Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16037, Simeon Barber, Conn.
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3-1776
SERVICE Conn. [Connecticut]
Barber, Simeon
NUMBER S. 16037
carded
CONTENTS
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22550 Connecticut
Simeon Barber
of Hearout [Harwinton] in the State of Connecticut 
Who was a private in the com [company] commanded by Captain Stare of the regt [regiment] commanded by Col W Arman in the Connecticut line for 11 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Oct 1833 and [sent to] O. S. Seymour Litchfield
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 91.65
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 March 18.33
$109.98
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 32
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12.566.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. AD 1832.
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield SS
Court of Probate for the District and in the County of Litchfield
On this 5th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in said County, now sitting, Simeon Barber a resident of Harwinton in said County, aged 79 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:
I was born in Harwinton in Litchfield County Cont [Connecticut] in Augt 1753, my age is recorded in my Father's account book, I resided in Harwinton when I entered the service of the United States, as herein after specified & still do there reside.
In May 1775 I enlisted as a private into the company of Capt Stare in Col Herman's Regt, for seven months, to go on an expedition to the northward. I immediately joined the company at New Milford Ct. [Connecticut] & Marched with it to Ticonderoga croping the North River above Albany, and going first to Fort George, & from there we went by water. The Officers of our company were Lieuts Hall & Yates & Ensign Hodges, Major Welsh was Major of the Regt, with these Officers I was acquainted. We were employed
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at Ticonderoga in preparing an expedition against Canada, when our troops left Ticonderoga for St Johns. I did not accompany them but was ordered to stay and take care of one Oliver Phelps, from said Harwinton, who belonged to Capt Stan's company, & who was so sick as to require a constant attendant. I remained with said Phelps till he was able to be moved, when I was ordered to go with him & take care of him on his journey home, which I did, & arrived in Harwinton a short time before my seven months expired, and did not again join my company. I received no written discharge and am not able to find any other direct evidence of this service [other] than the affidavit of John Seeley, herewith sent as corroborative evidence. I send the affidavits of my brother Isacher Barber & of Mr Joseph Scovill
In May 1776 I enlisted for six months into the Company of Capt Amos Wilson in Col Gay’s Regt Connt [Connecticut] State troops, and immediately went with the company to New Haven, & from there by water to the City of New York. The Officers of our company were Lieuts Rockwell & Abner Wilson, Ensign Goodwin. The Officers of the Regt were Lieut Col Hart & Major Mott, the latter commanded the Regt, after the death of Col Gay, & the capture of Col Hart the Regt was formed in the City of New York &
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did duty there until the Enemy landed on Long Island, we then were ordered to & went to Long Island, but were not engaged in the Battle there, & were sent over to the City of New York before the evacuation of Brooklyn by the whole of the American Army
I was at this time soon after this time attacked with the fever & ague and sent to the Hospital, where I remained several days. I then joined the Regt, but being still feeble in health, I was reported unfit for duty, & was on account of my health allowed to return home. I went as far as Danbury, where I lay sick several weeks, & was brought home to Harwinton late in October. I left my Company the day before the Enemy landed on York Island & took possession of the City of New York. During the period of my service I was corporal of the company.
Of this service I am unable to procure any other evidence expect [except] the affidavit of Mr. Jacob Hinsdale, and the corroborative testimony of Isachar Barber & Joseph Scovill
I am known to the Revd Geo. E Pierce, Joel G. Candes Esq., Phinehas W Noble & others of the town of Harwinton who can testify to my character & to their belief of my services
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I hereby relinquish any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
[signed] Simon Barber
Sworn to & inscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Connt. [Connecticut]
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We George E. Pierce a clergyman residing in the town of Harwinton, Litchfield County, State of Connt. [Connecticut] and Phinehas W. Noble residing in said Harwinton, hereby certify that we are well acquainted will Simeon Barber, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 79 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.
[signed] George E. Pierce
[signed] Phinehas W Noble
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Connt. [Connecticut]
And the said Court 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 Rev. George E. Pierce, who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a Clergyman resident in sd [said] Harwinton, and that Phinehas W. Noble, Esq., who has signed the same, is a resident in sd [said] Harwinton, and is a credible witness person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Frederick Wolcott, Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Connt. [Connecticut]
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I, Phineas Miner, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in said Court in the matter of the application of Simeon Barber for a pension.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court this 22d day of September AD 1832 Phinehas Miner Clerk
12.566.
