Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,056, for John Mc Ewen, Connecticut
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Service Conn. 
McEwen, John
or
Cune
S.11,056
carded
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Connecticut 30.593
John McEwen of Fairfield in the State of Connt who was a Private in the Company comma[nded by] Captain ______ of the Rgt. comma[nded] by Col. Whiting in the Colonial line for 9 mos

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 30 Dollars 00 Cents per ann[um] to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29th day of Apri[l] 1836 and sent [illegible] A. Ward No of Reps

Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $150.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 15.00
$165.00

Revolutionary [mutilated]
Act June 7, 18 [mutilated]
Recorded by [illegible] Addison
Book C2 Vol. 3d Page [mutilated]

let
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John McEwen's
Stratford Conn.
2 years Service

[the remainder is transcribed on a later page: image 5]
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State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield,} ss. Bridgeport
On this 7th day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford now sitting John McEwen a resident of the town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged Eighty Seven years, who being first 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 7, 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated.

In the month of May 1776 I enlisted for six months in a company of Connecticut Militia commanded by Capt. Ebenezer Coe, in Col. Whitings Regiment, under the orders of General Silliman, which company was stationed at said Stratford to guard the coast from the incursions & depredations of the enemy; and served out my said term of enlistment, and immediately afterwards enlisted again in said company for six months and served therein until I was discharged in the month of May 1777. During my said service of one year, I distinctly recollect that I assisted in building a fort at Neck Bridge about half way between the principal village in Stratford, and Stratford Point (where the Light House has lately been erected) and that I was employed night & day in the said service. 

In the month of April 1780, I enlisted for one year in the company commanded by Capt Yates, then of said Stratford in the Regiment commanded by Col. Eno & marched down and joined the United States army at White Plains in the State of New York, under the said Capt Yates, and served out my year at Stamford, Horse Neck, North Castle, White-plains & West Point until I was discharged at or near Horseneck in May 1781. Being a carpenter, I was attached to the company of artificers and was employed a great part of said year at West Point in cutting & hewing timber for, & building ^or repairing the Forts & Redoubts at that place, under the command of General Washington.

Besides the abovementioned services, I was called out & served with the militia of the State of Connecticut at different times & for short periods, but cannot recollect the dates, nor how long I served on those occasions, nor have I any proof about it. But I served my country two years, as above stated, faithfully. I cannot be positive about the dates, but have endeavored to state them correctly. I was born in said Stratford, where I have always resided, and have never been placed on any pension list. All the officers,

[continued on image 7]
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I, R. S. Nichols Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford certify that Robert Fairchild whose name is attached to the [illegible] & foregoing certificates is a  Justice of the Peace & that I know the [illegible] to the signed to be his signature & that the foregoing depositions of Daniel Jackson & Matthew Beers are sent of the proceedings in the case of John McEwen herein inscribed my hand & seal of office. 
R. S. Nichols, Clerk


State of Conn. Fairfield County}
On this 6th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford in said County John McEwen the within named applicant & being duly sworn further declares & says that he did not inlist into Capt Yates Company as an Artificer nor did he leave said company but served therein one year from the time of his enlistment. By the statement in his former declaration that he was "attached to a company of Artificers" He meant to have it understood that he was employed while at West Point as an Artificer (being a carpenter by trade). He was not placed in any other company & his name was not to his knowledge placed on the Rolls of a company of Artificers. The declarant is 88 years of age & cannot recollect any other incidents of his service than those stated. He knows not of any person by [?] testimony is annexed is the only person living who was in said company. I was born at sd Stratford on the 2nd of February 1745. I have always lived at said Stratford & have not any record of my age. I am perfectly certain that I served one year under Capt. Coe in 1776 as before stated, one Benjamin Ufford Decd was a Sargant 
in said guard which was under strict discipline. I did not follow any other business or any civil [illegible] while in said guard which was stationed on Long Island Sound I know that I was in said guard in winter & summer. 

