Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8758, for Jesse Richards, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE   Conn.
Richards, Jesse
Clarissa
NUMBER  R. 8758
Page 2

17543 
Connecticut 
Jesse Richards 
of New Canaan in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Scofield of the Reg commanded by Col St John in the Connecticut line for 12 month
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 40 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Augt. 1833 and delivd B. Isaac of Norwalk Conn   Present 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar ‘35   $80 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sep ’35    20 
$100
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, 
Book   E  Vol 3  Page 37   
[unreadable] for 1853
W. L. Smith Mch 30, 1857
Page 3

State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield, } ss 
On this first day of Aug. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before The Court of Probate within and for the District of Norwalk in said County now sitting, Jesse Richards a resident of New Canaan in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Sixty nine 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 on the 2d day of July 1779 Inlisted into Capt Reuben Seofields Company of State troops, in said town of New Canaan as it is now called, it was then called Canaan,  being parish of Norwalk, and served in said Company under Col John Mead who was afterward appointed Gen. during the Revolutionary war and at the close was discharged at said New Canaan having served said term of time in guarding and protecting the see coast at Norwalk, Stamford,  Horse Neck and on the lines.  Was in the battle when Norwalk was burnt.  Have no written discharge and no documentary evidence of my service.  
Was born in said New Canaan on the 24 day of July 1763 and has always lived in said Town and now live there.  Have no Record of my age
Page 4

The said Jesse Richards 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
Jesse Richards Sr.
We William Bonney a clergyman, residing in the town of New Canaan and Enoch St. John residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Richards who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 69 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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 
William Bonney 
Enoch St. John 
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 William Bonney who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in  the town of New Canaan and that Enoch St. John who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Canaan and that their statement is entitled to credit.   
Benj Isaacs Judge  
I Charles Isaacs Clerk of the said Probate Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Richards for a Pension. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Office, this 1 day of Augt 1832.   
Chas Isaacs Clerk
Page 5

State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield } ss Probate Court, District of Norwalk May 1 1833 
Personally appeared the within named Jesse Richards and being duly sworn in open Court according to Law depose and say in explanation of his declaration herein set forth.
That on the 2d day of July 1779, I enlisted as herein stated in Capt Reuben Seofield Comp’y Col John Mead,  Col Stephen St John,  Gen Silliman & Gen Mead and served in said Company as a private solder until the first of December 1783, during said term of service I was out in at least Nineteen Campaigns at Norwalk, Horseneck, Stamford, Byram, Mamaroneck on the lines and on Guard and was in actual service for the United States for more than two years.   
Jesse Richards
Sworn and Subscribed  in open Court the day and year aforesaid 
Benj Isaacs Judge 
No 3147
Page 6

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County 
Probate District of Norwalk  } ss  On this 11th day of September AD. 1857 personally appeared before the Probate court of the District of Norwalk in the State of Connecticut Ebenezer James Richards aged 40 years a resident of New Canaan in said State who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the revolutionary war; that Clarissa Richards was the widow of Jesse Richards who was a private in Captain Scofield's company of Militia of the State of Connecticut located in and belonging to the town of Norwalk in said state who received a pension for services rendered in said Revolutionary War and for proof of said services he would refer to evidence on file in his application for a pension that said pension was granted to said Jesse Richards under the act approved June 7th 1832 and received forty dollars per year payable at Hartford Ct, in the State of Connecticut, that the said Jesse Richards entered the service on or about the 1st day of July 1779 and continued in service until the close of the war or 1783, that he resided in the town of Norwalk in said State at the time of entering the service. He further declares that the aforesaid Clarissa Richards was married to the said Jesse Richards on the day of October 1814 and that her said husband died at New Canaan in said State on the 18th day of Dec. 1839, that she the said Clarissa was not married to him prior to the 2d of January 1800 but at the time above stated.  And further that the said Clarissa Richards continued to live in widowhood from the time of her husband's death the 18th day of December 1839 until the 12th day of October 1854 at which time she died at New Canaan Fairfield County Connecticut.
Page 7

He further declares that the aforesaid Clarissa Richards died leaving two children who are the only heirs viz. Betsy R. Benedict wife of  Trowbridge Benedict of New Canaan in said State and Ebenezer James Richards the undersigned deponent who makes this declaration with the consent of his sister the aforesaid Betsey Benedict for the purpose of obtaining the pension due the said Clarissa Richards at her decease.   
Ebenezer J. Richards 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year first above written in open court before me 
George A Davenport [unreadable]  and acting Judge of said Court of Probate and I certify that I have no interest whatever in the foregoing claim & application and further that it appears by the records of said Court that the settlement of the Estate of said Jesse Richards was commenced in said Court on the first day of January A.D. 1840 and that the settlement of the Estate of said Clarissa Richards was commenced in said Court on the fourth day of November A.D. 1854.   
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Nowak in said District the day and year first above Written 
George A. Davenport Judge
Page 8

