Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17282, Joshua Bill, Conn. Privateer.
Page 1

SERVICE.
Conn.
Privateer

Bill, Joshua

NUMBER
S. 17282

carded
Page 2

Connecticut No 28381

Joshua Bill
of Groton in the State of Connecticut who was a pri & mattross] in the compy commanded by Captain Latham of the Regt commanded by Col Ledyard in the Connecticut line for 18 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 75 Dollars ---- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19th day of May 1834 and sent to Hon. N. Barbor H. of R.

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1834      225.00
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "     37.50
                                             ---------------------
                                                       $262.50

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by R. Burdine Clerk,
Book E2, Vol - Page 3

Let to Hon E Haley Mar 18 1837

ctf S469 [illegible] from Jany 1, 1828 issued 1830


Dec 20 - 1841 AB
Page 3

30869
Declaration for a Pension

Joshua Bill

Admt as approved
Maltross 18 mo $75


Please return to Honble Noyes Barber, Ho. of Reps

Hon N Barber
Page 4

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Probate District of Stonington

On this 9th day of May AD 1834 personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington, in the County and State aforesaid, now sitting Joshua Bill a resident of the Town of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aforesaid, aged seventy three years and eleven months, 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 Stated under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That, in the year 1776, he lived at his Father's house in said Groton, and in the fall of said year, the month and day of the month, the declarant is not able to state with precision, and by and with the consent and approbation of his Father, Phineus Bill, he voluntarily enlisted as a private in the Matross or Artillery company stationed at Fort  Griswold in said Groton, commanded by Capt William Latham, Youngs Ledyard Lieut, for six months service, that the company was in the Regiment or command of Col Ledyard, of the Connecticut troops, that he immediately joined said company at sd Fort, and constantly performed his duty as a matross, till the expiration of six months, when in 1777, he without loss of any time voluntarily enlisted in the same company, commanded by sd Capt Latham & Lt Ledyard, and continued to serve as aforesaid, in said company at said Fort Griswold, till [unk] in
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the year 1778, when the full term of one year the past period for which declarant enlisted had fully expired, he was honorably discharged, but received no writing to that effect, that the duties performed by declarant and others of sd company were garrison duties, exercising the cannon, constructing the arsenal of said fort, building, repairing and fitting the sd Fort and works appurtenant, that while loading timber at the show for building the arsenal aforesaid, the declarant was severely wounded and injured in the right leg, and was otherwise bruised, which caused great and increasing disability to his person, and on acct of sd wounds and disabilities he has received from Jany 1828, a pension of five dollars 33/100 per month, as an Invalid pensioner of the United States. That during his alleged service of eighteen months, at sd Fort Griswold, there were many alarms and the militia called, but he does not know or believe that the enemy landed near sd Fort or New London, during the time of said service. That he has no documentary evidence of his services aforesaid or any part thereof. That Joshua Baker and John Morgan, both of Groton, were in service in sd company at the same time and place, viz Fort Griswold with declarant. That sd John Morgan, with whom declarant has ever been intimately acquainted enlisted on the same day and at the same time with him and for a like period of six months, and that at the expiration of sd six months, the sd Morgan and declarant enlisted for the period of one year, and served together and were discharges together, and the day after our sd discharge, we both entered, on board
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the private armed vessell Beaver, a Sloop at New London, commanded by Capt Havens. That he was born in Groton in the county of New London and State of Connecticut as aforesaid 14th May 1760. That he has no record of his age except a family record.

That he was living in sd Groton when called into service where he has lived ever since the Revolutionary War, & that he now lives in said Groton. That he voluntarily enlisted when called into service and never was a substitute. That he does not recollect that any Regular officers were with the Troops where he served, or that there were any continental Troops at sd fort during said time, but that occasionally the local militia of sd Groton and neighboring Towns were called in & served at and near said Fort on alarms. That he has stated before the general circumstances of this said service. That in reply to the 6th interrogatory, he has before stated.

That he is an Invalid pensioner of the United States, as before stated, and that his name is in the Pension Roll of the agency of the State of Connecticut.

Joshua Bill

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before the Court

Asa Fish Judge
Page 7

December 21, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Joshua Bill
S. 17282

Mr. George E. Taylor
Tipton
Michigan

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Joshua Bill of Connecticut, born May 14, 1762, died December 20, 1841, in Connecticut.

The data furnished herein were obtained from [unreadable blotched line] S. 17282, based upon disability of Joshua Bill incurred while in the service of the Revolutionary War, and on account of his service in that war.

While residing at his father's house in Groton, Connecticut, Joshua Bill volunteered in the fall of 1776 or 1777, served eighteen months as matross in Captain William Latham's Artillery Company, under Colonel William Ledyard, stationed at Fort Griswold; during this service, while loading timber with which to build the roof on the arsenal, he was severely wounded in the right leg and ankle, and "otherwise bruised", this injury caused much lameness and he was unable to perform "hard duty" and for the remainder of his service of three or four months, he was employed in making cartridges. After
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the expiration of this service, Joshua Bill entered at New London, Connecticut, on board the privateer "Beaver", commanded by Captain Havens, length of this service not stated.

On account of disability resulting from the wound referred to herein, Joshua Bill was allowed pension from January 1, 1828, at which time he was living in Groton, Connecticut. He was allowed pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, on his application executed May 9, 1834, still a resident of Groton, Connecticut, where he had lived always.

Joshua Bill died December 20. 1841.

In 1830, one Gurdon Bill witnessed the signature of the soldier, Joshua Bill, in New London County, Connecticut; it is not shown that he was related to Joshua Bill.

The papers on file in this claim contain no further discernible family data.

In order to obtain the name and address of the person who received the last payment of this pension, it is suggested that you address the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:

Joshua Bill
Certificate # 28381
Issued May 19, 1834
Rate $75.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours,

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 9

17282
INVALID

File No. 17282
Joshua Bill
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32

Index:- Vol. 1, Page 33

[Arrangement of 1870]

1894 Dec 7 Hist to Harry R Barden Chicago, Ill
May 19/95 Hist to Harry K Barden, [unk] R S Bundid  19 March [unk] Chicago Ill

Aug 7 1901 Ledyard Bill, Paxton, Mass
1907 Oct 22 Hist to Mrs C B Taylor, Stinart
1926 Apr 24 " " J L Crandall AWS
1939 Dec 21 Hist to George E Taylor
Page 10

12911
INVALID

File No. 19911
Joshua Bill
Pri Rev War
Conn Regt

Act: 

Index:- Vol. 2, Page 37

[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 11

12462
P.O. Joshua Bill

Service:

Enlisted:                                                 , 18
Discharged:                                            , 18

Application Filed:                                  , 18


Alleges:


Re-enlisted:    
P.O.


 ---------------Recognized. ------------ Contract   
------- Cert. of Dis. Searched for             18
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12462
P.O. Joshua Bill
Service:

Enlisted:                                    , 18
Discharged:                               , 18

Application filed:                      , 18

Alleges:

Re-enlisted:


Attorney:
P.O.
..........Recognized ................ Contract
.......... Cert. of Dis. Searched for                  18
Page 13

Joshua Bill applied for pension May 9, 1834
act' 32 aged 73-11mo
A resident of Groton, Conn.
Enlisted at Groton Conn Artillery Co Capt Wm Latham 1776, Col Wm Ledyard
Served 18 mos
Born May 14, 1760 at Groton, Comm
son of Phineas Bill

1297
Joshua Bill
of Groton, New London Co
applicant under law of 10th April 1806 &c
Inadenissible- see letter to Hon N Barber
House of Representatives
January 6, 1824

198 
Provided for [unk]
act 20 May 1830
Page 14

United States
Connecticut District ss. Bridgeport

I, Pierpoint Edwards Judge of the District Court of the United States of America for the Connecticut District by authority of an act of Congress passed the 4th day of February 1822 entitled an act to serve and continue in force an act entitled an act to provide for persons who were disabled, by known wounds, received in the revolutionary war, do hereby especially authorize and commission Ebenezer Learned Esquire of the Town of New London of the County of New London and District of Connecticut to take an evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said act for substantiating the claim of Joshua Bill of the Town of Groton in the County of New London and District of Connecticut to be placed on the pension list of the United States by reason of known wounds received in said war or since (as presented in the fourth section of an act concerning invalid pensioners & passed the 25th of
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April, 1808, while in the actual service of the United States, and in the time of his duty and when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavit, artifices, and proceedings had have upon, together with this commission, to the Secretary for the Department of War.

