Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17588, for John Morgan, Connecticut
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Service
Conn.
Privateer

Morgan, John

Number
S. 17588

carded
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Connecticut No. 2838
John Morgan
Groton in the State of Connecticut
who was a pri. & [illegible] in the Compy commanded
by Captain Stoddard of the Regt commanded
by Col. Ledyard in the Connecticut
line for 6 mos infy
18 mos matross*
*& Privateer
W.D.G. Nov. 12. 1909

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
the rate of 95 Dollars - Cents per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 1834 and
Hon. N. Barber H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834 285.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1834 47.50
$332.50

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. - Page 27
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Connecticut }
New London County } Ss Probate District of Stonington
On this 12th day of May A.D. 1834. Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington in the County and State aforesaid now sitting John Morgan a resident of the Town of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aforesaid aged Seventy four years and upwards 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 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
That in the year 1776 he lived at his Father's House in said Groton, and in the fall of said year the month and the day of the month the declarant is not able to state with precision, his father, John Morgan, was drafted to serve three months as a private in the Company of Drafted Militia commanded by Capt. Ralph Stoddard, that he the declarant was in the 16th year of his age, and was accepted as a substitute for his said Father, that he joined said drafted company on Groton heights near fort Griswold in said Groton, commanded by Capt Ralph Stoddard, Lieut John Gardiner Ensign Joseph Lewis, and was employed in Garrison duties and that of Piquet guard - at the point of land southerly of said Fort, and called Avery's Beach. When not on duty as aforesaid all the soldiers of said Company were vigourously engaged in labor on the fort aforesaid, digging earth and stone, and throwing up and laying the same - using hand carts and hand barrows - that he continued to serve for three months in such duty in said Company, as a substitute for his said father the term of the draft, which he thinks was in December of said year 1776, when he was verbally discharged
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and returned home -
2nd term
In the year 1777, he lived in said Groton and belonged as a private, to the militia company local in said Groton, commanded by Captain John Williams, Ebenezer Avery Lieutenant, Charles Eldredge Ensign and was drafted for three months service. That in the month of August according to the best of his recollection he joined the Company of Drafted Militia, commanded by Capt Elijah Avery Lt Waterman, Ensign Amos Denison, at said Groton Heights, and near Groton Bank so called and Fort Griswold, that he served three months in said drafted company in Piquet and quarter Guards, and labor on the Fort, and other duties as requested by said officers that he does not recollect the Col. who commanded the militia but that Col Wm. Ledyard commanded the Garrison of the Fort. That he continued to serve in said Company three months when late in the year 1777 according to his best recollection, he was verbally discharged - That being well acquainted with Capt William Latham, whose dwelling was in the same neighborhood with declarant - and being solicited by Capt Latham, he immediately, voluntarily enlisted for six months service as a matross in said William Lathams Matross Company stationed at said Fort Griswold That Youngs Ledyard was Lieut of said Company & John Way said Lieut - that Lt Col Wm Ledyard commanded the Garrison at said Fort Griswold, and the Garrison of Fort Trumbull in New London. That he immediately joined said Company at said Fort and constantly performed his duty as a matross till the expiration of six months when without any delay or loss of time he again voluntarily enlisted in the same company commanded by said Captain William Latham, for one year's service. That he continued there to serve in said Fort Griswold
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in the various duties required, till the term for which he had enlisted, to wit one year, had expired, which happened according to the best of recollection in the summer of year 1779 - That among other labors performed the Arsenal was covered in the performance of which Joshua Bill a private or matross of said Company was wounded by the fall of a stick of timber - that he was honorably discharged by Capt Latham, but received no writing to that effect. That immediately after being discharged as aforesaid he entered on board the Sloop Beaver Capt Wm Havens a private armed vessel and sailed in her on a cruise. That he continued to go privateering till July 1781 - that in Sept 1781, he resided at Groton and on the morning of the 6th of said Sept on hearing the firing of the alarm guns he repaired immediately to said Fort Griswold, and joined Capt Latham's Matross Company, as a volunteer - and was stationed at a twelve pounder - the enemy attacked and [illegible] the Fort which was taken, Col Ledyard who still commanded, was killed, declarant was severely wounded by a musket Ball passing through the left knee and received other wounds at the time. That he was closely confined to his room by reason of his wounds for more than six months, and has ever since been disabled thereby - that on account of said wounds and disability he has received for many years a pension from the United States. That he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no person who can testify as to his service in 1776 as a substitute for his said father. That Samuel Edgecomb served with him in his second tour in the Company of drafted militia commanded by Capt Elijah Avery. That Joshua Bill served with him Eighteen months in the company of matross, commanded by Capt Wm Latham - that his service in said Fort at the time said Fort was taken 6th September 1781 he believes to have been heretofore proved. That he was born in Groton aforesaid 28th March 1760 as he believes - that he has no record of his age. That he
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was living in said Groton when called into service that he has constantly resided in said Groton ever since the Revolutionary War, and that he now lives in said Groton. That he has stated the manner of his being called into service. That he does not recollect that any regular officers were with the troops when he served. That companies of Militia were frequently called to the vicinity of the Fort on occasions of alarm - That he never received a discharge in writing. That he is known to Erastus Denison a Clergyman of Groton and Benj F. Stoddard who resides in his neighborhood who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief as a soldier of the Revolution.
That he is an invalid Pensioner of the United States and that his name is on the Pension roll of the Connecticut agency -
John Morgan
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the Court}
Asa Fish Judge
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I Joshua Bill of the town of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 73 years do on my oath depose and say that in the fall of the year 1776 at said Groton where I then resided I enlisted into the service of the State of Connecticut for the term of Six months in a Company commanded by Capt William Latham. Youngs Ledyard Lieut and was immediately stationed at Fort Griswold on Groton Heights at which time said Fort was under the Command of Col William Ledyard. and continued in said Fort doing garrison duty until said term of Six months expired at which time I again enlisted into said Company and Garrison for a term of twelve months longer. and at the expiration of said last mentioned term of service making in the whole a term of eighteen months from the time I first entered said Service, I received an Honourable verbal discharge from said Capt Wm Latham. And I well remember that during the whole of said term of eighteen months that John Morgan of said Town of Groton belonged to the same Company that I did and did Garrison duty in said Fort and that he entered said Service at the same time that I did and was discharged at the same time that I was. I have always been acquainted with said John Morgan who is now present and know him to be the same person who then served as above stated. I believe him to be Seventy four years of age and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Joshua Bill
New London County Ss Groton March 24 1834.
Personally appeared the above named Joshua Bill and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition by him Subscribed, And I hereby certify that the said Joshua Bill is to me well known and is a credible witness. Sworn before me
Nathan Daboll Justice of Peace
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I Joshua Baker of the town of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 80 years do on my oath depose and say that I was in the service of the state of Connecticut a term of two years and six months during the Revolutionary war. That I was stationed in Fort Griswold on Groton Heights during the whole of said term. That John Morgan of said town of Groton enlisted into said Fort in the fall of the year 1776 for a term of six months into a company commanded by Capt William Latham - Youngs Ledyard Lieut to which company I then belonged. That at the expiration of said term of six months the said Morgan again enlisted for a further term of twelve months. That he was stationed in said Fort during the whole of said term of eighteen months and belonged to the same company with myself said fort being under the command of Col William Ledyard during said time. That at the expiration of said time he was discharged by said Capt Wm Latham. I have always been acquainted with said John Morgan who is now present and know him to be the same person who then served as above stated. I believe him to be about seventy four years of age and that his testimony is entitled to credit
Joshua X his mark Baker
Witness present
Elisha Morgan
Margaret Baker

New London County Ss Groton May 8th 1834
Personally appeared the above named Joshua Baker and and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition and I hereby certify that the said Joshua Baker is well known to me and is a credible witness
Sworn and subscribed before me Elisha Morgan Justice of Peace
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I Samuel Edgecomb of the town of Groton County of New London and state of Connecticut aged 73 years on my oath depose and say that I was in the service of the State of Connecticut doing garrison duty in Fort Griswold on Groton Heights in the fall of 1778 during a term of three months in a company of Militia under the command of Capt Elijah Avery. That I well remember that John Morgan of said town of Groton was on duty in the same company to which I belonged during the whole of said time. We were employed to work on the Fort a part of the time and were occasionally called out together on piquet guard. We were called into the fort at the same time and discharged at the same time by verbal discharge from said Capt Elijah Avery. I have always been acquainted with said John Morgan who is now present and know him to be the same person who served as above stated. I believe him to be about 74 years of age and that his testimony is entitled to credit.
Samuel Edgecomb

New London County Ss Groton May 12th 1834
Personally appeared the above named Samuel Edgecomb and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I hereby certify that he said Samuel Edgecomb is to me well known and that he is a credible and unimpeachable witness.
Subscribed and sworn to before me
Elisha Morgan Justice of the Peace
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We Erastus Denison a clergyman residing in Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut and Benjamin F. Stoddard residing in said Town of Groton hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Morgan who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing or above Declaration. That we believe him to be 74 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, and we also certify that said John Morgan sustains a character for veracity.
Erastus Denison
Benj F Stoddard

Sworn and subscribed before the court aforesaid
Asa Fish Judge
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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, John Morgan was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Erastus Denison who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said Town of Groton and that Benj F. Stoddard who has also signed the same is a resident in the said Town of Groton and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit and that it also appears to said court that Joshua Bill, Joshua Baker and Samuel Edgecomb, who have respectively signed a certificate preceding, are all resident in said Groton, and are credible persons and that their statements as to Facts are entitled to credit
Asa Fish Judge

I David A Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington Ct do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Morgan for a pension - In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal of Office this 12th day of May A.D. 1834
David A. Daboll Clerk.

[seal affixed at left]
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I Noyes Barber, a Representative in Congress from the State of Connecticut, hereby certify that Nathan Daboll esq, before whom the Deposition of Joshua Bill was taken, and Elisha Morgan esquire before whom the Depositions of Joshua Baker & Samuel Edgecomb were taken, are Justices of the Peace in and for the County of New London in said State of Connecticut and the signatures purporting to be theirs I believe to be in their own proper hand writing.
Washington May 17th AD 1834
Noyes Barber

[written vertically]
John Morgan
Declaration for Pension

Admt [illegible]
6 mo Inf - 20
18 mattross - 75
$95

Hon. N. Barber
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December 27, 1938
XXXXXXXXX
BA-J/CC
John Morgan
S.17588

Mrs. Cleon Wills,
2119 -3rd Street
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request pension and war service record of John Morgan of New London County, Connecticut, who served in the Revolutionary War.

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers in pension claim on file under S.17588, based on the Revolutionary War service of John Morgan, and upon disability incurred while in service.

John Morgan was born March 28, 1760 in Groton, New London County, Connecticut. He was the son of John Morgan. Name of his mother was not given.

While residing in Groton, Connecticut, John Morgan, served in the fall of 1776, three months as substitute for his father, in Captain Ralph Stoddard's company under Colonel William Ledyard on Groton Heights near Fort Griswold. He served three months in 1777 in Captain Elijah Avery's company. He reenlisted immediately and served eighteen months as matross in Captain William Latham's company under Colonel William Ledyard stationed in Fort Griswold, and was discharged in the summer of 1779. He then entered on board the sloop Beaver, Captain William Havens, and continued "to go privateering" until the month of July 1781. He returned to Groton, Connecticut and on the morning of September 6, 1781, he heard the heavy firing of the "alarm guns", and went to Fort Griswold, joined Captain William Latham's company and was there when the enemy attacked the fort and Colonel Ledyard was killed and he (John Morgan) was severely wounded by a musket ball passing through his left knee, also received other wounds. At the time of discharge he was referred to as John Morgan, 3rd.

He was allowed pension from November 22, 1788, on account of disability resulting from the above named wounds. He was allowed pension
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also on his application executed May 12, 1834, then a resident of Groton, New London County, Connecticut where he had lived always.

There are no data in this claim relative to wife or children of the soldier.

May 8, 1834, Elisha Morgan witnessed the signature of Joshua Baker, in Groton, New London County, Connecticut, relationship not shown.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of the death of John Morgan you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following data:

John Morgan
Certificate No. 28384
Issued May 9, 1834
Rate $95.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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Morgan, John
Conn. S17588

Jn Morgan's
Original Certificate

[vertically at left]
John Morgan 3rd
Page 16

On due examination it appears that John Morgan 3rd of Groton aged about twenty five years while acting as a probate in the State Militia in opposing the British Troops who landed at New London under Genl Arnold, Sept. 6th 1781 received a wound in his knee whereby he is partially disabled to perform Military duty or gain a lively hood; and is entitled to receive from the United States thirty dollars per annum towards his support. -
New London Sept. 26th 1788
Certified
Richd Law }
Elijah Dyer }
Roger Sherman }
Wm Pitkin }
Oliv Ellsworth } Judges of the Superior Court.

State of Connecticut Ss Compt Office March 4th 1790
The above is a true copy of the original on file in this Office
Examined by A Kingsbury Clerk

John Morgan 3rd
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Veterans Administration
Washington. D. C.
Official Business

Penalty for Private Use to Avoid
Payment of Postage. $300

Important
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State of Connecticut }
County & City of New London } Ss
On the nineteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty four before me the subscriber a Notary public duly commissioned and residing in said City of New London personally appeared John Morgan, late John Morgan 3rd, of the Town of Groton, in said County & State aforesaid who upon his oath declares & says that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Capt. John Williams in the Eighth Regiment of Militia in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Connecticut but he has never received a formal Certificate from the Secretary of War & now wishes to obtain one.
John Morgan

Sworn & subscribed to before me the day & year aforesaid. Witness my hand & seal of Office }
Ebenezer Learned Notary Public
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House of Representatives
2 March 1824
Sir
I here enclose you John Morgans documents his object is to have an increase of Pension I know him well and do not hesitate to say he is justly entitled to receive a full pension
I am sir very respectfully Your obedient Servant
Noyes Barber

P.S. Do furnish me with an answer as soon as convenient. 
N.B.
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Bureau of Pension
United States
Connecticut District Ss Bridgeport
To Doctors John O. Miner and Doctor Benjamin F. Stoddard of the Town of Groton in New London County in said district of Connecticut.
Pursuant to an act of Congress of the United States Passed the 4th February 1822 entitled an act to revive and continue in force an act to provide for pensioners who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War and for other purposes you are hereby appointed and authorized to examine John Morgan of Groton in New London County Connecticut who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States and is claimant for an increase of pension conformally to the 5th Section of an act of the 10th April 1806 revived as aforesaid and you are to report in writing and on oath or affirmation your opinion of the nature [illegible] and in what degree it prevents
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obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings is the promise you are to be regulated and governed by said art.
From under my hand and seal at Bridgeport this 22nd day of January in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty four.
Pen D. Edwards
Judge

I certify that the erasure of the words "25th of April 1812," and the insertion of the words 
4th February 1822" in lieu thereof, in the preceding page, were done by my permission.
Pen D Edwards
Judge of said Dep
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20888
Invalid.
Revolution
See Inv. File 17588
File No. 20.888
John Morgan 3rd
Pri Conn Mil
Act: Revy War Invalid
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 281

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

United States of America Ss
Connecticut
Groton February 23rd 1824 -
(Date.)

It is hereby certified, That John Morgan of Groton a private acting in the Company of Capt William Latham in Fort Griswold belonging to the 8th Regiment of Conn Millitia, is rendered incapable of performing the duty of a Soldier, by reason of wounds or other injuries inflicted while he was actually in the service aforesaid, and in the line of his duty, viz:
By satisfactory evidence and accurate examination, it appears that on the 6th day of September in the year 1781 being engaged with the British troops commanded by General Arnold at or near a place called Fort Griswold in Groton in the district, or territory, of Connecticut he received a wound in his left knee by means of which his knee became frequently stiff and strait for which he is inscribed on the pension list of the United States in the name of John Morgan 3rd at two thirds of a total disability - by reason of the left limb being perfectly strait, he has been obliged to make such exertions with his right leg to clear his foot from the ground in walking, that his right hip has become very lame & painfull and the joint of the lame knee has grown loose, and frequently becomes partially dislocated in attempting to walk and the limb stills remains inflexible -

and he is thereby not only incapacitated for Military Duty, but, in the opinion of the undersigned, is totally disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor.
John O. Miner Surgeon.
B F Stoddard Surgeon.

N.B. - The blank in the last line but one is to be filled up with the proportional "degree" of disability; for example: "three-fourths" - "one-half" - "one-third," &c. &c. or, "totally," as the case may be.

Subscribed and Sworn to at Groton in New London County and State of Connecticut this 23 day of February 1824
Before me Nathan Daboll Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that the above deponents are persons of credibility
Nathan Daboll Justice of Peace
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Connecticut
John Morgan, 3rd
Private of
Captain Latham's company of the 8th regt
Connecticut Militia* Revy War
Ratio of disability,
Date of discharge * & Privateer
W.D.G. Nov. 12, 1909
Inscribed on the roll of Connecticut
$2 50/100 dollars per month, and increased to $4, by act 24 April 1816.
Personal Certificate of pension issued the 23 of Apl 1824 and sent to Hon. Noyes Barber, H.R.

arrears to 4th
semi-anl. all'ce ending

Increased by Secy of War to $8 per month, 23 Apl. 1824, to commence 23 Feb. 1824. -
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[left side of page] 17588
Invalid.
File No. 17.588
John Morgan
Pri & Matross Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 266

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]
1938 - Dec 27, Hist to Mrs. Cleon Wills
Page 26

2119 3rd Street
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
October 28, 1938

Veterans' Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs: - May I have the pension and war service record for John Morgan of New London County, Conn; please, and any record of his parents, family, birthplace, or dates, that you may have? Thank you.
Yours truly,
Mrs. Cleon Wills

[written diagonally below] Groton in New London Ct.

[circle stamp with numbers 1 through 12 around rim] Received Oct 29 1938 Mail Sub Div Vet Adm 7
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The National Archives
Form VAN-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Morgan, John  Grade Private Line Maryland

Warrant Number 11542 Acreage 100 Issued January 24, 1794 to - not shown -

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.