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION 3-525
OWN
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Washington D. C. , 19 -
In reply to your request of – received – for a statement of the military history of    Jesse Richards
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this bureau.  R. 8758
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT   July 2 1779   LENGTH OF SERVICE Served til close of war   RANK.  Pvt. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain Reuben Scofield, Colonel John Mead   STATE.  Conn.
Battles engaged in,    at burning of Norwalk
Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Canaan (after war called New Canaan) Conn
Date of application for pension,  Aug 1 1832, his cl was al [his claim was allowed]
Residence at date of application,   New Canaan, Fairfield Co. Conn.
Age at date of application,   born July 14, 1763, Canaan Conn.
Remarks:  Sol married at Poundridge in Feb 1814, Clarissa.  He died at New Canaan Conn Dec. 18 1839.  She died there oct 12, 1854 leaving two children Betsey A. wife of Trowbridge Benedict and Ebenezer James age 41, both living in New Canaan.
Respectfully
Commissioner
Page 9

REJECTED
8758
Children of Clarissa Richards & Jesse
1916 Nov 4 Hist to Mrs. W. B. Powell, AW
Page 10

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County.}   SS. Probate Court District of Norwalk on the 11 day of Augt 1832 before said Court Personally appeared Matthew St John aged 70 years being duly sworn in open Court doth depose and say that he well acquainted with Jesse Richards of said New Canaan and have always lived in the same Neighborhood, and knows that said Richards entered the Service of the United State in Capt Reuben Seofield Company of State Troops on or about the first of July 1779.  That I belonged to the same Company that we served there together during the Revolutionary War and at the close we were discharged verbally therefrom and were engaged in guarding & protecting the Sea Coast at Norwalk, Stamford, Horseneck and in the lines  during the principally part of the time and under Col John Mead afterward Genl.   
Matthew St. John
Sworn & subscribed in open court Benj Isaacs Judge
At the same Court Personally appeared before said Court Aaron Comstock Esq of New Canaan and 79 years being duly sworn in open Court depose and say that he is well acquainted with Jesse Richards said New Canaan, have always lived in the same neighborhood and knows that said Richards entered the service of the United States in Capt. Reuben Scofield Company of State troops on or about the first of July 1779. I belonged to the same and acted as Sergeant of said Company,  that we served the together during the Revolutionary war and at the close we were verbally discharged therefrom principally part of the time engaged at Norwalk, Stamford, Horseneck and on the lines in guarding and protecting the same under Col John Mead afterward Genl.  
Aaron Comstock
Sworn and subscribed in open Court 
Benj Isaacs Judge
Page 11

State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield} ss  Probate Court District of Norwalk May 1833 This may Certify that I am well acquainted with the within named deponents Aaron Comstock Esq. and Capt Matthew St.  John and know them to be respectable and credable Persons.  
Benj Isaacs Judge
Page 12

Poundridge Westchester Co. N.Y. March 25 1857 
To Geo. C. Whiting Esq 
Comr of Pensions }  
Sir 
Please to inform me on the following case.   
Jesse Richards a Revolutionary soldier of the Connecticut line of Militia a Pensioner died in 1839. He left a widow to whom he was married in 1815. The widow died in 1854 without having made an application. She left two children. Will the children on application be entitled to what was their mothers right. If so please send me the necessary information to make out their application. 
Yours Respectfully 
William L. Smith
Page 13

State of New York 
County of Westchester} ss  
On this 20th day of Nov. AD. 1857  personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Maria Thatcher and Sarah C. Patterson wife of the Revd William Patterson both residents of Poundridge in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declare that they were acquainted with Jesse Richards and his wife Clarissa Residents of New Canaan Fairfield County in the State of Connecticut and that they were present at their marriage which took at Poundridge in the month of  October AD 1814, as they verily believe, and that they were married by the Revd Richard Andrus the Presbyterian Minister of Poundridge.   They further state that they were acquainted with them until their death which acquaintance was kept up by mutual interchange of visits between them and that the said Jesse Richards died in 1839 and the said Clarissa continued in widowhood after his death until the 12th day of October 1854 when she died at New Canaan Ct. and they attended her funeral.  
Maria Thatcher
Sarah C. Patterson
Sworn to and subscribed before  me on the day and year above written and I certify that I have no interest in this claim.   
Samuel Scofield Justice of the peace
Page 14

