Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,164, for Joseph Pettis, Connecticut
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Conn    Pettis,Joseph          S.114164
carded
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Connecticut 9609
Joseph  Pettis
of Norwich in the state of Conn.
who was a private in the company commanded 
by Captain Bendick of the [illegible] commanded
by Col.[illegibel] in the Ch Militia.
line for 11 months.
Inscribed on the roll of Conn.t
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66.cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of pension issued the 3rd day of June 1833 and  sent to John Hyde, Norwich Con.t
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 73.32
[illegible] allowance ending 4 Sept.            18.33
                                                    _________
                                                 $  91.65
Recorded by ?? Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3rd page 34
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[illegible]



John Hyde Esq
Norwich, Conn.
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Brief in the case of Joseph Pettis
of Norwich in the state of [blank]
(Act 7th June 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a court or a judge? Open Court
2. If before a judge, does it appear that he applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 18 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period                                Duration                    Name of General or 
                                                                    Field officer under whom he 
                                                                              served.         
Fall of in 1776                     2 months               Col. Voges
1777                                     2 months                Col. Voges
1777                                      3 months              Col. {illegible}
1777                                      1 month                [illegible] Spencer
1778                                       1 month                Sullivans[illegible]
cannot recollect the year     2 months             Col. Brown
                                             ___________
                                                   11
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [illegible] Rhode Island
7.Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence , or by the rolls?
By living witnesses.
8.Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

*Certify that the foregoing statement and answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 
                                                                          [illegible]
                                                                            Examining clerk
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    Illegible
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State of Connecticut            Court of Probate
County of New London      District of Norwich

On this___days of_____personally appeared in the open court before the court of probate for the district of Norwich in the state of Connecticut now sitting present John Hyde Esq. Judge holding said court, Joseph Pettis a resident of Norwich in the county of New London, state of Connecticut within said probate district aged seventy eight 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 hassed June 7 1832 that here entered the service of the United State under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That he was born in Richmondtown in the county of Washington in the state of Rhode Island December 1753.
That he lived in [illegible]in said county and was drafted as a soldier in the fall of 1776 for a tour of duty of two months that he served said term in Captain J[illegible]Burdick's company in Colo. Joseph Voges regiment the months of December 1776 and January 1777 at the shore at Boston [illegible] in South Kingston in said Rhode Island.
  And being also drafted for another term of two months he immediately served the months of February and March of the same year in the same company and under the same officers and was stationed at point Judith in said Rhode Island at the house of Joseph {illegible]
  And he further states afterward he served a tour of duty of three months un the said Capt. Burdick in Colo. Maxson's reigment  of Rhode Island state troopers and was stationed at the [illegible]of Point Judith which he believes was in the summer and fall of 1777.
  He was drafted and served one month in the fall of 1777 in General Spencer's expedition,so called,and was stationed at [illegible] in said Rhode Island and marched several times to go on to the Island but did not suceed it being their 
in [illegible] of the enemy once in particular, he recollects that is was
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reported that the enemy were all drunk and the troops were ordered over and embarked for the  purpose but they were not so drunk but that they fired on our boats so that we were under the necessity of returning.
   In August 1778 he was drafterd for twenty days to bo out to Rhode Island in Sullivann's expedition so called, and went and served one month part of the time on the Island and part of the time off the Island we retreated off in the night.
  And he further declares that he served a term of two months in the Revolutionary war at Greenwich in said Rhode Island in Captain Johnson's companty in Col.Nathaniel Brown's regiment, but what year it was he cannot recollect and has not means of as certainly he knows and well remembers that it was in the winter season and that there was snow on the ground, one month of which he was drafted and served on his own account and one month of which he served as a substitute for his brother. Stephen Pettis, now dead, who was drafted [illegible]him to take his place.
He cannot recollect the names of all the officers that he served with, he remembers to have served under Captain's Crandall, Burdick and Johnson and Col Brown, Voges and Maxson the names of all the other officers are forgotten and the officers and men who served with him are all dead as he believes.
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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 before named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And the court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. Peter Sabin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Norwich in the county of New London in  state of Connecticut and the Nathaniel Shipman Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in said Norwich and is a credible person. and that their statement is intitled to credit.
I Burrel Lathrop Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Norwich do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Pettis for a pension.
   In testimony whereof, I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of this court this day of August Anno Domini 1832
Burrel Lathrop, Clerk
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[Top part of the paper is illegible]


Before me Joseph [illegible]
State of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations
Washington DC   [Illegible]office court common 
[illegible] of the Peace  Aug.   1832
Certify that Joseph T Barber, Esq whose signature is hereto [illegible] is a Justice of the
Peace for thetown of H[illegible] in the county of Washington legally chosen and qualified as the law requires that full forthand credit brought to be given to this certificate.     I also certify that the seal [illegible]   is the true seal of the court [illegible]
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James Stanbury of Hopkinton in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island aged 72 years a soldier in the Revolutionary War we certify and say that I was drafted in the war of the revolution in the year 1776 or 1777 in Col. Jesse Mares regiment and in Capt. George Thurston Company of R.I. state troops on [illegible] and marched to Point Judith in RI for the purpose of guarding the South Shore.I continued there in actual service in said regiment for the space of three months and I will recollect that Joseph Pettis was in the same regiment that I was in serving said time and further saith not.



James Stanberry
Washington at Hopkinton RI on the 16th day of [illegible] 1832.Personally appeared James Stanberry signer of the above affidavit has given his testimony as a witness is entitled to credit  and verocity made upon both to the truth of the facts therein contained.
Before me Joseph Skinner the Just peace
state of Rhode Island and Providence plantation.
Washington DC  Clerks Office Court Common pleas and general sessions of the Peace August AD 1832
I certify that Joseph Spicer Jun. Esq. for the town of Hopkinton in the county of Washington legally chosen and qualifies as the 
law requires. I further certify that I am acquainted with the hand writing of Mr. Speer
 and believe that the above signature in his hand writing. I also certify that the seal here impressed is the proper seal of the Court aforesaid [illegible}
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Virginia
Martha Pettis
let. to F.V. Sutton 9 Nov. 1861
" "     "              " 20 Dec. 1841








Act 1838
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A.C.Stanton
June 30,41
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                              Pension Office 
                                June 30th 1847

     In the supplemental declaration of Joseph Pettis he has now set forth the commencement and duration of his several times of service as required by my letter to John Hyde of 4 June 1847  nor does the [illegible] therein specified correspond with the claimed in either of his former declarations if however his statement now presented be correct he cannot be restored  to the pension roll. The militia of Rhode Island were required in law to service under  one engagement but one month only and from numerous detached was of that [illegible] in this office it is shown that there tours did not average more than 20 days if so much if therefore the 4 times (which is all that he has claimed) , now specified be admitted to the full [illegible] be was required to serve it would not  amount to be noted and consequently here payment of his pension cannot be resumed. 
  The enclosed copy of my letter to Hon. John A. Rockwell Aug..13 1846 will furnish you with an answer to so much of your communication of the 12th and to relates to the claim of Amasa Archer.
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June 21/47
Statement in case of
Joseph Pettis
[Illegible]
Clm of Amasa Archer

Paid

Hon J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D C
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                         {Illegible}June 12th 1847
Sir,
  I enclose the detailed statement Mr. Joseph Pettis the payment of whose pension has been suspended. I know nothing about his claim only his statement here made I would respectfully ask your honor to examine it and inform me whether the payment of his claim can be ordered or not to be resumed. 
  Will the Hon. J.L. Edwards be pleased to inform me what the result of the examination of the statement of Amasa Archer of Chatham  in this state was, which statement was sent to the Hon. J.A.Rockwell Rept to Congress from Conn. If the claim has not been examined will you please to examine and inform me of the result. This is an application for resuming payment of pension suspended. I am not an agent for Mr. Archer and only write as he requests having no contact.
I am in very respectfully ,
Your most obedient servant, Wm C. Stanton 

Hon. JL Edwards 
Comm. Pension  Washington DC
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23 years the 4th Sept 1832
resided in Norwich
Joseph Pettis
payments to be made at Hartford, Ct. by Pres. US [illegible] bank
Agent for paying Pension=
ers, in the Agency of Connecticut

Recorded in the Pension of=fice in Book E, Vol.3rd page   by Francis [illegible]
clerk
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War Department
Revolutionary claim

  I certify that,in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832
Joseph Pettis of the state of Connecticut who was a private during Revolutionary War is entitled to receive thirty six dollars and sixty six cents per annum during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March,1831 and payable semi=annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. 
     Given at the War office of the United States, this Third day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty=three
                        Lew Cass
Secretary of War

JL Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
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State of Connecticut 
New London County for Norwich
I Joseph Pettis of Norwich in the county and 
state aforesaid a soldier, and some the time, sargeant in the war of the Revolution and once pensioned as private, and on an application for an increase of pay in consequence of serving as a sargeant the payment of this pension once granted and allowed was stoped or suspended, do now in compliance with the requirements of Hon. J.L. Edwards letter to John Hyde, Esq.under the date of June 4th 1842,make the following detailed statement of his said Revolutionary services in order that the war
department may order the payment of his pension resumed.
The cause of delay in making this statement may be asked in reply I can only say, I have been able to live comfortably with or without it , and therefore waited quietly and desiring the payment of it, that I may do some little good with in the world while I live which at the longest will be a short proceed to make a statement.
That during the Revolutionary war I lived in the townof Hopkinton County of Washington and State of Rhode Island .That the best  statement I can make of my Revolutionary service and without any help of record evidence(there being none now known to me,or of copies of any statements heretofore made or the aid or assistance of any person either old or  young, I being under oath do before the undersigned Oliver P. Wattles Esquire Justice of the peace within and or the County of New London from the best of my present.
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State of Connecticut
New London County for Norwich
I Joseph Pettis of Norwich in the county and state of foresaid and a soldier , and some of the time a sergeant in the war of the Revolution and one pensioned as private, and on an application for an increase of pay in consequence of serving as a sergeant,the payment of the pension once granted and allowed was stoped or suspended, Do, now in compliance with the requirement of Hon. J.L. Edwards letter to John Hyde Esq. under date of June 4th 1842 make the following detailed statement of his said Revolutionary services in order that the war department may order the payment of his pension resumed.
 The cause of delay in making the statement may be  ordered  in reply I can only say I have been able to live comfortably without it or with it, and therefore waited quietly. And now desiring the payment of it, that I may do some little good with it in the world while I live which at the longest will be short proceed to make a statement.
That during the Revolutionary war I lived in the town of Hopkinton county of Washington and state of Rhode Island. That the best statement I can make of my Revolutionary service and without any help of record evidence (there being none now known to me), or of copies of any statements heretofore made or the aid or assistance of any person either old or young, I being under oath do before the undersigned Oliver P. Wattles Esquire Justice of the peace within and for the county of New London, from the best of my present
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Recollection make the following statement to wit
First
 I went to harrow River otherwise called Boston Neck in South Kingston in the state of Rhode Island under Colo Joseph Noyes, Capt. Jesse Burdick was quartered in a house occupied by Gardner and stationed at Narrow River to  keep guard on sea shore was quartered about one hundred rods or more from a ferry that was crossed in going over to Rhode Island or New Port. The house was close to the bridge acron Harrow River. The guard house was about one hundred rods down east from where we quartered at Mr. Gardner and the whole distance of guard was from one half to three quarters of a mile though there was but one important landing place for the enemy and that was neigh the guard house. 
That I recollect one morning when the sentinel came off guard and come into the house where we quartered that one of them set the breech of his gun down on the flour and it went off and the ball passed through the chamber floor and also though the skirts of Moses Barber who with the captain was in the chamber over the room below, when the individual was when his gun discharged. No battle or skirmishing with the enemy was at Harrow River as nigh as I can recollect one month
From Narrow River a part of the companies were ordered to Pine Judith by Colo Noyes and I was among
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that number, We, at Pine Judith quartered at Joseph Hassards and was there engaged in guarding the shores from said Harrow to our guard house, which was about one mile or more south. The guard house here was in the 
Niles farm who went over to the British. I continued at this station quartered a part of the time at Joseph Harrards, Stephen Hazzards and Stephen Hazzards. I was at this place on guard six months. When not doing duty at the aforesaid place and after appointment did the duty of sargent, most of the regiment was there. 
  In this time some the men when their time of draft was out would want to go home before other troops arrived and the Colo. told them if they did he would send a file of men after them.When we at Joseph Hazzard at Pine Judith a British man of there drove one of our Privateers vessels ashore and sent a barge manned and armed to burn her and we commenced a fire upon them and drove them  off and saved the cargo which was mostly ammunition and provisions.
Also another of our Privateer vessels was taken by the British while I was on the tour of duty and was brought along after their ships and when off PIne Judith she being steered by an American he ran her into Pine Judith break and we took the British fore or five in number and sent little rest jail.when we quartered at Joseph Hazzards house I had
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a scuffle with Benjamin Hall who was a soldier at said place in the frolic we broke out a whole window nearly from top to bottom.
When we were at Joseph Hazzard home the British would fire a gun every evening and we were in so plain a view of them that we could see the flash of their guns.
After serving my tour of drafts, I was hired by others to do their and so continued to remain their constantly. One man by the name of Palmiter would not load his gun when going on guard. He said there was no need of it though ordered so to do, and in consequence of which some of the soldiers one night went out in disguise , surprised and harrassed him for hours together to their great amusement, after which Palmiter loaded his gun when going on to guard.
Second
Went ot Greenwich as a private soldier under Captain Kenyon, was stationed at East Greenwich, was quartered in a small village which was in sight of the enemy's shipping. The distance of station at Greenwich was about one mile with way from the village. There were to companies stationed at this place.
Third
Next went to Twistown under General Spencer,Capt Burdich served one month, this was what was called
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Spencers expedition, Colo. Noyes was our Colonel, no Battle.
Fourth
Next went to Gen. Sullivan expeditions, Capt Burdick's company. Colo. Noyes commanded Rgt. We were marched on to the island was in the Battle and was in the retreat off the Island which was effected in the night. One man hired a substitute to serve this town and gave him a hogshead of Rum. We were drafted for twenty days and continued out a month before we were discharged.
 I recollect General Spencer, Gen,. Sullivan Colo Noyer who was of Westerly I think, Capt. Burdick, Capt Kenyon, Moses Barber of Hopkinton, Palmiter lived at Maxons Mills, Hopkinton, John Bates of West Greenwich and James Stanbury of Hopkinton and Benjamin Hall with whom I had the scuffle and many others. 
My recollection will not allow me to make a more full statement than I have done and I would again state that it is make without the aid of any copies of record or document and from my own natural recollection of the scenes that they participated in and witnesses and I can only ask that the Honorable Edwards may make that allowance for any discrepancies that are between this and my former declaration which are honestly due to men of my age and debilitated state. I was not particular in my former statement as to thing that transpired and how been called on to be in this statement by Hon. Edwards letter.
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I therefore most respectfully ask the department to carefully reexamine my claim and to do justice to one who served his country in defence of her liberites, and is not near the end of his days and will enjoythe things of this world but a very short time at the longest.
Joseph Hig
Oliver P. Wattles
Henry B. Tracy
Sworn and subscribed the 23rd day of October AD 1846 before me,Oliver P. Wattles
Justice of the peace
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State of Connecticut 
New London County
John D. Witt Clerk of the Country Court for the County of and keeper of the seal therefore, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, that Oliver P Wattles is and since the 20th day of June 1846hath been a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,within and for the County of New London in said State, duly appointed and commissioned, having full power and authority by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds, and to certify the same, also to administer Oaths, to take affidavits and despositions out of courts and to giver certificates thereof, and that full faith and credit may and ought to be fiven his offical acts and attestations.
And I futher Certify that I believe the foregoing signature of the said Oliver P Wattles to be genuine .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and af=
fixed the Seal of said Court at  Norwels this 13th of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Seven
John De Witt   Clerk
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State of Rhode Island and Providence Washington Hopkinton March 25 1842
I James Stanbrough of Hopkinton in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island aged Eighty three years and oath testify and say that I knew Joseph Pettis in the war of the Revolution said Pettis was an orderly guarding the shores at Point Judith in the state of Rhode Island the [illegible] and does not exactly recollect the year will remember 
fact and thinks the company was out in tis town of service about six months.
Witness RG Burlingame
Henry Newton
James Stanbrough (x mark)
Washington DC
Hopkintown March 25th 1842
Personally came before James Stanbrough and being by me duly cautioned and sworn gave the foregoing deposition which was to me reduced to writing in his presence and by him subscribed in my presence.
Ray G. Burlingame Justice of the Peace.
I myself certify that I know James Stanbrough and believe him to be a person of truth and verocity
Ray G Burlingame Justice of the Peace
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The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations
Washington and Clerk office Court of Common pleas May 25th 1842
I hereby certify that Ray G Burlingan 
Eleventh of the Justices of the Peace for the Town of Hopkinton in the County and State aforesaid and that he was hearty elected on qualified to act as such at the time set forth within for, on the 25th day of March 1842 and that within signature purporting to be his and genuine ,in testimony where of I have hereto and my hand and the seal of the Court the day and year first above mentioned. 
   Matthew Maite, [illegible]
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State of Connecticut, County of New London
On this 25th day of June 1842, personally appeared
before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
Joseph Pettis a resident of Norwich in said county a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States aged eighty-five years, who
being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath
make the following statement, in pursuance to the order
of the commissioner of Pensions of the 4th of June 1842.
That he the deponent was born at Richmond in the state of Rhode
Island, and at the time the British first came to Rhode Island
in the time of the Revolutionary War, he lived at Hopkinstown in
the county of Washington in said Rhode Island, and was 
a near neighbor of Captain Jesse Burdick, and belonged to
the military company commanded by said Capt. Burdick
that he was ordered by said Capt. Burdick to warn the company
that in the pursuance thereof he the deponent did then warn the
said company which said company did immediately meet 
at said Hopskinstown and forthwith were marched to Westerly
and thence on the Newport Post Road to Narrow River so
called, a River running into point Judith Pond, where
we were stationed and remained one month, it being about
twenty miles from home and immediately after he the deponent
returned home he was drafted for the term of one month
and sewed for himself and for others the term of six months as
orderely sergeant under the same officers at Point Judith
that he was quartered part of the time at the dwelling 
house of Stephen Hazard and part of the time at other 
houses the names of the occupants are forgotten, the station
occupied in this town was two or three miles further from the
deponents home, than the former one at Narrow River,
during this tour of six months the company was supplied
with soldiers during the six months by drafts for shorter
periods, he believes for one month only, so that most of
of the privates were changed as often as one a month
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but some of these, however, being hired by others to serve for them continued longer that the month that they were drafted for some so continued for the whole six months as was the case with the deponent by the same officers were continued for the six months and after having served the six monthe as foresaid the deponent went home.
And immediately afterward, his brother Stephen Pettis being drafted for a one month tour , the deponent served one month for him and was stationed at Greenwich in said Rhode Island and continued at the same place one month more and served for another person who was also drafted for one month ,the name of the person is now forgotten as are also the names of the officers that he served under for this term of two months but according to his best recollection the Captain's 
name was Atten, but of which he is not certain, in this tour of two months he served as a private only, all the rest of his services in the time of war being done in the capacity of a sergeant.
At the time of General Spencer's command in said state of Rhode Island, he the deponent was drafted and served one month in said company commanded by the said Capt. Burdick and name of the colonel of the regiment to which the company belonged was Noyes during which time they made several attempts to land on Rhode Island, but did not, the island being there in the possessions of the enemy.
Afterward, at the time of Sullivan's expedition, he was again drafted and served on month under the same officers and then went on to the Island, and was drove off by the enemy and came off in the night. 
That by reason of old age and the consequence loff of memory he cannot positively swear to the precise time of the commencement or termination of the several forms of service as foresaid, but that he did serve by draft for himself and as a substitute for other who were
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State of Connecticut
New London County  John Dewitt
Clerk for the County Court within and for said New London County do hereby certicy that Joseph Williams Esq. before whom the within deposition of Joseph Pettis was sworn on said 27th day of June 1842 and still is a Justice of the Peace for said New London County and that his signature thereto affixes is genuine . In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 12th day of July A.D. 1842
  John DeWitt Clerk.
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Please send the Pension Certificate
to John Hyde Norwich Town Ct.

Joseph Pettis
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Declaration in order to obtain an increase of Pensions
State of Connecticut, New London County

On this 31st day of May 1842, personally appeared before
the court of Probate for the District of Norwich in the state of 
Connecticut, Joseph Pettis a resident of the town of Norwich
in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged
eighty five years, who being first duly sworn according 
to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration
in order to obtain an increase of his pension, that on the
third day of June 1833, he was placed on the pension list
of the  Connecticut roll of pensioners of the United States
for services rendered as a private in the Revolutionary
War and that he received a certificate of that fact under the 
signature and seal of the Secretary of Ware dated June 30
1833, he now states that when he made his original
declaration, not knowing that it made any difference
he did not mention the fact that six months of the
time he was on orderly sergeant and served as such in
the company commanded by Capt. Jesse Burdick
her therefore now claims to have his pension increased
by the difference between the pay of a private for six months
and of a sergeant for six months his pension being now
for the sum of Thirty six dollars and sixty six cents per
annum, and for proof of his having so served as sergeant
he relies on the deposition of James Stanbrough hereto
annexed, having lost his original warrant which he
remembers well that he had, and he herein encloses
his original certificate, so that should his application by
granted and a new certificate allowed to him, this may be
retained in the Pension Office, otherwise that this may
be sent back to him.
Joseph Pettis {Signature}
Sworn and subscribed this 31st day of May 1842.
Before me
John Hyde
Judge of the court of Probate.
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I Thomas L. Stedman Clerk of the court of Probate for
the District of Norwich in the state of Connecticut
do hereby certify that the within and foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said court
in the matter of the application of
Joseph Pettis for an increase of his Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
court this 31st day of May A.D.1842.

Thomas L. Stedman {Signature}
Clerk