Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,239, for David Phelps, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn. Phelps, David S. 11,239
died Nov. 3, 1834 carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Connecticut 6008
David
Phelps
of in the State of Con
who was a Sergt in the con commanded
by Captain - of the Regt commanded
by Col Webb - in the Con
line for
3 years
Special
Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 120 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Jany
1834 and Sent. L. T.
Pease, Present
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 $300
Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 34 - 60
$360
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 35
Page 3

No 160
Hon Louis Cass
Sec at War
Washington City
Page 4

D Phelps
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
act of Congress passed June 1832
State of Connecticut }
Hartford County } ss
Probate District of Enfield }
On this 6th day of August 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before William Dixon Esq Judge
of the Court of Probate for the District of
Enfield now sitting David Phelps a Resident
of Enfield in the County of Hartford and
State of Connecticut aged Seventy Seven
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 7th 1832 That he made application
for a pension under the act of Congress of 1818
which application was granted that after receiving about 
three half years payments he was stricken of
as he understood on account of his property
that he served three years, that he enlisted
under Capt David Parsons for the Term of
three years on the 18th day of March 1777
in the 2d Regiment of the Connecticut line
commanded by Col Charles Webb & Served the
sd three years & was then honorably discharged
that he had the appointment of a Sergeant &
discharged that duty that he served at sd Enfield
when he enlisted that he has carded there carrying his
discharge & still resides there
David Phelps
Page 5

Sworn to & subscribed the day year aforesd
Wm Dixon Judge
We Francis L Robbins a clergyman residing
in Enfield in the County of Hartford & Lorain
T Pease residing in the same place hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with David Phelps
who has subscribed & sworn to the above
declaration that we believe him to be seventy
seven years of age and that we know him to be
the same David Phelps who was placed on the
pension Roll under the act of Congress of 1818
& afterwards stricken of as we understood on
account his property
Frances L Robbins.
Lorrain T. Pease
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforsd
Wm Dixon Judge
And the Court find the facts stated in the
foregoing declaration to be true
Wm Dixon Judge
I Alonso Booth Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Enfield in the County of
Hartford & State of Connecticut do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the Court in the matter of the application
of David Phelps for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand seal of office this 6th day of Aug 1832
Alonzo Booth Clerk
Page 6

I Thomas Day Secretary of the State of
Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal there
of, do hereby certify and make known
to whom it doth or may concern
that
William Dixon Esquire, whose name is
subscribed in his proper hand writing to the
foregoing certificate, is and for more than six months
past, has been, Judge of the Court of Probate within
and for the Probate District of Enfield in said State,
duly appointed, commissioned and qualified; that said
Court is a Court of record and consists of said Judge
above having a proper seal belonging thereto, with power
to administer oaths to witnesses touching all matters
Cognisable by said Court, with power also to appoint
and swear a Clerk; and that full faith and credit
may and ought to be given to the official act and
attestations of the said Judge in Court and Country -
In testimony whereof, I have, in my
capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of said State, at
the City of Hartford in said State, the thirteenth
day of February in the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Thomas Day
Page 7

I certify Alonzo Booth who has signed the
foregoing Certificate is Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of Enfield duly appointed & Sworn
According to Law
Wm Dixon, Judge
Page 8

David Phelps priv
Col C. Webb's regt
Connecticut line
March 1777 to Mar '87
3 years
On rolls
Admitted
[illegible]
Page 9

I David Phelps of Enfield in Hartford
County & State of Connecticut being sworn
depose and say that on 22 day of March
AD 1777 I enlisted into the Army of the
United States in the Continental establishment
in the revolutionary war with Great 
Britain in the Connecticut line as a private
Soldier in Captain David Parsons' Company
and Col Charles Webbs Regiment being the
Regiment in the Connecticut line and
served in said Regiment three years wanting
five or six days and was then honorably
discharged on about the 14th day of March
1780 but by time and accident said discharge
is lost. I further depose that I was in several
had fought battles especially the battle at Monmoth
on the 27th day of June I have resided in the
United States on at said Enfield all my
life. I am now Sixty six years old, and very
infirm & unable to labour, and from my
reduced circumstance need the aid of my Country
for support. I further depose that I have
never received any pension from the United
States. David Phelps
State of Connecticut ss 
ounty of Hartford May the 12
1819 Personally appeared David Phelps & made solemn oath that the
facts stated in the aforesaid deposition or declaration by him subscribed
are true Before me
Jonathan Brace Judge of the County Court for said Court
Page 10

I Jonathan Brace Judge as aforesaid do certify that it
appears to my satisfaction that the said David Phelps
did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in his affidavit
or declaration within, against the common enemy for
the term of more than nine months on the continental
establishment, and that he is in reduced of circumstances
and stands in need of the assistance of his country for
support. And I now transmit the proceedings and
testimony taken and had before me to the
Secretary for the department of war pursuant to the
direction of the act of Congress -
May the 12th 1819 Jonathan Brace Judge as aforesaid
we Isaac Markham and Simeon Pease
both of Enfield in Hartford County & State of
Connecticut being sworn depose & say that we
served three years as private soldiers in
Captain David Parsons' Company & Colonel
Charles Webbs Regiment in the Connecticut
line upon the continental establishment
in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain
and that David Phelps the within Deponant
served in sd Company as a private Soldier for
the term stated in the within Deposition by him
subscribed and was honorably discharged with
or about the 14th day of March 1780 we further
say that we have resided for more than forty
Page 11

years last past in sd Enfield and believe the facts
stated in sd Phelps deposition aforsd are true
dated at Enfield the 3d day of May AD 1819
Isaac Markham
Simeon Pease
Hartford County Ss Enfield May 3. 1819 personally
appeared Isaac Markham & Simeon Pease both of
said Enfield and made oath to the truth of the
foregoing affidavit by them subscribed
before me
Henry Terry Justice of Peace
I Thomas Chester Clerk of the County
Court in Hartford County in Connecticut
certify that the Hon Jonathan Brace is
the Presiding Judge of the County Court in
said County & that Henry Terry Esqr is
& on the 3d day of May instant was 
a Justice of Peace  for sd County & I believe
that the two signatures in the name of Judge Brace
& the signature in the name of sd Justice Terry on this
paper are their signatures
Witness my hand & the seal of sd Court May 12th 1819
Thomas Chester Clerk
Page 12

11239
Rev War
INVALID
File No. 11,239
David Phelps
Sergt. Rev War
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: - Vol. A, Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

12.032
R
Connecticut
David Phelps
Enfield in the State of Cont.
who was a private in the regiment commanded by
Colonel C. Webb of the Connecticut
line, for the term of three years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on
the 12th of May 1819-
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th of June 1819
and sent to Jonathan Brace,
Esq Hartford, 
Cont.
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819. 3 mos. 20/11. 4/30. 30.19
Semi-anl, all'ce ending
$30:19
{Revolutionary claim,}
{Act 18th March, 1818.}
Brief sent W Dixon
14 Nov. 1830
Page 14

6008
Connecticut
David Phelps
of the State of Connecticut
was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain of the Rej commanded
by Col Webb in the County
line for 3 years Private $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Feb
1833 and first to
L Tillman Prit
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 $120.00
Semi-anl. allowance Mar 1833 40.00
$160.00

Recorded
Book
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. ⎬
by Vinal Luce
Clerk,
Vol. 3 Page 11
Page 15

David Phelps
P-65
See Roll
Act Congress 1818
W Dixon
Page 16

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
David Phelps which require further
proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned
for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned 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?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
Has not a distinguishing device
sufficient to secure the authenticity of paper
Page 17

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his
seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 - , For - months
an - days, I served as a - : and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 18

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as 
well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
+QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
Page 19

Payments to be made
at Hartford Connt
by the [illegible] Br. Bank N.Y.
Agent for paying Pensioners,
the Agency of
Connecticut
Recorded by Vinal Luce
Clerk in Book D Vol. 3
page 61
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United 
States, of the 7th June, 1832, David Philps of the
State of Connecticut
who was a Private in the Army of the
Revolution
is entitled to receive Eighty dollars
per annum, during his natural life, commencing
on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the
4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this
22 day of February
One thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Lew CassSecretary of War.
Examined and }
Countersigned. }
J L Edwards
Page 21

TSt Terry & Wife
depn taken by Judge
Griffin there no
certificate that
they are credible
persons
David Phelps
Page 71
Elisha Phelps Esq
Hartford
Page 22

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
David Phelps which require further
proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned
for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned 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?
No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
No
Page 23

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
None
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? a part of them only
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his
seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
None of them
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 - , For - months
an - days, I served as a - : and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 24

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as
well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.
+QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.