Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,404, Gurdon Ely, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE Conn.
CONTENTS
Ely. Gurdon
NUMBER S.17404
Carded
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[page is folded and torn on right edge, text is missing]
17842
Connecticut
Gurdon Ely
Haddam in the State of Con [Connecticut]
who was a Pri [Private]
in the Cono com [text missing]
by Captain of the Regt com [text missing]
by Col Parson in the Cor no [text missing]
for 19 mo. Sergt. 2m [text missing]
Inscribed on the Roll of Con [Connecticut]
at the rate of 74 Dollars 10 [text missing]
to commence on the 4th day of March, 187 [text missing]
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Feby 1833 and ser [text missing] 26
Waite [illegible] con. [Connecticut]
  
Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1833 $185. [text missing]
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4 $37. [text missing]
$212. [text missing] 
Revolutionary [text missing]
Act June 7, [text missing]
Recorded by E D Bullock
Book E Vol. 3 Page Revolutionary [text missing]
Act June 7, [text missing]
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State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex
of S. East Haddam
Probate District of East Haddam
On this 1st day of August 1832 personally
appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for District of East Hadam, being a Court of Record and having a clerk and seal
now sitting-
Gurdon Ely a resident in the Town of
East Haddam in the County of Middlesex
and State of Connecticut, aged 72 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7 1832
He entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers,
served as herein stated and He was first drafted from Capt Samuel Mathers Company, in Colonel Latimer's Regiment of the Counciticut [Connecticut] Militia, being the third Regiment, to serve for the term of one month in Fort Trumbull in New London - Col Waters was the chief Engineer in the fort. Ezra Brock way formerly of Lyme, now dead, was the sergeant of the company and went with him to the fort. He served in the month of April
cannot be positive as to the year, but thinks
it must have been in the year 1777 - He
was employed to help build the fort. All the
company belonging to me, that served with him are dead. he does not recollect the name of any person by whom this service can be proved
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He was next drafted as a soldier from
the same company then under the command
of Capt Daniel Lord the [illegible] of Capt Mather, to serve in Fort Griswold, in Groton, for the term of two months, and there served his term out. The deponent was drafted about the first of November, and discharged the first of January following. The deponent believes this service was in the year 1777 but cannot say positively. He well recollects that there were two Thanksgivings that year and thinks from that circumstance it might have been the year in which General Burgoyne was taken.-
Lieutenant Lyon of East Haddam had command of the Regiment company and 
Nathan Beebe was orderly sergeant of the company. Col Ledyard who was afterwards killed in the Fort was^he thinks^ a major in the Regiment- He was discharged at the end of the term by Lieutenant Lyon. He knows of no witness now living of this term of service.

 The year following, and as the deponent thinks on the first day of November 1778 He enlisted into Captain Lathans company then stationed at Groton Fort as a substitute for Russel Pratt who had enlisted for nine months and wanted to go to sea. The deponent served in Captain Lathams Company two months and was discharged by Capt Latham in the
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first day of January following Col Ledgard
still belonged to the Regiment. one Denison was a Lieutenant in the company.
the persons who served with deponent, in Fort Griswold during these two period were nearly all strangers to the deponent, none others being drafted from the town of Lyme, where deponent belonged and consequently
deponent knows no one who can testify to these terms of service-
 The deponent thinks Col Millan was the Colonel of the regiment, but does not recollect any other officers- 
4th The deponent was next drafted for the term of two months from the same company to serve in Capt Jaber Beeb's Company
there stationed at Fort Trumbull in New London, and served the time out there, and was their discharged by Capt Bute at Fort Trumbull believes this was in the spring following and in the year 1779 -
Knows of no one living that can testify & this service-
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5  on the first of April 1780 at Lyme aforesaid deponent enlisted into a company of Guards stationed at Black Hall in said Lyme for the term of nine months and served his term out. He was discharged about the first of January following-- Marshfield Damons was Col of the Regiment hold son of Lieutenant former John Griswold son of Lieutenant Governor Matthew Griswold was Lieutenant of the Company and had command of that part of the Company in which deponent served - James Greenfield, Silas Robbins and Robert Bramble served in the guards with him and can all testify to his service-
Greenfield as deponent believes, served about eight months and Robbins about nine months - Ebenezer Miner can also testify to his service-
6  The deponent on the 2d day of January
1781 [the deponent - crossed out] was again drafted from Capt Samuel Lords company into Captain Simeon Allens company. He was discharged from the guard at Blackhall on the first day of January and the next day was drafted into the Allens Company the deponent was marched with Captain Allens Company to Stamford and from thence to Horse Neck in the State of [illegible] from thence the company is driven back by the British horse to Stamford. The deponent continued to serve in said company
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until the 22d day of April 1781 when he
was honorably discharged at Stamford by General Waterbury - Captain Allens company was under the command of General  Waterbury, who commanded the years men and militia-- Col Mead, was a Colonel under Genl Waterbury - One Burnaham was Lieutenant and [illegible] was ensign in the Company the deponent knows of no living witnesses of this term of service. All those who were drafted with him from Lyme are either dead a moved into the Country-- this company was called out in consequence of Capt Lee Lays Company having been torn to pieces by the British horse-- In all the tours aforesaid the defendant served as a private
7
The deponent went entered as a substitute for his brother Gabriel Ely into Capt Zachariah Hungerford's Company and served two
months in Fort Trumbull at New London -
He entered on the first day of 1781
and served until the first day of [illegible] January 1782 this was after the burning of New London A [illegible] of New London was Lieutenant in said company - He knows of no living witness of this term of service. He was discharged by Capt Hungerford at Fort Trumbull. He has Capt Hungerford's roll of his campaign.  He served this tour as a sergeant  [This Roll has been forwarded to the have department since the deponents application was first sent to H. M. Waite
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8
He was next drafted into Capt Lee Lay's
company appointed to reconnoitre [reconnoiter] the Connecticut shore upon Long Island Sound between Connecticut River and the River Thames. He continued in this company two weeks - Benjamin Higgins who lives some where in the County was an Ensign- He is unable to state the precise time when he served nor does he recollect any living witness of this service, excepting said Higgins
and James Greenfield who served with him & can testify to his term and Ebenezer Minor of said [illegible] He served at this time as a private-
The deponent never received any written
discharge - and has no written evidence of his service except Capt Hungerford's Roll-- does not recollect any officers except those he has named - He was born in Lyme aforesaid on the 30th day of April 1760 - cannot say whether there is any record of his age of there is any, it must be upon the records of the town of Same - He continued to live in Lyme, until about twelve years ago, when he removed to East Haddam aforesaid, where he now lives, the resided in the Town of Lyme and State of Connecticut at all times when he entered unto the service as above stated - He was never on the pension list nor in any regular battle but was in the retreat from Horse neck- He is known to great numbers of the inhabitants of the
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Town of Lyme and East Haddam, who can testify to deponents Character for veracity
and their belief of his services as a soldier
of the Revolution-
Terms of service are as follows
1 - 1 month at Fort Trumbull  drafted
2 - 2 do at Fort Griswold - do
3 -  2 do at Fort do- do  substitute
4 - 2 do at Fort Trumbull - drafted
5 - 9 do - in Guard in Lyme - Enlisted
6- 3 2/3 do at Stamford [illegible] - drafted
7  - 2 Do at Fort Trumball - substitute
8 - 1/ do - in Guard - Drafted
22 1/5 Months whole time-

He served two months as a sergeant and
the remainder of the time as a private-
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on any pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
Gurdon Ely
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We Simon Dickinson a Clergyman residing in
he Town of East Haddam in the County of Middlesex and Timothy Green also residing in the same town of East Haddam hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Gurdon Ely, who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration and that we believe him to be 72 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
day and year last aforesaid.
Simon Dickinson
Timo - Green
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 Simon Dickinson who signed the preceding certificate is in the Town of East Haddam and that Timothy Green who has also signed the same is also a resident of the same town of East Haddam and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit-
 Eliphalet A Bulkely  Judge of Sd Court
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3832
G. Ely

Return this

19 mo 7 days
private
3 mo Serg
#74.10


H. M. Waite
Lyme 
Connt
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Pension Office
June 13, 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 show what is necessary to be done. Those 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.

A Statement, showing the Service of

Period when service was rendered: 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: 1 month
Rank of claimant: Pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Cap Mothers, Col Latimer
Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service" 72
Proof by which the declaration is supported:

Period when service was rendered: 1777
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 months
Rank of claimant: "
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Capt Lord

Period when service was rendered: 1778
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 months
Rank of claimant: pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Cap Lotham, Col MClellan

Period when service was rendered: 1779
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 months
Rank of the claimant: pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Cap Bebee

Period when service was rendered: 1780
Duration of the claimant's service: 9 months
Rank of claimant: pri
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Col Parsons

Period when service was rendered: 1781
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 months, 21 days
Rank of the claimant:
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: Cop Lord

Period when service was rendered: 1781
Duration of the claimant's service: 2 months
Ranl of claimant: subst
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom service was rendered: Cp Hungerford
no Private 14 days [unk]

I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852.
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, mucicians 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, 1852.
State, Territory, or District of County of } as.

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 application who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops of Virginia, will make and 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 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.

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.
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 history
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3 
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 expected. 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. 
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 inquiry 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 claimant 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 days, I served as a . For months and days, and 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. 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. 
[j]In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records or 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. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the with the character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[image of hand with index finger pointing right] The notes for [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia Men, Volunteers and State Troops The proof required by rule is 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.
Page 15

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17404, it appears that Gurdon Ely was born, April 30, 1760, in Lyme, Connecticut
While residing in said Lyme, he enlisted and served with the Connecticut Troops as follows:
From in April 1777, one month as a private in Captain Samuel Mather's Company, Colonel Lattimer's Regiment; from November 1, 1777, two months in Captain Daniel Lord's Company; from November 1, 1778, two months in Captain Latham's Company, Colonel McClellan's Regiment; in the spring of 1779, two months in Captain Jabez Beebe's Company; from April 1, 1780, nine months under Lieutenant John Griswold, Colonel Marshfield Parsons Regiment; from January 2, 1781, to April 22, 1781, in Captain Simeon Allen's Company, and was in the retreat from Horse Neck; from November 1, 1781, two months as sergeant in Captain Zachariah Hungerford's Company and two weeks as private in Captain Lee Lays Company, no dates given for this last service.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 1, 1832, at which time he was living in East Haddam, Connecticut.


Handwritten of right side of paper
Tombstone Data by Chas R Hall Accy
Page 16

Gurdon Ely,
Sur. File 17404

A roll of the 6th Militia (Conn.) has been taken from this claim to be sent to the War Dept.

acm

Sept 30, 1909

Sent to War Dept. Jun. 16, 1913
Page 17

P     17404

Invalid.
-----------------
N. 17,404
Gurdon Ely
Pri Rev War
-------------------
Act: June 7 32
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 113
[Arrangement of 1870]

opposing page

1928 Dec {sentence illegible due to blackness from photocopy]
Hale - see letter in Nathan Aver 2 17223 WF
Page 18

I hereby certify that Henry M. Waite, before whom the annexed depositions of Abner Beckwith, George Tillotson, Silas Robbins, Robert Bramble, Ebeneser Miner, James Granfield, Joh Lay, and Ebeneser Brockway, were taken, is and at the time when said depositions were taken, was a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London duly appointed, commissioned and qualified and that the signatures upon the certificates when said depositions are in his own hand writing.
City Washington DC Jan 13. 1833
William L Stores
MC
Page 19

I Abner Beckwith of Lyme in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 75 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme but not of East Haddam in Middlesex County. Some time during the Revolutionary War a brother of mine was drafted to serve at Fort Trumbull in New London a tour of two months and served his time out in Captain Jabez Beebes Company. I understood any time that the said Gurdon Ely served the two months with him. I do not myself see, the said Ely at New London, but my brother on his return from New London told me that Gurdon Ely served with him, the two months and such has always been my understanding. They both served in the same company Thomas May of Lyme was a Lieutenant of the Company I am not certain what year it was, but think it was the latter part of the year 1777. The reason why I think it is, that I believe it was at the same time that I was in Captain Nathan Palmer's Company which was in that year and that my brother came home a short time after I did
Abner Beckwith
Page 20

