Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,850, Benjamin Darrow, Conn. Sea Service Navy
Page 1

Conn. Sea Service   Darrow, Benjamin  W.24,850
Navy                                     Grace
Page 2

10.103
R
Connecticut
Benjamin Darrow
of Fairfield in the state of Connecticut
who was a Mariner in the Alliance Frigate commanded by Capt. Barry 
for the term of one year.
--
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 87 Dollars per month, to commence on the 26th of March 1818.
--
Certificate of Pension issued the 29th of April 1819 and sent to Pierpoint Edwards
Bridgeport Connecticut
--
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819                        90.58.
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4th of Sept. 1819  48.00
                                                                  ====
                                                                 $139:58
{Revolutionary claim,    }
{Act 18th March, 1818  }

Continue
Page 3

See letter L-T Robinson. Oct. 18.

Notification sent the 27th June 1820, to
David Burr, Esq.
Fairfield, Connecticut
Page 4

Notification sent the 27th June 1820, to
David Burr, Esq.
Fairfield, Connecticut
Page 5

Benjn. Darron 
Mariner
Ship "Alliance"
Capt: Barry 
1782 -
26 March 1818
The applicant does not state in his declaration, that he is in reduced circumstances, & needs the assistance of his [illegible] for support.
The certificate of the Judge, as to reduced circumstances of applicant, is waiting. 
[(Adme?] on the oath of the witness as to indigence)
Page 6

District of Connecticut  ss
On this 26th day  of March AD 1818 Benjamin Darrow of Fairfield in said District under oath declares before Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the United States for the District of Connecticut in which District the declarant now  resides and for more than thirty years last past hath resided that on the nineteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty two the  declarant enlisted into service of the United States in the navy thereof as a mariner on board the [deleted word] Alliance Frigate under the command of Captain John Barry and that the declarant continued in the naval service of the United States on board said ship from the time of his said enlistment until the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty three when he from said service on board said ship was by said Captain John Barry ^honorably discharged^ all which time the said declarant served the United States in the naval service on the continental establishment and which discharge the declarant now exhibits to the  said judge
And the declarant further maketh oath that he now is and was since the Declaration of Independence hath been a resident citizen of the United States
                   Benj, Darrow
District of Connecticut ss March 26 1818 the aforenamed Benjamin Darrow  came before me & in my presence subscribed the aforesaid declaration & made Oath that the same is true.  Pierpont Edwards 
District Judge of sd District
Page 7

District of Connecticut July 15 1818 came before me Pierpont Edward District judge of said District [deleted words] William B Dimon 
[illegible words] and made oath that Benjamin Darrow aforesd is by [illegible] of his reduced circumstances in life in need of the assistance of ^his^ country for [deleted word] his support
Wm B. Dimon
Page 8

District of Connecticut ss April 25 1819. I Pierpont Edwards district judge of said district do certify that the above[?] named Benjamin Darrow by reason of his reduced circumstances in life does [illegible] in need of the assistance of his country for his support.
Pierpont Edwards

District of Connecticut ss March 23d 1819  came[?] and appeared before Mr. Pierpont Edwards District Judge of said District [illegible] named Benjamin Darrow and swore on the [illegible] by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he does now[?] [illegible words] the assistance of his country for his support  Pierpont Edwards
Page 9

I Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the District of Connecticut do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that Benjamin Darrow who made & subscribed the declaration contained in the annexed schedule and served in the Revolutionary War against the common Enemy as stated in his said declaration & I now transmit the proceedings & testimony had before  me in his case to the Secretary of the Department of War pursuant to an Act of Congress in [such case?] made & provided said proceedings & testimony are contained in the annexed Schedule May 20th 1818.
Pierpont Edwards
Page 10

District of Connecticut ss 
On this 26 day of March A 1818 before me Pierpont Edwards District Judge of the United States for 
both of Fairfield in
 the district of Connecticut came both of Fairfield in said District who being duly sworn do depose &amp; say that they are well acquainted with the aforenamed named Benjamin Darrow and with his circumstances in life and are of opinion that they are so reduced that he is in need of assistance from his country for support and that he now is and for more than thirty years hath been a [illegible] citizen of the United States
March 26 1818
Page 11

Benjamin Darrow 
(Exd)
(10.103)
(Sept 1819)
Continued
Page 12

District of Connecticut
Fairfield County

Town of Fairfield on the 14th day of June 1820 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the County of Fairfield in the said District and having a seal, Benjamin Darrow aged 61 years resident on Fairfield in said District who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the revolutionary war as follows- that I entered a marina on board of the Brig defense commanded by Capt. Hardin in March 1776, in the service of the State of Connecticut, served on leave said Brig fourteen months and also that I enlisted on board of the ship Aliana commanded by Capt. John Barry on the 19th of May 1780 and was discharged from said ship on the 1st of May 1783 as per my discharge forwarded to the war department with my former declarations on the 26th day of March 1848 as er certificate No. 10.103 and that I have received a pension from the 26th of March 1818 to the 11th day of March 1820 at the rate of eight dollars per month, and I do solemnly swear that I have not since that time by gifts, sale, or in any manner dispersed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to being myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval service of the United Stated in the Revolutionary war papered on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income
Page 13

other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed-
use of an old house and 1/4 acre of land during life, value @    $20
6 old chairs valued @   ,,34
1 Table     ,,34
I chest    ,,50
1 axe    ,,50
1 pail    ,,12
1 ten kettle     ,,42
1 sprinter    broken   ,,25
13set of knives & forks, six plates, 2 pewter spoons, 1 tub, 1 hand, 1 chest drawers 2.12
3 bottles, 2 knives & forks, 4 spoons, 2  trammels, 1 cradle, 2 beds  1.42
1 bake pan   ,,34
$26.35

Benjamin Darrow

my occupation is that of day laborer but the infirmity of age render me unable to support my family without assistance, my family consists of only myself and wife, her name is Grace aged fifty eight years, she has a weekly constitution and is unable to render much of assistance towards our support.

Benjamin Darrow

Subscribed, sworn to, & declared in open court aforesaid thereupon said Court is, on satisfactory proof made in Court, of opinion that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the said schedule is twenty six dollars & thirty five cents, and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the records of said Court.

Attest  David Burr Clerk
Page 14

State of Connecticut, ss. Fairfield County

I David Burr, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, in the said State, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule of Benjamin Darrow is twenty six Dollars & thirty five cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Fairfield, this 14th day of June A.D. 1820.

David Burr
Clerk of the County Court for said County of Fairfield


District and State of Connecticut, ss. Fairfield June 14, 1820

I Robert Fairchild, Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield, on said State, do certify that David Burr, Esq. is the Clerk of said Court, duly appointed and sworn; and that the said Court is a Court of Record, made so by the statute laws of said State; that it proceeds according to the course of common law, has a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount, with the power of fine and imprisonment, and keeps a record of its proceedings.

Robert Fairchild
Chief Judge of the County Court for the County of Fairfield
Page 15

State of Connecticut District of Fairfield
On this fourth day of September Eighteen hundred and thirty Eight personally appeared before a special Court of Probate [illegible] at Fairfield in an [illegible] District of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut and now sitting Grace Darrow a resident of said Fairfield in said District of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed July 7, 1808 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Benjamin Darrow deceased who was in the service of the United States in the War of the Revolution and who when he entered the service in said War resided in said Fairfield, and for his services in said War obtained a pension from the United States of Eight Dollars per month under the act of Congress as she believes of 1818 and for said services of her said husband Benjamin Darrow, she now claims a pension, reference being had to the proofs of the service of her husband the said Benjamin Darrow in the pension office at Washington where it may appear. 
And she further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Darrow on the on the twenty-second day of February seventeen hundred and eighty-six by the Rev'd Timothy Dwight then pastor of the Church in the parish of [illegible] in said Fairfield. That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin
Page 16

Darrow died at said Fairfield on the fifth day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty-seven 1827 - that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety-four towit at the time before stated
                                     Grace Darrow
Sworn to an subscribed on the day and year before written before
Rufus Blakeman Judge
And the Court hereby declares its opinion that the facts set forth in the foregoing Declaration of Grace Darrow are true that she is a credible and respectable person and intitled to belief
              Rufus Blakeman Judge
State  of Connecticut    }
District of Fairfield         } ss
I Moses G Betts Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield in said State of Connecticut hereby certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings had before P Court in the matter of the application of Grace Darrow for a Pension and that Rufus Blakeman before who sd proceedings were held[?] as the Judge of sd Court is now the Judge of sd Court duly commissioned and acting as such and that the above signature purporting to be his are genuine and I further certify that Rufus Blakeman before whom the annexed deposition of Nathaniel Freeman was taken is now and since the twentieth of June last past has been  Justice of the Peace for Fairfield County in sd State of Connecticut duly commissioned and acting as such and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine_ And I further certify that  Thomas Robinson before whom the annexed Depositions of Mary Smith, Sarah Robinson, Elizabeth Down, Levi Down, were taken is now and since the twentieth day of June last past has been a  Justice of the Peace for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and acting as such and that the signature purporting to be his are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Said Court this fourth day of September eighteen  hundred and thirty-eight.
                                           Moses G. Betts Clerk
Page 17

[Left Page]
19.
Connecticut, Hartford.
Grace Darrow
widow of Benjn Darrow
Con
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a seaman in 
ship alliance
Inscribed on the roll at the rate of 
96. Dollars —
cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1848. 
Certificate of Pension issued  the
9— day of June 1848,
and sent to 
Jesup Alvord
Southport
Court

[Right Page]
Reported.
Page 18

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank]
for a statement of the military history of Benjamin Darrow
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find the below desired
information as contained in his (and his widow's) application for pen-
sion file in this Bureau. M.F. 24.850.
Dates of enlistment or appointment. | Length of Service. | Rank. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Colonel. | State.

mch. 1776 | 14 mos | Mariner | { Cln Brig "Defence," commanded by Captain Harding.

may 19, 1782 to | May 1, 1783 | Mariner | { Cln Frigait "Alliance," commanded by Capt. John Barry.

59 Battles engaged in, [illegible] 
Residence of solder at enlistment, Fairfeild, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Mch. 26, 1818. [illegible] 
Residence at the date of application, Fairfield, Conn. 
Age at date of application, 59 yrs.

Remarks: He [illegible] Feb. 22, 1786, in the Parish of Greenfield, 
Fairfield, Conn., and she was [illegible] pension his ap. ex, Sept 4, 1838. 
while a resident of Fairfield, Conn, aged 75 yrs.
Children referred to, no names stated. 
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
6—2856
Page 19

[illegible] Widow, & c. File No. 24,850 Grace Darrow wido of Benjn Darrow Seaman Rev. War Act: Feb 2d 48 Index: -- Vol. A, Page 173
1916, Jan. 15. History to Mrs. E S Cole [illegible]
Page 20

See letter to J. Robinson
Dec. 1838 
From T.B. Osborne9 Dec ‘39

Connecticut, 821 

Grace Darrow widow of Benjamin Darrow who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818. and who died on the 5th of March 1827, of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Mariner in the Alliance commanded by Captain Barry. 
 of the___ commanded by___ in the___line for
 [very faded “Jno m.o. $48.96”]

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 48 Dollars ---Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31st day of October, 1838 and sent to Thos Robinson, Esq. Southport, Connt.

Arrears to the 4th Sept 1838 $120:00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ’39 $24.00 
[totaling] $144.00

Act July 7, 1838. 
Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk, 
Book A, Vol. 1, Page 175.

