Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22604, Prosper Wheeler, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Wheeler, Prosper
Sarah

NUMBER
W. 22604

CONTENTS
Page 2

Vermont 28.944
Prosper Wheeler
of Bennington in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Belcher of the Reg command
by Soloman in the Connecticut 
State Troops for 13 mo $
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of July
1834 and sent Hon H Hall Bennington Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 129.99
Semi-annl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1834 21 66
$151.65
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7,1832 }
Recorded by H. H. Sylvester Clerk
Book E Vol. 4 Page 99
Page 3

[illegible Court Seal affixed]
[no text]
Page 4

20617
Prosper Wheeler
Page 5

STATE OF VERMONT,
County of Bennington. ⎬ SS.
On this 22d day of August A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon. the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, now sitting Prosper Wheeler a resident of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont, aged 72 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.
That in April or May, 1776, he enlisted under Capt. Belcher of the Connecticut line at Preston, Con. for nine months, marched to New London, took water and went to Norwalk, from thence to New York. Thinks the troops were commanded by Gen. Wadsworth, Col. Lattimer & Major Waterman Klext.─
Marched from New York into the entrenchment at Turtle Bay to prevent the British under Gen How from landing.─ Our men on the right wing commanded precipitate retreat under a heavy fire from the British shipping and land forces, and were soon followed by the remainder of the troops; retreated to Harlaem;─ this was in Sept. 1776, on Sunday and on Monday morning, at day-break, before we had pitched tents, or taken the least refreshment we were overtaken by the British, turned upon them and drove them back, pitched our tents, and remained about a month, marched to White Plains, where they had a warm engagement with the enemy the morning after their arrival. ─
Thinks that this was in October. ─ That after this he was employed in guarding the shores, until his term of service expired, when he was dismissed, and had liberty to return home

[note at bottom of left margin]
9 months
Page 6

That on or about the first of June A.D. 1778, at Norwich Con. he was drafted for three months under Capt. Stephens, marched to New London, from thence to Providence R.I. from thence to the island on which Newport was situated; there joined Sullivan's Army about the middle of August, was in the battle at Newport, and was wounded in the engagement, taken up senseless, and by direction of the Doctor's carried off the island, and did not reach home until after his term of service had expired, viz 3 months.
[note in left margin] 3 months
That in May 1779, he enlisted on board of a privateer under Capt. Thomas King, and went one voyage of about two months, had one engagement with two British ships, which proving too strong for them, they were obliged to haul off.
[note in left margin] 2 months
That in the years 1780 & 1781 he stood as a minute man, to turn out at a minutes warning, part of the time at Norwich, and part of the time at New London;─ that he was at New London (when the town was burnt) under the command of Capt Stephens and that he was out at several other times, and verily believes that he served his country more than eighteen months.
That he has no documetary evidence and knows of no person living who can testify as to his service
Page 7

He 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.

In answer to the interrogatories propounded by the Court the applicant declares,
1st. That he was born at Norwich, Con. August 9, 1760.
2d. That he has no record of his age

3d. That he lived in Norwich Connecticut when called into service, removed into Shaftsbury, Vermont, about the year 1785, and has resided there ever since

4th. That he was drafted for three months, and a volunteer the remainder of the time

5th. That among the regular officers who were with the troops where he served, he recollects Gen. Washington, Gen. Wadsworth, Gen. Putnam & Gen. Sullivan

6th. That he never received a written discharge
7th. That he is known to Orsamus C Merrill residing in Bennington and David Robinson Jun residing in same Benington who can testify as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
Prosper Wheler

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year  aforesaid.
Wm Haswell, Register

We, Orsamus C Merrill residing in the town of Bennington and David Robinson Jun residing in same Bennington, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with  Prosper Wider who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 72 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.
O. C. Merrill,
David Robinson Jr

Sworn, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm Haswell, Register

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 O. C. Merrill, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a credible person resident in the town of Bennington and that David Robinson jun who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Bennington and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
S. Danforth Judge

I, WILLIAM HASWELL, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Prosper Wheeler for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 22d day of August A. D. 1832
Wm Haswell

