Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8062, for Messenger Lockwood, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn,
  
Lockwood, Messenger
Sarah

NUMBER
W. 8062.
Page 2

                     1153
Connecticut
Sarah Lockwood
widow of Messenger
Conn   Lockwood
who served in the Revolutionary
war as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
30 Dollars  44
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 29th January 1849
Certificate of Pension issued the
6th day of Octr 1854
and sent to
Charles Hawley
    Stamford
              Ct
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
July 29, 1848, Page 62    Vol. A
Page 3

Connecticut No 28124
Messenger Lockwood
of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut
who was a private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Lockwood of the Regt commanded
by Gnl                    in the
line for nine months-
_____________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 30 Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
______________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of May
1834  and sent to C. Hawly
       Stamford Cont
___________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar.             1834.              90.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4. Sept. "                 15.00
                                                                               ---
                                                                         =105.00

                                                  { Revolutionary Claim,}
                                                  { Act June 7, 1832.     }
Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk
Book E.2 Vol. 3 Page 24
Page 4

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County Ss  } Probate District of Stamford
    On this 19 day of September AD 1833 personally appeared
in open Court before the Court of Probate for said District, now
sitting Messenger Lockwood a resident in Greenwich in the County
of Fairfield & State of Connecticut who being first sworn according
to law doth on his oath depose & say in addition his original dec-
laration under date of August 30th 1832 that he has recently correspon-
ded with his brother Enos Lockwood & others who was with him in the
service of is from their recollection & his own well satisfied & therefore
testifies that his first enlistment in 1781 was for only a part of a
six months tour of duty which commenced about the 1st of January
of that year - ??? enlistment was on the 1 of Apl. and
excused two days from it & that for the residue of said tour of duty
which ended July 1st 1781 or thereabouts. The declarant can not be
certain as to the precise length of time but he knows certainly that 
said 1st tour of duty of this declarant under his said 1st enlistment was
for two months & twenty five days at least - he believes & has no doubt
it was for full three months, but that he may not exceed the truth
he limits it to the period above stated. As soon as this tour of
duly expired & immediately thereafter declarant again enlisted in the
same Company of guards, for nine month, ending the 1st of April 1782
or with one or two days of that time - declarant faithfully served
out both enlistments- These guards were regularly embodied
troops raised & ordered out in to service by the public authorities of
the State of Connecticut - Declarant enlisted & served as a private
his Officers were Capt. Timothy Lockwood & Lieut Oliver Ferris
during all this time declarent was in service in the field in guarding
the shores of town from the British & Forces who molested that winter
from Long Island & the mainland and Constantly as declarants ser-
vices were rendered in the immediate vicinity of his house, he could
occasionally do a little chore at his home; but was constantly
under arms - constantly on duty & could not & did not during
the time aforesaid follow any civil pursuit; & during all the
time ???? operating regularly as any soldier his pay being as
the thinks two Connecticut pounds ($6.67)  per month. All the
services rendered in said Greenwich & the occasions on which the Guards 
(declarant  among the rest) were called in various directions to repel
???? marauding parties of the enemy were any numbers of the
????? could give no details of them without being exceptionally ??
??? & Declarant has already forwarded all the
testimony he can obtain, his witnesses will know as they that write the
fact of his serving but are unable to specify the time when
his services began & ended - He knows he has stated them correct-
ly Dedarant knows his 2d enlistment ended about Apl 1st 1782
because capt. Waring then took command of the guards -
Page 5

the service in Greenwich was extremely harrasing the population
not numerous of the inhabitants were subjected to sore inconven-
ience - Declarant enlisted a short time before he was sixteen years
old, being then perfectly able to do duty in the guards & being accepted
by the officers as a soldier & faithfully serving as through his en-
listments. He cannot usefully state the particulars of his service more
than he has said already. It was such as must be expected from
troops so situated with an enemy constantly harassing them in
there near vicinity
         The Declarant Deposeth & saith that by reason of old age
of the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to
the precise length of all his service but according to the best of his
recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below in
the following grades
       For five months & twenty five days (at least) I served as a private
(in 1781 as before stated) - for nine months I served as a private
(in 1781 & 1782 as stated), making in all eleven month & twenty
five days - & for such service I claim a pension
Sworn to & subscribed the                      Messenger Lockwood
Day & year aforesaid
                                Chas. Hawley Judge