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12.566
Simeon Barber
Pet 5. 16 from 1775 private 11 months $36. 66/100
O S Seymour Litchfield Connt [Connecticut]
Please return the [illegible]
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BRIEF in the case of Simeon Barber of Harwinton in the State of Connecticut
Act 7th June, 1832. 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? Seventy nine years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. | enlisted In 1775 May | “ [enlisted in] 1776 May | enlisted in Oct
Duration of Service. Years, Months, Days. | a short time 6 | 5
Rank. As a | private | corporal
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Gen. | Capt Stare, Col Hinman | Capt Wilson, Col Gay
5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Harwinton Connt [Connecticut]
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A Clergyman & Phinehas W Noble certify to traditionary evidence, John Seely proves him in service in 1775 but does not specify the duration, Isaacher Barber proves him in service in 1775, and also in 1776 about 6 mo. John Scovel proves him in Service in 1776 and corporal, Jacob Hinsdale proves the same.
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. L. Keritz Examining Clerk.
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12.566. Simeon Barber’s affidavit supplementary to his declaration.
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State of Connecticut County of Litchfield SS Litchfield July 13th 1833
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in & for the said County, Simeon Barber of Harwinton in said County of Litchfield, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith, that by reason of old age & 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 & in the following grades;
In Capt Stan’s company I was in the actual service of the United States the full period of six months, from the time of my joining the company to the time I started for home with Oliver Phelps, as detailed in my declaration made before the Hon Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield on the 5th day of September 1832, and I was at least one week with said Phelps on my return. during this time I served as a private.
In Capt Wilson's company, I was in the actual service of the United States at least three months and a half, before the time when I was reported unfit for duty, on account of sickness, as detailed in said declaration, and after that
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time I was one month & a half at least, on my return home, being detained by sickness, which I had contracted in the service. In Capt Wilson's company I was a Corporal during the aforesaid services. And for the foregoing services I claim a pension.
[signed] Simeon Barber
Sworn to & subscribed this 13th day of July 1833 Before me Origin S. Seymour Justice of the Peace
I, Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, hereby certify that Origin S. Seymour, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, is and for more than a year last has been a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized & qualified to administer oaths, and that the signature purporting to be that of said Justice is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 13th day of July AD 1833. Frederick Wolcott Clerk
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O. W. and N. Division. F. B F. Ins. File 16037 Rev War
3–525. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C., Mar. 12, 1906
Madam, In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Simeon Barber, 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.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. May 1775 | May 1776
LENGTH OF SERVICE. | 6 mos. | 5 mos.
RANK. | Pvt. | Corp.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | Starr | Amos Wilson | COLONEL. | Hinman | Gay
STATE. | Conn
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Harwinton, Litchfield Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, Sept 5, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Harwinton, as above
Age at date of application, Born Aug. 1753, Harwinton, as above
Remarks: It is not stated whether he had a wife or children. brother Isacher 
Very respectfully, Commissioner.
Mrs. Robert S. Goodman Rt #2 Connecticut
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16037 INVALID
File No. 16037 Simeon Barber Pri. Rev. War
Act: June 7” 32 Index:—Vol. 1, Page 432 Arrangement of 1870.

June 27 / 94 Mil. Hist. to Miss [illegible] Barnes
C/O Hon [illegible]
Birmingham, Conn
Mar. 12, 1906 Hist to Mrs R. S. Goodwin
1921 Nov 17 Hist to Mrs. Harry L. Herold
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To The Hon. J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

July 18

[stamp] LITCHFIELD CON. JUL 15
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Litchfield Connt [Connecticut] July 13th 1833.
To J. L. Edwards Esq Commr Pensions
Sir, Inclosed is Simeon Barber’s application for a pension. The defect suggested is supplied by a supplementary affidavit,
Very Respectfully Your obt sevt. O. S. Seymour
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I, John Seeley of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut, aged 77 years, being duly sworn, do on my oath depose & say
that I am acquainted with Mr Simeon Barber of Harwinton Connt [Connecticut], and was acquainted with him in the year 1775, in the Spring of that year I well remember that said Barber joined Capt Starr's company Col Hinman Regt at New Milford Connt [Connecticut], from which place he marched with the company as a private to Ticonderoga. I was a member of the same company and I remained at Ticonderoga till early in the fall, when I returned; I recollect seeing said Barber at Ticonderoga frequently during the summer, but do not remember whether he remained at Ticonderoga, till after I left there or not, I however fully believe that that said Barber was there when I left.
