Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15143, Benjamin Gillet, Conn. Privateer
Page 1

Conn.  Gillet, Benjamin  S15143
Privateer                               Carded
Page 2

2296
Connecticut
Benjamin Gillet
of Milford in the State of Connecticut
who was a Pri of th In: on the (Blank) commanded by Captain (Blank) of the (Blank) commanded by (Blank) in the (a star is drawn in this space)
in line for 
9 1/2 Mo: Pri of Infantry
4 Mo. Pri of Cavalry
9 Mo Marine
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 78 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of Nov, 1831 and sent to David S. Baldwin Milford Connet
Arrears to 4th of Sep: 1831 $117.49
Semi=anl. allowance ending (illegible) as 1833 39.14
$156.63
Connecticut and Privateer Records completed Jan'y 31/07
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk
Book D Vol. 30 Page 44
Died June 8, 1841 (AB)
Page 3

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
State of Connecticut}ss.
County of New Haven,
On this 16th day of August personally appeared, in open Court, before the Probate Court of Milford District  now sitting, Benjamin Gillette a resident of said Milford in the County of New-Haven, and State of Connecticut, aged 74 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:- in January 1776 he enlisted in a Company commanded by Captain Samuel Peck and served in said Company for three & one half months & was employed in working at the fort in Brooklyn, West end of Long Island & the city of New York: C Company belonged to General Sterlings command. On the (?) of May 1776 he entered on board the armed sloop Broom, commanded by Capt William North for six month (?).
Page 4

and served three months in a Company of militia commanded by Capt. Caleb Mix of New Haven & was employed at White Planes - West Point& the vicinity;, [?] Company was in Col [?] Reg't.

In 1781 he was drafted into a Company of horses commanded by Capt Foot - in Col Wels' Regiment & was employed near Monmouth for two months - but he knows no one living who served with him in said Company

He was born in Milford April 12, 1758 - & has always lived in a town - where he now lives & his age is worded in the family book. Samuel B. Smith & Frederick Stow can prove his first tour in 1776 = Anthony Ocain can prove his service in 1776 = & Jehiel Bryan & David Smith can prove his last tour in 1776. The service in 1777 is proven by deposition of Ichabod Atwater which was taken in 1819 at which time [c] declarant had thought of applying for pension under the Act of 1818. Also by the deposition of Elaine Bryan & Jehiel Bryan. He is [?] with Rev. Asa M Train -Chas H Pond, who he thinks can testify  and his belief his service as a soldier and the war of the Revolution.
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
Page 5

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State except that of the State of Connecticut
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Benjamin Gillett


We, Asa M. Train a Clergyman, residing in Milford and Chs H Pond, residing in Milford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Gillett who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declation; that we believe him to be 74 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.
Asa H. Train
Chs H Pond
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 the that the Rev Asa M. Train who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in Milford and that Chs H. Pond Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in Milford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

I, D.L. Baldwin Clerk of the Probate Court of Milford District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Gillet for a pension

In testimony whereof, I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office this 16th day of August 1832 [Attest?] David L Baldwin Clk
State of Connecticut
 Probate District of Milford 
Aug 16th 1832 
J William Strong Judge of the
Page 6

Probate Court for said District do certify that David L. Baldwin whose signature is to the above certificate is Clerk of said Court and has the keeping of the records of said Court that full faith and credit are due to his official acts; that the foregoing is the [?] of said Court and that the foregoing attestations are in [?] form-
Benjamin Gillet the declarant and the deponents Saml B. Smith, Capt Jedidiah Stow, Anthony F. Ocame, Capt. Jeheil Bryan, David Smith, Oliver Bryan and John Bryan are summarily known to me to be men of truth and their statements are entitled to full faith and credit; the deponent Ichabod Attwater being a stranger his character is unknown to me-
Arguably to the account of the War Department the Cour hereby annex an opinion that the statements of the applicant are true and fully proved
William Strong Judge of Probate
9 1/2 mo private of [?]
4 mo private Cavalry
9 mo marine
78.33
D.L. Baldwin
2525 Benjamin Gillett
Claim Milford Con
Page 7

BENJAMIN GILLET
S. 155143
BA.-J/MLB

Mrs. C. W. Nelson
56 Maple Avenue
Windsor, Connecticut

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Banjamin Gillette who was born in 1758, served in the Revolutionary War and was pensioned in 1838 while residing in Milford, Connecticut.
The record of Banjamin GIllet Follows as found in pension claim S. 15143, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Benjamin Gillet was born April 12, 1758, in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut. The names of his parents are not shown.
While residing in Milford, Connecticut, Benjamin Gillet enlisted and served as follows: From January 1776 three and one half months as private in Captain Samuel Peck's Connecticut company; from May 1, 1776, six months on board the armed sloop, "Broom", Captain William Knott, and took many [prizes?]; from late in December, 1776, three months  as private in Captain Benjamin Hine's company, Colonel Cook's Connecticut Regiment; from March 1777, nine months on board galley, "Gates" Captain Frederick Chapple, cruising on Lake Champlain; from early 1778, two months as private in Captain Mulford's company, Colonel Canfields Connecticut regiment of horse; from the summer of 1778, three months as private in Captain Caleb Mix's company, Colonel Moseley's Connecticut regiment and from 1781, two months as private in Captain Foot's company, Colonel Wells' Connecticut regiment.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, while residing in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut, and signed Benjamin Gillet. He died June 8, 1841. It is not shown in the claim whether Benjamin Gillet was ever married.
Page 8

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension and name and address of the person paid you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Benjamin Gillet
Certificate #2296
Issued November 23, 1832
Rate $78.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act June 7, 1832
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 9

1910
Page 10

State of Connecticut County of New Haven. Probate District of Milford [?]
 At a Court of Probate [?] at Milford
within and for the Probate District of Milford on the 16th day of August 1832
[?] William Strong Judge Personally appeared in open Court John Bryan of the town of Orange in said County and state, and being duly sworn, doth depose and say that in the year 1778 he was drafted into and served in a Company of Horse Commanded by Capt. Mulford in Col. Canfield's regiment and was employed for the months in and about Horseneck, White Plains and Rye - and he further deposes and says that Benjamin Gillet of the aforesaid town, county and state served in said company during said term of two months against the common enemy in the war of the Revolution war and further the deponent saith not.
John Bryan
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this year and day aforesaid -
Attn. David L. Baldwin Clk
Page 11

State of Connecticut County of New Haven Probate District of Milford[?]
at a Court of Probate [?] at Milford within and for the Probate District of Milford on the 11th day of August 1832-
Present William Strong Judge
Personally, appeared in open Court Jehial Bryan of the aforesaid town, County and State and beiig duly sworn, doth depose and say that in the summer of 1778 he was drafted into and served three months in a company of militia commanded by Capt. Caleb Mix of New Haven and was imployed at White Plains Westpoint and the vicinity- said Company was in Col. Mosley's Regiment - and he further deposes and says that Benjamin Gillet of the aforesaid town, county and state served in said company during said term of three months against the common enemy in the Revolutionary war - and further the deponent saith not.
Jehial Bryan
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid
Att: David L. Baldwin Clk
Page 12

State of Connecticut County of New Haven
Probate District of Milford [?]
At a Court of Probate holden in and for
said District on the 16th day of August 1832
Present William Strong Judge personally appeared in open Court Oliver Bryan
and Schiel Bryan both of said Milford, and
being duly sworn severally depone and say
that in the spring of 1777 we were well acquainted with Benjamin Gillet then & none of said Milford and we have continued to be towns men & neighbors of said Gillet from 1777 to the present day; and deponent further say that in the spring of 1777 said Benjamin Gillet went to the Northward and was gone from said Milford according to the best recollection about nine months and it was rumored & believed in the neighborhood and has me nor been doubted that said Gillet 
served during this said above on Lake Champlain or board an armed vessel] or galley belonging to the United States against the common enemy, and deponents further say that they had heard those who served with said Gillet as aforesaid speak & state that said Gillet did said service and they were with him at the time aforesaid & this opinion is believed in the neighborhood & they concur therein. The persons who served with now Gillet a man now deceased & further deponent say not.
Oliver Bryan
Jehiel Bryan
Sworn to and subscribed in open
Court the day and year aforesaid
Attest. David L. Baldwin Clk
3
Page 13

Ichabod Atwater:
Depositions
Page 14

I Ichabod Atwater of Sandisfield in the County of
Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts of lawful
age testify and say that I inlisted [enlisted] as a Marine in the
Naval Service for nine months under Capt. Frederick
Chappel of the Gallry Gates on Lake Champlain
in the year 1777 & in the month of March of the same year
that I continued in service during my inlistment [enlistment]
that I am well acquainted with Benjamin Gillet
of Milford in the County of Newhaven and State of
Connecticut - that Gillet enlisted into the aforesaid
service under Capt Chappell about the same time I
did and continued to served in sd service untill [until] his
enlistment ended-- further the Deponent saith not
Sandisfield June 22nd 1819.  Ichabod Atwater
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire Co. Sandisfield June 22nd 1819 personally appear [appeared]
and Ichabod Atwater well known to me as a man respectable
& sensible and subscribed and made oath to the above
Deposition according to law before me.
Erastus Beach Justice of the peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire Co.
I, Joseph Woodbridge, Clerk of the Judicial
Court within & for the County of Berkshire do
certify & attest, that Erastus Beach is a Justice
of the Peace within & for the same County
duly commissioned & acting under the authority
of this Commonwealth, and that the above is his
signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the Seal of said County this first day of July A.D. 1819.
Jos. [Joseph] Woodbridge CLK
Page 15

State of Connecticut County of New Haven
Probate District of Milford
At a Court of Probate held in at Milford
within and for the Probate District of Milford
on the 16 day of August 1831.
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Jehiel
Bryan and David Smith of the aforesaid
Town, County and State, and being duly sworn
do depose and say that in December AD 1776
they inlisted [enlisted] and served for three months in a
Company of State Troops commanded by Capt
Benjamin Hine, which company was employed
near Horseneck Ny & Mamaroneck said
company was in Colonel Cooks Regiment
and Genl [General] Woosters Brigade -- and they
further depose and say that Benjamin Gillet
of the aforesaid Town, County & State, served
in said Company during said term of Three
months, against the common enemy in the
Revolutionary War, and further the deponents
say not.
Jehiel Bryan
David Smith
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
the day and year aforesaid
Attest David L. Baldwin Clk
Page 16

State of Connecticut County of New Haven
Probate District of Milford [unknown]

At a Court of Probate holder at Milford
within and for the Probate District of Milford
on the 16th day of August 1832.

Present William Strong Judge

Personally appeared in open Court Samuel B.
Smith and Jedediah Stow of the aforesaid Town
County and State - and being duly sworn, do
depose and say that, in January AD 1776 they
inlisted [enlisted] in a company of State Troops, commanded
by Capt Samuel Peck and served in said
Company for three and half months and was
imployed [employed] in working at the Fort at Brooklyn
West end of Long Island and about the City
of New York; deponents do not remember the
Commander's name with certainty.
command - and they further depose
and say that Benjamin Gillet of the aforesaid Town, 
County and State, served in said Company
during said term of three and half months
against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War
, and further the deponent saith not

Samuel B Smith
Jedediah Stow

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
the day and year aforesaid
Attest David L Baldwin Clk
Page 17

State of Connecticut County of New Haven
Probate District of Milford [?}
At a Court of Probate holder at Milford
within and for the Probate District of Milford
on the 16th day of August 1832
Present William Strong Judge
Personally appeared in open Court Anthony
F. Ocain of the aforesaid, Town, County and
State__ and being duly sworn, doth depose and
say, that, on the first of May AD 1776 he
entered on board the armed Sloop Broom
commanded by Capt. William Nott for Six
months and served said six months in
cruising against the common enemy, during which term many prizes were taken and
the further depose and say that Benjamin Gillet of the aforesaid, Town, County and State entered on board the above named Sloop with him and served during said term of Six months, against the common enemy in the Revolutionary War and further the deponent saith not
Anthony of Ocain
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court
the day and year aforesaid
Attest David L. Baldwin Clk
Page 18

3-871

Record Division,
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions

Briefed by Geo M. Moore
Claim No.  Jan 15, 1910
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Benjamin Gillette
Service  RW
Additional Service   of illegible Conn.
No   claim, State Records, 190
No claim, combination records, 190
             Remarks
illegible

Jan 1, 1900
Chief Division
Page 19

THE DUNCAN
NEW HAVEN CONN.
JAS. F. TOOLE PROP.
[Above is Letterhead]
To: The Pension Bureau Will you kindly tell me if Benjamin Gillette of Connecticut appears on the Rolls as a pensioner of the Revolutionary War
If so ---
Will you kindly send me
Page 20

THE DUNCAN
NEW HAVEN, CONN.
JAS. F. TOOLE PROP.
[Above is Letterhead}
What you have about him send to 
Mrs. Edward Gillette
The Duncan
New Haven
Conn
7" Feb1910
New Haven.

U.S. PENSION OFFICE.
A FEB 9 1910
[Above is a Round Stamp]
Page 21

58 Maple Ave.
Windson, Conn.
May 26,1938

Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

Benjamin Gillette (1755-1840-) was placed on the pension roll of Milford in 1832. Would it be possible for me to get from you the names of his parents?

Sincerely,
Ruth Gillette Nelson
(Mrs. C. W.)
Page 22

371 West 17th St.
New York City

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
 
Please ascertain for me if you have a record of one Ezekial Gillette of ?
Page 23

N.Y. serving in the Revolutionary War
also the record of his father Seth Gillette
of Suffield, Conn and of his father Benjamin Gillette {negative- hand written} of Suffield, Conn and of his father Benjamin Sunderland of Suffield, Conn 
{This Benjiman I understand had a pension in 1830 also in1840}
Any information of dates of service and dates of birth and death, if possible, will be greatly
appreciated.
Yours very truly
(Miss) Katherine Clark.
January 11-1910

U,S. PENSION OFFICE
A
JAN 13 1910
[Above is a Round Stamp]
Page 24

John Q. Tilson
3D District Connecticut

Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
February 20, 1925

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Will you kindly ascertain from your records whether Benjamin Gillette of Milford, Connecticut, who served in the Revolutionary War, was granted or paid a Pension. Any other
information that your office may have pertaining to this Revolutionary soldier will be greatly appreciated.

Very truly yours'
John Q. Tilson
Page 25

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  Benjamin Gillet Sur. File 15-143

DATES OF ENLISTMENT        LENGTH OF SERVICE    
OR APPOINTMENT.
Jan'y 1776                              3 1/2 mos.
May 1, 1776                           6 mos.
Dec. 1776                               3 mos.
Mch. 1777-1778                     9 mos./2 mos.
Summer 1778-1781               3 mos./2 mos.

RANK. Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.                           COLONEL.
Samuel Peck                             
William Knott on board armed sloop Broom
Benjamin Hine                  Cook
Frederick Chappel on board galley Gates
Mulford                             Canfield
Caleb Mix                           Manley
Foot    

STATE.  Conn.

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Milford, New Haven Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, Milford, Conn.
Age at application, b. in Milford Apr. 12, 1758; *died June 8, 1841
Remarks: No fam. data (En)

* from agency book
Page 26

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.              WM

February 21, 1925.

Honorable John Q. Tilson,
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Tilson,
     In response to your letter of the twentieth instant, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.15143, it appears that Benjamin Gillet was born in Milford, New Haven County, Connecticut, April 12, 1758.
     While residing in said Milford, he enlisted and served as follows:
     From January 1776 three and one half months in Captain Samuel Peck's Connecticut Company.
     From May 1, 1776 six months on board the armed sloop, Broom, Captain William Knott, and took many prizes.
     From late in December 1776 three months in Captain Benjamin Hine's Company, Colonel Cook's Connecticut Regiment.
     From March 1777 nine months on board the galley, Gates, Captain Frederick Chappel, and cruised on Lake
Page 27

Champlain.
     From 1778 two months in Captain Mulford's Company, Colonel Canfield's Connecticut Regiment.
     From the summer of 1778 three months in Captain Caleb Mix's Company, Colonel Moseley's Connecticut Regiment.
     From 1781 two months in Captain Foot's Company, Colonel Wells's Connecticut Regiment.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1832, while a resident of Milford, Connecticut.  He died June 8, 1841.  
     There is no data on file as to his family.
      Very truly yours, 
            Commissioner.