Given under my hand and seal at Bridgeport the 20th day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty three.

Pierpoint Edwards
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I John Morgan of the Town of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 74 years do on my oath depose and say that in the fall of the year 1776 at said Groton where I then resided, I enlisted into the service of the State of Connecticut for the term of six months in a Company commanded by Capt William Latham, Youngs Ledyard Lieut, and was immediately stationed at Fort Griswold on Groton Heights at which time said Fort was under the command of Col Wm Ledyard. I continued in said Fort doing Garrison duty until said term of six months expired at which time I again enlisted into said Company and Garrison for a term of twelve months longer and at the expiration of said last mentioned term of service making in the whole from the time I first entered said service a term of eighteen months. I received an honourable verbal discharge from said Capt Wm Latham. Ad I well remember that during the whole of sd term of eighteen months that Joshua Bill of said Town of Groton belonged to the same Company that I did and did garrison duty in said Fort during the whole of said Term of eighteen months, and that he entered said service at the same time that I did and was discharged at the same time that I was. I have always been well acquainted with said Joshua Bill who is now present and know him to be the same person  who then served as above stated I believe him to be seventy three years of age and that his testimony is entitled to credit.

John Morgan

New London County ss. Groton March 24th 1834

Personally appeared the above named John Morgan and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed. And I hereby certify that the said John Morgan is to me well known and is a credible witness. Sworn and subscribed before me

Nathan Daboll Justice of the Peace
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I John Morgan of Groton in New London County, State of Connecticut, aged 74 years, being duly sworn before the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington, now sitting, this 12th day of May 1834 do certify declare and say on my oath aforesaid that I am the same John Morgan who signed the certificate on the page preceding dated & certified 24th March 1834 by N Daboll Esq Justice of the Peace.

That on reflection I believe I was in error as to the date of the commencement of the service of myself and Joshua Bill therein alleged, that I believe, the commencement of said service, was late in the year 1777 instead of 1776 as stated in said certificate, that as to the duration of service to wit eighteen months and other circumstances therein state, I feel confident and positive that the statement in my certificate preceding is correct.

John Morgan

Sworn before before the Court and subscribed this 12th day of May 1834.
Page 18

I Joshua Baker of the town of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 80 years do on my oath depose and say that I was in the service of the State of Connecticut for a term of two years and six months during the revolutionary war that I was stationed in Fort Griswold on Groton Heights during the whole of said term That Joshua Bill of said town of Groton enlisted into said Fort in the fall of the year 1776 in a company commanded by Capt William Latham, Youngs Ledyard Lieut to which company I there belonged that he first enlisted for a term of six months and at the expiration of said term he again enlisted for a further term of twelve months. That he was stationed in said Fort during the whole of said term of eighteen months and belonged to the same company with myself and that he received an honourable discharge from said Capt Wm Latham at the expiration of said term of service. I have always been acquainted with said Joshua Bill who is now living and know him to be the same person who then served as above stated I believe him to be about seventy three years of age and that his testimony is entitled to credit.

Joshua Baker his mark X

Witness present
Elisha Morgan
Margaret Baker

New London County ss Groton May 8th 1834

Personally appeared the above named Joshua Baker and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed and I certify that that the said Joshua Baker is well known and is a credible witness.

Sworn and subscribed before me
Elisha Morgan Justice of Peace
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the Wart Department that the above named applicant Joshua Bill was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, and that the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that John Morgan and Joshua Baker, who have each signed a certificate preceding are residents in the Town of Groton, in the County of New London and State of Connecticut, that they are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.

Asa Fish Judge

I David A Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington Ct do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Bill for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 12th day of May AD 1834.

David A Daboll Clerk

I Nones Barber, a Representative in Congress from the State of Connecticut, hereby certify that Nathan Dabole esq before whom the deposition of John Morgan was taken, and that Elisha Morgan Esq before whom the deposition of Elisha Baker was taken are Justices of the Peace, in and for the County of New London in sd State of Connecticut, and that I believe the signature purporting to be those of sd Justices Daboll & Morgan, are in their own proper hand writing. Washington, May 7th AD 1834

Nones Barber RC
Page 20

State of Connecticut
County & City of New London

On this 29 day of December 1823 before me Ebenezer Learned a commissioner appointed by the District Judge for the Connecticut District to take testimony or the application of Joshua Bill for be placed on the pension list personally came & appeared Joshua Bill of the Town of Groton in  said county & being duly sworn deposed & said that he is not on the pension list of any state in the Union & that being disposed to live independently of any aid from Government so long as he could he forbore to make application before because he has been able to maintain himself comfortably by working at his trade & cultivating as a poor little farm of about twenty acres & that his lameness has increased with an increase of years which makes him feel the effect of his wound more than formerly, in addition to this he feels that pride more than good sense operated in indulging him to postpone his application untill this time which are the reason why he has not made application before.

Joshua Bill

Sworn before Eben Learned Commissioner appointed by the District Judge
Page 21

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Groton 28th August AD 1830

Be it know that before Mr Joseph Durfey a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Joshua Bill and made oath in due form of Law that he is the identical Joshua Bill named in an act of Congress passed on the 20th day of May AD 1830., that he is entitled a pension of five dollars thirty three and one third cents per month, and to commence on the first day of January AD 1828, on amount of wounds and disability received of services rendered to the United States during the Revolutionary War, that he served in Captain William Lathams company of Connecticut State Troops and in this ?th Regiment commanded by Col William Ledyard, that he now resides in the Town of Groton New London County Connecticut and has resided there for the last sixty eight years, or from his birth. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty.

Joshua Bill

In presence of
Gurdon Bill
Joseph Drury

Sworn and subscribed this 28th day of August AD 1830. Before me

Joseph Drury Justice of Peace
Page 22

New London County ss.

I do hereby certify that Joseph Drury Esq before whom the written affidavit appears to have been made, was, at the time of the making thereof, and now is, a Justice of the Peace in New London County, duly qualified and acting under the authority of the State of Connecticut, and that the signature to the within attestation is his signature.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the County Court of said New London County this 30th day of August AD 1830.

Charles Lathrop Clerk

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joshua Bill the within signer and have been this forty years, and I also certify that he is the identical person that had a pension granted by act of Congress of 20th May 1830 of five dollars thirty three & 1/3 cents per month commencing with 1st January AD 1828. I also certify that the within signature is that of Joshua Bill.
Groton 28th August 1830.
Noyes Barber Member of Congress
Page 23

State of Connecticut
County & City of New London
On this 29 day of December 1823 before me Ebenezer Learned a commissioner appointed by the
District Judge within & for the districts of Connecticut to take testimony in the matter of Joshua 
Bills application for a pension personally came & appeared Daniel Knowles of the town of Groton 
in said County who being duly sworn deposed & said that some time either in the year 1778 or 1779 & which the Deponent does not now recollect he was a private in Capt William Lathams Company stationed at Fort Griswold-- that in one of those years Joshua Bill of said Groton was a private in 
the same company he [illegible] with the deponent - that in the revolutionary War in he [illegible} year the said Bill was brought the Barracks & to the room which he & the Deponent occupied with others, badly wounded in the right leg- the Deponent was present when the Garrison Surgeon Doctor Prentice was sent for & dressed the wound - it was an injury inflicted on the right leg & the skin & flesh was torn from the right leg in a shocking manner and ankle joints much bruised-- the deponent was not or fatigue that day & was not present when the injury
Page 24

was done but he then understood and had no doubt & now verily believes that said Bill was injured while attempting to get a large stick of Timber out of the water or wheels to be conveyed to the part for a covering to the arsenal - the Deponent although not or fatigue himself perfectly  remembers that Capt Latham directed the said Bill & a number of others to go to the water
get up the timber which had been rafted here for the covering of the arsenal & making it bomb proof & he knows that said Bill went according & in the line of his duty & was brought back as before stated-- all this took place while in actual service against the Common Enemy - the
Deponent says at all the officers are dead except Henry Denison Lieutenant who has gone to parts unknown and all those who messed with the Deponent the said Bill are either dead or gone
to some places unknown to the Deponent - the Deponent further says that the said Bill now resides in Town of Groton where he has resided for forty years past - that the Deponent has
seen him often almost every year
Page 25

& knows that he is lame & complains of being lame in the right leg by which arise as the said Bill says and as the Deponent believes from the injury sustained in the year 1778 or 1779 - the Deponent further says that the said Bill is a laborious temperate man & now in his old age walks more lame on the right leg than he did formerly
Daniel Knowles [signature]

Sworn before Eben Learned Commissioner appointed by the District Judge
-
Page 26

State of Connecticut
County & City of New Londer
On this 29 day of December 1823 before
me Ebenezer Learned a commissioner appointed
 by the District Judge of the Connecticut District
 to take Testimony in the matter of Joshua
 Bill of the town of Groton in said County
applying for a pension personally appeared
John Morgan said town of Groton who being
solemnly sworn deposed & said that in the
year 1778 or 1779 he was a private in
the company commanded by Capt Wm Latham
stationed at Fort Griswold in Groton aforesaid [ word "during" lined through]
in the revolutionary war that Joshua
Bill [illegible] Groton was also a private
in the same company that the said Bill
was badly wounded in his leg while at
Fort Griswold which wound as the Deponent then understood & believed was occasioned by the falling of a piece of timber
while covering the arsenal by order of
the officers - that said Bill was so
lame as to leave the Garrison & go home for [illegible word lined through]
some time but afterwards growing
better the said Bill returned to the Garrison
 & served out the time of his enlistment - the Deponent further States
that the said Bill to whom he is a
neighbor has often complained of the
Page 27

lameness of his leg when the injury
was inflicted- the said Bill has always
lived in the Town of Groton where he
now lives & has a small place of about
twenty acres of land has also followed
the Business of a Cooper which is his
trade & has been an industrious and sober man

               John Morgan [signature]
Sworn before}
Eben Learned }
commissioner appointed}
by the District Judge}
Page 28

State of Connecticut
County & City of New London
On this 29 Day of December 1823 before me Ebenezer Learned a commissioner appointed by the District [illegible] of the District of Connecticut to take testimony on the part of Joshua Bill in his application for a pension personally appeared Giles Chester of the of the Town of Groton in said County who being duly sworn deposed & said that during the revolutionary war in the year 1778 or 1779 he was one of the year 1778 or 1779 he was one of the musicians in the Company commanded by Capt William Latham then stationed at Fort Griswold in Groton that Joshua Bill of said Groton was a private in said Company & that while in the line of his duty & in actual service in defense of his country against the common Enemy he the said Bill together with the Deponent & a number of others were ordered to get a Quantity of timber to make a roof for the arsenal in Fort Griswold to render it bomb proof & that having rafted the timber to the place nearest the Fort, the Deponent the said Bill & others were engaged in
Page 29

getting the timber from the water or a pair of wheels to remove it to the garrison & the timber being wet the hand spike with which said Bill was lifting one piece suddenly slipped & gave way so that a great part of its weight fell against his right leg but by the active interference of the others it was prevented going on to his body after he was knocked down by the blow. The blow given to the leg was a very serious one. The skin & flesh from the right leg was much torn and injured & the ankle bruised badly. Said Bill was immediately taken to the garrison & had his wound dressed by the surgeon Doct. Prentice & after a time when his leg would allow was permitted to go home but as the wound grew better & healed up he returned to the fort & served out the time of his enlistment. On his return to the Fort said Bill was so lame that he was unable to perform hard duty & was continued for three or four months in making cartridges. The Deponent has ever been acquainted with said Bill since the year 1778. Said Bill
Page 30

has always resided in the town of Groton where he now resides and owned a small farm of about twenty acres & carries on the trade of a Cooper - but often has complained of the lameness in his leg especially of late years & as he grows older & more infirm.
Giles Chester

Sworn before Ebenr Learned
Commissioner appointed by the District Judge
Page 31

1297
Joshua Bill
Inadmissible see letter to Hon. N. Barber, House of Reps. January 6th 1824.
Feby 2d 1824
Repd (with resol) to Commr of Pensions &c

May 1 1824
Referred again to Com

Decr 8 1828
Refd to Comm. Mil Pensions

Military Pensions
Little 1 to be

N. Barber
N. Barber Comm. of Pensions
Page 32

State of Connecticut
County & City of New London
On this twenty ninth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand & eight hundred & twenty three before me Ebenezer Learned a Commissioner appointed by the District Judge of the District of Connecticut to take testimony in the application of Joshua Bill of the town of Groton in said County for a pension personally appeared John O Miner Esq of said town of Groton who being solemnly sworn made oath that in the year 1778 or 1779 the deponent was studying physic with Doctor Prentice of Groton at which time Joshua Bill was stationed at Fort Griswold in Groton as a private in the company commanded by Capt. Wm. Latham. That said Bill in one of those years received a bad wound in his right leg & was under the care of Doctor Prentice who acted as garrison surgeon. That the deponent frequently saw the leg while
Page 33

the said Bill was under the case of Doctor Prentis & then understood that the Inquiry was occasioned by a piece of timber falling against the leg while he was employed in covering the arsenal by direction of his officers, that soon after this the Deponent went from Groton but returned and settled there as a Physician in the year 1789 & has ever since lived in the neighborhood of said Bill whom he has had frequent occasion to visit on account of his lame leg.  That the difficulty in the leg of said Bill has gradually increased until it has become a callous ulcer & renders him same in that leg.  It occasionally heals up but then breaks out again with more violence just above the right ancle joint & affects also the whole of the right leg including the knee & in the opinion of this Deponent this ulcer has originated from the wound received at Fort Griswold during the revolutionary war & disables the said Bill two thirds from gaining
Page 34

a subsistence. The Deponent feels bound to state that he has long known the said Bill & knows him to be a regular, temperate man.
John O. Miner M.D.
Sworn before Ebenr Learned Commissioner appointed by the District Judge

State of Connecticut
County & City of New London
I Ebenezer Learned a Commissioner appointed by the district Judge of the district of Connecticut to take testimony in the matter of Joshua Bills application to be placed on the pension list, hereby certify that all due faith & credit is & ought to be given to the several affidavits of Doct. John O Miner, Daniel Knowles, John Morgan & Giles Chester & that Doctor John O Miner is a surgeon & physician reputable in his profession & that the testimony before me was closed on this 29th day of December 1823.
Ebenr. Learned Commissioner appointed by the District Judge of the District of Connecticut
Page 35

Groton 2nd September 1830

Sir
Your letter to me was miss sent to Groton Mass which has prevented Mr. Joshua Bill from completing his papers to procure his pension certificate untill this time. I am well acquainted with Mr. Bills circumstances. He is truly in great want of the small sum due him from the U. States and I must ask it as particular favor for Mr. Bill that his certificate may be immediately forwarded to me, and also that orders may at same time be given to the agency Hartford so to pay Mr. Bill. His case will be particularly hard to have to wait for his pension untill March 1831. I shall be pleased to hear from you so soon as it is convenient.
I am Sir, Your Obdt. Humble Servant.
Noyes Barber

P. S. Had my letter from you been correctly forwarded Mr. Bill would have had his certificate a long time before this.

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Pension Office
Washington D.C.
Page 36

Joshua Bill
Petitioner for an Invalid Pens. states he received a wound by a piece of timber on his leg when engaged in building an arsenal under the directions of his officers, in the Revolutionary War which appears from evidence has continued and from the certificate of one surgeon it has produced 2/3 disability. He applied to War Dept. Rejected on the ground he was not wounded while actually engaged in fighting in the face of the Enemy. The Commissioner think that is not a good objection and agrees to allow him a Pens. of $5.33 1/3 per month.
Decr 16 1829
Refd to Commr Mil Pensions
see letters 24 July 1830 to Hon. N. Barber and Aug 10 1830.

Barber Com

Military Pensions
Page 37

Sir
Please deliver me the documents of Mr. Joshua Bill of Groton Connecticut presented to you a few days since asking to be placed on the pension roll.
Washington 30th Jany 1824
I am respectfully yours
Noyes Barber

Edwards Esq

Rec'd the above papers. N. Barber
Page 38

(copy)

War Department
Pension Office
Jany 6th 1824.

Sir,
The documents deposited by you in this office yesterday in relation to the claim of Joshua Bill have been examined. The act of the 10th of April 1806, allowing pensions to persons disabled by wounds received during the Revolutionary War, has never been so constructed as to extend to persons not disabled in action or in the face of the enemy and of course to no cases similar to that of Mr. bill, he having been accidentally injured by the slipping of a piece of timber, while engaged in building or repairing an arsenal. A pension cannot therefore be allowed to him by the Dept. The papers have been placed on file with the rejected cases in this office.
I am &c.
J. L. Edwards
(signed)
Page 39

Free

Mystic CT
March 10

Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C. 

Mon 15
W.
Get papers
Page 40

Groton March 9th 1837
Dear Sir
I take the liberty to ask the favour of you to forward me the Petition with the Certificate & other papers in the case of Joshua Billo of Connecticut who Petitioned for an increase of his pension which papers was not withdrawn from the files of the House, also the petition and other papers in the case of Abel Sholes which are in the same same situation.

If you will take the trouble to procure those papers & forward them to the Mystic office you will confer a favor on the above named petitioners as the money cannot be drawn without the certificate.

I have the Honor to be Respectfully your Obt Servt.
Elisha Haley

Hon. James L. Edwards
Page 41

Clerks Office Ho Reps
March 17 1837

Sir, 
In accordance with your
request you have herewith the
papers in the case of Joshua Bill.
Those in the case of Abel Shoals
were not returned by the Com'r
on Inv. Pensions to which they were
ref - Should they be found in
arranging the papers, they will be
transmitted to you.
Very respectfully
your obt Servt
B. M. Berry
for the Clerk

James L. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
Page 42

War Department, Pension Office.
January 6, 1824.

Hon. N. Barber,
H. R.

Sir:
The documents deposited by you in this office yesterday
in relation to the claim of Joshua Bill, have been examined,
The Act of the 10th of April, 1806, allowing pensions to persons
disabled by wounds received during the Revolutionary War,
has never been so construed as to extend to persons not disabled
in action in the face of the enemy, and of course to no
cases similar to that of Mr. Bill, he having been accidentally
injured by the slipping on a piece of timber while engaged in
building or repairing an arsenal. A pension cannot therefore
be allowed to him by the Department. The papers have been
placed on file with other rejected cases in this office.
I am &c.
J. L. E.
Page 43

Tipton, Michigan
December 4, 1939

Veterans Administration, Revolutionary War.
Pension Department.
Washington, D. C.
Attention: Miss Finch.

Dear Miss Finch:
If it is possible I would appreciate very much, if you would
send me the official War and Company service record of one, Joshua
Bill, who according to our record was born May 14, 1762, and died
December 20, 1841, at Ludyard, Connecticut.

Our records also show that because of his Revolutionary War
record, he was granted a pension of $8.00 per month.

These records are requested in order that we might clarify
and prove the claim of our family to membership in the D. A. R.

Thanking you, I am remaining.

Sincerely yours,
George E Taylor [signature]
George E. Taylor
Tipton, Michigan

GET/FMA
Page 44

Wilkes Barre Penna
March 7th 1926
Supervisor of Pensions
Washington D.C

Sir

Can you give me any information from
your records concerning my ancestors Wm
and Joshua Bill soldiers of the Revolution
said to have been wounded at the Battle of
Groton [illegible], Thanking you in advance for
Your courtesy, I remain
Yours truly
J. L. Crandall
204 South Main St.
Page 45

28381
[letterhead]
DR. CHAS. L. SEVERY, PRESIDENT.
DR. DAVID MILLS, VICE-PRESIDENT.
DR. CARRIE B. TAYLOR-STEWART, SECY-TREAS.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
DR. EDYTHE ASHMORE
DR. CHAS. BENNETT
DR. J. M. CHURCH

Detroit Osteopathic Society
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
[end letterhead]

DETROIT, Mich. Oct. 10, 1907
To the Honorable
The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
---
Honorable Sir
my ancestor Joshua Bill served in American Revolution, was wounded in by by cannon
shot, and received a pension.

Enlisted in 6" Co. with Capt. Jas. Clark 3" Reg in Gen. Putman's army
Time of service 3 yrs
Resided in New London Co. Ct.
was pensioned as invalid May 20, 1830

Please send me all necessary information documents the to assist me to membership in D. A. R.

Thanking you for same

Mrs. Carrie B. Taylor, Stewart
#421 Bldg.

[two stamps]
OW&N DIV
FILES
OCT 11 1907

US PENSION OFFICE
A OCT 11 1907
Page 46

[stamp]
O. W. & N. DIVISION
AUG 2 1901

Hawthorne Lodge,
PAXTON, MASS. July 29, 1901.

Dear Sir:
I write to ask for a certificate showing that one Joshua Bill of Groton CT was a pensioner of the Revolution. I am credibly informed that he was a pensioner & that the same was granted in or about 1825.
Respt Yours
Ledyard Bill
Page 47

B

SONS OF THE REVOLUTION
1776 1883

Office of The Secretary.
ROBERT P. BENEDICT.
19 Wabash Ave., Room 211.

ILLINOIS SOCIETY.

Chicago, April 29th, 1895.

Hon. William Lochren,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir,
Please send me the Pension Record of Private Joshua Bill, Ledyard, Conn. for the use of his great great grand-son, Harry R. Barden. and very greatly oblige,
Yours faithfully,
R. P. Benedict
Secretary.
Page 48

Chicago Mar 18, 1894
The Honorable Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir
I have reason to believe that Joshua Bill an ancestor of mine fought in the Revolutionary Army and that he was afterward granted pension by the Government

Our records show that he was given a pension of Eight dollars per month during the latter part of his life. He died in December 1841

He went to the war from Connecticut, from that part of Groton which was afterward called Ledyard
Page 49

I would be very much pleased to have what information
the pension records show concerning him
Very Respectfully
Harry Roswell Barden
#2927 Indiana Ave
Chicago Ill
Page 50

In reply to your request of ........., received ....... for a statement of the military history of Joshua Bill 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.
S File 17.282

[title headings]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | STATE. 
Fall. 76 | 1 yr, 6 months | Matross | Captain Wm. Latham, Colonel Ledyard | Conn.
Ltr. at Ft. Griswold while loading timber which to build the arsenal of the he was severely injured in the right leg & otherwise bruised, for wh. he was pensions at 5 33/100 per mos. from Jany 1, 1828.

Day after disc. from above | Captain Stevens | Privateer Sloop "Beaver"

Battles engaged in, ~
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Groton, Conn.
Date of application for pension, May 1, 1834. Allowed
Residence at date of application, Groton, New London, Conn.
Age at date of application, b. at Groton, Conn. May 14, 1760.
Remarks: Son of Phineus Bill. No further data as to family. [illegible] record evidence. died Dec 20, 1841
Page 51

April 24, 1926

J.L. Crandoll
204 S. Main St
Wilkes Barre, Penn

Sir:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary war pension claim, S 17282, it appears that Joshua Bill was born May 14, 1760 at Groton, New London County, Connecticut.
While residing at said Groton, he enlisted in the fall of 1776 and served one year and six months as Matross in Captain William Latham's Company, under Colonel William Ledyard in the Connecticut Troops, and was stationed at Fort Griswold, while loading timber, with which to build the roof of the arsenal, he was severally injured in the right leg and otherwise bruised.
He also served on the privateer "Beaver", Captain Havens, length of service not stated.
He was allowed pension from January 1, 1828, on

Bottom of the page in handwriting that is badly faded there are only a few words I can make out, Asterisk represents a word that could not be distinguished
* * * said * * date of * * * * may be * * battle of Groton Sept 6, 1781.
Page 52

account of disability resulting from the above mentioned injury.
He died December 20, 11841.
Soldier was the son of Phineas Bill. There is no further data on file as to family.

In order to make a proper search of the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, for a soldier named William Bill, some of the following data is essential - approximate dates of birth and death, and places of residence at enlistment and after service, and first name of widow.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner