Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31910, for Joseph Plumb, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Plumb, Joseph

NUMBER
S. 31910
Page 2

Connecticut 22.594

Joseph Plumb
at Middlesex Co. in the State of Conn.
who was a Private in the Co. commanded
by Captain Kirtland of the Rgt. commanded
by Col. Wolcott in the Connt.
line for eleven months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March. 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued to 10th day of Oct.
1833 and sent to S,
Ingham Saybrook Ct.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833.               91.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34      18.33
                                                                Total  $109.98

Recorded by Wm. R Colada Clerk,
Book R  Vol. three Page 35
Page 3

That when the English with Genl. Arnold, in September AD 1781 attacked and burned New London, the said applicant volunteered to defend the Town. That the attack was so sudden and the men not formed with much regularity, but all the applicant believes, including himself, were under the command of Col Harris. At his command the applicant immediately went to man [unreadable] Hill, so called, a little in the rear of the Town, where a small cannon was mounted--and which they were directed to stand by, That the enemy arrived there at about the same time, and commenced a severe fire upon the Americans, among which was the applicant. A number of the Americans were killed, the whole party completely routed, and about seventy prisoners taken, among which was the applicant. That the applicant discharged his gun at the enemy a number of times--that the Americans did all they could, but were overpowered by numbers and discipline. That the prisoners thus taken including the applicant were conducted to the British boats, & then to one of their ships of War in the Sound. All put betwixt decks. And on the 17th of September arrived in New York. The Soldiers that were engaged in the attack went immediately to New York in small vessels. That when the prisoners arrived at New York, they were received by a company of Hessians on the wharf, and marched to the Sugar House, where they were imprisoned until the better part of November, he thinks, about the 20th when they were conducted by a guard of British Soldiers to the wharf, put on board a small sloop, and conveyed to Elisebeth Town point-- and there delivered to General Skinner, who counted the Prisoners, and as the applicant understood gave a receipt for them. The Prisoners then including the applicant, all made the best of their way home except one man who died on the way. That the Prisoners drew rations at Morristown for three days. and then the applicant soon after arrived home. That he never held any written discharge as he can recollect. That during the last Winter or Spring, he made application for a pension, but a blank form being sent him which referred only to Continental services, he abandoned the application.
Page 4

Joseph Plumb
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
MIDDLESEX COUNTY  S.S.
Probate District of Secy. Brook in said County 
On this fifth day of Sept. 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of
Probate in and for the Probate District of Say Brook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, now sitting at Say Brook
in said District. The same being a court of record.
---Joseph Plumb----a resident of
SayBrook in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, aged 
-----------years, who being first 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 he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.
That he was born the 3rd day of February A.D. 1759 at New London in the State of Connecticut, where he lived until after he was
married, when to SayBrook aforesaid-- soon after to the Town of East Haddem [Haddam] in the same state, where he resided about six years when he returned to said SayBrook and thence there lived ever sense. There is no record of his age as he knows of.
That he enlisted at New London in the State of Connecticut, the forepart of April A.D. 1776 to serve nine months in the Army of the Revolution.  That he immediately joined the company which was commanded by
Captain Martin Kirtland.  A man of the name of Ely Lieut. but the name of the Ensign he does not recollect. That said company was stationed near the Fort, and worked on it.  That when he held services in said company until about September--according to the best of his recollection, the said applicant changed places by consent of the officers, with a Soldier of another company by the name of Frederich
Platts; the applicant taking the place of said Platts, and said Platts taking the place of the applicant.  The company into which the applicant was then transferred, was
commanded by Captain Eliphalet Bulkley, Ithamar Harvey first Lieutenant and ----Johnson 2d Lieutenant and David Spencer Ensign.  Then the applicant served out the
remainder of this said term of enlistment in said company and was discharged at said New London. That in February 1777 that there was snow on the ground at the time, that he haves [has] no written discharge.  That the company worked on the Fort.  That there was a company of artilery [artillery] in the Fort.  That the whole were commanded by Colonel
Erastus Wolcott-- Lieut.. Col. Smith and Major John Ely-- during the time Col. Smith & Major Ely were sent away with the militia he thinks to White plains.  He thinks Major Ely was appointed Colonel before he went away.
Page 5

That when the English with Genl. Arnold, in September AD 1781 attacked and burned New London, the said applicant volunteered to defend the Town. That the attack was so sudden and the men not formed with much regularity, but all the applicant believes, including himself, were under the command of Col Harris. At his command the applicant immediately went to man [unreadable] Hill, so called, a little in the rear of the Town, where a small cannon was mounted--and which they were directed to stand by, That the enemy arrived there at about the same time, and commenced a severe fire upon the Americans, among which was the applicant. A number of the Americans were killed, the whole party completely routed, and about seventy prisoners taken, among which was the applicant. That the applicant discharged his gun at the enemy a number of times--that the Americans did all they could, but were overpowered by numbers and discipline. That the prisoners thus taken including the applicant were conducted to the British boats, & then to one of their ships of War in the Sound. All put betwixt decks. And on the 17th of September arrived in New York. The Soldiers that were engaged in the attack went immediately to New York in small vessels. That when the prisoners arrived at New York, they were received by a company of Hessians on the wharf, and marched to the Sugar House, where they were imprisoned until the better part of November, he thinks, about the 20th when they were conducted by a guard of British Soldiers to the wharf, put on board a small sloop, and conveyed to Elisebeth Town point-- and there delivered to General Skinner, who counted the Prisoners, and as the applicant understood gave a receipt for them. The Prisoners then including the applicant, all made the best of their way home except one man who died on the way. That the Prisoners drew rations at Morristown for three days. and then the applicant soon after arrived home. That he never held any written discharge as he can recollect. 
That during the last Winter or Spring, he made application for a pension, but a blank form being sent him which referred only to Continental services, he abandoned the application.
Page 6

State of Connecticut 
Middlesex County SS } Probate Justice of SayBrook in said county. 
On this 29th day of July A.D. 1833. Personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate in & for the District of SayBrook, County & State aforesaid, now setting at SayBrook in said District, the same being a Court of Record. 
Joseph Plumb of said SayBrook who hath made the within and annexed application for a pension, & who being now duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear with any more minuteness, as to the first term of service stated in said application annexed, but according to the best of his recollection & belief he served not less than the period therein stated, which is nine months and not less. He thinks he has given the names of the Officers correctly. 
In regard to the 2nd term of service therein named he in like manner deposeth & saith that he volunteered at the time of the attack on New London which was the 6th day of Sept. 1781. And served as he has in his annexed application stated until discharged which he says was as late as the 6 of Nov. following - making at least two months. Both tours making eleven months. He says that from loss of memory he is unable to give the name of any more of the officers. He always served as a private soldier. He therefore claimed as previous for the above named tour of eleven months. 
Joseph Plumb 
I Richard P. Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate [unreadable] for the District of SayBrook in the County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing on this side of this piece of paper contains the original proceeding of Sd. Court in the matter of the supplemented application of Joseph Plumb for a pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of August A.D. 1833 
Richard P Williams clerk
Page 7

The said Joseph Plumb 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
Joseph Plumb
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
 Samuel Ingham
Judge of Probate
We, Aaron Hovey a clergyman, residing in the town of Say Brook and William Bull 
residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with M. Joseph Plumb who has subscribed and sworn to the above 
declaration; that we believe him to be 73 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.
Aaron Hovey
William Bull
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
James Ingham
Judge of Probate

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Revd who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
town of Say Brook and that William Bull Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Say Brook and is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
---
Samuel Ingham
Judge of Probate
for the District of Say Brook
I Richard P Williams, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Say Brook County of Middlesex & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Plumb for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office
this 2 day of September 1832-
Richd P Williams Clerk
Page 8

