Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14,180, for Eli Plant, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
D
SERVICE
CONN
CONTENTS
lose
Plant, Eli
1608
NUMBER
S.14.180
B.L. Wt. 2611 -160-55
Cardednews
Page 2

32724 B
Vermont
Ell
Plant
of Windham in the State of Vermont
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain
of the
commanded
by
in the
line for 7 mo & 8 days
Conn. Line. Records corrected Oct 9 06
Inscribed on the Roll of  Burlington
at the rate of 24 Dollars 21
Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of May
1850
and Sent to
Hon Wm Henry, H. R.
Arreure to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by J. B. Chase, Clerk,
Book E2 Vol 32 Page 93
as
Reported
Page 3

Eli Plant
Names
Sylurt Index
Page 4

I, Lydia McEwen of Weathersfield in the
County of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged
Sixty six years the 18th day of December 1833
depose and say, that I am a Sister of Eli Plant
of Weathersfield aforesaid, that I was born in
Branford in the County of New Haven and State of
Connecticut, and in the years 1780, 1781, and
1782, was living in the said town of Branford
and well remember, that my brother, the said
Eli Plant, in the course of those years, frequently
went to guard the shores in said town of
Branford, against the Enemy, but do not now
member how often he was called out, or whether
he volunteered or was drafted-- And further
this Deponent saith not.
Lydia McEwen
State of Vermont
District of Windsor
On this seventeenth day of June in

the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty
four, personally appeared in open
Court, before the Probate Court within and for the District
of Windsor and State of Vermont, now sitting, Lydia
McEwen of Weathersfield in the County and District
of Windsor and State of Vermont, and after being carefully
examined and duly cautioned made Solemn
Oath, that the foregoing Deposition by her subscribed
contains the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
And the said Court further certifies, that it appears
to them, that the said Lydia McEwen is a credible
person, and that her statement is entitled to full credit
1
In testimony whereof, Reuben Washburn, Register of said Court, have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court, the day and
year aforesaid.
Reuben Washburn
Page 5

State of Vermont
District of Windsor, ss.
On this Sixteenth day
of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty
four, personally appeared in open Court, before
the Probate Court within and for the District of
Windsor in the State of Vermont, now sitting,
Eli Plant, a resident of Weathersfield in the
County and District of Windsor and State of
Vermont, aged seventy years, the fourth day
of August 1833, 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 officer,
and served, as herein stated
That he was born in Branford in the County of New
Haven and State of Connecticut on the fourth day of
August 1763, that by the then Laws of Connecticut he was required to do duty in the Militia at
Sixteen years of age, that he was enrolled and did
duty in one of the Militia Companies of the said
town of Branford, where he had continued to live
from the time of his birth, on the last Monday of
October 1779; that the said Militia Company, in
which he was enrolled and did duty, was command
by Capt. James Barker, and belonged to the Regiment
, commanded by Col. Edward Russell of said
town of Brantford: that in May 1780, the said Col
Russell gave a Sergeants warrant to John Gordon
of said Branford to enlist a Sergeant's Guard of Twelve
Page 6

men, to guard the shores of said town of Branford against
the Enemy, and in May 1780, the Declarant enlisted into
the said Sergeant's Guard, under the said John Gordon, for the term of Eight Months, and served two
Months and a half in said Guard,
when the said
Col. Russell called the said Guard together, and
paid them off, and dismissed them; the Declarant received
for his services in said Guard two Forty Shilling
Bills and one twenty shilling Bill of Connecticut
State Money-
Worcester Harrison, Samuel Elsworth,
Jonathan Parish, Benjamin Plant Junr, and Jared
Whitney also belonged to said Guard, but the names
of the other of said Guard the Declarant does not now
recollect
that in the summer of the year 1781, the Declarant
, still continuing to live in the said town of
Branford, and to be enrolled in the said Company
commanded by Capt. James Barker, was drafted to
serve for three months in guarding the shores
of the said town of Branford against the Enemy, and
served the whole three Months, but received no pay
nor rations for the same. This guard consisted of twenty
four man, according to Declarants best recollections
and were stationed at two different places or points in
said town of Branford, one was called Johnson Point
and the other Blackstoney Point or cove. The Declarant
was stationed at Johnsons Point. None of this guard
received any pay or rations. This guard was under the command
of the said Capt. James Barker, during the said
three months, and when our three months were out
we were all dismissed by the said Capt. Barker
That from the first of May till the first of December
1782, the Declarant still continuing to live in said town of
Branford, and to be enrolled and to do duty in said
Company, commanded by the said Capt. James
Barker, the whole of said Company were required to
do duty in guarding the shores of said town of Branford
against the Enemy, in the following manner, viz,
every day there were drafted in regular rotation
Page 7

out of said Company, commanded by the said Capt
James Barker, by the said Capt. Barker, six men to
keep guard at the said Johnson Point, and six men
the whole day and night, and two men to patrol
to keep guard at the said Blackstones Point or Cove
all night the streets of said town, and the Declarant
served in that manner in said Company from
the first of May, till the first of December 1782. The
said Company received no pay nor rations for said
Service -
The Declarant remembers hearing his father say
that his the Declarant's birth is recorded in the Records of the said town of Branford, but declarant
never saw the record. He has a Record of his age in his family Bible.
The Declarant continued to live in the said
town of Branford till January 1789, when he removed from
said Branford to Claremont in the State of
New Hampshire, and lived there till November
1792, when he removed from said Claremont to Weathersfield
in the County of Windsor and State
of Vermont, where he has continued to live ever
since.
He never received any written Discharge
from the service. He has no documentary
evidence, and knows of no person, whose testimony
he can procure, who can testify to his service,
except Lydia McEwen
He hereby relinquishes 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.-
He states the names of the Revd James Converse and
Silas Demary
as persons to whom he is known
in his present neighbourhood, and who can testify
Page 8

as to his character for veracity, and their belief of his
services, as a Soldier of the Revolution.-
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Eli Plant

Jabez Proctor Judge
We James Conversee, a Clergyman, residing in the
town of Weathersfield in the County of Windsor and
State of Vermont, and Silas Demary, residing in the same
town of Weathersfield, hereby certify, that we
are well acquainted with Eli Plant, who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that
we believe him to be seventy years and over;
that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood, where he resides, to have been a Soldier of
the Revolution, and that we concur in that
opinion worn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
 ⎬ James Conversee
Siley Denian
 Jabez Proctor Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation
of the matter and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he
States. And the Court further certifies, that it
appears to them, that James Conversee, who has
signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman
resident in the town of Weathersfield in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and that
Silas Demary, who has also signed the same
is a resident in the same town of Weathersfield
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Jabez Proctor Judge
Page 9

I, Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eli Plant for a pension.

In Testimony whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this seventeenth day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight Hundred and thirty four.

Reuben Washburn
Page 10

49,543
Mar. 3. 1833
Apr
--
Eli Plant, Private.
--
Capt.
Col
Enld
Dis
Revolutionary War.
--
Pensioner. 
Vt- June 32 - no. 32724
--
W: 160 [illegible] May 17/56
Boynton

[written across page on slant}
No 26111 iss May 19/56
Duplicate issued Dec. 4th /57.
-----
[facing page]
Cer: /A. S. Campbell Sept: 17/55.
Dec 4/57
Issue duplicate
[illegible]
A. S. Campbell
Bellows Falls VT
Vt.
{Warrant
Cancelled} JM
Vol P. page 104
--
[written sideways in left margin]
May 5/57 Sent to Agent enclosing instructions of General Land Office in regard to assignments - duplicate will be granted upon
surrender of the original.  T. P.
Dec 4/57 Sent to Comm Gen Land office - Mc
Warrant cancelled & filed Mck
Page 11

49,543 Eli Plant
Page 12

State of Vermont
Windham County ss On the 28th day of March
1855 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County aforesaid 
Eli Plant aged Ninety one years a resident of Athens in the County of Windham & State of Vermont who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical person
who was a private
in the war of the revolution in the Connecticut service

that he continued in actual service in said war more than seven months

He refers to his application for a pension under the act of June 7 1832 upon which he obtained a pension for proof. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the County land to which he may be entitled under the act
approved March 3d 1855 he also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application
therefor
Eli Plant
Page 13

We Ben Smith and Ben Clark
residents of the County of Windham in the State of Vermont upon our oaths declare that we are personally acquainted with Eli Plant that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by him in our presence, that we know him to be the identical person he represented himself to be
Benj'n Smith
Benj'nClark
The foregoing declaration & affidavit were
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 28th day of March
1855 and I certify I know the affiants to be credible persons-- that the claimant
is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim

State of Vermont
WINDHAM, S.S.}
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached
Page 14

We Benj Smith and Benj Clark
residents of the County of Windham in the State of Vermont 
upon our oaths declare that we are personally
acquainted with Eli Plant that the foregoing declaration 
was signed & acknowledged by him in
our presence, that we know him to be the identical
person he represented himself to be
Benja Smith
Benjam Clark
The foregoing declaration & affidavit were
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 28th day
of March 1855 and I certify that I know
the affiants to be credible persons - that the claimant
is the person he represents himself to be and that
I have no interest in this claim
Royal Earl Justice Peace
State of Vermont, }
WINDHAM, SS. }
I, ROYALL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court for the County
of Windham, being a Court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached. 
do certify that
Royal Earl
was at the date of the paper writing to which this is attached, and now is a
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said county, duly commissioned and
qualified; that his signature to the certificate
thereon within is genuine; that the said paper writings
are executed according to the laws of this State,
and are in due form; and that as such officer, he is duly authorized by the
laws of this state to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer Oaths, &c. 
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at
Brattleborough, this 5th day of April
Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five
Royal Earl Clerk
Page 15

Rev War
14180
INVALID.
File No. 14, 180
Eli Plant
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 295
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

26. 111
160 Acres
Page 17

B.
No 32,483
Eli Plant
Act 7 June 1832
Adm 7 Mo 8
$24.21 pa
4 March 1832
Page 18

FREE
BELLOWS FALLS Vt
NOV 24 1857
Hon Geo C Whiting
Comer of Pensions
Washington City
26111 - 160
Eli Plant MR
Page 19

FREE
WILLOW FALLS Vt
JUL 27 1857
The Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
20111 - 120 
Eli Plant
Page 20

State of Vermont }
WINDHAM, S. S. }
I, ROYAL TYLER, Clerk of the County Court, for the County of
Windham, being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached to
certify that
Stranne Bolles
was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is 
a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, within and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified; that his signatures to the two certificates
thereon written are genuine; that said paper writings
are executed acknowledged according to the
laws of this State,
and are in due form; and that as such officer, he is duly authorized by the
laws of this State to take acknowledgments of Deeds, take Depositions, administer oaths, &c.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of court, at Brattleboro,
this Sixth day of April Anno Domini, one thousand
eight hundred and fifty seven
Royall Tyler CLERK
Page 21

We certify that Eli Plant formaly of Weathersfield
in the County of Winsor & State of Vermont and
now of Athens in the County of Windham in
Said State and a Vermont aplicant for a
Pention under the act of Congress of the 7th
of June 1832 has resided in the nebourhood
in which we live for the space of four years
last past and that from our acquaintance
with him during said time we are enabled
to say without hesitation that in our opinion
he is a gentlemen of character and entitled
to the most full and ample credit as a
declarant or witness
December 1848
Ithaner Bolles
Royal Earl
Benjn Smith
Abial Whitney } Two of the Selectmen
Abner Powers } of Athens Vermont.
To the Honourable Wm Henry MC
or to whom it may concern
The above was all known by me personally to be respectable and
[illegible]
William Henry MC
Page 22

House of Rep. Jan. 19. 1849
J. L. Edward Esqr
Court of Pensions
Sir -
I enclose the
necessary declaration & application of Eli Plant of Athens Vermont
for a pension under the act of 1832-
I do not recall Mr Plant personally, altho his
residence is in my immediate vicinity-- but the certificate
of R. Earle B. Smith, J Bolles and A Whitney & A Powers are
entitled to full confidence - I know them all to be
reputable & veracious men -
I hope the application may have your early &
favorable attention
Yr obet sert
William Henry
Page 23

Ell Plant a Vt. Claimant Act 7th
June 1832. pending
Additional Evidence of Coast
Guard service in 1782
Page 24

State of Connecticut
Comtrollors Office
Hartford April 26th 1850
I certify that a copy of a letter of the Commissioner of Pensions
dated Aug. 17th 1844 addressed to H.H. Sylvester has been exhibited
to me, with a request, that I would examine the papers & Documents
in this office with reference to any service by Eli Plant, therein
named, in the year 1782, and I certify, that I have found no
pay or Muster Roll of Coast Guard service at Branbord in that
year, but I find in the Records of the Governor & council of
safety the following entry viz, - "July 17th 1782"
Whereas the General assembly at their Session in January
"last, Granted to several of the Towns on the sea coasts of this State
"sums of money to be applied by them for the Defence of sd Towns
"against the common enemy, with expectation that the civil Authority 
"& Select men, would call out the Inhabitants to watch and
"ward agreeable to a paragraph in a Law then in force, which has
"since been repeated, whereby it is become necessary that other provision 
"should be made for providing Guard for such Towns.
"Resolved That the commanding office of the Regiment to which
"any such town belongs upon application of the Civil Authority & Selectmen 
"of such Town be and is hereby authorized and directed to order
"a detachment from the Militia in such town consisting of
"such number as the civil authority & selectmen of such Towns
"respectively shall require, to serve as guards for such Towns
"who shall be entitled to the same pay & subsistence, as is allowed
Page 25

"by Law to other militia, when called into actual service, the
"expense thereof to be paid out of the monies granted to said
"Towns respectively as aforesaid, said Guards to be subject
"to the command of the commanding officer of the Regiment
"to which they belong, and to be regulated agreeable to the
"directions of said Authority & Select men.
I also said the following entry upon the Journal of
the then Pay Table office, under date 20th March 1783, and
under the charge to war, among other items,
"To do, (ie, order on Treasurer) pr Branford Select Men, for allowance 
"for coast Guards in 1782, L250."
The same is also found in Haskells Receipts under head
"The United States Dr. To the State of Connecticut"
"for sundry expenditures for the service & expense of Guards on the
"Sea Coast for the defence of sd State vis." Then follows
various accounts from No 1 to No. 133 of the above nature and
under heads date March 20, 1783 | No. | 103 | Bill & accounts | Select Men Branford
| purposes | Coast guard at Branford | Specie L250. |
Abijah Catlin
Comptroller
Page 26

J. L. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Jan 29. 1841
Eli Plant
vz
Copy
1 hist
Mr Brown
Hm H Everetts Hon
Page 27

Washington 27 June 1841
Sir - I wish for copies of the Pension
papers of Eli Plant of Vt
respectfully de
H. Everett
Sir
To
J L Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Page 28

Free W. Henry
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
Jany 24/49
Hon W Henry
Page 29

J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
W Jan 8
Eli Plant
1 Set
Cops
Hon. H Everett
AR
Page 30

Washington 5. Jan 1825
Sir
I am requested to examine the pages
of Eli Plant and will be oblige by having
them enclosed to me
Yours respectfully
H. Everett
J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pension
Page 31

The Commission decided
that the Certificate of
the Comptroller of Connecticut
is sufficient to
shew that the Guard of
Branford has military
and allows the case
Page 32

House of Reps. 3 May 1850
Sir - On 19 Jan, 1849 I forwarded you some additional
testimony in the case of the application of Eli Platt for a pension
, a transcript of the town records of Branford Ct and a
certificate of Ithemar Bolles, Royal Earl & Benjamin Smith Esq
to the character of Mr Plant for veracity ie.
You amended on 24th Feb. 1849 that the service performed by
no regular military service such as the state paid for, or
recognized, such were partial duty-
I now send you the certificate of the Comptroller of the State of
Connecticut from which you will see that the service
in which Mr Plant was engaged was not only recognized, but
paid by the state.
I do not know M. Plant personally, but his character and
[illegible] & respectability we vouched for by Ithemar Bolles, Earle
& Smith, all hear very charms of his, men who all know him
intimately, and were upon whose representations I know
the most perfect release may be placed - as I know them
all personally & intimately-
I have & trust that this additional light in case, may
lead you to give the pittance provided by law for such
I have the honor to be
[illegible] W. Henry
J.L. Edward Esqr
Page 33

Timothy Johnsons Dep
to be used in the case of Eli Plant
John Bryant Agent
Meriden
N. H.
Page 34

Timothy Johnson Dep
to be used in the case of Eli Plant
John Bryant Agent
Meriden
N. H.
Page 35

I Timothy Johnson of Branford in New Haven County
and State of Connecticut now in the 86th year of my age.
depose and say that I was born in this town and that
I have ever since resided here; that to my knowledge
coast guards, as they were termed, were stationed in many
of the towns of this State situatef upon Long Island Sound
through the war of the Revolution; that this was one of 
the towns so situated and had then and still has a
good and safe harbor and other landing places, so that
such guards were here deemed necessary and were accordingly 
established and continued through the war; but not
having belonged to said guard myself I am not able
to give the names of those who did the duties thereof,
It is also distinctly within my recollection that
besides the said coast guards which I believe were
stationed mainly at Johnsons Point and Blackstones
Cove, there was a town patrol of night guard maintained 
and kept up till near the time of peace, by one of whom I was myself at one time, being as I suppose
suspected of evil intent taken up and held in custody
till the morning light, but the names of the persons
who composed said night guards I am unable to give.
Tim Johnson
State of Connecticut }
New Haven County ss. } Branford Dec 22d 1843
personally appeared Timothy Johnson, who is a creditable witness
, and made oath to the truth of the above deposition
Subscribed by him before me Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace
Page 36

State of Connecticut
Office of Secretary of State
I certify that Samuel Frisbie Esq is, & on the 22d of
Dec was, a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of New Haven
in said State, duly appointed & commissioned as appears of found
in this office, & that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is
in my opinion genuine.
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of the said State this 26th
day of December 1843.
N.A. Phelps
Secretary of State
Page 37

Eli Plant Vt claiment act
Act 7th June 1832
Proof that a guard was raised
in 1782 wherein said Plant asserts
that he served formally
1- December 1782
Page 38

Town Clerks Office
Branford Connecticut Dec 11 1848
I Orin D Squire Town Clerk of Branford in
the County of Newhaven and State of Connecticut
do hereby certify that upon application to me for
evidence that a Military guard was raised
for the defence of said Town of Branford in
the spring of the year 1782 and continued through
that year I have searched the records of sd Town
and found what I regard as such evidence. That
at a meeting of the Inhabitants of sd Town of Branford
by adjournment April 8th 1782 Voted to raise
a guard for the defence of this Town the present year
by rotation, to consist of persons between the age of
Sixteen & sixty years & that the persons included
within the age above mentioned be classed by
the Select Men, twelve men to compose each class
including one commissioned officer in each class,
and to take charge of the same as the selectmen
shall order, each person to procure his own arms
& accoutrements and provisions, to continue on
guard not exceeding twenty four hours at one
time and to receive 3/. pr day each, and the
guard to begin tomorrow by order of the
selectmen - adjourned without day
Fert Edward Russell Town Clerk
Page 39

also that a subsequent meeting of said town
holden on the 17th day of September 1782 it was
Voted that the guard be continued in this
Town under the direction of the authority and
select men, in the same manner that it
now is. And lastly it was voted to adjourn
this meeting without day
fist Edward Russell
Town Clerk
Orin D Squire deposed say that I am Town
Clerk of Branford in the County of New Haven
and State of Connecticut that the foregoing
is a true copy of record of Town in relation
to guard service from the 7th of April 1782
but the names of the persons who composed
guard do not appear on the records of
Town & Attest Orin D Squire Town Clerk
Branford Dec 11th 1848-
State of Connecticut
New Haven Co Ss Branford Dec 11th 1848
Sworn and subscribed to this 11th day
of December 1848 Before me Levi Parsons Justice of the Peace
I further certify that Orin D Squire Esq is the town Clerk
of said Branford & that he is a credible witness Levi Parsons Justice of the Peace
Page 40

Clerk's Certificate. Sold by Croswell & Jewett, No. 2, Street's Building, New Haven, Conn.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT, }
County of New Haven } SS.
COUNTY COURT, CLERK' S OFFICE. }
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: --
Levi S. Parsons Esquire
Was on the 11th day December 1848
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 acknowledgment
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, and said commission bears date June 30th 1848 and
will expire on the 20th day of June 1849.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Court this 12 day
of December 1848
Henry G. Lewis Clerk.
Page 41

Eli Plant Vt pending claim
May 8
John Bryant Letter 1848
Page 42

Washington April 29. 1848
Sir
As at the request of Eli Plant of Vermont I some
time since consented to become the prosecuting Agent of
his pending claim to a Pension under the act of the 7th
June 1832 I am desirous of being informed for what service 
he claimed at the time of making his original declaration 
and also in a supplemental one if any be subsequently 
made and the objection that was made to an
allowance for the same by the Department. Not having been
the original agent in this case is the reason of
my being under the necessity of asking the above information
Very respectfully yr obt Servt
John Bryant
Hon J L Edwards
Page 43

Eli Plants Vermont
Renewed Declaration made
before Ithamar Bolles Esq
November 30th 1848 Act 7th
June 1832
N. B He claims for the service of a private
in 1780 2 1/2 mo
" 1781 3 mo
" 1782 1 mo 23 days. In all 7 mo 8 days
Page 44

State of Vermont }
Windham County SS }
On this the 30th day of Nov AD 1848 before Ithaner
Bolles a Justice of the Peace within and for the County
of Windham personally appeared Eli Plant formerly
a resident of Wethersfield in the County of Winsor
and State of Vermont But now a resident
of Athens in sd County of Windham aged
85 years on the 4th day of Any 1848 who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on
his oath make the following renewal declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress of the 7th of June 1832 for services rendered
by him in the time of the war of the revolution at
Branford in the State of Connecticut as set forth
by him in a declaration made while a resident.
of Sd Weathersfield before the Honourable Jabez
Proctor on or about the 16th day of June AD 1834
and a Suplaramentary declaration made before
the said Judge Proctor in the month of Nov AD
1834 to wit for the space of two and a half months
in 1780 three months in 1781 and from the 1st
day of May to the 1st day of December 1782 during
which time the whole company to which he belonged
were called upon to do alternate guard
duty in said Branford which is situate
upon long Island Sound from the fore part of
the month of April or May 1782 till the
Page 45

fore part of Dec 1782. That he the sd declarant
as his present recollection is was called upon
by his officers to commence and that he did commence
in doing his term of Guard service on the
first of May 1782 and that he continueth in
doing alternate actual military service
from sd first day of May till the first day of
December 1782 six months, and that as he was
not continually engaged during said term
he at the time of making his Suplimentary
declaration afforsaid estimated the amount
of Actual Service performed by him in 1782
at 26 days and seven knights both being equal
to 53 days so that he then claimed as mention
to claims an allowance for 2 ½ months Service
as a private in 1780 three months in 1781 and
one month and 23 days in 1782 which services he
remindly declares upon oath to have rendered the
Contry by and under competant authority and
for which he hereby remidly claims an allowance
that his said original declarations, were transmitted to the war department and are now supod
to be upon file with the Suspended claims in
the Pention office at Washington and to which he
prays that refferance may be had upon a further
consideration of his case together with the circumstantial
evidences which have heretofore been filed
in said office
Page 46

He further declares that the time was when
he could have prooved the whole of the Services
he rendered and for which he now claims an
allowance by persons who served with him
that it is yet within his recollection that Philemon
Tyler & his brother Obia Tyler John Plant & his
brother Benjamin Plant Gamaliel Baldwin
and his brother Joseph Baldwin Elnathan
Beach Abel Hodley & Noadiah Rodgers ware
engaged with him during his last tower in1782
not one of whom to his knowledge are yet living
and that he knows of no persons living whoes
testimony he can obtain in proof of his service
or any part thereof. He further & lastly declares
that as respects his own character for truth that
his belief is that the same can be further establish
by the certificate of many witnessess in addition to
the certificate on fill of the late Rev James Convas
and Silas Demary Esquire which accompanied
his original declaration afforesaid
Eli Plant
Sworn & Subscribed to on the }
day & year afforsaid before me } Ithaner Bolles Justice of Peace
I further say that the declarant is personally known to me and that
he is a credable witness
Ithaner Bolles Justice of Peace
(over )
Page 47

The magistrate before whom this affidavit is made
is known to me, a townsman of mine, and holds
the office of Justice of the peace
William Henry M.C
[illegible]
Eli Plants Vermont
Renewed Declaration made
before Ithamar Bolles Esq.
November 30th 1848 Act 7th
June 1832
made claims for the service of a private
in 1780 - 2 1/2 mo
" 1781 3 mo
" 1782 1 mo 23 days In all 7 mo 8 days
Page 48

Bellows Falls Vermont Nov 23d 1857
Sir
In July last I wrote to the Com of Pensions
in relation to a defective assignment of a Warrant
by Eli Plant now deceased & received an answer
dated Augt 5th 1857 of which the following is [illegible]
a copy
"In reply to your letter of the 27th [illegible] you
are informed that the difficulty which has occurred
in regard to the transfer of Land warrant No 26111
for 160 acres issued in the name of Eli Plant under 
the act of 3d March 1855 cannot be obviated by
the action of this office except by the allowance
of a Duplicate upon the surrender of the original
warrant"
I now surrender the original warrant
for which you will please send me a suplicate
Yours respectfully
A S Campbell
Hon Geo C Whiting
Com of Pensions
Shathington City
Page 49

Bellows Fall Vermont
July 27th 1857.
Sir
I have a Land Warrant in my hands under the
act of March 3d 1855 numbered 26111 issued
to Eli Plant - He in his life time assigned it to
Truman Plant, and died. - The assignment is defective 
and the warrant has been refused at the
Land office. If you have any rule upon the
subject so that the warrant can be made available
will you please send me copies, or inform me what
course should be adopted in the premises and
you will confer a favor upon
yr obet Sert
A S Campbell
Com.er of Pensions
Washington City
Page 50

Bounty UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Land
160 ACRES
Department of the Interior
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS
[illegible]
Eli Plant
Private
Revolutionary War
is entitled [illegible] ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES at any Land
Office of the United States in one body and in conformity to the legal 
divisions of the public lands upon any of the public lands
subject to sale at either the minimum or [illegible] graduated 
[illegible] 
19th day of May 1856
No 26.111
Note. You can locate this Certificate at any of the United States land offices or it will be located for you by the General Land Office on the return of it with your request
to that office [illegible] specifying the State and Land District in which you wish the [illegible] made. [illegible]
To the Register of the Land Office Locate this Certificate in the quarter of section
[illegible]
Page 51

State of Vermont}
Windham County SS}

At Athens this 13th day of Jue A.D. 1836
In consideration of the some of one hundrend and sixty dollars [illegible] to my full satisfaction of Truman Plant of Athens & State aforesaid I hereby transfer and assign / for me my heirs executors administrators and [illegible] all the eight title interist & demand which I have in or to the within bounty land Warrant

Eli his x mark Plant
 
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Ithamer Bolles
Hunt Chamberlin

I hereby certify that the foregoing transfer & assignment was signed sealed & delivered in my presance on 12th day of June A D 1856

Ithamer Bolles Justice of the Peace

[illegible] Value [illegible] I Truman Plan whom the within Ao 26111 was conveyed do sell and assign [illegible] and to his heirs and assignes forever the said warrant once auth-duse him to locate the same and [illegible] a [illegible] therefore{Witness my hand and seal the day of April 1857} Ithamer Bolles D . S. Aiken}

State of Vermont}
Windham County SS}
on this 3rd day of April 1857 personally appeared before me Ithamer Bolles a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of State aforesaid Truman Plant to my well know and acknowledge the above assignment to be his act & [illegible] and I certify that the said Truman Plant is the identicle person to whom the within warrant was transfered to and who executed the foregoing assignment [illegible]
Witness my hand & seal this 3rd day of April A D 1857
Ithamer Bolles Justice of the Peace
Page 52

this office - and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is in my opinion genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affirmed the Seal of the said State this 26th day of December 1843.
N. A. Phelps
Secretary of State

W. L. Lay's deposition to be used in the case of Eli Plant

H. H. Sylvester
[illegible] Agent
Medien N.H.
Page 53

Town Clerk's Office Branford County of New Haven and State of Connecticut Dec 20 1843

I Willoughby L. Lay of said Branford depose and say, that upon application to me as Clerk of said town, for documentary evidence of the Revolutionary Services of Eli Plan formerly of this place but now of Weatherfield in the state of Vermont I have made search and find by the doings of the Authority of the town and Committees of safety that much service was needed and performed here from 1777 to the year 1783.
I find that at a meeting of the inhabitants thereof held and January 3and 0th 1781 it was "Voted, that an agent be appointed for therewith to repair to his Excellency the Governor represent to his Excellancy the present defences and dangerous situation of this town and inform his Excellency of the frequent incursions and roberies of the enemy in the same, and request his Excellency to order a Guard of at [illegible] [illegible] men properly officured for the defence of this town; and that the quota of men ordered by the General Assembly holden at Hartford this 29th day of November last for the defence of the parts at Horse Neck, and other parts of this state to be raised in this town, be kept here and make a part of said guard - and also that his Excellancy give orders for said guard to be supplied with provisions from the flour lately colluted in this town by order of the General Assembly. And Col. Edward Russell was chosen and appointed an agent for the purpose aforesaid"
"Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to the 7th day of Feby next at 1 Glark P. M.
Test Samuel Barker Town Clerk."

Also, at a town meeting held in Branford Feby 7th 1781 by adjournment from the 30th of January last it was Voted, that the town do accept and approve of the arrangement made by the Civil Authority and Select men of this
Page 54

town of the guard to be raised for the defence of the same, in pursuance of the resolve of the [illegible] and Council of safety the 2'd instant, in compliance with the request of this town by our agent Col Edward Russell, and also that a Boat or Boats be procurred on the east and [illegible] of the town for the use of said guard.
Adjourned without day
Attest Samuel Barker Town Clerk"

Also that at a subsequent meeting holden March 19th 1782 it was "Voted, that a Guard to consist of twenty men be forthwith raised for the defence of this town and to continue in service untill the first day of  August next unless [illegible] discharges; and that an officer be appointed in each society and to rain their proportionable part of the men by enlistment and [illegible] Lieut Jacob Bunnell, Lieut Edward Mutford, and Ensing Allen Smith, for the purpose above mentioned and to command the guard each one his proportionable part of the time and to take their instructions from Col. Edward Russell and that they receive this same pay and rations as the soldiers in the Continental army, and that they be raised by the first day of April next, and be allowed one shilling for any for billeting [illegible].
Lastly Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to no day
Ephraim Parrish C.L. T.
Entered [illegible] Edward Russell Town Clerk"

Also that at a still subsequent meeting held April 8th 1782 it was "voted, to raise a Guard for the defence of this town the present year by station to consist of persons between the age of sixteen and sixty years, and that the persons included within the age above mentioned to be closed by the Select men, [illegible] to compose each class including one commissioned officer in each class who is to warn out the class and take charge of the same
Page 55

as the Select man shall order. Each person to provide his own arms, accoutrements and provisions to continue on guard not exceeding twenty four hours at one time and to receive 3/ per day cash, and the Guard to begin tomorrow by order from Select man
adjourned without way
Test Edward Russell Town Clerk

Also at another subsequent writing [illegible] Nov 2 1782 it was "voted that the Guard be continued in this town under the direction of the authority and Select man in the same manner that it now is and lastly voted, To adjourn this meeting without day
Test Edward Russell Town Clerk"
The foregoing is a true copy from the records of the town of Branford. It is evident from there and other documents an said Records that much guard duty was performed in this place during the Revolution but at [illegible] not appear from said Records by whom said duly was done, as I have not been able to find any evidence by which said past can be established.
Attest [illegible] Willoughby L. Lay Town Clerk

State of Connecticut}
New Haven County SS} Branford Dec'r 22nd 1843.
personally appeared Willoughby L. Lay and made oath to the truth of the above certificate subscribed by him before me. 
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut}
New Haven County SS} Branford December 22nd 1843
I certify that Willoughby L. Lay is the Clerk of the town of Branford and has in his custody the Record of said town, and is qualified by his oath of office to give attested copies and extracts from said Records
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace
Page 56

State of Connecticut
Office of Secretary of State

I certify that Samuel Frisbie Esq is & for more that six months last past has bee a Justice of the Peace within [illegible] the County of New Haven in said state duly appointed & commissioned, as appears found in this office _ and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is in my opinion genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affirmed the seal of the said State this 16th day of December 1843.
N. A. Phelps
Secretary of State

W. L. Lays Depositions
to be used in the [illegible] Eli Plant

H. H. Sylvester
[illegible] Agent
Meriden N.H.
Page 57

Ludlow Vt}
Nov'er 4}

FREE

Hon. James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pension.
City of Washington

2 Pension Cases}

Vt. Dec'd.
Eli Plant & Dick Brattle
Page 58

Ludlow November 24 1834

Hon. James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir,
I return to you the original [illegible] of Eli Plant for a Pension, together with a Supplementary Declaration. If the case is now satisfactory, please to forward his certificate as soon as may be convenient.
I also enclose to you the Declaration of Dick Brattle for a Pension. If the case is satisfactory, be so good, as to forward the Certificate.

I am, Dear Sir, with very great respect and esteem,
your most obed't Serv't
Rueben Washburn
Page 59

I Timothy Blackstone of Branford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged 78 years depose and say that I was well acquainted with Eli Plant formerly a resident of this town and a neighbor of mine and who removed from here to Claremont in New Hampshire soon after the war of the Revolution and who is now as I understand a resident of Wethersfield in the State of Vermont. and is an applicant for a pension under the act of June 7th 1832 for the services he rendered in this town.
A certified copy of the declaration he made in Windsor County Vermont on 16th day of June 1834 and a supplemental declaration made by him on the 3rd day of November 1834 in order to obtain the benefit of said act has been shown to me from which it appears that he disclosed that he enlisted into a certain guard under sergeant John Gordon and that he served under said enlistment two and a half months in guarding the shores of said Branford also that in 1781 he again engaged and served three months more and that in 1782 he did alternate duty to the amount of forty six days in guarding said shores and seven nights in patroling the town, all which I believe to be [illegible] for to my knowledge such guards were kept to which I am of the confident belief that the said Eli Plant belonged. And I well remember some of the persons who he names as actors with him, to wit. Worcester Harrison, Benjamin Plan Jun'r and Jared Whitney.. This town of Branford is situate easterly from New Haven upon the Long Island Sound and the inhabitants thereof were oftentimes alarmed and much anoyed by the enemy and I well recollect that my Father's house, which was situate within forty nod of the shore was twice plundered and the family of which I was one myself, were once made prisoners. Two of the most exposed places and where the guards were mainly stationed, were Johnson's Point and Blackstones' Cove. And I well remember that the guards were so kept up, or continued for several summers next preceding the close of the war, and were generally composed of the inhabitants of this town, but sometimes troops were sent in for our relief from other towns. Once particularly the company of Cavalry
Page 60

from the [illegible] of Wattingford were stationed here for several tours, but at what particular time I do not now recollect
Timothy Blackstone

[section illegible]

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of December A.D. 1843 before above same
Timothy Blackstone 
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace

I further certify that the deponent is a creditable witness. 
Samuel Frisbie, Justice of the Peace

I Othiniel Stent of Branford aforesaid now in the 92nd year of my age depose and say that I too was well acquainted with Eli Plant to which reference is had in the above affidavit of Timothy Blackstone. He named a connection of mine and afterward moved to Claremont in New Hampshire at which place I once visited him. A copy of his declaration in order to obtain a pension has also been shown to me and although I did not happen to be on guard at the same time with him yet I am satisfied beyond a doubt that he rendered the service as by him stated in said declaration as I know a guard was kept in this town at the places named by him during the whole war. A circumstance over and above common report at the time that said Eli Plant served, as by him stated, and which is now perfectly within my recollection, is that the said Plant at the time told me that a body of a man belonging
Page 61

to East Haven that was drowned was discovered floating and by himself and others brought on shore. I further depose and say that I served a short time in said guard under Sargeant Gordon but having the misfortune to get my leg broke while on guard my services were consequently suspended.
Othiniel his x mark Stent

Witness: Eaton Stent
Lois Stent

Sworn and subscribed before me the 21st day of December A.D. 1843
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the above deponent is a creditable witness.
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace

I Ebenezer Linsley of Branford aforesaid, aged 79 years, depose and say, that I was also well acquainted with the said Eli Plant, to whom reference is had in the foregoing affidavits of Timothy Blackstone and Othiniel Sent am also of the believe that he rendered the services as stated in his declaration, a copy of which has been shown to me. I lived near Johnsons Point at the time, and there used to see said Eli Plant with others with his gun engaged in what I now suppose to have been termed coast guard duty but at what particular lates I am unable to state but between the years of 1779 & 1782 or 3.
Ebenezer Linsley

State of Connecticut}
New Haven County SS} Branford
personally appeared Ebenezer or Linsley and made oath to the truth of the above deposition and subscribed the same before me the 22nd day of Dec'r A.D. 1843 
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace

I further certify that the deponent is a creditable witness.
Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace
Page 62

I David Morris of Branford aforesaid of lawful age, depose and say, that Eli Plant named in the foregoing depositions was in the time of the Revolution service an acquaintance of mine and although I did not happen to serve with him I am still of the belief that his declaration as regards the services he performed may be just and true for I know that a guard was stationed at Johnsons Point during one or more summer seasons between the years 1777 and 1789 to which guard a brother of mine belonged and to whom I used to carry provisions while on duty, but that brother has since deceased. I further depose and say that I knew several of the individual named by said Eli Plant in his declaration a copy of which I have seen, to wit. Worcester Harrison, Jonathan Parish, Benjamin Plant Junior and Jared Whitney neither of whom is now living and I know of no person now living who served in said coast guard , except the above named Eli Plant
Daniel Morris

State of Connecticut
New Haven County SS}
Branford
Personally appeared Daniel Morris, a creditable witness and made oath to the truth of the above depositions subscribed by him, before me this 22nd day of December A.D. 1843. Samuel Frisbie Justice of the Peace
___________________________
State of Connecticut
office of Secretary of State
I certify that Samuel Frisbie Esq. is & per more than six months last past has been a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of New Haven in said state, duly appointed & commissioned as appears found in this office, & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his an, in my opinion genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said State, this 26th day of December 1843.
N. A. Phelps
Secretary of State

Affidavit in support of the claim Eli Plant at Pension Office

[illegible] agent
Meriden N.H.
Page 63

32.483
Eli Plant

[illegible]

Rejected
Set to R Washburn
15 Jany 1835

------------
not 6 mo service
----------------
Page 64

State of Vermont}
Windsor County SS}
On this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared in open Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, now sitting Eli Plant, a resident of Weathersfield in the County and District of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged seventy [illegible] years. [illegible] 4th day of August now last past who being first duly sworn according to Laco doth on his oath make the following supplementary declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That in Capt James Barkins Company which was employed between the first day of May & first of December 1782 as I have stated in my declaration made before said Court aforesaid on the 16th day of June AD 1834 and to which this my supplementary declaration is appended [illegible] platoons & 8 men in each Platoon exclusion offices and that this declarant served during said period on the said year and [illegible...] days in guarding the shores and seven nights to [illegible] the town - and that the officer were not included in the draft. 
Eli Plant
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.}
Jabez Proctor Judge

I Reuben Washburn Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original and supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the matter of in application of Eli Plant for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of the said Court, this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four.
Reuben Washburn