Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 41985, for Samuel Richards, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn. 
Richards, Samuel  
NUMBER
S41985
Page 2

2873
Vermont Roll

Samuel Richards
(Col H. Swift)
Private
Connecticut Line

In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of eight dollars per month, to commence on the 1st of April 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of Sep 1819 and forwarded to Joel Doolittle Esq. Middleburg Addison Cty Vermont

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1818  $41.06
Semi-Anl. all'ce ending 4 March 1819   $48.00
_______________
$89.06
aveg 5 mos 4 days

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

3 years 1777
[illegible] '80

Continued
Cornwall, Addison

Notification sent Nov 17 1820 to Hon. C. Richard H. Reps

Lett Hon. Wm. Slade Feb '37 [illegible]

Duplicate certificate issued 13 March 1837 - and sent to Samuel Swift, Middleburg Vermont

Let to Hon. H. Everett Sep 1843
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Saml Richards
2873

2873 - March 1819
Contd

R. L. 

Cert Delivered to Hon. C. Richard H. Rep

19 Nov
Page 4

STATE OF VERMONT.
COUNTY OF ADDISON, ss. ON this tenth day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record (having the power of fine and imprisonment) for the said County Samuel Richards aged sixty years, resident in Cornwall in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:
He enlisted in 1777 & served in Capt. Warner's company, Colonel Swifts regiment, General Huntingtons brigade of the Connecticut line, at one time & under one enlistment, after which he was discharged at Springfield in New Jersey (said company being the latter part of the time commanded by Capt. Stiles).

that the date of his original declaration is the first day of April 1818, the number of his pension certificate is 2,873.

And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, since that time, by gift sale or in any manner, disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," passed on the 18th day of March, 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.

One was paid for in part with my pension, & the remainder promised out preceeding payments of pension.  45
1 old single waggon & harness purchased in same way   5
1 iron pot    .25
1 kettle  .25
1 frying pan   .34
1 old [illegible] kitchen chair 1.00
3 or 4 old tea cups & saucers  .10
1 old pewter teapot  .17
1 fire shovel & tongs   .75
a claim against widow Prout for $2.50 which it is not probable I shall ever receive, she being poor.
a claim against the United States for eleven months wages, during the Revolutionary war; for which I have never received any compensation, in any shape, and never shall, unless Congress shall see fit to make it.
_________
52.66

Samuel Richards X his mark
Page 5

And the said declarant, on his oath aforesaid further states that the only persons in his family are himself & wife; that he is by occupation a farmer; that his wife, by reason of severe fits of the asthma, is not much of the time able to take care of herself. That he the said declarant, during the war, being pursued by a company of the enemy's light dragoons, & while heated with running, was compelled to jump into a creek, and remained so long in the water, that when he came out, he was not able to stand, & has never since enjoyed his health, or been able to pursue his occupation to advantage; and his complaints have since been increasing upon him until about five years ago he was taken with spasms & fits, which have since continued & rendered him wholly incapable of labour. That he has for some time lived on the charity of a son, who is himself embarrassed by money he has paid for this declarant.
Sworn to & declared on the 10th day of July 1820, before the Court aforesaid
Saml Swift Clerk

I, SAMUEL SWIFT, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property, exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is fifty two dollars and 86 cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 5th day of July 1820.
Saml Swift } Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison
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pr.
Saml Richards
Declaration &c
VT
April 1 1818
Correct D. H.
Page 7

I Samuel Richards of Cornwall in the County of Addison & state of Vermont, on oath do declare & say that that I served as a soldier in the army of the United States, in the war of the Revolution, on the continental establishment, against the common enemy, for the term of three years. That is to say, in the spring of the year (I think April) A. D. 1777 I enlisted into the service of the United States, in the company of Capt. Warner, in the Regiment of Col. Heman Swift in the Connecticut line, for the term of three years, which term of service I faithfully performed until the same war fully completed at Peekskill, at Valley Forge. And was in the battle of Germantown, and in the battle of Monmouth, and was honourably discharged at Springfield, in the Jersies, in the year AD 1780.
I am a resident citizen of the United States.
Saml. Richards

April 1st 1818
Sworn and subscribed at Middlebury in the county of Addison & state of Vermont this first day of April 1818.
Before me
Joel Doolittle, Judge Supreme Court
Page 8

I Enthan Andrus of Middlebury in the county of Addison & state of Vermont do on oath depose and say, that I have ever been acquainted with Samuel Richards who signed the foregoing declaration, ever since the year AD 1777 and know that he performed the service, in the continental army of the United States, as set forth in the foregoing declaration, I was in the same company & regiment, during the same period.
Ethan Andrus

Sworn before me
Joel Doolittle Judge Supreme Court

And I the said Samuel Richards do further, on oath, declare that I am in the 60th year of my age, and in reduced circumstances, and need assistance from my country for support.
Saml Richards

Sworn, declared & subscribed before me.
Joel Doolittle Judge Supr. Court

State of Vermont Ss. 
I Joel Doolittle Judge of the Supreme Court of the state of Vermont, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Samuel Richards did
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did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy, and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had, before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, in order to his the said Samuel Richards, obtaining the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary War, pursuant to the direction of said act.
Joel Doolittle

