Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9,976, for Daniel Spencer, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Spencer, Daniel

NUMBER
R. 9.976

CONTENTS
Page 2

Danl Spencer
Mass [illegible]
3 [32?]

To with [illegible] 
pension(?) office
D [illegible]

Captain [illegible]

D.B Campbell
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Know all men by these presents, That I Augustin Spencer of Great Barrington in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Administrator on the Estate of Daniel Spencer late of Nauvoo in the State of Illinois deceased do hereby constitute and appoint Daniel B. Campbell of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, my true and lawful attorney for me & in my name to make application to the Government of the United States for the pension due to my late father for his services in the War of the Revolution and to make all needful inquiries and examination of the files and records in the different departments at Washington in relation thereto, and generally to do such other lawful acts & things in retain to the premises as I might do if personally present. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of April A.D. 1833. 
Augustin Spencer
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of Alfred M. Copeland 
Henry W. Taft
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Berkshire ss. April 14. 1833. Then the above named Augustin Spencer acknowledged the foregoing instrument by him signed. [illegible] his act and deed. Before me
Henry W. Taft Justice of the peace
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Tarrytown Westchester Cnty 
Newyork [New York] 
August 24th 57 
Dr Sir
Permit an old soldier of the late war of 1812 to make some enquiries of you respecting the servises [services] of his father during the Revolutionary War My Father Daniel Spencer of Conneticut [Connecticut] Enlisted in the service in 1781 under Capt Oliver Olmsted of East Haddam Conneticut [Connecticut] for one year and went to West Point under Col Bulkly [Bulkeley] of Providenc[e] RodeIsland [Rhode Island], where he joined the French Army under Genl Rochambe [Rochambeau] & went to York Town [Yorktown] and was at the Surrender of Cornwallice [Cornwallis] 19th Octr 1781. His Case was before Congress in 1834, and Honrble [Honorable] Mr(?) Goodrich took it in hands in 1854 But as yet it has not been [illegible] nor anything obtained for his Servises [services] that I know(?) of I wrote to a person there in Washington by name of Benjamin H Baldwin whoe(?) I understood was acquainted with such business but so(?) far(?) I know(?) nothing of it will you Plese [please] inform me if there is such a person there and if there has been any thing done in the matter or what shall I do to get his writs(?) 
Augustin Spencer
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Daniel
Spencer
Mass
Petition
May 26. 1834
Refd. to Comr. Rev. Pensions

June 3. 1834
Comr. dischd - to [illegible]

Jan. 4. 1836
Refd to Comr Rev. Pensions

Feby. 10 1836
Comr dischd- to [illegible]

