Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 33662, for Isaac Sherman, Massachusetts
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(3-1776)
SERVICE                    NUMBER
Conn.   Sherman, Isaac   S33662
Continental      {B.L.Wt 1938_500_Col.
Mass          {Issued Aug 7, 1789 , to
      {Richard Platt, assignee
      {No papers
[double line]
CONTENTS
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238
New Jersey Roll
[double line]
Isaac Sherman, 4
Lt Col
Massachusetts Line & Conn
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
[double line]
Inscribed on the Roll of New Jersey
at the rate of Twenty Dollars per month, to commence on
the 9th of April 1818.
[double line]
Certificate of Pension issued the [illegible] 4th of May 1818
and sent to the Pensioner at Trenton,
N. Jersey
[double line]
Arrearages to 4th Septr 1818
4 months 2/31  
[double line]
$9741 [double underline]
{Revolutionary claims}
{act 18th March, 1818}
Mar
Dunterton

[written vertically along right margin]
Date of death not on [illegible]
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Immediately after the battle [2 words inserted] of Lexington, which happened, I think, on the 19th of
April, 1775; being on that day at Beverly, I repaired to Cambridge, not with
an intention of commencing the life of a soldier; but for the purpose of knowing
with a wary and personal observation the state of affairs; being then in my
twenty second year of age; at which time, I was solicited to take an active
part in the approaching contest, and to engage in the army then in contempla
tion to be raised and organized; and was urged to take orders for the raising
a company of men. Believing the cause to be just, I did not hesitate in
complying with the request, and effected the object of raising a Company [4 words inserted] without much difficulty, in
consequence of which I received a Captain's Commission from the Convention
of Massachusetts, then sitting at Watertown. I joined the army with my
company sometime previous to the battle of Bunker'shill which happened
on the 17th day of June the same year; and a number of them died there [inserted] in the name
of an injured Country. The Regiment to which I was attached, was that of Colonel
Gerrish. In the organisation of the army of 1776, I accepted the appointment of Captain
in the 26th Regiment of foot, commanded by Colonel Loammi Baldwin
and had the happiness to enlist every surviving soldier in my company,
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on the 17th day of June the same year; and a number of them died there [inserted] in the name
of an injured Country. The Regiment to which I was attached, was that of Colonel
Gerrish. In the organisation of the army of 1776, I accepted the appointment of Captain
in the 26th Regiment of foot, commanded by Colonel Loammi Baldwin
and had the happiness to enlist every surviving soldier in my company,
except one; which prevented any discontinuance of continued military
duty, I was at the siege of Boston, then belonging to the brigade of Brigadier
General Heath. Soon after the evacuation of Boston by the British troops,
the Brigade was ordered for New York; and I think the march from Cam-
=bridge commenced on the 26th day of March 1776. Colonel Baldwin's 
regiment being destitute of a Major in consequence of resignation, His
Excellency General Washington, without hesitation, though in point of rank,
as ascertained, the 5th Captain in the regiment, appointed me [2 words inserted] acting Major on the march,
which appointment was confirmed in New York; and I received a Commission
of Major from Congress accordingly. I was at the retreat from Long Island
and remained in New York, performed the duties [inserted] attached to my rank 'till its
evacua[letter inserted]tion in September 1776. Major General Lee was appointed to cover
the retreat of the army from Kingsbridge, and to oppose the landing of
the British troops at Pell's point. I was concerned in the conflict, and
ordered by General Lee to cover the retreat; which was [inserted] effected satisfactorily
and soon after, the division of General Lee joined General Washington at White
Plains. I remained in [crossed out] under the command of General Lee during the remainder of that Campaign, or untill he was captured in New Jersey 
Thomas Capner       Isaac Sherman
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when the command of the division devolved on General Sullivan who
made a rapid march to Eastown in Pennsylvania. If I mistake not [inserted] the
division marched near twenty five miles in one day [3 words inserted]; and for want of shoes, the blood
from their macerated feet was distinguishable nearly the whole of that
distance but not a murmur; not a complaint. At Eastown the division
halted at Eastown [2 words crossed out] two or three days for receiving shoes, and to give  time
for the swelling of their feet to subside. This was an eventful period of the
revolutionary war. From Eastown we marched to Bethlehem, where
the division stayed over night [2 words crossed out] not long [2 words inserted]; and then were [3 words crossed out]  Then the division cross'd
the Lehi, and soon after joined General Washington. The Delaware
soon after was passed, and a march made on Trenton. The capture of
the German's was the result, on the morning of the 26th of December, 1776.
This event gave animation to the troops; but still a more difficult task
was yet to be encountered. The point contemplated had not been [2 letters inserted] achieved.
But the time for which the men had enlisted expired on the last day of
December, 1776. The troops under my command, to a man, engaged to continue
till the Rubicon was past. I was present at the time. I was with the army
when Lord Cornwallis advanced from Princeton on Trenton, on the second
day of January 1777. I was honored with the command guard [crossed out] of the advance
guard into Prince[3 letters inserted below]ton, on the third. Soon after the arrival of the army [inserted] at Morristown, 
the time of the soldiers enlistment having expired on the last day of December
1776, they were [inserted] honorable discharged, having completed the most eventful
period of the revolutionary war. I was appointed Lieutenant by [crossed out]
Colonel by the Committee sent on from Massachusetts for the purpose
of organizing their line for the year 1777; but in consequence of the Legislature
of the Connecticut refusing to make provision for Major Brooke, the
present Governor of the State of Massachusetts, the Committee withdrew
the appointment made in my favor. I might rather say the Legislature
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till the Rubicon was past. I was present at the time. I was with the army
when Lord Cornwallis advanced from Princeton on Trenton, on the second
day of January 1777. I was honored with the command guard [crossed out] of the advance
guard into Prince[3 letters inserted below]ton, on the third. Soon after the arrival of the army [inserted] at Morristown,
the time of the soldiers enlistment having expired on the last day of December
1776, they were [inserted] honorable discharged, having completed the most eventful
period of the revolutionary war. I was appointed Lieutenant by [crossed out]
Colonel by the Committee sent on from Massachusetts for the purpose
of organizing their line for the year 1777; but in consequence of the Legislature
of the Connecticut refusing to make provision for Major Brooke, the
present Governor of the State of Massachusetts, the Committee withdrew
the appointment made in my favor. I might rather say the Legislature
of Massachusetts, and I was transferred into the Continental line
of the army, and received a Commission of Lieutenant Colonel from
Congress, bearing date the first day of January 1777. I was at White
Marsh, when General Howe advanced on our army from Philadel-
=phia, at the close of 1777; and was placed in front of the American army
for 17 days; in which time, I encountered almost immeasurable
fatigue, privations and dangers, twice in action during that period;
and in [inserted] the cold month of December, exposed to all the variations of
weather, and without shelter day or night, and at one time more than
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forty eight hours without provision. The troops suffered equally with me of
course. I was at Valley Forge during the winter of 1778, where I commanded
two Continental Regiments. I was at the battle of Monmouth, on the
28th of June 1778. I was with General Anthony Wayne at the taking
of Stoney Point; and was the officer who commanded the Artillery
captured to be turned on the shipping then lying in the River,
being then in company with Colonel Fleury. General Wayne
a brave and worthy officer, being wounded a small distance
out of the work---After entering the work, I observed at the parapet
nearly 200 of the British Troops, but no officer with them, which led
me to conclude that they were [inserted] gone down to the landing in order to get on
board of the shipping in the River. I immediately ordered Lieutenant
Taylor under my command [3 words crossed out] to take twenty five men and march
down [crossed out] to the landing to see if any of the British officers were
there; and if he found any [inserted] to bring them into the work. And if I mistake
not, he brought up nearly thirty, that is to say, nearer thirty than twenty
I was in many other battles and skirmishes too[letter inserted] tedious to enumerate. I was
placed in front of the American Army, that is to say, appointed by his
Excellency the Commander in Chief in the [inserted] light Infantry, three or
four years successfully; and might have had [inserted] the appointment continued
to me, had not the officers of any grade disputed the post of honor, an 
honor that I never claimed as a right, for I never sought it. I only
obeyed the orders of my Chief. I received a Commission from Congress
appointing me a Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of a Regiment
I am rather inclined to think, in the year 1779. However I commanded
a regiment mostly through the whole revolutionary war. Often a
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placed in front of the American Army, that is to say, appointed by his
Excellency the Commander in Chief in the [inserted] light Infantry, three or
four years successfully; and might have had [inserted] the appointment continued
to me, had not the officers of any grade disputed the post of honor, an 
honor that I never claimed as a right, for I never sought it. I only
obeyed the orders of my Chief. I received a Commission from Congress
appointing me a Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of a Regiment
I am rather inclined to think, in the year 1779. However I commanded
a regiment mostly through the whole revolutionary war. Often a
brigade, and sometimes a division. When General Scott commanded
the Light [illegible] Infantry at White Plains in 1778, I marched to relieve
Colonel Harmon on the lines, previous to my arrival of relief, I received
orders from the Commander in chief to [illegible] of a party of British
that he was informed had penetrated into the Country. I found
on my arrival, Washington's and Lee's horse paraded. I took the command
of the whole; being five hundred Infantry and two hundred and
forty horse. I mention this only, as I estimated it to be [3 words inserted] the handsomest
command I had in the revolutionary War. My statement of my
military career may, in some instances, bee [crossed out] appear particular. I was induced to that
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point, in order to give some substantial evidence of my being in the revolutionary
war [crossed out] army. As an evidence of the approbation of my Country, I received
a full Colonel's Commission after the eventual conclusion of the war, dated
the first day of January, 1777; which I did suppose might be ascertained
in the war department. I shall conclude by observing, that I engaged in
the military service of my Country, in April 1775, as far as my memory
serves me at this distant period; and that I was not out [inserted] of service one single
day, till sometime after the preliminary articles of peace were announced
in the United States. My narration of the wants of the revolutionary war, as
far as I was personally concerned, are made without any previous arrange-
ment in my own mind; but there is one circumstance omitted, relative
to the events at White Marsh; which appears to me necessary to mention, in
order to corroborate my being placed in front of the American Army the number
of days as previously related. After the British army had retired from White
Marsh to Philadelphia, General Washington having previously caused a
a floating bridge to be thrown over the Schuylkill, to facilitate the march
to Valley [2 words crossed out] of the army to Valley Forge, the placed destined for its winter residency,
Lord Cornwallis appeared with a very commanding force of British
Grenadiers and light Infantry on the heights of the western side of the river
to dispute the passage of the American Army. I received orders from the Commander
in Chief to march in advance with my troops, and dislodge him from the commanding
position he had taken [3 word inserted]; the whole army being then on the move for their winter cantonments,
all the artillery of the army that could be advanced was brought into play
and in less than thirty minutes, Cornwallis was completely defeated and
compelled to retire and our army marched on to Valley Forge without any
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Lord Cornwallis appeared with a very commanding force of British
Grenadiers and light Infantry on the heights of the western side of the river
to dispute the passage of the American Army. I received orders from the Commander
in Chief to march in advance with my troops, and dislodge him from the commanding
position he had taken [3 word inserted]; the whole army being then on the move for their winter cantonments,
all the artillery of the army that could be advanced was brought into play
and in less than thirty minutes, Cornwallis was completely defeated and
compelled to retire and our army marched on to Valley Forge without any
further annoyance. My Commissions to me [2 words crossed out] in the Revolutionary War [inserted] are not
at present within my reach, and whether in existence, I cannot now ascer-
-tain with precision; but I may venture to presume, that they can be authenticated
in the War Department. I am poor, old and infirm; which induces me
to avail myself of the act of Congress, passed this present session,  mak[crossed out]
making provision for certain persons engaged in the service of the United
States in the revolutionary war        Isaac Sherman, Colonel
in the Revolutionary Army
of the army of the [3 words crossed out] United States

State of New Jersey}
Hunterdon County ss}  Be it Remembered that on the Ninth day of
April in the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Eighteen
personally appeared before me Thomas Capner one of the Judges
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County, Isaac Sherman
who being duly Sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth
and saith that the within statement to which he has proscribed his
name as well as every sheet thereof is true to the best of his
knowledge and belief and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed this 9 day of April 1818  Isaac Sherman
Before me
Thomas Capner
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State of New Jersey, Hunterdon County Ss:
I John T. Blackwell, Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas in and for
the County of Hunterdon do certify
that Thomas Capner, Esquire
before whom the anexed affidavit was
taken is one of the Judges of the Court of
Common Pleas in and for said County
duly Commissioned & Sworn, and that
full faith & credit is due to all his
acts as such---Witness my hand & seal
of said Court at Flemington the ninth
day of April A.D. 1818.
Blackwell, Clk
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Record Division.
October 13, 1911.
Frank D. Sherman, Esq.
158 West 105th Street,
New York City.
Sir: 
In reply to your letter dated the 11th and received the 12th instant,
you are advised that,, from the papers in claim Sur. File No. 33,662,
Rev. War, it appears the Isaac Sherman was allowed pension on an appli-
cation executed April 9, 1818, while a resident of Hunterdon County, N.J.
In April, 1775, when in his twenty-second year, he enlisted at Cam-
bridge, and immediately raised a company of men, receiving a Captain's
commission in Colonel Gerrish's regiment, Massachusetts line.
In the organization of the army in 1776, he was commission Captain
and later Major in the 26th regiment of Foot under Captain [crossed out] Colonel [inserted] Loammi Baldwin,
and took part in the siege of Boston and the retreat from Long Island, re-
maining with these troops until after the battle of Princeton, in which he
had command of the advance guard.
January 1, 1777, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel in the Con-
necticut line; in battle at Whitemarsh, Monmouth and Stony Point.
In 1779 he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of regiment
and served as such until after the preliminary articles of peace were
announced. Was in many other battles and skirmishes not specified.
There is no family data in the claim.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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33662
Revy INVALID.
[line]
File No. 33,662
Isaac Sherman
Lt Col  Rev War
[line]
Act: 18th March 18"
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 372
"[Arrangement of 1870]"
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Feb 29/96 Soldier pensioned to
R.S. Littlefield, Bandon Ore. MEL
[line]
1911 Oct 13. Hist to  
Frank D. Sherman Esq.
[line]
1915 Feb 11. Letter to Mr. Matthew
Hinman. Letter in W.F. 21.504.
David Judson   M.B.H.
[line]
1927-Jan 17 Hist to Hon F.
Dickinson Letts awy
[line]
936. Oct. 5. hist to Eleanor Rectors my
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158 West 105th [illegible]
New York. Oct. 11. 1911.
Dear Sir:
I beg to ask for the Revolutionary War
records of the following men, in case they are
found in the Pension archives:
Christopher Shearman - died Oct 1830, aged 78,
in West Greenwich, R.I.
"A soldier of the Revolution".
Lieut. David Sherman, of Connecticut,"
Col. S. 33662 Isaac Sherman, of Connecticut.
Very respectfully yours
Frank D. Sherman
The Hon.
Commissioner of Pensions
[mail room stamp]
PENSION D
OCT
U. 12 S.
1911
OFFICE
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[mail room stamp]
RECORD
OCT
12
1911
DIVISION
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CARNEGIE LIBRARY
PARKERSBURG, W. VA.
September 16, 1936
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
I was advised by the War Department that
the Veterans Administration has custody of the United
States pension records, and that you may have the
information that I am seeking.
I am interested in any and all information
concerning Isaac Sherman [underlined], born in New Milford, Conn.
