Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17916, Theophilus Fowler, Conn
Page 1

Conn  Fowler, Theophilus W.17916
                           Sarah
Page 2

3767
Connecticut 
Sarah Fowler 
Widow of Theophilus Fowler, dec’d
who died on the 5 of November, 1829
Of N. Haven in the state of Connecticut 
Who was a private in the Comp commanded 
by Captain Hall of the Regt commanded by Col. Swift Conn in the Conn o line for 6 months.
Inscribed in the roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 dollars — cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of August 1842 and sent to Hon. W. W. Boardman:H. Reps 
Arrears to the 4th of March 42 220.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept 10.00
330.00
Revolutionary claim act July 4 1836
Section the 
Recorded by Theodore L Moody, Clerk 
Book C, Vol. 3, page 74
Page 3

Reported
Letter to Pension Agt 27 March
1847
Page 4

State of Connecticut
County of New Haven
H. Guilford Probate Court
On this 17th day of June 1842 Personally appeared before
this Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in said New Haven County Sarah Fowler a Resident of Guilford in said District in sd County & State aged 84 years
who being first sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836
That she is the widow of Theophilus Fowler who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served in the Revolutionary War
as follows. That in the year 1770 in the month of May the said Theophilus Fowler commenced 
his service by enlistment into a company commanded by Stephen Hall of Guilford and went
on to the Northward to Pittsfield the rendezvous of the company that from thence he went
with his company to Skeenesboro now Whitehall where he joined a Regiment commanded
by Col. Heman Swift that he was there for some time when he was taken sick with fever and angu
 and sometime in October 1776 he left the army with one William Fowler of Guilford having hired men to take their places in the Regiment - The time of his
Page 5

starting from Guilford for the northward was the 1th of June 1776- and he returned sometime in
October 1776-
I do not recollect the precise
time when he came home__sometime previous in
the month of March 1776 he enlisted into a volunteer company commanded by Capt Daniel Hand of East Guilford for the purpose
of joining the army near New York- after being off with the company as far as Stratford he was obliged to return in account of a swelling on his hand-- or a Felon on his thumb
the scar of which remained during his life
he was out only 3 or 4 days- To all the foregoing service I have taken the deposition of Jared Dudley
of said Guilford who was
out with my said husband in said
service
After this on the 17th day of June A.D. 1778 I was married to the said Theophilus Fowler by the Rev Mr Thomas Wells Bray of
the north parish of Guilford

One year & two months after we were married the said Theophilus Fowler was drafted to go
down to Guilford Coast in the Coast Guard
I think it must have been as late as August 1779 and was there two months before he returned
home to stay. The distance of the shore where he was stationed from where he lived was
Page 6

About ten or eleven miles and his employment
in this service from the time he was first
drafted until the end of his service was
constant and un[?]mitted.  I cannot recollect
the precise time when he [illegible] the
service in the coast guard but I think
it was in August 1779. I well recollect that
he was out in constant service for the full 
term of two months. I think under Capt Vail.
That he was married as he has before
stated on this 17th day of June one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight and she always resided
with her said husband at said [illegible] until
his death and that he died at same [illegible]
on the 5th day of November [illegible] one Thousand
Eight Hundred and twenty nine and that she
has remained a widow ever since that period
as will more fully appear by the reference
to the proof here to annexed.  This applicant
has applied to the [illegible] office at
Hartford for further proof of the service of 
her deceased husband but can find none
she knows of no persons living whose testimony
she can take who served with him in any
part of his service except Jared Dudley 
whose deposition has been taken and is
annexed here to.  She would further state that from old age and consequent [illegible]
Page 7

of memory she cannot state the precise
times of the commencement duration and 
termination of the several periods of her [?] 
husbands service but that he served in [?]
service for not up than his full term of six months and that [illegible] She claims 
 a pension in all. which service my said
husband served as a private.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and
year above written.  Sarah Fowler
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day & year above written before me  Joel Tuttle
                               Judge of the Court of Probate
                               for the District of Milford

Mr David Baldwin Rector of St Johns Church
in the north Parish of Milford and residing in 
[?] Milford and Nathaniel Griffing residing
in the same hereby certify that we are well 
acquainted with Sarah Fowler the widow of Milford 
Theophilus Fowler late of [?] Milford [?] who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration 
that we believe her to be Eighty Four years of age
that the said Theophilus Fawler [crossed out] was [?]
[crossed out- to have been a soldier of the Revolution and we concur in the opinion] and believe to have been a soldier of the revolution in the neighborhood
Page 8

"Theophilus Fowler & Sarah Rossiter both of Guilford were joined in marriage by Mr. Thomas W. Bray Minister June seventeenth one Thousand seven Hundred & seventy Eight"
"Theophilus Fowler died November fifth one Thousand Eight hundred and Twenty nine"
Town Clerk of the town of Guilford
I Joel Tuttle Above named, depose & say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk of the town of Guilford in the County of New Haven & state of Connecticut and that the foregoing is a true copy of Record from the records of the town with the exception of the Date which is expressed in the records in fair legible figures as follows viz "Theophilus Fowler & Sarah Rossiter both of Guilford were joyned in marriage by Mr Thomas W Bray Minister June 17th 1778" - and - "Theophilus Fowler died November 5th 1829.
Joel Tuttle Town Clerk
Be it Remembered that on the 17th day of June 1842 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford Joel Tuttle Esq well known as the town clerk of the town of Guilford & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing certificate signed by him
In testimony thereof I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the court have here unto set my name & affixed my seal of office at Guilford on the day & year last of [illegible] Ralph D Smith Clerk
Page 9

in which he resided at the time of his death & we concur in the opinion. The word "refuted" & the sentence "to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in the opinion" were erased before signing.
Sworn & subscribed this 17th day of June 1842, 
David Baldwin Rector of St Johns Church North Guilford  
Nathaniel Griffing
in open Court, [illegible] R. D. Smith Clerk
And the said Court of Probate do hereby declare their opinions after the investigation of the matter & after putting [illegible] by the war department, that the above named Theophilus Fowler the former husband of said applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as she states and the said Court further certify that they well know that Rev David Baldwin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Guilford and that Judge Nathaniel Griffing who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Guilford & has been for seventy five years past and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to full credit & belief.
Joel Tuttle Judge of said Court of Probate
Ralph D Smith Clerk of said Court
In witness whereof I have hereto set my name & seal of office of the Court this 17th day of June 1842
R. D. Smith Clerk of Court
Page 10

O. W. & N. Division
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., November 7, 1895,.
.
Sir:
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history
Theophilus Fowler,a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
Date of enlistment or appointment  Length of Service   Rank  Officers under whom service was rendered
                                              Captain                 Colonel                     State       
March 1776            3 or 4 days              Pvt.         David Hand       Not stated                Conn
May 1776                5 months                Pvt         Stephen Hall      Heman Swift             Conn     
Aug. 1779             2 months                  Pvt           Vail (Coast Guard)                              Conn
  
Battles engaged in,  None mentioned
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Guilford, Conn.
Date of application for pension   by widow, June 17, 1842
Residence at date of application, of widow, Guilford, Conn.
Age at date of application, of widow, eighty-four years.
Remarks: Soldier married Sarah Rossiter June 17, 1778, and died
Nov. 5, 1829.
Very respectfully,
O. H. D. Fowler, Esq.,
131 Center St.,
Wallingford, Conn.
Commissioner
Page 11

FOWLER,THEOPHILUS
(Conn.)W-17916
State of Connecticut
New Haven County of Guilford
I Jared Dudley of Guilford in New Haven County and State of Conneticut of the age of eighty-
five years - having been duly cautioned depose and Sworn - That on the last of May 1776 I enlisted in a company raised in Guilford Commanded by Capt. Stephen Hall & for the purpose of (illegible)
the American Army of the North (illegible)  The 1st of June, after we moved on to the place of our rendezvous at Pittsfield Mass
where we were attached to
 a regiment commanded by Colonel
Heman Swift from thence we went to a place then called Skinesboro
now Whitehall we enlisted and
were out six months until the
first of December. Sometime in October I went on to L.c..burg and
was there some six weeks when I came home about the 1st of December 1776. Theophilis Fowler then of Guilford enlisted and was out with me in the same service and for sometime in the fore part of October
Page 12

