Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 15890, Henry Denison, Conn; Continental Navy
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn. 
Continental Navy
Denison, Henry or Dennison
Mary
NUMBER
 W. 15890
CONTENTS
Page 2

1985
New York
Henry Denison 
of Albany in the State of New York who was a Lieut. in the Company commanded by Captain ___________ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Pierson in the Connecticut line for 2 years and now in dest [destitute] Capacity

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 320 Dollars ______ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Nov. 1832 and sent to E. Williams

Arrears to 4th of Sept '32 $480
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Ma [March] '33 160
====
$640
====

{Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Geo. C. Stiles Clerk
Book 1 Vol. 5 page 80

[2nd page]

Sent to Erastus Williams - April 8, 1837
Sent to Erastus Williams - June 7, 1837
Page 3

[Left side] See letter to E. Williams, 5 Sept. 1???

[Right Side]
1359
Albany, New York
Mary Denison Widow of Henry Denison decd. who died on the 20 September, 1835
of Albany in the State of New York  who was a Lieut. in the Compy commanded by Captain ___________ of the Regt. commanded by Col. Pierson in the Cont.  line for 2 years Conn.

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany N.Y. at the rate of 320 Dollars ___ Cents per annum to commence on the 20 September, 1835 [lined thru] 4th day of March, 1831. [/lined thru]

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of Aug 1837 and sent E. Williams, Knox, New York

Arrears to the 4th of March 1837 $475.00
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Sep. 37, 160.00
=====
$635.00
======

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3rd}

Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk
Book 4 Vol. 2a page 106
Page 4

Declaration 
of
Henry Denison
Page 5

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
State of New York Albany County } ss

On this 18th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Judges & Justices of being a Court of Common Pleas now sitting in and for the County of Albany aforesaid Henry Denison. a resident of the town of Knox in the County & State aforesaid aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That he enlisted in the town of Stonington, State of Connecticut in April 1775 under Lieut. Elnathan Roseter of Col. Pierson's Regiment John Tyler Lieut Col. Samuel Prentice Major for seven months in the Connecticut line.  A short time after enlistment marched to New London and encamped for about two weeks at the news of the battle of Bunker hill were ordered and marched to Roxbury and there remained until the expiration of my enlistment then reenlisted as a sergeant for one year under Capt Jonathan Brewster Col Jedadiah Huntington's Regiment remained at Roxbury until the evacuation of Boston by the British while at Roxbury volunteered with seven others Commanded by Ensign Lyman to go and take the british sentry posted at Brown's Chimney on Roxbury neck succeeded in taking all of them
Page 6

three in number and marched them into camp took one myself and disarmed him and brot [brought] him in 
While the british fleet lay in Nantucket sounds volunteered with a number of others under the command of Col. Tupper to conduct a fire ship among the british fleet myself having the command of one of the boats all preparations were in readiness and orders to sail at a certain hour in the night but at 4 OClock in the afternoon on the day previous to the intended attack the fleet sailed out of the harbor and frustrated the plan
Marched from Roxbury soon after the sailing of the fleet to New London there took Shipping and sailed to New York and encamped on Byard's hill near the ship yards was there taken sick with the Camp disease terminating in a bilious fever & unable to attend to any duty my brothers came to comfort me with consent of the officers hired a substitute for the remainder of my enlistment and was taken home
In the month of April  received a Commission as Second Lieutenant of a Company of Matrasses [?] ordered to be raised for the defense and protection of the sea coast. Signed by Jonathan Trumbull Governor of the State of Connecticut and dated April 21st 1778 which said Commission is now in my possession immediately on receiving said Commission entered the service under Capt Latham Col William Ledyard's Regiment for two years in the state line was stationed at Fort Griswold while at the fort by the request of our Colonel volunteered and went on board the sloop Argo
Page 7