June 1753. He was a son of Roger Sherman who was
a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
I know that Isaac Sherman served in the
Revolutionary army as a lieutenant-colenel. From
your records can you tell me his second name, who
his wife was (I think he was married twice) and
the names of his children? I would like to know
any addresses you may have had for him, as I wish
to find out where he resided, and the date of his death.
Any help you can give me will be very much
appreciated.
Yours truly,
Eleanor Rector
509 - 5th Street
Parkersburg,
West Virginia
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F. DICKINSON LETTS                         RESIDENCE:
2D DISTRICT IOWA                           DAVENPORT, IOWA
[line]
ROOM 355
HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
January 14th, 1927 

[mail room stamp]
OFFICE OF
THE COMMISSIONER
JAN 15 1927
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS

My dear Commissioner:
I understand the pension claim of one
Isaac Sherman, Lieut. Col. of the 2nd Conn.
Regiment during the Revolutionary War, is on
file.
If the pension papers show the follow-
ing facts, I should like to have you advise me:
The date of birth of Isaac Sherman;
the name of his wife; date of marriage; names
of children and dates of birth of each.
Such information as you may be able to
give me regarding this soldier will be greatly
appreciated, I assure you.
Sincerely yours,
F. Dickinson Letts
Hon. Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
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October 5, 1936
Isaac Sherman-S.33662
BA-J/AWF
Eleanor Rector
509 Fifth Street
Parkersburg, West Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference issmade to your letter in which you
request information in regard to Isaac Sherman, who
was a lieutenant-colonel in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from pension
claim, S. 33662, based on the service of Isaac
Sherman in the War of the Revolution.
The date and place of birth of Isaac Sherman are
not given, nor are the names of his parents shown.
He went, immediately after the battle of Lexington,
then in his twenty-second years, to Cambridge and raised
a company and was commissioned captain in Colonel Ger-
rish's Massachusetts regiment; in the organization of
the army in 1776, he was commission captain and later
major in Colonel Loammi Baldwin's 26th regiment of foot,
was at the siege of Boston and the retreat from Long
Island, and remiined with these tropps until after the
battle of Princeton, in which he had the [2 words inserted] command of the advance
guard. He was commissioned, January 1, 1777, lieu-
tenant-colonel in the Connecticut Line, was in the
battles of White Marsh, Monmouth and Stony Point, and
continued to serve as such until after the preliminary
articles of peace were announced. He was in other
battles and skirmishes not specified.
He was allowed pension on his application exe-
cuted in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, on April 8, 1818.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to
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the family of Isaac Sherman.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of
pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly
the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply
to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
Records Division, Washington, D.C., and give the
following---
Isaac Sherman
Certificate # 238
Issued May 4, 1818
Rate $20.00 per month
To commence April 9, 1818
Act of March 18, 1818
New Jersey Agency.
Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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aws
Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.
January 17, 1937
Honorable F. Dickinson Letts
House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Letts
In response to your letter of the fourteenth
instant, I have the honor to advise you from the
papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim
S. 33662, it appears that Isaac Sherman enlisted
at Cambridge in April 1775, when in his twenty-
second year, and immediately raised a company of
men, receiving a Captain's commission in Colonel
Gerrish's Regiment, Massachusetts Line.
In the organization of the army in 1776,
he was commission Captain and later Major in the
Twenty-Sixth Regiment of Foot under Colonel Loammi
Baldwin, and took part in the Siege of Boston and
the retreat from Long Island, remaining with these
troops, until after the battle of Princeton, in
which he had command of the advance guard.
January 1, 1777 he was commissioned Lieutenant-
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Colonel in the Connecticut Line, was in the battles
at White Marsh, Monmouth, and Stony Point.
In 1779, he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colo-
nel-Commandant of the regiment and served as such until
after the preliminary articles of peace were announced.
He was in many other battles and skirmishes not spec-
ified.
He was allowed pension on his [6 words underlined]  application exe-
cuted April 9, 1818, while a resident of Hunterdon
County, New Jersey.
There is no family data in the claim.
Very truly yours,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.