State of Connecticut}
County of New London} Ss
Lyme December 18th 1832
Personnally appeared before me Henry M Waite a Justice of the Peace for the County of New London Abner Beckwith and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 21

I George Tillotson of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut, aged 78 years, on oath depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of [said Lyme, but now of East Haddam in the county of Middle sex, during the Revolutionary War I served a tour at New London in Captain Abner Lords company, and served according to my best recollection between two and three months at that time. I am unable to state the year in which this service was performed. While I was there, I well recollect seeing the said Gurdon Ely, a soldier there. I do not recollect the company to which he belonged, nor how long he served, but I frequently saw him during that time, and know that he was in service there. He is a very honest upright man, of unblemished character, and his testimony respecting his service, is entitled to the  to the fullest credit.
George Tilleson

State of Connecticut
County of New London- London ss. Lyme December 25, 1832
Personally appeared George Tillotson and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition before me. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 22

I George Tillotson of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut, aged 78 years, on oath depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme, but now of East Haddan in the county of Middlesex during the Revolutionary War. I served a tour at new London in Captain Abner Lords company, and served according to my best recollection between two and three months at that time. I am unable to state the year in which this service was performed. While I was there, I well recollect seeing the said Gurdon Ely, a soldier there. I do not recollect the company to which he belonged, nor how long he served, but I frequently saw him during that time, and know that he was in service there. He is a very honest upright man, of unblemished character, and his testimony respecting his service, is entitled to the fullest credit.
George Tillotson

State of Connecticut
County of New London } ss. Lyme December 25, 1832
Personally appeared George Tillotson and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition before me. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 23

I Silas Robbins of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged 75 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely of East Haddan in the county of Middlesex in said state. In the year 1780 I enlisted for nine months into a company of Guards stationed at a place called Black Hall in said Lyme to guard the sea coast under the command of Lieutenant John Griswold. The said Gurdon Ely enlisted in or near the first of April 1780 for the term of nine months and continued to serve in said company nine months. He was a private & I a corporal. Just before my time expired I hired a substitute to serve in my place and in consequence was returned, having served nine months or there abouts. The company was in actual service the whole nine months and was raised for the defense of the state.
Silas Robbins
Page 24

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme Jany 4th 1833
Personally appeared before me Silas Robbins and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that he is a credible person.
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace
Page 25

I Robert Bramble of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged 71 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme but now of East Haddam in Middlesex county in the state of Connecticut. On the first of April 1780 I enlisted into a company of Guards stationed upon the sea coast in said Lyme to guard the cost for the term of nine months and served in it until the first of January following. The said Gurdon Ely enlisted into the same company with me and served in it the whole time I did, and was discharged at the expiration of the nine months, when I was discharged. The company was in actual service the whole nine months. The said Ely was a private in the company. John Griswold a Lieutenant had command of the company.

In the month of March 1781 I enlisted into Capt Charles Miles company in a detactiment under the command of General Waterbury for the term of one year and served in the company until the time of the ninth of December following. When in consequence  of having been wounded & taken prisoner I was discharged. The company served the whole time that I belonged to it in General Waterburys army near New York. When Captain Miles company
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arrived in the vicinity of New York the said Gurdon Ely was a soldier in the same Brigade but did not belong to the same company with me. He continued there a short time, after I arrived, but I cannot tell how long. The said Ely having served with me the summer periods I knew him well and remember seeing him there in General Waterbury's Brigade a sldier.
Robert Bramble

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme
Be it remembered that on this 8th day of December AD 1832 before me Henry M Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came Robert Bramble and subscribed and made oath the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me, and is credible person.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed my official seal.
Henry M Waite Notary Public

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme December 8th 1832
Personally appeared before me Henry M Waite a Justice of the Peace for New London County Robert Bramble and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I testify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace
Page 27

