Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12,197, Josiah Beers, Conn. Conn Sea Service
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3-1776
Service
Conn.
Conn. Sea Service
Beers, Josiah
Number
S12,197
Carded
Contents
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20313
New York
Josiah Beers
of Tompkins in the State of N York
who was an Ensign [illegible] in the Comp commanded
by Captain Harding of the Regt commanded
by Col. Richmond in the County
line for 3 m Ens $30
            5 " ma. 20.10
           16 " pri 5333

Inscribed on the Roll of N York
at the rate of 104 Dollars 03 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Aug
1833
and sent to Mrs. [illegible] & [illegible]
[illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of [illegible]     208.06
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep  52.01
                                                    $260.07
---
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 47
Continental and Connt.
Records, completed. Aug. 31/05
[illegible]
Page 3

In the matter of
Josiah Beers
a soldier of the revolution
-
18327
[illegible]
3 mo. Ensign
5 mo. Marine
16 mo. pri
------------
24 mo.
Page 4

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.
STATE OF NEW YORK,
Tompkins COUNTY, SS.
On this 3d day of Oct personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Josiah Beers
a resident of the town of Ithaca in the county of Tompkins and state of New York, aged
eighty 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 resided at Stratford Fairfield Co Connecticut
when he entered the service. That about the first of May 1775 he enlisted an Capt Lieut Walkers Company in 
Col Waterburys regiment state troops for seven months.
That they were marched to Canada in the Campaign against 
Fort St John. That he was at the siege & capture of the 
Fort. Then on the regiments in this Campaign.  One from
Connecticut aforesaid & Col Richmore's regiment from
New York. The two regiments joined above Albany.
General Schuyler first commanded the expedition. He
left however on account of ill health, when the Command
devolved on said Montgomery - the expedition went
by water on the North rim from near New York to Albany
& marched by land from there to Skeensboro (now
Whitehall) - embarked then on board boats proceeded
in battle order on the lake to the Fort. Landed, marched
into the woods, had a skirmish with the Indians, laid siege to the Fort, & took it in about five weeks. That
this deponent returned in one division of the troops to 
Ticonderoga & was then discharged, & returned home
about the first of December in the same year
That in the latter part of December 1775 or the first part of January 1776 at Stratford aforesaid, he enlisted,
under, he thinks, Capt Birdseye - the Company was
raised to keep the tories from holding communication
with the British ship of war Alia lying in the Bay off
New York - that they were marched to Brooklyn for that purpose & spent then months in this service - about
the first of April 1776 left Brooklyn then discharged 
& returned home.
That about June 1776 he was called out at Stratford aforesaid in the Militia under Capt Ebenezer Coe, Col
Lewis & was marched to New York City to protect the city from
Page 5

the Brittish. that they [illegible] in New York for four
months until the Brittish landed from Long Island
that the retreated to at Harlaem heights & were
discharged in October & went home. know Genl Washington
recollects Genl Lord Stirling, Genl Patriam, &c.
That in March 1777 volunteered in a guard under the
command of David Hawley & his brother & served two
months in his native town Stratford at Newfield on the sound
now in the town of Bridgeport, that the guard aroused to
prevent communication between the tories & the Brittish on
Long Island, & to prevent the spread of the small pox which
had broken out

That in April or May 1777 he entered on board the Frigate
Oliver Cromwell commanded by Capt Harding, as a marine
sailed on a cruise on the Atlantic in the track of the West
India trade to England for the purpose of falling in with the Brittish merchant vessels
he took then prizes-- one was a packet called the
Weymouth returned to Boston & was there landed & discharged
returned home. this marine service lasted about five months
The 1st Lieut onboard was Parker the 2d Liut was Smith -- that he served as a seaman on
[intelligible] although his name was entered as a marine
that some time in the latter part of the winter of 1779 he took
the command of a guard in Stratford aforesaid with a
commission of Ensign - this service lasted about three
months & was guard duty the same pretty much as before
mentioned
that during the rest of the war he was out in the service
at various times as occasion required, once to [illegible] Danbury
at the time the place was burnt, also at Fairfield, & saw
it burnt, was also out when the enemy landed at
New Haven burnt some stores, and at various other
times
That he has no documentary evidence except a Commission
as Ensign from Governor Trumbull and that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure who can
testify to his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Saml Love
Josiah Beers
Page 6

The following questions were propounded by the Court to the applicant.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
Answer. At Stratford Fairfield Co Conn in 1752
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Answer. Has a record at home in his Bible
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Answer. Lived at Stratford Connt when called into service - lived there until 1811 &
then moved to Itaca N.Y. where he now lives
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute, for whom?
Elisted twice as a soldier & once as a marine - at other times was a volunteer & was called out
5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such 
continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
Answer. Knew Col Chandler of the Connt line-
Revd Timothy Dwight Chaplain to a regt in Connecticut. Genl Parsons.
Col John Sherman
Nathan Beers Sent pay master.
Hezekiah Whitmore : Deputy paymaster general [illegible]
Capt [illegible[ of the Artillery at St [illegible] - [illegible] a Col [illegible] Washington
Lord Stirling - went on an expedition to St John at the first of the year.
Was at New York before it was taken. Served as guard at Stratford
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has
become of it?
Answer Never recieved any written discharge
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.
Answer. Harry Bailey, John Holman Jesse Grant
William R. Collins. Judge [illegible] Julius Ackley
He also states that has received [illegible] commissions one for Ensign and one for Lieutenant in the state troops - that he served under the Ensign Commission but not under 7th Lieut Commission.
WE, David Woodcock residing in the town of Ithaca and county of Tompkins
and State of New York, and Caleb Kendall, Clergymen residing in the same place, hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Josiah Beers, who has subscribed and sworn to
the above declaration, and that we believe him to be eighty years of age, that he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood 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,
S. Love
D Woodcock
Caleb Kendall
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 David Woodcock & Caleb Kendall who have signed the preceding certificate are
residents in
the town of Ithaca and county of Tompkins and are creditable persons, and that their statements
are entitled to credit.
I Samuel Love Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
County of Tompkins do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Beers for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this
third day of October 1832
Saml Love elh
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In the matter of
Josiah Beers
Supplemental afft.
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Personally appeared before me the undersigned a
Justice of the peace in & for the County of Tompkins
Josiah Beers who being duly sworn deposeth & saith
that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of
memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise
length of his service but according to the best of his
reccollection he served not less than the periods
mentioned below & in the following grades
First for seven months as a private in the Connt. 
Militia under Capt Lieut Walker Col Waterbury
Commencing in May 1775- other officers in the Regt Major
Hovey - Ensign Clark
Second for three months as a private in a special
company pf Connt Militia under Capt Birdseye
Commencing the last of Dec 1775 or first of January 1776
Third for four months as a private in the Connt militia
under Capt Ebenezer Coe Colonel Lewis
commencing in June 1776
Fourth for two months as a private in a special company
of Connt Militia under Leiut. David Hawley & his
brother. Commencing in March 1777 - that the company
was regularly organized & enrolled, & that he
during the time was not engaged in any regular
civil pursuit
Fifth for five months as a marine on board the
frigate Oliver Cromwell Commanded by
Captain Harding commencing in April or May 1777
Sixth for three months as Ensign in the Connt militia
does not recollect the names of the rest of the officers
That he served in all twenty four months at least
during the
Revolutionary War for which he claims a
pension
Subscribed & sworn before
me the Justice aforesaid this
1st day of June 1833
Josiah Beers
C.G. Heath J.P.
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State of New York
Tompkins County ss: I, Samuel Love Clerk of the said
County of Tompkins, do hereby certify that Chauncey G.
Heath Esq before whom the above affidavit was taken
was at the time of the taking the same a Justice of the peace
in & for the said County duly qualified & I further
certify that I am acquainted with his hand writing
& verily believe the signature "C. G. Heath" to be his proper
hand writing
Witness my hand & seal of office
this first day of June 1833
Samuel Love Clerk
P'r Geo. G. Freer
Dep. Clerk
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No 18327
Josiah Beer
Tompkins Co
NY
[illegible]
Woodcock & Ferris
Ithaca P. O
Tompkins Co
N. Y.
Page 11

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
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 Josiah Beers Tompkins Co. New York

Period when the
rendered. | Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years. |Months.|Days.| Rank of the claimant.|Names and rank of the Field
officers under whom he served.| Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. | Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Entered May 1775 | - | 7 | - | Private | Col Waterbury | 80 years Fairfield Co Conneticut | Documentary as Ensign & Traditional evidense
Entered 75 or 6 | - | 3 | - | - | Col Richmond
June 76 | - | 4 | - | - | Genl Schuyler
Vol March 77 | - | 2 | - | - | Capt Birdseye
April or May 77 | [illegible] months | seaman Frigate Oliver Cromwell
Winter 79 | [illegible] months| Ensign
otherother short tours not specified-

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, mucicians 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.
Sate, Territory, or District of 
County of

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 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 days 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 if 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
Page 13

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 of 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
claim cannot be had. Every clamant 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 to 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 ___;  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 particular meeting their service. This form of a declaration
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 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.
[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 affix 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 [i] 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.
John [illegible]
Page 14

July 25, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Josiah Beers, S. 12197
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. H. B. Graves
1601 Grady Avenue
University
Virginia

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the records of
Anthony Beers who served in an Indian War in 1849 and Josiah
Beers who served in the Revolutionary War.
This office has no record of service rendered prior to
the Revolution, therefore is unable to furnish any information
in regard to Anthony Beers who served in 1649.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file
in the pension claim, S. 12197, based upon the military service
of Josiah Beers, the only soldier by that name that is found in
the Revolutionary War records of this office.

Josiah Beers was born in 1752 in Stratford, Fairfield
County, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.

While a resident of Stratford, Connecticut, he served
as follows:
From May 1, 1775, seven months as private in Captain
Lieutenant Walker's Company in Colonel Waterbury's Connecticut
Regiment and was at the siege of St. John.

From late in December, 1775, or early in January, 1776,
three months as private in Captain Birdseye's Connecticut Company.

From about June, 1776, four months as private in Captain
Ebenezer Coe's Company in Colonel Lewis' Connecticut Regiment.
Page 15

From March, 1777, two months as private under Lieutenant
David Hawley and his brother, Lieutenant Hawley.
In April or May, 1777, he enlisted on board the frigate,
"Oliver Cromwell ", Captain Harding, and served five months as 
a marine; he aided in capturing the packet, "Weymouth" and two
other prizes.

He was commissioned ensign of the second Company or Trainband, 
Fourth Regiment of Connecticut Militia, October 28, 1777,
and from late in the winter of 1779, he served three months ass
such.

During the remainder of the war he served at various
times and was engaged in guard duty, no details given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 3, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Ithaca,
Tompkins County, New York, to which place he had moved in
1811.

The papers in this pension claim contain no data relative
to the soldier's family.

Death not on
Agency Book

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 16

[illegible]
12197
INVALID.
---
12,197
Josiah Beers
Ensign Rev War
---
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 30
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1918. Dec. 12 hist to
Mrs. C. C. Schiveley
MCS
1933. July 25 hist
Mrs. H. B. Graves
M.C.S.
Page 17

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire,
Captain General, and Commander in Chief, of the
State of CONNECTICUT, in AMERICA,
To, Josiah Beers, Gent GREETING.
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Ensign of the 2d Company
or Trainband and in the 4th Regiment of Militia in the State aforesaid [illegible]
appears,

Reposing special
Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the
Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company [illegible] into your Care and charge, as their 
Ensign carefully and diligently to discharge
that Trust; exercising your inferior 
Officers and Soldiers in the use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War; keeping
them in good order and Government; and commanding them to obey you as their Ensign 
for the service of this State. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions, as from
Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant
to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand and the Seal of this State in Stratford the 28th
Day of October Anno Domini 1777
By His Honor's Command,
George Wyllys Sec'ry
Jonth Trumbull
Page 18

[embossing with the word "VIRGINIA"]

1601 Grady Ave.
University, Va
July 18, 1933

The Director of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir;
Will you verify for
D.A.R. record the following
data if correct.

Anthony Beers of Watertown, Mass.
Serg. in the Indian War 1649 -
In a list of a company of Militia
in the Revolutionary War that
went to Ticonderoga 5th Reg
2 Co. Commanded by Lt. Col
Samuel Whiting of Stratford, Conn.
Commencing June 1775 and ending
Nov. 29 Josiah Beers returns
for back pay.

Very truly
Mrs H. B. Graves

[stamp with the words "
RECEIVED
JULY 20 1933
MAIL & SUB-DIV
VETS. ADM.
[illegible]"
]
Page 19

Abilene, Kansas
Mar. 5, 1928

Pension Department,

Do you have any Revolutionary War
records or pension records of
Josiah Beers! born May 18, 1751, probably
in Stratford, Connecticut.
Nathan Beers born August, 23, 1718
in Stratford Connecticut.
Thanking you in advance for any
information you can give me, I am
Very truly
Mrs. C. C. Shively
Box 634
Abilene
Kansas

[stamp with the text 
"U
MAR 8 1928" and other illegible text]
Page 20

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS/eel

December 12, 1928
Mrs. C. C. Schiveley
Box 534, Abilene
Kansas

Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War
pension claim, S.12197, it appears that Josiah Beers
was born in 1752 in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

While a resident of said place, he served as follows:
From May 1, 1775, seven months as a private in Capttain Lieutenant Walker's Company in Colonel Waterbury's
Connecticut Regiment and was at the siege of St. John.

From late in December, 1775 or early in January, 1776,
three months as a private in Captain Birdseye's Connecticut
Company.

From about June, 1776, four months as a private in
Captain Ebenezer Coe's Company in Colonel Lewis' Connecticut
Regiment.

From March, 1777, two months as a private under Lieutenant
David Hawley and his brother, Lieutenant Hawley.
Page 21

In April or May, 1777, he enlisted on board the frigate, "Oliver Cromwell", Captain Harding, and served five
months as a marine; he aided in capturing the packet,
"Weymouth" and two other prizes.

He was commissioned Ensign of the Second Company or
Trainband, Fourth Regiment of Connecticut Militia, October
28, 1777, and from late in the winter of 1779, he served
three months as such.

During the remainder of the war he served at various
times and was engaged in guard duty, no details given.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
October 3, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Ithaca,
Toropkins County, New York, to which place he had moved in
1811.

There are no data on file relative to his wife and
children.

This is the only soldier by the name of Josiah Beers
that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this
bureau and there is no record of Nathan Beers who was born
August 23, 1718 in Stratford, Connecticut.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.