Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 12218, Elijah Bill, Conn. Continental Privateer.
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Service                    Number
Conn      Bill, Elijah    S12218
Continental
Privateer                          Carded
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1480
New York
Elijah Bill
of Gennessee in the State of New York
who was a 2nd M Sgt in the Company commanded by Captain Sills - of the Regt commanded by Col Parsons - in the Connecticut [illegible] for [illegible] and [illegible]
[signature illegible]
Sept 29/05
Records completed

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 120 Dollars -- Cents per Annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of the year 1832 and [illegible]  
R.H. Smith Perry

A[illegible] to 4th of [illegible] 1832  $180
[illegible] allowance ending 6 mo. '33   60
                                                          $240
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7,1832

REcorded by Geo. B. Stiles Cle[rk]
Bood D  Vol. 5 pg 69
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[illegible] 6241.
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State of New York
County of Geneva 
Ss on this second day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before me Iasue Witsous___Esquire on of the Judges of the court of common Pleas of the County of Geneva, Elijah Bill, a Resident of the town of Perry in the county of Genessee and State of New York aged 83 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on this 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 as a sergeant in the Army of the United States in the spring of the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five for the term of six months with captain Fethenil Sill, and served in regiment of the Connecticut Line (The number of which he does not now recollect) commanded by Colonel Parsons or Piersons; that at the time of his enlistment he was an inhabitant of Nova Scotia, and came to connecticut on business, about the ime of the breaking out of the Revolutionary war and enlisted at the time above stated at Chapmans Ferry in East Haddam, Hartford count in Connecticut.  That soon after so enlisting he went to Lyme, about twenty miles below on Connecticut River where the recruits were formed into companies and soon after marched to Roxbury near Boston passing through Norwich and tarried at Roxbury until some time in the month of September following.  Then he went out from Plymouth a privateering under Captain Goit (Goyt) and Lieut Henry Champion
until the last of December in the same year and on or about the twentieth day of January one thousand seven hundred and seventy six, went to Roxbury and enlisted for one year as an Ensign in the Connecticut Line (number of regiment not now recollected) in Captain F Sills company which was as before commanded by and attached to the regiment of Colonel
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Parsons or Piersons.  That soon after enlisting the  said Elijah Bill took enlisting orders and went to East Haddam Lyme in Connecticut and enlisted or raided about twenty new recruits and in three of four weeks joined his company again at Roxbury with said recruits where he remained with said company until the next spring when they [illegible] to New York passing through Connecticut and taking a passage from New London by water that soon after arriving at New York he was arranged in and attached to a company of ship Carpenters [illegible] first Lieutenant under Captain Ayres which company was attached to a small Regiment commanded by Colonel Brewer, where worked with said company of carpenters during the summer of 1776 building water craft for the army.  That in said time they built two barges one with twelve oars and the other with six oars for General Washington.  That at the request  of Captain Sill and by the permission of General Spencer he repaired to Long Island and did duty as Lieutenant in Captain Sills company during the battle at Flatbush in August1776 and commanded the rear guard of our troops during their retreat from the island to New York and immediately after said battle rejoined the said company of ship carpenters and went with a row galley by our order of General Putnam with liquor for the army to "Mound creek" [illegible] and unloaded a part of said liquor near Kings Bridge.  That he was not in the battle on York Island but retreated with hte said Galley of liquor to Singsing landing and then joined the army with the Company of carpenters himself commanding them (Capt Ayres being absent) at White Plains and was engaged in the Battle at that place.  and Immediately after the Battle at White Plains he repaired with his
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Company of Carpenters to Peekskill on the North River and there engaged with Col. Brewers small Regiment in building Barracks.  Shortly after was employed in building [illegible] in the North River after which they went to sishkill and built barracks and tarried there some time under command of Colonel [illegible] and in January 1777 his time of service having expired he left the army without taking  any discharge.  The he soon afterwords joined a company in Conecticut as a volunteer and seved as such during the summer of 1777 in which time he was at Harford and went to Saybrook with prisoners.  that in September 1777 he again enlisted as a Quartermaster Sargeant at Peekskill and served as such officer in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Henry C. [illegible].  that he remained with said troops luntil sometime the next spring when they marched to a place then called "Rye Neck" where they stayed about six weeks and then returned to Peekskill again where they wintered the succeeding winter at a place called "the upper barracks".  That in the spring of 1778 they marched to fort Putnam where they staid s short time & returned - and immediately after the "battle of Monmonth" marched from Peekskill to Rhode Island, and was on the Island at the time the French & English fleets met in anticipation of Battle & were dispersed by a storm.  Then he left the island and marched  to the town of Warren under command of General Spencer and wintered there a little above Bristol Ferry and in the spring following returned to the island under the command of General Sullivan & was there at the same time the British troops were there.  That in the fall following they marched to Bristol & then to Newport, and after a short stay there they marched to New-Jersey
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where he was transferred -/ as such quartermaster sergeant to the "Ninth Connecticut Regiment" Commanded by Colonel Sammual B Webb and Lieutenant Colonel Ebenezer Huntington with whom he remained until on or about the eleventh day of may in the year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty, when he was regularly discharged by said Lieut. Col. Huntington on account of deafness, on the recommendation of the Chief physician or Surgeon.  That he took a written discharge which he has since lost and cannot produce the same.  He also states that he served the whole of said last term of service from September 1777 to May 1780 as a quarter master Sargeant in the two Regiments above mentioned.
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present - and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state, to his knowledge, or if any only on that of the state of Connecticut.

Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.  (Signed) Elijah Bill
(Signed) Isaac Wilson

On the day and year above said, I the said Isaac Wilson first Judge of said county of Genessee do hereby certify & declare my opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And I also certify that in my opinion that the applicant is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily infirmity.
[signed] Isaac Wilson
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State of New York  
Genesee County
I, Timothy Fitch Clerk of said County
do certify that Isaac Wilson Esquire before
whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have
been taken and by whom the foregoing certificate purports to have been made was on the day the same bear date First Judge of the County Courts in and for the County aforesaid duly qualified and authorized to act as such and that I am well acquainted with the signature of the said Isaac Wilson subscribed to said affidavit and certificate and verily believe them to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name, and affixed the seal of the Court of Common pleas of said County this fourth day of August A.D. 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk
B. Pringle Dep Clk
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[illegible] 241
Elijah Bill
admitted
Quarter Master Sgt
2 years
R H Smith
Perry New yk
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[illegible] 241
County
Brief in the case of Elijah Bill of Perry
County of Gennessee
in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Judge

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  It does.

3. How old is he? Eighty three years 83

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[Below is an attempt to coalesce the information contained on the table]

Period:   Enlisted in the spring of the year-In 1775 until some time in September
Duration of service:   6 months
Rank:  Sargent
Names of General and field officers under whom he served:  Col Parsons or Piersons regt of the connecticut line Capt Fether Sills company

Period:  on or about 20 June 1776 until
January 1777
Duration of service:  1 year
Rank:  Ensign
Names of General and field officers under whom he served:  Said Regt same Capt.

Period:  During Autumn of 1777
Duration of service:  3 months
Rank:  Volunteer:  
Names of General and field officers under whom he served:  to go to [illegible]

Period:  Enlisted in [illegible] 1777 until on or about 11 May 1780
Duration of service:  2 years 8 months
Rank:  Quarter master Sargeant
Names of General and field officers under whom he served:  Col. Henry {illegible], Gen Spencer, Sen Sullivan [illegible] 9th connecticut Reg't [illegible] Lt Col Ebenezer Huntington.

5. In what battles was he engaged?  White Plains

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   at Chapman Ferry in East Haddam, Hart County Connecticut, who came into it from Nova Scotia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By neither

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
no [illegible]
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
Chas G Wilcox Examining Clerk
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State of New York
County of Wyoming
S.S.
I, Marvin Trall, County Judge of
Wyoming County, performing the duties of Surrogate, in and for said County, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to a Surrogates Court held in and
for said County of Wyoming, that Elijah Bill was a Revolutionary Soldier, and a pensioner of the United States at the rate of one hundred and twenty dollars per annum, that previous to the time of his death he was a resident of the town of Perry in said County of Wyoming, that he died in said town of Perry, on the twenty first day of March A.D. 1833. that he left no
widow surviving him, and I further certify, that at the time of his death, he left surviving him six children only, whose names are as follows, to wit, Daniel Bill since deceased: Lydia Whipple: Elijah Bill & Hannah Hamilton, Polly Cheney and Edmund C. Bills
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
Surrogate seal of said County at
Warsaw this 9th day of June A.D. 1852
M. Trall, County Judge
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12218
INVALID.
File No. 12,218
Elijah Bill ┃
2 Mast Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7, 1832 ┃
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 33
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Rev. War
S.F. 12.218
Elijah Bill
Complete the Record
including Continental
service.
A.H.M.
Sept. 27/05.
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INDIAN WARS.
3 - 418
O. W. & N. DIV.
FILES SLIP.
Orig.
Cert.
Name:
[Post-office address.]
[Service]
Submitted to the Board of Review for

Name and address of recognized attorney: [written down right margin]
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New York
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Elijah Bill which require further proof or explanation.  1818
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served:  Yes

V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  No

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?  No

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  No

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  No

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For---year---- months and --- days, I served as a --- For months --- and days, I served as a --- ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly
thenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
State of New York
COUNTY OF Wyoming

ss.  Know all Men by these presents, That I Edmund Bills of Perry in the County of Wyoming do hereby authorize, constitute and appoint L.M. [illegible] of Canandaigua in
the State of New York my true and lawful attorney to prosecute for me and at my 
behalf, all and singular, claim or claims, I may have against the General Government of the United States, on account of the service of my Father, Elijah Bill deceased, in the war of the Revolution; the said power of Attorney to be irrevocable for the space of three years from the within date; and the said
L.M. [illegible] is hereby authorized to take all necessary and proper steps in the prosecution
of said claim or claims at my behalf.
In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of June
1852
Enos w Frost  J. P.
[illegible] Edmund Bills (L.S.)
State of New York
COUNTY OF Wyoming
┃ SS.
Be it known that the eightday of June A.D. 1852 before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County,
authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Edmund C. Bills
above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed
in Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
Enos W. Frost  J.P.
the
COUNTY OF Wyoming
I, R.A. Crippen Deputy Clerk
of the County and State aforesaid do certify, that Enos W. Frost Esquire is
and was at the time of the date of the foregoing, a Justice of the Peace, duly commissioned and qualified to act as such
in and for said County; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Official Seal, this Ninth
day of
1852
R.A. Crippen Dep. Clerk
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Feb 10, 1853
Elijah Bill
N.Y. Act 1832
[Illegible]
Evidence in support
of his application
for increase
May
J. H. Coombs
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Washington, Feby 10th 1853
Sir'
I herewith present, on behalf of the
heirs of Elijah Bill decd. a certificate
from the Secretary of State of
New York, showing that said Elijah
Bill received Bounty Land for services
as a Lieutenant in Col. Hazens
Regiment.  I present this evidence
preparatory to the filing of a claim
for pension on account of said service, if his name shall be found on the roll.
I respectfully ask that the rolls
be examined, and if the name is
not found thereon, it will be
necessary to proceed further in
the case

Very respectfully
Your Obt Sert
J. J. Coombs

P.C. Johnston Esq
Ch. Clk
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Elijah Bill
deed
J. L. Combs
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State of New York
Secretary's Office Albany Sep. 29. 1852
I certify that the name of Elijah Bill
is entered on the original Balloting Book of
the Commissioners of the Land Office of this
State deposited in this office as a Lieutenant
in Hazens Regiment and that two Lots
of land were balloted to him in the military
Tract on the 8th day of July 1790 and
that Letters Patent were issued to the said
Lieutenant Elijah Bill for 500 acres in
each of the said lots on the said Day
under the Great Seal of this State
Arch Campbell
Dep Sec of State
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Elijah Bill
Power of Atty [illegible]
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State of New York
County of Wyoming
Know all men by these presents that I Elijah Bill of Gainsville in said County of Wyoming
do hereby authorize constitute and appoint L. M. Drury of Canandaigua in the County of Ontario in the State of New York, my true and lawful attorney, to prosecute for me and in my behalf, all and singular claim or claims. I may have against the General Government of
the United States, on account of the services of my father Elijah Bill deceased in the war of the Revolution the said power of Attorney to be irrevocable for the space of three years from the within date, and the said L. M. Drury is hereby authorized to take all necessary
and proper steps in the prosecution of said claim or claims on my behalf. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of June 1852.
Signed and sealed in the presence of 
Enos W. Frost 
Benja [illegible]
Elijah Bills

State of New York
County of Wyoming
Be it known that on the eighth day of June A.D. 1852 before the subscriber a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared Elijah Bell above named, and acknowledged the foregoing power of
attorney to be his act and deed,
Enos Frost
Justice of the peace