Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14442, for Ephraim Sheldon, Connecticut
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SERVICE
Conn.

Sheldon, Ephraim

NUMBER
S. 14442

Carded
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3805
Massachusetts
Ephraim Sheldon
of Lee in the State of Mass who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain ~~ in the regt commanded by Coll. Chapman in the Mass line for 14 mos.
Conn Line
Records corrected Jan 21, 1907

Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of Dec 1832 and sent to H. W. Bishop Lenox Mass

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1832  $69.99
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 23.33
_____________
$93.32

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7 1832.}

Recorded by J. H. McBlair Clerk
Book D Vol 277 Page 83
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4787
Ephraim Sheldon
Lee Burke Co. Mass

Private 14 Mos
Allowed

$46.66

H. W. Bishop
Lenox Mass
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BRIEF in the case of Ephraim Sheldon of Berkshire Co in the State of ~~
(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 the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 78 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings]
Period. | Duration of Service. | Rank. | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1775 Dec | 3 Months | As a Private | Capt. Peas
76 | 4 Months | Private | Capt. E. Peas, Col. Chapman
76 December | 4 Months | Private | Capt. Lovejoy, Col. Woodbridge
77 September | 3 months | Private | Capt. Glosson, Col. Cook

5. In what battles was he engaged? Stillwater

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Somerset Connecticut

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary Evidence

8. Are the papers defective s to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. McBlair
Examining Clerk.
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4787

Ephraim Sheldon
application for Pension
Lee Mass
August 28 1832


Sheldon
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE, ss.
ON this twenty eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before Hon. William P. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate for county now sitting Ephraim Sheldon a resident of the town of Lee in the county of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid, 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, passed June 7th, 1832; - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
to wit, In December AD 1775 he enlisted into Capt. Abiel Peas company: the name of the Colonel I can not now recollect. When I enlisted, I was a resident of the town of Somers in the County of Hartford then the County of Tolland now in the state of Connecticut and was a resident there at all times when I afterwards entered into the service. We marched the most direct route to Cambridge thru Worcester &c where he remained until the expiration of three months, the term for which he enlisted on the service of his company. There they joined the army under Gen. Washington and remained to watch the movements of the British Army in Boston. Whilst in the performance of this duty he was taken sick and with many others was removed to the College Buildings which were then used as hospitals. Much sickness occurred among the soldiers and they suffered much. He regained his health so that he was enabled to return home with his company in April A. D. 1776. He remained in Somers until August after, when the militia were called for on account of the British coming into N. York. He then entered Capt. Emory Peas company (brother to the one mentioned above) in the regiment commanded by Colonel Chapman. Said Peas was from Somers and said Chapman from Tolland Connecticut. We marched direct to Hartford, there to New Haven, then to N. York by water. Whilst we were in N. York the British came in and we were ordered to march up to KingsBridge. Orders also came in the sick to be moved into New Jersey. 
At one time being in the room with the officers and a young soldier also being in the roof with us, very sick, Capt. Peas said to his brothers officers, what shall we do with this sick young man. We have tried and are unable to get any one to carry him. And I [illegible] at that since I. He replies will you go Ephraim. I do not like to go I answered, but if no other one can assistance I will. I then carried him to a house, on the shore opposite in New Jersey, where were many sick,, the house filled with as many as could lay on the floor. He remained in this house untill morning and then I removed him to a business as [illegible] about one mile distant. This [illegible] none came that the British were to land on the Jersey Shore and all were ordered to remove to (I think) [illegible]. We did remove according to my best recollection about ten or twelve miles. I was an entire stranger then never having been in that vicinity before or since. In this place the young man on whom I attended died. His name was John Wood from the same town with me. I was taken sick and remained there untill we were dismissed. In this service I remained four months. On my arrival at Jones I found our Captain a corpse, having sickened and died in [illegible] on his return. I remained at home until December of the same year when I enlisted into Capt. Lovejoy's company of Enfield and I think in the regiment commanded by Col. Woodbridge but of this I am not certain. The Col. or Lt Col's name was Woodbridge. We marched to Westchester thru Farmington &c. Our employment in this service was principally as scouts remaining more than fourteen days in any one place. We were at one time on White Plains when Capt. Lovejoy called me and an other soldier to him. He directed us to go to a point about one mile distant and report to him what we could discover. We went and from the top of a hill we looked down and saw a large body of British Light Horse and soldiers guarding the teams that were coming into the country to forage. I returned immediately and informed my commander. My companion
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remained after me & was taken prisoner. Our company retired into the woods. We were afterwards marched to Ry-neck as it was called, and there acted also as scouts. I returned from this service (our company being dismissed in April having served four months. I remained in Somers until September following when I enlisted into Capt. Glossons company from Wellington CT in Col. Cooks regiment and marched immediately to Hartford, then to guard [illegible] there to Albany then to Stillwater where Gen. Gates lay with his army. We remained there nothing special taking place until the 7th of October 1777 when we were marched out by Gen. Arnold altho Gen. Gates was our commander in chief. Gen Arnold commanded this day certainly with much valor and zeal. During the engagement rode down the lines addressing us as near as I could understand in the following terms - "Fellow soldiers this is an eventful day. It may be the deciding point between America and Great Britain. You are now fighting for your country for your wives and children, and even for your lives. Do your duty like one determined to conquer or die." I shall never forget his note to deportment on this thrilling occasion. He infused into our hearts that courage which then activated his own. Our regiment was a flank guard on the left of Gen Burgoynes flank guard. During the battle we engaged with a body Hessians on our approach to them they took off their hats and fell on their knees. Our commander informed as that this was their token of surrender. We approached toward them when they rose and fired upon us. We were then ordered to fire. Many of the Hessians fell, one of them directly in front of me bounded two or three feet from the [illegible] exclaiming Oh! and expired. In the engagement and in the same service with us was a Colo. Lathamer from Connecticut. After the battle and when he was retiring to rest a ball fell from his breeches. On examination he found that it had passed thru his clothes, thru his jacket book and papers cutting from one of them his Christian or [illegible]name, without doing him bodily injury. He wore this coat with the hole in it occassioned by the ball with much pride until the close of the service. I often saw it which is perhaps the cause of my recollecting the circumstance.
Gen Arnold was also wounded this day and his horse shot from under him. The next day we were marched about eight miles to Schuyler Plantation to prevent as I supposed the retreat of the British. We returned the same night and remained until the capitulation of Burgoyne, when we were marched out and his army passed thru our ranks without their guns. As soon as this took place we were ordered to march with all the aluenting in our power to Albany. From thence to Livingstons House where I served until my time was out and we dismissed. I served at this time a few days more than three months, when I returned to Somers. And this concludes my own service during the Revolutionary War. I was afterwards drafted and hired a substitute by the name of Alpheus Russell who served for me six months in the year 1780.

- I served in my first enlistment 3 months
- I served in my second enlistment 4 months
- I served in my third enlistment nearly 4 months
I served in my third enlistment 3 months.
_____
Total 14 months

- I was born in Somers in the County of Hartford then, the Co. of Tolland now in the state of Connecticut May 1, 1754
- I have a record of my age and have it here in court.
- I was living at all times when I enlisted in Somers.
- I have since lived in the towns of Middlefield and Stockbridge Mass and now in Lee Massachusetts where I have resided twenty eight years.
- I received but one discharge (to wit) from Capt.. Lovejoy and that I have  lost: I have called and dismissed except when I was in New Jersey, at this time I was absent from the company to attend on the sick.
- I enlisted at all times. And the names of the officers of the Regiments are given above. I refer the court to the Rev. Boston Hyde of Lee who has been acquainted with me 40 yrs and to David Baker who has also long been acquainted with. I know of no other person living who can testify to my service.
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he hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Ephraim Sheldon [signature]

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker [signature]
J. Probate

We, Alvan Hyde a Clergyman in the town of Lee and David Baker residing in same Lee hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim Sheldon who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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.
Alvan Hyde [signature]
David Baker [signature]

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
W. P. Walker [signature]
J. Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and 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 Alvan Hyde is a clergyman resident in the town of Lee and that David Baker who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Lee aforesaid and that their statement is entitled to credit.
W. P. Walker [signature] J. Probate

I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim Sheldon for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this twenty eighth day of August A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop [signature] Register of Probate
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O. W. & N. Division

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.
July 3 1895.

Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Ephraim Sheldon a soldier of the REVOLTUIONARY WAR you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT ORO APPOINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.

Feb. 1775 | 3 mos. | Pvt. | Captain Abial Pease, Colonel Not remembered | Conn.
Aug 1776. | 4 mos. | Pvt. | Captain Emory Pease, Colonel Chapman | Conn.
Dec. 1776 | 4 mos | Pvt. | Captain Lovejoy, Colonel Woodbridge | Conn.
Sept. 1777 | 3 mos. | Pvt. | Captain Glosson, Colonel Cook. | Conn.

Although not definitely stated in the declaration everything in the case indicates that his service was with the Connecticut Troops.

Battles engaged in. Stillwater, Surrender of Burgoyne.

Residence of soldier at enlistment. Somers, Hartford Co., Conn.

Date of application for pension. August 25, 1832.

Residence at date of application. Lee, Mass.

Age at date of application. Born May 1, 1754.

Remarks:

Samuel E. Wells, Esq.,
123 Fifth Ave.,
Chicago, Ill.

Very respectfully,
Commissioner
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Rev. War

INVALID.
File No. 14,442
Ephraim Sheldon
Priv. Rev. War

Act June 7th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 339

(Arrangement of 1870.)

July 3/ 12 Hist to Samuel R. Wells, 123 5th Ave Chicago Ill.
JNEL

Jan 29 97 Hist to John W. Sheldon, Medford Mass

1909 May 8 Hist to Miss E. A. Churchill ¢
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Ephraim Sheldon Berkshire Co Mass which require further proof or explanation.

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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2
XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another reputable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  Yes
XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  ~~~~
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? ~~~~ Yes
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?  Yes
And, is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  Yes
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?  [illegible]
XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  Yes
XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?  Yes
________________________
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, & A. H. who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, the, 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 is 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 the 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 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.

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 therein 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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[stamp]
RECORD DIVISION
MAY 1 1909

[stamp]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE 
A
APR 30 1909
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April 29th
Pension Bureau
Washington D. C.
Can you give any information of a Revolutionary Soldier named Ephraim Sheldon of Lee Mass. did he receive a pension? All data will be greatly [illegible]
Mrs. E. A. Churchill
1217 K[illegible]
Washington D. C.
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3-871.

RECORD DIVISION.
DEPARMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.

Briefed by  L. D. L.
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant  [   ]
Soldier:  Ephraim Sheldon
Service:  Mass
Additional Service  Rev. War

No ____ claim, State records ___, 190__
No claim, combinational records _____, 190__

REMARKS;
No claim except
I[ ]/4442  Lee Mass
u # 15642  Camden, Me

_______________________
0-8              Chief Division
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[stamped]
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES
[ILLEGIBLE] 1891
Page 18

Pension Commissioner Interior
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir
Can you give me the records of Ephraim Sheldon of Maine, who was in the Revolutionary War? He was a pensioner and died about 1855 at the age of 94 years. He enlisted eighter from what is now Maine or New Hampshire.
If you will look this matter up at your earliest opportunity you will greatly oblige.
Yours Respectfully
John W. Sheldon
=over=
Page 19

address to
John W. Sheldon
[illegible]5 Washington St.
Medford, Mass.

Medford Mass
Jan 9 1891
Page 20

[stamped]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
JUN 22 189
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June 20, 1895.

William Lochren, Esq.,
Pension Commissioner, Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:--  Will you kindly furnish me with a detailed copy of the application of one Ephraim Sheldon, who drew a pension while residing in Berkshire County, Massachusetts?  He was a private in the Massachusetts militia, was paid $46.66 per annum, beginning March 4th, 1831.  He was at that time seventy-nine years of age.  Up to 1835 he had been paid $139.98.  His name was placed on the pension roll December 20th, 1832.  I got the above information from the pension rolls for Massachusetts, page, 31, name being part of report of Secretary of War, made in 1835, printed in that year by Duff Green.

Any information that you can give me will be very thankfully received.

Respectfully yours,
[ Samuel A. Wells  ]
123 Fifth Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Page 22

October 2, 1897

Sir:
In reply to your request for information concerning the military record of Ephraim Sheldon, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that he made an application for pension August 25, 1832, at which time he was 78 years of age and residing at Lee, Mass., and his pension was allowed for fourteen months' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Pease and Col. Woodbridge. He enlisted at Somers, Conn.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner

Dr. John W. Sheldon
Washington Street
Medford, Mass.
Page 23

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Ephraim Sheldon, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[column headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
Dec. 1775 | 3 mos | ~~ | Captain Abiel Pease, Colonel ~. | Conn.
Aug 1776 | 4 mos | ~~ | Captain Emory Pease, Colonel Chapman | ~~
Dec 1776 | 4 mos | ~~ | Captain Lovejoy, Colonel Woodbridge | ~~
Sept 1777 | 3 mos | ~~ | captain Thos Lawson, Colonel Cook | ~~

Battles engaged in Retreat from New York, second Stillwater, surr. Burgoyne
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Somer Hartford Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, [illegible]
Residence at date of application, Lee Berkshire Co. Mass
Age at date of application 78, B. May 1 1754 Somer Conn.
Remarks: ~~