[signed] John Seeley
Litchfield County SS Litchfield Sept 5th 1832
There personally appeared John Seeley, to me well known, who is a credible person & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed. Before me Origen S. Seymour, Justice of the Peace
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I, Isaachar Barber of Harwinton in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, aged 69 years, depose & say being first duly sworn,
that in May 1775, I & my brother Simeon Barber, lived at home with our Father in Harwinton, during the said month of May, my brother aforesaid told me that he had enlisted in Capt Starr’s Company of New Milford to go to Ticonderoga, & my father fixed the said Simeon out with such clothes & accoutrements as were necessary for a soldier, and he went from home to join the company at New Milford.
I do not know from having seen it that he enlisted, or that he entered the company at all, but know that he was gone from home seven months, & that during that time we recd [received] letters from him while he was at Ticonderoga, and my father in the course of the summer went up to Ticonderoga & visited him.
Tho’ I have not personal knowledge of my brother services while he was gone, yet I have no manner of doubt, from the circumstances which occurred, that he served in the American Army at Ticonderoga during the period while he was thus absent.
I know also that in the summer of 1776 my brother aforesaid was gone from home about six months. I did not then see him enlist, but know it was the every day talk in the family that he had gone to New York in Capt Amos Wilson's company and we had frequent communication from him
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and I have no doubt whatever but that he was in the service of the United States during the six months last aforesaid,
[signed] Issacher Barber
sworn to 24th
Litchfield County SS Litchfield July 24. 1832
Then personally appeared Issacher Barber, to me known as a man of truth & veracity, & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed. Before me Origen S. Seymour Justice of the Peace
I, Joseph Scovil of Harwinton in the County of Litchfield, aged 81 years, being duly sworn depose & say, that in the summer of 1776, I know that Mr Simeon Barber of said Harwinton enlisted into Capt Amos Wilson's Company in Col. Gay Regt., he was a corporal in that Company and marched with it when the company marched for the City of New York.
[signed] Joseph Scovel
Litchfield County SS Litchfield July 24. 1832
Then personally appeared Joseph Scovil to me known & who is a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed. Before me Origen S. Seymour Justice of the Peace
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State of Connecticut ss
I, Jacob Hinsdale of Canaan, in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut & formerly of Harwinton in said County, 73 years of age, being duly sworn say,
that I am well acquainted with Simeon Barber of said Harwinton, & was knowing to the fact of his enlistment, in the spring of 1776, into the Company of Capt. Amos Wilson of Torrington in said County of Litchfield — or the State line to which company I also belonged — that he served as a corporal in said company, marched with the company to, & was stationed in New York, went from New York to Long Island, thence — at the time of it was not by the American troops — to New York again, that during part of the term he was confined with sickness, & that the company was discharged on the 25th of December of the same year. That the Regiment to which we were attached was commanded by Capt Gay of Farmington in the County of Hartford.
[signed] Jacob Hinsdale
Litchfield County ss. Harwinton Aug 23d 1832 Personally appeared before me, Jacob Hinsdale, well reported as a man of truth & veracity, & swore oath to the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed. Gaylord Welles Justice of the Peace
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State of Connecticut ss Office of the Clerk of the County Court in & for the County of Litchfield
I, Frederick Wolcott Clerk of said Court, hereby certify that Origen S. Seymour Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavits of John Seeley & Isaacher Barber & Joseph Scovill appear to have been taken, & that Gaylord Welles Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit of Jacob Hinsdale appears to have been taken, now are & for more than a year last passed have been respectively Justices of the Peace for said County, & duly authorized to administer oaths, & that the signatures to said affidavits purporting to be the signatures of said Justices are respectively genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 24th day of Sept 1832. Frederick Wolcott Clerk
[right margin] Jacob Hinsdale’s Affidavit
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Terryville Conn. Oct 26, 1921
Dear Sir, Please send me pension record of Simeon Barber, Born Aug 13th 1753, Soldier from Harwinton Conn. 1775.
Yours Truly, Mrs. Harry O. Herold Terryville Conn.
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE D OCT 29 1921
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B
[stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE G JUN 8 1894
Birmingham June 5th 1894 Commissioner of Pensions
Sometime in March I sent you a note of inquiry concerning Simeon Barber who was served in the war of the Revolution, & was a pentioner [pensioner], as I have received no reply, I think the note may have been overlooked,
Will you kindly give me what information you have in regard to him & oblige.
Yours Respectfully Miss H. M. Barnes c/o Hon. E. N. Shelton Birmingham Ct. [Connecticut]
[stamp] U. S. P. B. & NAVY FILES JUNE 14 1894
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Simeon Barber which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
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? yes
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 amout [amount] of pension he is entitled? no No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
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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? yes
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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  yes
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? yes
XVI. **Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? discharged
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.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each 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 they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn 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.
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 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.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticaing papers. In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.