I Daniel Smith a clergyman residing in the Town of Stamford in
Connecticut hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
Messenger Lockwood who has subscribed & sworn to the above
declaration - that I believe him to be sixty eight years old
that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur
in that opinion
Sworn & subscribed the day                          Daniel Smith
& year aforesaid
                  Chas Hawley  Judge
     And the said Court duly declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories presented by the
war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutinary Sol-
dier & served as he states. And the Court further certify that it appears to
them that the Revd David Smith who has signed the preceding certificate is 
a clergyman resident in the town of Stamford in Connecticut & is a credible
person & that his statement is entitled to credit
                                    Chas. Hawley  Judge

I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of
Stamford in Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the appl- 
cation of Messenger Lockwood for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of
office this 9th day of September AD 1833
                                                    Saml Lockwood Clk
Page 6

Coast Guards & did not belong to the regular militia

        The said Messenger Lockwood 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 to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
C H Hawley  Judge                          Messenger, Lockwood

    We                        a clergyman, residing in the town of
and                             residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with                                   who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be                       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 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 Peter Lockwood, Enos Lockwood, Drake Lockwood & Ebenezer Jessup who have signed the preceding certificate or depositions are residents in the town of Greenwich in Connecticut and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit
                                                                      Chs. Hawley Judge

    I, Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in Connecticut
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Messenger Lockwood for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of
Office, this 4th day of September 1832
                                                Saml Lockwood Clk
Page 7

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield   } Ss   Probate District of Stamford

On this 30th day of August AD 1832 before the Court of Probate for
and District, personally appeared Peter Lockwood of Greenwich in said
District who being first duly sworn doth on his oath in open Court depose
& say that he has always known Messenger Lockwood of said Greenwich
who is an applicant for a pension believes his age to be sixty seven
years -  his character for truth is good. In the Revolutionary war (the year
he cannot recollect deponent being then quite a boy) said messenger as de-
ponent well recollects belonged to the town guards in said Greenwich under
Capt. Timothy Lockwood now dec? - said Guards used to quarter at the
house of deponents father & deponant well recollects that said messenger
usedd to be there with other of the guard - cannot say how lay he was in the
service, but thinks from his recollection of seeing him at his fathers
house for several months at least- all the summer through
                                                          Peter Lockwood

And on the same day personally appeared before said Court Enos
Lockwood of Greenwich in said District who being first duly sworn
doth on his oath in open Court depose & say he has always been
well acquainted with Messenger Lockwood who has subscribed & sworn
to the preceding declaration - his age is sixty seven years & his char-
acter for truth perfectly good. Deponent was an enlisted soldier in
the Town guards in said Greenwich under command of Capt Timo-
thy Lockwood decd & Lieut. Oliver Ferris and (being state troops of
Connecticut) from the spring of 1780 to the spring (April he thinks)
of 1782 said messenger was as deponent well recollects an enlisted
soldier in said Guards for a considerable time but he cannot state
the precise time, - he knows it was not in 1780 & it must there-
fore have been in 1781 for it was before Capt. Waring suc-
ceeded to the command of said guards. The duty was
in said Greenwich in guarding the coast s &c- The enemy ????
frequently to harass us from Long Island & other places - partic-
ularly from the Island
                                Erin Lockwood

And on the same day before said Court personally appeared
Lockwood of Greenwich in said District who being first 
according to law doth on his oath in open Court depose
that he well knows Messenger Lockwood who has
& Sworn to the foregoing declaration believes his 

the
Page 8

sixty seven years & his character for veracity is
as that of any other person. It is generally reputed
in the neighborhood where he resides that he was a so
voution (viz, in the town guards in said Greenwich
we concur in that opinion for Deponent has heardd
said neighbourhood speak of said messenger having be
service & he has no doubt such was the case - Depon
ways lived in said Greenwick & is sixty nine years old
                                            Drake Lockwood

Sworn to & subscribed by the said Peter Lockwood Enos
Lockwood & Drake Lockwood respectively the day & year
aforesaid
                                              Chs Hawley Judge

And now on this 1st day of September AD 1832 before said Court person-
ally appeared Ebenzer Jessup of Greenwich in said District who
being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath in open
Court depose & say that he has always known Messenger Lockwood
who has subscribed & Sworn to the foregoing declaration believing
him to be sixty seven years old - his character for veracity Good
deponent is almost sixty eight years old. In the Revolutionary
war deponant was an enlisted Soldier in the Town Guards in
said Greenwich in two successive years. In 1781 under Capt
Timothy Lockwood & Lieut Oliver Ferris & in 1782 under Capt
Henry Waring - in one of these years, & which deponent does not
recolect, said messenger as deponent well recollects, belonged
to said guard & did duty therein - deponent will remembers
being on duty with him on one particular occasion when Capt
Saml. Lockwood now decd brought in, in a boat, a British
or Hessian officer whom he had taken on Long Island - deponant
cannot tell how long said messenger was in said service
Sworn to & subscribed the
                                                       Ebenr Jessup

