Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 26,207, Benjamin Derby, Conn.
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Conn.     Derby, Benjamin     W. 26207
                          Esther
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Reported
Let to Orrin Murray
June 22, 1846
several cases- in
regard to formal application
for re-opening case

6091
Vermont
Eather Derby
widow of Benjamin Derby Con
and who died on the 14th November 1829
of Chittenden in the State of Vermont
who was a fifer in the Compy commanded
by Captain Wells of the             commanded
by                      in the Connecticut
line for 9 mos: & 6 days.

Inscribed on the Roll of Burlingtone
at the rate of 33 Dollars 20 Centers per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of March 1841 and hand to Mr. P. Briggs, (of Vermont) Present

Arrears to the 4th of Sept: 1840  $151:74
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar '41 16:86
                                              --------------------
                                                   $168.60

{Act July 7, 1838}
Recorded by Wm C Zantzinger Clerk,
Book A, Vol. 2, Page 37
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State of Vermont
District of Chittenden ss.} At a Probate Court holden at Huntington in said District of Chittenden on the eighth day of February in the year of our Lord 1838, before me, Charles Russell Judge of said Court, personally appeared Esther Derby of Huntington in the District aforesaid, and for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress passed the fourth day of July A.D. 1836, makes the following Declaration viz;
I was born at Glossenbury in the County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut on the sixth day of February A.D. 1762 and resided in said town till the year 1780, the 8th day of June: on which last aforesaid day I was lawfully married to Benjamin Derby then of Hebron in the County and State last aforesaid; after which I resided with my said husband some seven or eight years in the towns of Glossenbury and Hebron; then removed to Schidack in the State of New York and resided there two or three years, then removed to Salem, and resided there two or three years, then removed to Wallingford in the State of Vermont, and resided there above twenty years then removed to Huntington aforesaid where I have ever since and now reside; all which time I have resided with my said husband up to the time of his death; which took place on the 14th day of November A.D. 1829 at said Huntington. Previous to my marriage above stated I was acquainted with said Benjamin Derby. He was a musician (Fifer) in the Army of the American
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Revolution two campaigns before my marriage with him, one in the company of Capt. Levi Wells, in the Connecticut Line; under what officer he served during the other campaign I do not now recollect. After my said marriage (and I think in the year A.D. 1781) my said husband went into the American Service, but whose company he served in, I do not now recollect, I believe his Lieut. was  Mr. Jones. During the time my said husband was in the Revolutionary service in 1781 he was stationed at Grotten and New London and during some part of the time he had the care of the Prison Ship at New London, I believe my said husband left home & went into the service in the spring of the year 1781 and returned home in the fall of the same year. When my said husband returned home from the service aforesaid he brought with him a Fife Major's Warrant, signed by Samuel Willis the Col. of the Regiment in which he served. He obtained the said Warrant when he first entered the service & before my said marriage with him. I have frequently heard him say that he held the office of and performed the duties of Fife Major in the afsd service. I have frequently seen & read said warrant from the State of New York to Wallingford Vt. as above stated, since that time I do not recollect to have seen it, I have recently made diligent search among the papers of my said husband for said warrant, but have not been to find it.
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I was married to the said Benjamin Derby at at the time above stated by the Rev. Benjamin Pomeroy then the minister of the Gospel in said Hebron. Since the death of said Benjamin Derby, I have all the while been and am now his widow.

Esther Derby her mark X

The words "Samuel Willis," interlined before signing.
Witness Chs. Russell

State of Vermont
District of Chittenden ss.} Huntingdon February 8th 1838
Then personally appeared Esther Derby the signer of the foregoing Declaration and made oath that the same contains the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Before me, Charles Russell Judge of Probate. I also certify that the said Esther Derby on account of nervous affliction being unable to write her name requested me to write it for her, and that she made her mark. And I also certify that said Esther Derby is a person of truth and veracity.
Charles Russell Judge of Probate
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State of Vermont
District of Chittenden ss.}
I, William Weston, Register of the Probate Court within and for said District, do hereby certify that Charles Russell, before whom the foregoing deposition of Esther Derby was taken and sworn to, was at the time of taking the same and still is Judge of said Court, and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his, are genuine.
I also certify that Wm P, Briggs, before whom certain of the annexed depositions were taken and sworn to was at the time of taking the same, and still is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Chittenden, and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I do hereunto affix the seal of said Court and subscribe my name this thirteenth day of February A.D. 1838 at Burlington in the District and County of Chittenden.
Wm Weston, Register
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State of Connecticut Tolland County
Hebron Town Clerks Office} ss. January 30th AD 1839
Copy
Benjamin Derby & Esther Finley was married June eighth one thousand seven hundred eighty

I certify that the above is a true copy of the Record with the exception of the date which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows, June 8th 1780
Attest Henry H. Fitch Town Clerk

I Henry H. Fitch above named depose & say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the County, Town, & State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town of Hebron with the exception above named as certified by me.
Henry H. Fitch Clerk of the Town of Hebron

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss.
Be it known that before the subscriber a Notary Public for the State aforesaid personally appeared Henry H. Fitch who subscribed the foregoing copy & made oath that the same was a true copy of the Record of marriages in the Town of Hebron.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 30th day of January AD 1839.
Abner Hendee
Notary Public
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January 12, 1939
BA-J/ILL
Benjamin Derby
W. 26207

Mr. Howard W. Derby
367 Hearst Avenue
San Francisco, California

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Benjamin Derby, whose widow, Esther Derby, was a pensioner of Huntington, Vermont.

The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, W. 26207, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Benjamin Derby.

Benjamin Derby lived, before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, in Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut.

While a resident of Hebron, Connecticut, he enlisted May 11, 1775, and served as fifer in Captain Levi Wells's company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys's Connecticut Regiment until December 17, 1775. He enlisted September 2, 1776, and served two months as fifer in Captain David Miller's company, Colonel Horsford's Connecticut regiment, during which he was stationed near New York. He served subsequently one year as teamster in Captain Solomon Phelp's company. He enlisted in April 1781, served as fifer and fife-major in Captain Samuel Jones' Connecticut company, during which he was called out at the time of the burning of Hartford. The age of Benjamin Derby and his parents' names are not shown. (Put this in first for next time)

Benjamin Derby married June 8, 1780, Esther Finley, who was born February 6, 1762 in Glastenbury, Hartford County, Connecticut; the names of her parents are not shown. They were married by a Minister in the town of Hebron, where their marriage was recorded; Esther resided up to the time her marriage in Glastonbury.

The soldier and his wife, Esther, resided for seven or eight years in the towns of Hebron and Glastenbury, Connecticut, after which they moved to Schodick, New York, and resided two or three years, afterwards moved to Salem (state not named) where they remained for two or three years,
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moved then to Wallingford, Vermont; and resided about twenty-three years, afterwards moved to Huntington, Chittenden District, Vermont.

Benjamin Derby died in Huntington, Vermont, on November 14, 1829.

Esther Derby, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed February 8, 1838, at which time she resided in Huntington, Vermont.

No reference was made to children of Benjamin Derby and his wife, Esther.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and cite the following:
Esther Derby, widow of Benjamin Derby
Certificate #5091
Issued March 9, 1841
Rate $33.72 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1836
Act of July 7, 1838
Vermont Agency

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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Revolutionary War Records Section
3-525
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 Benjamin Derby 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. W. F. 26207

Dates of Enlistment of Appointment: May 11, 1775
Length of Service: Dec 17, 1775
Rank: Fifer
Officer under whom service was rendered: Captain Levi Wells, Colonel Samuel Wyllys
State: Conn.

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: Sept 6, 1776
Length of Service: 2 mos.
Rank: Fifer
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain David Miller, Colonel Hartford

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: 
Length of service: 1 year
Rank: Fifer
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Solomon Phelps

Date of Enlistment or Appointment: Apr 1781
Length of Service: Fall 1781
Rank: Fifer
Officers under whom service was rendered: Captain Samuel Jones, Colonel Samuel Wyllys

Battles engaged in, none stated.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hebron, Hartford Co Conn.
Date of application for pension, Feb. 8 1838 Her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Huntington, Chittenden Dist Vt.
Age at date of application, born Glastonbury, Hartford Co, Conn Feb 6 1762
Remarks: he married June 8, 1780 in Hebron, Conn. Esther Finley, he died in Huntington Vt. Nov 14, 1829. There is no further family data on file.

Respectfully,

Commissioner

p 160 Conn. Rolls Vol VIII
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367 Hearst Ave.
San Francisco, Cal
Nov 27, 1938

Veterans Bureau
Washington D.C.

Gentlemen:
Esther Derby of Huntington, Vt., widow of Benjamin Derby, Revolutionary war soldier was pensioned on account of her husbands service. I would like to obtain an abstract of the service record and vital data shown in this case.

Yours truly,
Howard W. Derby
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Pen Sec
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:
I am seeking the Revolutionary War Record of Benjamin Derby who resided in or near Wallingford, Vermont, any information you may be able to give me will be most acceptable.

I am most sincerely,
Mary L. Chipmam
1965 No. Bronson Ave.
Los Angeles,
California
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July 8, 1903. Hist to
Hon. D. J. Foster HR

1916 Apr 4: history to Mary
L Chipman M.B.H.

1939 Jan. 12 Hist. to Howard W. Derby

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 26207
Esther Derby
wid of
Benjamin Derby
Fifer Rev War

Act: July 7th 1838
Index:- Vol. A, Page 431
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Esther, widow of
Benjamin Derby
Fifer 9 mo. & 6 days
$33:72 per annum
Act 7 July '38

Agency of Burlington
Vt.

Hand cert: to
Wm. P. Briggs Esq
(of Vermont)
Present
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Ho. of Reps
Jany 31, 1840

Sir

I am requested by the Hon. W. P. Briggs of Richmond Vermont, to request you to reexamine the evidence and papers in your office touching the Petition of the widow Derby for a pension.
Judge Briggs feels quite confident, that the evidence on file, come up, not only to the [unk], but to the letter of the law, and consequently Mr Derby is entitled to a pension. I was requested to call and examine the papers, but I have been prevented by indisposition.
I hope you will do me the favor to look again at the papers in the case and inform me in what particular the evidence is deficient if [unk].

I am respectfully yr obt servt

J Smith

Hon. LJ. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Senate Chamber March 1, 1838

Sir,
The enclosed papers were recd from Hon. Wm. P. Briggs of Richmond Vermont with a request that I would present them to you. I will thank you for an early attention to them and notice of your decision.

Very respectfully you obedt servt
B. Swift


Colo. J. L. Edwards
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Oct 29
Free

Hon. James L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Richmond Vt.
Oct. 23, 1838
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Richmond, Vermont
Oct. 22d 1838

Hon. James L. Edwards,
Sir,
Will you have the goodness to forward me the papers of the widow Austin of this town, and also those of widow Derby of Huntington.
I entrusted them to the care of Senator Swift last winter. Will you state also if you please the objection to their allowance, and oblige.

Yours very respectfully
Wm. P. Briggs
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I Jeremiah Remington of Huntington, the county of Chittenden & State of Vermont of lawful age depose testify & say that about thirty years ago, I became acquainted with Benjamin Derby & & his wife Esther Derby in Weathersfield in this State. I afterwards removed to this town & sometime after that they also removed here & lived together until his death which was I think in the year 1828. I further say that Ester Derby the widow of the said Benjamin Derby has always a good character for truth & veracity & I think her testimony entitled to full credit & further say not.
Huntington Feby 8th 1838
Jeremiah Remington

State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss.} At Huntington Feby 8, 1838
Personally appeared Jeremiah Remington the signer of the above deposition & made solemn oath that the same contains the while truth & nothing but the truth. 
Before me Wm. P. Briggs Jus. Peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with Jeremiah Remington the signer of the above deposition & he is a man whose character for truth & veracity is above suspicion.
Wm. P. Briggs Jus Peace
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I Lyman Hall of Huntington in the County of Chittenden & State of Vermont, of lawful age depose testify & say that I am thirty five years ago in the Town of Wallingford in this State I became acquainted with Benjamin Derby & his wife Esther Derby & after I removed from Wallingford to Huntington aforesaid the said Benjamin Derby & Esther Derby also removed to the same town where they lived together untill his death which was I think in the month of Nov. AD 1828. I further say that Esther Derby the widow of the said Benjamin Derby is now & always has been as far as I know a woman of undoubted truth & veracity & her testimony entitled to full faith & credit & further I say Not.
Huntington July 8, 1838
Lyman Hall

State of Vermont
Chittenden County ss.} At Huntington Feby 8th 1838 personally appeared Lyman Hall the signer of the above deposition & made solemn oath that the same contains the whole truth & nothing but the truth.
Before me Wm. P. Briggs Jus Peace

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Lyman Hall the signer of the above deposition & that his character for truth & veracity is above suspicion.
Wm P Briggs Jus Peace
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I Amasa Archer of Chatham in Hartford County & State of Connecticut aged 70 years do testify & say that in the year 1781 sometime in the Spring of the year I was well acquainted with Benjamin Derby then of Hebron that I was then Captain of a company of Militia in the west part of Hebron called an "Independent company" that sometime about the first of April in the year viz 1781 the said Capt, Samuel Jones was ordered to draft a certain number from his company to be marched to New London & that a draft was made by the sd Capt Jones with whom the Deponent there lived & that I well remember the sd Derby then being a member of sd company & living near the Deponent was drafted & was marched from what was called "West Shut" in sd Hebron and that after having been absent a length of time he returned as was understood by the deponent on furlough that he remained a few days & again returned to the service but how long he served the Deponent cannot tell. And the deponent further says that in September 1781 at the time New London was burnt, he the deponent was marched to New London & arrived soon after the British left that he saw the sword drawn from the body of Col. Ledyard, that he marched to New London with Capt. Samuel Jones that While at New London in sd
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September 1781 he saw the said Benjamin Darby doing duty as a musician but cannot tell in whose company; that he the Deponent enlisted into a company commanded by Capt. John Robbins of Woodstock for the term of nine months that he frequently saw the sd Darby in service but cannot tell now [unk] he served.
Amasa Archer his mark X
In presence of Cyrus Mann

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared Amasa Archer signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & this Court certifies that the sd Archer is a man of truth & his statement entitled to credit. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 11th day of November 1837.
Cyrus Mann Judge
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Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
July 10th 1837

I certify that it appears by a Pay Roll in this office headed as follows, to wit, "A Pay Roll of the 8th company of the 2d Regiment raised [unk] order General Assembly Colony Connecticut May AD 1775, Levi Wells Capt, that Benjamin Darby served as Fifer from May 11th to Dec 17th a period of 7 months & 6 days.
Wm Field Comptroller
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State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Hebron Town Clerks Office

I Cyrus Mann Town Clerk and Register of the town of Hebron hereby certify that in the ancient record of marriages in this office the following record appears (viz)
"Benjamin Derby & Esther Finley was married June 8th 1780."

Attest Cyrus Mann Town Clerk & Register

State of Connecticut
Tolland County}ss. Hebron
Be it known that on this 2nd day of Nov 1837 before the subscriber a Notary Public for the State aforesaid personally appeared Cyrus Mann Esq and made oath that the foregoing certificate by him subscribed is a true copy of the record of marriages in the town of Hebron.
And I certify that said Cyrus Mann Esq is a person well known to me as the Register of said Town & has the care & custody of the Records thereof & full faith and credit are to be given to his attestations as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office the day & year above written.
Abner Hendee
Notary Public
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7703 V 3175
Esther Derby
widow of Benjamin
4 Sep '36
m 1780

Hon. B. Swift
Senate US
Page 26

I David Bigelow of Brookfield in the County of Orange & State of Vermont formerly of Glastenbury Connecticut, aged seventy five years, depose & say, that I was acquainted with Benjamin Derby last of Huntington Chittenden County State of Vermont deceased, for many years, previous to the year seventeen hundred & eighty one, then in Hebron Connecticut, it is my belief that the said Benjamin Derby was out & did service in the Revolutionary war. I frequently so understood it at that time & such was the general report.
I did about ten or eleven years since [unk] the said Derby relate over some things which took place while he was in the service at the same time he stated to me that he did serve more or less during the Revolutionary War.
David Bigelow

State of Vermont
Orange County ss.} Brookfield June 17th 1837
Then personally David Bigelow & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him signed.
Before me J. G. Smith Justice Peace

I hereby certify that David Bigelow who has signed & made oath to the foregoing affidavit is a man of truth & veracity, so considered by his acquaintance & is entitled to credit.
J. G. Smith Justice Peace
Page 27

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier Jan 17, 1838

I certify that Joseph G. Smith, Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificates, is and was at the time of subscribing the same, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Orange in said State, duly commissioned and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit ought to be given.
Given under my hand and seal of Office, at Montpelier, this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

Chauncey L. Knapp
Secretary of State
Page 28

I John Northum of Hebron in Tolland County & State of Connecticut aged 79 years do testify & say that during the Revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Benjamin Derby then of Hebron aforesaid was deceased and that it was understood in the neighborhood where the sd Derby lived at that time that he was in the service of the United States at several companies & especially at New London after sd town was burnt in 1781 & 1782 but the deponent was not present with the sd Derby in any term of service but the Deponent verily believes the sd Derby did serve at New London about the year 1781 or 1782 the lengrh of service he cannot tell.
John Northum

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for said District John Northum signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth an this Court certifies that the sd John Northum is a man of truth and his statement entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 10th day of Nov 1837
Cyrus Mann Judge
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I John Taylor of Hebron in Tolland County & State of Connecticut aged 80 years a pensioner of the united States do testify & say that during the Revolutionary war I was well acquainted with Benjamin Darby that in 1775 or 1776 I saw the sd Darby returning home rich from Boston having left the service & that I understood & have always believe & it has always been understood & believed in the neighborhood where the sd Derby lived that he did serve at New London and Groton at the repairing of the Fort after the massacre in 1781.
John Taylor

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared before the court of Probate for sd District John Taylor signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth & this Court certifies that the sd Taylor is a man of truth & his statement entitled to credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 10th day of Nov AD 1837.
Cyrus Mann Judge
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I Bissell Phelps of Waitsfield in Washington County and State of Vermont of lawful age testify and say that I have been acquainted with Benjamin Derby late of Huntington in Chittenden County and State of Vermont deceased from his youth, that he was married to Esther Fitch of then in Glosenberry in the State of Connecticut now living in the Town of Huntington in the State of Vermont as Jurisdiction knows that the sd Derby served in the Quarter Master Generals Department in the Continental establishment under my brothers Capt Solomon Phelps as Teamsters, something like a year or more, that I am sensible that he served more than this in the Revolutionary War.
Bissell Phelps

State of Connecticut
Werthington County ss.} Waitsfield April ?th 1837
The above affidavit of Bissell Phelps was sworn to.
Before Matthias S. Jones Just. Peace

I hereby certify Bissell Phelps the signer of the above affidavit is a man of whom I have been acquainted for nearly forty years that he is considered a man of truth and veracity.
Matthias S. Jones Just Peace
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State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office
Montpelier, Jany 17, 1838
I certify that Mathias S. Jones, Esquire whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is, and was at the time of subscribing the same a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Washington in said state, duly commissioned and qualified, and that to his official acts and attestations as such full faith and credit ought to be given.
Given under my hand and seal of office, at Montpelier, this seventeenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.
Chauncey L. Knapp
Secretary of State



Bissell Phelps
Affidavit
Page 32

I John Huxford of Marlborough Hartford County & State of Connecticut aged 81 years do testify & say that in the month of September 1776 I was called out with all the militia and marched to New Rochell near New York in a company commanded by Capt. David Miller in Col: Huxford Regt & was stationed near New York and I well remember that Benjamin Darby of Hebron was a member of the same company and  [unk] during the whole time that i did, and that he served as a private as the Deponent thinks that he served as a musician  in the Militia at home, that we were marched from Marlborough about the 6th of September 1776 and were discharged about the 6th of Nov following having served two months.
John Huxford

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for sd District John Huxford signer of the foregoing affidavit & made oath that the same contains the truth & nothing but the truth. And this Court certifies that the sd John Huxford is a man of truth & his statements entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 11th day of Nov 1837.
Cyrus Mann Judge