Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,137, for John Phelps, Connecticut
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SERVICE   Conn.
Phelps, John
NUMBER  S. 14137
carded
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17.641 – 
Connecticut 
John Phelps 
of Litchfield in the State of Con who was a Pri in the com. commanded by Captain - of the Regt commanded Col. Parsons in the Con St. Tr. [Connecticut State Troops]  for 14 mo 
Inscribed on the Roll of Con at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Sep 1833 and sent M F Miles-Norfolk. let 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833   $116.65 
Semi-anl. allowance ending March 31  23.333 
$139.98 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk 
Book E Vol 3 Page 35. 
Order to pay 11Oct 1837
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13861
John Phelps
Ct.
16 mo private
46.66
M. F. Mills
Norfolk Conn’t
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of John Phelps Ct.
Period when the service was rendered.   1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  7 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap. Parsons   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Pitkin    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  Marched to Roxbury Boston then Hampton Conn  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  76 born in Northfield and there entered the Service and lived in Litchfield Ct.   Evidence by which the declaration is supported. The service not precisely but generally proved by 4 Surviving Witnesses – they are not Certified.  Certificate of a Clergyman and Citizen
Period when the service was rendered.  1776 drafted   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  about 3 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Lt. Abby  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Newbury   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  Kings Bridge NY marched from place to place  
Period when the service was rendered.  1777 vol’d [volunteered]   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  Served believes 3 Months  Rank of the claimant.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Cap Booth   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched. To Fishkill NY
Period when the service was rendered.  1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  about 3 Months  Rank of the claimant.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt Bush    Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Pierce   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  New London
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of John Phelps Ct.
Period when the service was rendered.   1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  7 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap. Parsons   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Pitkin    Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  Marched to Roxbury Boston then Hampton Conn  Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  76 born in Northfield and there entered the Service and lived in Litchfield Ct.   Evidence by which the declaration is supported. The service not precisely but generally proved by 4 Surviving Witnesses – they are not Certified.  Certificate of a Clergyman and Citizen
Period when the service was rendered.  1776 drafted   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  about 3 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Lt. Abby  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Newbury   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  Kings Bridge NY marched from place to place  
Period when the service was rendered.  1777 vol’d [volunteered]   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  Served believes 3 Months  Rank of the claimant.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.   Cap Booth   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched. To Fishkill NY
Period when the service was rendered.  1779   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  about 3 Months  Rank of the claimant.   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt Bush    Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col Pierce   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  New London
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.            
The following regulations have been adopted:                  
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.              
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:  
1. The Regular Troops.  
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.    
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.             
4. Indian Spies.                 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in stance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.             
DECLARATION.                        
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.           
State, Territory, or District of 
County of } ss.
On this day of A.B. a resident (b) of personally appeared (a) before in the county of and State, Territory or District years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the in the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:    
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]            
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only that of Agency in the State of    
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A. B. 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]            
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. 
I of the Court of hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of for a pension.               
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of & c.            
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.          
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be and C.D. residing in (the same) who has years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.                 
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                 
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]     
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.               
I, Clerk of the Court of contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of & c.         
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.            
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his  alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.            
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.    
1. Where and in what year were you born?                
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?          
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live?               
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?              
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.           
6. To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
To an Officer. {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what Town officer has become of it?              
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.                 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.         
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject     
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.        
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed his genuine signature.          
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the person of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.        
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.    
[b]   The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.     
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.    
[d]  The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served. 
[e]  Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.        
Every claimant must state, 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. 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. B. 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 - months , and days , I served as a - months and --- days, I served as and for such service I claim a pension."   
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held 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 that they served two 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.    
[f]  The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. 
[g]  The opinion of the Court is always required.  
[h]  The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[i]  The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.               
Mode 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 papers 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.         
Proof of Service.         
[j]  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 claimant's 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. 
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j]  applies to continental troops only.     
[k]  This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. 
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832. 
State of Connecticut 
Litchfield County } Ss Norfolk Probate District  
On this 6th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court now sitting before me Michael F. Mills Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk [unreadable] said Court John Phelps of Colebrook in Litchfield County, aged Seventy Six years old last February 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officer Capt Hezekiah Parsons then of Enfield and Col Pitkin of East Hartford by enlistment on or about the first of May 1775 for the Term of seven months and was marched Roxbury near Boston,  who he with the Company where he was stationed free short time and hear then marched to Hampton Cove where he served until the end of his Term which was about
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first of December 1775 was dismissed but not in writing as he recollects.   
That in the year 1776 he was drafted into the Militia under Lieutenant Abby then of Enfield was taken to New York about the forepart of August. Served about three months,  was a part of the time near Kingsbridge, was a part of the time under Col. Newberry, was moved about from place to place.    
That in the year 1777 he again joined the service as a volunteer went August or September under Capt Joseph Booth, was taken to Fishkill from there he was marched to Red Hook when the British shipping went down the River he was marched back to Fishkill a little below where he served until discharged – that he served  betwixt two & three months.  
That in the year 1779 - about the fore part July he was Drafted and entered the Service under the  command of Col Jonathan Bush of Enfield and in Col. Peases Regt. was then marched to New London when he served about three months
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that he has no documentary evidence to prove his statement but has four depositions which he wishes forwarded with the declaration.   
And that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and Declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State that he was born in Enfield in Hartford County and resided there until the fall of 1783 that Enfield was his place of Residence at the time he entered the service heretofore stated and that in 1783 he moved to Colebrook where he has now resides.  That he is well acquainted with the Reve’d Rufus Bahoch Clergyman and Lancelot Phelps of said Colebrook and that he is well known to them and they can testify as to his Character.
 John Phelps  
Sworn and Subscribed the day and aforesaid before me 
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate for Norfolk Probate District
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We Rufus Bahoch Clergyman and Lancelot Phelps Esquire both residing in Colebrook hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Phelps of said Colebrook who has Subscribed and sworn to the within Declaration and believe him to be Seventy Six years of age that he is Respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion and that he sustains a fair Character for truth and veracity.  
Rufus Bahock 
Lancelot Phelps 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate for Norfolk District 
And the said Court do hereby declare the opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatives presented by the War Department that the above named John Phelps applicant was a Revolutionary
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Soldier and Served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Rufus Bahock who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said town of Colebrook and that Lancelot Phelps required also a resident in said Town of Colebrook that they are both credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit  
Michael F Mills Judge of the Court of Probate for Norfolk District 
I Michael G Mills, Clerk of the Court of Probert for the District of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said court in the matter of the application of John Phelps for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of August 1832 Michael G Wills Clerk
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Declaration In order the the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 
State of Connecticut 
Litchfield County }ss   Norfolk Probate District On this 15 day of July AD 1833 personally appeared in open Court before me Michael F. Mills Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk holding said Court John Phelps of said Colebrook who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in and obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7 1832, that in addition to his former Declaration made before this Court in the 6 day of August AD 1832 that as of the time mention in his former Declaration the first was seven months and that as to the other three times after considerable investigation and conversation with people who have Recollection
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and from many circumstances which have come to his Recollection he is now confident that they were three months Tours each making in the whole sixteen months which he served.  
And that he has no further evidence except three Depositions herewith forwarded, that he has no Documentary evidence of any sort.  Sworn and Subscribed this and year aforesaid In open Court before me 
John Phelps 
Michael F. Mills Judge of the Court of Probate of the District of Norfolk 
I Michael G. Mills Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the mater of the application of John Phelps for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 of July AD 1833 Michael G Mills Clerk
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 1832.   
State of Connecticut 
Litchfield County } Ss Norfolk Probate District On this 6th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court now sitting before me Michael F. Mills Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk [unreadable] said Court that my said Court John Phelps of Colebrook in Litchfield County aged Seventy Six years old last February 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officer Capt Hezekiah Parsons then of Enfield and Col Pitkin of East Hartford by enlistment on or about the first of May 1775 for the Term of seven months and was marched to Roxbury near Boston who he with the Company where he was stationed for a short time [unreadable] then marched to to Langlee Cove where he served until the End of his Term which was about the
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first of December 1775 was dismissed but not in writing as he recollects. 
That in the year 1776 he was drafted into the Militia under Lieutenant Abby then of Enfield was taken to New York about the forepart of August.  Served about three months, was a part of the time near Kingsbridge, was a part of the time under Col. Newbury, was moved about from place to place. 
That in the year 1777, he again joined the army as a volunteer about August or September under  Capt Joseph Booth was taken to Fishkill, from there he was marched to Red Hook when the British shipping went down the River he was marched back to Fishkill a little below when he served until discharged. That he served betwixt two & three months.   
That in the year 1779 about the fore part of July he was drafted and entered the service under the  command of Capt Jonathan Bush of Enfield and in Col. Peases Regt., was then marched to New London where he served about three months
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that he has no documentary evidence to prove his statement but has four Depositions which he wishes forwarded with this Declaration.   
And that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and Declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State.  
That he was born in Enfield in Hartford County and resided there until the fall of 1783 that Enfield was his place of Residence at the time he did the service before stated and that in 1789 he moved & Colebrook where he has and now resides,  that he is well acquainted with the Rever. Rufus Bahoch Clergyman and Lancelot Phelps Esquire of said Colebrook and that he is well known to them and they can testify as to his Character 
John Phelps 
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me 
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate for Norfolk Probate District
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We Rufus Bohoch Clergyman and Lancelot Phelps Esquire both Residents in Colebrook hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Phelps of said Colebrook who has Subscribed and sworn to the within Declaration and believe him to be Seventy Six years of age that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion and that he sustains a fair Character for truth and veracity
Rufus Bahock 
Lancelot Phelps 
Sworn and Subscribed the day on year aforesaid before me 
Michael F. Mills Judge of Probate for Norfolk District 
And the Law Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named John  Phelps applicant was a Revolutionary
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and Served as he states, and the Court further certifies that appears to said Court that Rufus Bohoch who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the said town of Colebrook and that Lancelot Phelps Esquire is also Resident in said Town of Colebrook that they are both credible person and that their statement is entitled to Credit 
Michael F. Mills Judge of the Coun Probate for Norfolk District 
I Michael G Mills, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Phelps for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 6th day of August 1832 Michael G Mills Clerk
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I David Phelps of Enfield in Hartford County of lawful age depose say I am now seventy nine years old that John Phelps now residing in the Town of Colebrook in the County Litchfield, is my Brother that he is now according to my recollection seventy six years old that he was born in the town of Enfield in the County of Hartford State of Connecticut & resided in this town untill he was about twenty seven years old,  that previous to that time in the year Seventeen hundred & seventy six said John Phelps I believe in the month August was drafted to go to New York in a company of Militia Commanded by Capt Richard Abbey that he marched to New York served there from two to three months, I cannot be certain of the time of Service.  I was at New York in service at the same time but not in the same company. That in the following years John Phelps went to Fishkill on the Hudson River in a volunteer company commanded by Capt Joseph Booth.   I cannot say how long he served in this campaign. I then belonged to the continental Army & saw him frequently at different places on the Hudson River while he was engaged in the service.  I had no personal Knowledge of any further service of John Phelps during the war having my self Continued in the Regular Service for three years, but I have always understood that he afterwards served at New London in the Militia & further the deponent saith not 
David Phelps 
Hartford County, Enfield 5th July 1832  
Then personally appeared David Phelps & was duly cautioned & sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, & deposition was taken at the
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request of John Phelps of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut to be used in an application of John Phelps for a pension under an act of Congress passed at the first Session of the Twenty Second Congress to be heard before the County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield on the 4th Tuesday of Sept next
before me  
L. T. Pease Justice of Peace 
State of Connecticut
Hartford County } Ss Enfield July 11th 1833 
1 hereby certify that David Phelps who signed the foregoing Deposition is well known to me that he is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to full credit 
Lorrain T.  Pease Justice of Peace
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I Moses Pease of Enfield in Hartford County of Lawful age testify & say that I am acquainted with John Phelps now residing in the Town of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield, that in the year seventeen hundred & Seventy nine he resided in Enfield that in the month of July of that year went to New London in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt Jonathan Bush, that he served there I believe from two to three months, I cannot be positive as to the time although I served with him in the same Company.   
Moses Pease 
Hartford County Ss Enfield 5 July 1832 
Then Personally appeared Moses Pease who after being duly cautioned made Solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him Subscribed said deposition taken at the request of John Phelps of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield to be used in and application of Phelps for a pension under an act passed at the first session of the twenty second congress before the County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield on the fourth Tuesday of Sept next before me 
L. T.  Pease Justice Peace
State of Connecticut 
Hartford County }ss Enfield July 11th 1833 
I hereby certify that Moses Pease who signed the foregoing Deposition is well known to me that he is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to full credit 
Lorrain T Pease Justice of Peace
Page 23