John McEwen

Subscribed & Sworn to in court on the day & year aforesd
Attest
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
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State of Connecticut Ss. Stratford in the County of Fairfield
I Daniel Jackson of said Stratford do testify that in the year that General Arnold turned traitor & Major Andre the spy was arrested & executed, I was in service in the American army at White plains & West Point and that John McEwen the within named applicant for a pension enlisted for one year in the company commanded by Capt Yates in the Regiment commanded by Col. Eno. That said McEwen was a carpenter & attached to the artificers, and I saw him repeatedly during that year's campaign in said services. But I cannot testify positively when he was discharged nor that he served the whole year. I was not acquainted with him until I saw him in said army, but for about twenty two years past I have resided in said Stratford and have been well acquainted with said McEwen. Witness my hand this 7th day of August AD 1832. 
Daniel Jackson

I Matthew Beers of Stratford aforesaid do testify that I am well acquainted with John McEwen of said Stratford the within named applicant for a pension, and have known him well ever since I was a boy. That the month of May 1776 the said McEwen enlisted in the company of Connecticut Militia commanded by Capt Ebenezer Coe in Col. Whiting's Regiment and served therein faithfully for the four months while I served in [sa]id company and how much longer I cannot say as I was discharged I was not personally knowing to his service after that. Said McEwen was a carpenter by trade & I perfectly recollect that he aided & assisted said company in building a fort at Neck Bridge so called in said Stratford and was very useful in that work. Witness my hand this 7th day of August 1832. 
Matthew Beers

State of Connecticut Ss. Stratford in the County of Fairfield on the 7th day of August 1832, personally appeared the above named Daniel Jackson and Matthew Beers, both well known to me and credible witnesses, and severally made oath to the ^truth of the foregoing depositions by them respectively subscribed in my presence (each to the truth of his own deposition) before me
Robert Fairchild Justice of the Peace

On the same day the said Matthew Beers appeared before me after the above certificate was signed by me and made solemn oath that he considered the said John McEwen to be a respectable man & of good character for truth, before me (which fact was accidentally omitted to be inserted in both of the above depositions until after the said Daniel Jackson had gone away from my office)
Robert Fairchild
Justice of the Peace
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[continued from image 4]
and nearly all the soldiers with whom I served are dead, and I have no written discharges or other documentary evidence and no witnesses that I know of to prove my services aforesaid except Daniel Jackson & Matthew Beers, who were in service with me, and whose depositions are hereto annexed

The said John McEwen 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. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 
John Mccune
Attest
R. S. Nichols Clerk 
We, David Brooks residing in the town of Stratford and Eliakim Hough residing in the same, hereby certify, that we well acquainted with John McEwen who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 87 years of age; 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. 

Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

David Brooks
Eliakim Hough
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

Attest

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogation prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that David Brooks who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Stratford and that Eliakim Hough who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Fitch Wheeler Judge
R. S. Nichols Clerk
Attest

I, R. S. Nichols Clerk of the Aforesd Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John McEwen for a Pension. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of ______ Office, this 7th day of August 1832.

R.S. Nichols, Clerk

I, Fitch Wheeler Judge of the court of Probate for sd District of Stratford certify that R. S. Nichols is Clerk of sd Court & made the foregoing is his signature with the seal of said court thereto connected. 
Fitch Wheeler Judge
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State of Connecticut Ss. Court of Probate for the District of Stratford. On this 6th day of September 1834 personally appeared in open Court John McEwen of said Stratford who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in addition to & explanation of his original declaration made on the 7th day of August 1832 hereto annexed to obtain a pension to wit

"As I stated in my first declaration aforesaid I cannot be positive as to the particular years of my services in the army of the Revolution, but from further reflection & conversation lately had with persons who served in said army when I did, I now believe I was mistaken in stating my service under Capt Yates and Col. Eno to have been in the year 1780, but I think it must have been in the year 1778 or 1779, and that my service under Capt Coe in Col. Whiting's Regiment must have been in the year 1777 instead of 1776, but I know that I enlisted & served under those Captains, as I have stated in my said original declaration, two years, through I might possibly have been for a part of those periods attached to some other Regiments. I enlisted as a private soldier and not as an artificer but being a carpenter was ordered by my commanding officers occasionally on the duty of building forts &c. Being almost 90 years old, my memory has failed considerably; particularly as to dates, but as to my services two full years in said war I cannot be mistaken as I have so frequently talked about it with my friends & neighbours that the fact is deeply impressed on my mind. My surname was ^always called & spelt "Cune" until after said war. Some years after which, all my family & kindred wrote & called it "McEwen" instead of "Cune" a fact which I forgot to state before. Col. Samuel Whiting (now deceased) was the "Col. Whiting" in whose Regiment I enlisted. He belonged to this town, and his son, a neighbor of mine, has lent me his father's original commissions, which I now enclose, but he wishes ^they may be returned if proper & consistent with your duty. I did not know or suspect that they were in existence until this day. 
John McEwen

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid. 
Henry Shelton Clerk
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And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Frederick W. Chapman who signed the annexed certificate ^below written is a Clergyman resident in said town of Stratford, and that David Brooks and Eliakim Hough who signed the certificate annexed to the applicant's preceding original declaration are credible persons and also that Daniel Jackson and Matthew Beers, whose depositions are annexed to said original declaration are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit & that the ^said applicant sustains an unblemished character for truth, sobriety, industry & good morals. 

"I Frederick W. Chapman, clergyman residing in said town of Stratford do hereby certify that I am acquainted with John McEwen  who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, that I believe him to be now eighty nine years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Frederick W. Chapman
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Henry Shelton Clerk

I, Henry Shelton Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford, in the State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John McEwen for a pension, both upon his original & explanatory declarations.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 6th day of Septem 1834.
Henry Shelton Clerk

I Alanson Hamlin Judge of the Court of Probate for the said District of Stratford do certify that Henry Shelton is Clerk of said Court and that the foregoing is his signature with the seal of said Court thereto annexed. This day of September 1834.
Alanson Hamlin Judge
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Commission AD 1776
Decr 2d
606 - 11 - 8
574 - 9 - 3
32 - 2 - 5

Sep 5 1834 This Commission was enclosed with John McEwen's declaration for a pension & is to be returned after sd McEwen's case is acted on at the Pension office.

Samuel Whiting com.
no claim on file
found in claim of John McEwen Conn. S.11056
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Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire,
Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of Connecticut, in America.

To Samuel Whiting Esq; Greeting.

YOU being by the General Assemby of this State appointed to be Colonel be raised in this State, and to join the Continental Army, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the Laws of this State, Me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you the said, Samuel Whiting to be Colonel you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Colonel in leading, ordering and exercising said Regiment in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, in the Service aforesaid, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline, hereby commanding them to obey you as their Colonel and yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions, as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or the Commander in Chief of said State, for the Time being, or other your superior Officer, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, ordained and established by the Continental Congress, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you. 

Given under my Hand, and the public Seal of said State, at Hartford the second Day of December Anno Domini, 1776.

Jon Trumbull

By His Honor's Command,
George Wyllys Sec'ry.
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Samuel Whiting
Lieut. Col.

Lt. Col. Samuel Whiting

September 6th 1834. This Commission was enclosed with John McEwen's declaration for a pension and is requested to be returned.

Samuel Whiting Com.
no claim on file
found in claim of John McEwen Conn. S.File 11056
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Colony of Connecticut}
Jonathan Trumbull Esquire, Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over his Majesty's English Colony of Connecticut in New England in America.
To Samuel Whiting Esqr Greeting


By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given in and by the Royal Charter to the Governor and Company of the said Colony, under the Great Seal of England. I Do by these Presents reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage, and good Conduct, constitute and appoint you to said Samuel Whiting, to be Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifth Regiment of the Inhabitants, inlisted and Assembled for the special Defence and Safety of his Majesty's said Colony. You are therefore to lead, conduct, order, and Exercise said Regiment in the Service aforesaid and to keep them in good Order and Discipline, Hereby commanding them obey you as their Lieutenant Colonel, and yourself to observe and follow such orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from me or the Commander in Chief of the said Colony for the Time being, or other your Superior Officers according to Military Rules and Discipline pursuant to the Trust reposed in you.

Given under my Hand and the Public Seal of the said Colony at Hartford the first Day of May in the fifteenth Year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the third, Anno Dom. 1775.
Jon Trumbull

By his Honors Command
George Wyllys, Sect
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State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford
13th January 1835

On examination of the books of the office, it appears that in February 1778 the General Assembly ordered that there be raised by inlistment 6 Battalions, to be kept up untill the first day of March 1779. Roger Enos Esq. was appointed Colonel of one of said Battalions. 

That on the 15th June 1778, the Governor & Council of Safety resolved that the 6 battalions ordered to be raised in February be reduced to two battalions, and that the companies be properly formed out of the whole; Roger Enos Esq to be Colonel. Seth Smith Esq Lieutenant Colonel Eleaner Curtiss [illegible] Esq Major of one of the battalions in which said battalion John Yates ^ of Stratford was Captain of a Company.

That on the   day of October 1778, the General Assembly ordered that the whole of Colonel Enos' Regiment of State troops be marched to the South western part of the State, one company to Norwalk, one company to Stamford, the companies remaining to Greenwich.

That on the 23rd day of April 1779 captain John Yates rendered his account, which is charged as follows, orders on treasurer as Capt John Yates for his company pay roll Colonel Enos Regiment 7, 8, & 9. £2213.7.8 on Bounties £135.0.0 Wages £1882.16.1 transporting baggage to Saw sills £20.6.0 Hospital expences, commissions &c £175.5.7.

That on the   day of May 1779, John Yates was appointed
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Captain of a company in colonel Mathew Mead's regiment. That in the entries of the payments made to the captain's in said regiment mention is made of their service in 1778 & 17779. The exact time of service it is impossible to ascertain, but dividing the amount of wages paid Captain Yate's company by the number of men he was authorized to have and it will furnish presumptive and equitable evidence that they served full nine months. The law prescribed that the companies should be formed of ninety men officers included and that each company should have one Captain two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, on Drum, one Fife, then say.
one captain per month...8.0.0
two Lieutenants each " 5.8.0...10.16.0
on Ensign... " ... 4.0.0
four Sergeants each " 2.8.0...9.12.0
four Corporals " " 2.4.0...8.16.0
Seventy Eight privates @ " 2.0.0...156.0.0
________________
per month ... 197.4.0   9 months is £1774.16.0

the amount of wages paid Captain Yate's company is £1882.16.1 being more than one hundred pounds over and above paying for nine months service.

Colonel Samuel Whiting appears to have commanded a Regiment raised in December 1776 for three months.

Certified by Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Accounts
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11,056
INVALID

File No. 11,056
John McEwen
Formerly John Cune
Priv. Rev. War

Act: June 5th 1832
Index: -Vol. A, Page 247

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

John McEwen
Connecticut_Act 1832
Surpd - sci letter
to Honorable G. Tomlinson
October 8th 1834

Secty of War
27 Jany 1835

For Mr Ela
NRien
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May 76 Coe-Whiting   /1 mo.
--- "   " 6 - to May 77.
80 78 Yates Eno   12 - New York
Jackson says he was a carpenter attached to artificers 2. . Beers served 4 mo with him - was carpenter
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War Department
Pension Office
Oct 8. 1834

Sir
I have carefully examined the case of John McEwen, and placed the papers on file. His statement is certainly erroneous as to the length of his service in Enos' regt. He alleges that he served a full year in that regt. It was only six months in the service. Uness he can produce other proof than that already exhibited the claim cannot be allowed. His statement in relation to service in Col. Whitings regt is also incorrect

I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Yr. Mo. Obt. St.
J. L. Edwards


Hon Gideon Tomlinson
Fairfield
Connecticut
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Hon Gideon Tomlinson
Stratford January 19th 1833

Sir,
I endorse a letter from the Comptroller of this State to Josiah Gorham Esq. on the subject of Colonel Enos term of service rendered the United States during the Revolutionary War. John McEwen of this town, a petitioner for a pension, employd Mr Gorham to write to the Comptroller at Hartford to see whether he could not obtain information that would go to strengthen his claim, as set forth in his Declaration now on file in the Pension Office. It will be recollected, that an objection had been made at the Pension Office, to allowing his claim, on account of his stating in his Declaration that he enlisted in Capt. Yate's Company in Colonel Enos Regiment & served in it for one year whereas in J. L. Edwards letter to him on the 8th Oct. tis stated that Col. Enos was in command for only 6 months consequently McEwens declaration was erroneous. It will be seen by enclosed letter Col. Enos was in command for more that on year & that Capt Yates renderd his d/c 23d day of Apr 1779 which goes to shew that Capt Yates was in service for more than 9 months taking the ground that he had his full compliment of Officers & men the whole of that time whereas perhaps some part of the time Capt Yates had not his full compliment, which undoubtedly must have been the part of the first enrollment of the enlistment & perhaps at no one time which in service was his complimt of man compleat. Consequently Capt Yates might have been in service more than a year for the Comptroller assumes the ground that Capt Yates had a full compliment of officers & men & from the amount paid must have been in service in 9 month allowing his Company to be full, but if he had not a full compliment of officers & men, then he must have been in service longer in order to amount to the sum paid him. 

Mr. F. R. Nicoll has seen Mr. McEwen and conversed with him on the subject & he is well sattisfied that his claim is just & that he was absent from home at the period alluded to for more than one year 7 has written to the Secretary of War on the subject in which he refers to the letter of the Comptroller enclosed being sent to the Pension Office & wishes him personally to examine it with McEwens other papers. You will therefore on this request of this ledger the Comptrollers letter in the Pension Office that in can Gov. Cass should call he might see the whole of the paper having a
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a bearing as McEwen claims. You will excuse me for being thus particular in this case, for I cannot but think but that he is entitled to something if not a full pension as regard Col. Whitings term of service mentioned by the Comptrollers letter. The Commission held by him & sent in with Mr. McEwens papers, will show that Whiting was in service longer than what is stated by the Comptroller. Should any thing atesting to McEwen can take place I should be glad to be early apprised of it. I am Sir very Respectfully Your Ob Sert
David Brooks
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Fairfield Sept 29. 1834

Sir,
I herewith return the pension application of John McEwen with additional documents.

In compliance with the request of Judge Fairchild, whose letter is enclosed, I certify that Alanson Hamlin is the Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford & has held that office since last June. His anxiety of the very aged applicant & his friends regarding his case induces me to ask that it may be decided as soon as your convenience will permit. 

I am very respectfully yours
G. Tomlinson

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
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State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield} ss.
On this nineteenth day of April 1836 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut now sitting, John McEwen a resident of Stratford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged ninety one years, who being first 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 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. 
And in the first place he would now state that he has heretofore made oaths declaration and afterwards amended the same from which it appears that owing to extreme old age some loss of memory he has not stated his services correctly but on more reflection he will now make another viz. That in the summer of 1776 he enlisted into a Company of guard ^and did service under the Command of Lieut. Ebenezer Coe in the town of Stratford ^in said Fairfield County at a place called Fort Coe on Long Island Sound. Said guard was a regular corps in service by authority of the State of Connecticut that he served as he was the same as being constantly in the field or garrison being enrolled in said Company and going on guard by turns during said campaign every day and was not employed in any civil pursuit so as to prevent his regular service in said guard. Remembers Benjamin Ufford was Sargant of said guard also remembers James Sherman John Sherman William Gorham James Beers Samuel Howes and others who are all dead was with him in said Company does not recollect who Commanded the Regiment said Leut Coes Company belonged to at the time, but it was the same Regiment known in the Revolution as Col Saml Whitings Regiment belonged to Genl Gold S Sillimans Regiment but whether said Whiting or Silliman had the Command in 1776 or not he can not recollect but thinks they had after that time. he did not receive any written discharge or documentary evidence to prove this service and does not know of any person alive by whom he can prove this service which was three months or more. } That in
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the year 1778 he enlisted in Capt John Yates Company in said town of Stratford at the house of Col Whiting and marched in said Company to a place called Greens Farms in the town of Fairfield in Connecticut and from thence to White Plains where he joined Col. Roger Enos' Regiment and from White Plains removed to West Point and performed three months service in this campaign was dismissed at West Point and came home to said Stratford and remained a few weeks when he was again called into service in said Yates Company in said Enos Regiment and marchd from said Stratford to a place called Horseneck where Genl Putnam rode down the stone steps was stationed at said Horseneck in Conn some time and from thence went to Stratford on Long Island Sound where he was discharged that he performed three months service in this campaign. John Ressy was Sergeant of said Yates Company cannot remember the names of any of the other officers except on Osborn who was a Corporal ^ then belonging to Stratford and since dead that said company was a regular embodidied corps in service by Authority of the State of Connecticut that he was in field or garrison during said campaign and was not employed in any civil pursuit never had any written discharge in either campaigns and has no documentary evidence to prove this service by Daniel Jackson now of Stratford was with him in these two campaigns and can testify to my service that he was ^born in said town of Stratford Feby 2d 1745. has no record of his age by has lived in said town of Stratford ever since

John McEwen
Page 25

The said John McEwen 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.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. 

Attest. RS Nichols, Clerk
John McEwen

We, George C Shepherd a clergyman, residing the town of Stratford and at present residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John McEwen who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 91 years of age; 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.
Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.

Attest RS Nichols Clerk
George C. Shepard
Francis H Nicholl

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that George C. Shaphard who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Stratford and that Francis H. Nicoll who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Attest Mark Moore Judge


I, Roswell S. Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foreging contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John McEwen for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of ___ Office, this 19th day of April 1836

Attest RS. Nichols, Clerk
Page 26

Daniel Jackson of the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut. 73 years old a Pensioner of the United States Deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with John McEwen of Stratford who has applyed for a Pension and that he has heretofore given his depositions in relation to the service of sd McEwen in the Revolution in which deposition he stated that said McEwen served in Col. Enos Regiment in 1780 which deposition was not correct as to the year he would now state that he belonged to Capt John Yates Company at the same time with said McEwen in Col Roger Enos Regiment which he now thinks was in 1778. The deponent states that he was in service at West Point at different Perriods himself and was at West Point when Arnold turnd Traitor which is the reason he made the mistake as to the year sd McEwen served. But perfectly remembers being in sd Yates Company with sd McEwen in Col. Enos Regiment at Greens Farms, White Plains, & West Point for Three months and again after being dismissed for a short time was with him again in sd Company at Horse Neck & Stamford in Connecticut and that said McEwen served the United States faithfully ^ said two campaigns. Said deponent thinks they were enlisted for a year subject to go into service when called for. Remembers John Bessey was a Seargeant in sd Yates Company and Osborne corporal cannont Recollect the names of the other officers

Daniel Jackson
Page 27

I Mark Moore Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Stratford hereby Certify that Roswell S Nichols is Clerk of said Court that the foregoing are his signatures with the seal of said Court thereto annexed.

Mark Moore Judge

The Depositions of Daniel Jackson, Agur Curtis Junr. and Francis H Nicoll who have subscribed and sworn to the within depositions in open Court are a part of the proceedings in the case of the within named applicant herein certified under my hand and seal of Office.
And I further certify that said Daniel Jackson Agur Curtis Junr & Francis H Nicoll are credible witnesses and persons of fair character for truth and veracity.

Attest RS Nichols, Clerk
Page 28

Agur Curtis ^Jun of Stratford in Fairfield County being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he recollects that in the time of the war of the Revolution that there was a guard stationed in the town of Stratford on Long Island Sound under the command of Lieut. Coe and my impression is that John McEwen was one of the men composing Liet Coes Guard I have been acquainted with said John McEwen and lived with him in the same neighbourhood for ^more than sixty years and the impression is in the neighborhood where said John McEwen resides that he was a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion. 

Agur Curtis Jr


I Francis H Nicholl of the town of Stratford Fairfield County State of Connect. being duly sworn deposeth and says that he has been acquainted with John McEwen of said town and has known him for more than forty years. that he is a respectable man and has always been respected and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and which I fully believe 
April 19 1836
Francis H Nicoll
Page 29

John McEwen's case formerly John Cune. 
Original declaration Aug. 1832 explanatory ditto Sep. 5. 1834
Enclosed with this are two original Commissions to Col. Samuel Whiting of Stratford Ct signed by Jonathan Trumbull Governor of Connect. & Dated in 1775 & 1776. which the applicant has borrowed of Col. Whitings son & promised to return to him. The applicant hopes that his papers may be acted on soon as by omission of the former Judge of Probate has papers were not duly certified according to the requirements of the Pension office in conformity to the proof then exhibited but will be now, I humbly trust, entirely satisfactory.

Capt Coe
3 mo. Coe-Whiting
6 - Yates-Enos
admd
9 mo per
30$
Page 30

John McEwen's explanatory Declaration &c &c.
Page 31

State of Connectticut
Fairfield County

On this 2nd day of September 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford in said County Phineas Bens of the Town of New Milford in Litchfield County will known to said Court to be a credible witness & being sworn [illegible] & says that he is well acquainted with John McEwen of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County a Revolutionary Soldier now reside that he was born & lived in said Town of Stratford near 10 said Hohn until deponent was thirty years old. The deponent in the year 1776 or 1777 (he cannot be positive which year enlisted in the month of May into a company of State Troops commanded by Capt Ebenezer Coe & Stationed at the Battery at Neck Bridge on Stratford Point on Long Island Sound. The Deponent Enlisted for six months & served out said six months & after said six months expired deponent reenlisted for the further time of six months & served our the whole time under Capt Coe Samuel Patterson was our Lieutenant & a son of Col. Whiting Ensign. We belonged to Col. Whitings Regiment. The Company was in & had discipline & we borrowed no [illegible]. Our employment was to guard the coast & especially Stratford Point. The Deponent recollects perfectly that this service was on year & that the said John McEwen enlisted at the same time with deponent & served with him said period of six months above stated The deponent recollects that one William Gorham of sd Stratford [mutilated] was also in said Company by remembers no other person.
Page 32

State of Connectticut
Fairfield County

On this 2nd day of September 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford in said County Phineas Bens of the Town of New Milford in Litchfield County will known to said Court to be a credible witness & being sworn [illegible] & says that he is well acquainted with John McEwen of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County a Revolutionary Soldier now reside that he was born & lived in said Town of Stratford near 10 said Hohn until deponent was thirty years old. The deponent in the year 1776 or 1777 (he cannot be positive which year enlisted in the month of May into a company of State Troops commanded by Capt Ebenezer Coe & Stationed at the Battery at Neck Bridge on Stratford Point on Long Island Sound. The Deponent Enlisted for six months & served out said six months & after said six months expired deponent reenlisted for the further time of six months & served our the whole time under Capt Coe Samuel Patterson was our Lieutenant & a son of Col. Whiting Ensign. We belonged to Col. Whitings Regiment. The Company was in & had discipline & we borrowed no [illegible]. Our employment was to guard the coast & especially Stratford Point. The Deponent recollects perfectly that this service was on year & that the said John McEwen enlisted at the same time with deponent & served with him said period of six months above stated The deponent recollects that one William Gorham of sd Stratford De[cd] was also in said Company by remembers no other person [in] sd company now a[live]
Page 33

except the above named John McEwen whoom he has always known depone[nt] was 18 years old when he enlisted in said company & knows the past that John McEwen served under Capt Coe at said Stratford in the United States service one year commencing in May 177[?] or 1777. The Deponent further says he in the first part of the month of April shortly after the Battle at White Plains (that is he says the next year after as the Deponent believes) he enlisted at said Stratford (into a company of State Troops commanded by Capt Yates) for one year [Illegible] Burton of Trumbull Decd was Lieut. & Joseph Rockwell Decd Ensign in sd company. The company went first to White Plains under the command of Schabod Lewis who was taken sick at White Plains & returned home The company staid at White Plains until Genl. Washington cam there with his army when we were ordered to West Point & placed under the command of Col. Eno. who the Deponent thinks was a continental officer. We staid at West Point until wint[er] when we came to Horseneck & was dismi[ss]ed at Stamford at the expiration of one year from the time we entered the service. The Deponent recollects these sd John McEwen enlisted into said company at the same time with Deponent & served there in said period of one year The said John is a carpenter by trade & deponent recollects that he was employed at West Point in Building a Fort under a French officer whose name is not remembered by Deponent. The Deponent has no hesitations in saying that this period of service un[d]er Capt Yates was one year & there sd John McEwen was with Deponent & served the same time. 

Phineas Beers

Subscribed & sworn to in Court on the Day & year aforesaid by the said Phineas Beers who is a credible witness.

Attest
RS Nichols, Clerk
Page 34

25929

John McEwen

explanatory letter to Hon. G Tomlinson
16th Oct 183[illegible]

Hon G. Tomlinson
Fairfield
Connt.
Page 35

WAR DEPTARTMENT,
Pension Office,
July 16 1833

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly  facilitate the investigation of your claim.


[chart]
A Statement, shewing the Service of John McEwen

Period when the service was rendered.  |  Duration of the claimant's service.  Years. Months. Days. |  Rank of the claimant.  |  Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.  |  Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.  |  Proof by which the declaration is supported.

[chart is blank except name of applicant]


I am, respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 36

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,

In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

State, Territory, or District of County of} ss.

On this ______ day of __________ personally appeared (a) before ______________

A. B. a resident (b) of __________ in the county of __________ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ______, with _____ and served in the ___________ (e) regiment of the ______ 
line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _________

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I ________________________ of the Court of ________________________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _________________ day of _________________ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out

Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:

(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ________________ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _______________________, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ________ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the 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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the __________________________ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ___________________ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, _____________________ Clerk of the Court of ____________________ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __________________ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ______________ day of ____________ &c.

[begin bracketed paragraph]
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
[end bracketed paragraph]

If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

[handwritten sentence continues on opposite page (image 37)]
The declarant alleges that he served one year as an
Page 37

3
[begin bracketed paragraph]
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be exexpected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
[end bracketed paragraph]

The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier.{ Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
   To an Officer.{ Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.

The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.

The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.

Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.

Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.

No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For _______ year ________ months, and __________ days, I served as a _________. For _________ months and __________ days, I served as a __________; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[begin bracketed paragraph]
[j] [begin underlined text] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. [end underlined text] The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[end bracketed paragraph]

The note from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[handwritten sentence continued from opposite page (image 36)]
artificer, his name does not appears on the rolls
Page 38

Stratford Sep. 17, 1834

Dear Sir
Since I saw you i Augt, I have examined the Pension papers of John McEwen & found the Judge of Probate had before omitted ^to certify as to the credibility of the applicant & his witnesses, and a clergyman had not certified &c according to the rule of pension office. I have now attended to those particulars. In 1832, when I drew his declaration & took the depositions the applicant took his papers to the Judge of Probate, who, I supposed would see the needful done as ^to the rest of the business, and by his neglect, the applicant has been greatly disappointed & delayed in obtaining his pension. I went to live in N. York soon after & have not see the papers till this summer. 

I wish you to certify that Alanson Hamlin is now Judge of Probate & ask the Commissn of pensions to act upon the case speedily, as the applicant is a very old man & poor withal. The day before he went to the Judge of Probate I accidentally found two old Commissns of Col. Whiting under whom the applicant served & I now enclose them.

Yrs with great respect
Robert Fairchild
Page 39

Stratford. Connt April 22 1836

JL Edwards Esq
Commiss of Pension
Washington

I beg leave herewith to enclose for your consideration another sett of papers for a pension in the case of Jno McEwen of this town which I hope will be satisfactory to establish his claim to one, being fully satisfied in my view made of the justice of it, his great age and a due want of circumspection in those who previously made oath his declarations was the cause of many contradictions and inconsistencies in his several statements hither to made.

Being personally known to the Secty of War and Major Con B Lewis of the department I beg leave to refer you to these as to my view credibility. and shall esteem it a favour [if] you will give me an answer to your consideration of the matter.

Mean time I am 
very respect yours
Francis H Nicoll