I Ebenezer Miner of Lyme in New London county and state of Connecticut on oath depose and say that I am now on the pension lost Roll of the Connecticut agency, that during the Revolutionary War I served in Capt Lee says company at Fort Trumbell and its vicinity eight months. A portion of the company was employed as a guard upon Long Island Sound. I recollect that Gurdon Ely formerly of Lyme but now of East Haddam was a member of said company and served in the guards. How long he served I am unable to say, but I well recollect his belonging to said company. The deponent is unable to say in what year this service was performed.
Lyme July 24th 1832
Ebenezer Miner

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme July 24 AD 1832
Personally appeared Ebenezer Miner and having been duly cautioned was sworn to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me, Henry M Waite Just of Peace


of Long Island [unk] [unk] River and the River Thames. I should think this service was in the year 1781 but am not positive as to the time. I cannot say how long he served but I have no doubt he served at that time as much as two weeks.
Page 28

I hereby certify that the said Ebenezer Miner is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M. Waite Justice of Peace


Gurdon Ely


I James Greenfield of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut
Page 29

I James Greenfield of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged 20 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme, but now of East Haddam in Middlesex County. In the fore part of the year 1780, I enlisted into a company of Guards stationed in Lyme when the upon the shore of Long Island Sound and served in in a period of eight months. I entered as near as I can recollect, some time in the month of April & left in the December following. I entered as a substitute for John Murdock who went a privateering and consequently did not enter when the company was first formed. I was steward of the guard. The said Gurdon Ely was a soldier in the same company, and belonged to it, when I entered and served the whole time I did. The company was enlisted for nine months and I have no doubt but that the said Ely served the whole nine months. I also know that afterwards he was a soldier in Capt Lee Lays company. the company was stationed upon the shore of Long Island Sound between Connecticut River and the River Thames. I should think this service was in the year 1781 but am not positive as to the time. I cannot say how ling he served but I have no doubt he served at that time as much as two weeks.
Page 30

The aforesaid service of the said Ely was in the war of the Revolution and he served as a private. Benjamin Higgins was also an officer in the same company. The reason why I particularly remember the service of the said Ely in said Lee Lays company is that I had a brother that belonged to the same company, who is now dead.
James Greenfield

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme
Be it remembered that on this 7 day of December AD 1832 before me Henry M Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came James Greenfield and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
In testimony whereof I have set my hand and offer my official seal.
Henry M Waite Notary Public

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme December 1832
Personally appeared before me Henry M Waite Justice of the Peace for New London County, James Greenfield and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the deponent is a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 31

I John Lay of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut aged 68 years on oath depose and say that I am well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme but now of East Haddam in Middlesex county. In the month of August 1780 I enlisted as a substitute for John Ely in a company of Guards stationed upon the sea shore of Long Island Sound, and served in it until the first day of January following, when the company was discharged. Gurdon Ely belonged the same company and served the whole time I did. The company was enlisted about the first of April 1780 for nine months. I lived near when the Guard was stationed and often saw them. The said Ely joined the company when it was first formed for that season, and according to my best recollection and belief he served as a private at that time nine months.  Lieutenant John Griswold had command of the guard. Benjamin Higgins was an Ensign. The company consisted of about 40 men. There was no captain of the company.
Immediately after we were discharged from the guard, the said Ely was drafted to go to Horse neck in the western part of
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Connecticut. Learning that they were about to draft me, I enlisted into Capt Enoch Reeds company in Colonel Butlers Regiment for three years. I know that the said Ely and some others that were drafted started for Horse neck and have always understood that he served at that time about three or four months. I know that he was drafted and have no doubt that he went and served. The object of the draft was to supply a few until they could raise a [unk] for a year.
John Lay

State of Connecticut
County of New London ss. Lyme
Be it remembered that on this 8 day of December AD 1832 before me Henry M Waite a Notary Public of the State of Connecticut personally came John Lay and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the said deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal.
Henry M Waite Notary Public

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme December 8 1832
Personally appeared before me Henry M Waite Justice of the Peace for New London County John Lay and subscribed and made oath to the foregoing deposition.
And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 33