Capt Silas Talbot Commander who had orders to sail for Huntington on Long island and burn a guard ship then lying in the harbor sailed for the Harbor of Huntington but while in the sound was overtaken by a severe gale and obliged to run into Black rock harbor but in going in struck on a bar were obliged to throw our guns overboard our plan was therefore defeated & returned back after this voluntered on board Sloop Hancock of ten Guns Capt Elisha Hinman Commander & sailed on a cruise this deponant had the Command of of the Marines on the quarter deck soon Came in sight of the British Brig Star of 14 guns Commanded by Capt John Ware and a fever action soon Commenced which lasted for three glasses [hours]. we fought til not a ray of our Company was left standing the bigness of a man's shirt (according to our sailors phrase) when the firing ceased and we seperated and by the help of our oars regained our harbor the British last agreeable to the report of a deserter 14 men killed we had two wounded this deponent one of them in the breast slightly Remained at Fort Griswould as Lieut of the company of Matrasses till April 1786 when my two years service expired was then honorably dismissed and returned home
Sometime the latter part of July or forepart of August 1781 engaged to serve as Lieutenant of the alarm list (which said Lieutenant commission is deposed by Jonathan Trumbull is now in my possession) for three months in the militia Cavy [?] after joining the army Company commanded by Capt Caren Col Samuel Cantfield's Regiment

[left margin on edge]
[illegible] is signed by Johnathan and between the 4th & 5th line from the bottom of this page interlined between examination and sealing
Page 8

Marched to west point and while stationed there occasionally performed adjutants duly in the absince
of the regimental adjutant volunteered as Lieut. under Capt Richard Star to join the Rangers on the
lines but never recd orders to March remained at at West point for three months and was regularly
dismissed recd no written discharge
#
Has no other documentary evidence except his Commissions weekly returns of the regiment and other papers appertaining to his duty while acting as adjutant at West point [illegible] William Brown Certify to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier in the revolution.   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
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid [signed] Henry Denison

We William Brown a Clergyman residing inthe town of Knox County of Albany State of New York and Erastus Williams residing in the said town of aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Henry Denison who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy nine years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been an
officer of the revolution and that we concur in that Opinion

[left margin on edge]
# Was born in the town of Stonington 1753 age recorded in the family bible lived at Stonington when Called into service and moved from Stonington about the year 1793 to his present place of residence in town of Knox.
Page 9

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid } 
[signed] William Brown
[signed] Erastus Williams

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 officer and served as he states And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William Brown who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Knox County of Albany and State of New York and that Erastus Williams who has also signed the same is a resident in the said town of Knox aforesaid and is a credible person and that their state is entitled to credit

I Conrad A Ten Eyck Clerk of the Court of of  Common pleas in and for the County of Albany do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the Application of Henry Denison for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18 day of September 1832
[signed] C.A. Ten Eyck
Page 10

2371

Mary Denison widow of Henry - N. York

Admitted
Lieutenant 2 years

E. Williams Esqr 
Knox
New York
Page 11

State of New York Albany County } ss
Personally appeared Amos Crary who being first duly sworn according to Court says that for more than thirty years past he has been personally acquainted with Henry Denison late of the town of Knox in the County Aforesaid now deceased & who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army and a pensioner under the Act of Congress of the 7th June 1832 at the time of his decease That he is well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Henry Denison and that he this deponent has examined the said Henry family bible and a record of the births Marriages and deaths of the family are therein regularly entered and from the complexion of the paper & ink appears to have been recorded at the time and is in the proper hand writing of the said Henry Denison and as far as relates to himself and his present widow are in the words and figures following
"Henry Denison Born Novr 15th year 1753
Mary Gallup Born Jan 31 the year 1759
And was married July 14 1779"

This deponent further says that the aforesaid Mary Denison remains yet unmarried and now resides in the town of Knox County of Albany aforesaid Sworn & subscribed to this 7th day of February 1837 before me [signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace  [signed] Amos Crary

I certify that I am personally acquainted with Amos Crary the above named deponent & that he is a person of credibility & of good standing in society I further certify that the large family bible of the above named Henry Denison is now before me and the record therein as above stated is correct
[signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the third Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836

State of New York Albany County } ss
On this 8th day of February 1837 personally appeared before the Justices Court of the City of Albany and State aforesaid the same being a Court of record Mary Denison aged 78 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836.  That she is the widow of Henry Denison who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army and a pensioner under the act of Congress of the year June 1832 at the time of his death She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Denison on the 14th day of July 1779 that her husband the aforesaid Henry Denison died on the 20th day of September 1835 and that she remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereunto and annexed 