Sworn to & Subscribed the
day & year aforesaid
                                                     Chs Hawley Judge -
Page 9

State of Connecticut } Ss.     Probate District of Stamford
County of Fairfield    }
    On this 30th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court,
before the Court of Probate for said District,


                                                                               now sitting,
Messenger Lockwood a resident of Greenwich
in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged sixty seven years,
who being first 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 Officers, and
served as herein stated: viz. in the early part of the year 1781 in the Revo-
lutionary war & as he thinks about the 1st of April he enlisted into com-
pany of Connecticut State Troops in said Greenwich commanded by Capt
Lockward now dead & Lieut, Oliver Davis now dead. - the company was as
the militia along the lines was under the command of Genl John
Mead, but was not as deponent supposes attached to any particular
Corps. - There were such companies raised by authority of the State in
all the towns along shore to guard the coasts & Towns - Declarant cannot
now recollect the terms of his enlistment but he knows that from the time
didof his enlistment he steadily served & did duty in said guards till Capt
Henry Waring (Snowdon?) took the command of the company which was as de-
clarant thinks in April (or thereabout) in 1782 - after which time
declarant and not serve in said guards - the duty was rendered
entirely in said Greenwich in guarding the shores & places against the
very frequent incursions of the enemy - especially from Long Island
      Declarant was born August 26th 1765 has a record of his age
on an old family record which has existed for several generations
residing in said Greenwich when he entered the service as aforesaid & has
resided there all his life. Enlisted voluntarily, - cannot state the names
of other officers nor of other Regiments, nor circumstances of the service
more particularly than he has done. - He can procure the certificate
of no clergyman in relation to his services, because many years have
elapsed since they have had a settled Clergyman in the parish where
he resides & they have had clergymen occasionally preaching
there since they ceased to have a settled clergyman yet no one of
them knows any thing of Declarants services or has heard them
talked about.- He can therefore refer to no clergyman but
he refers to Enos Lockwood, Drake Lockwood & Peter Lock-
wood of said Greenwich & neighbors to prove his character
for truth & their belief or knowledge of his services as a soldier
of the Revolution - never received a written discharge - he was
born in said Greenwich- said company was called Town or
Page 10

B Paper
                                                            1847
                                                            1806
                                                          _______
                                                                 41
Page 11

Shadrach was born June 16 1798
Messenger was born June 11, 1800
Hannah was born November 16 1802
Maria was born May 31. 1804
Elizabeth was born September 18 1806
John noys was born January 26 1810
Abba Cecilya was born July 16 1811
Messenger discest the 16 July aged 13
months 5 days 1801
Abba Cecilya discest the 30 december
aged 2 years 5 Months 1813
Egbert was born August the 1 1845
Page 12

No
Sarah Lockwood
wid of Messenger
     Ct

July 29 1848


Chas. Hawley Agt
Stamford Ct
Page 13

●
State of Connecticut }    Probate Court
County of Fairfield    }    District of Stamford
     On this 15th day of September AD 1854 be-
fore William T. Minor Judge of the Court of Probate
for the said District of Stamford personally appeared
Sarah Lockwood aged Eighty four
years a resident of the Town of Greenwich in the
County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut, who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order to ob-
tain the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress, passed July 29 1848 granting
pensions to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary war, that she is the widow of
Messenger Lockwood late of said Greenwich who was 
a private in the Revolutionary Army- that her said
husband was a pensioner of the United States at the
time of his death at the rate (according to her recol-
lection) thirty dollars per annum & that his name
was inscribed on the Roll of the pension agency
in said State of Connecticut - she refers to the evi-
dence accompanying his declaration in file in the
Pension office at Washington for proof of his ser-
vices. That her name when she was married to
said Messenger Lockwood was Sarah Ferris -
She further declares that she was married to the
said Messuage Lockwood as she believes in
the month of October 1796
Page 14

that she was married by Col. Charles Webb of
Revolutionary memory who was a justice of the peace
& resided in Stamford near her fathers residence & who
has been dead many years. She recollects no persons
present at the marriage besides said Col. Webb, her
father & mother & one William Guernsey- Her father &
mother have been dead a long time & said Guern-
sey left the place a great many years ago & whether
he is living or dead the does not know nor where
if living he is to be found. She has no record evidence 
whatever of the time of her marriage nor of her mar-
riage nor can she find any altho' she has had dili-
gent search made for such evidence among all her
relatives & in the Records of said Stamford where
said Webb lived & died . She can therefore be no
more particular in the statement of the time of
her marriage that she has been above. That her
said marriage took place at the house of her father
James Ferris in said Greenwich. That her said
husband died on the 29th day of January AD
1849 at his residence in said town of Greenwich
in said County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut
that she was not married to her said husband prior to
his leaving the service but the marriage took place
previous to the second of January eighteen hundred
Viz at the time above stated. - She further swears
that she is now a widow (viz the widow of said
Messenger Lockwood & that she has never before
Page 15

made any application for a pension. In reference
as to the time of my marriage I would say that I
was married nearly two years before the birth of my
first Son Shadrach who was born June 16th 1798
as appears by the record of the birth of my children
on the leaf hereto attached which has been kept
in our family bible and is in the hand writing
of my late husband the said Messenger and has
always been in said bible until the present time
The last entry on said leaf is of the birth of a
grand son viz Egbert
                                               Sarah Lockwood
State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield   } SS.  Probate Court District of Stamford
           On this 15th day of September AD 1854 before
William T. Minor Judge of Said Court of Probate
personally appeared Sarah Lockwood maker of the
foregoing application and made oath that the
same was true and signed the same in my
presence. And I certify that I know the
said Sarah Lockwood and that she is a
credible person.
                                    William J. Minor Judge
                                 of the Court of Probate for the
                                       District of Stamford
and I further certify that the words on
Page 16

the first page "on the 3rd February 1853, were
erased and the words " July 29th 1848, were
interlined in both cases before Execution
                           William T. Minor Judge
Page 17


We Shadrach Lockwood and Abigal
Lockwood both of Greenwich Fairfield
County Connecticut depose and say that we are
well acquainted with Sarah Lockwood the
foregoing applicant for a pension and know
that the foregoing signature purporting to
be hers is her own hand writing and sig-
nature. And that she is the identical
person who made the same and is now
making this application for a pension
                                 Shadrach Lockwood
                                   Abigail Lockwood

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield   } SS.  Probate Court District of Stamford
          On this 22nd day of September AD 1854 before
William T. Minor, Judge of said Court of Probate
personally appeared Shadrach Lockwood and
Abigail Lockwood makers of the foregoing
deposition each of whom signed the same in
my presence and made oath to its truth
before me. And I certify that I am well
acquainted with each the saidand that each Shadrach Lock-
wood and Abigail Lockwood 
is a credible person
                      William T. Minor Judge
Page 18


I Peter Lockwood of the Town of Greenwich in the County of
Fairfield &  State of Connecticut do testify of say that I was
eighty four years old on the 12th day of instant  September I
always well knew the late Messenger Lockwood of said Greenwich
now decd, having during my whole life lived in the Society of Old
Greenwich in said Town of Greenwich in which he lived & died & I
have always known his wife, now his widow - Her maiden name
was Sarah Ferris daughter of James Ferris who lived & died in
said Society in said town, a great part of my life I have lived
within one mile of them all - indeed within half a mile of them
& have never lived at a great distance from them then about
one mile. I have known said Messenger & his said wife from
my youth up, at all times, until said Messenger died & have
well known his widow since - she now lives in said Society where
her husband died. I recollect well the marriage of said Mes-
senger & Sarah. They were married by Col. Charles Webb who
was a Justice of the peace. It seems to me I was present
when they were married, but I cannot assert confidently
that I was. But I recollect hearing said Col. Webb very soon
afterwards speak of having married them. He married me also
to my wife. I know well their marriage was notorious in the
neighborhood at the time & that they were ever afterwards till
said Messengers death considered by every body to be husband &
wife & as such they always lived together & had children & ever
at all times sustained the best of character for virtue &
correct deportment, - soon after their marriage they came &
lived in my family for some three or four months while said
Messenger was building his house. He was older than myself
but I was married before he was. They were married in the
fall or winter & came to live with me the next Spring
I cant state what year they were married without reference to
my own marriage of the date of that I cannot now state
without reference to my family Bible which I have not
now by me. But I was married several years after the
close of the Revolutionary War & said Messenger accord
Page 19

ing to my collection was married some two or three years or
thereabout after I was
There can be no doubt that he & said Sarah were lawfully
manied & ever lived together lawfully as husband & wife
                               Peter Lockwood

The said deponent further adds that he has
Examined the record of his marriage in his family
Bible and finds that he was married on the
fifteenth day of August 1795
                           Peter Lockwood

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ⎬ S.S. Probate Court District of Stamford
               On this 15th day of September A D 1854 before
WilliamT. Minor Judge of said Court of Probate personally
appeared Peter Lockwood maker of the foregoing depositions
who signed both of the same in my presence and
made oath to their truth. And I certify that
I am well acquainted with the said Peter
and that he is a credible person and
I further certify that the words "three and
"I was present we ceased and the word
"four was interlined in each case before
Execution
                      William T. Minor Judge
                        of said Court of Probate, for
                          Stamford District

Peter Lockwood
Deposition
Page 20

I James P. Palmer of Greenwich in Fairfield County in
Connecticut of lawful age testify that I well knew
the late Messenger Lockwood decd of said Greenwich who
was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States.- I
was present when he died & saw him die, it was ac-
cording to my recollection on the 29 day of January
AD 1849 - I am now about 38 years old &
have always well know said Messenger & his wife
now his widow Sarah Lockwood - have been fre-
quently at their house & know they always lived together
as husband & wife & they were always reputed
in the neighborhood to be such, They were al-
ways people of entire respectability
                                James P Palmer
Page 21

I Walter Ferris of Greenwich in Fairfield
County in Connecticut of lawful age testify
that I have always lived next door neighbour
to the late Messenger Lockwood of said Greenwich
who was a revolution Pensioner of the United 
States & his wife now his widow Sarah Fer-
ris - she is my great aunt. I have always
been familiar in the family - I assisted in laying
him out after his death which occured I think
January 29 1854 - They always lived together
as husband & wife & were always reputed to be
such among the family connections & relations
& by every body else who knew them
I am now forty nine years of age and up-
wards
                                           Walter Ferris
Page 22

I Charles Hawley of Stamford in Fairfield County in Connect-
icut of lawful age testify that I well knew the late Messen-
ger Lockwood of Greenwich who was a Revolutionary Pensioner
of the United States & well know his widow Sarah Lockwood
I perceived the pension for said Messenger in the year 1832 or
thereabout I think & since that time so long as he lived saw
him repeatedly every year & during almost all if not all of that
time was at his residence in said Greenwich several times each year where I always saw him, his wife & other members of his family. - He & said Sarah lived together during all said time as husband & wife, treated & addressed each other as such & were universally considered such in the neighborhood. - They were both in point of moral character & reported as respectable
as the most respectable, so much so as to forbid all
idea of their so living together without having been lawful-
ly married & I think no two persons could without hav-
ing been married have been so such respected as they
by the community in which they lived. I have no more
doubt & presume no one who knew them has any more
doubt of their having been lawfully husband & wife than
if I had seen them married-
I have on behalf of Mrs Lockwood & in support of her
application for a pension made all the search & enquiry
in my power for some record or written evidence of her
marriage but have been unable to find any, either in
family bibles or elsewhere. I have examined the town rec-
ords of said Stamford where Col. Charles Webb (as I learn)
lived & died & can find nothing & have enquird of Wil
Page 23

liam H Holly Esqof this place who is administrator of the
estate the late Dr Samuel  Webb decd of this place who was
the son of said Col. Charles Webb & who would have undoubtedly
been more likely than any one else to have any records or papers
of said Col. Webb in his hands & he (said Holly) informs me
he has never seen among the proper of said Samuel any record
memoranda or papers of the said Col. Webb -& I am after
such search of enquiry satisfied no record or written evidence
of said marriage can be found. I further state that I have
caused enquiries to be made among the nearest relatives of
said Sarah, but without obtaining by information - &
further that I have caused the records of said Greenwich 
to be examined & am informed that they bear no evidence
of said marriage .
                                  Chs Hawley
State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County       }  SS. Probate Court District of
Stamford. On this 16th day of September AD 1854
before William T. Minor Judge of the Court of
Probate for Stamford District personally appeared
James P. Palmer and Walter Ferris Each maker
of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
and each signed the same and made oath
to its truth before me. And on the 20th day 
of said September personally appeared Charles
Hawley maker of the deposition by him
subscribed and signed the same and made 
oath to its truth before me and I am
Page 24

tify that in the deposition of said Hawley
the words "several times Each year were inter-
lined before execution and I further certify
that I am well acquainted with said
James P. Palmer said Walter Ferris and
said Charles Hawley and that each is a
credible person
                               William T. Minor Judge
                           of said Court of Probate

State of Connecticut} SS. Probate Court
County of Fairfield   }      District of Stamford
                          I Sands Seely Clerk of said Court
of Probate and keeper of the Seal and records
thereof hereby certify that William T. Minor
is the sole presiding Judge of said Court of
Probate and that the foregoing Signature
purporting to be his are his own genuine
hand writing and signature
In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affix-
ed seal of said Court at
Stamford this 22nd day of
September A.D. 1854
Sands Seely Clerk of said Court
of Probate for
Stamford District
Page 25

Messenger Lockwood


Suspended until
(Enos Lockwoods
claim is heard
from - returned
30th Oct 1833)
first term of enlistment before
16 years old not allowed
9 mo private
$30

C Hawley Esq
Stamford
Ct
Page 26

                                                          WAR DEPARTMENT.
                                                                          Pension Office,
                                                                            4 ??  1833
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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Statement, showing the service of Messenger Lockwood
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Period when the   Duration of the       Rank of     Names and rank of the Field of-       Age at present,              Proof by which the declaration is supported.
service was           claimant's service      the             ficers under whom he served.      and place of abode
rendered                 Yrs  Mos  Days      claimant                                                             when he entered
                                                                                                                           the service.



 



                                                                     I am, respectfully,
                                                                          Your obedient servant,
                                                                              J. L. EDWARDS,
                                                                                               Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 27

                                       2
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
instance, 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 )  Ss.
                  County of            )
    On this              day of               personally appeared (a) before 
       A. B. a resident (b) of                 in the county of                  and State, Territory or District
of     aged (c)       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 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)        ,   with          and
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 serv-
ed 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 on that of
the 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 revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                                         of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) 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 (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                                             and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                                                        , who was
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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 days 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 Revo-
lutionary 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                                  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 commis-
sion; 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 ser-
vices 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
Page 28

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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.
       ( To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and, if so, by whom was it giv-
   6. (                    en, 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
                      has become of it?
   7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can tes-
tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
   The Court will see that the 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.
If 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 is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
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 the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can pro-
cure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
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 fol-
low 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: I served as a ------For year months, and----
days, I served as a ------- For ---- months and -----days, I served as a ----------; 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, 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 that they served two years
in the militia &c without specifying the tours, the names of the officer, and other particular 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 au-thority; 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 pub-
lic 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.
   Ij) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Departmentmate 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 wit-
nesses, 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 is
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
Page 29

Brief in the case of Sarah Lockwood widow of Messenger
             County and State of Connecticut
                    act July 29 1848
_____________________________________________
Claim, "original

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was pensioner under the act of June 7.
1832 at $30 a year, his papers show the service,
the only points to be proved in this case are, date of
Marriage prior to 1800, her identity as the widow
of the pensioner and the date of his
death. Date of Marriage is proved by the family
record which shows the birth of a child in 1798
the other points are established by Shadrach Lockwood
Abigail Lockwood, Peter Lockwood, James Pal-
mer & Charles Hawley
Charles
Name and residence of Agent                                Thornton Triplett   
Charles Hawley Esq                                                                      Examining Clerk.
Stamford Ct
Page 30

Sarah Lockwood
widow of Messenger
                   Ct
Adm 29 July 1848
9 mos pri  $30
per annum from
29 Jany 1849 when
her husband died


Sent to
Charles Hawley Esq
Stamford
     Ct
Page 31




Hon  L.  P.  Waldo
Page 32

                                        Stamford Sept 29. 1854
Hon Loren P. Waldo
                        DrSir
I forward an application
a pension by Mrs Lockwood widow of the late
Mesenger Lockwood of Greenwich who was a
Pensioner - Please communicate the result to me
                   Your very respectful Svt
                                  Chs. Hawley
Page 33

                                  Pen Office Oct 3 1854
Sir
Messenger Lockwood Connecticut Roll, act 1832, $30 per annum
Please state to what time paid.
    R J Atkinson                 Very Respectfully 
     3d Auditor                          S. Cole
                                        for Comr Pensions
In reply 

Messenger Lockwood died 29 Jany 1849. paid
                                  Robt J Atkinson
                                         Auditor
Page 34

Revy  WIDOW, & c.
          ______________
File No. 8062
Sarah Lockwood
Widow
Messenger Lockwood 
Pri Rev. War
       _______________
Act: July 29, 1848
Index:--Vol. A, Page 441

[Arrangement of 1870.]