And I the said Judge, on full and satisfactory proof do certify that the Samuel Richards is in indigent reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support.
Joel Doolittle

State of Vermont
Addison Ss} I Darrius Matthews Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont within and for the county of Addison do certify that the Hon. Joel Doolittle is a Judge of the Supreme Court legally appointed and that the foregoing is his signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Supreme Court this 28th day of April A. D. 1818.
Darius Matthews
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
[? intitials MMHF]

March 3, 1927

Edith R. Bristol
Vergennes, Vermont

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 41985 it appears that Samuel Richards enlisted in April 1777, served as a private in Captain Warner's and Hill's Companies, Colonel Heman Swift's Connecticut Regiment, was at the battles of Germantown and Monmouth and served three years.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 1, 1818 while a resident of Cornwall, Addison County, Vermont aged fifty-nine years.

In 1820 his wife was living and he also referred to a son, their names not given.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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41985

Revy
INVALID.
File No. 41985
Samuel Richards
Pri Rev. War

Act: 18th March 18
Index: Vol. 5, Page 421
(Arrangement of 1870)

1927 Mrch 2 Hist to Miss Edith R. Bristol MMH

1921 Sept 13 [illegible] S. Ezra Smith ado as to birthplace Etc
NICS
Page 12

Samuel Richards - P[illegible] - Rev - = 8 [illegible] 
to Sept 1836
J H 
To what time were they last paid [illegible]
Pen [pension office Feby [February] 21 '37 R.B.
3 - Auditor
Page 13

James L Edwards Esq
Washington
Sept 12
Sam Richards
Vt Mch 1878
24 Sept 1878
Page 14

Washington Sept. 11, 1837
Sir
A new pension certificate was granted, a few months ago to Samuel Richards of Vermont on the production of proof of the loss of his original certificate.  That certificate has been recently found, and is herewith enclosed
Very respectfully
Your obedient servant
William Slade

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 15

Saml Richards
Vt
 for new cert?
James L Edwards Esq
Washington
20 Feb
Hon Wm Slade
resp Saml Richards
Burdine
Page 16

Sir
I send the enclosed for the purpose of obtaining a new pension certificate for Mr. Richards, which I have to request that you will send to me as soon as practable.
Very Respectfully, yours &c
William Slade
Feb 18 1837

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 17

[stamped] FREE

[stamped] MIDDLEBURY VT MAR [?]

James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

Mar 10
Mr. Burdine
Page 18

It is requested that any communications, on the subject of the enclosed, may be addressed to me at Middlebury Vermont. - Mr. Slade, who before had charge of the application, will have left Washington. --
Sam. Swift
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Samuel Richards, Prv #8- Rev - Burlington Vt. roll.
to what time was he last paid?
Pen office
Mar 13 '37
R. B.
3d Auditor
Page 20

payable on the 4th of March
and 4th September of each year
at Bennington Vermont
by D Robinson Agent for
paying United States Pensioners

Saml. Richards

Cancelled

Recorded
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim

I CERTIFY, That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES, of the 18th of March 1818
Samuel Richards late a private in the Army of the Revolution
is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars and __ cents per month, to commence on the first day of April one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.

GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the UNITED STATES,
this twenty fourth day of September
one thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.

J. C. Calhoun
Secy of War

Capt Warner
Col. Heman Swift

Cancelled [written across body of letter]
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Case of
Samuel Richards
no. 2.873
Page 23

Somers of Gale of Cornwall in the County of Addison & State of Vermont on oath says that he has for more than thirty years been acquainted with Samuel Richards of Cornwall who has been on the pension lists on account of service in the War of the Revolution. Mr. Richards has always been a poor man and about five years since had a sever fit of sickness from that time to present. I think Mr. Richards has not been worth any thing & has had no property except what he received from government on his pension. I have been very particularly acquainted with his concern & have for a number of years kept for Mr. Richards his papers and know that he has been very poor & destitute of property for a number of years & particularly so since his sickness which I before named & from the time of that sickness to the present time were it not for his pension he must have depended almost wholly upon charity for the support of himself & wife, neither of them being able to do any thing of consequence toward supporting themselves. Mr. Richards has spasms or fits which are very severe & are in caused by any exertion. These fits he has almost every day. Mr. Richard has a mare which he purchased & made some pay for out of his pension money he now owes more than thirty dollars for her the mare is worth about forty dollars. He has likewise an old waggon of little or no value & this is all he has except a few articles of household furniture of the poorest kind.
Middy. Vermont Sept 7th 1820
Summengab
Page 24

State of Vermont
Addison County, Middlebury, Sept 7th 1820
Personally appeared Somers Gab the signer of the within affidavit & made oath to the truth of the fact therein stated. Before me
Horatio Seymour

State of Vermont
Addison County Ss}
I Samuel Swift Clerk of the said County of Addison do hereby certify that the above named Horatio Seymour was on the said 7th day of September instant, a Justice of the Peace for said county, and his name above written is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court at Middlebury this 13th day of September 1820.
Saml Swift Clerk &c.
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Case of
Saml. Richards
Page 26

