Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,716, Josiah Biglow, Conn.
Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE NUMBER

Conn.

Biglow, Josiah
Bigelow, 
Lucy

W. 20,716

CONTENTS
Page 2

Vermont 28.442
Josiah Bigelow of Orange in the State of Vermont who was a pr. in the ~~ commanded by Captain ~~~ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Wadsworth in the Cont. line for 16 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of June '34 and sent J. K. Parish. Randolph VT.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 34   160.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending September 34  26.66
_______
$186.66

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 55
Page 3

Josiah Bigelow
P. O. No 5156
Page 4

State of Vermont,
District of Randolph ORANGE COUNTY SS. } At Brookfield in said District County on this 31st day of July A. D. 1832, personally appeared in open Court, before the Probate Court for said District
in said Orange County, now sitting, being a Court of Record Josiah Biglow a resident of Brookfield in the County of Orange District aforesaid and State of Vermont, aged 67 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 in April 1781 he enlisted in the town of Colchester Con. under Capt. Samuel Northum a Teamster under Col. Wadsworth who command, and served 8 months was employed, took loading at said Colchester to Danbury and from thence to White Plains with the army and from thence to Anapolis in Maryland and to Yorktown & was there to at the taking of Cornwallis and afterwards returned to Colchester Con. on the 13th of December, lost my team at Yorktown with sickness.
And also in April 1782 again enlisted under Capt. Isam Chapman at said Colchester and was ordered to Kings Ferry N.Y. and from there to Horse Neck as a Teamster and while there lost 3 oxen (took by Cow Boys so called) and returned to Colchester in December after having served 8 months more. While out drew rations daily with the soldiers and received my pay as the soldiers. He has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no proof of the last tour of duty that he can procure but thinks he can procure proof of the first.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State/
Josiah Biglow

Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate
Page 5

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Josiah Biglow
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate

We, Daniel Wild residing in Brookfield in said County of Orange and Amasa Edson residing in the said Brookfield hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Josiah Biglow who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, and that we believe him to be 67 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.
Daniel Wild
Amasa Edson
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Frederick Griswold Judge of Probate

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to them that Daniel Wild who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman resident in Brookfield in said County, and that Amasa Edson who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same place, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, J. K. Parish, Clerk or Reg. of the Court of Probate hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Biglow for a pension. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 31st day of July A.D. 1832.
J. K. Parish CLERK or Reg.
Page 6

No. 5156
Vermont
Bigelow

Recd papers retained on file

See letter J. 7 E
Parish 10
May 1833
Page 7

BRIEF in the case of Josiah Bigelow of Brookfield County of Orange in the State of Vermont
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

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

3. How old is he? 67

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.
Apl in 1781 | 8 Months | As a Teamster | Gen. Capt. Northinas, Colonel Wadsworth
Apl 1782 | 8 months | Teamster | Capt. Chapman

5. In what battles was he engaged?

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

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, 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? Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Jas. Watson Examining Clerk
Page 8

Vermont 4,086
Lucy Bigelow
widow of Josiah Bigelow, Con.
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 and who died on the 14 January 1838 of Orange in the state of Vermont who was a Pri. in the Compy commanded by captain ~~ in the regt commanded by Wadsworth in the Con line for 16 mos.

Inscribed om the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 53 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 15th January 1838.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3rd day of Sept '39 and sent to J. K. Parish Randolph, VT

Arrears to the 4th of Mar - 0
Semi-annual allowance ending
$_______
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book A Vol 2 Page 35
Page 9

State of Vermont
Orange County
District of Randolph} Ss. ON this 6th day of October AD 1838 personally appeared before the Probate Court now in session at Brookfield in said district Lucy Bigelow a resident of Brookfield Orange County aged seventy three years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay & pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Josiah Bigelow who was a pensioner under the act of 1832 at the time of his death having served in the War of the Revolution between one & two years for the proof of which the Departments are respectfully requested to refer to the vouchers now in the Pension Office. She further declares that she was married to the said Josiah Bigelow in Colchester Con. on the 16th day of September Seventeen hundred & eighty four and that her husband the aforesaid Josiah Bigelow died in Brookfield VT on the 14th day of January eighteen hundred thirty eight. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving service but that the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred ninety four, viz at the time above stated.
Lucy Bigelow

Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written.
William Hebard, Register

State of Vermont
District of Randolph} The foregoing declaration of the widow Lucy Bigelow who is a credible person was made in Probate Court this 6th day of October sworn to & subscribed before me. In witness whereof I hereto affix the seal of said Court & subscribe my name day & year above written.
William Hebard Register
Page 10

We the subscribers of Brookfield in the County of Orange & State of Vermont of lawful age testify & say that we have many years been acquainted with Josiah Bigelow of Brookfield aforesaid in his life time and that he died on the 14th day of January AD 1838 and we were knowing that he recd a pension from the U. States and was a Pensioner at his death. We further testify that we are now and have been many years well acquainted with Mrs. Lucy Bigelow now the widow of the said Josiah Bigelow & that she has not married since the death of her husband but still remains a widow.
Wm. S. Lanphier
Zelotes Bigelow

State of Vermont
District of Randolph}
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to & subscribed in Probate Court at Brookfield this 6th day of October in AD 1838. And I certify that the said Wm. S. Lanphier & Zelotes Bigelow are credible persons & their statements to be relied on. In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of said Probate Court & subscribed my name the day & year above written.
William Hebard Register
Page 11

I Justus Edson town Clerk of Brookfield in the County of Orange and State of Vermont testify & say that I was formerly acquainted with Josiah Smith who was a Pensioner and died in this town several years since and am now acquainted with his widow Mrs. Persis Smith who now resides here I am also acquainted with a number of their children who also reside in this Town.

I further testify that in the records of deeds of lands in my office there is a deed recorded in Vol 2d Page 3d a deed of a piece or parcel of land in said town from Phinehas Lyman to Josiah Smith and dated in the twenty-fourth day of November one thousand seven hundred & eight four.  I further testify there is also recorded in Vol. 1. page 49. of the records in my office the following, to wit
"Josiah Smith [illegible] family record his daughter Abigail Born in Brookfield August eighteenth one thousand seven hundred and ninety.
Sylvester born in Brookfield Dec. 30th 1791
Persis Smith born in Brookfield Sept 15th 1794"

There is also entered on the same page & under the births these words.  "Lieut Josiah Smith died Feby 23rd, 1823"

I further testify that I am acquainted with the above named Sylvester Smith the son of the late Josiah Smith who is a neighbor of mine as also of Abigail now Mrs. Whitney.
Justice Edson Town Clerk

State of Vermont}
Orange County SS} At Brookfield in said county this 30th day of May 1839.  Justus Edson Esqs. town Clerk of said Brookfield and to me well known as a credible person, made subscribed and was sworn to the truth of the foregoing affidavit.

Before me J. K. Parish Assistant Judge
Orange County Court
Page 12

State of Vermont } 
Orange County SS}  I John W. Smith Clerk of Orange County Court hereby Certify that Jacob K Parish Esqr within named is assistant Judge of Orange County Court in & for said County, duly commission & qualified to administer oaths & that his commission is dated in November 1838 and will expire on the last day of November 1939. and think that the within Signatures purporting to be his are genuine.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of Said Court at Ch[illegible] in said County this twentieth day of August A.D. 1839
John. W. Smith. Clerk
Page 13

I Justus Edson town clerk of Brookfield in the county of Orange and state of Vermont, testify and say that I was acquainted with Josiah Bigelow late of Brookfield deceased in his life time & was knowing that he was a Pensioner at his decease. I am also acquainted with his widow Lucy Bigelow who now resides in this town.
I further testify that on examination of the records of marriages, births &c, now in my office, I find the following record, to wit 
"Enisgn Josiah Bigelows Family Records.
Lydia born in Colchester Connecticut May 13th 1786
Josiah born in Brookfield July 14th 1788
Lovin his daughter born in Brookfield 22d February 1798"
I further testify that in the record of deeds of lands there is a deed recorded on the 38 page of Vol. 2 of the records of deeds in said town of a parcel of land from Jerome Hutchinson to Josiah Bigelow and dated the 20th day of March 1787.
Justus Edson Town Clerk

State of Vermont
Orange County Ss} At Brookfield in said county this 30th day of May 1839 Justus Edson Esq. town clerk of said Brookfield and to me well known as a credible person made subscribed and was duly sworn to the truth of the foregoing affidavit.
Before me
J. K. Parish Assistant Judge of Orange Co. Court
Page 14

[top of the page, writing is bled through the other side]
State of Vermont
Orange County Ss} I John W. Smith Clerk of Orange County Court within and for said Orange County hereby certify that Josiah K. Parish Esq within named is assistant Judge of Orange County Court in & for said county of Orange, duly commissioned & qualified to administer oaths &c, that his commission is dated in November AD 1838 and will expire on the last day of November 1839, and that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this twentieth day of August AD 1839.
John W. Smith Clerk
Page 15

Revy
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20.716
Lucy Bigelow
widow of Josiah Bigelow
Priv. Rev. War

Act July 7th 1835
Index: Vol. A, Page 64
(Arrangement of 1870.)

Lett V. K. Parrish
May 10 '39

7 July '38

Lucy Biglow, Vermegut, Adm. Act 4th July 1836 and 7 July 1838.

Hon. F. S. Evans by [illegible] C. E.
Oct 9 -55
Page 16

Josiah Bigelow act  June 32 - when last pd?
J. M. C.

30 Aug 1839
Died 14th Jany 1838, p to that period.
JH
Page 17

State of Vermont
District of Randolph ss.
As a Probate Court holden at Randolph in the County of Orange District and State aforesaid on this 21st day of January AD 1834. Josiah Bigelow of Brookfield in said District & County aged sixty-eight years last May personally appeared in open court said court being a court of records, before the Honorable Jacob K. Parish Judge and being 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 enlisted the early part of April 1781 into the U. States services a teamster under Capt. Samuel Northam in the town of Colchester Conn. for the term of 8 months & started form S. Colchester with his team & went to Danbury where Genl. Washington there was, from there was ordered on and followed the Army to White Plains N.Y. & carried the Army Baggage from White Plains was ordered on again with the Army carrying baggage as before to the Southward and kept with the Army beyond Annapolis & there followed on after to Yorktown and was present at the taking of Cornwallis at that place. here there oxen many of them died and he drove a horse team back at Philidelphia he recollects they took in a load of spice in bonus which was brought to Hartford Conn. he was discharged at said Colchester on the 13th day of December, while out was with & immediately under command of Capt. Northam who resided a near neighbour of his Father in S. Colchester he remembers the claims were marched his father rec'd. his wages & which were the same that soldiers rec'd at that time. 
Also in April 1782 he again enlisted at S. Colchester Conn. under Capt. Isham Chapman for 8 months into the Continental service as Teamster & was ordered to Kingsferry N.Y. where the Army were there encamped. carried baggage from there went to Trenton N.J. after provision for the army & again returned to Kingsferry & from there to Horse Neck where the Cowboys or refugees stole several oxen belonging to the [liaues] & thru which he drove & the teamsters were armed and ordered out in pursuit but did not find either cattle or Cowboys other exen were again procured & the teams again arranged. he remained in the vicinity of Horse Neck till late in the fall & there returned to Colchester in December where he was discharged & soon after went to the
Page 18

old town of Colchester & recd his wages from Capt. Chapman the same as was paid the soldiers. He was with Capt. C. nearly the whole time. In his first tour the teams were under Col. Wadsworth of Hartford & the last one under Col. or Maj.  Roger Buckley of Colchester. He does not know of any person who can testify, particularly to his services Capt. Bissell Phelps.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension but the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Josiah Biglow

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before Jacob K. Parish Judge of Probate

And the said Court hereby declares their opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier or Teamster & served as he states.

I, Jacob K. Parish Judge of the Probate Court within and for the district aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Josiah Bigelow for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 21st day of January AD 1834.
Jacob K. Parish Judge of Probate for the Dist. of Randolph
Page 19

Moretown January 23rd A.D. 1836

I Bissell Phelps of Waitsfield in the County of Washington & State of Vermont testify and say that I have been acquainted with Josiah Bigelow at Brookfield in County of Orange & State of Vermont from his youth & know that in the year 1781 that he the said Bigelow was enlisted teamster under Capt. Saml. Northam and went to Virginia and Yorktown in what was called the Cornwallis Expedition under the Continental Establishment also was knowing that in A.D. 1782 that the said Bigelow enlisted under Capt. Isham Chapman as a teamster in the continental service drawing provisions and baggage for the army.
[illegible] 
All the above services rendered under the regulation of the Continental Army and not on civil contract.
Bissel Phelps
June 23rd A.D. 1834

State of Vermont
Washington County
Bissell Phelps personally appeared, and after being carefully examined and duly cautioned, made solemn oath, that the foregoing deposition by him subscribed contians the whole truth and nothing but the truth before me
Daniel Harris
Justice of the Peace

This may certify that I have been acquainted with Bissell Phelps of Waitsfield for a long series of years and know him to be a man that is generally considered of strict truth and veracity.
Daniel Harris
Page 20

State of Vermont
Washington County

I Joshua Y Vail Clerk of the County Court rectified (?) and for the County of Washington do hereby certify that Daniel Harris is a magistrate duly appointed and under the Authority of this State and I believe his name thereto as such is his own proper handwriting.

In [?] whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official Seal this 23rd day of January 1834.
Joshua Y Vail Clerk
Page 21

I Stephen Herrick of Randolph in the county of Orange and State of Vermont aged seventy three years a Revolutionary soldier & teamster in the Army of the Revolution & now a Pensioner under the act of June 1832 testify and say that I am well acquainted with Josiah Bigelow of Brookfield in Orange County & have been for many years, yet was not acquainted in time of the Revolutionary War yet I was well acquainted with Samuel Northam of Colchester Conn. and knew that for several years he was a Capt. of Teams under Roger Buckley & Col. Wadsworth and was such in 1781. As that I was acquainted with Isham Chapman of the same Colchester and that he was a Cpt. of Teams under the aforesaid Buckley Wadsworth. I further testify that I was knowing that the teamersters under the aforesaid officers were under Army regulations and were enlisted men, and that they drew rations & pay the same as the ladies of the Army. I further testify that conversing with Josiah Bigelow and hearing him give narration of circumstances during his service no doubt but he he belonged to the Army as teamster under the aforesaid officers.
Stephen Herrick

State of Vermont
District of Randolph

At Randolph in said district this 25th day of January A.D. 1834, Stephen Herrick personally appeared in open Court and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed.
Which my hand & the seal of the said Court the day & year above written
Jacob. K. Parish
Judge of Court

Stephen Herrick the signer of the foregoing affidavit is to the subscriber well known & his statement & declarations are entitled to credit him being a person of undoubted truth & veracity. 
J. K. Parish,
Judge of Probate
Page 22

3563
Bissel Phelps
Admitted
added proof.
Josiah Bigelow 
Hon. Secretary of War 
Pension Office 
Washington City 
Josiah Bigelow
Page 23

Randolph Vt, May 30th 1833

Sir, 
Herewith is forwarded the affidavit of Bissell Phelps in support of the claim of Josiah Bigelow for a Pension whose papers are now in the Pension Office, returned for proof.

I am In Your debt
J.K. Parrish

Hon. Secretary of War
Washington City
Page 24

I Bissell Phelps of Waitefield in Washington County and State of Vermont do testify and say that I am personally aquainted with Capt. Josiah Bigelow of Brookfield in Orange County and state of Vermont formerly of Colchester in Hartford County and state of Connecticut from his youth, And I well recolect that he served as an enlisted soldier in the revolutionary War in Capt Samuel Northams Company of teams I understand he went to Yorktown at the capture of Cornwallis. The next season he went under the command of Capt Isham Chapman and inlisted as aforsaid, that he was under Army regulations and not on Civil Contract. 
Bissell Phelps

Sworn and subscribed at Waitefield this 27th day of May 1833 before Lewis Holden. Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Bissell Phelps the signer of the above affidavit is a man of truth and veracity and one in whom full confidence may be placed-
Lewis Holden J Peace-
State of Vermont
Washington County } I Joshua Y Vail Clerk of Washington County court do hereby certify that Lewis Holden before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken is a Justice of the peace duly qualified & acting under the Authority of this State and that his name to the above is his own proper handwriting.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal of Office this 28th day of May A.D. 1833- 
Att JY Vail Clerk
Page 25

Vermont
3d Feby.1834

This is a second declaration of Josiah Bigelow
Randolph Vt
Jany 28

Hon. the Secretary of War
Pension Office
Washington City

Admit as a percent transfer 16 ano $53.33
Page 26

Randolph January 25th. 1834-
Sir.
The papers in support of the claim of Josiah Bigelow for a Pension are herewith forwarded to the department he has again obtained the affidavit of Bissell Phelps which appears to be exactly in point, and of the facts he cannot well be mistaken as he himself was a Capt. of Teams & received a Pension for such service, he has also obtained the affidavit of Stephen Herrick who also draws a pension & for same services as this applicant claims & although he was not acquainted with Bigelow at the time he performed his services yet he was well acquainted with Chapman, Northam, Buckley & Wadsworth under whom he served and that they were under army regulations & enlisted their men into service -

it is believed that the declaration herewith forwarded together with his former one now at the department will be sufficiently explicit -

Yours Respectfully
JK Parish
Hon. Secy of War
Page 27

Randolph, January 25th. 1834-
Sir, 
The papers in support of the claim of Josiah Bigelow for a Pension are herewith forwarded to the department he has again obtained the affidavit of Bissell Phelps which appears to be exactly in point, and of the facts he cannot well be mistaken as he himself was a Capt. of Teams & receives a Pension for such service, he has also obtained the affidavit of Stephen Herrick who also draws a pension & for the same services as this applicant claims & although he was not acquainted with Bigelow at the time he performed his services yet he was well acquainted with Chapman, Northam, Buckley & Wadsworth under whom he served and that they were under army regulations & enlisted their men into service-

It is believed that the declaration herewith forwarded together with his former one now at the department will be sufficiently explicit --

Yours Respectfully
JKParrish
Hon. Secy. of War
Page 28

2432
Lucy Bigelow
widow of Josiah
Vt
act 7 July 38
[illegible - in] 84 d 38 c
--------------------------
admd
16 mo priv
---
$53.33/100
died 14 Jany '38
per Con. 15 Jany '38
Page 29

I Zelotes Bigelow of Brookfield in Orange County & State of Vermont aged seventy four years testify & say that I removed from Colchester Con. to the State of Vermont in the year 1788 & have resided in the town of Brookfield ever since, I was acquainted with Josiah Bigelow now deceased before I left Colchester he was a cousin of mine & married Lucy Waters at Colchester Con as I will recollect some three or four years before I moved to Vt. where he moved a little before I did, & since then we have resided in the same town till his death last winter,- his widow Mrs. Lucy Bigelow is now at the making of my affidavit Zelotes Bigelow

I Jemima Freeman of Brookfield Or. County Vermont aged seventy five years testify & say that I have been well acquainted with Lucy Bigelow for the whole of our lives having always residing near each other in Colchester Con, & Brookfield Vt. the said Lucy Bigelow formerly Waters married a cousin of mine in Colchester Con. Josiah Bigelow about four years after I was married which would be in the year 1784- the said Josiah Bigelow died the 14th day of January last & his widow has not since married -Jemima Freeman

State of Vermont 
District of Randolph} In Probate Court at Brookfield this 6th day of October AD1838. Zelotes Bigelow & Jemima Freeman appeared each of whom are credible persons & made subscribed & was sworn to the truth of the affidavit by each severally subscribed before me

In testimon y whereof I have herewith affixed the seal of saidCourt & subscribed by name this day & year above written
William Hebard, Register
Page 30

2431
2482
Oct 13
7 July 1838

Mrs. Adams and Bigelow

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 31

Randolph Vt. Octo. 6. 1838.

Sir,
Enclosed I forward the application of the widow Abigail Adams for a pension under the Act of July 7 1838   Also the application the widow Lucy Bigelow for a Pension under same act.
The record proof Mrs. Bigelow could not be be obtained, it is believed the testimony of Mr Zelotes Bigelow, Mrs. Freeman will be satisfactory to the Department proving the marriage   Mr. Bigelow resided in Bookfield as a married man some 50 years previous to his death & left a large family of children
Yours Respectfully
J.K. Parrish

JL. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions