col Alexander Hamilton to head of Chesapeake Bay thence by water to Williamsburg Va. thence to Yorktown.   Cornwallis had two advanced forts which annoyed us.  After the seige had lasted same days, the Americans (including the troops in which he was) were ordered to Storm one of the Forts & the French the other. The officers exhorted "Remember New London” - were ordered to advance with trailed unloaded Arms
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Major Fish commanded the Americans assailants who advanced with land shout and captured one of the Forts The French took the other Fort. We subsequently marched out and lay down in front of Cornwallis's line - The Virginia Line being in rear throwing up breast works - was so ordered for protection of the Virginia Militia had the British advanced upon them.   He witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis.   
Honorably Discharged
After the taking of Cornwallis, he went aboard Ship up Elk,  thence by land to West Point, staid there on Camp duty until New Years day 1784 when he was honorably discharged. He had a written discharge but has lost it, for about a year while at West Point he was a corporal and had a warrant but has lost it.  Col Durkee resigned before I was discharged & went home and died.   Col Huntington was at West Point.  Gen. Henry Knox he thinks was at West Point when he was discharged.   
He has no documentary evidence but believes that the rolls at Washington Will his services in Col Durkees Regiment.   While in said first 3 years service he knew Miles Avery Esq  now of Great Barrington, who was in the same Regiment, a Sergeant & who is now a pensioner.  He knows of no one else surviving by whom he can
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prove his services.   
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 was born in Norwich Con. 26, July 1761.  Has no record of his age.   Affirmed to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
John Patten 
Berkshire S.S. S.J. Court May 15, 1844. 
Then the said John Patten appeared in Court & affirmed to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed.  Charles Sedgwick Clerk 
Elder or preacher of the society of Shakers to which Mr. Patten belongs 
We William P. Williams an residing in Pittsfield aforesaid & Reuben Hawkins residing in Pittsfield, County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Patten who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be nearly eighty three 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.  Affirmed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  
William P. Williams
Reuben Hawkins
Berkshire Ss. S. J. Court May 15, 1844  Then the said William & Hawkins appeared in Court & affirmed to the  truth of the foregoing certificate by them subscribed. Charles Sedgwit Clk 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter
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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 Certify that it appears to them that William P. Williams who has signed the preceding certificate is an elder & preacher resident in the town of Pittsfield, and that Richard Hawkins aforesaid is a credible person, & that their Statement is entitled to credit. 
Charles A. Dewey Justice of Superior Court of Massachusetts  
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Patten for a Pension.   
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this fifteenth day of May, Eighteen hundred forty four.  
All erasures & interlineations duly made. 
Charles Sedgwick Clerk
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Berkshire ss 
I Miles Avery Esq of Great Barrington in said County aged Eighty three years in Sept last do testify & say that I belonged to a Regiment in the Army of the Revolution commanded by Col. John Durkee & in which I enlisted in March 1777 during the war.   I enlisted at Norwich Connecticut in a company under Capt Hyde who did not serve long.  I was subsequently Sergeant & I am a Revolutionary Pensioner.  I served during the war after I enlisted.  I well knew John Patten now of Pittsfield, who belonged in Regiment, & served in it three years at one time in Capt Fitch's Company not in the company served in, but the company usually was near the one I served in.   
After said Patten had served out his first three years, & a while after the expiration of his three years service he again enlisted in the same regiment but for how long  I dont know.  He was in a company of Infantry. Said Patten's first enlistment was in 1777 a short time after I had enlisted as above stated.   I was well acquainted with said Patten when a boy - we were born & brought up  in
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the same town & neighborhood Norwich Connecticut.  I know him now - he lives in and I live in Great Barrington and he is the same man who I know served three years in said Regiment under his first enlistment said Regt.   How long he served in a Regiment under his second enlistment do not know as we were more separated.  
And further I say not. 
Dated 2 May 1844, Miles Avery  
Commonwealth of Massachusetts  Berkshire ss  
Be it remembered that on this second day of May 1844, the above named Miles Avery Esq to me well known, & who is a person of credibility personally appeared & made Oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed before me 
I Sumner Just Peace  
I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court for the County of Berkshire do certify that Increase Sumner Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was sworn was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace within & for said County duly commissioned qualified & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. 
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of May Eighteen hundred & forty four 
Charles Sedgwick Clerk
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section 
MMHF/eel  
December 5, 1928
Mrs. Lulu L. Patton Taylor 
215 N. 10th Street 
Mount Vernon, Illinois 
Madam: 
I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 19745, it appears that John Patten was born July 26, 1761 in Norwich, Connecticut.   
While an apprentice at Preston, Connecticut, his residence still said Norwich, he enlisted in May 1776, and served six months as private in Captain Winters' Company,  Colonel Sheldon's or Selden's Connecticut Regiment. 
I could not verify this & as there were Colonels by [unreadable] names I used the language in claim.
He enlisted in March or April 1777 as a private in Captain Boardman's Connecticut Company, served about two months and while at New London, Connecticut, re-enlisted, served three years as private in Captain Andrew Fitch's Company, Colonel John Durkee's Connecticut Regiment and was in the battles of Germantown and Mud Fort and was in a “flank guard on the left” at the battle of Monmouth and not engaged in the battle. 
He enlisted the last of August or first of September, 1780 and served three months as private in Captain Elijah
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Brewster's Company under Major Rogers in the Connecticut Troops. 
He enlisted in May 1781, served as private and also last year of service as corporal in Captain Clift's Company , Colonel John Durkee's Connecticut Regiment, was at the Siege of Yorktown and was discharged January 1, 1784. 
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 14, 1844, while a resident of Pittsfield, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he was still living in 1855. He died August 16, 1858. 
It is not stated whether he was ever married. 
The only family data: a “distant relative” waiting for him to die to get pension from him on uncle.
This is the history of the only soldier named John Patten, who served in the Connecticut Troops, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau. 
Respectfully, 
WINFIELD SCOTT 
Commissioner.
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Hon J. Rockwell M.C.
Hon J. Rockwell H. R.
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Pittsfield May 15, 1844 
Sir
Herewith you will receive the declaration of John Patten a Shaker - an intelligent and interesting man - who for conscience sake has always refused, until now to make application for his pension. What prompts him now to apply is, he has learned that a distant relation of his is waiting for him to die & them to get to himself the pension due to his uncle.  The papers  were made out by Mr. Sumner and I think there can be no doubt but the commission will issue the certificate for a full pension at once. It appears he served in the States service for a sufficient time to entitle him to a full pension, saying nothing about the service of about the service in the militia.   
You will observe he says he served about a year as corporal,  which will entitle him to extra pay if it can be made to appear.   
He says he was at West point, when the "during the war men” were discharged that, be, being a three years man was kept to keep garrison and was appointed
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a corporal to take the place of a “during the war man” who was discharged. He thinks the Aid of Gen Knox gave him the Corporals Warrant, and he thinks the name of the aid was Humphrey.  This matter of the corporal will add considerably to the pension.   I hope you will give it your attention.   
The declaration is so clear & so will substantiated, there can be no doubt about the matter unless it may be about the Corporal, and I think from his story, if search is made, it will appear he served as Corporal a year or more. 
Yours very truly 
Ezra Cott  
Hon J Rockwell M.C. 
Washington City
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Revolution 19745 
INVALID. 
File No. 19745 
John Patten 
Corp Rev War 
Act June 7" 32" 
Index: --Vol. 2, Page 312 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1928 – Dec 5,  Hist to Mrs. L. L. Patton Taylor, MMHF
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Mt. Vernon, Ill 
August 16th 1928. 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE F AUG 18 1928
My dear Sir  
I am advised by the War Department that I may possibly find the Military record of John Patten who served in Colonel Spencers 2d Connecticut Regiment, from May 9 to Dec. 18" 1775 - thru your department, for which would be very grateful to you. On a list of soldier from Tolland County, who served in campaign against Burgoyne in 1777, occurs the name of John Patten Corporal.   
Thanking you in advance 
I am Very Respty 
(Mrs) Lulu L. Taylor 
15 N. 10" St.
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A. D. Y.
Only who was in Conn Troops
Mt. Vernon, Ill.   
Sept. 26" 1928 
The Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D. C 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE SEP 29 1928
Dear Sir- 
Will you please give me the war pension record of John Patten, who served in Colonel Spencers Connecticut Regiment, 3d Company,  Capt. Roger Enos Windham - 1775. as I am anxious to file my application for membership in the D.A.R. before our next meeting Oct. 20 an early reply will be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance- Please advise of there is a charge & I will remit promptly.    
Very Respectfully 
Mrs Lulu L. Patton Taylor 
215 N. 10" St. 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 26 1928
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[unreadable] Ill.
Oct 20” 1928
The Commissioner Pensions 
Washington DC 
Dear Sir- 
Thank you for your letter of Oct. 2d. & regret that I have been unable to answer sooner. I will try with your able assistance to have my application ready to file  at the next meeting Nov. 20” -  In re: to the military service of John Patten I submit a copy of the record & received from G. M. Cole, Brig. General, The Adjutant General Hartford Conn. also the record as given by Baldwin's page 65 Patten Genealogy. 
Thanking you in advance – 
Very Respty 
Lulu L. Taylor
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Mrs. Lulu L. Patton Taylor, 
315 North 10" Street, 
Mount Vernon, Illinois 
Madam: 
I have to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to John Patten who served in Captain Roger Enos Company, Colonel Spencer's Connecticut Regiment. 
However, if he served in any other organization, please so state and furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow, when a further search will be made in your behalf. 
Please return both these letters with your reply. 
Respectfully, 
Winfield Scott  
WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Commissioner.
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 26 1928
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State of Connecticut 
Adjutant General's office 
Hartford. 
September 16, 1928.
Mrs. Lulu L. Taylor, 
215 N. 10th St., 
Mt. Vernon, Ill. 
Dear Madam: 
In re: military service of John Patten, you are advised that the name appears on the records in this office as follows: 
John Patten enlisted May 7, 1775 as a private in 3d company Capt. Elijah Robinson's from Stafford, in 2d regiment, Colonel Joseph Spencer commanding, discharged December 18, 1775.
John Patten enlisted July 15, 1775 as a private in 3d Company, Capt. Nathan Hale's in 7th Regiment, Col. Charles Webb commanding, discharged Dec. 18, 1775, place of residence is not stated. 
Enlisted May 7, 1777 as a private in Capt. Andrew Fitch's company in 4th regiment, Col. John Durkee commanding, discharged May 7, 1780. 
Credited to Norwich for military service 1777-1779 and received town bounty of 30 pounds.
Certificates of service under seal of this office are issued upon receipt of one dollar, payable to the Adjutant General, State of Conn., Hartford, Conn. 
Very respectfully, ( signed ) 
G. M. Cole, 
Brig. General, 
The Adjutant General.
COPY.
Copy
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE OCT 26 1928
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Patten Genealogy, by Thomas W. Baldwin, A. B. S. B. Boston, Mass. 
“29. John 5  (Nathaniel 4 , Nathaniel 3, Thomas 2, William 1) 
John Patten was born in 1747; married Hannah Johnston, daughter of Seth Johnston. 
March 18, 1778, John Patten took the oath of fidelity appointed to be taken by the State of Connecticut. At a freemen's meeting held in Stafford, Conn., April 8, 1782, John Patten took the oath required for freemen, by law. 
He served in Colonel Spencer's 2d Connecticut Regiment, 3d Company, Capt. Roger Enos of Windham. He served from May 9, to December 18, 1775. On a list of soldiers from Tolland County, who served in campaign against Burgoyne, in 1777, occurs the name of John Patten, corporal. 
On a monument at Portland, Conn., is this inscription: "John Patten, buried at West Springfield Aug. 13 1800, aged 53 years. Hannah, wife of John Patten died May 17, 1816, aged 66 years."
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE L OCT 26 1928
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[stamp] LENOX Mass. APR 9 
L P Waldo Esq 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
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7294
160 acres
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No. 61582 
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855. 
Received Apr. 11, 1855. 
John Patten 
Rev. War 
Warrant 7294-160-55 
Neal Pease 
Lenox Mass