Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 9,137, for David Safford, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Safford, David

NUMBER
R 9,137

CONTENTS
Page 2

23996
David Safford
State of New York

C. All

Jesse L. Billings
Salem Washington City
State of N York
Page 3

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjcined 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 [sic] what is necessary to be done. These 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 be complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
_____________________________________________________________
A STATEMENT, shewing [sic] the Service of David Safford Washington County State of New York
_____________________________________________________________
[Column 1] Period when the service was rendered.
  [entry 1] Enlisted 1777
  [entry 2] Enlisted 1780
  [entry 3] Vol 1776
  [entry 4] [illegible] 1777
[Column 2] Duration of the claimants's service
  [entry 1] 8 [months]
  [entry 2] 8 [months]
  [entry 3] 3 [months]
  [entry 4] 4 [months]
[Column 3] Rank of the claimant.
  [entry 1] Private
  [entry 2] [illegible] infantry
  [entry 3] [blank]
  [entry 4] Sergt
[Column 4] Names an rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
  [entry 1] Capt Mosely Col Ely
  [entry 2] Capt. Layfayette Capt Brul  Col. Slough
  [entry 3] Capt Kilbarg  No Colonel
  [entry 4] Capt Burgess  Col. [illegible]
[Column 5] Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
74 years  Town of Glastonbury State of Connecticut
[Column 6] Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary evidence of 2 [illegible].
Papers [illegible]
No Col. given 3rd tour of service.

I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pension

Mr. Safford has amended his declaration, as you will perceive by his [illegible]. By looking at his original papers, you will [illegible] sheet of paper not torn apart. [underlined]
J. L. Billings, Salem [illegible]
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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 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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record where such applicant resides. An 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 [blank] day of [blank] personally appeared  (a) before [blank] A.B. a resident (b) of [blank] in the county of [blank] and State, Territory or District of [blank] aged (c) [blank] years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) [blank], with [blank] and served in the [blank] (e) regiments of the [blank] line under the following named officers:
[The following is contained in brackets in the original]
[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. [A "pointing finger" printer's mark added] 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 herby 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 on that of the Agency in the State of [blank]
Sworn to an subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [blank] A.B.

[The following is contained in brackets in the original]
[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 [blank] of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this [blank] day of [blank] &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.
eery 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 [blank] and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with [blank], who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be [blank] 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 days and year aforesaid.
[The following is in brackets in the original]

[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 [blank] and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the [blank] and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, [blank] Clerk of the Court of [blank] do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of [blank] for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my my hand and seal of office, this [blank] day of [blank] &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
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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, therefor, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected [sic]. 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?
6. {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what 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 the answer 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 his 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. If 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 every  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 is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payment 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 the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period 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.

_____________

[In the following, the letter of each note is in brackets in the original image.]
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will 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.
[This reference to the required name of a Colonel is noted as needing additional information.]
[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 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 consequence 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 [blank] year [blank] months, and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]. For [blank] months and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which such applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as 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 tow years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their services. 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 pubic seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

[The following paragraph is marked with brackets.]
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying office who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavits, 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 the 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.
[A "pointing finger" printers mark is added] 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] The traditional 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 be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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4873
David Safford
Washington City, N. York

16 months in Con. Line & 6 months in Militia
(Connecticut line.
x Col. Ely
D. Will
D. [illegible]

[illegible]
Page 7

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.
State of New York, Washington County ss. On this 21 day of August 1832, personally appeared before John Willard Judge of the Court of Common Please of the County of Washington & State aforesaid and Benjamin F. Simmon, Charles J. Ingel, John Morse Judges of said Court, David Safford a resident of the Tow of Jackson in the County of Washington aforesaid & State of New York aged 73 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the month of April 1777 he believes for Eight Months with Capt. Mosley, Col. [illegible], who commanded the regiment. That he enlisted in the town of Canterbury in the state of Connecticut. That he marched to New London where he stayed five or six months, then to Providence Rhode Island, then to [illegible]town, then back to New London, then to Norwich, then to Long Island, then back to New London when the time expired and he returned home. That Col. Webb commanded the regiment on Long Island that his service consisted of guarding that country from the enemy, in drilling, building and repairing fortifications. That in the month of May, as he recollects, in 1780, he enlisted as a soldier in the Continental Army for Eight months in the town of Bolton, Connecticut with Capt. [illegible] infantry. Col. Swift's Regiment marched to West point there one month, employed in [illegible] duty. Ferry to English neighborhood [illegible]. Then to [illegible], then to [illegible], back to [illegible], then to the [illegible] in New York when his time of enlistment expired. He belonged to the Infantry under the Commanding General LaFayette. That his services consisted primarily in marching from one place to another.
Page 8

That in addition to above service, which was in the Continental Army, he did in the year 1776 enter as a volunteer in a company of Militia in Capt, Hollands company of Militia, don't remember the names of other officers, and marched t Providence, Rhode Island, then to [illegible]. That he was out in the service of the United States at that time three months, and volunteered in the Town of Canterbury , State of Connecticut. That in the militia duties consisted in guarding the County from invasion [illegible] lay off the coast. That in the latter part of the year 1776 or fore part of 1777, he volunteered into Capt. [illegible] company of Connecticut Militia in the Town of Canterbury in said state, and went to Fort Griswold in said State, and went to Fort [illegible]. That he served the United States at that time and before he volunteered in building and repairing said Forts and doing garrison duty three or four months. Col. [illegible] had the command of one or both Forts, at the time he [illegible]. That it is not in his power to recollect the particular time he volunteered, or enlisted as aforesaid, nor can he distinctly recollect any of the names of officers other than as above stated. That he does not remember whether he acquired a discharge, if he did it has been lost. That he knows no persons by whom he can prove his evolutionary service. The he did a tour in the war of Revolution as a soldier in the Continental Army six months and in the Militia [illegible] months. And he hereby relinquishes any claim 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.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid }
J. S.  Leigh Clrk}
[signed] David Safford
Page 9

I John S. Leigh Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County in the State of New York do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Safford for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of said Court this 29th day of August 1832.  [signed] J. S. Leigh Clrk
Page 10

9131
P.O. [blank]
David Safford of NY
Service: Pri. Col Ely Cont
Enlisted:  [stamped] REJECTED, 18  .
Discharged: [blank], 18  .

Application filed: [blank], 18  .

Alleges: [blank]
Re-enlisted: [blank]

Attorney; [blank]
P.O.  [blank]

[blank] Recognized.  [blank] Contract.
[blank] Cert. of Dis.  Searched for [blank], 18  .
Page 11

New York
Revol.
David Safford
Suspended
See letter to 
[illegible] L. Billings
20 Sept. 33

Papers sent to Hon. H. C. Martindale HR
January 21, 1834.
__
Letter to Hon. D. Russell March 26, 1836.
__
Act 7 June 1832
Page 12

In the Matter
Washington to Jackson of NY
David Safford
a Soldier of the Revolution
Col Ely
____________
Duration for Pension
____________
Dec 22 1836
Ref to the Committee on Rev. Pensions
_____________
Jan. 13. 1837
Com. [illegible] to his
______

US
no proof

24
Russell
[illegible] 13 in to
Page 13

To the Hon. Lewis Cass Sect. of War

The undersigned citizens of the County of Washington in the State of New York respectfully represent that they are well acquainted with David Safford of the town of Jackson in the county of Washington that he is reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and you petitioned unhesitatingly concur in opinion that he was a soldier and served his country faithfully in the war of the Revolution and your petitioner believe him to be entitled to a pension from his government for such service under the laws of the United States, that he is honest upright, though a poor man and is labouring [sic] under great infirmity from his advanced age and the reward which the government have bestowed upon this soldier of the Revolution, for their early service would be hapily [sic] and gratefully received by him.
The undersigned have the honor to be respectfully your obedient Servt.
W. R. Adams
Abram Allen
John Dobbin
John McLean
John Crane
Moses Robertson
Asa Fitch
J. L. Harvey
Philo Curtis
Page 14

War Department
Pension Office
20. Sept. 1833

Sir,
The claim of David Safford has been examined and suspended for further proof. The regulations require the best evidence in the power of a claimant to produce. He should, therefore, furnish some proof, or at last shew [sic] that he has sought it when it is most likely to be found.
His papers are placed on file.

I am, respectfully
your obd. Servt.
J. L. Edwards

Jesse L. Billings, Esq.
Salem, 
N.Y.
Page 15

House of Rep., D.C. March 26th, 1836.
J. L. Edwards Esquire
Dr. Sir,
Allow me to ask your attention to the inclosed document within application of Mr. David Safford for a pension. I am well acquainted with all the individuals who have signed it, and assure you they are gentlemen of the first respectability. John McLean is one of the Judges of our County Court, W. R. Adams a Justice of the Peace, John Dobbins a commission of [illegible], John Gray lately a Senator in the State Legislature, Moses Robertson a Just of the Peace and Supervisor of the Town in which he lives, Asa Fitch lately a member of this house and these are gentlemen of distinguished character for integrity and [illegible]. [illegible] of them are cable of reporting to you a [illegible[ of things which they do not believe, have the goodness to inform me of the result of your deliberations.
I am with great Respect
D. Russell
Page 16

David Safford
of Jackson, Washington
County, New
York.
10 Months private
4 mo Sergeant

J.L. Billings, Salem,
W. Ct, N. York, agent

23996
on Rolls
Capt Phelps [illegible]
1 July home to 16 Dec 80
5 Mo. 10 as pri.
Page 17

State of New York, Washington county ss. Personally appeared before me, John Willford Esq. Surrogate of the County of Washington and State of New York, in open Court, David Safford, known to me as the identical person who subscribed and sworn to the Declaration, to which this affidavit is attached, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that during his three months of service in the year 1776, as stated in his said Declaration in which he did not mention the name of the Colonel he was young and that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot now swear positively as to the name of his Colonel during said three month, but that according to his best recollection, he resided in the town of Providence in the state of Rhode Island and that his name was Bacon, and this deponent thinks  his [illegible] name was Benjamin, and this Deponent cannot recollect more positively thence, as above stated. That his said declaration affidavit. Certificate of the Court and Clerk are all written on the same sheet of paper ["same sheet of paper" underlined], as [illegible]  by examining it.
[signed] David Safford

Sworn in open court
June 6, 1833
John Willard, ??

Washington County}
Surrogate office}  I John Willard, Surrogate of the said county, do certify that the foregoing affidavit was, before it was sworn to, annexed by me to the declaration & proceedings of the said David Safford as it now is annexed, and that I affixed my official seal to the knot of the tape by which said papers are wound together. In witness whereof I have hereto affixed my seal of office and signed my name this 6th day of June 1883.
John Willard
Page 18

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.

State of New York, Washington County ss. On this 13th day of March 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before John Willard, David Woods, John Ward, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Washington and State of New York David Safford of the town of Jackson, in said County and State aged 74 year, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the Town of Canterbury, State of Connecticut into the army of the United States in the month of April 1777 for Eight months as a private, in Captain Mosbys [sic] Company, Col. Ely Regiment of the Connecticut line. That he marched to New London where he staid [sic] for six months, then to Providence, then to [illegible], then back to New London, then to Norwich, then to Long Island, then back again to New London where his Eight months expired, and he returned home to Canterbury.  That he knew Col. Will & other officers of the Continental army. That he was employed during said Eight months in guarding the country, building fortifications, and marching from one place to another. That in the Month of May 1780 he enlisted again the in the Town of Bolton in said State for Eight Months in Captain Bush company Col. Swifts [sic] Regiment of the Connecticut line. That he marched to West Point. Staid there one Month, employed in garrison duty, then to English neighborhood, then to  [illegible], then to [illegible], then to highlands in NewYork where his term of Eight months then expired. That he belonged to the Infantry
Page 19

and that one [illegible] in that division [illegible].
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.} 
[signed] Paul Day
Rodrick Reb

And the said Court o hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above name applicant was a revolutionary Solder, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Paul Day who has signed the proceeding certificate is a resident of the town of Jackson in said County of Washington and that Roderick Reb who has also signed the proceeding certificate is a resident of Jackson in said County, and that they are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Jesse S. Leigh Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the aforesaid County of Washington and State of New York, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of David Safford for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 13th day of March 1833.
[signed] J.S. Leigh Clerk