Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,021, for Hugh Thompson, Connecticut
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Thompson, Hugh

NUMBER
S. 23021

CONTENTS
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5498
New York
Hugh Thompson of Franklin in the State of New York who was a Pr. & Sgt. in the company commanded by Captain Briggs of the Regt. commanded by Col Ledyard in the Connecticut line for 10 months private and 1 month Sergeant

Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 38 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1931.

Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of Febry 1833 and sent to Hon E Root Ho Repres [House of Representatives]

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 - $57.49
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 19.16
(total) $76.66

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk
Book D Vol. 5 Page 144

Date of death not on A. B. [agency book]
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Hugh Thompson
New York

Record

Honal. E Root
H. R.
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BRIEF in the case of Hugh Thompson
of in the State of 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge?  in open court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he?  79
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
Period. 7th of May in 1777   Duration of Service.  4 Months  Rank.   private   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Cap. An’w Backus  Col. Ledyard
Period.  1779  Duration of Service.  1 Month   Rank.  Sergeant   Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Cap. Joseph Briggs
Period.  1779  Duration of Service.  2 Months  Rank. Sergeant Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Joseph Briggs
Period.  1780  Duration of Service. 2 Months  Rank.  Sergeant  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.  Capt Joseph Briggs
Period.  1781  Duration of Service.  2 Months  Rank.  Sergeant  Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Cap Joseph Briggs
5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?   County of Windham Connectcut
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?   Not attached as the regulation requires
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above 
George Payton 3
Examining Clerk
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Hugh Thompson

In the matter of Hugh Thompson for a pension

admitted
1 Sept
10 mo. pri.

To be sent to to & takin care of by me E R
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State of New York Delaware County ss

On this tenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for the county of Delaware now sitting Hugh Thompson a resident of the town of Franklin in the County of Delaware and State of New York 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 benefit of the act passed June 7th, 1832 - 

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

That I entered the service the first of May in the year 1777 as a volunteer - That at the time of my volunteering I lived in the town of Plainfield, County of Windham and State of Connecticut my Captain's name was Andrew Backus and the Lieutenant's name was Abraham Shepherd. We marched for New London in the State of Connecticut when we arrived on the first part of May after I started one or two days. While at New London we were under Major afterwards Col Ledyard and our occupation besides the common duties of a soldier were to work on Fort Griswold then building Capt. Potter of Plainfield and state aforesaid volunteered to go and went for the purpose of building Fort Griswold on the Groton side of the river Thames - There was an acting Col. by the name of Gordon at this time
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in New London and I remember of a company of militia under Capt John Johson of Canterbury, Windham County, State of Connecticut. I left New London on the first of Sept 1777 having served my term of volunteering which was for four months and returned to Plainfield my place of residence.

In November of the year 1778 I removed to the town of Pownel State of Vermont within the limits of Joseph Briggs Capt company. In April of the year 1779 I was chosen Clerk or orderly Sergeant in Capt Brigg's company of militia. this company was not at this time in the service. In June following of the year 1779 my company and the militia generally were called to Castleton by Gov Chittenden. We remained here one month one month and were dismissed and returned home to Pownel, while here we scouted about Lake Champlain opposite Fort Ticonderoga. On the first of October 1779 my company was ordered to Castleton again where we remained two months our business was keeping guard and scouting about as before mentioned. In the fall about the month of October in the year 1780 my company under Capt. Briggs was ordered to Castleton again by Gov Chittenden  and we remained there two months scouting and guarding the out forts, While on this tour I suffered much for the want of provisions.
In the month or about the month of October in the year 1781 again by the orders of Gov Chittenden my company was called to Castleton and we remained two months, and
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returned back home, while in these tours I was in no engagement. 
At each time we were called to Castleton there were some persons who refused to go on account of scruples of conscience and would not bear arms and were fined by Capt. Briggs - these fines I was ordered to collect - during my residence at Pownel in Vermont I was often called to engage the Brittish who came down upon us in the Green Mountains of Canada.  
And at a certain time in Sept. 1781 I remember the enemy entered Pitstown in the State of New York and we captured Blakely Esq and his son whom we discovered on their way to the Green Mountains with eight others in the whole - The men who took Blakely and the others, were a part of a company under Capt. Hopkins, and a part of Capt. Briggs of which last party I was one - While I was engaged in collecting the fines of which I have spoken above I gave my receipt to one and was addressed by the wife of a Mr Jenks of Pownel in the following manner, "now says she you have given your receipt - what do you think you will do when the king has overcome us- we shall not take your paper money then no no, we must have it all in gold and silver when the King has subdued you”, to which I replied “If the King overcomes us my receipt would be good for nothing for I shall fight til I die” - From that time I found the men did their duty and had no more scruples
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of conscience.
I was born in the town of Plainfield State of Connecticut 1753 Sept 16th and the record of my age is on the town records in that town & in my fathers Bible.  Since the revolutionary war I have lived in the town of Saratoga New York where I moved in 1752 and from there I removed to Franklin my present place of residence 1751 March. I was when in the service called out by Gov. Chittenden except when I lived in Connecticut at Plainfield when I volunteered as I have before stated and I never was drafted or served as a substitute for any person. I was acquainted with Gen Ethan Allen, Col. Samuel Herrick, who was my Col while in Vermont except Col Samuel Robinson who was chosen in 1781. I never received a written discharge for my services but was verbally dismissed by my officers, and that I never received a commission as orderly Sergeant. 
And I further declare that I refer for information in regard to my character for truth and veracity and the belief that I am a soldier of the revolution in my neighborhood and to Col William Dewey, Daniel Beach, James Hughston, Judge William Beach and William Betts. And I further declare that at the time I volunteered in Plainfield Conn, that I volunteered under Capt Butler although I belonged to Capt Backus company when resident at Plainfield. While at New London I do not recollect of any troops of the United States army being there
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nor any other officers beside those I mentioned as above. Pownal was from Castleton sixty miles and we marched through Manchester, Shaftsbury and Wells from the year 1777 for four years I was a minute man, held myself in readiness at all times.  I have no documentary evidence nor know of any person living who can testify to my services.  Capt Briggs I learnt last winter was dead, and I relinquish all claim to a pension or annuity except the present & that my name is not on the roll of any State. 
C B Sheldon Clerk  
Hugh Thompson
Del County SS 
We Elijah Baldwin a Clergyman ending in the town of Merideth County of Delaware and Amos Douglass and Titus Todd residing in the town of Franklin and County aforesaid hereby certify  that we in well acquainted with Hugh Thompson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be about the age of seventy nine years; 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 
Elijah Baldwin 
Amos Douglass
Titus Todd
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
C. B. Sheldon Clerk 
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 applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Elijah Baldwin who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident
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the town of Meredith County of Delaware and Amos Douglass and Titus Todd who have signed the preceding certificate are residents of the town of Franklin and County of Delaware are credible persons and the their statement is entitled to credit- 
Judges 
I Crawford B Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware do hereby certify that the foregoing are subsequent interrogatories on in the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Hugh Thompson for a pension 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this tenth day of October in the year 1832. 
C B Sheldon Clerk 
The following interrogatories were propounded by the court and answered as follows 
1st Where and in what year were you born? I was born in the year 1753 the 16th of September at Plainfield Connecticut 
2d Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it? I have a record of my age on the town book in Plainfield and in my father's Bible.
3d  Where were you living when called into
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service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live?
I was living in Plainfield in the State of Connecticut when I entered the service and since the revolutionary war have lived in Saratoga New York and in Franklin present place of residence.
4th  How were you called into the service were you drafted, did you volunteer or are you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? 
I was called into service by Gov Chittendon I have set forth my declaration except that I volunteered in the manner I have taken in in my declaration. I was never drafted for service as a substitute 
5th 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 in the general circumstances of your service.  
I have related all that I can recollect in my forgoing declaration to which you have witness me to swear.  
6th  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
I have no written discharge but was verbally discharged 
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character
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for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
I here stated a number of persons in my declaration and will add the names of Ichabod Bartlett and Richard M Beach and Amos Douglas and Titus Todd 
Hugh Thompson
Sworn & subscribed  the day year aforesaid  
C. B Sheldon Clerk 
I hereby certify that I received these papers from the Clerk who authenticated them & know they have passed the Court Feby 3. 1833 
E Root
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See clm [claim] S. 41203 Ebenezer Stebbins adr her further rel to this sol.
December 16, 1935 
Hugh Thompson-S.23021 
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Edward J. Sheldon 
1045 E. 28th Street  
Erie, Pennsylvania 
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Hugh Thompson. 
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 23021, based upon the service of Hugh Thompson in the Revolutionary War. 
This is the record of the only Hugh Thompson found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office. The surname was searched under similar spellings. 
Hugh Thompson was born September 16, 1753 in Plainfield, Windham County, Connecticut, names of his parents not stated. While residing in Plainfield, he volunteered about the first of May, 1777, served four months under Captain Potter and Colonel Ledyard and assisted in erecting Fort Griswold. 
Hugh Thompson moved in November, 1778 to Pownal, Vermont, and sometime in June, 1779 enlisted and served one month as orderly sergeant under Captain Joseph Briggs and Colonel Samuel Herrick, scouting and keeping guard about Lake Champlain. He served in the fall of 1776, two months, and in the fall of 1780, two months under the same officers performing the same duties. He served in the fall of 1781, two months under Captain Joseph Briggs under Colonel Samuel Robinson. 
Hugh Thompson moved in 1782 to Saratoga, New York,
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and in March, 1786, moved to Franklin, Delaware County, New York. 
The soldier, Hugh Thompson, was allowed pension on his application executed, October 10, 1832, then living in Franklin, New York. 
The papers in this claim contain no reference to the family of the soldier. 
If you desire information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and cite the following: 
Hugh Thompson 
Certificate # 5498 
Issued February 12, 1833 
Rate $23.33 per annum 
To commence March 4, 1831 
Act of June 7, 1832 
New York Agency. 
Very truly yours A. D. HILLER 
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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Revolution 
23021
INVALID.  
File No. 23,021 
Hugh Thompson 
Sergt Rev War  
Act: June 7” 32”  
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 417 
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1935 Dec 16 – hist to Mrs. Edward J. Sheldon  AWF
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1045 - E – 28 St 
Erie Pa 
Dec. 3 ‘35 
Comm. of Pensions 
Pension Office 
Washington D.C. 
Sir:- I would like all the information you may have in your office regarding one Hugh Thompson – all spell [spellings]  who came here to fight in the Revolutionary war, from Ireland about 1777 with four of his sons, after the war they were given a large tract of land in Northumberland Co. Penna, where they settled altho Hugh Thompson the father of the four sons may have gone later to Maryland. I think to Baltimore , but whether he stayed there or not I am not sure,
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2 
I don't know whether his wife came over or not but he left at least five sons in Ireland, who were small children. 
I would like this information for D. A. R. purposes 
Respectfully (Mrs) Edw. J. Sheldon 
[stamp] RECEIVED DEC 6 1935 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS ADM READER # 10
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41 
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD* 
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives 
NAME  Thompson, Hugh    GRADE  Private   LINE   Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER  10489  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED  May 18, 179? ([unreadable])
To Isabella McClean late Isabella Thompson Executrix
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives. registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.  Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.