[signed] Mary Denison

Sworn in open Courtthe 8th February 1837 
[signed] J.G. Wasson Clerk

In testimony whereof I have hereto affixed the seal of the said Court this day & year above written
[signed] John G. Wasson Clerk
Page 13

State of New York County of Albany } ss
Personally appeared the within named Mary Denison who being first duly sworn according to law says upon oath that she is the widow of Henry Denison who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary army & late a pensionor of the United States now deceased and that she this deponent's maiden name was Mary Gallup that she was married to the said Henry Denison in the town of Groton State of Connecticut by Elder Timothy Whitman a Babtist Minister 
Sworn & Subscribed this 18th day of April 1834 before me
[signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace [signed] Mary Denison

I certify that by reason of bodily infirmity that Mrs Denison is unable to attend Court 
[signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace

State of New York Albany county } ss
I commander A. Ten Eyck Clerk of the County of Albany aforesaid certify that Daniel Gallup was a Justice of the peace as above subscribed at the date thereof &  that his signature is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 26th day of June 1837.
[signed] C. A. Ten Eyck Clerk

[left margin on edge]
Word Lein [?] interlaced [?] [signed] Daniel Gallup JP
Page 14

1st Brief. No. 7820

Henry Denison

admitted
2 years
Lieut't

Erastus Williams
Agt.
Page 15

No. 7820
-
BRIEF in the case of Henry Denison of Knox County of Albany in the State of New York
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Before a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he?
79 years.
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.

In 1775 April 7 Months As a private under Colo. Purdon - Lt Col. Tyler
in [1775 April] 1 Years As a Sergeant under Major Saml. Prentice. - Colo. Jedediah Huntington. 
1778 21st April 2 Years As a 2nd Lieut under Lieut. Colo. Tupper,
---81 3 Months a As a Lt under Colo. Wm Ledyard. Colo. Cantfield
1781 3 months as a Lieut. 
5. In what battles was he engaged?
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
At Stonington Connecticut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Documentary proof & traditionary evidence -
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
They appear to be correct
certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case
above mentioned.
[signed] James Ord Examining Clerk.
Page 16

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C. ................19...

   In reply to your request ........., received ......... for a statement of the military history of Henry Denison or Dennison 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. W1590

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
April 1775
Length of Service
7 months
Rank
Private
Officers under whom Service was rendered
Captain         Colonel
Lt. Elnathan Rosseter   Parsons
State
Connecticut

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
1776
Length of Service
some months
Rank
Sgt
Officers under whom Service was rendered
Captain           Colonel
Jonathan Brewster     Jedediah Huntington
State
Connecticut

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
April 21, 1778
Length of Service
2 years
Rank
2nd Lient
Officers under whom Service was rendered
Captain                 Colonel
Latham                 Ledyard
Elisha Hinman       USS Hancock 
State navy
Connecticut

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment
July or Aug 1781
Length of Service
3 months
3 months
Rank
Lient
Lient
Officers under whom Service was 
rendered
Captain               Colonel
Carew                 Samuel Canfield
Richard Starr      Samual Canfield 
State
Connecticut

Battles engaged in with Brig Starr
Residence of Soldier at Enlistment Storrington, Conn
Date of Application for pension, 
Sept. 18, 1832, His claim was aloud.
Residence of application for pension, Knox, Albany Co. NY
Age at date of application, born Nov 15, 1753, in Stonington, Connecticut
Remarks: He married at Groton, Conn. July 14, 1779, to Mary Gallup born Jan. 31, 1759, he died Sept 20, 1835, and she was allowed pension on an application executed Feb. 8, 1837, While a resident of Albany Co. NY.
   It's not stated that he was ever a Chaplain.
       Respectfully,

                Commissioner

j-285G
Page 17

Extract from General
Order. Headquarters
dated Monday Oct. 29, 1781.
Signed Thomas Grovesner
Lt. Col. D. A. General.
Announcing Surrender of
Cornwallis and for Salutes,
dinner [?] and issuing rum in
celebration thereof.
This paper has been removed
from the case to be forwarded
to the War Dept. Oct. 26. 1900.
AW.
Wid F. 15890. H. Denison
Page 18

Knox N York July 12 1827

Sir  Agreeable to your communication on [illegible] we have endeavored to procure record evidence from the place of her marriage but cannot succeed have therefore returned the Bible leaf The certificate of the [illegible] Clks is affixed to his affdt of the 18 of April

Yours respectfully
[signed] Erastus Williams


[signed] J L Edwards Esq
City Washington
Page 19

War Department,
Pension Office,
June 7 1837

Sir,
The papers of Mary Denison are herewith returned. The official character of the justice before whom the applicant was sworn on the 18th of April last, should be duly certified. It appears that she was married in the town of Groton in the State of Connecticut. Record evidence thereof may doubtless be obtained from the Clerks office, or Church of that Town if so, the Bible leaf will be dispensed with; otherwise, it must remain with the papers.

I am, respectfully,
your obt servt
[signed] J L Edwards

[signed] Erastus Williams, Esq.
Knox,
New York.
Page 20

State of New York Albany County } ss
I Conrad A Ten Eyck Clerk of the County of Albany aforesaid Certify that Daniel Gallup is a magistrate as herein subscribed and that the signature porporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony thereof I have hereunto  to affixed my seal of Office and Subscribed my name this 9th day of February in the year 1837.
[signed] C. A. Ten Eyck
Clerk

[illegible seal attached at left]
Page 21


State of New York Albany County } ss

Personally appeared Nancy Frink who being first duly sworn according to law says that she has been personally acquainted with Henry Denison formerly of Stonington state of Connecticut who was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army and later of the town of Knox now deceased and Mary Denison the present widow of the said Henry from the commencement of the Revolutionary War. That she this deponent in the year 1779 resided with the said Mary at her father's house and was present at the marriage of the said Henry and Mary which took place in the month of July or August in the said year 1779 that the said Henry was stationed at Fort Griswold at the time of their marriage, and was in the service for some time after their marriage and that she the said Mary still remains the widow of the said Henry Denison.
[signed] Nancy Frisk
Sworn & subscribed to this 7th day of February 1837 before me
[signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above deponent Nancy Frink and that she is a person of credibility

[signed] Daniel Gallup Justice of the Peace
Page 22

I Christopher Gallup of the town of Ledyan County of New London and state of Connecticut aged 73 years do on My Oath depose and say that in the year 1779 (to wit) in the month of July of said year I then resided in the town of Groton in sd [said] New London county and well remember that in sd [said] month July 1779 I was present at the weding of Henry Denison and Mary Gallup and saw them married at sd [said] Groton by Elder Timothy Wightman Clergyman of the first Baptist Church in sd [said] town of Groton I was well acquinted with the sd [said] Henry & Mary and know that he removed from the town of Stonington sin sd [said] New London County into the state of New York into the year 1793.
[signed] Christopher Gallup

State of Connecticut New London County } ss Probate District of Stonington 
On this first day of August 1837. Personally appeared in open Court the above named Christopher Gallup and made Solemn Oath to the truth the above deposition by him Subscribed and I Certify that the sd [said] Christopher Gallup is a credible witness
[signed] Stephen Haley Judge
Page 23

State of Connecticut County of New London } ss Probate District of Stonington August 1st, 1837 --

I Stephen Haley Judge of the Court of Pprobate for the District of Stonington now Sitting in said District Do hereby Certify that the old record book of Elder Timothy Wightman (late of Groton in sd [said] district deceased) in which he recorded marriages, was this day presented in court before me and that the following is a true copy of the original record in Said book. (viz) (copy)
"July 14th 1779 Then Henry Denison and Mary Gallup were married"

And I further Certifiy that from the great apparent antiquity of said book and second that I have not the least doubt but that it was made by the sd [said] Timothy Wightman at the time said marriage took plase. I further Certify that the said Timothy Wightman was legally authorized to join people in marriage.
[signed] Stephen Haley Judge

I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court ofProbate for the District of Stonington C.T. do hereby Certify that the above and forgoing contains the true proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the record of the marriage of Henry Denison and Mary Gallup, in testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal of said Court this first day of August 1837.
[signed] Nathan Daboll clerk

[illegible Court Seal attached lower left]
Page 24

J L Edwards Esqr
Comssr [Commisioner] of Pensions
City Washington
Page 25

Knox N.Y. Aug. 7th 1837

Sir,

Since forwarding the papers of Widow Denison I have rec'd further evidence of her marriage. My letter to Groton requesting information was 47 days in reaching the place whereas two days  is the usual time. So long a time had elapsed & receiving no answer Concluded there was no record of their marriage to be found.  this paper I presume will supercede the necessity of retaining the Bible leaf. If so you will please return it.

