Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8759, for Israel Richards, Connecticut
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.   
Richards, Israel   
SERVICE
R.8759
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32,830

Declaration of 
Israel Richards

E. Shoemaker
Agent
Smithboro
Tioga Co
N.Y.
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State of New York
Tioga County ss.
On this 16th day of April 1835, personally appeared before me Elijah Shoemaker a Judge of the Courts in and for said County, Israel Richards a resident of Nichols, Tioga County, New York, aged seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain 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 under Lieut. William Buel, on the first of May 1780 for eight months in Colonel Samuel Willis' Regiment, that he enlisted in the Town of Hebron Tolland County, Connecticut, the place of his residence and marched from there through Colchester, to Hadam, where they joined the Regiments, and remained some weeks-
The Regiment was then marched through Colchester to New London to a place called Wintross Neck, where the Regt. was garrisoned (they head quartered being there during the season) the companies made excursions up & down the Sound, and in various directions watching the movements of the enemy.  One evening in September, as he believes, Lieut. Burl and his company surprised and took about one hundred of the British Cavalry with their horses.  that he remained with the company in the service untill the latter part of December when they were discharged and he returned home having obtained a written discharge which he afterwards lost.  That in the month of March A. D. 1781, he again enlisted at New London for one month, under Captain Clay and went over, and was stationed, & employed at Fort Griswold, where he remained untill
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discharged from the services, Having and he believes ?? in the war of the Revolution
Eight months in the year 1780 and our month in the year 1781 making in all nine months he served and he believed in the continental services or troops. He hereby relinquished every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity exist the pension and he declares that his name is not on the pensions ?? of the ??? in any state or of the United States sworn to & subscribe
Isreal X Richards his mark
this day & year ???
before me Elijah Shoemaker
Liager County
I Elijah Shoemaker ?? of the judges of the courts in and for said County ?? declare my opinion that the above named applicant Isreal Richards was a revolutionary soldier and served in his state and that by reason of infirmity he is unable to attend court
Elija Shoemaker

State of New York
Tioga County ??  I David Wallis Clerk of the County of Tioga do hereby certify that Elija Shoemaker whose name is subscribe to the above certificate and affidavit was at the time of taking such affidavit a judge of the said County duly ??? and sworn into official and further that I am  well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verify believe that the signature Elijah Shoemaker subscribe to said certificate affidavit is his own proper hand writing.
In testimony when of I have ?? set my hand & affixed the seal of the ?? County this 6th of May A.D. 1835
David Wallis
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Isreal Richards & other affairs
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State of New York, Tioga County
On the 5th day of June A.D. 1835, personally came before me Elijah Shoemaker ?? of the Judges of the county in and for said county. Isreal Richards who after being duly sworn said on his oath that he was born at New London ?? of Connecticut according to his ?? & understanding or the 16th day of Nov. A.D. 1764
where he lived until he lived ten years old  then went to Gibran In place where he listed and stated in his declaration sworn &subscribed on the 16th of April last ?? before Elijah Shoemaker a judge of the county of Tioga county. That he never heard or understood in any ?? that he was entitled to a pension under any ???  until that 7th of June 1832, that being ??? and ?? and living very minute notion he did not hear of it ?? until late that fall, that he then understood and has  ?? so understood until a short time before the making his Declaration in april that it was ?? to presume the testament of persons who had a knowledge of his services and that he had ?? to obtain sworn proof and came to note and he believes  but having been   advised that it could not absolutely  ?? he presumed to make his application. What he has never known any other Isreal Richards beside himself sworn subscribed 
Isreal Richards X his mark
This day and year ??
before me Elijah Shoemaker
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State of New York
Tioga County ss 
Personally came before me Elijah Shoemaker a Judge of the Court, in and for said County Margaret Richards aged sixty eight years, (wife of Israel Richards) who being sworn according to law says upon her oath that she came to New London with her parents in the year A.D. 1769, where she continued to live until she got married in 1784 to her present husband
that she remained seventeen years in the State of Connecticut with her husband that they
have since lived part of the time in the State of
Pennsylvania and then resided in the State of
New York. That she knew the family of the
Richards in Connecticut, but never knew of
any one by the name of Israel Richards except
her husband, and has always understood from
her said husband that he enlisted under
Lieut. Burl in Col Willis Regt. in 1780
and served Eight months, and that the next
year he listed for one month, and event
to Fort Griswold and was then discharged
that she has no doubt but he rendered the
services by him stated
Margaret Richard
Sworn to & subscribed this}
5th day of June 1835 before me} 
Elijah Shoemaker
State of New York
Tioga County On this 5th day of June 1835 appeared before me Elijah Shoemaker a Judge of the County in & for said County, Harlow Richards, and thirty years & upwards, Son of Israel Richards who being duly sworn, says on his oath that He has always understood from his earliest recollection in conversation with his Father that he served as a soldier in Col Willis'
Regiment in Connecticut, in the war of the
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Revolution in the years 1780 & 81, that he has
always understood and believed from his Parents that they came from Connecticut, and hasnever heard or understood of any other Israel Richards except his Father
Harlow Richards
Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
before me Elijah Shoemaker
State of New York
Tioga County ss.  On this 8th day of June 1835.
personally appeared before me Elijah
Shoemaker one of the Judges of the Courts in
and for said County, Emanuel Coryell who
being duly sworn, deposeth and says 
That he has been personally acquainted with
Israel Richards for fourteen years last past, and that for part of the period he lived a near neighbor to said Richards and that he frequently in conversation with said Israel understood from him that he had served as a soldier in the Army of the United States in Colonel Samuel Willis' Regt in the State of Connecticut, that said Richards was born in that State as he has always understood from him, and have no doubt as to the truth of his statements.
Emanuel Coryell
Sworn to & subscribed
this June 8th 1835
before me 
Elijah Shoemaker
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[illegible] County [illegible] I Elijah Shoemaker [illegible] Judge of the
Courts in & for said County, Do hereby certify that
I am acquainted with Israel Richards & Margaret
his wife & their son [illegible] Richards & Emanuel
Coryell, that they are all credible persons and
their statements entitled to full credit & belief
Richards June 8th 1835.
Elijah Shoemaker
State of New York
[illegible] County David Wallis Clerk of the County of [illegible] do
hereby certify that Elijah Shoemaker Esq whose name
is subscribed to the acknowledgments of the annexed
affidavits was on the day of the [illegible] thing
a judge of the Court of Common [illegible] of said
County and I am will acquainted with his hand writing
and verily believe the signature thereunto subscribed his name hand writing In testimony
whereof I [illegible] have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal June 9th 1835 Wallis Clerk
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No. 32.830
New York
Israel Richards
Suspended
Let to E Shoemaker 18 May 1835

14 July
Hon S. B. Leonard Feb 16. 18
Same [?]March
same 25
Arad Joy March 22. 1845
B. B. [?], June 12, 46
8. 759
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[strike out "Acts of July 14, 1862 and March 3, 1873.]
8759
P.O. Israel Richards
Service: [blank]
REJECTED
Enlisted [blank], 18
Discharged [blank], 18
Application filed [blank], 18
Alleges [blank]
Re-enlisted [blank]
Attorney [blank]
P.O. [blank]
[blank] recognized [blank] contract
[blank] Cert of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18
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Israel Richards
report to Hon. S. B. Leonard H.R.
Hon. S. B. Leonard HR
Hon. James L. Edwards Comr [commissioner] of Pensions Washington City
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Smith[?] Jany 27, 1836
Dear Sir
I desire to call your attention to the case
of Israel Richards whose declaration [?] was
forwarded last April, to secure a pension
under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832
which [illegible] and appears by your letter
to me of May 16th 1835 In which you say
The fact that the claimant was entitled to
the benefit of the act of March 18, 1818, and the
delay in making application under that of
1832, and [illegible] to make it under that
of 1818; is presumptive evidence that his claim
is not well founded, to rebut which the most
satisfactory explanation is required and the
best proof of his identity
for the purpose of obviating those difficulties
I forwarded some time in June last to you
the statement & affidavit of the applicant
Israel Richards showing the cause or reason
of the delay in making the application and
also the affidavit of his wife, Son & Emanuel
Coryell, going to establish the fact of his
identity, which I presumed would be
satisfactory at this late day on the point
and the affidavit of the applicant would
reasonably account for the delay in the
case, which would seem to have been
the only difficulties on the examination
at that time, and in reply to my communication I [illegible] from Geo Wm [illegible] his letter of July 14th 1835. Saying
The papers have again been examined,
that claimants are required to make their
declaration in open Court, that he must
make it in conformity with the regulations
of the department & he will also procure
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a certificate from the Comptroller of Connecticut
relation to service in Col Samuel Willis Regt.
in 1780. And procure direct proof that he is
the individual, of his name should be found
on the rolls of that office
apparently starting
new objections in the case, and assuming
new positions, the first is the Declaration
must be made in open Court, which is true
except in cases provided for where the applicant
is unable by reason of bodily infirmity so to do.
and the applicant Richards is such a case, as
was certified at the time by me,
and in regard to the direct proof that he is the person or individual who rendered the service, to require
positive or direct proof, in the language of the
regulations & would, after the lapse of so many
years, be to deprive them of the benefit of the law
for myself I have not the least doubt but he is
the very man who served as stated by him
in his declaration, and again in respect to
the certificate from Connecticut I understand
that Col Willis [illegible] belonged to the Continental or Regular Troops, and in that case the name of the applicant Israel Richards [illegible] appear on the rolls in the Department and I infer from year letter of 16th May that
his name was on the rolls in the office
and if that is the case for myself I do not
discover any necessity of resorting to Connecticut for further proof, and have not made
any application from that source, supposing
his name appeared on the rolls in the war
Office, It is not impossible but that some
of my views in relation to the above case
[illegible] may be erroneous although I [illegible]
them to be correct, and if I am right, the
applicants case is made out and he
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entitled to a pension agreeably to the act of June 7th 1832. Nevertheless should you after investigating the subject with all the papers as now on file be of the opinion that the case of the old gentleman is not fully established please have the goodness to advise me as early as conveniently may be stating what is yet necessary to be done in order to entitle him to what he conceives to be his due.
Hon. [honorable] Stephen B. Leonard will [illegible] this to be delivered who is one of the members in congress from this dist. [district] You will deliver to him any communication that you make to me on the subject who will forward to me.
I am dear sir respectfully yours
Elijah Shoemaker
Hon. J. L. Edwards
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Hon James L Edwards
Com'r of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Smithboro, May 9th 1835.

Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the Declaration of Israel Richards, now a resident of Nichols Tioga Co. N.Y  In which he says he served as  a continental Soldier in the year 1780 and 81, nine months in Col Samuel Willis Regt Connecticut.  He thinks his name is on the rolls in the War Office as such Soldier. Have the goodness to examine his claim and advise me as early as convenient of the result.
Respectfully yours,
Elijah Shoemaker

Hon J L Edwards
Com of Pensions
P.S. Please direct to Smithboro Tionga Co
N.Y.
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Hon S.B. Leonard
House of Representatives
Washington
D. C
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Comptrollers Office
Hartford Ct
Feby. 20th 1836
Dear Sir
Your request of the 17th is recd and I would wish to state that it will be very difficult to find any evidence of the services of Israel Richards
unless we can have more particular in relation to the service rendered by him-- It would be well to send a copy of his certificate so far as particular information is contained in relation
to his services
As there is no fees allowed by this State to any person in this office for making certificates for old soldiers it becomes necessary that we require a fee of the aplicant [applicant], when he makes his aplication [application]

Very Respectfully Your
Obedient Servant
Wm Field

Hon S B Leonard
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March 21 1846
Recd
Israel Richardson

Postmark
Wellsboro Pa. Mar 22
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Wellsboro Tioga Co. Pa. March 20/46
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Sir Israel Richards aged Eighty one years who now resides in this borough informs me that he enlisted into the Army of the Revolution at
the age of sixteen under Lieut William Buel
at Hebrun Count on the 1st Monday in May 1780 and served Eight months - was paid a bounty of $8. on enlisting in Continental money - Received a regular discharge which he afterwards lost. He gives a detailed account of this eight months Service - at Colchester - East or Middle Hadam Montville &c was principally employed in the swamps cutting poles & brush for gabines & fascines
He volunteered when New London was attacked by Arnold and shows the Scar from
a wound which he recd on that occasion in
the thigh. States he (while in the service) was
of the party under Lieut. Buel who surprised
and took a party of Cow Boys between
New London & Saybrook - His term of service
expired as he says some year before the
attack upon New London -
He further informs that he made application
some twelve or fourteen years ago for a pension when residing at Broome Co. N. Y. aided by Judge Shoemaker of that place-- That afterwards the matter was
taken in hand by Esq. Maxwell of Elmira
N.Y. but without success--
Permit me to enquire in what particulars
his application is defective and what is further required of him to obtain
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a pension- He informs further that his father Stephen Richards enlisted in the early part of the war and was mortally wounded at the battle of White Plains & died soon after. He enlisted under Lieut Wm Richards-- that Mr Maxwell had informed him his father's name, (Stephen) was found on the Records at Washington and that he was entitled to land-- which he might have to bring such for to recover
Please give me such information as you may be in possession of in relation to this matter & if there is a chance for him to get this land-
Very Respectfully
Your obt Servt
B. B. Smith
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Hon S B Leonard
House of Representatives
Washington D.C.
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Comptrollers Office
Hartford Ct
March 14th 1836

Dear Sir
I have examined the Books & papers in this office in relation to revolutionary service & 
have not been able to find any thing that will
help Mr Richards to a pension. He must be
more particular in stating his officers names, if
posible [possible] he must give the names of his Captains. He is probably mistaken about serving under Col Samuel Willis in 1760 at Winthrops neck it is suposed [supposed] to be Col Hezekiah Willis under whom he served at that time
If Mr Richards can give more particulars
in relation to his officers I will make another  [illegible]

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully your
Obedient Servant
Wm Field

Hon. S.B. Leonard
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Hon J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Washington
D. C
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Ovid March 10th 45

Dear Sir
Pardon me for respectfully asking you
to please inform me the objection to a pension the amount & particulars of service claimed by Israel Richards, who applied for a pension from Bradford County Pa or Tioga County New York, under the law of 1832
Respectfully your
Most Obt Sert
Arad Joy

Hon J. L. Edward
Court of Pensions
Washington D.C.