Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16921, for Asa Lester, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn Lester, Asa  S.16921
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

17, 102 Connecticut 
Asa Lester
of Groton in the State of Connt
who was a Pri in the Com commanded 
by Captain __ of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Smith in the Connt
Militia 13 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of Connt
the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of July
1883 and sent Hon N
Barber Groton Ct.

Arrears to the 4th March 33 $86.66 
Semi-an. allowance ending Sep. 4. " 21.66
$108.32
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by E.D. Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 24

[right hand column]
Paid at [illegible] under 
the act 6th April 1838
from 4 Mo [illegible] to D July 1839
the day of his death. Agent
Notified 3d Dec
Page 3

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
November 23d 1840
Sir,
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States, Executors of Asa Lester, decd
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency, at
the rate of Forty three Dollars and 33 Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March, 
to the 2d July 1839, the day of his death
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
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Asa Lester's 
Application
No.3448

Admitted
Private 13 months $43.33

Hon. Noyes Barber
Groton, Con
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State of Connecticut New London County
Ss Probate District of New London
On this 7th Day of August AD 1832 formally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate
for the District (being a Court of Record having
by Law a Seal and Clerk), Asa Lester
resident in the Town of Groton in the County
and State aforesaid age about 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 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as
herein stated. - that he performed and served
through a tour of duty at Stonington point
in the County of New London for the term of three months
in the year 1776 (as he thinks) at any rate
it was the year after Wallace fired into said
place which was in September 1775 as he is informed and believes 
Capt Benedict Preston was the Captain
of the Company in which the applicant served
whose Christian name he thinks is, Amos and
his Lieutenant by the name of Sheffield Col Oliver
Smith was Col of the Regiment his uncle 
Nathan Lester was drafted to perform the above tour
of duty and he took his place as a substitute of
served out the whole time above mentioned
while he was standing sentry at said Stonington
Point he recollects that a 20 Gun Ship (a
Privateer he believes) called the Blaze Castle and
commanded by Capt Monroe came into port
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There were four men drafted from Groton or this tour
(viz) Daniel Avery James Morgan Nathaniel
Brown & his are above named (whose place the
applicant took), all of whom are now dead
& he knows of no person living who can testify as to
his services during this tour. He was then very
Young (the next tour of duty which the applicant
performed was in Fort Girold in Groton, as he believes 
in the year 1778). he was then also a substitute
for Elijah Bailey of Groton who is now living and
whose testimony is hereunto annexed. said Bailey
was drafted for the term of three months and the
and immediately enlisted for the time of six months
applicant took his place and faithfully served
out that period Capt William Latham
commanded the Company, in which he served and
said Fort Henry Benson was a Lieutenant
and Young's [illegible] was also a Lieutenant
Col. Ledger had command of the whole
he served out the said term of six months
and after that had expired he immediately
enlisted into the same Company for the time
of one month that he served out in said
Fort & was then discharged. He was at the
time under age his Father took his pay
and if any with discharge was given his
Father must have taken it in Elijah
Bailey of John Morgan both of
said town of Groton whose 
affidavits are hereunto annexed
are now living and can testify as to his
services in this second tour of seven months
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He next served for the term of three months on
a tour of duty at New London in the year 1779-
for which he our drafted from the 2nd Militia
Company 8th Regiment within the limits of
which he then resided commanded by Capt Ralph
Stoddard as he thinks in Capt James Averill
commanded this Company after we came to
New London-- The Lieutenants name is not
recollected, Robert Stoddard of Groton as a
Sergeant of the Company & there being a vacancy
of a Sergeant Robert Brice (one of Burgoyne's
men) was chosen by the Company & acted as Sergeant
General Tyler commanded the whole and
Maj. Nathan Peters late a Pensioner of the
States as Brigade Major, both now deceased


that he has no documentary evidence
the 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

And the said Asa Lester to the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department, the same
being propounded and put to him by the Court
makes answer as follows in
that he was born in the Town of Groton County
of New London and State of Connecticut & shall
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be seventy two years of age on the 26th day of Sept
next (1832)
my age is recorded in a family Bible in the War Record
He was living when called into service in the town of
Groton aforesaid
where he has lived since the Revolutionary War and
where he now lives
to the 4th 5th of 6th interrogatories he avers that he
has truly stated in his said Declaration all his
knowledge and recollection
7th he avers that the affidavit of persons to whom
he is known in his neighborhood & who can testify
as to his services & as to his character are hereunto
annexed-Asa Lester
Sworn to Subscribed
the day year of afsd
in open Court 
J. Isham Clerk
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I Robert Stoddard of Groton in the 
County of New London of the age 75 years last June on oath do 
depose testify and say that in the year
1779 I served for the term of three months
at New London in the Company of Drafted
militia commanded by Capt James
Averill John Bellows Lieutenant & 
I think the Ensign's name was Wiley
I further say that I am well acquainted
wit Asa Lester the above applicant
well know that he was in the same Company
with me & served for said three months
and having heard his said Declaration
read I have no doubt that the facts
therein stated are true but as to the
two first tours of duty I have no
personal knowledge. I well know
the said Asa Lester to be a man
of Strict truth and veracity & that his
statements are entitled to full credit
Robert Stoddard

Sworn to and submitted
in open Court on the day & 
year aforesaid
J Isham Clerk
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I. Elijah Bailey of Groton in the County
of New London of the age of about seventy
four (74) years on oath the deponent
and say that in 1778 in the Summer as I 
believe (and perhaps in June) I was drafted
to serve as I think for the term of three
months to serve in Fort Girold I was
a member of Captain [illegible]s Company
and served with Capt John Williams company 
of Militia when drafted, I repaired to the
fort & my Father having previously
died my services were necessary at Home
and I procured Asa Lester of Groton
to serve in my place for said term 
I know that said Lester did take
my place but whether he enlisted after
he took my place into Capt Wm Lethams
Company as he states I have no present
recollection but I have no reason to
doubt it-- if being my substitute he
enlisted into Capt Lathan's Company
six months it excuse me from going
and whereas for that term of time - 
that he faithfully served out my tour
I am knowing, but whether said Lester
enlisted to get rid of another draft
for one I cannot say with absolute
certainly- I know I am well acquainted
the said Asa Lester and know him to be a
man of truth veracity and have no doubt
the facts in his said Declaration above are
truly stated, but I have no further personal knowledge
than I have stated  Elijah Bailey
Sworn to & Subscribed in open
court 9 Nov 1832 J Isham Clerk
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I John Morgan of Groton in the County
of New London of the age of about seventy two
on oath do depon testify and say that I
am well acquainted with Asa Lester whose 
application for a Pension is hereunto
Annexed. I enlisted into Capt William
Lathan's Company & served at Fort
Griswold in the latter part of the year 1776
or beginning of 1777 - I served for the
term of eighteen months in said Company
stationed and doing duty in said Fort
I was well knowing & have a district
recollection that Asa Lester above named
served with me at said fort for months
but precisely how long I cannot say
he was in the same company with me
commanded by Capt William Lathan
who then was in command of said Fort
said Lester I well know is a man
of very fair character for truth and
veracity I have no reason to doubt
that the first we truly stated in his said
Declaration  John Morgan
Sworn to & submitted in
open Court August 9th 1832
J Isham Clerk
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I Ralph Hurlbert of Groton in the County
of New London and a Clergyman of the
Methodist Episcopal Church on oath
do depose testify and say that I am well
acquainted with Asa Lester the above
named applicant that he is a man of
very fair character for truth and veracity
that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides to have
been a soldier of the Revolution and that
I concur in that opinion- Ralph Hurlbert 
Sworn & Subscribed
in open court
the 9th day of Augt 2832
J Isham Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation of
the matter & after putting the interrogatories
presented by the War Department that the
above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states 
And said Court do further certify that
Ralph Hurlburt who has signed the preceding
Certificate & made oath to the same is a
Clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and resident in the town of Groton in the
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County aforesaid and that Robert Stoddard
Elijah Bailey & John Morgan who have
severally signed & sworn to the preceding
affidavits we highly respectable and credible
persons and that their statements are
entitled to full credit

I Josiah Isham Clerk of the Court
of Probate for the District of New London 
aforesaid do hereby certify that the
within and foregoing contains the original
proceedings in the matter of the application
Asa Lester for a Pension-
---
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of said
Court of my office this 9th Day of August
AD 1832
J Isham Clerk
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16.921
INVALID.
File No. 16.921
Asa Lester
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index Vol 1, Page 222
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Page 15

State of Connecticut New London County
Probate District of New London
On this 7th day of December AD 1832
Personally appeared in open Court before the Court
of Probate for said District Asa Lester and
applicant full Pension under the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 whose original application
and papers are hereunto annexed, who being
duly sworn deposeth and saith in addition to
said former Declaration, that by reason of old
age and the consequent loss of memory he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length
of his service further than he has already in said
original Declaration stated but according to the best
of his recollection he served not less than the
periods mentioned below & in the following grades. 
For the term of three months I served as a private
and substitute for my Uncle Nathan Lester he was drafted
for said term of three months, this service was at Stonington
Point in New London County, for the term of Seven 
months. I served as a private at Fort Griswold in
the town of Groton in said County, I went into service
as a substitute for Elijah Bailey show affidavit is
attached to said original Declaration who was drafted for
the term of three months, Immediately enlisted for
six months served that out of reenlisted for one
month more & served for that period also
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for the term of three months I served as a private was
drafted for said period from Capt Ralph Stoddard's Company
of Militia to which I belonged, & was put when I came
into service under the command of Capt James
Averill and for such service making in the
whole the full term of thirteen months, I claim
a pension-
As to the names of the officers with whom & under whom
the applicant served he has stated them so far as he can
now recollect in
In answer to the first interrogatory presented by the
War Department he states that having stated his
exact age in and to that Interrogatory has
heretofore put to him by the Court that he should
be seventy two years of age on the 26th Day of Sept
AD 1832, he now adds that he was born on
the 26th day of Sept AD 1760 and that age
is entered in the family Bible in the 
Town Records  Asa Lester
---
Subscribed & Sworn to
the 7th day of Dec 1832
in ope [illegible]
court
J Isham Clerk
Page 17

I, Jiriah Isham Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of New London do hereby Certify
that the foregoing contains the original and 
Supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Asa Lester for
a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of Office this 7th day
of December AD 1832
J Isham Clerk