[written sideways on page over the above wording]
Increase to $96.00 per ann.
24 March [illegible]
Page 21

Connecticut 774.

Grace Darrow
widow of Benjn. Darrow Alliance
who was a Seaman in Ship commanded by Captain ____
in the U.S. Navy for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars ___ cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of July 1843 and sent to Thomas Robinson Southport
Conn

{Act of March 3, 1843.}
Recorded in Book A. Vol 1. Pag 66.
Page 22

Connecticut 821

Grace Darrow widow of Benjamin Darrow who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818- and who died on the 5 March 1827- of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut who was a Seaman in the Ship commanded by Captain {called the Alliance} of the___ commanded by___in the U.S. Navy line for 2 years. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 96 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. Incd. From $48.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Decr 1839, & sent to Hon B. Osborne, [?] Rep

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1839 $336.00 
Semi=annual allowance ending 4 Mar 40 48.00 
[totaling] $384.00
Deduct former payments 

{Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk, 
Book A.  Vol. 1. Page 175.
Page 23

Image is completely blackened out.  Unreadable.
Page 24

Very darkened image.

[Bottom left corner of page]

Benjamin Darrow
W. 24.850
Navy (Conn.)
Page 25

I hereby Certify that Benjamin Darrow has served on board the Alliance Frigate from May 19, 1782 to May 1 1783: & is hereby Discharged from said frigate being entitled to Prise Money his wages being paid to this date.

Given under my hand on board the Alliance this first day of May 1783
John Barry

To whom it may concern-
Page 26

State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield Ss.

On this 12th day of April AD 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Grace Darrow, a resident of Fairfield in the County and State aforesaid, aged now Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War

That she is the widow of Benjamin Darrow deceased who was a private in the War of the Revolution and as such served on board of one of the Government ships called she believes the Alliance, under she thinks Commander John Berry – 

That she received a pension as such widow under the act of Congress of July 7th 1838 and the annual amount of her said pension was Ninety Six dollars- and that 
I am
 she is still a widow
Grace Darrow

Sworn to &amp; subscribed the day &amp; year first above written before me-
words "she" three times repeated first duly interlined also words “her, “she is”
Thomas Robinson Just of Peace 

I hereby certify that the declarant the above named Grace Darrow is well known to me and that I know her to be the same person who received a pension as she has stated certified the day &amp; year first above written
Thomas Robinson Just of Peace
Page 27

Admit, Seaman $96
Connt. Agency
Sent to
Thomas Robinson
Southport
Conn
Page 28

Clerk's Certificate
Sold by Craswell & Jewett, No. 2 Street’s Building, New Haven.
STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
County of Fairfield ss
COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE.  [illegible]

[County seal affixed here]

I, Wm H Noble Esq., Clerk of the County Court, within and for the County of Fairfield and keeper of the seal thereof, and of the Commission of the Justices of Peace for said County, hereby CERTIFY: -- 

Thomas Robinson Esquire was on the 12 day April 1843 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. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereto set my hand and seal of the said Court this 23 day of April 1843 
Wm H Noble Clerk.
Page 29

Admitted.

Jesup Alvord
Southport
Connt.
Page 30

Declaration, In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d February 1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving widows and Soldiers of the Revolution." 
State of Connecticut 
County of Fairfield Ss.

On this 7th day of April 1848 personally appeared before me Jesup Alvord a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Grace Darrow, a resident of the town of Fairfield in the County of Fairfield, State of Connecticut, aged Eighty five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2d of February 1848 granting pensions to Widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War; That she is the widow of Benjamin Darrow who was a Mariner in the Navy- in the War of the Revolution; That she received a pension under the Act of 17th June 1844, at the rate of ninety six dollars per annum- 
She further declares that she is still a widow
Grace Darrow

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written 
Before me 
Jesup Alvord Justice of the Peace. 

I hereby certify that the above Declarant is personally known to me as the widow of Benjamin Darrow and the same individual who drew a pension as stated in the foregoing declaration 
Jesup Alvord Justice of the Peace.
Page 31

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County SS 

I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court within and for the County aforesaid, and keeper of the Seal thereof & of the commissions of the Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify that Jesup Alvord Esq is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned and acting as such & duly authorized by the laws of this State to administer oaths, and take the acknowledgement of deeds; That his commission is dated 19th of June 1847 & will expire with the 19th day of June 1848. and I further certify that the within signature purporting to be his, is his genuine official Signature.

[County seal affixed here]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said County Court in Norwalk- This 13th day of April 1848 
Thomas Robinson Clerk
Page 32

I Abel Turney of the town & County of 
Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy six years being duly cautioned and sworn do depose on? and say that I well knew Benjamin Darrow former (farmer) City of Fairfield since dec ( ) that said Benjamin Darrow (  ) in the year 1780 either in November or December of that year enlisted on board of the Continental Ship, Alliance, under Capt. John Barry and as I now fully believe for the term of one year and served on board of (  ) Ship together till I was discharged from service about the last of August in the year 1781.  I being discharged on account of being wounded.  While we were on board together we said ship made a cruise from Boston to France and we had two engagements with the enemy during said cruise - when I was discharged from service ( ) in August 1781 and left ship I left Benjamin Darrow still on board in the service - In the year 1782 in the summertime I were at New London in Connecticut where the Ship Alliance them were and I made a visit on board of the ship at that time and then and thee on board the shop I saw Benjamin   Darrow on duty in the                () and I recollect that I saw Benjamin Darrow (    ) after he returned home that he had been another cruise in Ship after he saw me  New London

Dated Fairfield January 4 1859
Page 33

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County of Fairfield January 11th 1839
Personally appeared Abel Turney and made
solemn oath to the truth of the Deposition on the other side hereof by him subscribed and I certify that I Abel Turney is well known to me and is a credible person. The said Deposition of
Abel Turney taken to be used as evidence to
increase the Pension of Grace Darrow of sd Fairfield widow of Benjamin Darrow decd.
Thomas Robinson Jus. Peace
Page 34

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County }ss:
I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut and keeper of the seal thereof and of the Commissioner of duties of the peace for said county, do hereby certify that on the 4th day of January in 1839 I was a Justice of the Peace in aforesaid county duly commissioned and qualified and that the above signature purporting to be mine is my genuine afforsaid signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the County Court this 27th day of November 1839.
Thomas Robinson Clerk
Page 35

Onboard the Alliance in 1781. Had made a crossing to
France from Boston Abel Turney, and
Benj Darrow onboard. Turney [unknown] Aug 1781.
Darrow:  [unknown] May 1782 of one year. [unknown]
Page 36

Payment to be made
at Hartford
by Samuel L. Pithin, Esq.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Connecticut
Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year for increase. First payment to be made 31st December, 1838.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A, Vol. 1, Page 175, by Hon. J.B. Osborne
S.A. Pithin, Clerk
Page 37

War Department
Five years Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Grace Darrow, of Connecticut, widow of Benjamin Darrow, deceased, who was a mariner in the Revolution and died on the fifth day of March 1827, is entitled to receive five years' pension at the rate of Forty-eight dollars and --- cents per annum, commencing on the fourth day of March, 1836; and in case of the death or marriage of said widow before the expiration of said five years, the pension will cease on the day or such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States this thirty-first day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight.
J.R. Voinsett Secretary of War
Examined and Countersigned} J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Page 38

Grace Darrow
Widow of 
Benjamin
$48 per annum
act July 7, 1838
Send cert: to 
Thos. Robinson Esq.
Southport, Con.
Page 39

1299
Page 40

I Mary Smith of the Town County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged sixty eight years being duly certified and sworn, do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Darrow formerly of Louisford a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and who died about ten or twelve years ago and I further testify and say that I have personal knowledge of the fact that said Benjamin Darrow and Grace Stratton of Fairfield were legally married at said Fairfield in the year 1786. They were married in the Parrish of Greenfield in said Fairfield and I recollect it was in the winter season and I fully believe they were married by the Rev Timothy Dwight. I was present and certified the marriage ceremony and I further certify and say that I am well acquainted with the said Grace Darrow who is now living in Fairfield and has continued and now is the widow of said Benjamin Darrow. Dated at Fairfield the 31st day of July 1838. The word "married" duly inserted before signing. Mary Smith
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County/ss
Fairfield July 31st 1838 personally appeared Mary Smith signer of the foregoing definition and made solemn
Page 41

oath to the truth of the same and I certify that sd Mary Smith is personally known to me and is a credible witness & entitled to belief
Thomas Robinson Just Peace
I further certify that the interlineation of the word “married” between the 12th 13th lines and the word “winter” in the 14th line were duly written before signing and execution certified to the day & year aforesaid
Thomas Robinson Just Peace

I Mary Smith of Fairfield in Fairfield County & State of Connecticut who have signed & made oath to the truth of the Deposition on the other side hereof do further depose and say that the reason why I recollected the time of the marriage stated on the other side hereof of Benjamin Darrow & Grace Stratton is the sd Grace & myself before her sd marriage were intimate associates, went into company together & were than & even since have been neighbors.  I also recollect the time from the fact of my own marriage after hers.  I was married in 1777, and from the relative ages of her & my children, her oldest child I have always known from its birth.  I have also recollection of sd marriage date from the fact that Elnathan Smith was at the time my suitor, and became my husband within years afterwards.  from these circumstances and such like my recollection of sd marriage was requested and further the deponent saith not. Dated at Fairfield the 20th day of October 1838 

Mary Smith 

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County ss.
Fairfield October 20th 1838 

Personally appeared Mary Smith and made solemn oath to the truth the foregoing explanatory deposition by her subscribed and I certify that said Mary Smith is the identical person who signed & made oath to the deposition on the other side hereof- the word “two” interlined before signing & attestation 
Thomas Robinson Just. Peace
Page 42

I Sarah Robinson of the Town & County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged seventy seven years being duly cautioned and sworn do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Darrow formerly of sd Fairfield since decd & who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States and that I am well acquainted with his widow Grace Darrow now being in sd Fairfield and whose maiden name was Grace Stratton and who has continued the widow of sd Benjamin to this time- And I further testify and say that said Benjamin Darrow and the said Grace Stratton were married in the year 1786 in the winter season at [Fairfield?] in said Fairfield.  I was present at sd marriage ceremony and to my best recollection and belief they were married by the Revd Timothy Dwight - I was acquainted with the sd Grace before said marriage and went to sd wedding with John Robinson who afterwards [illegible] in the year 1788 became my husband. We went as was the custom in these days on the same horse I recollect that we went in company with Stenger Ogden & Zoe Thorp both of sd place who afterwards were married and both of whom are now deceased - Dated at Fairfield the 4th day of August 1858 
Sarah Robinson
Page 43

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County  ss
Fairfield August 4th 1838 
Personally appeared Sarah Robinson signer of the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same and I certify that she is well known to me and is a credible person and that her statement is fully entitled to belief 
Thomas Robinson Just. Peace 

I Sarah Robinson of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut who have signed and made oath to the Deposition on the other side hereof do further depose and say that the reasons why I know the time when Benjamin Darrow & Grace Stratton were married as stated in the foregoing Deposition is that I was well acquainted with sd Benjamin & sd Grace before their marriage and associated with them and ever since have always resided near them up to his decease, and near to her since. The sd Grace & myself were before her marriage intimate and went into company together and I also recollect the time of sd marriage as before stated from the date of my own marriage which was within three years after hers, and from the births of her first child and mine and their relative ages, and our living near together ever since and talking over the incidents of the early portions of our lives from which circumstances and such like my recollections of the time of said marriage were refreshed. 
Dated at Fairfield the 20th day of October 1838 
Sarah Robinson 

State of Connecticut 
Fairfield County ss.

Fairfield October 20th 1838 
Personally appeared Sarah Robinson and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing explanatory deposition by her subscribed and I certify that said Sarah Robinson is the identical person who signed & made oath to the Deposition on the other side hereof Thomas Robinson Just. Peace
Page 44

Elizabeth Down of the Town and County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged fifty-two years being duly contained and sworn do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Darrow deceased late of said Fairfield and who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and I have personal knowledge that said Benjamin Darrow died at said Fairfield on the Fifth Day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty seven I was present at the time he died and with my husband occupied a part of the dwelling house when said Benjamin Darrow died and I further depose and say that I am well acquainted with Grace Darrow of said Fairfield his widow and that she has not intermarried with any other person since his decease dated at Fairfield the third day of September AD 1838
                            Elizabeth Down
State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield}    Fairfield September 3d 1838 Personally appeared Elizabeth Down and made Solemn oath to the truth of the above Deposition by her subscribed and I certify that she is a credible person and her statement entitled to belief.
Thomas Robinson Jus Peace
Page 45

Levi Down of Fairfield in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut aged fifty four years being duly [continued?] and sworn do depose and say that I was well acquainted with Benjamin Darrow decd late of said Fairfield who was a revolutionary Pensioner of the United States. I am personally knowing to the fact that said Benjamin Darrow died at said Fairfield on the Fifth day of March Eighteen hundred and twenty seven. I was present and witnessed his death and at the time of his said decease occupied with my family a part of the dwelling house where said Benjamin Darrow lived and died. I am also well acquainted with Grace Darrow of said Fairfield his widow and who has continued his widow and now is such and further the Deponent [illegible] not Dated at Fairfield the 1st day September 1838 
Levi Down 

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County} [illegible]
Fairfield September 1st 1838 Personally appeared Levi Down and made solemn oath to the Truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed and I certify that said Levi Down is personally known to me & is a person of strict truth and veracity 
Thomas Robinson Jus. Peace
Page 46


Greenfield August 4. 1838
This certifies that all the records of Greenfield church contains the marriages & [illegible] the late Dr Dwights ministry here who was settled here about the 1783 and & also all the records from that time down to the year 1833 have been for several years lost.

Nath.l Freeman, [Stated?] Pastor of Greenfield Church

State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County}  [illegible]
                 [illegible] August 4th AD 1838
Personally appeared Rev. Nathaniel Freeman Pastor of the Congregational Church in Greenfield Connecticut and [made?] solemn oath to the truth of the above [illegible] by him subscribed And I hereby certify that the sd. Freeman is a minister of good standing and  [illegible] in his character as a man of truth and [illegible]. I further certify that the [illegible],who was settled here about the year 1783, was made previous [illegible] signing the sworn by him.
Rufus Wakeman Jus. of Peace
Page 47

State of Connecticut
District of Fairfield

I Moses G Betts Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield Connecticut Do hereby certify that Thomas Robinson before whom the explanatory Deposition of Mary Smith and Sarah Robinson were taken or written on the backs of their respective original Depositions which were taken before [a?] Thomas Robinson and duly attached by me on the 4th of September 1838 to the Pension Claim of Grace Darrow of Fairfield
Page 48

Haddenfield N.J.
Jan-11-1916

Dept of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir-
In "Connecticut Men in the Revolutionary War", I find the name of Grace Darrow on the list of widow pensioners. She was from Fairfield Conn. I think.

Will you kindly give me the second of her husbands services family data [-te?]

Respectfully
Mrs. E.S. Cole
41 Grove St.,
Haddonfield
N. Jersey