Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,984, for John Strong, Connecticut
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Conn.     Strong, John     S. 31,984
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9,023
Connecticut
John Strong 2d[?] 29823 of ??dbury in the State of Connecticut was a [illegible] in the com commanded by Captain [illegible] of the regt commanded by [illegible] on the Connecticut for 23 mos and 11 days [illegible] 19 days Ensign
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 317 Dollars 88 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Mar[?] 1835 and [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of Sept    1112.58
Semi-anl. allowance ending March   158.94
$1271.52
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Dan Boyd Clerk,
[illegible]  Vol. 3   Page 40


Let to E [illegible] 
1893
April 6  R W Curtis[?] history [illegible]
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State of Connecticut Ss. County of Litchfield
At a Special County Court holding in & for Said County

[District of Connecticut, County of Litchfield crossed out] 
On this 5th day of July 1820 personally appeared in open Court, being a court of RECORD for said County in said State [district crossed out], having the power to fine and imprison John Strong aged 67 years resident in Woodbury in said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War, as follows:
In the 8th Reg.t of the Connecticut line commanded by Col. John Chandler in Capt. Nathan Stoddards Company from the 1st of Jany 1777 until January 24th 1782- that in the first part of said time I served as an Ensign & the remainder thereof as a Lieutenant in said Company-
That the original declartition made by me for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 was stated the 30th day of March 1818-
Wrote in pursuance thereof I was interred on [illegible] list of Pensioners and received a pension certificate No 3167-
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for Certain persons Engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," passed on the 18th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen; 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 other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed-, and by me subscribed, and is as follows viz.
A life estate in one third of the dwelling house where I live and in one half of twelve acres of land adjoining & out houses on the same of the yearly values of --- $16.59
Also a life estate in one half of the following pieces of land viz.
Rye Hill so called & the meadow adjoining 22 acres- 14.52
of the yearly value of --31.11
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12 acres west of the river near 31.11
the mill of the yearly value of    2.10
22 acres of Woodland at and near Blackmans hill 
so called , of the yearly value of     4.40
$37.61
1 cow----$16.00    [illegible] $58.19
8 sheep   4.67     1 set of old chairs 1.50
1 Finnan kettle  8.00    1 set knives & forks   .50
2 small iron kettles 1.50  2 Butcher knives  .25
2 porridge pots  3.00   2 shovel & tongs   1.50
1 Brass kettle   5.00    3 do andirons   2.00
1 looking glass   2.00   3 wooden bottles 
3 tables    3.00    1 Glass & do   30
1 candle stand   .50    2 meat barrels  1.00
1 chest with drawers 2.00  2 pine tubs  1.50
1 desk   1.00  2 do pails   .50
2 chests   1.50   1 tin do   .50
3 Hog houses  3.75  2 iron candlesticks  12
5 Barrels  2.50    1 [illegible] 9
6 clay cups  1.00   3 Sermons  1.50
2 tumblers & 2 foot glasses   .25  1 Bible   3.00
1 qt mug & 1 bowl  17   1 Hoe  .75
58.19    74.20   $111.81
And the declarent further States- that his occupation is that of a farmer, that he is able to labour but [illegible] in said business more than half as much as he was in his better days. That he has no family residing with him that is dependent on him for support-  John Strong
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30
The full value of the Land must be stated, not its yearly value.
The Clerk certificate does not agree with the value of the property and exhibited in the schedule
Returned for correction and addition
[illegible signature]
22 1/2 
[illegible]
John Strong.2
[illlegible]
Sworn to and declared on the 5th day of July  A.S.1820 before said Court
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk

I, Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court, in the County of Litchfield, and State of Connecticut, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath and the schedule thereto annexed-, are truly copied from the record of the Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid schedule, is One hundred and eleven dollars and eighty one cents.
H111.91. 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, on this 17th day of July- 1820
[Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield. crossed out]
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk.
The value of the property exhibited in the schedule, is estimated by the Court & as appears of ?, is One hundred and eleven dollars eighty one Cents,
In testimony as above
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
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State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield Ss
At a County Court holden in afor said County on the second Tuesday of December AD 1820
Said Court doth find the full value of the real estate in the foregoing Schedule to be One hundred & twelve dollars and eighty three cents- and the value of the personal property to be seventy four dollars & twenty cents- amounting in the whole to one hundred & eighty seven dollars & three cents
By the Court
F. Wolcott, Clerk.
The above is a true copy of Record 
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court this first day of January 1821
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
[illegible]
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State of Connecticut
Probate Court SS: District of Woodbury
On this 16 day of February [illegible] personally appeared, in open court, before the Court of Probate of the said District now sitting at Woodbury, John Strong, a resident of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, aged eighty two years, who first being 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 June 1775 in a company commissioned by Capt Davis in Col [illegible] Regiment.  The Company was raised for seven 1775 months.  I continued to serve at [illegible] and in the southern army until some time in [illegible] 1775 and under our charges [illegible]apparently [illegible][illegible] the clore of the [illegible]
1776 In July I was again in [illegible] in the malitere under Capt Hosin. Col Morley Rymond the 13th and [illegible] two months. 
1776  In the fall of the year I was drafted to [illegible] at there sich in their [illegible]main Capt. Nathan Herra and [illegible] in title
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four times in April 1777. My commission was dated back this commission was during this year I served in the [illegible] on the North River and Pecks hill and places adjacent to the River in the fall was marched into Pennsylvania. 
This commission was during the pleasure of Congress
Subsequent to this [illegible] the times I do not now remember & was appointed Lieutenant and served as such in said Company in said 8 Regiment under Capt. Seinfred after [illegible] was killed untill the 24 January 1780 when I was discharged in [illegible]
In 1818 I applied for a pension and transmitted my Lieutenants commission with the discharge on the back of the same to the War department where it now is as suppose.
I was at the Battle of Monmouth I was in [illegible] from [illegible] the  [illegible]  I joined [illegible] company as Ensign until discharged on 24th 
1780 I resided in Woodbury Con when I entered the service
Col Chandler did not command the 8 Reg. during the whole time
Col Russell subsequently commanded 
Col Thurman commanded when I was discharged
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John Strong
Rolls
Ensign 1. Jany 77
Lt  11 Apl 78
Resigned March '80
$317.88
ADmd.
23mo 11 days Lieut
____19" Ensign
Pens.d under act 1818
[illegible] deduction
to be made 
Hon. P. Miner
H.R.
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I was born at Woodbuy Con. A record of my Birth is in the Court Clerk office in Woodbury
The said John Strong 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 [ the following crossed out: Sworn to and subscribed the day and date aforesaid] except the agency of Connecticut. The certificate being herewith transmitted. 
John Strong
[paragragh crossed out and illegible]
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 officer Soldier, and served as he states. [rest of the paragragh crossed out and illegible]
Holbrook Curtis Judge of Probate for the District of Woodbury
Thomas Bule Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Woodbury
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Strong for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said [illegible] Court this 16th day of July 1835
Thomas Bulle, Clerk
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Woodbury 27th June 1853
Dear Sir
 A considerable time since a letter came to this Post Office directed to " John Strong, Revolutionary Pensioner Heirs" signed by " S. M. Knight" as Government Claim Agents in obtaining an Increase of the Revolutionary Pension of John Strong" - his terms were favorable "$3. advanced fee and ten per cent of the amount recovered"- he says we "were at liberty to address the Member of Congress from your District"- I have accordingly addressed Hon. O. S. Seymour in whom I place most implicit confidences in he says, " I think you might manage the matter by correspondence yourself with Mr. Waldo the Comm requesting his attention to a reexamination of the papers of Mr. Strong with a view to an increase- of pension- at any rate. I would try that course first before employing an Agent"- accordingly I ask of you that favor and shall stand ready to pay such reasonable bill as you shall present for such services- about John Strong's Pension, I understand being a Son in law of his that he drew a pension of $240. a year, for a number of years, and that the pension was then increased to about $317. a year and was paid to the time of his death; but I do not know that he ever got any extra pay for the time he received $240. a year, nor did not suppose he was entitled to any more till the letter of Mr. Knight was received- John Strong had two Children Fanny and John both of them are dead-, and each of them have children living- Yours respectfully, Elijah Sherman
Hon. Soren P. Waldo, Commissioner of Pensions-
P.S.
please inform me by Mail at your earliest convenience     E.S.
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
S.F.31984   Washington, D.C., ____, 19__
In reply to your request of ___, received:::: for a statement of the military history of John Strong a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in the Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED  CAPTAIN  COLONEL
STATE
June 1775 Nov 1775 1st Sgt. David Hinman  Henman Conn
July 1776 2 mos. Nathan Hine  Mosley
Fall 1776 3 mos.  Nathan Hine
Soon after  3 mos  David Heniman
Jany 1777 Mar. 8 1778 Ensign Nathan Stoddard John Chandler Rensell Hermann
Mar. 10 1778 Jany 24, 1780 2nd Lieut Aaron Sanford  
Battles engaged in, Monmouth
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Woodbury Conn
Date of application for pension, Mch 30, 1818 His cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Woodbury Litchfield Co. Conn
Age at date of application, 64 years born in Woodbury Conn
Remarks: In 1853 2 children were referred to, Fanny and John, both of whom were then dead, but left children whose names are not stated Elijah Sherman was Son in law, the names of soldiers wife is not stated
Respectfully, 
Never sent Commissioner,
6-2856
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-R. W. Cutler, President
Chas M. Joslyn, Vice-Pres't.
Frank C. Sumner, Treasurer

HARTFORD TRUST COMPANY.
HARTFORD, CONN. Feby 8th 1893
Hon Lewis Sperry
Washington, D.C.
My Dear Sir
Since receipt of your letter of Jan 20/93 I have been able to ascertain some additional data in regard to John Strong 2nd- and which I trust will enable the Pension Bureau to furnish the desired information
Thanking you for the
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pains already taken and soliciting your further aid in communicating the matter, I beg to remain
Cordially yours
TM[illegible]

Stamp: FIRST DEPUTY
FEB 11 1893
COMMISSIONER
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M-1906-W
S-31984-J
cef 29823
[29823 3767 crossed out]
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case of J. Strong-
See letter to Hon Orange
Mermin, H. of Rep. 15th
April 1826
See caveat written, rec'd. 1st. May
1826. Suspension removed See letter
May 19. 1826 to Hon. O. Mer
[illegible] H.R.- do to Hon. P. Miner
Feb. 9. 1835
file Mar 1819
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31984
Rery INVALID
File No. 31,984
John Strong
Lieut Rev War
Act June 7" 32"
Index- Vol 2 , Page 396
[Arrangement of 1870]
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1893 May 4 Letter
to RMuller Esq Hartford
Conn. See copy
within.
S.
Mch 11. 1897- History
to Mrs. M. S. Keeney
Fling Mich
Page 19

Stamp reads: [illegible] Feb 11 1893

101 Washington Street.
Lieut John Strong 2nd
Born in East Windsor
Conn May 28 1760.
Son of John Strong and Hepzibah Wolcott
Lived in Windsor
Served in Revolution
and was with his
Uncle Gen Wolcott.
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Mentioned in
"Record of Conn
men in the war 
of the Revolution"
as a pensioner
Died in East Windsor
Conn January 30th
1835
Married
Lydia Sumner
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(8-525)
RETURN THIS SLIP TO THE MAIL DIVISION
No.
Name: John Strong
Co.___, Reg'd___
Mail Div. No.
Rec'd
Name of M. C.
Div.
Date of Ans.
By whom
REMARKS
[illegible]
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(3-550)
CONGRESSIONAL
No.
NAME OF CLAIMANT,
John Strong, 2nd
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X JM
Flint, Michigan.
932 Beach St.
Sir,
 Will you kindly send me a certificate of service of my great-father, a revolutionary pensioner,
His name, Reuben Martin, of Woodbury, Ct. born 1766 and 1836- 
Married Sally Miner.
Yours truly, Mrs. M. S. Keeney,
P.S. His widow Sally Miner Martin rec'd a pension
M.S.K.
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S
 Flint, Michigan
932 Beach St.
Sir,
Will you please send me a certificate of my great grandfather, a revolutionary pensioner
His name was John Strong, Woodbury Conn, born in 1753- died in 1843.
Was Leut in Rev. War. On page 785 in William Cotherin's History of Woodbury, Ct. it says he was with Lafayette- and carried him across a creek.
Very respectfully Yours,
Mrs. M. S. Keeney
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WAR DEPARTMENT
Revolutionary Claim
I CERTIFY That in conformity with the Law of the UNITED STATES
of the 18th of March 1818
John Strong, 2d, late a Lieutenant in the army of the Revolution
is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Connecticut Agency,
at the rate of Twenty dollars __ cents per month,
to commence on the thirtieth day of March one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
GIVEN at the WAR OFFICE of the United States,
this thirtieth day of September
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
J. C. Calhoun
Secy of War
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J. L. Edwards Esq
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Washington, April 11th 1826
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
I herewith forward to you some depositions &c  just received relating to the claim of John Strong as a pensioner. Will you have the goodness to inform me whether they are sufficient to restore his name to the Pension list and if not what further objection there is to his claim
Very respectfully
your Obt. Servt
O. Morrison
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M Edwards
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Mr J. S. Edwards
Sir
I herewith enclose additional documents for the case of John Strong a pensioner with the letter of his Son John Strong Jr to me on the subject, and cannot but express a hope that they may prove satisfactory and sufficient
John Strong Jr. is a Gentleman of high respectability a Magistrate and member of Connecticut Legislature and is entitled to full credit as a witness
Should any objections to his being restored still remain you will have the goodness to write me what they are addressed to the post office at New Milford Connecticut
Respectfully your
Obt Servt
Orange Morrison
Washington
May 19th 1826
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Woodbury 16 Feb 1835
JLEdwards Esq
Conn Pensioner
John Strong has made a declaration which I enclose and the original certificate which he surrenders and asks an early decision upon the accompanying claims
please to address your reply to mme respectfully yours
[illegible]
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3167
Connecticut Roll
John Strong 2d
Lieut.
[illegible]
Connecticut line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of twenty Dollars per month, to commence
the 30th of March 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th of Sept. 1818
and forwarded to Nathaniel
Smith Esq Woodbury Connecticut
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1818 $103.95
Semi-an. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819 $120.00
Arrs. 5 mo 2/1-4/30 $223.95
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.}
2 Years
Woodbury, Litchfield County.
See letter to
agent [illegible]
august 31. 1825
see letter 13 March 1836 to 
Hon. O. Merwin, H. R.
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Connecticut
John Strong
Lieutenant 30 March
To Nath Smith
Woodbury
Litchfield
Couny
Page 33

State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield Woodbury
On the 30th day of March 1818 before me the subscriber one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the said State personally appears John Strong aged sixty five years resident in the town of Woodbury / County of Litchfield in said State who being by me first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for Certain persons Engaged in the land and naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" That he the said John Strong entered as an Ensign in the Continental Army of the United States in the month of April 1777 in the State of Connecticut in the Company commanded by Capt. Nathan Stoddard, which after he was killed was commanded by Capt Aaron Sanford of the 8th Regiment of the Connecticut line. That he joined the army in the month of May or June next after his enlistment when he received his Ensigns Commission. that while he was in the service of the United States he received a second Commission as Ensign to take rank as 2d Lieutenant from the 10th of March 1779 & signed by his Excellency John Fay Esq that he continues to serve in said Corps or in the Service of the United States until the 24th day of January 1780
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when he was discharged by writing  endorsed on his last mentioned Commission. That he served principally with the main army at and about Philadelphia in Mud Fort in the Delaware River and in the Battle of Monmouth and that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for Support. And that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said Service, except this last mentioned Commission which is herewith transmitted
Sworn to and declared before me this day & year aforementioned
Nathaniel Smith
Judge of the Sup Court
I Nathaniel Smith Judge as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my Satisfaction that the said John Strong did serve in the Revolutionary war as Stated in the preceding Declaration against the Common enemy And I now transmit the proceedings & testimony to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the aforementioned act of Congress
Woodbury May 1st 1818
Nathaniel Smith
Judge of the Sup Court
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P Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the Superior Court within the County of Litchfield in the State of Connt. certify that the Honble. Nathl. Smith is a Judge of said Court. that the forgoing signature is his hand writing, & that the Seal hereto annexed  is the Seal of the Court, May 12, 1818
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
Page 36

War Department,
PENSION OFFICE, No. 3167
April 28th 1821
SIR:
You are hereby informed that the Schedule of your property has been examined, and the Secretary of War has directed your name to be continued on the Pension Roll.
You will be paid, at the ensuing semi=annual payment in September next, the sum that may be then due from the rime of suspending your pension. Funds for the purpose will be transmitted at that time; but no arrearages will be paid previous thereto. 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L.Edwards
To Mr John Strong 2d
of Litchfield County Cont
Care of Frederich Wolcott Esq
Litchfield Cont
Page 37

Pens App
Red May 1 1826
To the First Clerk, in the office"
where [the] Pensions are paid, for Revolutionary Services
"Exposition of Fraud"
Washington
Page 38

Sir,
The following fraudulent corregance, was made by John Strong, of the town of Woodbury- County of Litchfield- and State of Connecticut, for the purposes of imposing on the officers of the government of the United States, & procuring for himself a pension for revolutionary services. Mr. Strong was at the time of the conveyance, and is now, a wealthy man, and the fraud and imposition, which he has practiced for the purpose of procuring a pension, is so palpable and flagrant, that Justice was aloud for redress
A copy of the conveyance is as follows, & carries on the very face of it, the strongest palpable evidence of fraud and corruption, acknowledging in the conveyance that he is conveying to his son "all his real estate or lands and buildings lying situate within the bounds of Woodbury".
(copy)
"For and in consideration of the love and good will  which I have to my son John Strong Jur of Woodbuty do give, grant, bargain, sell, and confirm, unto the said
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Said John Strong Jur. all my real estate, or lands and buildings lying and being situate, within the bounds of said Woodbury, Saving and reserving unto myself, the use and improvement of the agreed and undivided half part part thereof, including therein the use of half of the Buildings during my natural life".
Dated 30. November 1819 But mark
It was not recorded, till the 31. Decbr 1823 untill the suspicion, and clamor against such fraud, [illegible] had got lulled to sleep, or had subsided
The subscribing witnesses to the Deed of conveyance was, Matthew Minor Junr- and Noah B. Benedict- and the whole is recorded in the "Town Records of the Town of Woodbury Vol: 37- Page 89-
Mr Strong has not any wife - has but two children, and they both married well- his son a lawyer and in a good business The money Mr Strong has already rec'd service since he has been on the pension list, instead of going to his immediate support, has been put out at interest on [illegible ] & mortgage, in the name of his son- A man in the town by the name of Gidion Sherman, has on loan from Mr Strong, $700- of this same money
Page 40

The property which passed to his son under the above mentioned conveyance, was worth at least &8000= and as he, in the conveyance, referes to himself, the use of one half of it during his natural life  How I ask, can he be said to come withing the provisions of the act, confering Pensions? He does not Justice requires that his pension should be stopped, & that proceedings should be instituted, to recover back, what has been paid to him.
Your Obedient Sert
A Neighbor of Mr Strong's
Page 41

Litchfield County, Connecticut
New Milford August 26th 1825
Sir, A man in Woodbury in Litchfield County Conn
I am informed [illegible] Pension from the United States of $20 per month by the name of John Strong. I am informed and I have no doubt correctly that this is a fraud and [illegible] when the Government. at or about the time he [illegible] a pension, he owned a farm of land of about 100 acres, which was quite valuable, lying near the center the town of Woodbury with a good new house on it well furnished probably the whole was worth from 3 to 4 thousand dollars- and at the same time owes about $500- when he obtained his pension, this upon the Record [illegible] was in his name [illegible] for a long time afterwards. and now it appears by the record to Stand in his sons name by and [illegible] he has but two children- one son & one daughter- the daughter is well settled & the son in good business doing well. The father lives on the farm as usual I am told- and the son lets out  at interest all the money as it comes in, in his own name, tho it is and
Page 42

New Haven May 9th 1826
Sir
I feel a reluctance in again troubling you in the business of my fathers Pension, and have thoughout felt a delicacy on the subject in consequence of my relationship to him
I send you herewith what I believe to be an authenticated Copy of the Deed. The confusion of the Register to certify in his first Copy the time when the Deed was recd. for Record was an oversight. I have now proved by this testimony of Mr. Benedict the execution of the Deed, also the official character of M Sherman as Register in the only way in which I conceive it can be done, as the town Clerk who is an ex officio Register is the only person who can with any propriety certify to his own appointment.
So far as the time of Recording the Deed may affect the question it ought to be born in mind, that the Recording is not necessary to the validity of the Deed as between the Grantor and Grantee, and where we have no fears of subsequent conveyances, or attaching creditors, we frequently omit the recording of our deeds for years.
The only information communicated from the War Department to my father on this subject, is simply this. That information had been given at the office that my father conveyed his real estate to me in order to avail himself of the act of 1820"  I know of no way in which this can be rebutted but by showing the true consideration of the deed and the time of its execution. If there be any
Page 43

other information than this, my father has had no notice of it, and it would seem a little unreasonable that he should be required to do away suspicions and inferences, without knowing the facts on which they are founded.
The intimation in Mr. Edwards' note, that if the estate was worth what I paid for it, the Life estate in what was reserved by my father, ought to afford him a competence & opens an other new field. The value of that life estate was found by the County Court in the manner prescribed by law, upon evidence which was satisfactory to them. This value I should think would depend on the income which it produces, and its probable duration, from the age constitutions & of the person on whose life the estate depends. If from the fact that I gave about 1000 dolls. for the fee simply it is to be inferred that the Court misjudged and that he is to be excluded on the ground of Competency there is an end of the case. Of this the powers that be must Judge. I know that the Court had before them the testimony of highly respectable witnesses, to wit, the late Hon. Nathan Smith R Nathan Preston, Esq. and I cannot suppose that Mr. Edwards' note to you was intended as a call for evidence to support the finding of the Court.
I have been under the necessity of leaving the preparation of the evidence herewith transmitted to other hands, but I discover nothing that I should have advised to be added, unless it was a certificate of the Justice that the witnesses are credible men, one of whom (Mr. Benedict) I presume you know to be
Page 44

such. The other (Mr Sherman) being a publik officer, I think will be entitled to credit on that account.
Our legislative proceedings have not been particularly interesting. The important appointments have not been taken up. The Judiciary Bill that was continued from the last session , has this day report of a Comtee. been disposed of by indefinite postponement and a New Bill introduced, converting our County Courts into three district Courts to be maned by three Judges.
I am Sir, your much obliged & humble Servent
John Strong Junr.
Hon. O. Merwin
Page 45

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED
To John Strong [illegible] Greeting We, Reposing especial trust and confidence in your Patriotism [illegible] Conduct and Fidelity, DO by these present and appoint you, to be an Ensign in the eighth Connecticut Regiment [illegible] in the Army of the United States to take rank [illegible] Lieutenant from the 18th day of March [illegible] 
You are therefor fully and diligently to discharge the duty of [illegible] Ensign [illegible] by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And we [illegible and require all offices and Soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as Ensign [illegible] And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from [illegible] to him as you shall receive from this or future Congress of the United States Committee of Cong for that purpose appointed Commander of the States or Commander in chief for the time being of the [illegible]
the United States or any other your superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of [illegible] in [illegible]  of the [illegible] reposed for you. This [illegible] to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress, [illegible] wither of Congress before [illegible] or Committee of the States.
Entered in the War Office and reviewed by the Board
[illegible]
 Secretary of the Board of War Congress of the United States of America [illegible] 18th Day of March [illegible] in the [illegible] 
Witness his Excellency John [illegible] President 
1776 and of the [illegible] Year of our Independence [illegible]
Page 46

To all People to whom these Predents shall come: GREETING. KNOW YE, THAT
I John Strong of Woodbury in Litchfield County
for the consideration of love & good will which I have to my son, [illegible] John Strong Junr. of said Woodbury 
Do give, grant, bargain, sell, and confirm unto the said John Junr. all my real estate or lands & buildings lying & being situated within the bounds of said Woodbury- Saving and reserving to myself the use & improvement of the agreed and undivided half part thereof including therein the use of half the buildings during my natural life
To have and to hold the above granted and bargained premises, with the appurtenances thereof unto him the said John Junr. (with said Reservation} his heirs and assigns forever to his, and their own proper use and behoof. And also I the said John Senior do for any sel/ any heirs, executors and administrators, covenant with the said John Junr. his heirs and assigns, that at and until the ensealing of these presents I am well seized of the premises, as a good indefeasible estate in fee-simple, and have good right to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written, and that the same is free of all incumbrances whatsoever.
And furthermore, I the said John Senior do by these presents, bind myself and any heirs forever to warrant and defend the above granted and bargained premises to him the said John Jun. his heirs and assigns, against all claims and demands, except the aforesaid Reservation
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set any hand and seal the 30th day of November Anno Domini [illegible] 1819
Signed, sealed, and delivered, John Strong. {L. S}
In Presence of
Matthew Minor Junr
Noah B. Benedict
Litchfield County Ss Woodbury on the Day and date above
PERSONALLY APPEARED John Strong Esqr
signer and sealer of the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me.
Noah B Benedict Justice of the peace
Page 47

I Noah B Benedict of Woodbury in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut, of lawful age and being duly sworn Do testify Depon and say- that the Deed or writing hereunto annexed and bearing Date the 20th Day of November Anno Domini 1819 is a true Copy of an original Deed from John Strong to John Strong Junr, which original Deed is now before and That said original Deed except the printed part thereof was Drawn by me, and that I saw the said John Senior, the Grantor Sign & Seal the same, a Matthew Minor Junr. and myself Did subscribe our names to the said Deed as witnesses in his pressence that I as a Justice of the Peace took the acknowledgement of the same- I further say that I was then a Justice of the peace and that I verily believe saw original Deed was in all respects Duly executed so as to convey the Lands & buildings therein Described, according to
Page 48

To the town thereof
Dated at Woodbury the fifth Day of May AD 1826
Noah B. Benedict
I Leman Sherman of Woodbury County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age being duly sworn depose testify and say, that I am Town Clerk and Register of Deeds in and for said Town of Woodbury duly appointed and sworn to that office and [illegible] such, I have the custody of the Records of the conveyances and deeds of land in said town, that the annexed Deed is a true Copy of a Deed from John Strong to John Strong Jun as appears of Record, That the Original Deed was received for Record by me on the 31st day of December 1823 and duly recorded, Dated at Woodbury the fifth day of May 1826
Lemon Sherman
State of Connecticut, Ss County of Litchfield, Woodbury May 5th A D. 1826 Personally appeared 
Noah B. Benedict Esquire, and Leman Sherman Esquire, and respectively made oath to the truth of the facts stated in the fore going affidavit by them respectively subscribed before me
Matthew Minor Jun. Justice of the Peace
Ho. of Rep. May 16th 1826  Orange Merwin M. C.
Page 49

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court, or Court of Common Please, within the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that Matthew Minor Jun. is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County legally commissioned qualified that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & that from my knowledge of it, I verily believe that the preceding Certificate, which purports to be made & subscribed by him, is genuine & his proper hand writing. Witness my hand and the Seal of said Court at Litchfield in said County this fifth day of May AD 1826
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
Page 50

I John Strong Jun of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age testify and say That the Deed of conveyance to me from John Strong Sen my father, made the 30th of November 1819, an authenticated copy of which is hereto annexed-, was given to me for the consideration and reasons following.
For many years previous to 1818 and down to the month of November 1819, my father was largely indebted to one Garry Bacon of this town, {now deceased} That a short time Previous to said conveyance said Bacon pressed him for payment, and he had no means of payment without disposing of his property, he then proposed to me that if I would [illegible] said debt to Bacon, and also obligate myself to pay to Elijah Sherman Jun'r of this town or to his wife the further sum of one hundred dollars, he would give me a Deed of his real property reserving the use of one half during his life agreeably to the annexed Deed.
To this proposition I assented, & it was accordingly executed on both sides. I made the first payment to said Bacon (immediately after entering into the agreement.) of two hundred dollars, on the 16th of November 1819. This sum I borrowed at the Bank for that purpose, as part of the debt must be paid without delay-, which makes me recollect more perfectly. The Deed was given the 30th of the same month. About three or four months after, I made another payment to said Bacon of two hundred dollars, and on the 16th of March 1820. I gave my my notes to said Bacon for Five hundred & twenty five dollars & 50 cents which was the balance then due on said debt, and in September 1821 I have my Note payable to the wife of said Sherman for one hundred dollars 
John Strong Junr.
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Copy of John Strong Jun's Deed from John Strong
To all People to whom these Presents shall come.... GREETING
KNOW YE, That I John Strong of Woodbury in Litchfield County
for the consideration love and good will which I have to my Son to receive John Strong Jun of said Woodbury do give, grant, bargain, sell and confirm unto the said John Junr all my Real Estate or Lands and Buildings lying and being situated within the Bounds of said Woodbury. 
Saving and reserving to myself the use and improvement of the equal and individual half part thereof including therein the use of half the Buildings during my natural life
TO HAVE AND HOLD the above granted and bargained Premises, with the Appurtenances thereof, unto him (with said Reservation) the said 
John Jun, , his Heirs and Assigns forever, to his and their own proper use and behoof. And also, the said John Senior do for my self and my Heirs, Executors and Administrators; covenant with the said John Jun his Heirs and Assigns, that at and until the enseating of these Presents, I am well seized of the Premises as a good indefeasible Estate in FEE SIMPLE; and have good right to bargain and sell the same in manner and form as is above written; and that the same is free of all incumbrances whatsoever.
And furthermore, I the said John Senior do by these Presents bind my self and my Heirs forever, to WARRANT and defend the above granted and bargained Premises to him the said John Jun his Heirs and Assigns, against all claims and demands whatsoever, except the aforesaid Reservation In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the 30th day of November A.D. [illegible] 1819
Signed, Sealed, and delivered, in Presence of }
Matthew Minor Junr     John Strong seal
Noah B. Benedict}

Litchfield County, Ss. Woodbury on the day & date above
Personally appeared John Strong Esqr Signer  and Sealer of the foregoing Instrument, and acknowledged the same to his free Act and Deed, before me, 
Noah B.  Benedict Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut
Litchfield County Ss Woodbury March 23 1826
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of John Strong Junr. Deed from John Strong Esq. as is Recorded in Woodbury
Land Records- attest Leman Sherman Register
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I Elijah Sherman Jun of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut of lawful age testify and say, That in September 1821, John Strong Jun. of said town gave his note payable to my wife for the sum of one hundred dollars on account of his father John Strong Sen. of said Woodbury, which I then understood was done in pursuance of a previous arrangement between them, by which the said John Jun. assumed his fathers debts, and a conveyance, was made to him by the father of his Real estate
Elijah Sherman Jun
I Orphia Bacon of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, the widow of Garry Bacon formerly of said Woodbury now deceased, and the Executrix of his last will, of lawful age, Testify and say That in the year 1819 John Strong Sen. of this town was indebted to said Mr Bacon to a large amount the precise sum I cannot State. But I find from a statement of the debt in Mr. Bacon's handwriting That in November in that year there was due between nine and ten hundred dollars. And I know that his son John Strong Jun. of said Woodbury made one or more payments on said Debt. I think about that time, and afterwards in the Spring of 1820 gave his Notes for the balance then due which he has since paid- Orphia Bacon
Page 53

State of Connecticut
Litchfield County Ss. Woodbury April 5th 1826
Personally appeared John Strong Jun Esq. Capt. Elijah Sherman Jun and Mrs Orphia Bacon and [made crossed out] severally made oath to the truth of their respective Depositions by them subscribed before me
Leman Sherman Justice of the Peace
I further certify that the several persons named in the above Certificate are from my personal knowledge credible and respectable witnesses
Leman Sherman Justice of the Peace 
I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court, or Court of Common Please within the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut, certify that Leman Sherman Esq is a [Justice of the crossed out] Justice of the Peace within said County legally commissioned & qualified, &, that his name above subscribed is his proper handwriting.
Witness my hand & the Seal of said Court at Litchfield in said County this fifth day of April AD. 1826. Frederick Wolcott, Clerk