Jan. 9. 1843
Refd to Comr. Rev pensions

Feby. 28 1843
Report vs. to [illegible] & [illegible]
No 295

9976
to
Briggs Rev Pen:
Act 32
Page 7

To the Honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States.- 
Respectfully represents the undersigned that in the Month of March A.D. 1781 (the day he is unable to state) he enlisted for the Term of one year, to go into the Service of the United States, and joined the company of Militia commanded by Captain Oliver Olmsted of East Haddam, State of Connecticut where he then resided- From this period he held himself in readiness to go into the service at any time, although he received no orders to do so till the Month of May following, when he marched with the company to Colchester, in sd State, where they joined Col. Roger Bulkley's Regiment- they then proceeded to Providence in the State of Rhode-Island, where they joined the French Army under the command of Rochambeau, then in the service of the United States- The Army proceeded to Hartford, Connecticut, where they halted for a few days- then marched to White Plains in the State of New York where they encamped & remained about six weeks- The American Army commanded by General Washington, was a encamped the forepart of this time, about two miles from the French Army- At this time the British were in possession of the City of New York- He with the French Army then proceeded with as much expedition as possible, to Stony Point where they crossed the North River- then proceeded to Philadelphia where they halted for a few days to remit- the Army next commenced a march for York Town [Yorktown] in the State of Virginia, & proceeded to Annapolis, where they boarded ships & sailed to York Town [Yorktown]- At Annapolis the undersign left the Army & proceeded with the team under his charge, by land to York Town [Yorktown]- At this time this place was in possession of part of the British Army under the command of Cornwallis, who with his army, after being surrounded by the French & American Armies, surrendered- This was in the month of October of the Same year- At this time, our services being no longer required, at this place, we were directed to return- The undersigned, in
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obedience to orders, went on board a vessel to assist in taking care of the sick- We sailed of the month of St. James River when, being wind bound, we cast anchor & were detained more than two weeks In sixteen or seventeen days after in set sail we landed at the head of the Elk- During this time he was employed in taking care of the sick, two of whom died before we landed- He was here(?) discharged & proceeded on his way home where he arrived the forepart of December- 
The services he performed during this tour were those of a Teamster, except the time employed taking care of the sick as above stated- When he arrived at Colchester, he was ordered to take charge of an ox team, which he drove through the tour- He was, however, liable to perform such duties & services as should be required of him- He suffered the same hardships & privations with those soldiers who carried the musket- encamped with them, generally; received the same fare with them, and was treated as a common soldier except that he was required to drive a team- In some instances, however, his privations were greater than those soldiers who carried the musket- Many times, when they were provided with tents to lodge under, he was obliged to lodge in the open air, as the teams were sometimes obliged to be stationed at a distance from the Army- He was always required to have the team at the camp in readiness to load the baggage for the Army, as early as four o'clock & part of the time as early as three o'clock in the morning- 
Although it was only about nine months from the time of his enlistment to his return home, he was ready to serve out the full term, and should have done so, notwithstanding his health was not good, had he not been discharged because his services were not needed through the winter - 
In April 1782 he went on board of a Rowgally [row galley] privateering vessel, commanded by Capt John Wilkinson of Connecticut, who
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was commissioned by ["Capt" crossed out] Governor Trumble, then Governor of Connecticut- This vessel was employed during the succeeding summer & fall in coasting on Long Island Sound for the purpose of taking the British & of cutting off all intercourse between the British & those Americans who were furnishing supplies for the Enemy & carrying on an illicit(?) trade with them- He was employed in this service on board this vessel during that season, as he verily believes, not less the seven months- He cannot state the day he left service, but recollects it was verry [very] late in the fall- 
When he first enlisted he was in his sixteenth year- He is now sixty eight years of age- He was born in East Haddam aforesaid where he lived till he was eighteen years old- He has been a resident of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, for the last forty seven years-
He never had a written discharge, & knows of no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services, nor of any person who can testify to them- 
Having received information from the Pension office at Washington that there is no provision in the existing laws granting pensions to Revolutionary Soldiers &c, under which a pension can be granted to him, & being unable himself to perceive why his claim is not based upon equitable principles, & wherein upon such principles, it differs from the claims of many others for whom by these laws provision is made, the undersigned has been induced respectfully to petition your honorable bodies that if under all the circumstances it shall seem to you equitable & right that he should be rewarded for the services rendered to his country as above stated, such a pension may be granted to
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him as may be just & proper-
Daniel Spencer
Berkshire ss. West- Stockbridge May 9th 1834, personally appeared Daniel Spencer signer of the foregoing statement & Petition & whom I certify to be a credible person and made oath to the truth of the facts stated therein 
Before me Robbins Kellogg Justice of the Peace 

We Benjamin Howes & Erastus Crocker both of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that we are well acquainted with an Daniel Spencer of sd West Stockbridge whose signature is affixed to the foregoing statement & petition, that we have known him for more than fifteen years, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion, and that he is a man of truth & veracity 
Benjamin Howes 
Erastus Crocker 

Berkshire ss. West- Stockbridge May 9th 1834 personally appeared Benjamin Howes & Erastus Crocker whom I certify to be credible persons & made oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by them subscribed 
Before me Robbins Kellogg Justice of the Peace 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts- Berkshire ss.
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I Charles Sedgwick Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within & for the said County do certify, that Robbins Kellogg Esq before whom the foregoing Affidavits were executed, was on the 9th day of May A.D. 1834 & now is, one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County, duly commissioned & qualified as such, & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Lenox this Seventeenth day of May A.D. 1834. 
Chas Sedgwick Clerk
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State of New York hereby testifies & declares that she shall be seventy five years old the 19th day of May next. that she is the sister of Daniel Spencer of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire & Commonwealth of Massachusetts- That during the Revolutionary War, she lived with, & in the neighborhood of, said Spencer in the Town of East Haddam in the State of Connecticut, and that she will [well] recollects the said Spencer's making arrangements for, and actually leaving home for the purpose of, joining the French Army then in the defence of the United States in said War - that she understand when he joined the army it was for the term of one year - that he was absent from home near or quite that period, when he returned, in a very feeble state of health, from the Army, as she understood at the time, and now verily believes-
She cannot recollect distinctly either the year or month in which he went into the Army, though she thinks it was not till the latter part of the War - The fact however of his leaving home professedly for the purpose of joining the Army, she recollects with perfect distinctness, and although she knows nothing of the particulars of his service, except what she has gathered from him, she has no doubt he was in service in the French Army, as above stated, near or quite the term of one year 
Mary Cone
Sworn before me this - 28th day of April 1834 Erastus V. Joice 
Commissioner of deeds & for the City of Albany
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State of New York, 
City and County of Albany, 
CLERK'S OFFICE, ss. 
I, CONRAD A. TEN EYCK, Clerk of the city and county of Albany, do hereby Certify, that Erastus V. Joice Esq whose name is subscribed to the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing and endorsed thereon, was at the time of taking such proof or acknowledgment, a Commissioner in and for the city aforesaid, dwelling in the said city, and duly authorised to take the same: And that I am well with the hand-writing of the said Commissioner, and verily believe that the signature to the said certificate of proof or acknowledgment is genuine. 
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official seal, the 28th day of April 1834.- 
C.A Ten Eyck Clerk.
Page 14

Rev. War Section. 

March 28, 1917.

Honorable Reed Smoot, 
United States Senate. 
My dear Senator:  
In response to your letter dated the twenty-sixth instant, I have the honor to advise you that the papers in the claim of Daniel Spencer, R. File No. 9976 Rev. War, show that he applied for pension May 9, 1834, at which time he was a resident of West Stockbridge, Massachusetts where he had lived forty-seven years. 
He stated that he was sixty-eight years of age, and was born (date not stated) at East Haddam, Connecticut, where he resided when entered the service as follows: 
Enlisted in March, 1781, as a Teamster, under Captain Oliver Olmsted, Colonel Roger Bulkley; joined the French Army on Rhode Island, marched to White Plains, Stony Point, Philadelphia, and Annapolis where they took shipping for Yorktown, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis [typed over "Yorktown"]; after that he went on board a vessel to assist in taking care of the sick, and was discharged at the head of the Elk River, arriving home the forepart of December. 
In April, 1782, he went on board a Privateer Row Galley, commanded by Captain John Wilkinson, and cruised in Long Island Sound, seven months. 
The claim was rejected on the ground that his services as "Teamster" and on a Privateer, were not considered pensionable under any of the Acts of Congress. 
In 1853, son Augustin Spencer of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, stated that he was Administrator of Daniel Spencer deceased, of Nauvoo, Illinois--date of death not stated. 
In 1857, said Augustin Spencer of Tarrytown, New York, claimed to have been a soldier in the War of 1812, but did not state his service. There is no further data relative to family on file in the claim. 
Very truly yours, 
GM Saltzga[ber]
Commissioner.

List of Private(?) [illegible] House of Representatives
Vol. III p. 380 "295"
John Wilkinson [illegible] "[illegible]"
Page 15

Office House of Reps U.S. 
August 8 1854 
Sir
At the request of Hon JZ Goodrich of the House of Representatives I herewith forward to you the papers in the case of Daniel Spencer. 
Please acknowledge the receipt of the papers 
I am very respectfully 
Your Obt Servt 
JW Forney
Clerk Ho Reps. U.S.

Hon LP Waldo 
Commr of Pensions
Page 16

Tarrtown [Tarrytown] Ny Dec(?) 8th 1857 
Dear Sir 
I resieved [received] yours of sept 2 in relation to A pention [pension] of my father Daniel Spencer as Souldier [soldier] of the Revolution, you wrote me that now papers are found in the Office 
in 1854 Mr Goodrich member of Congres[s] the one that drue(?) the Polison(?) took the papers from the house of Repersentive [Representatives] and put them in the pention [pension] ofis [office]. which were found there afterwards by one Benjamin H(?) Baldwin who I implored to atend [attend] to them 
Now I should like [k]now where those papers, are whether [illegible]lding has taking them out or whether they have ben [been] part(?) a pon [upon] and [illegible] by the Ofis [office]. I should like to [k]now if you are at Liberty to inform me if you find the paper what proof if any is nessery [necessary] to obtain A pention [pension]
Yours Augustin Spencer 
Tarrtown [Tarrytown] Ny.
Page 17

Abstract of aledged [alleged] Services
Page 18

Daniel Spencer of West Stockbridge, Massachusettss [Massachusetts] enlisted in the service of the U.S. in the month of March 1781, and in May following joined Col. Bulkley's Regiment and marched to Rhode Island and joined the French Army 
Marched thence to Hartford Conn. Thence to White plains, New York where he remained six weeks- Thence by way of Stony Point to Philadelphia- Thence to Yorktown Va. 
After the surrender of the British at York town he was ordered to return; and landed at the head of Elk where he was discharged. He arived [arrived] at home in December. 
The services which he performed were those of a "Teamster." 
He served only Nine months- but held himself in readiness to finish the term for which he had enlisted: he was not however called upon through the winter. 
In April 1782, he went on bord [board] a Rogally [row galley] Privateer, commended by Capt John Wilkinson of Conn. & continued in that service seven months. 
He was in his 16th year when enlisted and a resident in East Haddam Conn. at that time. He is now 68 years of age, and has lived the last past 47 years of his life in West Stockbridge, Mass. 
He knows of no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services; neither does he know of any person living by whom he can prove them. Sworn to & certified in the usual manner. 
His sister Mary Lone [Cone] says, on oath, that she well remembers of his making preparations to go into the army & that he left home, as she then believed & yet believes to join the Army. Hers is the only testimony in his favour.
Page 19

A. Spencer
Dec. 29
Page 20

Pension Office,
December 29. 1857 
Sir, 
In reply to your letter of the 8th instant, I have to inform you that upon a more careful search the papers in the case of Daniel Spencer, have been found. It appears they were communicated to this office by the Clerk of the House of Representatives. 
Upon examining them, it is found that the Spencer, by his own showing, Did not perform such services as were pensionable under any of the acts of Congress, and his claim, if he were now living, could not be allowed. Children, however, of revolutionary soldiers cannot perfect the proof, and recover such claims - No pension money could possibly be due in this case 
Augustin Spencer Esqr 
Tarrytown, 
New York
Page 21

Hon J.W. Forney
Clerk H of .R.
August 21/54
Page 22

65

Pension Office
August 21, 1854
Sir,
Your letter of the 8th inst, and the papers in the case of Daniel Spencer, of Mass, transmitted therewith, have been received and placed on the files of this office

Hon J. W. Forney
Clerk, H. of R

Rev(?)
Page 23

Office House of Reps U.S.
August 8 1854
Sir
Your note of the 5th instant and the letter of D B Campbell of West Stockbridge have been received
The papers in the case of Daniel Spencer have been sent to the Pension office as requested by Mr Campbell.
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt
JW Forney
Clerk Ho Reps U.S.

Hon J Z Goodrich
Stockbridge
Mass
Page 24

Let to [illegible] House
9 Augt [illegible] not found
Same 21 Augt 54

Mass.
The alleged services were those of a "Teams[ter]" in the French Army
Also, some months of service as a "private[er]"
neither of which is sus[illegible] [illegible]ined by any proof.
The Committee therefore report unfavourably.

[illegible] June 32
us to [illegible]- Wm S. Mo[illegible]
Page 25

REJECTED
9976
P.O. 
Daniel Spencer
Service:

Enlisted: , 18  .
Discharged: , 18  .

Application filed: , 18  .

Alleges:
Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract. Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18  .
Page 26

Frank B. Stephens
Salt Lake City Utah
Feby. 10, 1903

Mch. 4- 1903 - Hist D.S. Spencer Salt Lake City

Mch. 27- 1903.-
To above - - name of parents not shown - copies of papers cannot be furnished

1917 Mch. 28. Hist. to Hon. Reed Smoot. [illegible]
Page 27

UTAH SOCIETY
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

PRESIDENT, 
FRANK B. STEPHENS, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
VICE-PRESIDENT, 
FRANK D. HOBBS, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
SECRETARY, 
MORTIMER S. ALLEN, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
TREASURER, 
A. H. ADKINSON, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
REGISTRAR, 
GEN. CHARLES S. BURTON, 
SALT LAKE CITY.
HISTORIAN, 
DAVID RAMSEY GRAY, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
CHAPLAIN, 
GEORGE ALBERT SMITH, 
SALT LAKE CITY. 
BOARD OF MANAGERS: 
GOV. HEBER M. WELLS, 
FISHER S. HARRIS, 
FRED. A. HALE, 
JOSEPH KIMBALL. 
SALT LAKE CITY Ded. [Dec.] 27, 1902. 

U.S.P.B.
OLD WAR & NAVY FILES.
JAN 3 1903

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. 
Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly examine the records of your office and see if one Daniel Spencer who enlisted in the Revolutionary War from Massachusetts, is in the record of your Department. He drew a pension up to the time of his death in 1844. A reply will greatly oblige, 
Yours very truly, 
Frank B Stephens 
President, Utah Society. 

PENSION OFFICE.
U.S.
D
FEB 2 1903

PENSION OFFICE.
U.S.
D
DEC 31 1902
Page 28

FORM 1702. 
OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD
D. E. BURLEY. 
GENERAL PASSENGER & TICKET AGENT.
D. S. SPENCER, 
ASS'T. GEN'L. PASS. & TICKET AGENT.

OWN

OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD COMPANY. GENERAL PASSENGER AND TICKET DEPARTMENT
2
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

O.W. & N. DIVISION
FEB 26 1903
RECEIVED

SM.
C

Feb. 17, 1903.

Hon. E.F. Ware,
Commissioner, Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Referring to yours of February 10, 1903, addressed to Hon. Frank B. Stephens, Salt Lake City, same being: 
J R W 
#9976 Rej
Rev. War. 
If you will kindly furnish me a COPY OF APPLICATION FOR PENSION made by Daniel Spencer, West Stockbridge, Mass., May 9, 1834, I shall be greatly obliged. 
Yours truly, 
D S Spencer

9976-Rej(?)
Page 29

FORM 1702. 
OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD 
D. E. BURLEY. 
GENERAL PASSENGER & TICKET AGENT. 
D. S. SPENCER, 
ASS'T. GEN'L. PASS. & TICKET AGENT. OREGON SHORT LINE RAILROAD COMPANY. GENERAL PASSENGER AND TICKET DEPARTMENT 

[illegible] NAVY FILES.
MAR 26 1903

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 1 March 20, 1903.

T. Chf.(?) OWN DIV.
[illegible]
MAR 24 1903
COMMISSIONER

If practicable please comply. TW(?)

Hon. E.F. Ware,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: 
Referring to my letter of February 17th, and your J.R.W. #9976-Rij Rev. War, O.W. and N. Division, form 3-525 of March 4th, 1903. What I most desire, and for which I shall be very grateful to you, is a copy of the application for a pension by Daniel Spencer. I wish to obtain from this, if possible, the date and place of birth of the claimant, and if possible, the names of the parents, or nearest relatives , etc., etc. 
A reply at your convenience will be greatly appreciated. 
Very respectfully, 
D.S. Spencer

Rej(?) 9976
Page 30

REED SMOOT, 
CHAIRMAN. 

United States Senate, 
COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT 
Washington, D. C. 
March 26, 1917

Hon. G.M. Saltzgaber, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D. C. 
Dear Mr. Saltzgaber: 
I am desirous of obtaining the military record of Daniel Spencer, who was born May 14, 1764, and joined the Revolutionary Army at the age of sixteen from Massachusetts, and who is purported to have been one of General Washington's body guard and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. He received a pension at West Stockbridge, Massachusetts , until 1845, when he moved to Nauvoo, Illinois, where he died November 26, 1844. I shall greatly appreciate your attention to this matter. 
With best wishes, I remain 
Yours truly. 
Reed Smoot 

CONGRESSIONAL

PENSION OFFICE.
U.S.
G
MAR 27 1917.