Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,819, Edmund Duning, Conn.
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Service
Conn.
Duning, Edmund
Number
S15819
carded
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Connecticut
27.974
Edmund Duning
of Litchfield in the State of Cont
who was a pri
in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Reg commanded
by Col Sherman in the Connt
line for 7 mo: 11 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut.
at the rate of 24 Dollars 55 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Oct 31
and sent to  Wm P. Bura;;
South  Canaan - Cont
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 34-- 85 93
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar. 35 12 21
$98.20
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book E 2 Vol. 3 Page 9
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State of Connecticut of County of Litchfield
Ss Court of Probate for Sharon District

At a Court of Probates for the District of Sharon holden at Salisbury within & for said District on the 20 day of August AD 1832. Present
Samuel Church Esq Judge
 On this 20 day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon now sitting Edmund Dunning a resident of the Town of Canaan in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged Sixty Seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832, that he was born in the town of Brookfield in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut on the 3rd day of November 1765.  I have a record of the time of my birth in a book kept by my father and now in my possession.  I resided in the said
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town of Brookfield when I entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution, and since the close of the war I have generally resided in the said town of Canaan, & have resided there for the last forty two years & now reside in said town of Canaan.  I entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as a private therein as herein stated.
  In the Spring of the Year 1780 I do not remember the month I entered the army as a substitute for some person whose name I have forgotten, the person for whom I was a substitute belonged to a class in Connecticut called upon to enter the army & I became his substitute.  I joined a company of Connecticut troops for 8 months service commanded by Captain Sanford of Milford I believe the name of the Ensign was Cowles  I think there was no lieutenant, the Regiment to which I was attached was commanded by Colonel Sherman of New Haven I think, & Major Throop  I was mustered in Danbury in said county of Fairfield and was marched immediately to the Highland on the East Side of the Hudson River opposite West Point & there we joined the Army
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We marched to Pecks Hill & Verplanks Point & I think in August we marched to New Jersey crossing the River at Stoney Point, we lay while in the Jersey near the Hudson River and in sight of the British troops as they occasionally came up from New York where the British army then lay.  We were generally employed in keeping guard, tho when I first joined the army in the Spring we were more generally employed in the repairing of the works on the West Point side of the River called Fort Clinton.  We returned from the Jersey side to Pecks hill after having been on the lines in the Jersies as aforesaid about one month.  we marched from Pecks hill to West Point & were discharged at West Point in December 1780 after having served my full term of 8 months.  The Regiment to which I was attached as I understand was a continental Regiment & I suppose my name will be found at the proper office of the war department but perhaps we were called Connecticut troops  I received a discharge in writing signed by Samuel B. Webb.  I believe a colonel at that time, but I have lost the discharge at least I cannot find it
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I was in no battle with the enemy during my tour of Service, nor do I know of any others herein now living except Asa Smith whose deposition is annexed by whom I can prove this service, nor have I any written document by which to prove it.  General Swifts Regiment was out at this time, he was then a Colonel.  General Huntington was also with us & I think I belonged to his Brigade  the Massachusetts & Rhode Island troops, and I believe the whole continental army was with us particularly after the capture of Cornwallis.  I recollect the French troops on their return from this capture of Cornwallis. they crossed the Hudson River at Stoney Point and our army was drawn up to receive them.  General Washington was there at the time.  General Knox commanded at West Point & General Gates had command of a part of the army, while I was out
   I am known to Rev Putkin Carter, Rev. Charles Prentice, Leman Church, William M. Burrall Esquqire and many others in my neighborhood who can testify to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier of the Revolution.
  And I hereby relinquish every claim for whatever to a pension or annuity except the present.  I declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.  Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Edmund Duning
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[illegible]
for a statement of the military history of Edmund Duning
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out(or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Sen. F. 15.819
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
May, 1782
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
8 mon.
RANK.
Private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Saul Sanford
COLONEL.
Sherman
STATE.
Conn
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Brookfield, Conn
Date of application for pension, Aug 30, 1832  His  [cl] [masal]
Residence at date of application, Canaan,  Litchfield Co, Com
Age at date of application, 
B at Brookfield, Fairfield Co. Conn  Nov 3 {1764 1765
Remarks:
The Rev War pension records fail to afford any information in regard to
Ezra and Edmund Dunning of Conn; and the above noted is
the only Edmund Duning found on said records
Your Respectfully
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P 15819
INVALID.
File No. 15.819
Edmund Duning
Pri Rev War
---
Act: June 7" 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 441
{Arrangement of 1870.}
Feb. 14.08, Hist to R. C. Ware
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Connecticut
Edmund Duning
suspended
see letter  to Claimant
Sept 27th 1833
May 6 in de  dia 17 83
Col Meech
[illegible]
and
.
2333
 122
24.55
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Edmond Duning
Col. Sherman Regt
May 6 8 to [illegible]
17.582 7 mo 11 day
Admt. a [illegible]
$24.55

Wm P Bunall Esq
South Canaan
Connt
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BRIEF Objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Edmund Dunning which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belier respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulation direct?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. R. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ________ year ___________ month, and __________ days, I served as a ________ For __________ months and _______ days, I served as a _______________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

QUERE XVI. Made of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
(finger pointing to the right) In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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Edmund Dunning
Supplementary Declaration
27 Janry
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State of Connecticut
Litchfield County  )  Ss Court of Probate. District of Sharon

At a Court of Probate holden at Canaan within and for the District of Sharon on the 22d day of January AD 1834. Personally appeared in open Court Edmund Dunning of said Canaan and made the following declaration in addition to and explanation of his declaration for a pension heretofore made by him before this Court and now on file in the Pension office of the United States to wit.
In my original declaration, I stated that the service for which I asked a pension was performed in the year 1780.  I was born in the year 1764 and I had the impression strongly on my mind and so stated in my declaration that I was in my sixteenth year when I entered the service.  But upon subsequent reflection and recollection of certain facts which then escaped my memory I am now perfectly satisfied that I was then mistaken, and that it was in the Eighteenth year of my age, and in the year 1782 that I entered the service, and served as stated in my original declaration.  I have now a distinct recollection that, in the summer while we lay at Verplanks point, the French Troops who participated in the taking of Cornwallis, were returning from the South and came to Stoney Point and there crossed the Hudson to Verplanks point where we were.  and our army was then drawn up on line, and these troops passed us on their way toward the East.  From these and other minor circumstances I am now satisfied that the span in which I performed the services stated in my delcaration was the year 1782, and with this correction, said original declaration is correct.
Edmund Duning
Sworn and subscribed this day and place aforesaid
Wm M. Burral Judge of Probate
At the same Court, also appeared Luther Dunning of Amsterdam in the County of montgomery and State of new York, and being first duly sworn according to Law
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made his deposition as follows, to wit.

I, Luther Dunning of Amsterdam in Montgomery County and State of New York, aged Seventy Years in April next, do depose and say that in the year 1782 and from my birth up to that time I resided in the Town of Brookfield in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut, and in the spring of the year 1782, about the first of May, I entered into the Service of the United States, being drafted from a militia company to which I then belonged in said Brookfield.  From Brookfield we proceeded to the Highland on the Hudson, and there joined the army.  I was placed in a company commanded by Capt. Samuel Sanford, Lieut. _ Cole.  The regiment was commanded by Col Sherman, and Major Troup.  As soon as the weather was sufficiently warm we proceeded to Verplank point and lay there during the season and at the approach of the winter we returned to winter quarters at West Point, where I remained till about the latter part of December or first of January when I was discharged having served Eight months, which was the term for which I was drafted.
I have a perfect and distinct recollection that, at the time that I was drafted as aforesaid, Edmond Dunning now of Canaan in Litchfield County & State of Connecticut, belonged to the same militia company with myself in Brookfield, and entered the service of the United States at the same time that I did, as a substitute for another person, and proceeded with me and joined the Army at the same time and was placed in the same company, and remained in said Company during the whole time that I did, and served Eight months.  I have this day seen Edmund Dunning of Canaan who has signed the foregoing application and know him to be the same person who was in the army with me, as aforesaid  I further say that I am Cousin of the said Edmund Dunning, and have known him from my youth.
Luther Dunning
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last aforesaid.  This Court doth further certify that said Luther Dunning is a man of fair character for truth and is a credible witness
Wm. M. Burral Judge of Probate
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Court of Probate SS District of Sharon SS Canaan  January 22d 1834
  I William P Burrall, Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the district of Sharon do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the supplementary declaration and application of Edmund Dunning for a pension
  In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal of Office this 22d day of January A 1834
(seal)  Wm P Burrall Clerk
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State of Connecticut  )
County of Litchfield   ) Ss Court of Probate District of Sharon

At a Court of Probate for the district of Sharon holden at Canaan within & for said district on this 26th day of June AD 1833. Present
  Wm M. Burral Esq Judge
Personally appeared in open Court, Edmund Dunning of said Canaan, and produced to this Court his original application for a pension, which had been heretofore before this Court to wit on the 20th day of August AD 1832, and which had been returned to said applicant from the War Department for correction.  And said Applicant who produced the deposition of Abel Smith in said application mentioned, with the further certificate thereupon of Samuel C. Blackman Esq. & the credibility of said deponent.  And this Court doth certify that the said Samuel C. Blackman Esq is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Fairfield and that his signature to the said certificate & the credibility of Deponent is in his own proper hand writing and that full faith and credit is to be given thereto.  Wherefore this Court doth order said papers to be again connected together under the seal of said Court.
  By the Court
  Wm P Burrall Clerk
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I William P Burrall Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Sharon do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the original and supplementary application of Edmund Dunning for a pension  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 26th day of June AD 1833.
Wm P. Burrall Clerk
(seal)
Page 20

Abel Smith of Brookfield in the County Fairfield & State of Connecticut, having been duly sworn, & cautioned testifies,
That he was knowing to the fact that Edmond Dunning of Canaan in the County of Litchfield was in the service of the United States as a Soldier in the war of the revolution, for eight months in the year 1780.  He was under Capt. Sanford in Col. Sherman's regiment.  He was stationed at Peckshill in the State of New York. 
 The Deponent understood he afterwards crossed the Hudson river & went into the Jerseys - The Deponent saw him the forepart of his service, which the Deponent thinks was in May 1780, and soon after he returned.  That was at the Deponents house.  The said Dunning then lived in said Brookfield - The Deponent is in the Seventy Sixth year of his age.  The said Edmund Dunning was some years younger.  The Deponent has been well acquainted with said Dunning ever since his childhood.  The  Deponent believes he went as a substitute, but if so does not recollect for whom.
Abel Smith
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield Ss Newtown
on this 13th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared, before me the subscriber
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a Justice of the Peace for the County of Fairfield, Abel Smith who subscribed the foregoing deposition, & having been duly sworn & cautioned, made oath to the truth of the same.
Samuel C. Blackman Justice of Peacce
I further certify that I am, and have been for many years, well acquainted with Abel Smith, the above named deponent & know him to be a creditable witness.
Samuel C. Blackman, Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield  )  Ss:
  I Nathaniel Perry Notary Public within & for said County of Litchfield by the authority of said state duly appointed, commissioned & sworn do hereby certify and make known to all whom it may concern that Sanuel C. Blackman Esquire whose name is subscribed to the certificate of Captions of the foregoing deposition of Abel Smith now is, and at the date of said certificate was a Justice of the peace for the County of Fairfield in and said state duly appointed commissioned & sworn & duly authorised to administer oatah & take depositions and that I am acquainted with the hand writing of the said Samuel C. Blackman and that the said signature of his name above written I verily believe to be his own proper hand writing & that full faith & credit is due to his official acts & attestations is such Justice of Peace
(seal)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my notarial seal at New Milford in Litchfield County this 17th day of August AD. 1832
Nathaniel Perry
Notary Public
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10531
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We Charles Prentice a Clergyman residing in the said town of Canaan and William M Burrall residing in the same town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Capt. Edmond Dunning who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Sixty Seven years old, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Charles Prentice
Wm M. Burrall
Samuel Church Just of Probate
and this Court doth hereby declare its opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicanat was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states, and the Court further testifies that it appears to said Court that Rev. Charles Prentice who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Canaan & that Hon. Wm. M. Burrall Esquire who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Canaan and is a credible person and that their Statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court
Abijah C. Peet Clerk
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(seal)
I, Abijah C Peet Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Sharon do hereby testify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of Edmund Dunning for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 29th day of August AD 1832.
Abijah C Peet Clerk
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Probate Office District of Sharon
South Canaan Ct Oct 8h 1834.

Sir
  The pension application of Edmund Dunning was forwarded to the pension Department from this office, Amended, some time in February last, since which time nothing has been heard from them.  Will you have the gooness to say whether they have been recd. & if so what order has been taken regarding them.
Very Respectfully
Your Obdt. Servt.
Wm P Burrall Clerk of
Probate

J L Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
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3-871
RECORD DIVISION
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Briefed by S. D. Lamparter
Claim No.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier Erza Dunning
Service
Additional Service Rev. War

No ________ claim, State records __________, 190___
No claim, combination records _______, 190___

REMARKS
No claim as above found
Page 27

Form 101-12-29-07
R.C. WARE, President
W.P. WARE, Vice-President
A.M. WARE, Secretary and Treasurer

The Carriage Monthly
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General Offices, 1010 Arch Street
Lock Box 1403
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 3, 1908.
Address all communications to the company

Pension Office,
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:-
It would be highly appreciated by the writer if you could give us any records you may have on file, in connection with Ezra Dunning and also Edmund Dunning, as regards to their services in the Revolutionary War, having enlisted from the state of Connecticut.
We desire this in order to use it in connection with family history, and a copy of whatever records you may have along this line would be greatly appreciated.
Thanking you for same, we remain,
Yours very truly,
RCW.Z R.C. Ware