I Ebenezer Brockway of Lyme in the county of New London and state of Connecticut hereby certify that from my youth, I have been well acquainted with Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme but now of East Haddam in the county of Middlesex and have always lived within a few miles of him. I consider him an honest, upright and respectable man, and in my opinion, any statement that he has made or may make respecting his services in the Revolutionary War is entitled to full credit and belief. From my knowledge of the man I do not believe that he would knowingly make any statement respecting his services that would not be strictly true.
Ebenezer Brockway

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme Dec 27 AD 1832
Before me Henry M Waite a Justice of the Peace for New London County, personally appeared the Hon. Ebenezer Brockway and made oath to the foregoing certificate by him subscribed. And I further certify that the said Ebenezer Brockway is a credible person, that he has been twice elected one of the Senators of the state of Connecticut, and that he was one of the electors of President at the time when Mr Monroe was re-elected President of the United States.
Henry M Waite Justice of peace
Page 34

I Richard E Selden of Lyme in the county of New London and State of Connecticut hereby certify that for 57 years past, I have lived within a few miles of Gurdon Ely formerly of said Lyme but now of East Haddam in the county of Middlesex and State of Connecticut and during that time have been well acquainted with him. He has the reputation of being an honest, upright and respectable man, and in my opinion any deposition that he may make respecting his services in the Revolutionary War will be entitled to full credit and belief.
Lyme Conn, Jany 7 1832
Richd E Selden

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme January 7 AD 1833
I hereby certify that Col Richard E Selden, who signed the above certificate, is a son of Col Samuel Selden, who died at New York an officer in the revolutionary army. The Secretary of War will need no other evidence of his respectability than to be informed that Col Richard E Selden is the uncle of Mrs Cass if she is still living.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 35

I Silas Robbins of Lyme in the county of New London & state of Connecticut aged 75 years on oath depose and say, that in the time of the Revolutionary, I served one month in Captain Jabez Rube's company then stationed at New London, I cannot positively say at what time it was. According to my best recollection, Gurdon Ely then of said Lyme now of East Haddam was in service there at that time. This was before we served in the guard upon the sea shore in Lyme. I cannot say how long he served, but I fully believe, from what I have been to recollect, that he was there at the same time I was. I served with him in the Lyme guards in 1780, & have known him all ever since.
Silas Robbins


State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme May 1 AD 1833
Personally appeared Silas Robbins and before me subscribed & made oath to the foregoing deposition. And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me & is a credible man.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 36

State of Connecticut ss. New London County
I John De Witt Clerk of the County Court in & for the said County do hereby certify that Henry M Waite Esq, before whom the annexed depositions of Gurdon Ely, Samuel Mather, Silas Robbins, Abner Beckwith, George Tillotson, Robert Bramble, Ebenezer Miner, James Greenfield, John Lay & Ebenezer Brockway were taken is and at the times when said depositions were taken was a Justice of the Peace for said county duly appointed & commissioned & qualified, and that the signatures to the certificates upon the same are genuine & in his own hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 19th day of June AD 1833.
John DeWitt Clerk
Page 37

I hereby certify that Henry M Waite before whom the annexed depositions were taken, is and at the several times, when said depositions to wit the depositions of Gurdon Ely, Samuel Mather and Silas Robbins, were taken, was a Justice of the Peace for the county of New London in the state of Connecticut, duly appointed, commissioned & qualified & that the certificates upon the aforesaid depositions are genuine & in his own proper hand writing.
Dated Groton Ct. 11 May 1833
Noyes Barber 



