Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23214, Jonathan Fanning, Conn. Sea Service Navy
Page 1

(8-1776)

Service
Conn. Sea Service
Navy

Fanning, Jonathan

Number
S. 23214

Contents
Page 2

24.197
New York
Jonathan Fanning of Cayupabo in the State of New York who was a mainer in the Comp, commander by Captain Stanton of the ____, commander by Col. Billings in the New York line for 8 months. 

(Navy) [penciled across note and circled)

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 32 dollars 00 cents per annual to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of Nov. 1833 and the ____ A. Gould Auburn

Arrears to the 4th of Jul. '33  $80
Semi-an. allowance ending ___ '34  16
$96

Revolutionary Claim,
Act, June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Go. C. Stiles Cler.
Book E. Vol. 4, Page 100
Page 3

Paid at the Treasury under the Act of ______ _____ April 18__ from 4 Sept. 1838 to 4 March, 1839. Agt. notified 8 Oct. 18__

Duplicate Certification issued ___  ___ 1842, and ____ to Kestes Trodley, Collins New York
Page 4

Jonathan Fanning

___. 5. 10. 12. 14

Admitted
________ 8 months
364

A. Gould
Auburn
NY
Page 5

Brief in the case of Jonathan Fanning
Cl. of Cayuga in the State of N. York
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?  Open Court

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

3.  How old is he?  78 years

4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period                       
In 1774 Brig Nancy
1776 Gally Shark
1778 Ship Trumbull

Duration of Service     
8 months 
8 months
7 months              

Rank
Seaman
Seaman
Seaman

Names of General and Field Officers under Whom he served
Capt. Billings
Capt. Starnton
Capt. Billings

5. In what battles was he engaged?  none

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

7.   Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary __ army witness

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  _____

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

Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 6

Jonathan Fanning
11757
Page 7

State of New York. Oneida County Ss

Robert Dixon of the Town of Parris State County aforesaid being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he resides in the State of Connecticut County of New London and Town of Groton in the time of the Revolutionary war with great Britain says he was well acquainted with Jonathan Fanning thinks he is between 75 and 80 years old this deponent says that he went on board the Galle late the Shark and Found Said Fanning on Board Said Galle and continued with Said Fanning from June 1776 untill late in the fall  Said Galle was in the service of United States.  I knew of his going several eruns but on what business and how long this deponent does not no  further this deponant Saith not
   Robert Dixson
Sworn & Subscribed before me
this 11th day of August 1832
Samuel Jones
one of the Judges of
Oneida Com. Pleas
Page 8

State of New York  )
Oneida County       ) Ss

I George Brown clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County to certify that Samuel Jones before whom the within affidavit was made was on the day of the date thereof and still is one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are to be given to his acts in that capacity - that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said judge and believe his signature to said affidavit to be genuine.  In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court and Subscribed my name the thirteenth day of September, A.D. 1832
  George Brown Clerk
  Joseph B. Read, Dep. Clk.
Page 9

State of New=York,  )
Cayuga County,        ) ss.

   On this (blank) September A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County Cayuga and state of New-York, now setting, Jonathan Fanning a resident of Scipio in the County of Cayuga and State of New-York, aged 78 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 7th, 1832: - That he entered the service under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: -  That on the first of August AD 1774, then being a resident of the town of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, he shipped on board of the Brig Nancy in the Service of the United Colonies under the command of Captain Henry Billings of Norwich and sailed to Gaudaloupe.  that when he came to that place where he arrived about the first day of September thereafter he was appointed mate of said Brig - that the employment of said crew and vessel was to obtain military stores for the support & defence of the Country, that he continued on board of said Brig in said service a term of eight months.  that said Brig returned with a cargo of fity ton of powder and ten thousand stands of arms, that said cargo was obtained in the different French ports of the West Indies Islands, & was landed at Norwich Landing, above New London -----
He further says that during the month of February he was employed on board of the ship Trumble in the service of the United States fitting her for sea, that said ship was built and rigged on the Connecticut River  He further declares that on the first of March AD 1776 he shipped on board the Galley called the Shark, built at Norwich, under the command of Capt Theophilus Stauton, that said Galley was rigged and continued to cruise along the coast until the last of June when it was ordered by Gen Washington to sail to New York City, that said Galley together with five others moved to New York where it arrived on the fifth of July 1776 and took a stand on the Hudson River a short distance above the city - Gen Putnam acting as commodore of the
Page 10

one hundred and ten guns.  that they met said Ships and Tenders near Peekskill where they had a close engagement for two & a half hours when the Row-Galley-fleet retreated down the river to Dobseys ferry and there buried the dead.  that said Galley returned to New York and lay a short time in East River, that whilst lying there he volunteered to assist the land troops on Song Island, from where they were soon driven to New York after a severe battle.  that said Galeys were then ordered up the north river to Fort Montgomery where they lay some time and until about the first of November following when he was discharged and returned home by land to Connecticut, having served a term of eight months  He further declares that for one month about the month of April 1780 he was employed in said service in rigging a ship (at New London) which had been bought of the French and brought into port under Jury masts.  he further says that he never received a written discharge from said service and has no proof of said service documentary or otherwise except the accompanying affidavit and cannot procure it.  He further says that about the twentieth day of December 1778 he again shipped on board the vessel mounting twenty guns called the Governor Trumbrell and commanded by Capt Henry Billings first Lieut John Towers, Second Lieut Andrew Perkins -

[paragraph marked through'
Page 11

that he sailed on board of said vessel from Stonningtown point on the twenty fifth day of December in the same year, that said vessel sailed immediately to the West Indies.  And whilst a little to the Northard of Antigua they were overtaken by a British vessel carrying six and thirty guns, under Capt Faugeson, and taken prisoner and carried to the harbour of St Johns on the Island of Antigua where he was detained in close confinement for a term of five months, when he with one other made his escape, by taking a vessel maned by Negroes, in which he sailed to a French port on the Island of Gaudaloupe where he was taken up as a spy, and detained fourteen days, when he was liberated and returned to South Carolina on board of a Schooner, were he arrived about the first of July, that he returned from South Carolina by land home where he arrived in March 1780.  that his time spent before his return to South Carolina was about seven months - that whilst at Carolina before returning home he went out two short voiges in trading vessels - that he has no proof of said services other than the accompanying affidavit of Robert Dixson & cannot procure any as he believes - that during said tour on board of the Governor Trumbull he served as "master at arms"- and that he is acquainted with no [remainder of line obscured] whom he can procure to sign & swear to the necessary certificate
He hereby relinquishes all claim to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any State or territory
Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
   Asahel Fitch     Jonathan Faning
Page 12

We David Fish resident in Venice in Cayuga County & Zadock Bateman resident in the same town do certify that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Fanning who has subscribed and sworn to the preceeding declaration that we believe him to be 78 years of age- that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a sailor in the Revolutionary war and that we concur (line obscured)
Asahel Fitch judge
David Fish
Zadock Bateman

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after an investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the said applicant was a sailor in the Revolution and served as he states - and the Court further certifies that David Fish & Zadock Bateman who have Subscribed and Sworn to the above certificate a residents of Venice in Said County and are men of good moral character and men of truth and veracity.
Asahel Fitch Judge

I Michael S Myers Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Cayuga do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Fanning for a pension  Witness my hand and the seal of said Court the 24th day of September AD 1832
M. S. Myers
Page 13

Supplemental statement.

(Jonathan Fanning)

  On the 1st of August, 1774, he shipped on board the Brig "Nancy", commanded by Capt. Henry Billings, and sailed to the Island of Guadaloupe; the object of the voyage was to obtain military stores for the support and defense of the United Colonies.  Upon his arrival at Guadaloupe, about the first of September, he was appointed Mate of said Brig and served in this capacity about eight months.  During the month of February, 1776, he was employed on board the ship "Trumbull" fitting her for sea.  In March 1776, he shipped on board a Galley called the "Shark", commanded by Capt. Theophilus Staunton.  This galley, with five others, proceeded to New York, where it arrived about the 5th of July, 1776, and anchored in the Hudson River a short distance from the city.  The fleet of Row Galleys was then ordered to move up the river and attack two British ships.  The engagement took place near Peekskill, and lasted about 2 and 1/2 hours, when the Row Galley fleet was obliged to retreat down the river.  He served at this time about 8 months.  In April, 1780, he was employed for about one month in fitting a ship at New London.  December 20, 1778, he shipped on board the vessel Governor Trumbull", commanded by Capt. Henry Billings, and sailed to the West Indies; was there taken prison-
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er by a British vessel and carried to the harbor of St. Johns, on Antigua Island, where he was confined for about 5 months.  He then made his escape and, by taking a vessel manned by negroes, made his was into a French port on the Island of Gaudaloupe, where he was again apprehended as a spy and detained for 14 days.  Upon being liberated he returned on board a schooner to North Carolina, where he arrived about the first of July.  From there he proceeded to his home in Connecticut, and probably did not again enter the service.
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March 25, 1913.

Mrs. Jeannette Abel,
425 Richmond Avenue,
Buffalo, N. Y.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 13" and received the 14" instant, you are advised that from the papers in the claim Sur. File No. 23,214, Rev. War, it appears that Jonathan Fanning while a resident of Groton, New London County, Connecticut, shipped, August 1, 1774, on board the brig Nancy under Captain Henry Billings, and about September 1" following he was appointed Mate of said brig and served 8 months.

During the month of February, year not stated, he was employed on the U. S. ship Trumbull, fitting her for sea.

On March 1, 1776, he shipped on board the galley Shark under Captain Theophilas Staunton, had an engagement in Hudson River with 2 British ships.  He served 8 months.

December 20, 1778,  he again shipped on board the Gov. Trumbull, as Master at Arms under Captain Henry Billings, was taken prisoner by a British vessel, carried to St. John on the Island of Antigua, and after five months made his escape and sailed to Guadaloupe where he was arrested as a spy, kept 14 days, then liberated and returned home in March 1780.
Page 16

Sur. File No. 23,214. -2

In April 1780, he was one month rigging a ship at New London.

He was allowed pension on an application executed September 24, 1832, while residing at Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, aged sventy-eight years.

The above noted is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.

Very respectfully
J S Davenport
Commissioner.
Page 17

Invalid
File No. 23214  Navy
Jonathan Fanning
Mariner
U.S. Navy

Act June 7. 1832
Index : Vol 4, Page 100.
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 18

July 25/95 Hist. to Mrs. Elvira
Tracy .716 Main Il., Buffalo, N.Y.  M, El,
-----------
1913 Mch 23 - Hist. to Jeannette Able V.L.M.
1913 Mch 29 Histo To Mrs. E.S Reid Letter in L.F. 41 974
Thomas Reed V.L.M.
Page 19

War Department
Pension Office
18th October 1833

Sir

The papers of Jonathan Fanning, have again been examined and placed on file.  It does not appear that the armed ship Trumbull was under the command of Capt Billings at any time and in order to sustain that part of the claim it is necessary that the applicant should produce the affidavits of two witnesses.  Without further proof he will be allowed for 8 months service on board of the Shark only

I am Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Geo Wm Crump
Acting Comr of Pensions

A Gould Esq
Auburn
NY

(A Copy)
Auburn N.Y
Oct 22d 1833

Sir

Above is a copy of a letter this day received on the subject of the claim of Jonathan Fanning.  I am advised that he is not now able to furnish the proof above required as to his service on board the Ship "Trumbull"  He is very poor & a great distance from the place where the service was performed & from where he then resided- And he is not now advised that were he there he could not find the proof requisite.  You will therefore please allow him a pension for the 8  months & give him the privilege of applying for an increase of pension if he shall hereafter be able to find proof.  Will you my Dear Sir please issue his certificate without delay, as he is exceedingly poor (remainder of line obscured) of a pension has kept him from "the poor house" for some months back?

I am Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
A Gould

Geo Wm Crump Esq
Page 20

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
September 30th 1840
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States", Jonathan Fanning a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Thirty two Dollars and - Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838, to the to the 4th March 1839.
Respectfully yours,
J. Seaven
acting Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
Page 21

Brant N.G. Jany 3, 1842.
Kester Tracy
Eve. application of Joucham Fanning for a new pensions certificate
T.S. Rec & Jany 14, 1842.
Pension Office
J.W. Evans

Hon John C Spencer
Secretary of Interior Washington [City] D.C.
Collin S. NY
June 7
Page 22

Hon John C Spencer
Secretary of Interior Washington [City] D.C.
Collin S. NY
June 7

Brant N.G. Jany 3, 1842.
Kester Tracy
Eve. application of Joucham Fanning for a new pensions certificate
T.S. Rec & Jany 14, 1842.
Pension Office
J.W. Evans
Page 23

Counth of Erie  SS:

On this 31st day of December 1841 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the Said County of Erie personaly appeard Jonathan Fanning who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to a Company commanded by a Captain in regiment commanded by a Colonel in the service of the United States whoes names either the Captain or Colonel he is not now able to State in consequence of his memorys being so much impaird that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of New-York; that he received a certificate of that fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War which certificate on or about the 2 day of June 1841 at or near the Canall in the City of Buffalo in Said County the Said deponent was left at a public house in said City together with a bundle of Clothing and papers which were all lost and amongst said papers the said Certificate of the Secretary of War which was lost with said bundle of Clothing and other papers
  Jonthan Fanning
Sworn and Subscribed to     )
before me the day and year )
above said                            )
   Kester Tracy Justice

Erie County Ss:
  David Fish being duly Sworn before me the undersignd a Justice of the peace for Said County deposes and says that he well knowes Jonathan Fanning and knowes him to be the same person described in the above affidavit
  David Fish
Subscribed and Sworn before  )
me December 31st 1841          )
   Kester Tracy, Justice               )
Page 24

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named David Fish who made the within affidavit and know him to be a person of good moral character and is a man of truth and veracity and is entitled to full credit Given under my hand at Brant in the County of Erie this 31st day of December 1841.
Kester Tracy Justice of the Peace

State of New York,
Erie County Clerk'S Office,
SS.
I, Noah P. Sprague, Clerk of the County of Erie, do hereby certify Kester Tracy Esq. whose name is subscribed to the annexed instrument was, at the time of executing the same n Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly elected and sworn, and acting as such. And further, that I am acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe the signature Kester Tracy to be his genuine signature.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, this First day of January
A. D. 1842.
Noah P. Sprague, Clerk
Page 25

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the within named David Fish who made the within affidavit and know him to be a person of good moral character and is a man of truth and veracity and is entitled to full credit Given under my hand at Brant in the County of Erie this 31st day of December 1841.
Kester Tracy Justice of the Peace
Page 26

Buffalo, June 7h 1842

I hereby certify that I know David Hill by reputation and am well acquainted with Kester Tracy, who have signed the foregoing certificates.  They are every way entitled to credit:  And I am satisfied that the case of Mr. Fanning is one requiring relief & immediate relief. that he is very old & infirm, and unless speedily arrived in this matter, assistance will come too late.
 C.W. Clinton

The Secretary of War will please have the goodness to send directions how to proceed in obtaining a full pension as the said Johnathan Fanning is entitled according to Law to the same
Kester Tracy

Brant January 3d 1842
Page 27

State of New York  )
Oneida County       )  Ss

Robert Discon of the town of Paris in said County being duly sworn says that he is seventy nine years of age.  that he is acquainted with Jonathan Fanning of Scipio in the County of Cayuga and was well acquainted with him during the Revolutionary war that we both at that time resided in the town of Groton, in the County of New London & State of Connecticut.  that in the month of June 1776 he this deponent entered the service of the United States on board of the Galley called the Shark, that he found said Fanning in said service on board of said Galley, and that he and said Fanning continued to serve on board of the same from that time until the month of November following when they were discharged at the Highlands on the Hudson river, where we left said Galley and returned home together by land.  that said service was continued all the time during said term - And this deponent further says that he well remembers that said Fanning was at that time a Sea-faring-man and that he was frequently in service during said war at other times than above stated
  Robert Dixson
Sworn & Subscribed the 10th day
of June 1833 before me
   Jared P Todd  Justice of peace

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Robert Dixon.  that he is a man of good moral character, a man of truth & veracity and that his statement is entitled to full credit
    Jared P Todd   JP
Page 28

State of New York
Clerks Office Oneida County ss
[seal affixed]
I George Brown Clerk of the said County do hereby certify that Jared S Todd Esq before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was on the day of the date of the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to act as such & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his own proper hand writing and Signature
Witness my hand and Seal of Offic this 11th dy of June A.D. 1833.
Geo. Brown Clerk
Jos. B. Read Deputy Clerk
Page 29

State of New York  )
Cayuga County      ) Ss
Personally appeared before me the Subscriber a justice of the peace in & for said County Jonathan Fanning who being duly sworn says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to his best recollection he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the following grades.  For ten months I served as a private sailor  And for seven months whilst on board the "Ship "Gov Trumbull" & a prisener I held the rank and served as"master-at-arms".  That his services on board the Shark were continued on board of the same during the whole term of eight months except the time that he volunteered into the land service as stated in his declaration being not more than one day  That he has not produced a clergyman to sign and swear to his certificate because he is acquainted with none - in his neighbourhood - neither is there any one in his neighbourhood acquainted with him.  That on acount of age poverty & infirmity he has been but little in the habit of leaving home of late years, and has lived but two years last past at his present place of residence
Sworn & Subscribed the 25th day  )
of April A D 1833                            )
John Grover              Jonathan Fanning
Justict of the Peace

I certifymy opinion that the Said Fanning is a man of truth & veracity April 25 1833
John Grover
Justice
Page 30

State of New York  )
Cayuga County      )  Ss
[seal affixed]
I Michael S Myers Clerk of Said County do certify that John Grover before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was on the day of the date of the same a justice of the peace in & for said County.  that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and believe his signature to said affidavit & the foregoing certificate to be genuine.  Witness my hand and seal of office the 13th day of June 1833
   J. S. Myers
Page 31

July 17th, 1895.
71 OMN F. & T.

Pension Department,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:-

Will you kindly send me the record of Gilbert Tracy who was in a Connecticut regiment in the Revolution. After his discharge I believe he took government land at Scipio, N.Y. Would also like the record of my other great grandfather, Jonathan Fanning, who during part of the Revolution was in the navy. I have been told he was with Paul Jones, but this may be a mistake. He was born in 1754 and died in -- at Jerusalem Corners or Evans, N.Y.

Sincerely

Elvira Tracy
716 Main St
Buffalo, N.Y.
Page 32

Commission of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir,
Will you kindly furnish the Pension Record of -
1. Theophilus Huntington, who was on the Pension List 1818 Erie Co. Sergt. Cornel Line, died July 11, 1830.
2.  Captain Jonathan Fanning, Pension list 1840 - Sweden, Monroe Co. died in Evans N.Y. in 1844 aged 90.
3.  Nathan Washburn, Conn.
Page 33

List of Pensions 1818.
Yours sincerely,
Jeannette Abel

425 Richmond Avenue
Buffalo,
New York

March 10, 1918
Page 34

O. W. & N. Division
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
F. S.
Bureau of Pensions,
M.E.C.
Washington, D. C., July 25, 1895.

Madam:

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of --- Jonathan Fanning - - - a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

=============

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL.

See Supplemental Statement.

=============

Battles engaged in. See supplemental statement.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Groton, Conn.
Date of application for pension, September, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Scipio, N. Y.
Age at date of application, Seventy-eight years.
Remarks:

Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Mr. Elvira Tracy,
716 Main St.,
Buffalo, N. Y.