Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4025, Samuel Gill, Conn.
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Conn.   Gill, Samuel  R4025
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Clerk's Certificate. Sold by Croswell & Jewett, No. 2, Street's Building, New Haven, Conn.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
County of New Haven
COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE.}SS.
I, Henry G. Lewis Esq., Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of New Haven and keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of Peace for said County, hereby Certify: - 
THAT,
Ezra Stiles Esquire was on the 12th day of August 1847 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for the said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, with power by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgement of DEEDS and other instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to this instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Court this 13th day of August 1847.
Henry G. Lewis, Clerk
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I John Gill of the Town of West Haven County of New Haven and State of Connecticut doeth depose and say that I am acquainted with Samuel Gill of the Township of Leboeuff  County of Erie and State of Pennsylvania.  He is my brother and according to my fathers family record he was borne on the 22d day of February in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty eight in the Town of New Haven County of New Haven and State of Connecticut

He was a member of a company of Militia in the said Town of New Haven, and in August or September, in the year 1776, he was drafted (and marched, as he after informed me to the City of New York)  he was at that time about between three and four months, And in Spring of 1777 at the time the British burned Danbury he was called out with the Militia, and was at that time about two or three weeks, and again in the year 1778 he volunteered and was stationed at the City of New Haven, he remained there about six months, during his stay in the [illegible] at that time I called to see him about once a week. My mother washed his clothes, and I carried them to him, I was at that time a Boy.  And lived with my Father about four and a half miles
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out of the City of New Haven.  My Brother Samuel also made his home at my Fathers when he was not on duty.  And again at the time when the British Fleet sailed into the mouth of the harbor at New Haven in the year 1779.  My brother Daniel and myself were in the streets of New Haven, and the colonel then in command sent my brother Daniel into the country with orders to a Militia captain to approach into the city.  He went, and returned the next morning.  Then Daniel and myself joined a company commanded by Captain Mansfield (who was at that time a continental officer, though at home on a visit). We marched out and met a small party of British, fired a few times, and our capt. commanded a retreat, and on our retreat we crossed over a stone fence, and as my brother Daniel fired his gun it bursted, struck off the lock, split the barrel and badly shattered the stock, but he escaped unhurt.  We then continued our retreat and went into the city, and in a short time we all left the city, and the British took possession of it.

Samuel Gill then went home and remained there until in the year 1781, then moved to the State of Massachusetts, and in the year 1820 of 1821 he removed to the County of Erie in the State of Pennsylvania, where he now
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resides.  I have only saw him once since he left home, but have often received letters from him.

The above is all particulars I can remember in relation to Samuel Gills service in the Revolutionary War.

North Haven August 12th AD 1847
in the presence of Ezra Stiles

John Gill his mark

State of Connecticut  )
County of New Haven)  ss North Haven Aug 12th 1847

Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said County the above named John Gill, and maid oath to the truth of the forgoing affidavit by him subscribed.

        Ezra Stiles, Justice of the Peace
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State of Pennsylvania
Erie County


   On this eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, personally  appeared in open Court of Common Pleas, before the judges of the same Court were sitting Samuel Gill, a resident of LeBoueff township in the County of Erie and the State of Pennsylvania and aged seventy eight 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 entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated -

  I first entered the service of the United States at New Haven, Connecticut in April 1777 under  Captain Moses Gilbird in Col.  Thompsons (?) regiment for six months service in the militia.  I was placed on Guard at that place, and remained there during the whole six months, employed in keeping off the British shipping and [illegible] and refugees.  During this time, although the British had possession of the whole Long Island Sound and often appeared at night, and there were some ship sinking with the row Gallies in the Sound, we had no battles on the sea or [illegible] on the shore.
I moved about this whole tour and continued in the service employed as above stated until the end of the months.  I never received any formal discharge in writing.  Immediately after the expiration of this time, I entered the service again under this same Captain and the same Colonel and joined the detachment under command of General Israel Putnam at Fairfield. Soon after I entered at this time we marched from New Haven to Fishkill and from there to Red Hook, near this, intelligence reached us of the defeat and capture of Burgoine.  General Putnam ordered the guns to be fired and three cheers were given, and we were ordered back to New Haven, where I was discharged.
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by the officers of the line, but no written discharge given.  In this time I was in service on month.  In the month of April, I think of the year following, the British having landed their army below Fairfield orders were issued for the militia to march in order to meet them, and I again entered the service under the same Captain in Col. Silliman (?) Regiment and marched to Fairfield and joined the army before we reached what was called the Compo Hill where the British had landed.  Before we reached this place a continental Col. whose name I do not now recollect took the command.  On that day we had a battle with a detachment of the British army and the Americans drove the British over Compo Hill to their shipping.  General Wooster had the general command of the American side and was killed in this battle.  This was a day or two after the British had burnt the town of Danbury with the stores of provisions and accommodations.  At this time I was out but a short time, but not less than seven days.  About the fourth or fifth of July in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine the British landed about three thousand men at New Haven.  The alarm guns were fired.  When an older brother and myself without being enrolled or called, joined Captain Joseph Mansfield's company.  Captain Mansfield of the Continental Line then being at New Haven.  We took up the New Haven Bridge in order to prevent the British from coming into the town of New Haven and went over on the stone fence and met the British on the Milford road and had a slight discharge of a gun fires, where they drove us back into New Haven, but did not do any damage except harming a few stones on the wharf and shattering windows of the buildings and followed some. That day the British left New Haven and next landed at East Haven shortly after this
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they went on to Fairfield and burnt it down,  I was employed at this time a week or ten days, not less than seven days.
----------------------

  The affiant states that he has no documentary evidence of his services, nor is there any living witness that he knows of to prove his service  -- that he was born at New Haven in Connecticut on the 22d day of February in 1758 -- that he resided there until June 17th 1785 when he removed to Springfield Massachusetts where he remained until the 1st of October 1821 when he removed to the place where he now resides, viz LeBoueff town - Erie County. -- That he has no record of his age, but he believes there is one in the Town of New Haven, a town record of that place.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity, except this present, and also avers that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency or any state.


Sworn to and Subscribed
the day and year aforesaid

                                     Samuel Gill

--------

Erie County

Horace Flowers, now residing in McKean Township, Erie County, hereby certifies that  -- I am well acquainted with Samuel Gill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration,  that he was well acquainted with him in the town of Springfield, Massachusetts when he resided there, about thirty years since, that he believes him to be seventy eight years of age, that the said Samuel Gill has always maintained a
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good reputation for truth and respectability and he believes him to have been a soldier of the Revolution.

Horace Flower

Sworn and subscribed the
9th day of November
AD 1836
                                        
William Kelley,  Pro[tonothary] 

-----------

We Henry Colts residing in the borough of Waterford and Stephen Skinner residing in McKean Township both in Erie County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Gill who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is a respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution War, and that we concur in that opinion.

Henry Colts
S. Skinner

Sworn and subscribed the 
day and year aforesaid

William Kelly Pro


--------

And the said Court declare their opinion after investigation of the matter & after the questions required by the War Department have been answered that the said applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states - that the said Horace Flower, Henry Colts and Stephen Skinner are citizens of this county personally known to this Court and are worthy of credit as credible witnesses as any clergyman.

Certified in Open Court  Nov. 1836

Henry Shippen
President of 6th District
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34.131

Samuel Gill
Pennsylvania
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Erie County

I William Kelley Protonothary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County
do certify that Henry Shippen Esqr is President Judge of the Sixth Judicial District in Said Commonwealth, composed of the counties of  Erie, Crawford and Venango.  And further that I am acquainted with the handwriting of said Judge and verily believe that the Signature "Henry Shippen" herewith annexed is his genuine signature.

[  ]estimony.  Whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court this 15th day of April 1837.

William Kelley, Pro.
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Samuel Gill  Erie PA

June 7th 1832   Suspended
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Crawford
Be it known, that on this eighth day of December A. D. 1852 before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared: Warren Gill (son and heir of the late Samuel Gill Revolutionary Pension claimant) resident of Crossingville in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the lawful heir of Samuel Gill who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension Act of ................
That he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Countermanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint SAMUEL M. KNIGHT, of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute the claim of the late Samuel Gill for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers of documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Department at Washington City or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable at the Washington City, D. C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do more I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
W. Gill

Sworn to, subscribed, and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Warren Gill to be directly interested in said claim as set forth, and to be the identical party therein alleged.
E. A. Tinny, J. P.

State of Pennsylvania
County of Crawford
It is hereby certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of said county that Warren Gill the party who has sworn to, and acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney, is the child of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify, that Edward A. Tinny Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, was, at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office, this thirteenth day of December 1852
Joseph Brown Prothy of the Court of Common Pleas

1. Claimant's name or names in full 2. Post Office address.
3. That he is the identical man or that she is the widow of the identical man or that he or she is the legal heir of the identical man, &c, &c
4. Leave this line blank 5. He is, she is, or they are. 6. Revolutionary soldiers full name. 7. Claimants signature. 8. Claimant's name. 9. magistrates signature.
10. identical, widow of, or child of. 11. magistrates name. 12. Clerk's signature.

N. B. Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the number.
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of Samuel Gill, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau.
R4025

[column titles]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
STATE.

Aug 1776 10 mos. Pri. Captain Moses Gilbert Colonel Thompson Conn.

April 1778 7 days Pri. Captain Moses Gilbert --
Conn.

Jul 1778 6 mos.  Pri. -- Col Thompson
Conn.

July 1779 7 days Pri.  Capatain Hillhouse/ Mansfield

Battles engaged in, Compo Hill
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated
Date of application for pension, Nov. 8 1836
Residence at date of application, LeBoeuf Township Erie Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, Born at New Haven Co. Conn, Feb 22, 1758
Remarks: Son Warren Gill testified in the Claim 1851
Brother Joh Gill testified in the claim 1847

The claim was rejected on the ground of no proof of service.
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1906 Feb 28 History to Mary Margaret Wyman (letter in Sur File 39576 John Gill) Mass

REJECTED
4025
P. O. Samuel Gill
Service: _______
Enlisted :________, 18 __
Discharged: __________, 18 ___
Application filed: ___________, 18___
Alleges: _________________
Re-enlisted: __________
Attorney: ____________
P. O. ___________
_____Recognized.   ______Contract
____Cert. of Dis.    Searched for _______, 18____
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No. 34.131
Samuel Gill
PA

Let to Hon. J. Gilbraith, 26 July [?]
Letter to Hon. J. N. Farrelly
January 22/48
Hon. J. Thompson Apl 14 1851

Act 7 June 1832
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[illegible] Gill
Pennsylvania

Suspended

See letter 26 July 1837 Hon. John Gilbraith
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State of Pennsylvania
County of Erie} Ss.
On this 27th day of December A. D. 1857 personally appeared before me President Judge of the Sixth Judicial district of the State aforesaid Samuel Gill a resident of Le Beoff in the county of Erie and state of Pennsylvania aged eighty 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 of Congress passed June 7th 1932. That he was born on the 22nd day of February A. D. 1758, at the town of New Haven in the county of New Haven and state of Connecticut. That he enlisted and was enrolled in the Connecticut militia in the year 1775 in Capt Moses Gilberts Company and regiment of Col. Thompson. In August 1776 he was drafted and went to the city of New York, from which place he was sent with others to Fort Lee about ten miles up the Hudson River at which place he remained on duty until the November following, a day or two after Fort Washington was taken by the British forces (Fort Washington stood nearly opposite For Lee, on the Hudson, we saw the British escaping, and left the Fort). From whence he marched with the soldiers to Newark in the state of New Jersey under the command of General Green at which place he joined the Army under Genl. Washington and continued with it during the march up the same to Brunswick and from there to Princeton and from there to Trenton, and thence as up the Delaware River into the state of Pennsylvania (received no incident of importance in connection with the march except exceeding hard fare and frequently seeing the British in the [illegible]. He served the term three months when his tour of service being out he applied for a discharge, received it (which he has lost) and went home in the forepart of December 1776. In April 1777 he was one of about six hundred militia raised by Genls Wooster and Arnold on the occasion of the burning of Danbury by the British at which time he was under the command of Capt Moses Gilbert in the regiment of Col. Thompson. He marched with the forces raised recently to Danbury when they divided and General Wooster with about one half of the men followed the British and had an engagement at which Genl Wooster was wounded and afterwards died in consequence of his would. Deponent remained with the
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forces under Genl Arnold who had a skirmish with the British
and was forced to retreat but the next day attacked and drove
 to the ships lying in the sound. In July 1778, Deponant volunteered
for six months, and was stationed at New Haven where he served ┃
as a guard under Col Thompson and Col. Lebours. He served the
whole time of the six months and was discharged
and was discharged and went home. In July 1778 Deponant was
in New Haven at the time the British landed at which time
Col Lebours sent Deponant to Capt Gilbert with orders for him
to join his company Gilbert lived four and a half miles out of
the City Deponant went to him in the night and delivered the
orders and returned to the city the night before the British
landed. Deponant at that time served in Capt. James Hillhouse's
company which after it was formed was commanded by Capt
Mansfield who took the command for the time. He was a
continental officer at that time at home on a visit. Deponant
recalled, that some skirmishing was had between the forces
but that the Americans retreated and the British entered
the City and did much damage and among other things cut out the tongue of 
one of the citizens. [Thomas Moore] Then they went into East
Haven Fairfield and Norwalk and from thence to Horseneck
and attacked Genl Putnam. After which time Deponant
remained at his Father's House four & a half miles from ┃
New Haven until the year 1786. when he moved to West Springfield
Hampshire Co. Massachusetts, and resided there in 1821
when he removed to the County of Erie Pennsylvania where
he has ever since resided. Deponant hereby relinquished
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. Deponant by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend at Court.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before
me in Erie County aforesaid
Gaylord Church
                               his Samuel Gill
Presiding Judge
of the 6th second Dist. including
the County of Erie Pennsylvania
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(8-1776)
SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Gill, Samuel
R. 4025
CONTENTS
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State of Pennsylvania
Erie County Ss}
I Wilson King Protonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, in and for said county, certify that the Hon. Gaylord Church, before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of Samuel Gill (who is now [illegible] and company to his house) was made as a Judge as aforesaid. I also certify that the said schedule and oath have been admitted to the record of said Court and that the same are truly copied therefrom, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court, and the same court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department - that the before herein name of applicant, was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states, and the court further certify that it appears to them that Samuel Shepardson, who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the township of leBoeuf in the said county of Erie and that F. W. Miller is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my official signature and affixed the seal of said court at Erie this 28th day of December A. D. 1847.
Wilson King Prot.

State of Pennsylvania
Erie County Ss}
I Wilson King protonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the actual proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Gill for a pension.
Witness my hand and the seal of said court at Erie the 28th day of December A. D. 1947.
PS. [illegible] has paid 50 cts.
Wilson King Prots
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31 March 1857
Judge James Thompson

Mr. Triplett will examine the papers in the case of Gill & state the difficulties.
Com.

The bearer of this letter will call you in a few days.
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Erie March 31st 1851

Hon. James E. Heath
During the sessions of Congress of 1841 & 1842 or perhaps during the sessions of 1837 or 1838, Samuel Gill of this county made application for a revolutionary pension through the representative from this district Hon. Arnold Plumer. The papers were declared defective by Mr. Edwards. Will you do me the favor to cause an examination of the papers & hence to my friend Mr. Wm. Thompson who will had you this the result. In which I wish the case is adjudicated. The old soldier is still living & I am sure deserves a pension. His son wrote me shortly ago that the degree of proof for which the case was before rejected can now be supplied. I have neglected to state that the applicant belonged to the Connecticut Line. I hope this will find you the [illegible] of good health & a little more leisure then when Congress was in session.
With great respect and truly yours
James Thompson
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Washington Jany 10th 1848

Sir,
I herewith send you an application of Samuel Gill of Erie County Pa for a pension.
Very Respectfully
Your ob,
J. W. Farrelly

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
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O. W. S. File 39, 576 John
O. W. Ry 4025 Samuel

[stamped]
U. S. P. B.
OLD WAR & NAVY
JAN 17 1906
FILES
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Painesville O.
Jan. 14. 1806

Com. of Pensions,
Sir,
Excuse haste in my former letter. I was surprised at it - on reading.
John Gill of Conn. served in the War of the Revolution. Am desirous of name of wife and dates of birth - and death &e.
Samuel Gill of Conn. (North Haven or Hadden) or of Mass. (finally settling in what was then West Springfield) is said by a grandson to have served in
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the Rev. War. and to have been at Fishkill on the
Hudson at the time of Burgoynes' surrender.
Have you any proof. If a
pensioner please give me
all information possible.
Yours respectfully
Mary Margaret Wyman
202 Bank St
Painesville, O
U.S. Pension Office Jan 16 1906 [stamp]
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L.M.H.
COPY.

Pension Office,
January 22d, 1848.

The supplemental declaration of Samuel Gill I have the honor to inform you has been received and filed with his other papers under the act of 7 June, 1832.

Gill in his present declaration alleges that he was enrolled in the militia of Connecticut in 1775 under Capt. Moses Gilbert of Col. Thompson's regiment, that in 1776 he served 3 months at Fort Lee and in New Jersey, names of officers not given, in 1777 he was at Dansbury under Capt. Gilbert and Col. Thompson, line of service not specified, in 1778 he served 6 months at New Haven under the same officers and served also in 1779 under the above officers.

In 1836 the applicant filed a claim to which no allusion whatever is now made, setting fourth a term of service in 1777 at New Haven under Capt. Gilber of Col. Thompsons regiment, and three short terms rendered subsequently under the same officers amounting to 1 Mo. 14 days. He was required then, to establish his service by the certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut which has not been done, this requisition should be complied with and in addition to which it must be made to appear by a transcript of the law, that authority for an enlistment of 6 months as a guard at New Haven.

The discrepencies between claimant's first and second statement is well calculated to inspire a distrust as to the validity of his claim, record evidence of a high order sustaining clearly
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(Gill)
-2-
his service as specified by himself will therefore be required to authorize its admission

Hon. John W. Farrelly,
House of Representatives