Yours respectfully,
[signed] Erastus Williams
Page 26

One 3 cts. stamp received, Rev War Dep [?]
Art: [shield and words]DOMUS GRATA
Stamp re'td [initials] osc RWJ ew
Wednesday February 22
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
Will you kindly send me any information you have of Henry Denison who served in the Revolutionary war. Who entered the war as a sergeant in Brimstus Company, 17th regiment continental troops, commanded by Colonel
Page 27

Jedediah Huntington.
I am very anxious to learn if the said Henry Denison was made a Captain at the close of the war, as his obituary states. 
Henry Denison served from the state of Connecticut. 
Sincerely Yours 
Miniford Hetrick 
413 Edgemont Ave 
Asbury Park New Jersey.

[rubber stamp] 
Pension Office 
A
Feb 24 1916
U. S.
Page 28

PD
Milwaukee Wis
134 - 8" St
June 2" 1897
Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sir
For the purpose of securing authority for eligibility to "Sons of American Revolution" the Great Grandsons of Henry Denison desire a copy of Certificate of their Great Grandfather's service in the Revolution.
We understand that he was appointed Lieut
Page 29

of 2" ─ "alarm list" ─ 8" Regt ─ in Stonington Conn.
Commission signed by Gen Jonathan Trumbull at Hartford Conn ─ in May 1779.
And that he received a Pension .
I wrote the Pension Agency to this effect, I was reffered to the Hon Commissioner.
Would you kindly furnish me with the information desired ─ .
We think this Commission must be recorded somewhere in Washington ─ although not ─ Agent Wilson says ─ not in his Dept.
Very very much obliged ─
[signed] Mrs H. B. Northrop
Page 30

D
Milwaukee Wis
134 ─ 8" St
May 24 ─ 1897
Pension Agent ─
Washington D.C.
Sir
For the purpose of securing authority for elligillity to "Sons of the American Revolution" the grandsons of Henry Denison ─ desire a copy of his pension certificate.
We understand that he was appointed Lieut ─ of 2" Alarm List ─ 8" ─ regt ─
Page 31

in Stonington Conn ─
Commission signed by Jonathan Trumbull.
George Willys in Hartford, Conn, 25 of May 1779 ─
Is there any thing further regarding him than the granting of this pension? ─ which we understand he received.
Verymuch obligated for your kindness ─
Mrs H.B. Northrof
134 ─ 8" St ─
Milwaukee Wis
Page 32

Rev WIDOW, &c.
No. 15890
Mary Denison
Widow of
Henry Denison
Lieut Rev War
Act July 4th 36
Vol. a, page 176
[Arrangement of 1870.]

June 15 1897 His 
Mrs. H.B. Northrof
8" St Milwaukee ─

Dec 8/03 Return of C[?]
reqt & Carewis Co. [?]
martial of Peter B[?]
war Deps [?]
1916 Mch 2: history to
Winifred Hetrick M.13H
Page 33

Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire
Governor, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief of the State
of Connecticut.
To Henry Dennison Gent'mn [Gentleman] Greetings
You being by the Governor and Council of Safety [?] to be Second Lieutenant of a Company or m[?] now ordered to be raised for the Defence & protection of the Sea Coast to be stationed [?] at Groton ─
Reposing especial Trust of Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the Laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you the said Henry Dennison to be second Lieutenant of said Company ─ You are therefore carefully and diligently to Discharge the Duty of the second Lieutenant in Leading, Ordering, and Exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers, in the Service aforesaid, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline, hereby Commmanding them to obey you as a Second Lieutenant and you to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or the Commander in chief of said [illegible] for the Time being, or other your Superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, Persuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand and Seal of Arms, in Lebanon the 21st Day of April Anno Domini, 1728
[signed] Jon'th Trumbull