4- I next served two months in Captain Bebees company, at New London. All that serviced with me at this time that I can recollect except Silas Robbins are dead. Since I made my declaration I have found George Tillotson & Abner Beckwith who testify to my service at this time. Their testimony and that of Silas Robbins are all I have been to find.
5- I next served nine months in a company stationed at Black Hall in said Lyme for the defense of the sea coast, The company was raised by authority of the state of Connecticut for the defense of the same. I was in constant and actual service the whole nine months. This service is proved by the testimony of Silas Robbins, Robert Bramble, James Greenfield and John Lay.
6- I next served three months and 20 days at Horse neck. This service is proved
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I Gurdon Ely of East Haddam in the county of Middlesex & state of Connecticut on oath depose & say that I served in the War of the Revolution as follows viz
1 One month in Fort Trumbell at New London
2 Two months at Fort Griswold in Groton
3 Two months in Fort Griswold. 
With respect to my services at these times I know of no person who can testify to it. All that I knew are dead. I have made diligent enquires for witnesses of these services but can fin none. The greater part of them who served with me, were strangers to me at the time, and I cannot remember any one living that was with me at either of these times.
4 I next served two months in Captain Bebees company, at New London. All that served with at this time that I can recollect except Silas Robbins are dead. Since I made my declaration I have found George Tillotson & Abner Beckwith who testify to my service at this time. Their testimony and that of Silas Robbins are all I have been able to find.
5 I next served nine months in a company stationed at Black Hall in said Lyme for the defense of the sea coast. The company was raised by the authority of the state of Connecticut for the defense of the same. I was in constant and actual service is proved by the testimony of Silas Robbins, Robert Bramble, James Greenfield and John Lay.
6 I next served three months and 20 days at Horse neck and this service is proved
Page 39

by the testimony of [unk], Robert Bramble witnesses that I have accidentally [unk] [unk] & made my declaration. No other person among the circle of my acquaintances in these parts knows of my service as I can discover.
7 I next served two months in Captain Zachariah Hungerford company in Fort Trumbell. This service is proved by Capt Hungerfords roll which I have sent to the [unk] of all the persons who served with me at this time are dead, at least all that I have any knowledge of.
8 I next served two months in Captain Lee Lays company. This service is proved by the testimony of James Greenfield and Ebenezer Miner.
The testimony of the above witnesses and witnesses to my general good character are all that I have been able to obtain. I have made much enquiry for testimony, but the services were so long ago that they are almost all forgotten.
Gurdon Ely

State of Connecticut
County of New London ss. Lyme May 6 1833
Personally appeared Gurdon Ely and before me subscribed & made oath to the foregoing declaration & I certify that he is a respectable man & a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 40

I Samuel Mathers of Lyme in the county of New London & state of Connecticut aged 91 years on oath depose & say, I was well acquainted with Gurdon Ely, formerly of said Lyme but now of East Haddam. At the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary war I was a captain of a militia company in said Lyme and continued a captain for some time after the commencement of the war. I well recollect that the said Gurdon Ely was a soldier in my company. Men were drafted from my company to serve at New London. But it is so long age, and my memory is so far gone, that I am not able to recollect what men were drafted from my company. The said Ely is an honest man, and if he says he was drafted from my company, I should not hesitate in believing it, but it is impossible for me to recollect much about it.
I find by a list of my company now in my possession, that my company was closed for the purpose of being drafted and that Gurdon Ely's name is inserted in the 4th class of my company. That list is hereunto annexed. From that circumstance I infer, that he was placed in a situation to be drafted when necessary. And I have no doubt whatever, but that he was drafted.
Saml Mather

State of Connecticut
County of New London} ss. Lyme May 6 1833
Personally appeared Samuel Mather before me subscribed & made oath to the foregoing depositions, And I certify that the deponent is personally known to me and is a credible person.
Henry M Waite Justice of Peace
Page 41

3832
Gurdon Ely
1--- 1 month
2 --- 2 "
3 --- 2 "
4 --- 2 "
5 --- 9 "
6 --- 3 2/3
7 --- 2
8 --- 1/2
whole 22 1/6
Proof
1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4
His own statement
Abner Beckwith
George Tollotson
5 
James Greenfield aff
Silas Robbins
Robert Bramble dep
John Lay
6
His own statement
Robert Bramble
John Lay
Mr. Hungerford  [unk]
C Washington
Ebenezer Miner dep

Hon Ebenezer Brockway
Col [unk]? E Selden
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I Matthew G Warner Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of East Haddam do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Gurdon Ely for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Probate Office this first day of August AD 1832.
Matthew G Warner Clerk