Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11807, Samuel Willoughby, Conn. Privateer
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Privateer
---
Willoughby, Samuel
NUMBER
S. 11807
carded
CONTENTS
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76
Berkshire
21790
Massachusetts
Samuel Willoughby
Alford in the State of Massachusetts
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Leelay of the regiment commanded by Colonel Shelden in the time for 15 months and 15 days.

Connecticut and Privateer
Records corrected June12/1905

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
the rate of-57-Dollars-- 67 - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of October
1833 and sent John Whiting
Great Barrington Massachusetts

Arrears to the 4th of September 1833 $129.17
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 March $25.83
$155.00

⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by
D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book E Volume 2 Page 94
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12678
Samuel Willoughby
Private 15 month and 15 day

14 - 16 of
May 17 1833
51.12
163.34
25.53
129.17
John Whiting Esquire
Great Barrington
Massachusetts
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BRIEF in the case of Samuel Willioughby
of Alford in the State of Massachusetts
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge? Open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he? 74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
---
[Four column table with the following headings:]
Period/Duration of Service/Rank/Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
April in 1775/15 days/Private/Captain Fox
March 1775/2 months/Private/Captain  Durham
1776/4 months/Private/Captain Shepley [illegible] [illegible] 
1776/9 months/private/Captain Leelay
April 1777/Ship G. Putnam/6 months/Marine/Captain Atten
5. In what battles was he engaged? White plains
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? New London, Connecticut
7. In his statement supported by living witness, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
the papers are not attached or required

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richwel Cutts
Examining Clerk.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
County of Berkshire,
On this twenty seventh day of September A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Honorable WILLIAM P. WALKER, Judge of the Court of Probate, within and for said County of Berkshire, now sitting,
Samuel Willoughby - a resident of the town of Alford in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Seventy four 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 7,
1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers
, and served as herein stated.

That in April in the year 1775, immediately after the battle of Lexington I was ordered by Captain Elisha Fore who commanded the Company of Militia in the north parish of New London in the State of Connecticut to march, with others of said Company, for the purpose
of opposing the British at Boston - The said Willoughby says he marched from said New London under the command of Jonathan Avery who was then the orderly Sergeant of said company - we marched as far as providence in the State of Rhode Island where we halted and remained on duty and were paraded and exercised there under the command of said orderly Sergeant for about two weeks, after which we were marched back to said New London and discharged.
The said Willoughby states that he was absent on this service for half a month, or more, but the exact length of time he cannot now State.

The said Willoughty further states that within a week after his return as aforesaid from Providence he was drafted by said Captain Fox and placed under the command of Captain Richard Deshon at fort Griswold, at Groton
opposite New London, in said State of Connecticut, where he did duty under the command of said Captain Deshon for the
term of two months, when he was discharged.
The said Willoughby further states that immediately after he was discharged at fort Griswold, he enlisted at Fort Rumbull, near New London aforesaid, in a company
there, commanded by Captain Adam Shapley, where the ┃
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said Willoughby States that he did duty as a soldier in said company at said last mentioned fort for the term of four months, when he was discharged. The said Willoughby
states that he then understood, and now verily
believes that Major Ledyard was the commanding officer at both of said forts during the time he was in the
Service there being the same Ledyard who was afterward a Colonel was severely wounded by the enemy at fort Griswold.

The said Willoughby further states that in the
month March 1776, he again enlisted or volunteer as a recruit in a company, (which he now believes belonged to the militia of Connecticut) commanded by Captain
Lee Lay of Lime in said State of Connecticut, and marched. Soon afterward joined a Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Sheldon at New London, he then went on ,board of a vessel and sailed to New York and landed at
that City. John Comstock was Lieutenant in C Company and was afterwards killed by the enemy at Turkle Bay (so called) Jonathan Latimer was Lieutenant Colonel of our said Regiment. The said Willoughby States that he was on duty as a soldier in said company at said City for
about one month - then was removed to Governors Island (as he believes) when he was on duty for time being forced by the enemy from that position he went with said Company to Long Island and was places at Fort 
called Cable Hill, Fort, where he remained with said Company occasionally firing upon and skirmishing with the enemy till the American troops were obliged to vacate said last mentioned fort and go to the City of
New York, from there we marched toward Hans gate, at a place called Tinkle Bay thence we retreated  to Kings Bridge and then White plains - the said Willoughby states that he
 was in the battle of the white plains (so called) in October 1776 - General Washington was commander in Chief at the White Plains. - After this we marched about the last of October, up the North river, and our troops were halted at or near, North Castle, where the said Willoughby States he was discharged, with other troops, at the end of his said last mentioned enlistment (which was for nine months)
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his discharge was in the month of December 1776, but the exact day he cannot now recollect.

The said Willoughby states that he does not recollect that he ever had any written discharge at the end of any of his term of service, if he had any they have been lost or destroyed. The said Willoughby states that
he served faithfully as a Soldier for his Country during all the above periods, and was always dismissed with honor by his Officers.

The said Willoughby further states that in the
month of April 1777, he again engaged in the service of his Country, at said New London, and enlisted on hand warship called the "General Putnam" of twenty guns commanded by
Captain Thomas Allen - went on board as a marine in said month of April-- this enlistment was for six months. We were off the Banks of Newfoundland during the cruise- in the English Channel, and at other places on the ocean, we returned to New London in the fall of
the same year in the month of October, so he believes, But the exact time he cannot name.

The said Willoughby states that he was honorably discharged at said New London by beforesaid Captain Allen, but he cannot say he was discharged in writing if he was, he
has lost it. On this cruise one Ship captained
form Briggs. The name of the Briggs he cannot now name, it is so long ago; but he remembers that one of them was recaptured by the British, but the other arrived in port.
The said Willoughby states that he served six months on board said ship.

He verily believes that the whole this service as aforesaid for his country, would amount to twenty one months and a half at the least.
The said Willoughty states that he has
no documentary evidence of his herein above
Stated, and so many years have elapsed
that he cannot find any of his companions
in army, who are living, who served with him by which he could prove said service. He now resides at Agard nearly one hundred miles from New London
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where he lived in his youth he has enquired for his old companions in army as well as he could (not feeling able to travel to New London upon uncertainty), but cannot find that any one is living. Elihu Lester, Esquire, the aforesaid was acquainted with said Willoughby from his youth up to
this time, he knows something of said Willoughby's service and he being the only person known to be living, who can testify
his deposition is hereto annexed and is to be refererd to by the Secretary of War for the truth of the forgoing Statement.

He hereby relinquishes every claim what
ever to a pension or annuity, except the present and declares that his name is not on the pay roll of the agency of any State.
Dated September 27th 1832.
Samuel Willoughby
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year last aforesaid
W. P. Walker I. Probate
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I Elite Lester of Alford in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Esquire, Do testify that I was born in the North Parish of New London in the State of Connecticut in the year 1759 as I verily
believe, as I have always been informed.
I have always been acquainted with Samuel
Willoughby now a resident in Alford aforesaid,
from our youth up to this time-- we are about
the same age - we removed from Connecticut the same year, being thirty years ago, and have lived in the same School District in said Alford ever since, and have been well acquainted up to
this time-- I know the said Willoughby has always been considered a man of  unimpeachable character for truth and veracity among his acquaintance.

I also testify that in the year 1775 I lived within
half a mile of said Willoughby in New London
In the spring of 1776 as the troops were passing from Boston to New York, together with one William Forsyth in listed in the company commanded by Capt Christopher
Damon Colonel Parson's regiment (afterwards General Parsons)

Soon after we arrived in New York, a corps arrived from New London County, called New Levies- said Forsyth, on hearing that he had two Brothers arrived with said Corps, went to see them at about a mile distant from
where we were stationed,-- On his return he informed me, which I well remember, that Lieutenant John Comstock took from our neighborhood, two Brothers, John Lyon, Samuel Willoughby, William Goff and William McFall were there and belonged to the company of Captain Lee Lay of Lime in  State of Connecticut. Soon after this I was taken sick and was sent to the hospital and was discharged from it only a few days before the battle on Long Island and - I do not know that any of the above named persons are now living except the said Samuel Willoughby
I have heard of the death of all of them excepting only Latham Forsyth, whether he is now living or not I do not know. If I had not been taken sick
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I should understatedly have gone myself and seen the aforesaid Willoughby and others while at New York in the Army. Having been always acquainted with said Willoughby I know it
was generally reputed and believed at New London and at Alford among the acquaintance of said Willoughby that he served in the American army. I only know the American ship General Putnam, as he has stated in his foregoing application for a Pension, and I have no doubt he did so serve.
And further the Deponent saith not.
Elihu Lester
Witness present.
James A. Hyde
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
County of Berkshire
On this twenty seventh day of September
AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court
before me the subscriber Judge of the
Court of Probate for said County the
above named Elihu Lester made
oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. I further certify
that I am personally acquainted with said
Elihu Lester & that he is a person entitled to
entity
W. P. Walker Judge of Probate
Judge should sign the Certificate
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Samuel Willoughby
Alllowed M
application for pension
September 27, 1832
12.678.
Page 12

I Enos Marshall, Junior, a Clergyman, residing
in the Town of Egremont, in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, testify, and say that I am well acquainted with Mr Samuel Willoughby of Alford, in said County that said Alford is a town, adjoining E Egremont.

That I believe, the said Samuel Willoughby to be seventy four years of age, as he states that he is reputed, and believed, in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution and that I concur in that opinion.-- and further, the deponent saith not.
Enos Marshall Jr
Berkshire September 27th 1832. Then the said
Enos Marshall Jr. personally appeared and made solemn oath that the foregoing
deposition by him subscribed is true
Before James A. Hyde, Justice of the Peace

I John Whiting at Barrington in the County of Berkshire Commonwealth Massachusetts, an Attorney [illegible]
Do testify that I have for many years been acquainted with Samuel Willoughby who lives in the adjoining town Alford in said County of Berkshire. I consider  him a man of good character for truth and veracity, and I have understood from this acquaintance that he is generally believed to have been a Soldier in the revolutionary war
Dated at Barrington this 27th day of September 1832.
John Whiting
Berkshire for September 27th 1832. Then the said John Whiting, personally appeared, and made solemn oath, that the foregoing
deposition, by him subscribed, is true.-
Before James A. Hyde. Justice of the Peace.
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Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
----
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that James A. Hyde Esquire, before whom the annexed depositions were
taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted
with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty seventh day of September
A. D. 1832.
Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Enos Marshall Junior is a clergyman resident in the town of Egremont and that John Whiting who has also
signed the foregoing certificate is a resident in
the town of Great Barrington in said County
and is a credible person and that their statement is
Entitled to credit. 
W. R. Walker Judge Probate

I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Willoughby for a pension.

In testimony a hereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office of said
Court of Probate, this twenty seventh
day September AD 1852.

Henry W. Bishop Register Probate
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In reply to your request of ____________, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Samuel Willoughby 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.  
S. 11,807

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT/
LENGTH OF SERVICE/
RANK/
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED/
CAPTAIN.        COLONEL./
STATE.
April 1775/   2 weeks/  Private/  Elisha Fox/ Connecticut        
May 1775/  2 month/Richard Deshon/ Ledyard
Immediately after/  4 months/ Adam  Shapley.
March. 1776/ 9 months/      Lee lay/  Samuel Selden
April 1777      6 months./  Marine/  Thomas Alton
    ship "General Putnam" captured four briggs one of which was retaken by the British.

Battles engaged in, White Plains.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New London, Connecticut
Date of application for pension, Sept. 27. 1932.
Residence at date of application, Alford, Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Age at date of application, seventy-four years.
Remarks: His claim was allowed. There is no family data.

Respectfully,
Commissioner

Turn over
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The alleged service cannot be verified by Connecticut book

for instance:  1776 at New York

Connecticut book page 403 shows, Colonel Samuel Selden
Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Lattimer
Captain Richard Deshon (only reference in whole book.)
Lieutenant John Comstock
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11804
INVALID
Revolutionary war

File Number   11.807
Samuel Willoughby
Private Revolutionary War
---------------------

Act: June 7" 1832
Index:-- Volume A  ,  Page 411

[Arrangement of 1870.]

(Second page)

1914 Nov. 5.  History to John Willby Thomson.  (cent sign)
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Comptrollers Office
July 23rd 1833

I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify that under date March 23rd 1779, the Council of Safety of this State passed the following vote, viz, [namely] "Voted this board concur in the opinion of the Navy Board of the Eastern Department in their letter of the 15th instant, in the cruise of the Ships Confederacy and Oliver Cromwell is sound to annoy the enemy to attack their ships and cruisers as shall appear prudent, and to prosecute the expedition with greater security of success.  That the ship Putnam be taken into the service of the United States for the present expedition as the measure carries the appearance of ensuring success and the most deliberate reflection we cannot doubt to Congress approving the measures."
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I further certify that I have not discovered any roll of the crew of this ship, or appointment of her officers. Nor have I found any account with her, or her officers. The preceeding vote of the Council of Safety contains all the evidence that I know of, concerning her existence or her character.

E. Phelps
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Mr. John Whiting
Great Barrington
Massachusetts---
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Hartford  July 23d 1833

Sir
        Your letter to the Secretary of State of Connecticut  was by heir (error) delivered to me, for instructions and reply.
          I have examined the records and papers in this office, and herewith transmit an official certificate of the result of my examination. If the papers, accounts, and proceedings of the Navy board for the Easter department could be found, I presume the history of the ships records by them be developed.
             As there is no index to the journals of the Council of Safety, which are spread over four volumes in manuscript, to discover the vote, the copy of which  I send, has required much labor, which does not belong to my official duties, and therefore ought to be compensated.  If Mr Willoughby be poor and cannot pay me now, I hope if he obtains his pension, he will not forget me.

I am very respectfully 
L E Phelps
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John W. Thomson,
Pittsfield,
Berkshire County,
Massachusetts.

Revolution Section 7

Pittsfield, Massachusetts, October. 31st,  1941

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir, 
         I would like to obtain the Revolutionary Record of Samuel Willoughby (or Willoby,) a pensioner, who died in Alford, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, in 1843.  He probably served in a Connecticut regiment.
         If you will furnish me with the information I seek, or put me in the way of getting it, I will be very much obliged.

Yours respectfully,
John Willoughby Thomson