I John Parker of Saybrook Midle [Middlesex] County in the State of Connecticut of lawfull age testify that I served as a soldier in Captn. Martin Kirtland Company at New London - the Company was raised in March 1776 to serve nine months and Joseph Plumb enlisted in April and served as a Soldier in the same Company till September when the Company was ordered to march to the White Plains near New York then said Plumb changed place with another Soldier in another Company and further more the Deponent saith not 
John Parker 
Middlesex County Ss: SayBrook 24th Sept. 1832 
Personally appeared John Parker signer of the above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same. Before me and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named John Parker and that he is a credible witness. 
Joshua S Hommedieu 
Justice of the Peace.
(CO)
Page 9

I David Spencer of East Haddam in Middlesex
County Connecticut of lawful age testify
& say that Joseph Plumb of Say Brook was
a soldier in Capt. Eliphalet Bulkley Company
in Erastus Wolcott Regiment in the year 1776
& that I was at that time an ensign in the
aforesaid Company.  The Deponent further says that he is well acquainted with the said Joseph Plumb & knows him to be the same person who served in the aforesaid Company..
East Haddam June 19th 1832      
David Spencer
Middlesex County of East Haddam June 19 AD 1832
Personally appeared David Spencer signer of the above deposition and made oath that the same is true.  Before me
Ozias Holmes Justice of peace
And I further certify that I am well
acquainted with the above named
David Spencer and he is a credible witness.
Ozias Holmes Justice of peace.
Page 10

Ebenezer Holmes
Deposition
Page 11

I Ebenezer Holmes of Port Haddam in Middlesex County and State of Connecticut, testify and say according to the best of my recollection and heresay that Joseph Plumb, then of New London in New London County, now of Saybrook in Middlesex County enlisted himself to serve as a Soldier in Capt. Martin Kirtland's Company for nine months from March 1777 and soon after the British Army took possession of New York Capt. Martin Kirtland's Company with some other Company's was ordered to join the American Army lying near New York, said Plumb was transfered [transferred] into Capt. Eliphalet Bulkley's Company in the room of another man who was transferred from Capt. Bulkley's Company to join Capt Kirtlands Company by agreement of the Officers of both Companies belonging to Col. Erastus Wolcott Regiment.  I was an enlisted Soldier in Capt. Buckley's Company & Colonel Wolcotts Regiment, and J. Plumb served from the time before mentioned until the first of January 1777 as a faithful soldier all the time he was in said Capt. Bulkley's Company.   I was well acquainted with Plumb before & ever since up to this time & know him to be the same person,  and said Plumb also taken Prisoner and carried to New York & held a prisoner about two or three months according to my best recollection said Plumb volunteered at the time Arnold came to New London at the time New London was burnt and was taken prisoner as above stated and further the Deponent saith not 
Dated at East Haddam August 28 AD 1832 
Ebenezer Holmes 
(C)
Middlesex County of East Haddam August 29th 1832 Personally appeared Ebenezer Holmes signer of the above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me 
Ozias Homes Justice of peace 
And I further certify that I am sell acquainted with the above named Ebenezer Holmes and that he is a credible witness. 
Ozias Holmes Justice of the peace
Page 12

Elijah Hungerford
Deposition
Page 13

I Elijah Hungerford of East Haddam in Middlesex County & State of Connecticut being of lawful age testify and say according to the best of my authority & I heresay that Joseph Plumb of Saybrook in Middlesex County enlisted himself to serve as a Soldier in Capt. Martin Kirtland's Company for about nine months from March 1776 and soon after the British Army took possession of New York, Capt. Kirtland's Company with some other Companies was ordered to join the American Army lying near New York, said Plumb was transferred from Capt Eliphalet Bulkleys company in the room of another man, who was transferred from Capt Bulkleys Company to join Capt Kirtlands Company by agreement of the officers of said Companies, as both companies belonging to Col. Erastus Wolcotts’ Regiment.  I was an enlisted soldier in Capt. Bulkley's Company & Colonel Wolcotts Regt. and said Plumb served from the time before mentioned until the first of January to 1777 as a faithful soldier all the time he was in Capt. Bulkley's Company.  I have been well acquainted with said Plumb ever since up to this time & know him to be the same person, and said Plumb volunteered at the time Arnold came to New London at which time New London was burned, and he was then taken a Prisoner detained to New York held a prisoner two or three months all which is according to my best recollection & further the Deponent saith not. 
Dated at Fort Haddam August 28 AD 1832. 
Elijah Hungerford 
(D)
Middlesex County of East Haddam August 29th 1832 Personally appeared Elijah Hungerford signer of the above Deposition and made oath to the truth of the same, before me 
Ozias Holmes Justice of peace 
And I further certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Elijah Hungerford and that he is a credible witness.
 Ozias Holmes Justice of peace
Page 14

Nov. 30

Joseph Plumb
19336
Page 15

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County SS.
I Samuel Ingham a notary public in and
for the State of Connecticut duly appointed commissioner and sworn, do hereby certify, that Joshua S Hommedieu Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of John Parker marked
purports to have been taken, was on the date of said affidavit and certificate, and ever since hath been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, residing in the Town of SayBrook, and I further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and hereby believe the signature of Joshua S Hommedieu subscribed to the certificate annexed to said affidavit, to be his proper hand writing and signature.
And I further certify that Ozias Holmes, before
whom the foregoing affidavit of David Spencer, marked - B - Ebenezer Holmes. marked -C- and Elijah Hungerford marked -D-
purport to have been taken was on the date of said affidavit and certificates, and for more than one of your now [illegible] past hath been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex, residing in East Haddam in said County, and further certify that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Justice, and hereby believe the signature
of "Ozias Holmes" subscribed to the certificate annexed to  each of the said affidavits to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office at the
Town of Say Brook in the County and State
aforesaid, this 22nd day of November 1832
Samuel Ingham
Notary Public
Page 16

I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, 
That Joshua L. Hommedieu Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of John Parker was taken and Ozias Holmes Esq. before taken and at the time of such caption, were Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that I verily believe the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs respectively are genuine; and that full credence is due to their official acts and attestations. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the thirtieth day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 
Thomas Day
v. 30
Joseph Plumb
19336
Page 17

R
whos
That
ho
W
Peace within a.
said State, duly
power and authorit,
to witnesses and to tan
to give certificates there
turespurporting to be
offcial act and at
In testimony whereof, I ha
the Seal of said State, at
the thirtieth day of
our Lord, one thousand eight hu
Thomas Day
V. 30
Joseph Plumb
19336
Page 18

22.574
Joseph Plumb 
C.T. 
Return this viz 
Adm [admitted]  11. months 
$36.66 
2 1/2 
3.32 
18.33  
91.65 L. 
Ingham 
Saybrook Connt.
Page 19

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 Joseph Plumb Ct.
Period when the service was rendered.   April 1776  enl’d [enlisted]  Duration of Claimant’s Service.  9 months  Rank of the claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap Kirtland   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col . Wolcott  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   Country through which he marched.  Served at the Ft N. London   Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  74 born at N. London entered service there and now lives in Middlesex Ct.  Evidence by which the declaration is supported.  Four surviving witnesses proves his service and detention in prison.  A Certificate of Clergyman and Citizen
Period when the service was rendered.   Spr 1781 – volun’d [volunteered]   Duration of Claimant’s Service.     Rank of the claimant.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap.  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.   Col. Harris   Battles in which he was engaged.  Taken prisoner   Country through which he marched.  
The time of service is not stated in his last tour of duty, one of the witnesses states that applicant was kept prisoner 2 or 3 months in N.Y.
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 20

2            
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
Page 21

3
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.
Page 22

June 25, 1938
BA-J/EEL 
Joseph Plumb-S.31910
Mr. A. G. Clarke 
91 E. Housatonic Street 
Pittsfield, Massachusetts 
Dear Sir:  
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to several soldiers of the Revolutionary War, with surname Plumb (Plum), who served from Connecticut , namely Amariah Plumb, born, you think about 1733, and died before 1780, married Sarah Aspinwall, who is said to have received a pension and four sons of Amariah, Amariah, Junior, Joseph, Caleb, and Abijah, born in 1760, 1757, 1762 and 1764, respectively.  These dates not in order but as he gave them.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land based upon service of any Amariah Plumb, Plum or Plumbe, nor for a Caleb or Abijah Plumb or similar spelling. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. The pension which you think Sarah, widow of Amariah Plumb, Senior, received may have been paid by the state from which the soldier served.   
As a possible means of obtaining information in regard to the military service of these soldiers, it is suggested that apply to The Adjutant General, War Department, this city, who custodian of military records. 
You are furnished herein the record of a Joseph Plumb who served from Connecticut in the Revolutionary War, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31910 based on the military service of said Joseph Plumb in that war.  It is hoped that this record will be of assistance to you in your research. 
Joseph Plumb-$31910 
Joseph Plumb was born February 3, 1759, in New London, Connecticut. The names of his parents are not shown.
Page 23

Joseph Plumb enlisted at New London, Connecticut, early in April, 1776, served as a private in Captain Martin Kirtland's Company, under Colonel Erastus Wolcott, commandant of the fort at New London, was stationed near the fort and worked on said fort; in September, following was transferred to the company commanded by Captain Eliphalet Bulkley and continued at the fort at New London until in January, 1777.  In September, 1781, when the British under General Arnold attacked and burned New London, he volunteered to defend the town and served under Colonel Harris in the Connecticut troops, was taken prisoner, placed on a British ship of war, carried to New York and confined in the Sugar House until about November 20, following, when he was released and returned home.  
Identified officers Sol. [soldier] in Conn. book under Col. Wolcott 
After the Revolution, he resided in New London, Connecticut, then in Saybrook, Connecticut about six years; thence to East Haddam, then returned to Saybrook, where he was living when he was allowed pension on his application executed September 5, 1853. 
There are no data as to soldier's family. 
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Joseph Plumb (S.31910), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data: 
Joseph Plumb 
Certificate No. 22594 
Issued October 10, 1833 
Rate, $36.66 per annum 
Commenced March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
Connecticut Agency. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator,
Page 24

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
AW
Dec. 11, 1926.
He has death dates & gives them in his letter
Mr. Chas. R. Hale, 
73 Capitol Ave. 
Hartford, Conn. 
Sir:
I have to advise you relative to the two following Revolutionary War pensioners of Saybrook, Connecticut, that: 
Joel Doane was born January 9, 1763, place not stated. He served from January 1781, to October 28, 1783, as a private in Captains Thomas Converse and Timothy Taylor's Companies, Colonel Heman Swift and Colonel Ebenezer Huntington's Conn., Regiments. (W. 3525). 
Joseph Plumb was born February 3, 1759 at New London, Conn. 
He served from April 1776, to January 1777, as private in Captains Martin Kirtland and Eliphalet Bulkley's Companies, Colonel Erastus Wolcott's Conn. Regiment. 
In September 1781, during the attack on New London, he was taken prisoner and held in New York until November 20, 1781. ( S 31910). 
Respectfully, WINFIELD SCOTT, 
Commissioner.
Page 25

Pittsfield, Mass., 91 E. Housatonic St., June 6, 1938. 
U. S. Bureau of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: 
Some months ago I made inquiry regarding men by name of PLUM or PLUMB who served in the Rev. War, from CONNECTICUT. Since then I have been told there are some records of at least one of the men who enlisted probably from NORFOLK, CT. in a family of father and sons.  
The man was Amariah Plumb b. I think about 1733 and d. before 1780 -- his wife said to have a pension. Her name was SARAH Aspinwall. ( She may have re - married ) 
The sons of Amariah Plumb also served in the Rev. War. 
Amariah Jr. b. abt. 1760 
Joseph b. abt 1757
Caleb b. abt. 1762 
Abijah b. abt.  1764 
If there are any records for the above named kindly advise. 
We wish to know to whom payments were made. 
Very truly yours, 
No signature  A. G. Clarke
[stamp] REC’D JUN 9 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER # 4
Page 26

Leave for me
Page 27

Hartford Conn Nvr 13-1926 
[stamp] OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK NOV 16 1926 ACC BUREAU OF PENSIONS
CHIEF CLERK 
Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir 
W3520 
Please send revolutionary war record of Joel Doane on Pension roll for Connecticut and who died Nov 23. 1852 
Also of Joseph Plumb on Pension roll for Connecticut and who died March 17- 1847. Both of there men came for Saybrook 
S31910
We wish to get headstones for them 
Yours very Truly 
Chas. R. Hale
33 Capible Ave
Page 28

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A APR 1 1909
Page 29

HENRY PLUMB   1909   ESTABLISHED 1865
The Plumb Jewelry Store 
Diamonds, Watches, Jewelry, Clocks, Silverware and Novelties 
SIXTH AND WALNUT 
March 29 
Des Moines, Iowa, 
Hon Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington D.C. 
Dear Sir;-
I desire information such as your department may have of the pension record and history of Joseph Plumb, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.  
He was my great grandfather and the reason for asking for this information is to have as complete record of said Joseph Plumb as possible as I wish to use it Jonny a patriotic Society. Kindly advise if fee is required and much obliged yours truly 
Henry Plumb
Page 30

31910 
Revy INVALID 
No. 31,910 
Joseph Plumb 
Pri Rev War  
Act: June 7" 32" 
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 324 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1908 Feby 25, Hist to Chas H. Trisler T.L.M. 
1909 Apr. 19 Hist to Henry Plumb T.L.M.  
1926 Dec. 11. Tombstone dates to Chas. R. Hale AW 
1938 June 25. Hist to A. G. Clark - E L
Page 31

[stamp] RECORD DIVISION FEB 18 1903
Page 32

S. 31910 
R. 8286 
BAKER-TRISLER CO. 
CHAS. H. TRISLER, PRES AND TREAS 
W. BURR AMSBARY, V.P. AND SECY.
[stamp] AT THE SIGN OF THE GREEK LAMP 
THE GREEK LAMP BOOK SHOP AND ART ROOMS  "AT THE SIGN OF THE GREEK LAMP” 
BANK AND COMMERCIAL STATIONERY. 
WOOD AND STEEL OFFICE FURNITURE. 
FACTORY AND OFFICE SYSTEMS. 
810 WALNUT ST.
DES MOINES 
Feb 13, 1908. 
The U. S. Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: 
I write to ask you to, if possible, send me the Military Record of Mr. Joseph Plumbe, who, at the time of the Revolutionary War lived at Stonington, Conn. and who, among the other places, fought at Fort Griswold, opposite New London, Conn, during the time of Benedict Arnold's raids. 
My wife is a direct descendent of this Joseph Plumber, and I desire for her to get his Military Record at your earliest convenience. 
Thanking you in advance for your reply, 
I remain,  Yours very truly, 
Chas H Fisher 
Dict to Phono CHT
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A FEB 17 1908
Rej. 8286
S. 31910
Page 33

To the Hon.. Mr. Edwards
Sir--
To the annexed application of Joseph Plumb; the objections are
II.  Uncertainty as to time ----officers &c.
     This objection is obviated as far as is in the power of
      the applicant to do so, by a supplimented declaration
      accompanying these papers--in which he makes the
      whole period of his service no less than eleven months.
III.   That the papers not properly authenticated &c.--
        The certificate &c of the Secretary & is now affixed &
         by which the objection is obviated.--
IIII.    The papers not properly fastened together with ribbon &
         This objection now obviated as will be seen &
From old age--lapse of time and loss of memory.  the
applicant is unable to be more precise in his declaration, or
to furnish other proof of his services.  I hop & trust that
his case will be considered as proved.
Please send his certificate to me at SayBrook Connecticut.
Your obedient Servent--
Samuel Ingham
Sept 5th 1833