State of New York Westchester County ss
On this day of AD. 1857 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State William Patterson Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Poundridge and Betsey A. Lockwood wife of Albert Lockwood both residents of Poundridge in the County and State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declare that they were well acquainted with Jesse Richards and Clarissa his wife for several years previous to his death which acquaintance was kept up by frequent interchange of visits until his death which occurred to in the 18th day of December 1839 and that they attended his funeral.   They further state that after the death of said Jesse Richards the said Clarissa his wife continued a widow until her death which occurred at New Canaan on the 12th day of October 1854 and that they attended her funeral.  
Sworn to and subscribed before  me in the day and year above written and I certify that I have no interest in this claim.}
Page 15

State of New York 
County of Westchester} ss  
On this 20th day of November AD. 1837 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State Rev William Patterson and Betsey A. Lockwood wife of Albert Lockwood both residents of Poundridge in the state of New York who being duly sworn according declare that they were well acquainted with Jesse Richards of New Canaan Ct. and Clarissa his wife for several years previous to their deaths which acquaintance had been continued by frequent interchange of visits &c.   
They further state that they attended the funeral of the said Jesse Richards whose death occurred on the 18th day December 1839.  
They further state that they also attended the funeral of Clarissa widow of the aforesaid Jesse Richards decd who died at New Canaan in the 12th day of October 1854. They also declare that the said Clarissa after the death of her husband the said Jesse Richards 
[unreadable]
STATE OF NEW YORK, 
County of Westchester} ss  
I, JOHN P. JENKINS, CLERK of the County aforesaid, and also Clerk of the Courts in and for said County, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That Samuel Scofield Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the certificate of the proof or acknowledgment of the annexed Instrument, and endorsed thereon, was, on the day of the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, residing in the said County, elected and sworn, and duly authorized to take the same, according to the laws of the said State. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice, and verily believe that the signature to the said Certificate is genuine.   
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court and County, the 28th day of November 1857 
John P. Jenkins CLERK.
Page 16

State of New York 
County of Westchester} ss  
On this 20th day of November AD. 1837 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said County and State Rev William Patterson and Betsey A. Lockwood wife of Albert Lockwood both residents of Poundridge in the state of New York who being duly sworn according declare that they were well acquainted with Jesse Richards of New Canaan Ct. and Clarissa his wife for several years previous to their deaths which acquaintance had been continued by frequent interchange of visits &c.   
They further state that they attended the funeral of the said Jesse Richards whose death occurred on the 18th day December 1839.  
They further state that they also attended the funeral of Clarissa widow of the aforesaid Jesse Richards decd who died at New Canaan in the 12th day of October 1854. They also declare that the said Clarissa after the death of her husband the said Jesse Richards dec’d remained a widow until her death and that she left two children Viz Ebenezer J. Richards and Betsey A. Benedict wife of Trowbridge Benedict both of New Canaan Ct.  and that they are her only heirs.
Betsey A Lockwood
William Patterson
Subscribed to and sworn to before me the day and year above written and I certify that
have no interest in this claim
Samuel Scofield Justice of the peace
Page 17

Poundridge N.Y. Decr 4th 1854 
To Geo. C. Whiting Esq 
Coms. of Pensions 
Sir 
Enclosed I present the application of Ebenezer J. Richards one of the children of Clarissa Richards decd widow of Jesse Richards Dec a Revolutionary soldier and pensioner to obtain what was his mother's due under the act of Feb. 3d 1853 to continue half pay to certain widows and orphans.   
Yours Respectfully 
William L. Smith
Agent
Page 18

No. 
Clarissa Richards 
widow 
Jesse 
N.Y. 
Let W.L. Smith Decr 19/57 
Act of ‘53
Page 19

[stamp]  POUNDRIDGE N.Y. Mch 2
FREE
To Geo. C. Whiting Esqr 
Com. of Pensions 
Washington D.C.
Page 20

Jesse Richards 
not found on Scofields Rolls except for 16 days but produces two witnesses who are so found service.  By consent of Mr Isaacs estimated at 12 mo 
5. 16. 17 
B. Isaacs 
Admd [admitted] 
12 mo pri
40$
PHH
Page 21

3147 
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jesse Richards her proof or explanation. 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? he is entitled? 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 – no actual service sworn
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? - = from any other seal? 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
Page 22

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?   no
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been 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? if not, which of them is not so answered? 
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  4th & subsequent.
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 and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension."
Page 23

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 24

Law – asks family data 
222 SUMMIT AVENUE 
BUFFALO, N. Y. 
October 12, 1916. 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington, D.C 
Dear Sir:-  
Will you kindly give me any information you have in your records about both Nathaniel Hodgkins of Windham Co.  and Jesse Richards of Fairfield Co who were pensioners of Connecticut in 1832.   I would be glad of any family data that appears in their application for pension, as well as their military record.   
Sincerely yours 
(Mrs. W.B.) Mabel W. Powell
Page 25

[stamp] LAW DIVISION RECORDS OCT 16 1916
Powell