State of Connecticut 
County of Hartford} ss 
I Jared Griswold Clerk of the County Court for said Hartford County, do hereby certify that Lorrain T. Pease, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Joseph Parsons, Francis Belknap David Phelps, & Moses Pease were respectively taken, was on the fifth day of July AD. 1832, a Justice of the Peace for said Hartford County, & that I verily believe the respective signatures, purporting to be his are genuine. 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this fourteenth day of September AD 1832 
Jared Griswold Clerk
Page 24

To the Hon’ble County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield on the fourth Tuesday of Sept 1832 to be used in application of John Phelps of Colebrook in County before Court for pension under an act passed at the first Session of the twenty second congress, taken at Enfield in Hartford County this 6th day of July 1832 & sealed up by me 
L. T.  Pease Justice of Peace
Page 25

To the County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County Litchfield on the fourth Tuesday of Sept 1832 the Deposition of Francis Belknap to be and in an application for a pension by John Phelps of Colebrook in County under an act passed at the first Session of the twenty second Congress taken at Enfield in Hartford County this 5th day July 1832 sealed up by L. T. Pease
Page 26

To the Hon’e County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield on the fourth day of Sept 1832 the Deposition of Joseph Parsons to be used in an application of John Phelps of Colebrook in said County before a Court for a pension under an act passed at the first Session of twenty second Congress taken at Enfield in Hartford County this 5th day of July 1832
L. T. Pease Justice of Peace
Page 27

I Joseph Parsons of Enfield in Hartford County of lawful age testify & say that I am acquainted with John Phelps now residing in Colebrook in the County of Litchfield formerly of said Enfield that in the year seventeen hundred seventy six I saw him several times at New York that he was then in the Service of his country with the militia as I understood that in the following year he served in a volunteer company under the command of Capt Joseph Booth that he first marched to Fishkill on the Hudson River & served at various points on said River during the campaign, the time of service was according to my best recollection about three months.  I served in the same company with him marched from home with him & returned with him after we were discharged & further this deponent saith not.   
Joseph Parsons 
Hartford County ss Enfield 5th July 1832 
Then personally appeared Joseph Parsons who was duly cautioned & sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed deposition taken at the request of John Phelps of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut to be used in an application of the said John Phelps for a pension under an act of Congress passed at the first Session of the twenty second congress the County Court to be holden at Litchfield within & for the County of Litchfield on the first Tuesday next before me 
L T. Pease Justice of Peace
Page 28

State of Connecticut 
Hartford County }  Canfield July 1833 
I hereby certify that Joseph Parsons who signed the foregoing Deposition is well known to me that he is a credible person & that his statements are entitled to full credit 
Lorrain T Pease Justice of Peace
Page 29

I Francis Belknap of Ellington in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut of lawful age Testify & say that I am acquainted with John Phelps now of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield formerly of Enfield in the County parties that in the year Seventeen hundred & Seventy five in the month may he enlisted in a company of Connecticut State Troops (or Colonial Troops) we then were under the command of Capt Hezekiah Parsons that he marched to Roxbury in the month of May & served there for the term of seven months when he was discharged the term of Enlistment having Expired. I belonged to the same company marched from house with him, served & returned with him & further the deponent saith not 
Francis Belknap 
Hartford County ss Enfield July 1832 
Then Personally appeared Francis Belknap who was cautioned & sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed said deposition taken at the request of John Phelps of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield to be used in an application of John Phelps for a pension under an act passed at the first session of the twenty Second Congress before the County Court to be holden at Litchfield within for the County of Litchfield on the fourth Tuesday of Sept next before me L T Pease Justice of Peace
Page 30

State of Connecticut 
Hartford County } ss Enfield July 11th 1833 
I certify that Francis Belknap who signed the foregoing Deposition is well known to me that he is a credible person & that his statements are Entittled to full credit 
Lorrain T Pease Justice of Peace
Page 31

Rev War 
14137
INVALID. 
File No. 14,137 
John Phelps 
Pri Rev. War  
Act: June 7" 1832 
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 225  
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 32

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Page 33

Norfolk Ct.  July 19. 1833 
Hon J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir - I here with forward the Declaration of Stephen Taylor.  I have placed the seals as I believe they are right.  Also John Phelps [unreadable] you will see that Judge Pease who took Depositions has certified that the witnesses are credible men.  Mr. Phelps wished me to write that you will find the person who testified for him, now this person [unreadable] the same to which they sworn thus served with him.  Also Mr Cobb and Mr Smith state they have made some further Directions should their pensions be allowed thus wish you to make them return to me.   Your Svt
Michael F. Mills