1776 the said Theophilus Fowler left the army and returned home. I understood afterwards that he hired some one in his place but I went away to Ticonderoga 
knew little about the afterwards.
I well recollect that in the month
March AD 1776 that is the March previous he joined a company of volunteers commanded by Capt. Daniel Hand
for the purpose of joining the Army at or near New York that said Theophilus Fowler went on with said Company as far as Stratford in this State when he was obliged┃
to leave his company & return on account of a swelling film on his
hand. After leaving out on this enlisted only 3 or 4 days
I well remember that said Theophilus Fowler lived all his life time in the North part of said town of Guilford about seven or eight miles from from this the (illegible) parish of the town and died about the year 1830. That during the Revolutionary War he married Sarah Rosister of Guilford,  his present widow who now lives in Guilford and who is the same person as now applies for a pension. On reflection, I recollect that we joined  company when went on to the northward
Page 13

at (?) and did not join our (?)under Col. L(ineligible) (ineligible) after we got to (ineligible). Ebenezer Fowler and (?) Dudley (ineligible) Capt. Stephen Hall and (ineligible) Field and (ineligible).
                                   Jared Dudley

State of Connecticut,
(?) County, (ineligible)
(?) is remembered that on the 17th day of June1842 personally appeared Jared Dudley of (?) who has subscribed and sworn to the (ineligible) and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before (ineligible) subs(?)ing authority. The (ineligible) Jared Dud(ley?) (?) well (?) to subscribing authority a(smeared out) of truth and veracity and his a(smeared out) is worthy of full credit.
      before me
                     Joel Tuttle  Justice of Peace
                     and Judge of (?) the District of (?)

Fowler, Theophilus
(Conn.)  W-17916
Page 14

I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Guilford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Mrs Sarah Fowler for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of the Court of Probate this 17th day of June A.D. 1842
Ralph D Smith Clerk
Page 15

State of Connecticut,
New Haven County Guilford Probate Court
I Ralph D Smith Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford in said New Haven County & state of Connecticut hereby certify that Joel Tuttle Esquire is & has been for more than one year last past Judge of the said Court of Probate and Justice of the peace for said New Haven County duly commissioned and sworn and the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are all genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed by seal of office of Clerk of said Court & subscribed my name this 17th day of June A.D. 1842
Ralph D Smith, Clerk of said Court
Page 16

H. Rep(?) 24 June 1842
I am personally (?) with the following names:
(?)dons, whose named after (?) the written (?) by Joel Tuttle, Judge of the County (ineligible) the District(?) of Guilford. Rev. D. Baldwin, Rector? of the Episcopal(?) Church in Guilford. Natt(?) Griffin, (?) Judge of the C(?) Court for New Haven, Conn. Ralph D. Smith, M of the Court of P(ineligible) they are (ineligible) of (ineligible) integrity and intelligence (ineligible) their (ineligible) h(smeared out) g(ineligible).
W. W. Boardman (?)

[text below is upside-down]
Fowler, Theophilus
(Conn.)  W-17916

The (ineligible) comes (ineligible) (ineligible)
Page 17

Fowler, Theophilus
(Conn) W. 17916
the
foregoing papers were taken
in open court sealed up and
authenticated by me
Test R. D. Smith Clerk of
the Court of Probate District of
Guilford-
Please send any necessary Court
 to J. Tuttle   RD Smith
H. Rep. 24 June 1842
I am personally acquainted with the following named persons whose names appear on the within papers,Joel Tuttle, Judge of the county probatefor the District of Guilford. Rev. D. Baldwin, Rector of the Episcopal Church in Guilford, Nathl Griffin former judge of the County court for New Haven County & Ralph D Smith ? of the court of probate for the District of Guilford. They are ? men of unimpeachable character for integrity and intellegence and I believe their signature (illegible) genuine. W. W. Boardman
Page 18

5615

Let to Hon. W. W. Boardman
June 29. 42
July 1. 42
Act 4 July 36
Page 19

OSWIN H. D. FOWLER.
Attorney at Law.
I
131 Center Street.
Wallingford, Conn., Oct 23
1895.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir: In reply to my inquiry I have received from
Col Answorth Chief of Record & Pension Dept, the information
that the records of that office show that Theophilus Fowler
of Guilford Coun, enlisted in Col Matthew Talcotts regiment, in
Capt Daniel Hand's Co., Revolutionary War, March 22, 1776
and that he was discharged April 18. 1776
A pension was granted his widow Sarah Rossiter Fowler
on account of his service after his death. He died Nov. 5
1829. She died April 19. 1852. The Record & Pension
Department chief suggests that you may have
additional information as to facts relating to the particular
service of said Theophilus Fowler during Revolutionary War;
please inform me if such is the case & greatly oblige
of any charge I will gladly remit. Yours &c O. H. D. Fowler
Wallingford
Page 20

 Rev WIDOW, &c.

File No.
17916

Sarah Fowler
Wid of
Theophilus Fowler
Priv. Rev. War
---
Act: July 4, 1836
Index Vol. A Page 248
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 21

Nov. 7/95 His OHD Fowler, 131 Center St. Wallingford, Conn.  MJ
Page 22

Comptrollers Office Hartford
8th July
Gentlemen,Agreably to the request in yours of the 5th inst. I have spent considerable time in investigating the case of Theophilus Fowler, but I regret to add that thus far I have had no success, or not such as I wished.
I find but one entry to Peter Veil, as it is spelt here, and that is for service in 1777 at Peekskill under
Genl Ward. At that time, which is two years earlier than you
speak of him as Lieutenant, he is entered, and received pay as a
Captain. I think therefore there must be some mistake either
as to the time of service or the officer under where Mr. Fowler
served.
In May 1779, there was a payment made to Capt Benj Hine for service at Guilford, and on the 29th of October a payment
was made the Select men of Guilford for "Barracking troops".
At different periods during the summer of 1779, I
find that the council of safety took monies for raising troops
to guard the sea coast, (strikethrough, at different periods) 
 but either is nothing.
I apprehend, suffiently definite for your purpose at least nothing
has fallen under my observation as yet, which I deem sufficent for
your purpose. On the 2nd of August 1779, the council passed an
order that 4000 men, exclusive of officers, should be raised by
draft for the defence of the sea coast & portions, 1250 of which were to be stationed between Connecticut & Stratford Reinsow(?) at New Haven.
their men now to serve for two months,
where they are to be relieved by others to serve for the same period
and length of service correspond with your
Page 23

application, but this is drafted service. The orders for drafts new
not always complied with, and there is the further difficulty, that
I do not find who offered their confer nor how they were
paid. Had Peter Ville in this sevice, I think his name
must have been on the books of the Pay Table, yet it is possible
that the account may have taken some other form, or I may
have overlooked or failed to find the evidence, among the many
paper, poorly filed, and books without index
Should you deem the order of the counsel of
safety of Augst 5 1779 of Service, I can send you a certificate,
and will make such further search as may be desired, and
if any thing is found, it shall accompany it.
For the search already made, as it has not been
as effectual as I could with, I shall make no charge although
I have spent several hours for three [??] days in the
investigation. Should you wish a certificate of the order
of the Counsil of Safety, and a further seach, I shall ask you
the Courtesy for of $2
Very Respectfully
Gideon Willis
[illegible] W R D Smith and
[illegible]
Page 24

[first line on page before the fold]
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Com. Pensions
Washington
[middle of page between fold lines written sideways]
Mr R. [?]. Smith
Guilford
Connecticutt
Hon W. W. Boardman
[?? intials]
[There is a seal or stamp in front of Hon]
Page 25

