Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17488, Hezekiah Hobby, Conn.
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SERVICE
Conn.

Hobby, Hezekiah

NUMBER
S. 17488

Carded
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Connecticut No 28,417
Hezekiah Hobby of Greenwich in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the Compy commanded by Captain Mead of the Regt commanded by Col. Mead in the Connecticut line for 
6 mos 21 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 22 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of May 1834 ... and ....
Ches Hawley, Stamford CT

Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834   66.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept   11.16
_______
$78.15

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk
Book E2 Vol. ~ Page 17 ~

Cert returned
Hawley Stamford Connecticut 
Nov 18, 1837
letter?
ordered to pay 13 Nov 1837.
[crossed out "Letter to Charles Hawley June 20th 1846. Hon J. A. Anderson Jany 8 '47"]
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Hez Hobby 31.088
Connt
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State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}Ss. Probate District of Stamford
On this 4th day of April AD 1834 personally appeared in open court before the court of probate in & for said District now sitting, Hezekiah Hobby, a resident of the town of Greenwich in the county of Fairfield & state of Connecticut aged seventy four 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 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:
In the Revolutionary War in the year 1776 he belonged to the company of Connecticut Militia commanded by Capt. Matthew Mead & Lieut. John Knapp both men of said Greenwich both now dead. Col. Jno. Mead now dead commanded the Regt. In the Spring of that year & this declarant thinks about the first of April he being a private in said company went with said company which was ordered out to the city of New York to defend the place. The declarant has no distinct recollection of returning to his home till after Washington retreat from New York but he is informed by others who belonged to said company that the tour of duty on this occasion continued for something more than four weeks. When said company was discharged & returned to their homes & was again ordered down (when the militia of this quarter generally went to New York) to said city to join Washingtons Army. The second tour commencing the 1st of August & continuing till after said retreat. The declarant therefore not relying fully on his own recollection but in accordance with the opinion of others of the same company says that his first term of duty commenced the first of April as nearly as he can recollect & continued for more than four weeks. But as he cannot specify the exact times but is confident it was for as much as four weeks at least he claims for four weeks service on this tour. On duty consisted in guarding the city & building tread works of intification. 
The first of the following August as nearly as he can recollect tho some cite it a little earlier, said company under the same officers again went as above stated to said city & was standing on duty there against the enemy. The declarant among the rank as a private until after the retreat from said city which took place as declarant thinks Sept 15, 1776 & continued in service at Harlem Heights till the 23d day of the
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same month when we were discharged & returned to our homes, making of standing service within term one month & twenty three days for which I claim to be allowed. I am entirely confident of having served on the occasions before stated for at least all the time stated. I believe for more but as I cannot specify more with certainty I claim for no more. The last tour Col. Mead commanded the Regt & Gen. Grant S. Silliman the Brigade. During this time my father Thomas Hobby who was a Lieut Col in the Continental Service was at Fort Washington where he was finally taken prisoner at the capture of the fort. Our company officers on both of these occasions were the same. After this & as I think in the winter of 1776-1777 tho I cannot recollect the months the same company under the same officers was ordered (Declarant among the rest) down to Rye in the state of New York to do guard duty & went & did such duty there & in its neighborhood for as I think for about two months. But I cannot say this with certainty. I can say with certainty it was one month at least & I limit my claim for this tour to one month. 
I cannot list the time particularly but I know it was within winter following the battle at White Plains. The following Spring (1777) but I cannot recollect the month. I think early in the spring the declarant as a private in the same company then commanded by Capt. Isaac Hord then of said Greenwich now decd & Lieut Abm Husted now decd was with the rest of the company ordered out to do guard duty at Byran Bridge & went & did such duty there for the span of two months steadily; when we were discharged. There were other militia companies on this duty at the same time & place. Col. John Mead had command of us.
Since the preceding was written I have further reflected upon my services at Rye in the winter of 1776-7 & have conversed with others who heard about the term was & am satisfied it was a tour of two whole months. I am confident of this & claim an allowance for that time. I am perfectly satisfied of this from conversations with Zaccheus Mead & Capt. Neh Brown. I have always supposed that my second tour of duty at the city of New York was for considerable more than the time I have stated but have fixed it at that time because that comports with the recollection of Zaccheus
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3
Mead & because I cannot swear with entire positivity to a specified longer time. I know it was for as much as I have stated. I claim therefor four weeks in the Spring of 1776 - for one month & twenty three days in Augt & Sept 1776 - for two months in the fall & winter of 1776-7 & for two months in the Spring of 1776. I was a private on all the occasions stated. On all the occasions stated I served in regularly organized & embodied corps of troops raised & ordered into the service by the public authorities of Connecticut. My services were all steady constant services in the field or garrison & such that during the times stated I followed no civil pursuit, being constantly absent from my home. I was born in said Greenwich Aug 12th 1759. Have no record of my age, but give it as I received it from my parents & others. I lived in said Greenwich when I entered the service as stated above. Was ordered out as stated & went out for myself & as a substitute. Herein answered the 5th prescribed interrogatory as far as I can to my profitable purpose. Never received a written discharge. I refer to Zaccheus Mead & Nehemiah Brown as witnesses to prove my character for truth & their knowledge of my services as a soldier of the Revolution. Have always from my birth to this time resided in said Greenwich. I have this day enquired of the Revd Harem Lewis the clergyman of the Society in which I live but he is now about eighty five years old & very infirm. He tells me he knows nothing about my services or the reputation in regard to them & I therefore cannot obtain the certificate of any clergyman to forward, for I know no other to whom I could apply for that purpose. I therefore forward in addition to the testimony of said Zaccheus & Nehemiah that of Phineas Kindle as to my character for truth & his belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Hezekiah Hobby
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Chs Hawley Judge
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We Samuel Close a Justice of the Peace residing in the town of Greenwich in the county of Fairfield & state of Connecticut & Phinehas Rundel residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hezekiah Hobby who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy four years of age. That he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Samuel Close
Phenehas Rundel
Ch. Hawley Judge
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4
And on the same day before said Court personally appeared Zaccheus Mead of said Greenwich who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath in open Court testify that I am seventy five years old. I have always well known Hezekiah Hobby who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration. Believe his age to be seventy four years. His character for truth is good. In the Revolutionary War in the year 1776 I belonged to the militia company of Connecticut commanded by Capt. Matthew Mead now decd & Genl. Jno Knapp now decd. In the Spring of that year said company was ordered & went down to the city of New York & did duty there for awhile but as I did not go with them I cannot say for how long a time. I know that said Hezekiah was then a member of said company & that said company went as aforesaid. The first of the following August according to my recollection the company under the same officers was again ordered & went with most of the militia of the eastern part of this state to said city & joined Washingtons Army there & did duty steadily there & after the retreat from the city, at Harlem Heights will the 23rd of the Sept following when we were discharged & came home. Col. Jno Mead now decd commanded our Regt & General Silliman our Brigade. I have no distinct recollection of seeing said hobby in service there on this occasion, but well know he was a private of the company at the time of that whole company was ordered down & from incidents of the services related to me by said Hobby of which I had personal knowledge I am confident he must have been there in service with the company. After this & in the spring of 1777 in the month of March & April tho I cannot recollect the precise day when we went or when we were discharged the same company then commanded by Capt. Isaac Hord & Lieut Abm Husted both now dead, was ordered & went down to Byran Bridge & did guard duty there for the full term of two months. Col. Jno Mead had command of us & other militia out with us on this occasion. Myself & said Hobby were both on duty during this whole term as I well know from seeing said Hobby there. This was all steady service in the field or garrison of such that we followed no other
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6
ing then to another comany commanded by Capt. James Green now decd. This company was out on this last tour in Connecticut with Capt. Howe. Col. Jno. Mead was our Superior Officer. I recollect also seeing said Hobby at different times afterwards on guard duty at the Points in said Greenwich & have been on duty here at the same time; but as it was in a different company I cannot specify the times. The services above stated were all steady services in the field or garrison (that is guard quarters) of such that we followed no civil pursuit.
Nehemia Brown

And I further testify that in the fall & winter of 1776-7 I believe in November, December & January, I was on guard duty at Sawpit & Byran Bridge in Capt. James Greens company of militia for the term of three months. I well know said Hobby was on duty dear us in Rye in Capt. Matthew Meads company for I used to see him often. I quartered with one Miller. Said Hobby was on duty there for as I had supposed the whole time while I was; but he says only two months & I am confident he was there for that time at least.
Nehemia Brown
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid & I certify that I well know the deponent & he is a credible person.
Ch. Hawley Judge

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel Close Esq who has signed the preceding certificate is a Justice of the Peace resident in the town of Greenwich County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut & that Phinehas Rundle who has also signed the same is a resident in said Greenwich & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
Chs. Hawley Judge
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I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hezekiah Hobby for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 30th day of April AD 1834.
Saml. Lockwood Clk
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Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

April 2, 1846
Adal in case Hezekiah Hobby
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Stamford March 30th 1846
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
Sometime ago (I believe some three or four or more years ago) some papers & proof were put into your hands asking an addition for the heirs of Hezekiah Hobby decd, late of Greenwich in this state, to the pension which had been allowed to him. The heirs request me to ask you attention to this matter, with such information directed to me, as to the prospect as you may communicate.
Your very respectful servt.
Ch. Hawley

I do not find such a name on roll for a 18 or 32. probably one of the widows acts.
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MMHF

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

March 26, 1927

Mrs. W. O. Bradbury
401 East D. St.
Yakima, Washington.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17488 it appears that Hezekiah Hobby was born August 12, 1759 in Greenwich, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He was the son of Thomas Hobby.
While a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut he enlisted April 1, 1776, served in that year and in 1777, about seven months in all, as a private in Captain Matthew Mead's Company, Colonel Isaac Howe's Company, Colonel John Mead's Connecticut Regiment.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 4, 1834 while a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, where he had always lived. He also died there.
He stated that his father Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hobby was taken prisoner at the capture of Fort Washington,
Respectfully
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.

[handwritten on bottom]
See bounty land cl. of Thomas Hobby (three generations) for name of son of this man.
Samuel D.
It is not stated in this claim that Samuel D was a son
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P
17488
INVALID.
File No. 17,488
Hezekiah Hobby
Pri. Rev. War

Act June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 181
(Arrangement of 1870.)

1920 Mch 26 Hist to Mrs. W. O. Bradbury - Her letter in claim of Thomas Hobby   MMHF
1939 Oct 31 - Mrs. W. O. Bradbury adv no further inf oon file than above.
(Let. in clm S9298 of Reuben Rundle M&B
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Charles Hawley
June 20, 1840
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466

Pension Office
June 20th 1846
In reply to your letter of the 30 March last I have to inform you that it does not appear that any application for an increase of Pension in the case of Hezekiah Hobby has been made since 13th Nov 1837 at which date the agent was advised to pay the amount then due.


Charles Hawley Esq
Stamford Con.
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127

Pension Office
Jany 8, 1846 [7 written over the 6]

Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that it does not appear form the files of this office that an application was ever made for an increase of the Pension to Hezekiah hobby. Mr. S. D. Hobby's to you is herewith returned.




Hon. Jos. H. Anderson
H of Rep
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Hon. J. H. Anderson
Jany 8 1847
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Washington Jany 4th 1847

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Sir
Will you furnish me with the information desired in the enclosed letter of Mr. Samuel D. Hobby and return said letter at your earliest convenience.
Very Respectfully
Yours
Joseph H. Anderson
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JLE

[stamped] FREE
[stamped] STAMFORD CT SEPT 23

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Mr. Ela

[upside down]
Chs Hawley

Odel Close
Hez Hobby} Connt.
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Whether these facts appear distinctly in the applications of Hobby & Lyn I do not know as I have them not before me. I have no copies. I presume however they do show that John Mead was their commanding Col. Greenwich was his place of residence & his house was in the immediate neighborhood of Horseneck Point, or Field. You will see by the certificate referred to that Col. Jno. Mead had pay allowed him several times. In the services of the troops belonging to his Regt - at Byran & at Horseneck - "for sundry services" "In sundry services" &c. &c. The pay of Capt. Mead's Co. on the occasion specified in the applications, probably [illegible] this Col. Jno Meads hands, of the Paytable therefor does not show Capt. Mat. Meads name.
I think I suggested this view of the case in my remarks accompanying the original application of Hez. hobby, Ph. Rundle & Neh Brown, or some one of them, & this view did appear to have been adopted by the Department. I must of course subject to the Department whether that certificate does not in this view furnish sufficient evidence of the character of Capt. Meads services; if the testimony be sufft to show that the service claimed was rendered. In regard to that testimony, I can only remark that I well know Capt. Hobby & Mr. Lyn - we have no men among us more respectable. None in whose veracity now who know them would place more confidence.
I enclose the certificate already granted to Capt. Hez. Hobby as Mr. Ela stated that his application could not be acted on without
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a return of that. & his last application should we prove successful please return this certificate to me.
With much respect
Your friend & servt.
Ch. Hawley
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Lyn for a pension & the application of Hezekiah Hobby for an increase of pension in which he observes:
"The services claimed to have been performed by Hezekiah Hobby & Joshua Lyon in Capt Meads CT cannot be recognized as actual service unless the corps is shown to have been called out & paid by the state authorities. That service as well as that under Capt. Odell Close should be supported by the certificate of the comptroller of public accounts."
I provided a certificate in regard to the services of Odell Close which will I presume be found satisfactory. I am informed by the Comptroller that nothing more can be found relating to the services of Matthew Mead, then what I have already provided.
You will find by the certificate sent with the original application of Hez. Hobby & those of Phens. Rundle & Neh. Brown that the pay roll of Capt. Mead's Co is charged within public acct. in 1776. This indeed may have been for services rendered in N. York. It stands however that Mead was a Capt.
John Mead, it is shown by all, or almost all the applications from Greenwich was during most if not all of the war the commanding Col. or Genl. in this quarter on the lines. The 9th Regt of which you find information repeatedly by one comptroller was located in Greenwich & its neighborhood
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Whether these facts appear distinctly in the applications of Hobby & Lyn I do not know as I have them not before me. I have no copies. I presume however they do show that John Mead was their commanding Col. Greenwich was his place of residence & his house was in the immediate neighborhood of Horseneck Point, or Field. You will see by the certificate referred to that Col. Jno. Mead had pay allowed him several times. In the services of the troops belonging to his Regt - at Byran & at Horseneck - "for sundry services" "In sundry services" &c. &c. The pay of Capt. Mead's Co. on the occasion specified in the applications, probably [illegible] this Col. Jno Meads hands, of the Paytable therefor does not show Capt. Mat. Meads name.
I think I suggested this view of the case in my remarks accompanying the original application of Hez. hobby, Ph. Rundle & Neh Brown, or some one of them, & this view did appear to have been adopted by the Department. I must of course subject to the Department whether that certificate does not in this view furnish sufficient evidence of the character of Capt. Meads services; if the testimony be sufft to show that the service claimed was rendered. In regard to that testimony, I can only remark that I well know Capt. Hobby & Mr. Lyn - we have no men among us more respectable. None in whose veracity now who know them would place more confidence.
I enclose the certificate already granted to Capt. Hez. Hobby as Mr. Ela stated that his application could not be acted on without
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a return of that & his last application should we prove successful please return this certificate to me.
With much respect
Your friend & servt
Ch. Hawley
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It appears by the records of the State that the General Assembly in March 1775 appointed John Mead Lt. Col. of the 9th regiment of Connecticut militia.
Comptrollers Office
April 28th 1834
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut do certify that it appears by the journal of the Council of Safety under date March 18th 1776, that, "in consequence of a letter from Genl. Washington to his Honor of the 14th instant informing that the enemy has embarked three troops and are now making a shamefull retreat from Boston, and destined in all probability to New York, &c &c, the Governor was advised to give immediate orders to the Colonels or present commanding officers of the 4th-9th-16th-2nd-7th-10th-& 23rd Regts to detach &c. that there should be detached from the 9th Regt three hundred & sixty men &c form the 4th 360, & from the 16th 180 men. That they should be under command of Col. G. S. Silliman, Lt. Col. John Mead & Major John Chandler, & Captains &c of militia.
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& that they were ordered forthwith to repair by land or water to New York &c. &c.
No roll has been found of these troops; tho in account of the service of this regiment charged to the United States, there is charged; the pay roll of Capt. Mead's company.
That it appears by the journal of the Council of Safety that among the regiments orde4red to march to New York on the 11th of August 1776, the 9th was included. And the expence of the 9th Regt commanded by Col. Mead at New York is charged to the United States. No roll of this Regt or list of the Captains &c who served in it has been found, or any evidence showing how long it was in service.
That under date March 19th 1778 there is charged to the United States on the books of the Pay Table, viz "To order on Treasurer [illegible] Col. John Mead for part of his pay roll for his regiment militia at Byram £143.2.8 - also"do do Col. John Mead part his pay roll for his reg militia at Horseneck £234.12.1.
No roll of this regiment or either of them has been found, or any proof showing how long they served or
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or when.
That under date February 21st 1778, the United States are charged to orders to Col. John Mead "for sundry services done by his regiment of militia as per rolls £585.19.0 1/2; also "an order on the Treasurer for Col. John Mead for amount sundry pay rolls for his regiment for guarding the sea coast £1398.9.9 1/2. 
No rolls of either of these regiments have been found or evidence of the duration of their service.
The pay rolls of Capt. Isaac Howes company were charged to the United States under dates January 19th May 27th & October 30th 1779, under dates January 14th, April 20th, December 20th 1780, & May 23rd 1783; but no rolls of these companies have been found.
That three pay rolls of Capt. Benjamin Green company are charged the United States under date April 17th 1780, one for £257.17.10 - one for £420.13.2 & one for £723.9.11; but no rolls of these companies have been found.
And that under date August 27th 1777 I find charged to Capt. James Green in "To
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"order on Treasurer in account your company light horse ordered to join the Northern army for rat £100.0.0. I find no other account of Capt. James Greens services & no roll of this company.
E. Phelps

I further certify that under date January 29th 1778 there is charged to the United States, viz, "To order on Treasurer for Capt. Silvanus Mead for his company rangers pay roll £1264.7.10. No roll of this company has been found, or proof how long it was in service.
And that I have not been able to find any mention made of Lt. Roger Worden's company or service.
E. Phelps
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City County and State of New York Ss.
Obadiah Banks of the above place being duly sworn doth depose & say that he is personally acquainted with Hezekiah Hobby and knew him before the Revolutionary War, says that Hobby and deponent both were born in the township of Greenwich County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and in the year 1776, both of them were privates in a company commanded by Matthew Mead of the same place (this was in the spring says he saw the said Hobby on duty as a private at [illegible] and New Ship in the city of New York and afterwards at Bryan Bridge. This company was one company of the regiment commanded by Colonel John Mead, the whole length of time served by Mr. Hobby as above stated was more than two months.
Obadiah Banks

Sworn & subscribed in open court this 6th day of March 1834
John Barberie

I, John Barberie, Clerk of the Marine Court of the City of New York do hereby certify that the above named Obadiah Banks subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit in open court.
In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of the said Marine Court, this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
John Barberie.
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Odel Close

28
28
127
3
___
[illegible]

28
128
2
2...
___
6.21
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State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford
16th September 1836

On examination of the books of this office, it appears that Captain Odell Close commanded the commissaries[?] stationed at Greenwich and received payment as follows, (viz).

1779 Feby. 19, payment for his company

Coast Guards at Greenwich....843.3.9
May 27, do do do.......60.12.8
Oct. 1, do do do.....786.4.11
1780 Jany. 14, do do do.....403.3.4
April 18, do Company Lt. Draguoul[?] at do--3,655.0.3
Dec. 18, do do Rangers do...154.3.6
1781 March 1[?], do do guards do...118.7.5

The two last mentioned  sums state money, the others continental, all which sums were said by this state, and changed to the United States, as part of the expence of the defence of the Post at Greenwich

Certified by Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Accounts

[illegible] Comptroller [illegible] will send for one of [illegible] next month [illegible]
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[illegible]
Admit a private
6 mo. [illegible]
2233

[sideways] J.L. Edwards Esq [/sideways]
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Hartford May 11 1834
J.L. Edwards Esq

Sir

I forward the application of Hez. Hobby--you will find it accompanied by a certificate from M. Phelps & having the character of the services of the officers under which he served. Col. Jno. Mead, Capt Mat Mead & Capt Hord[?]. Capt. Hobby informs us that he cannot obtain the certificate of a clergyman. He has forwarded that of Saml. Close Esq a Justice of the peace & postmaster in Horseneck[?]. For his standing (Esq Close's) I refer you to S.R. Hobbie Esq [illegible] P. master Saml. who I believe is well acquainted with him. I [illegible] under circumstances you will [illegible] in dispensing with a certificate from a clergyman.

Please [illegible] your communication with [illegible] of this application to me

Your very respectful serv.
Ch. Hawley
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October 31, 1939
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. W. O. Bradbury
Route # 2
Wapato, Washington

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Reuben Rundel (Rundal) of Connecticut and New York (S. 9298); Hezekiah Hobby of Connecticut (S. 17488), and Thomas Hobby, B.L. Wt. 1343-450.

This office has no further information relative to Hezekiah Hobby and Thomas Hobby, than was furnished you March 26, 1927.

The record of Reuben Rundle (S. 9298) is furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator