Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,914, for Joshua Larkin, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn Larkin, Joshua S.16.914
Carded.
CONTENTS
Page 2

28224.
Connecticut N.28.22
Joshua Larkin
East Haven in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the County commanded
by Captain Haine of the Regt commanded
by Benjamin in the Con.
line for
6 month
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of Apl
1834 and
H. N. Smith
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1834. 60.00
Semi-anl.. allowance ending 4 Sep. 10.00
$ 70.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by R. Burdin Clerk,
Book E 2 Vol. Page 24
Page 3

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
District of Waterbury }ss.
On this 28th day of July A.D.
1832 personally appeared in open
Court before the Court of Probate
for said District now sitting Joshua
Larkin a resident of East Haven
in said County & State aged
80 years, who being first duly sworn
according to Law, doth on his
oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed
June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of
the United States under the following
named officers, and served as
herein stated. To wit:
That in the first year after the
the commencement of the war he
thinks in October he enlisted as a
minute man in the first alarm
list of householders. he cannot
tell what year it - He was
then residing in Woodbury That
he acquipt himself as a sargeant
for that service and was liable
to be called upon at any time
That about 8 weeks after he enlisted 
an alarm was given and was
called out and proceeded to New
Town where he remained one week
Page 4

then returned to Woodbury and was then
was in such service one week -
That he served in the capacity
of Sargeant -
That in April 1776. He was
again called in and put into the
company commanded by Capt
Nathan Hine in the Regt under
Col. Benjamin Hinman that
they were marched to New York
and served in New York untill
about 3 days before the enemy came
into the city as he supposed about
the first of October '76 That at
that time he was taken sick and
his captain informed him that
he might return home. That he
arrived at home in about 3
weeks being the last of October
That he served in said Company
as Sargeant. Reuben Mitchell
was Lieut. and Preston was
Ensign That when he got
home to Woodbury he found that
Capt. Hine had already got
home.
That in April 1777 about the
time Danbury was burnt again
was called out in the same
company under said Capt. Hine
and himself was orderly Sargeant
and marched to Danbury where
he remained about one week
That at Ridgefield Ct they had
Page 5

a battle with the enemy. That
Genl Arnold was commander
of the American Army and had a
horse shot under him in sight
of the applicant
That several months after he
returned from Danbury he removed
his family to Huntington Ct
That when the British entered
New Haven in 1779 He was
again called out under Capt.
Joseph Briorey and marched
to New Haven and served as
Sargeant at New Haven and
went with the Americans to Fairfield
and Norwalk and applicant says he was in service at
this time about one month
That as a minute man Capt
Samuel Patterson (by order of
Col Benjamin as the Capt said)
ordered applicant to keep a
look out as a scouting party to
prevent the elicit trade that
as a scout he served about
two years, and during the time
he discovered so that they were
taken by the friendly army seven
boats - some of them valuable-
His duty was to keep a look
principly for Torys trading-
That he acted as a scout
untill the war closed.
Page 6

That he was born in Huntington
in 1752. July 7th That he went
to Woodbury to reside when he was
23. and remained there untill
after Danbury was burnt when
he returned to Huntington, and
remained there some years then
back to Woodbury then moved to
Watertown & then to East
Haven where he now lives
relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except
the present and declares that his
name is not in the pension roll of
the agency of any State.
Sworn to & subscribed the day and
year aforesaid
Joshua Larkin
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 Leonard Branson Esq
of Middlebury who has subscribed
the annexed deposition is
Justice of Peace
within & for New
Page 7

Haven County and that said
David Mallory (said Witness) is
a reputable man
and the court further certifies
that Chauncey Prindle who
has signed the annexed certificate 
is a Clergyman now residing in
Salisbury though he seldom now
officiates being very aged and
a very respectable man and that
he formerly was Rector of the
Church in Watertown
I Robinson S. Herman Clerk
of the Court of Probate for said
District do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Joshua
Larkin for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand &
Seal of Office this 28th
day of July A.D. 1832
R.J. Hinman Clerk
Page 8

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 - 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D.C., June 18, 1921
In reply to your request of [illegible], received [illegible]
a statement of the military history of Joshua Larkin
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.
Oct
Apl. 1776
Apl 1777
1779
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
1 wk
6 Mos.
1 Mo
2 yrs
RANK.
Sgt.
"
Ord Sgt
Sgt
Pvt
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
Officer not Stated
Nathan Hine / Benj Hinman
Nathan Hine / Arnold
Birdsay
Patterson / Jno. Benjamin
STATE.
Conn
Battles engaged in, [illegible]
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Woodbury, Conn
Date of application for pension, July 8 1832 [illegible]
Residence at date of application, [illegible] New Haven Co Conn
Age at date of application, [illegible] 75 Huntington Conn
Remarks : there is no data as to Fam
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 9

16.914
INVALID.
File No. 16.914
Joshua Larkin
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 217
(Arrangement of 1870.)
1911 July 5. Hist to Mrs. Frank Larkin
from Catalogue
1921, Jan. 18 - Hist to Mrs
Linney J Lindsey, Eus
[illegible]
Page 10

Watch Hill St. Westerly
Watch Hill, R.I.
6 - 28 -11
Mr J.L. Davenport,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter of
June 27th in regard to Joshua
Larkin, pensioner in 1832, all the
information in regard to the services
of Joshua Larkin, in the Rev. war
were copied from "Conn. in the Rev."
p 469 "Joshua Larkin enlisted, Aug15 -
1776, discharged, Sep 14-1776." p 655
"Joshua Larkin 1832, living in New
London County." I suppose it would
be a very simple matter, to get
Page 11

his Rev. war record. Hoping this will be
of some use in the search.
I am
Yours very truly
Jessie C. Larkin
Mrs Frank Larkin
Page 12

Connecticut
Joshua Larkin
Suspended
ant. Hon. N. Smith
Apl 8th 1834
Page 13

Rev Sec
Aurora, Illinois.
Dec. 7, 1920.
Dear Sir:--
In the 21st Smithsonian Report
I find that my ancestors Joseph
Larkin wife Hannah rec'd a Pension
for service in Conn. and that
Joshua Larkin also received a pension
Will you send me a copy of these pensions
I find these mens name on Page 222
in the 21st Smithsonian Report, copied
by Mrs. Amos G. Draper. Hannah wife of
[illegible] filed claim for a pension, and
Joshua filed his own claim.
An early reply will be appreciated.
Respectfully yours,
(Miss) -- Linnie J. Lindsey
91 N. Spencer St.
Aurora, Ill.
Page 14

No. 6230
[illegible]
Suspended
R. S. Hinman
Salembridge
Ct.
Amd Mr. Smith
apl 8th 1834
Hon Mr. Smith
Senate U.S
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joshua Larkin which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? [illegible]
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
Page 16

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary 
service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining 
it? No
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?
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?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For - 
year - months, and - days, I served as a - months
and - days, I served as - a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 17

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 objection
able. 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 the 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 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 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.
Page 18

Admd
$20 per Anm
Mr Smith will thank
Mr Edwards to look
at the papers immediately
I find the certificate
for him
Mr Smith
Senate U.S.
J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Page 19

Salem bridge Ct
March 22 1834
Sir
I again send the papers
of Joshua Larkin, We cannot
find any further documents
with regard to the minute men
or scouts, nor any further testimony
as all those who were with him
are dead - and although the
part of his service was [illegible]
and of pension
yet he must consent 
to take a certificate for
the 7 1/2 months. If you cannot
allow the other part with what
[illegible] he has already given
Therefore [illegible] me for that time
and strike out the other part
Your Obt Servt
R. S. Hinman
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 20

War Department
Pension Office
September 18 1833
Sir
The papers in support of the claim
of Joshua Larkin do not yet sufficiently specify and prove
his services. If Captain Patterson commanded a corps of
minute men raised for during the war, the members of 
which served individually as scouts, the fact is important
and has not before been made known to this Department,
Before this service can be admitted it will  
be necessary to prove the authority for raising and
paying such a force from the documents in the office of 
the Comptroller of Public accounts, and also to particularly 
specify the periods and places of the actual service
of the claimant
The rank of the claimant as Sergeant
not supported by the best evidence, which is the
warrant of his appointment. The papers are herewith
returned
I am Respectfully
To. Obed: Servant
J. L Edwards
R. S. Hinman Esq
Salembridge
Connt
Page 21

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }
District of Waterbury }
John Larkin an applicant
for a pension, whose papers are
hereto annexed appeared in Court
& being sworn says that the service
mentioned in his original application
for a pension as done in the
capacity of a Sergeant was so
done & performed as Sergeant, that
all the Warrant he ever had was
one given him by Col. Wood of
the Militia, that he had it for
some time but he does not know
how long he had it, nor does
he know what has become
of it - he says he has not had
it for several years- nor does
he recollect when he had it last
Joshua Larkin
his X mark
[illegible] Court this }
20th day of March, 1834 }
R. S. Hinman Clerk
Page 22

State of Connecticut }
County of New Haven }ss
District of Waterbury }
On this 14th day of June
1833 personally appeared in open
Court before the Probate Court
for said District Joshua Larkin
of East Haven in said New Haven
County, who is the same Joshua
Larkin who subscribed the original
declaration to which this is
annexed, and who being first
duly sworn, made this his supplemental declaration. Viz.
In answer to the (V.) fifth objection
contained in Brief from
the Department He says:
V. Objection Brief
That as to the first tour of
service named in his original declaration 
and marked (A.) He served
One week
That as to the second tour marked
(B.) marked under Captain Hine he
cannot tell precisely the length of
service but he knows it was as
much as six months, and thinks
it was some more than that but
he claims service for six months
That in the third tour marked
(C.) he thinks he served rather more
than a week, but claims serving
for one week.
Page 23

That in the fourth tour marked
(D.) He claims service for one
month. He cannot on account
of his old age and the great time
that has passed since the service
tell precisely the length
of service but he is confident
that he served as much if not more
than one month, that he intended
when he made the original declaration 
to put the time so short
that he could not tie under
mistake in stating the time
That all the time he claims
as service before he served
as a scout was seven months
and a half.
That as a scout under Captain
Patterson & Col. John Benjamin
in the service (E.) in the Original
declaration the applicant kept
a Horse, and was ordered to keep
constantly a look out, and when
ever he discovered any thing which
looked suspicious to follow
it, and to send word by the
scouts who were stationed near
him to the captain. That there
were two other scouts in Applicants
neighbourhood, to wit: Ezra
Curtiss and Hezekiah Curtiss 
both of whom are since dead,
That frequently, he would be
obliged to go off several miles
in to the neighbouring counties
& towns that he recollects
time discovered a drove of Calves
and sheep [illegible[ were driven
Page 24

That he recollects at one time of discovering 
a drove of calves and
Sheep which the tories were
diving from Quaker's Farm in
Oxford, New Haven County 
to be butchered & sent to the enemy
that he followed them to that
field near what is now called
Bridgeport, that they were then
Butchered and put on board
a whale Boat, and while the
Tories were getting it out
the River. they were taken.
and in the skirmish two of the Tories
to wit: Thomas Stoddard & Abel
Judson were killed. They were
both tories and belonged to
Woodbury Connecticut. He mentions 
the circumstances to show
the nature of the service of a
Scout - That he intercepted
and caused to be taken several
Boats of provisions and many droves
of cattle &c. That he served
as scout to the end of the
War. which was more than
two years. That he claims
service as private for the two
years
That he claims pension for
service as a Sargeant for
7 1/2 months and as private for
16 1/2 months. making in
all the two years. That his
Service as a Sargeant
Page 25

Scout amounted to near
three years-That the service
as a scout was more expensive
and more fatiguing than the
Service of a regular soldier
That when he enlisted as a minute
man he enlisted during the War, and
was liable to be called on at any time
In Answer to the (VI.) sixth objection 
in Brief; He says:
That in the Tour marked (A)
in the Original declaration he
served under Captain Nathan
Hine of Woodbury Ct. That they
met a Regt. at New Town
which he thinks was commanded
by Ichabod Lewis Col: That
their duty then was principally to
Capture Tories and bring them
to the guard House-
In the town marker (B) he has
mentioned his officers in the Original
declaration. To wit. Col. Hinman
Capt. Hine, Lieut Mitchell
& Ensign Preston
In the Tour marked (C.) Applicant
served under said Captain
Hine and Arnold commanded
the army at Danbury, but applicant 
cannot tell who did command 
the Regiment, as he staid
Page 26

only about a week or little more
That in the Tour at New Haven
for the one month under Captain
Birdsey, applicant thinks they
were not regularly attached to
any Regt He recollects that
there was a Major Eli Leavenworth
in service there. That
the companies were considerably
scattered about.
That while he was a scout
Capt Patterson & Col John
Benjamin were his officers
from whom he took orders
and to whom he gave notice
of what he did.
In answer on the XI & XII
Eleventh & twelfth Objection in the
Brief; he says, That he has annexed 
hereto the Evidence of a
Clergyman & or other respectable
man of their belief of his age
and of his having been a Soldier
Joshua Larkin
Sworn & Subscribed
the day & year afsd
R. S. Hinman Clerk
Page 27

And the said Court hereby
certify that said Stephen Dodd
who signed the certificate hereto
annexed is a clergy man resident
in said town of East Haven and
that said Reuel Andrews also
is a resident of said Town and
signed the same and that they
are credible men and their statement
entitled to credit
In testimony whereof
I have unto set my
hand & seal of office
this 14 day of June
1883
R. S. Hinman Clerk
Page 28

State of Connecticut }ss East Haven
County of New Haven }
On this 6th day of June 1833 personally appeared before
me Bela Farnham a Justice of the peace for said County
Stephen Dodd a Clergyman of said East Haven and Reuel
Andrews a resident in said Town, who are known to me as
credible persons, and after being duly sworn according to
law depose and say that they are acquainted with
Joshua Larkins a resident of this Town that we believe
him to be 80 years of age that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a
Soldier in the war of the revolution, and we concur
in that opinion
Stephen Dodd
Reuel Andrews
Sworn and subscribed this
Day and year aforesaid before me
Bela Farnham Just Peace
Page 29

[illegible] 6230
Joshua Larkin
Appl for Pension
[illegible]
Page 30

affidavit of David Mallery aged seventy
four years now residing in Middlebury
New Haven County & State of Connecticut
who deposeth & says that at a certain period
of the Revolutionary war he belonged to Captain
Nathan Hines Company of Woodbury Co
and went to New York in said Company on a
tour of duty under sd line, and that Joshua
Larkin then of said Woodbury was a member 
of said Company & went with deponent
don't recollect the date of the year of the month
when said Company marched on said tour
but says that they were in New York at the time
of the battle of Flatbush-- don't recollect the
length of said tour of duty
David Mallery
New Haven County ss: Middlebury Nov 5th 1832
Personally appeared David Mallery and
made oath to the truth of the above affidavit
by him subscribed Before me
Leonard Bronson Justice of Peace
Page 31

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield
ss Woodbury November 9 1830
Be it remembered that
On the seal aforesaid. Personally appeared
before me, Chs B Philps Esq a Justice
of the Peace within and for Litchfield
County Abel Munn of Woodbury and
to me well known & who is a credible
witness and being duly sworn and
cautioned on oath declares that he
is seventy two years old and served
the Revolutionary army in Capt [illegible]
Hines Company Col Hinman
Regiment that he well knew Joshua
Larkin then of Woodbury that he
knew said Larkin was a member of
said company and went to New York
with the Deponent and remained in
said company untill this deponent was
into the Hospital in the month of August
[illegible] - the deponent left N York
About 7 Sept 1776 [illegible] only said Larkin
remained in New York is unknown to
this Deponent nor can he recollect the
said company went to New York
Abel Munn
Sworn before me
Chs B. Phelps Justice of Peace
Page 32

I hereby testify that I
formerly lived in Watertown
Litchfield County Ct. That Mr
Joshua Larkin lived several
years in said town of Watertown
at the time I did and that he
joined the Episcopal Church
in that place while I was
Rector of the same and that
he is a man of credit and
respectability and statements
may be relied upon
Salembridge. July 27. 1832
Chauncy Prindle
the Revolution
August 7th }
1832 }
R.J. Hinman Clerk of
Probate & Post Master
Page 33

I. Robinson S. Hinman of
Salembridge in the town of Waterbury
Certify that in the application
of Joshua Larkin for
a pension Sustained in my hand
the papers untill this day for
the purpose of ascertaining to
my satisfaction whether the
said John Larkin was reputed
in the towns where he has lived
to have been a Revolutionary
Soldier that upon enquiring I
find that he has so been, is
so reputed and that his character
so far as I have ascertained
is good and that I believe him
to be 80 years of age and concur
with his neighbors in the belief
of his having been a soldier in
the Revolution
August 7th }
1832 }
R. S. Hinman Clerk of
Probate & Post Master