Mr. R. D. Smith
Guilford
Connecticut
Page 26

Comptrollers Office
Hartford 27th July 1842
This may certify that at a session of the Council of
Safety held August 20 1779, as appears of record in this office
it was Resolved that a force of 4000 men, Field, commissioned
and staff officers exclusive be kept up for the defense of the
"sea coast thru present campaign." The manner in which they
shall be drafted & from what Brigade is then detailed once
they are required to "be at the places of their destination the
20th of instant August, or such time as the Captain General
shall direct, and continue in service for two months from [two months underlined]
the time of their arrival, and that a like Draft be made
of an equal number for an equal term of service to
commence the 10th of October next, or such time as the
Captain General shall direct & the place of service of these
men is then designated " 1250 at New Haven and other ports
between Connecticut and Stratford serves" to.
I also find on the Pay Table books, the following entries
1779 Aug 11 "War DT" To order on Treasury for supplying [???]
County of Guilford for supplying Soldiers Families L 862:2:10
" " 18 was [?] Capt Daniel Collins N.H. Alarm
L245.14.2.
" " " " "To [?]"""Coast Guards L1989.02
1780 Jany 1st on settlement with Capt Daniel Collins, he is credited
"By amount of Aut. rendered L5381.13.9"
On the same day there is the following entry viz
1780 Jan 1 " War Dr" To Order on Treasury for Capt Dollins
Pay Roll Coast Guards Guilford L3381:13.9"
In this entry there is an evident clerical error, the
Clerk writing "D." for "C"
Page 27

1779 Oct 27  "Mar [?]"" to order on Treasurer for Majorit.
     Brown his abstract, Court Guards     337:12.0"

1779 Oct 29 Mar [?] To order on Treasurer for Guilforn
     Committin for supplying soldier families 473:15.5
"  "  "  Mar [?] To order on Treasurer for [illegible]
     of Guilford for sends supply to Col Penfields Reg 236:15.0
     I find the last amount entered on the same
     day is "Harkells [illegible]", as follows: [illegible]

1779 Oct 29  "S. Men of Guilford, Barracking  236:16.0
      [?] Value 11:5:11"

     I have found no Pay Roll of any [illegible] at Guilford in the months of August, September or October 1779, Although there is no doubt that [illegible] was residence
   On the 2nd of January 1781 there is charges made "To order on the Treasurer for St Sml Lee his Pay Roll Court guards
     960:4:8"

Gideon Willes C[?]
Page 28

Hartford 27 July 1842
Dear Sir,
I send you such evidence of service as I find in the books of this office of service at Guilford. Some of the officers alluded to are not mentioned in yours, but they may serve to expedite the merit of the applicants, who might well forget after the long interval of time which has elapsed of the circumstances of the pension and also the names of individuals. Col Penfield was I believe from Chatham, though perhaps from Middleton, which corresponds with her [   ] that this Col. was from Middleton. The [   ] to my N. Brown probably refers to Nath. Brown where the supposed Col. 
Capt Daniel Collins appear to have been stationed at Guilford during the fall of 1779. 
In 1781 on the 2d of January Saml Lee is paid for his pay bill of Coast guard, and though the date does not correspond with the time of service, I have mentioned it because the service may have been rendered earlier and pay delayed, though it is not probable--and because the service may have been later [   ] than the applicant supposes; Among the officers in [   ] at Guilford at different [   ] I find Capts. Meigs and Comp-Lieut (???) Samuel [   ] Field [   ]. 
I have given a pretty thorough examination and as all the items in the Day Book are not [   ] to the ledger I have examined the Day Book in detail since the [   ] of your last. Some of the entries may be superfluous--But I [   ] [   ] a [   ] certificate of [   ] with [   ] [   ] [   ]. 
Very respectfully
Gideon Welles
Page 29

(5615)
Sarah Fowler, wid[ow] of Theophilus
Conn. 

Act 4 July 36 

M. 78.229
----^----
4 mo in 76 – 
2 mo in 79 – 
----^----
admd 6mo pri 
----------
20$ 

no deduction 

Hon. W. W. Boardman 
House of Representatives
Page 30

H.R. [?] 1842

Dear Sir,
     I send you an application for a pension from Mrs. Sarah Fowler, to which I ask your favourable consideration. Their [illegible] my certificate as to the character of [illegible] Tuttle, [illegible] Griffin, R D Smith & Rev W.Baldwin all of whom I have long known personally as men of great personal worth & intelligence. All confidence may be placed in their statements. I am not acquainted with the dularant[?] or any other of the [illegible]-
     Truly yours sir
     Wm. W. Boardman

J L Edwards Esq
[illegible]
Page 31

House Representatives, 2nd August 1842

Hon. J.L. Edwards
Commissioner &c.

Sir,

I send you the additional evidence which I have received in the case of Mrs. Fowler, which I hope will be found satisfactory. I desire to add that I have been long personally acquainted with Joel Tuttle and R. D. Smith, whose certificate appears among the accompanying paper. They are men of the highest character for intelligence and integrity, and I am sure would not lend the least shadow of their influence to any application, the justice of which they did not fully know.

Truly, yours &c.,
W. W. Boardman
Page 32

June 30, 1842

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Com’r. Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Hon. W. W. Boardman, H.R.
Page 33

House Rep'ves 30 June 1842

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 29th is received. You say "the alleged date of the marriage should be established by a very high grade of proof before said." According to my recollection, the papers in Mrs. Sarah Fowler's case contained a transcript of the record of the marriage with the date properly authenticated. If there be any higher grade of proof than this, my law books do not contain it. Perhaps I misremember what the proof is in the papers, and will you be good enough to state, a little less diplomatically, and as definitely as the case will admit, what fact is not satisfactorily proved, and what further evidence will satisfy you. Are you satisfied of the fact of the marriage, and desire further proof of date only? If so, what kind of evidence do you want? As to the service in the Coast Guard in 1779. Is it necessary to
Page 34

to produce the testimony from one who served with Mr. Fowler? & what other evidence will do in lieu of it?
Yours truly
W.W. Boardman
Page 35

Guilford, July 30th, 1842

Hon. W.W. Boardman,

Dear Sir,

We have obtained some information from the Comptroller of this State, which although it does not prove in direct terms that Mr. Fowler performed the service claimed by his widow yet it fully substantiates her declaration as to nature of the service and the time. It seems as if these papers must be sufficient with her affidavit and the deposition of Mr. Ebenezer Russell, which are sent as before. Possibly, we may find some one who may know something further of his service, but it is not likely. I should think what we have furnished sufficient - the rules require the best attainable testimony - and in failure of all other grades of testimony the testimony of the applicant is sufficient. Mrs. Fowler remembers the family in which her husband was billeted while in the service, viz. the family of the late Dr. Ruggles, but there are none living old enough to...
Page 36

remember respecting it.
Your friend
R. D Smith
Page 37

At a Town meeting held in Guilford by adjournment April 12th 1779
Notice that it is the desire of this town that the Selectmen apply to his Excellency the Governor for a Lieut,to be appointed to enlist a suitable number of men to guard the sea coast in this town upon the States cost.

Town clerks office
Guilford July 20,1842 
I certify that the above is truly copied from the records of the Town of Guilford
Attest J Tuttle Town Clerk
Page 38

Guilford July 3 1842
J.L. Edwards Esg Comm of Pensions
Sir In this matter of the application of Mrs Sarah Fowler of Guilford claiming a pension under the act o Cong. of 4th July 1836 for the services of her late husband Theophilus Fowler [illegible] A communication was [illegible] through Mr. Boardman our Man of Cong. from you of July 1st [illegible]. Stating that "The date of the marriage is satisfactorily established & also a term of service/4mo/ in 1776.  But that the other alleged services should be sustained by whatever evidence the records of court may afford & by best attainable testimony of the surviving comrades of her late husband.
We were aware at this time the application was made by the widow in our court that the best attainable testimony must in all instances be procured and accordingly at her suggestion made application to our Comptrollers office for proof but were informed that none existed there respecting the service of the husband of the applicant. We made diligent enquiry respecting the surviving comrades and could learn of none except Mr Ebenezer Russel whose deposition we took and forwarded with the declaration of applicant. From the  traditionary suggestions made by the old people who had hard Mr Fowler while alive speak of his service in our Coast guard pf wjocj Mr Ebenezer Russel ws perhaps the most particular we had no doubt of the truth of her
Page 39

statements. Accordingly  we stated that we had n doubts of her declaration in which she [illegible] that she had procured all the testimony respecting that service in her power. You receiving your communication refered to above. She wrote a line to the Comptroller of this state. making [illegible] abstract of Mrs Fowler's declaration and also a copy of your communication and also a copy from the records of this town of which a copy is herto annexed requesting him to further search and also to send us a certificate, if any thing could be found respecting the coast guard service, and if nothing, to certify to that fact. we received the letter hereto annexed dated 8th July.
We then wrote back requesting him to send us a certificate of the order of the Council of Safety of the 2nd Aug 1779and a certificate of the payment to the selectmen of Guilford for  "Barracking troops &" considering these such as confirmatory of the declaration of Mrs Fowler.  We also wrote that we understand from her that her impression was that the service of her husband was in the coast guard was a drafted service.  We stated also that as her husband was number of miles from house she could not remember the official of the Company in which her husband served but that the impression was that that the Calvary from Middletown & was a [illegible].  That her impression was that Capt  {illegible] commanded the
Page 40

company, but that she could not be [ineligible].

No [ineligible] i(?) (?)ply the accompanying certificate and letter in reply, we give you the whole of it as far as is you it [ineligible] her statements particularly as to the time she [ineligible] that her [ineligible] his service about the 15th of August 1879 and that he served two months.

From the certificate of the controller is [ineligible]  order was made the [u]2nd of Aug 1779[/u] and that the soldiers were required to [u]"be at the (?) of this destination the 20th of [ineligible] August, or each time at the Cap[ineligible]. Should[/u] direct and continue in service for [u]two months[/u] from the time of their [ineligible]."

[ineligible] made a new and particular inquiry respecting this service of Mr. Theophilus Fowler in the [ineligible] service at this [ineligible] 779 of the old people of the place but could not learn any living [ineligible] Mr. [ineligible] was (?) that (?) and although all the old people have an understanding that he was out in that service of his widow states they [ineligible] thing with [ineligible]. Indeed it is remarkable how much the memory of (?) old people have failed within the few years (?) the first pension were grateful and it is in vail to look for that (?) of proof in any [ineligible].

We have we believe therefore furnished the
Page 41

best attainable evidence of the service of Mr Fowler and it is such as to leave not a doubt in our minds of truth of the declarationof the applicant.
yours very respectfully
Joel  Tuttle
R D Smith
[illegible] J L Edwards Comm pensions


Mrs Fowler remembers this family in which her late husband was billetted while in the service
[illegible] that of the late Dr. Nath Ruggles but there are none living old enough of that family to testify respecting it.
R D Smith
Page 42

State of Connecticut
New  Haven County  Guilford Probate Court
I Ebenizer Russell of Guilford in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut of the age of eighty four years having  been duly cautioned sworn to depose and say that I have lived since I was about  17 years of age a neighbor of Theophilus Fowler and since his death to his widow Sarah Fowler. I have always understood that the said Theophilus Fowler was out in the guard services for some length of time during the Revolutionary War. I have always understood for two months.  I know that he was drafted for that [for that time - crossed out] and have no doubt from I have heard and from my own recollection that he did serve in said coast services as his widow Sarah Fowler in her declaration has stated.[he did serve crossed out]  for two months in service as his  widow has stated in her declaration. I always understood that the said Theophilus Fowler was out to the campaign at Shenesbins as she has stated in her declaration which has been read to me. I have always known the said Theophilus Fowler and know that he died at Guilford in 1829 and
Page 43

I know that the said Sarah Fowler who now applies for a pension is his widow and that she has remained unmarried since his death.
I would further state that those who survived in the guard service were constantly employed in the service being billetted in the village of Guilford some seven or eight miles from our homes.

Ebenizer Russell

State of Connecticut New Haven County of Guilford
Be it remembered that on the 17th day of June A.D. 1142 personally appeared Ebenezer Russell of Guilford well known to the subscribing authority as a man of truth & veracity, who has made & subscribed the foregoing deposition and under solemn oath to the truth of the same - the interline [illegible] ation [illegible] in the foregoing deposition was made before signing.
before me - Joel Tuttle Judge of Probate for the District of Guilford and Justice of Peace