[illegible Seal affixed at left]
Page 8

Prosper Wheeler's
Declaration
20617
W. Haswell
Page 9

State of Vermont
Bennington Probate District⎬ 
On this 18th day of June, A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon Probate Court for the district of Bennington, now sitting, Prosper Wheeler a resident of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont, 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 eighteen months with an embodied corps, called into service by competent authority; and for the most part in the field; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[signature] Proper Wheeler

Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office.
[signature] Wm Haswell, Register

[illegible Seal of Office affixed at left]

I, Isaiah Matteson, a Clergyman, residing in Shaftsbury, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Prosper Wheeler who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that I believe him to be 72 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhoodwhere he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and I concur in that opinion.
[signature] Isaiah Matteson

Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
[signature] Wm Haswell, Register

I certify that Rev. Isaiah Matteson, is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Attest, [signature] Wm Haswell, Register
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Affidavits in case of
---
Prosper Wheeler
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State of New York
Cayuga County } 
I Affa Smith of Fleming in said County of Cayuga do certify & declare on oath that I am seventy one years of age & upwards and am sister to Prosper Wheeler of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont. In the time of the Revolutionary war we both lived at home with our father in the County of New London & State of Connecticut. I well remember that in the Spring of the year 1776 the said Prosper Wheeler left home to go into the service, and continued absent in said service during the whole season a term of nine months according to my best recollection. I did not see him in actual service but heard from him a number of times during said season and then understood & believed that he was in service as a Soldier.
I also remember that in the summer of the year 1778 (as I believe) the said Prosper Wheeler again entered the service for a term of three months, that he marched for New London, and continued to serve until his time expired after which time he returned home-- I also remember that he was wounded during said term.
I also remember that in the years 1780 & 1781 the said Prosper Wheeler stood as a minute man ready & prepared to go into active service at a moments warning, that he performed many short tours of service during said two years but how many & when they were performed I am unable to state that at the time New London was burned he was called out & entered the service and continued absent a month or six weeks according to my best recollection. 
I also remember that at three or four other times during said term he was called out in cases of alarm & to guard the shores and continued absent about two weeks at each time according to my best recollection, that he was frequently
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out in said service during said term & continued absent some times a week and at other times three or four days at a time. I am unable to state how many times he was out in such short tours or how long he continued in service further than as above, but have no doubt that his said Short tours during the years 1780 & 1781 would amount to more than four months service.

[right] his
[right] Affa X Smith [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

Sworn & subscribed the 28th day of November 1833 before me.
[signature] R Cook Justice of the peace

State of New York
Cayuga County } ss
I Pailey Wheeler of Fleming in the said County do certify on oath that I am 68 years of age & upwards, and am a younger brother of Prosper Wheeler of the County of Bennington & State of Vermont, the same person mentioned in the foregoing affidavi.t that I resided at home with said Prosper Wheeler in the time of the Revolutionary War. I have heard the foregoing affidavit of my sister Affa Smith read, and well remember that most of the services therein mentioned were performed as there stated, that
from my knowledge of the said services and my knowledge of the times, I doubt not that the foregoing statements made in said affidavit are substantially correct.
[signature] Paily Wheeler

Sworn this 28th day of November 1833 before me.
[signature] R Cook Justice of the peace

I certify my opinion that said Affa Smith & Pailey Wheeler are persons of truth & veracity and that their statement above is entitled to credit.
[signature] R Cook
Page 13

State of New York
Cayuga County } ss 
I Michael S Myers Clerk of said County do certify that Robert Cook before whom the foregoing affidavits were made & by whom the foregoing certificate was made was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace of said County. That I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said justice and believe his signature to said affidavits & certificate to be genuine Witness my hand and seal of office the 28th day of November 1833
[signature] S Myers Clerk

[illegible Seal of Office affixed upper left]
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Vermont - 7442
====================
Sarah Wheeler
widow ofProsper Wheeler
Conn.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832-
and who died on the 31st December 1840 --
of Bennington in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Company
commanded by Captain Belcher of the
Regt. commanded by Col. Latimer in
the Connecticut line for 13 months
====================
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington
at the rate of 43.= Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.
====================
Certificate of Pension issued the 19th
July 1843 and sent to a Wm Haswell
Bennington, Vermont-
====================
Whole amount due $216.65

[Act July 7 1838. ],
Recorded by Will Stewart Clerk,
Book A Vol. 2 Page 62

[right page]
Repd on the Jul 9
Page 15

10098
Sarah Wheeler
Vt.
Act 7 July 38
M 84 & 40
admd
13 mo pri
43 33
W Haswell
Bennington
Vermont
Page 16

State of Vermont
District of Bennington, ss ⎬ 
On this 6th day of April A.D. 1843. personally appeared before the Hon the Probate Court for the District of Bennington, at a special Session thereof holden at the dwelling house of Benjamin Wheeler, in Shaftsbury, in said District, (on account of the infirm and feeble health of Sarah Wheeler widow of Prosper Wheeler, late of Shaftsbury, deceased) Sarah Wheeler, a resident of Shaftsbury in the County of Bennington, and State of Vermont, aged Eighty Six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Acts of Congress passed July 7, 1838, the 23d of August, 1842, and the 3d of March, 1843, granting pensions to widows whose husbands served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Prosper Wheeler, who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution as set forth in his declaration now on file in the Pension Office of the United States, for which he received a pension under the Act of 7th June 1832, and to which she refers for the services of her said husband. ─ She also declares that she was married to the said Prosper Wheeler on the 1st day of February, A.D. 1784, at Norwich, Ct. by Rev. Levi Hart, as will appear by the annexed certificate. ─ That her husband the aforesaid Prosper Wheeler died on the 31st day of December, A.D. 1840, at Shaftsbury, and that she has remained a widow ever since, and still remains the widow of the said Prosper Wheeler, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January, 1794,
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viz: at the time above stated the 1st day of February, 1784.
[signature[ Sarah Wheeler

In presence of
B Marah Wheeler
Maria H. Haswell

Sworn and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me
[signature] Wm Haswell, Register.
 I, Wm. Haswell, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Sarah Wheeler for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of April, A.D. 1843.
[signature] Wm Haswell, Register

[illegible Seal of Office affixed at left]
Page 18

This may certify that Prosper Wheeler of Hamden[sp] in the State of Connecticut, & Sarah Dexter of East Greenwich in the State of Rhode Island  were joined in marriage on the first day of February 1784. by me  Leon Hart (Mini'r [Minister] of ye gospel
Page 19

20617
Prosper Wheeler
Sale[sp] to M Hall in
feb 7
Admit as private
13 mos $43.33
Hon. H. Hall
H R

Bennington
Vt

["William Haswell Bennington Vermon" lined thru]
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
June 5, 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined 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 what is necessary to be done. Those 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, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
A Statement, shewing the Service of Prosper Wheeler of Bennington County, Vermont
===========================================================
[Eleven Column Table of Service follows]
Period when the service was rendered. Ent'd 1776 to 1778 [note] time of service not specified
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years. [O]
Duration of the Claimant's service. Months. 9 ✢
Duration of the Claimant's service. Days.
Rank of the claimant. Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Capts. Belcher  Stevens
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Gen'l Wadsworth, Col Liteman
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.Battles at White Plains & New. Port
Country through which he marched. from Preston to New. London thence to Norwalk then by water to New York
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Preston Connecticut
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary Evidence

Period when the service was rendered.  Ent'd 1779
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years.  
Duration of the Claimant's service. Months.  2
Duration of the Claimant's service. Days.
Rank of the claimant. marine
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. King - on board a minataur - 
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged. had an engagement with 2 british ships 
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Preston Connecticut 72 years
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. no clergyman 

Period when the service was rendered. ❈ 1780 & 1781 
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years. out several times, the times not specied.
Duration of the Claimant's service. Months.  
Duration of the Claimant's service. Days.
Rank of the claimant. minute man
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Stevens
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. no reason aforesaid

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

[notes]
76. 6
3
11

✢ 3 months
❈ not less than 4 months
[O] 6 mos only
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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 of cases 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 officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And 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 day of personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[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. 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 hereby 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
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B.
[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 of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &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.
Every 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 and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 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 day and year aforesaid.
[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 and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but it 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


Apply to [illegible] Phelps Esq Compandler of Conn
Secretary of State of Mass
for widow of service

The objection contain his second term? what of his last term, His service
Page 22

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, therefore. these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. 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?
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 answers 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 he 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 ever 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 payments 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.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow 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.
[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 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 bis 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 mouths and days, I served as a and for such service I claim a pension."
{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 that 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 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 au embodied corps called into service by competent authority that lie 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 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 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.
Mode of authenticating 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 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 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. The notes from [a] to [j] 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] This traditionary 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 all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

in note (e) is not removed. How long did he serve in was the length & what other important circumstances of each a board a privateer does not entitled him to renumeration
Page 23

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22.604,
Sarah Wheeler
Widow of
Prosper Wheeler
Priv. Rev. War
─◦─
Act July 7". 1838
Index: Vol. M, Page 333
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 24

Bennington, May 25, 1843.

Hon J. L. Edwards
Sir,
I herewith forward the application of Sarah Wheeler for a pension. Will you have the goodness at as early a day as will suit your convenience to inform me what steps are necessary to be taken to obtain a certificate for Sarah Welch, proof having been heretofore made to the satisfaction of the Department as you will perceive by reference to her papers now in your office. She is still living and can make a new declaration if needed.
Yours respectfully,
[signature] Wm Haswell.
Page 25

It appears by the records of the State, that the General Assembly of Connecticut at the session in June 1776 ordered six battalions to be raised, and to serve untill the 25th of December 1776. Samuel Selden was appointed Col. Jonathan Lattimer Lt Col. & Geles[sp] Russell Major of one of them, and William Belcher one of the Captains therein
Comptrollers Office
March 6th 1834.

I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that the expences of the before mentioned battalion were charged to the United States upon the books of the Pay Table, & that the aggregate amount of Capt Belchers pay roll of the company, constitutes one item of that account. But no roll of the company or regiment has been found, or any other evidence showing how long these troops were in service
Page 26

That it appears by the journal of the Council of Safety, under date July 25th 1778, that "upon the
requisition of Gen Washington & Major General Sullivan letter for five handed men to be sent to Providence & the Council of Safety ordered Col. Oliver "Smith with the two companies of drafted militia, except the guard stationed at Lyme, & L. Col. Gallup with one company of the six battalions there at New London, Major Backus with the two companies of draughted militia
at New Haven ─ Capt Peltier with his company at Fairfied &c &c to march forthwith to Providence
& join Gen. Sullivan. No term of service is mentioned.
And that there is charged to the United States on the books of the Pay Table, under date
December 17th 1798, viz, "To order on Treasurer [?] Capt. Moses Stevens bounty for his company militia to Rhode Island £160, 10. 8." No roll of this company has been found, or evidence showing
how long it served
[signature] E. Phelps
Page 27

Bennington July 15, 1834
Sir
I return the papers of Prosper Wheeler for reexamination, together with an additional certificate from the Comptroller office Cout.- If the certificate in connection with the other testimony in the case should be thought insufficient to substantiate any further service, you will please forward the certificate for 6 months, as per your letter to me of 7th Feby last
very respectfully
your Obt Servt
[signature] Hiland Hall

J L Edwards Esq
Page 28

Prosper Wheeler's
3d Declaration
Page 29

State of Vermont
Bennington County, ss. ⎬Bennington, Dec. 7, 1833.
Personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Bennington, Prosper Wheeler, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and that 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: ─
In the year 1776 he served as a private nine months, as stated in former declaration.
In the year 1778, he served as a private for three months as stated in former declaration and  supported by testimony of Alla Smith and Parley Wheeler, herewith forwarded.
In the years 1780 & 1781 he served not less than four months as a Private, six weeks or more of which time was at the time of the burning of New London.
The services were rendered in guarding the shores in the vicinity of New London, but his memory is so much impaired it is impossible for him to be more definite and for such service I claim a pension.
[signature] Prosper Wheeler

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office.
[signed] Wm Haswell, Register

[illegible Seal of Office affixed at right]