State of Vermont
Addison County Ss} On this eleventh day of February 1837, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said County of Addison, personally appeared Samuel Richards of Cornwall in said county, who on his oath declares, that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Warner, int he seventh regiment commanded by Colonel Heman Swift of Connecticut in the service of the United States, that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Vermont, under the act of the 18th March 1818, that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the secretary of War; which certificate he lost on or about the 4th day of September 1836; at or near the bank in Middlebury in said county; he had said certificate, on that day, & took it out and it was used in making out his papers, and making his power of attorney to draw  his pension on that day, and supposes he left it in the hands of Joseph Warner Esquire, the Justice of the Peace, who made out his papers and before whom he was sworn, and acknowledged his power of attorney, or at some other place in said Middlebury; and is sure, that he has never since seen it or been able to find it.
Samuel Richards X his mark


Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid.
Saml. Swift, Justice of the Peace

Addison County Ss 3d March 1837. I certify that I have been acquainted with the above named Samuel Richards 15 or 20 years; during that time he has been subject to fits, which have wholly deranged his nervous system; and that nervous affliction has been increasing. Formerly, perhaps now occasionally, on the intervals of his fits, when not agitated, he wrote very well. When he made the above affidavit, he had walked severe distance, and his limbs were in such a state of twitching & stumbling, that he could not - although he made a strong effort to write, - assine his hand to a space of the size of half a sheet of paper for one second; and he was only able to make his cross by having his hand confined & his pen steadied.
Saml. Swift Just of Peace
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State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
On this 11th day of February 1837, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the peace for the said County of Addison, personally appeared Joseph Warner of Middlebury in said County, who being sworn deposes and says that, in September last, he made out the power of Attorney of Samuel Richards, who has made the foregoing affidavit, to enable him to draw his pension, which he acknowledged before this deponent, and said Richards then has his pension certificate,- which was used in making out his papers- this deponent has also assisted said Richards previously in procuring his pension, and he knows the said Richards to be the same person described in the foregoing affidavit.
Joseph Warner
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid-
And I certify that the said Joseph Warner is a credible witness. -
Saml. Swift, Justice of the peace
State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison do hereby certify that Samuel Swift, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Samuel Richards & Joseph Warner were made is a Justice of the peace for said County, and his name subscribed thereto is his own signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this 11th day of February 1837.
Saml. Swift, Clerk
Page 28

I, Edward D Barber, of Middlebury in the County of Addison & State of Vermont, of lawful age, being duly sworn, testify & say that I was present a part of the time at the taking of the ^foregoing affidavit of Samuel Richards and that the ^said Samuel appeared to be suffering under some nervous affection so that he could not, at times, control the motion of his muscles.  I was present when the oath was administered to him and at that time he appeared to be wholly unable to control the motions of his limbs.  I have been informed that he has been subject to fits & that when he is agitated as said he has no command of his motion and further I say not
E. D. Barber
Subscribed & sworn this
3d day of March 1837
Before me, Saml Swift, Justice of the peace
I certify that the above named deponent is a credible witness.
Saml Swift Just. of the peace
State of Vermont}
Addison County ss}
I, Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify that Samuel Swift, before whom the foregoing affidavit of Edward D. Barber was made was at the time a Justice of the peace for said County, and his name subscribed thereto is his own signature  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court this 4rh day of March 1837.
Saml. Swift Clerk
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Vergennes Vermont
April 30 1927.

Bureau of Pensions
Department of the Interior

I am writing to ask for information regarding the claim (2) 41985 of Samuel Richards, Revolutionary Soldier.
Does this application give his birthplace and the name of the town in which he lived at the time of service?  If so, I would like a statement to that effect.
I also want to know if Amos Smith of Adams Massachusetts received a pension. If so, I would like the name of the town in which he was born and the place and date of marriage to Rachel Bassett.
Remand to Addison Vermont in 1788. I would appreciate an early reply.
Yours truly
Helen K. Smith
(Mrs. S. Ezra)

US PENSION OFFICE MAY 8 1927
[stamp]
Page 30

MISS EDITH R. BRISTOL
VERGENNES
VERMONT

Jan 12, 1927.

Pension Bureau
Dept. of Interior
Washington, DC

Sirs,

Have you any record of a pension having been granted to Samuel Richards of Cornwall, Vt.?
He was born in 1758 and died in 1844. His Revolutionary service was not in Vermont but in 1790 he was living in Cornwall.  His gravestone (in Cornwall, Vt cemetery) states that he was a soldier in the Revolution but I would like record of his service or copy of pension if there is one.

Thanking you I am
Sincerely yours.
Edith R. Bristol

U.S. PENSION OFFICE
R [? JAN 28] 1927
[stamp]
Page 31

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
M.C.S.
September 13, 1927
Mrs. S. Ezra Smith
Vergennes
Vermont
Madam:
I have to advise you that in the papers of the pension claim of Samuel Richards, S. 41985, the name of his birthplace and the name of the town in which he lived at the time of his service do not appear.
The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to an Amos Smith as described by you.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner