Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9570, for Jabez Sill, Connecticut
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(3-1776) 
Service 
Conn.
Sill, Jabez
Number R. 9570
Contents
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33.682
Jabez Sill
Pennsylvania
Lt Allison  
9570
Hon. J. Laporte HR
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State of Pennsylvania
Bradford County

On the 18th day February A.D. 1836 Before the [[unclear]] [[/unclear]] a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Personally appeared Wiliam Heuyok of Wysox Township in the county and state aforesaid aged seventy two years and after being duly sworn, de poseth and saith that some time in the month of October A.D. 1778 This deponent became acquainted and knew Jabez Sill at Wyony near the place now called Wilksbarre Suzanne County in the state of Pennsylvania and that when this deponent first became acquainted with the said Jabez Sill he said Jabez Sill was at the time attached to the company commanded by Captain Simon Spalding in the region was commanded by Col. Zebulan Butler at the place aforesaid and as this deponent belong to the Regiment, which was commanded by the Col. Zebulan Butler aforesaid at the same time as mentioned aforesaid He became well acquainted with the said Jabez Sill aforesaid having seen him repeatedly, and very frequently on duty at the time aforesaid and frequently then after that he was acquainted with [[unclear]] [[/unclear]] close and end of the Revolutionary War-and or the south that he is now acquainted with the said Jabez Sill and that he said Jabez Sill is now living in the township of Wysox is in the county of Bradford in the state of Pennsylvania and this deponent knows that he is not mistaken in the facts above states her is mistaken in the identity of Jabez Sill as he has been acquainted with the Family of the said Jabez Sill ever since the cloze of the Revolutionary War and further this despondent saith not.
William Huyok
Sworn & subscribe before me this 18th day Feb 1836 
William Sill Justice of the Peace
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Bradford}
On the 20th day of February 1836 personally appeared before the court of Common Pleas of Bradford County aforesaid now sitting in orphan court [illegible] a court of record, Jane’s Sill, a resident of Mysox Township in the county of Bradford of State of Pennsylvania aged seventy three 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 of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that be volunteered as a private in a militia company in the year 1778 in the service of the United States. He joined the company of Militia commanded by Capt. Simon Spalding Col. Lebulon Butler regiment, at what is now called Strautsburgh in Pennsylvania, on the 14th day of August 1778, and then marched from there immediately to the valley of Wyoming. He was with his comrades from this tense constantly employed in building a new fort and in guarding the settlement of Wyoming from the concessions of the Indians until General Sullivan arrived with the considerable force in July 1779when he was dismissed by Capt. Spalding. There not being any remaining danger from the [illegible] troops of Indians. He had no written discharge but was dismissed by the Captain with many, if not all, the volunteer militia men. The period of his service, as near as he can recollect and he believes he is not mistaken was from the middle of August, 1778 to the last of July 1779, making in all at least eleven months. The troops [illegible] decreeing his service were under the command of COll Nathan Dennison, in the absence of Col. Butler. He was in no general battle but
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Was a member of troops engaged with others in  repulsing battery of Indians particularly when the Indians in March 1779 attempted to take the new fort which had been erected. [illegible] his services, he was not marched out of the valley of Wyoming. He was born in the Town of Lyme, Connecticut in March 1763. He has or or known of no record of his age except that contained in the Family Bible now in the possession of of his son, William Sill at Mysox aforesaid. When he enlisted the service of the United States at Strausburgh aforesaid he was a resident of Wilks Barre. After the devastating Battle of the 3rd July 1778 he escaped or was driven to Straudsburgh with many other boys and young men. Soon after the war he went to East Windsor in Connecticut where he resided sixteen years. He moved from East Windsor to Sodus Bay or Lake Ontario, State of New York. He resided about three years in the State of New York when he again removed back to the Valley of Wyoming, Hanover [illegible] Luzerne Co. Penna, where he resided about 3 years. Since that time he has resided in New Town, Southport, & Dansville in the State of New York until between two & three years since when he came to Mysox Bradford County his present place of residence. He enlisted the service of the United States as a volunteer as before stated. He does not now remember the names of any of the regular officers who were with the troops while he served, except the names already mentioned. He never received any written discharge, nor any commission. Jonathan Steven’s, Esq, Wilber Bennett Esq., J. Shepard Patrick  & [illegible] are persons who reside in the neighborhood where
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Declaring now lives and who, or he believes can testify to his character for truth & veracity of their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution. He knowingly acknowledges every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any state. He hath no further [illegible] proof of his services in his power other than that contained in the annexed affidavits of William Huych, & Jonathan Stevens Esq & those is not residing in his neighborhood or anywhere else as he knows any clergyman, by whom to make out the [illegible] evidence. Sworn to & subscribed the day/year aforesaid in [illegible]. /s/ Jabez Sill

Mr. Wilber Bennett J Shepard Patrick residing in Mysox Township Bradford County Pennsylvania, farmers hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jabez Sill who has subscribed sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy 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 we [illegible] in that admission. 
[seal] 
And the said Court do hereby declare there [illegible] after investigation of the matter and after putting the investigation prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
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And served as he states, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Wilber Bennett, J. Shepard Patrick are residents of Mysox Township aforesaid that they are credible persons, and the statement signed by them is entitled to credit. 
I, Samuel Strait Jr, Prothonotary of the court of Common Pleas of Bradford County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jabez Sill for a pension. 
In testimony thereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 20th day of February AD 1836
/s/ Samuel Strait Jr. Proty…
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Jabez Sill


Jan. 1813
Mr. Wade
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Power of Attorney

State of Pennsylvania
County of Bradford

Be it known, that before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, personally appeared William Sill, son of Jabez Sill died a resident of Hench [?] in the county of Bradford in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according to law, states that he is son of the said Jabez Sill died in 1828 of Wysox Township in the county of Bradford and State of Pennsylvania who was a revolutionary soldier an that he believes the United States are still indebted,  under existing laws, for the pension that was due under the application heretofore made, and that he is directly interested as a claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made as aforedsaid, and constitutes and appoints Willis G. Wade, of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate and establish the claim for said pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.

In witness whereof the said William Sill has on this second day of December 1852, hereunto signed his name, and affixed seal.
Witness;
N. Watkins
William Sill [L.S.]
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this second day of December 1852
D. Vandercook J.P.

*Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead, insert one fo the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant, insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.

Here, if the solder or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words "widow of" and the name of her husband; if both dead insert the works "son or daughter of," and the name of the former unsuccessful applicant.

Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was.

Note -- When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it occurs.
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                                          ION CLAIM

             Act of June 7, 1832.
             Jabez  Sill
                    Penna.


                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                  TO EXAMINE CLAIM.


            CHARLES C. TUCKER.
                              Attorney, 
                                   Present.
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State of Pennsylvania    Wilford County --- SS.

On this 26th day of January 1836, before me a Justice of Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Joseph Jill and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.   [Signed]  N N Betts J Peace

State of Pennsylvania
Bradford County} SS.

On the 26th day of January 1836, before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Joseph Sill as resident of said County, and made oath according to the law that he is the identical Joseph Sill who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in presenting said Claim.    
                             [Signed]  Joseph Sill

    Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
                              [Signed]   N N Betts J. P.

State of Pennsylvania
County of Bradford} SS

I Allen M. Kean  Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sepin do hereby certify that N.N. Betts Esq, before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgement were made and who has thereto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County and State aforesaid,  duly commissioned and sworn, and that all of his official acts as each are entitled to full faith and credit.

   In testimony whereof, I have hereto signed my name and affixed my official seal this 26th day of January 1836.

                          [Signed]  Allen M. Keans 
                                                        Clerk
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March 26, 1926

Mary B. Wells
 93 Lake St
LeRoy, N.Y.

Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary was pension claim, R.9570, it appears that Jabez Sill was born in March 1763 at Lyme, Connecticut.

While residing at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, he volunteers August 14, 1778 and served in Captain Simon Spaulding's Company, under Colonel Nathan Denison in the Connecticut Troops, they marched to the Wyoming Valley and were employed in building a fort, and guarding the settlement from the invasion of the Indians, and served until July 1779.

He applied for pension February 20, 1836, while a resident of Wysox Township, Bradford County Pennsylvania, but the claim was not allowed, as it was not considered that he served in a military capacity,
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as required by the pension laws.

He died in 1838.

A son, William, was living in Bradford County, Pennsylvania in 1852.  The name of the soldier's wife is not on file.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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                               33, 682

    Rejected

[next two lines crossed out]
let 10 May 
Name J. Laporte

did not serve 
six months in a military 
capacity.   [Crossed out the following information]  Let to Hon J 
Laporte Dec 12, 1836
 C.C. Tucker Feb 21, 1857
________________________________
                    1832
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                       REJECTED
           9,570
P.O. ___________________________     
                        Jabez Sill
SERVICE:________________________________
ENLISTED:__________________________,18
Discharged: _______________________, 18
Application filed: __________________, 18
  The printed list of 1832 shows reasons for rejection
Alleges:    He did not serve in a military "capacity"

Re-enlisted:______________________________
Attorney: ________________________________
P.O. _____________________________________

________ Recognized.  ____________Contract.



_________ Cert of Dis.    Searched for _____, 18   

[Written vertically on left side of form]
1926 Mch 22 Hist to Mary B, Welles
1936  Apr 1 Mary B. Wells advised to apply to D.A.R. relative to adm under this record.  an
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Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Mary B. Wells
93 Lake St.
Le Roy, N.Y.

Madam:

In response to your letter of the 24" ultimo, herewith is  returned the Bureau letter of the 22" ultimo, with the suggestion that you refer the same to the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, in order to enable it to decide whether the  record contained therein, of Jabez Sill, R. 9570, will entitle you to a supplementary paper.

This Bureau has no jurisdiction over the decisions of that organization and is unable to aid you in this matter.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
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93 LAKE STREET
Le ROY, NEW YORK

Winfield Scott,
Dept of Interior Washington

Dear Sir:

Your of the 22nd received.  May I ask in reply please.

Would the material given me on Jabez Sill entitle me to a suplimentry paper on same? although service not sufficient

RETURN THIS LETTER
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for pension?

Kindly advise and thank you,

Mary B. Wells

Mar 24/26

She sent with this the original of the Bureau letter of Mar 22, 1926 about Jabez Sill, Conn. R9570.

Rev & it has been returned to her April, 1926
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93 LAKE STREET
Le ROY, NEW YORK
Department of Interior -
Bureau of Pensions -
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir.
am trying to locate the war record of Jabez Sill of Lyme - Elwood to Wilkes Barre, Pa.
State Library of Hartford Con quote the following "Draper's compilation of Connecticut,

Stamped:
PENSION 
C
FEB 8 1926
U. S.
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pensions gives the following file number for Jabez Sill pensioner:  R. 9570.
Am anxious to prove for D.A.R..
Jabez Sill married Elizabeth Noyse of Lyme.
Hope you can find the record.
Sincerely
Mary B. Wells
Feb 6th  1926
LeRoy NY
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C. C. Tucker
Feby 20/57
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Pension Office
Feb'y 21, 1857

Sir,

In answer to your letter of 28th ultimo I have to inform you that the claim of Jabez Sill, of Pa, for pension under the Act of 1832 was rejected on thee ground that he did not serve so much as six months in a military capacity.

He alleged a service of eleven months under Capt. Simon, or Simeon Spaulding, who raised a company to aid Col. Zebulon Butler to repel the attacks of the Indians on the Wyoming settlements in the summer of 1778.  See Marshall's Life of Washington, Vol. 1 P 280, etc.  This service was evidently mistaken for the ordinary militia service of the Penna militia, which was ordinarily performed in tours of two months each, whereas the probability is that this was a Connecticut force, and it is probable that some evidence
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of the duration of the service under Capt. Spaulding may be found in the Office of the Comptroller of C't, or in the collections of the Historical Society at Hartford, or in the History of Wyoming.

Evidence confirming the statements of Sill as to the duration of his service will change the aspect of the case from that presented when it was originally examined.

Chas. C. Tucker, Esq.
Present
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[Appears to be written on the back of a page, the writing on the front having bled through.]

Hon. J. Laporte
May 10, 1836

Record Vol 28, Pg 78
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War Dept. Pen. Office
May 10, 1836

Sir,

The papers in the case of Jabez Sill have been ex'd.  He alleges to have volunteered as a militia man at Wyoming in Pa. in Augt 1778 and was employed in building a fort or block house at that place as a defense against the Indians and that he remained in service until July 1779.  Those who served as militia men called out by competent authority served in short terms.  The applicant's employment in creating a place of defense on the Indian frontier, and his being in _____ Indian mission, was not of that character provided for by the Act of June 1832.  The claim has therefore been rejected and the papers filed in this office.

Hon. J. Laporte
_____
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Washington D.C. Jan. 28, 1857

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir,

I filed several months since a Power of Attorney in the suspended Revolutionary Pension claim under the Act of June 7, 1832 of Jabez Sill of Penna.

Will you please inform me the cause of the suspension  of said claim and what testimony is required to establish it.  If said claim was suspended or rejected in consequence of the soldier having served as a teamster, does not a subsequent construction of the Act bring this claim within its provisions.

Yours truly

Chas. C. Tucker
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Hon. Laporte
Dec. 12, 1836

Record __36 Page374
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War Dept.
Pension Office
Dec . 12 1836
Sir,
In compliance with your request I have the honor to enclose herewith, the certified copies of the papers in the case of Jabez Sill.
David King's papers were enclosed to C. A. Harris, Esq., Acting Secretary of War on the 25th of July last, accompanied by a report in the case, since which time it does not appear that they have been received at this office.
Hon. Jno Laporte
H.R.