Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16904, for David Keeler, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
CONTENTS
Keeler
David
NUMBER
S.16904
Carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

Connecticut
David Keeler
Soldier in the State of Vermont
in the Com commanded by Captain
of the Reg commanded
by Col Carfield
 in the Connt line for militia 10o16

Inscribed on the Roll of Connt
at the rate of 34 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 day of July
and out Edward Taylor
Danbury Connt
Arears to the 4th of March $69 32
Semi-anl allowance ending Sept 33
1733
$8665

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
recorded by ED Bullock Clerk
Vol. 3 Page 23
Page 3

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}s.d.
on this 26th day of July 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for
the District of Danbury in the said State, now
sitting in Danley in the said County and State the same being a Court of record David
Keeler a resident of Brookfield in said County
aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to
obtain the
benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he was born in the Town of Wilton in said
County & State on the 25th day of April 1752
 I have
no record of my age but was always informed
by my parents and verily believe
that to have been
the period of my birth and that on each occasion when I so
entered the service of the United States as herein after
mentioned I resided at said Brookfield-- That I entered
the service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein stated
I That in the year 1776 in the last of February or fore part of
March enlisted into the company commanded by
Captain Josiah Starr of Newfield in the County of
Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, Lieutenant Couch
& Ensign Noble Hine
were officers in said Company
enlisted for the term of two months. The Company
immediately joined the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Canfield, and marched to the City of New York, & was
stationed on Long Island
when I served the whole of
the said term, when I was verbally dismissed

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II
In the year 1776 in the month of July I again
enlisted into United States service in the Company
commanded by Captain Jabes Botsford of Newtown in
said Fairfield County, Ezra Starr & Clement Botsford
I think were officers in said company. The Company
immediately marched to Skenesborough at the lower
end of lake Champlain in the State of New York where
the company joined the Regiment commanded by
Colonel Herman Swift, a few days after we arrived
at Skeensborough I marched with said Regiment
to Fort Ann in the State of New York where we remained
until the 25th day of August, when we marched
back to Skeensborough, and was in a few days put
on board of Boats & went to Mount Independance
in the State of Vermont, & remained there until
December, when we went to Lake George in said State of
New York when I was dismissed. I enlisted at
this time for the term of six months, and served the whole of said term

III. In the year 1777 I think in the month of September or October I was drafted
for the term of two months
in the company commanded by Captain Richard Smith
Samuel Mallory, was an officer in said Company
The Company immediately marched to Peekskill in
the State of New York & Joined the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Cook, we were stationed at the old Fishkill Barracks a short time when we marched to Peekskill
in said State of New York, where I was dismissed at the expiration of said term

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IV

In the year 1779 I volunteered in the Company
commanded by Capt Richard Smith to go to
Norwalk in this State at the time that Town
was burnt, I was in a skirmish with the enemy
at that place-- was in the service at this time
two weeks when I was dismissed
At the expiration of each of said terms of service
I was verbally dismissed, & received no written
discharge that I have no documentary evidence &
know of no person whose testimony I can 
produce who can testify to my said service
excepting the witnesses whose affidavits are
hereunto annexed
Being
examined by the Court, the said David
Keeler Saith that he removed to said Brookfield in his fathers family at the age of twelve years
and has resided there ever since that
said Regiment commanded by Col
Canfield on his first term of service was Connecticut state hooks. his said Regiment was stationed on Long Island immediately opposite the City of
New York and performed Garrison Duty
there and that he was dismissed as aforesaid about 1st of May- that he has inquired and
endeavored to find a list of the said Company
that he might apply to some of the survivors
& prove said Levine, but without June
That there are undoubtedly individuals living who
served with him on jd terms, but he cannot ┃
recollect or name any one he could satisfy
himself if he could find a roll, whether there was
any living evidence of his said service or not
Page 6

He further saith that said Company commanded by Jabey Botsford belonged to said Regiment commanded by said Colonel Swift
that it has in his impression & belief
on said third town he served two months; but
the may have been but six weeks, & State
by the witness by whom he prove the said
service---
that on his fourth tour of service 
at said Norwalk he entered the service in
the month of July 1779, and was engaged
in an action with the enemy at the time
they destroyed Norwalk and that
in each of said terms of service he served as a
Private Soldier - The word occasion on
the first page interlined before signing
the word third on the 4th page also interlined
before signing Sworn & subscribed in the court
David Keeler
Page 7

the said
David Keeler hereby relinquishes
any claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present, and declares that his
name is not on the pension roll of the Agency
any State
Sworn to and subscribed in
open Court
David Keeler 
and
the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion, after the investigation of
the matter and putting the interrogatories
presented by the War Department that the
above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of
Probate for the District of Danbury in
Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application for a Pension
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of the said office this 26th day of
July 1832
Attest Edward Taylor Clark
Page 8

I Elisha Hamlin of Bridgewater in the
County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut
aged seventy seven years being duly
sworn doth depose & say, that I am well
acquainted with David Keeler of
Brookfield Fairfield County & said
State
who hath applied for a pension,
That said David Keeler in the year 1776
in the month of July enlisted into the United States
Service in the Connecticut State troops
in the company commanded by Jabes Botsford
said Keeler marched with said Company
to Skeensborough in the State of New York
then joined the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Herman Swift, and marched with
said Regiment to Fort Ann in said State of
New York & remained them untill the 25th of
August, when he proceeded back to said
Skeensborough, & was in a few days left
on board of Boats & proceeded to mount
Independance in the State of Vermont, when
he remained untill the month of December
when he proceeded with said Regiment
to Lake George in the State of New York, where
he was dismissed at the end of said term
I served in the same company with him, the same term

Elisha
his X Hamlin
mark
Page 9

July 26th 1832 Sworn & Subscribed in open
Court, and the said Court of Probate certifies
that the Deponent sustains a good character
for truth and is a credible witness
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

I Nathan Irwin having heard the above
deposition of Elish Hamlin read do
hereby apent to the same having served
with said David Keeler in the same
company, during the
same
term
Nathan Merwin

July 26th 1832 Sworn & Subscribed in open Court
and said Court of Probate certifies that the
Deponent sustains a good character for
truth & is a credible witness
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 10

I John Gregory
of Danbury in the County
of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged
Seventy one years being duly sworn do
depose and say that David Keeler
now of Brookfield during the Revolution
War and in the years 1777, and 1779
belonged to the Connecticut Militia, and
was a Private Soldier in the Company
commanded by Captain Richard Smith
in the Regiment commanded by Colonel
Joseph P. Cooke 
that in the year 1777
in the fall of the year and in the man
of September and October the said David
Keeler served as a Private Soldier in the
said Company and Regiment, about
Six weeks in the State of New York on
the Hudson River principally at
Peekskill and Fishkill, and was
dismissed at said Peekskill
---
again in the month of July 1779, when
the British burned Norwalk and Fairfield
the said David Keeler, served in the said
Company, two week, at those places
and was engaged in skirmishes with
the enemy at both places
On his first time the enemy were supposed to
extend an attempt to adiend the Hudson River
land relieve General Burgoyne
I had personal knowledge of his said
service on both tours having served in
the same company with him-
John Gregory

July 26th 1832 Sworn and subscribed
in per court and the said Court of
Probate certifies that the deponent sustains
a good character for truth, and is a credible
witness
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
Page 11

2003
July 31

Pension
Office
1832
David Keeler
Admitted
Private 10 mo & 14 due $34.66
Please direct to
Edward Taylor Eq. Clerk
of Probate Danbury Conn.
Page 12

We the undersigned
habitants
of the Town of Brookfield in the County
of Fairfield and State of Connecticut
do hereby certify that we have for
many years known and been acquainted with
David Keeler of said Brookfield
that he is generally reputed & believed
to have been a Revolutionary soldier with
and among those to whom he is known
that he is a man of good reputation
for integrity and truth; and from
the accounts he has uniformly give
his services in the war of the Revolution
and his high standing as a man
we fully believe he served two months

in Colonel Canfields Regiment and
six months in Colonel Swifts Regiment
in the year 1776. two months in
Colonel Covell's Regiment of Militia
in 1777, and two weeks in Captain
Smith's Company of Militia in
1779 -
John Jack
Isaac Lockwood
Philo Mervin
Andrew Mervin
Erlaff Keeler 
Joseph S. Covell
Record of
Fairfield County of Brookfield July 16 1832
Personally appeared the above named Joseph
who was sworn & subscribed the above
before me
Bryant Smith
Justice of
Page 13

Sworn
and subscribed before me
this
day of July 1832. and
I certify that the Deponents Sevelly
sustain good character for truth and
are credible witnesses
Justice of Peace

 
July 26th 1832 The above named John Peck
Isaac Lockwood, Philo Mervin, Andrew Mervin
Elisha Hamlin was all
Sworn & subscribed the
above certificate in open Court, and the said
Court of Probate certifies that the above named
Deponents sustain good character for truth
and that they are credible witnesses
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ⎬ SS
I Reuben Booth of Danbury
in said County & State Notary Public in and for
said Fairfield County duly admitted & sworn
do hereby certify that Bryant Smith Loge
before whom the foregoing affidavits were made
is a Justice of the Peace in & for said County
of Fairfield duly commissioned & duly authorized
to administer oaths & take depositions
I further certify that the signature to
the
foregoing
certificate preporting to be
are genuine & in the proper hand
writing of the said Bryant Smith
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed my notarial
seal this 26th day of July 1832
Reuben Booth Notary Public
Page 14

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County 
Court within & for the County of Fairfield
in said State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Bryant
Smith Esquire is now & for more than one year last past
has been a Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County
duly commissioned & duly authorized to administer oaths & take
Depositions & I further certify that I am acquainted with the
hand writing of the said Bryant Smith Esquire & that I
verily believe the signature to the foregoing Certificate purporting to be his, is genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County
Court in Fairfield this 18th of February AD 1833
Thomas B Osborne Clerk
of said County Court
Page 15

Mrs. Clarissa K. Gilbert
175 Alpine Avenue
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Dear Madam:
August 11, 1930
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
MCS: MLB
Connecticut.
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the
Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16904, that David Keeler
was born April 26, 1752, in Wilton, Fairfield County,
When about twelve years of age, he moved to Brookfield,
Connecticut, and while there enlisted and served with the
Connecticut troops, as follows:
From February or March, 1776, two months in Captain
Josiah Starr's Company, Colonel Canfield's Regiment; from July,
1776, six months in Captain Jabez Botsford's Company, in Colonel
Herman Swift's Regiment; from September or October, 1777, six
weeks or two months in Captain Richard Smith's Company, Colonel
Joseph B. Cooke's Regiment; from July, 1779, two weeks in
Captain Richard Smith's Company, and was in the battles of
Fairfield and Norwalk,
He was allowed pension on his application executed
July 26, 1832, at which time he was living in Brookfield,
Connecticut.
There are no data relative to his family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 16

June 24th 1930
Please oblige me by sending
to the address of
Mrs Clarissa Keeler Gilbert ┃
Bridgeport, Ct-175 Alpine Ave
the service of David Keeler
who was a pensioner in the
Revolution, born in Brookfield Ct
and died there receiving
a pension under the act of
18324 & 1840
Yours respectfully
.
Clarisa (Keeler) Gilbert
PENSION
JUN
28
1930
OFFICE
Page 17

16.904
INVALID.
File No. 16,904
reopened
David Keeler
Pri Rev War
Act: June "7" 32
Index: --Vol. 1, Page 284
{Arrangement of 1870.}
930
June-13-1901
Chas. G Phelps
Wallingford Com
1930 Aug. 11, hist. to
Mrs Clarissa K. Gilbert
W.C.S.
Page 18

David Keeler

Edw Taylor
Admitted
P 51
Taylor
Danbury
Page 19

*** None of the questions were answered **

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Keeler which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?   
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled?    
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of  June 7, 1832?  
VII. Has the Court given their opinion?  
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  
X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 20


XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
No - See affidavit of Rev. Joseph
S. Cowell
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it?
No. See affidavit of John Peck & others
which is signed by Rev. Joseph S. Cowell
Rector St Pauls Church Brookfield
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
And is the official character and signature of the magistrate certified by the proper officer under his
seal of office?
The notarial certificate is not sufficient on this
have -the Certificate of the County Clerk is now annexed 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
Not with respect to Elisha Hamlin -
Elisha Hamlin does state in his affidavit made on the 26th July 1832 that he served in the said Company with the applicant

xvi. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
XVII.
Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ___year
___months and ___days, I served a___ and
for such service I claim a pension

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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

30
3.33
1.11
22
34.66
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of 27
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I Daniel Tomlinson of Brookfield Fair-
field County & State of Connecticut of lawful
age depose to say. I have from my child
hood been acquainted with David Keeler
sd Brookfield, who I am informed, has
Petitioned
for a pension for his services as a
soldier in the revolutionary war, and
can say that his character for truth &
veracity has always been and is now
fair and unimpeachable and
further
Deponent saith not
Daniel Tomlinson
Fairfield County SS Brookfield April 25th
AD 1833 Personally appeared Daniel Tomlinson
signer of the above Deposition and made oath
to the facts therein contained
Before me
Henry Ruggles
Justice of Peace

I have
been for many years acquainted with
David Keeler & can certify to the truth of the facts contained in the above Deposition
H Ruggles Justice of Peace
Page 23

Abner Brundage, have been pastor of the Con
gregational Church in Brookfield Connecticut
for the term of twelve years, and during this
period have been well acquainted with
Dave Keeler, and do fully concur in the
foregoing deposition of Daniel Keeler

in reon to the character of the said
David Keeler for truth & veracity.
Abner Brundage

Fairfield County ss: Brookfield April 2th 1833
Personally appeared Abner Brundage the
above deponent and made oath to the
truth of the above deposition by him
Subscribed
-
Before me
---
Zalmon Goodsell Justice of the Peace

I have been acquainted with
David Keeler for
Twenty years & can concur with the above deposition
Zalmon Goodsell


I have been
Acquainted with
David Keeler for
twenty years
and
can concur with the above Deposition
Nathan Smith
Page 24

I
Abel Smith of Brookfield in the County of
Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy
Six years being duly sworn do depose and
say that in the month of October 1777, I
belonged in the Connecticut Militia in the Regiment
commanded by Colonel Joseph P. Cook in the
Company commanding Captain Richard Smith
of
the said Regiment & about the 15th of said
month of October was called out on --- into the service of the United States I joined the said Regiment in Ridgefield in said County of Fairfield.
we marched to Peekskill in the State of New York
and I served there at Peekskill & other places on the Hudson River the term of
six weeks or two months and were
discharged at Peekskill barracks at the
exhaustion of said term of service.

I am well acquainted with David
Keeler of said Brookfield and have
been for more than sixty years the
said David Keeler was private soldier
and served at --- in the said
Company and Regiment during the 
whole of said term of service
-
Abel Smith
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
On this 27th day of April 1833
before the County Probate for the District of Dabney said County & State, personally appeared Abel Smith the above -- deponent 
and subscribed the foregoing affidavit, and being duly sworn in
made oath to the truth of the same and said Court certifies
that the Deponent is a man of good character for truth
and a credible witness
Witness my hand and seal of office the day year aforesaid -
Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
27 Apl
Page 25

State of Connecticut,
County of
Litchfield,
Probate District of New Milford
On this 22
day of April 1833
personally appeared in open Court before the
Court of Probate for said District now sitting
at New Milford in said District
& County
Henry Nearing of said New Milford aged
seventy five years and being duly sworn
according to Law doth on his oath
depose, testify & say as follows-to wit
the last of March or first of April in
the year 1776
I enlisted into a company of
by
Connecticut State Troops commanded
Capt. Jabas Botsford
I enlisted in
that part
of the town of New Milford which now comprises a
part of the town of Brookfield
I enlisted for
the term of eight months to the best of my
recollection & belief.
I marched some
time in the month of May of the same year
and David Keeler
of Brookfield in Fairfield
County
who is now present
enlisted in
the same company for the same length
of time and marched at the same time
I did. We marched to Skeensborough
now ┃
called Whitehall and from there we
marched to Mount Independence and
then joined the Regiment commanded
Page 26

by Col Herman Swift at which place
I continued till I was dismissed which
was about the first of December or a short
time before being a few days before the
term for which I enlisted expired --before

going from Skeensborough to
Mount Independence I went to Fort Ann
and remained the same
time - The said David Keeler was in the service of the United States
in the same company in which I
served during the whole time I was in
the service at this time--the said
Col Swift
was afterwards promoted to the office of General  Josiah Starr was our  Leiut. Col.
Ezra Starr & Shadroch Hubbel were Lieutenants in the company.
Clement Botsford
was Ensign, and Munson was a Srgt
in the company ----well
acquainted with the said David Keeler
from my youth and at the time of
the service mentioned above I livided
Neighborn to him
& further saith not
Henry
Nearing
Sworn to and subscribed by the said Henry
Nearing
Sorn t and subscribed by the said Henry Nearing  the day & year aforesaid
and I
certify that the said Henry Nearing sustains
a good character for truth and is a credible witness
Nathaniel Perry Judge
of Probate for
said District
Page 27

State of Connecticut
Probate District of New Milford
I William J. Starr Clerk of the Court
of Probate for said District do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of said Court
4
in taking the deposition & testimony
of Henry Nearing for the benefit of
David
Keeler an applicant for a pension
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the seal of said
Court this 22d day
of April
AD. 1833
William J Stave Clerk