Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5919, for Samuel Phelps, Connecticut
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn. Phelps, Samuel S. 5919
Privateer
Carded
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4330 New York  
Samuel Phelps 
of Madison Co in the State of New York who was a Pr. & Sergt in the Company commanded by Captain Coit of the Regt commanded by Col Parsons, in the Ma line for 
12 months private  Conn*
8 Months Sergeant 
Conn*  & Privateer Records corrected Mch 24 | 25. 85 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of June 1834 and sent to J.G. Storm Hamilton N.Y. 
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 34 - $240. 
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  $40.  
$280. 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by Jno Cromwell Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 4 Page 71 
See letters to Isaac Lawrence & J.G. Storm of July 1833 to J G Storm 3 June '34
Let to Albany Agency, July 14, 1836 - See letter Oct. 10 [unreadable]
1889 May 22 history to H. T. Johnston NY City  [unreadable]
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No 18248. R.
Samuel Phelps Madson County
New York
admitted
12 months 96
8 mos.  40
4 mos.  13.33
149.33
Admd
8 mo. Sergt 40$
12 mo pri- 40
$80
Privateer service disallow [?]
John G. Storm Hamilton Madison
County New York
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WAR DEPARTMENT 
Pension Office, 
183
Sir. 
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. 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 compling with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 
A Statement, showing the Service of Samuel Phelps Madison County New York
Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted April 1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  7 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Cap Coit  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Genl Putnam, Col. Marsh Parsons   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Bunker Hill   Country through which he marched.   Marched to Cambridge   Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period.  78 Years Lyme County of New London Massachusetts   Evidence by which the declaration is supported. Traditionary evidence witnesses certified credible, no clergyman – no reason given; 2 living witnesses certified credible & Documentary evidence – papers properly attached.
Period when the service was rendered. Vol 1775   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  2 Months  Rank of the claimant.  Private  Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served. Cap Adams   Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.   Went to New York
Period when the service was rendered.  Enlisted May 1776   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  8 Months   Rank of the claimant.  Sergt   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt Bingham  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col. Selden   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.  Country through which he marched.  
Period when the service was rendered.  Drafted June 1777   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  3 Months   Rank of the claimant. Private   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Capt Abel, Capt Hall  Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.  Col. Latimer   Battles in which the applicant was engaged.   Country through which he marched.  Marched to New London
Period when the service was rendered. Enlisted Spring 1778   Duration of Claimant’s Service.  1 Year   Rank of the claimant.  Mariner   Names and rank of the Company Officers under whom he served.  Brig Sampson, Capt Brooker 
I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant 
JAMES L. EDWARDS, 
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of} ss.
On this day of  personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District
of aged (c)  years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion 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 enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I  of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of  for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of & c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the  and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with,  who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,  Clerk of the Court of  do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation 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 his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow
the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every 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, and __
days, I served as a __ __. For __ months
and __ days, I served as a ___ ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses,
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses
, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 
State of New York 
Madison County ss On this 9th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court before the [unreadable] 9th Court of Comm Pleas of the County of Madison Now sitting said Cort  being a Cort of Record Samuel Phelps a resident of Hamilton in said County of Madison and State of New York aged Seventy eight years in October last who being first duly Sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of June 7. 1832.   
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein after states. 
Firstly 7 mos.
That in April 1775 then being a resident of the town of Lyme County of New London & State of Connecticut he enlisted at that place for seven months in the Company of Captain William Coit in the Regiment of Col. Marsh Parsons in the Connecticut line.  That the company rendezvoused  at what was called the north quarter of Lyme & marched from there to Cambridge near Boston passing through Norwich Providence & other towns on the route.  That the rest of the Regiment went to New London & did not come on until after Bunker Hill fight.  Deponent was in Bunker Hill fight. Deponent was one of fifteen men who volunteered to go into the fight under Lieut.  Hyde of his company & afterwards the rest of the Company came into the battle. [unreadable]  he recollects General Putnam & his saying to the troops "Don't be afraid I talk to [unreadable]  - I hate a Coward as I hate a toad"! That declarant served all his seven months at Cambridge & was verbally discharge, written discharges as declarant believes not being given of that time to any one
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Secondly / 2 Mos Dec 75 
That immediately thereafter declarant & fourteen others of that Company to which he belonged went on board of a small vessel called the Friendship which cruised Boston Bay to prevent the Tories from carrying provisions into Boston, under a Capt Adams. That declarant was a volunteer and served two months & was discharged & arrived at home in January 1776 & towards the latter part of the month
Thirdly / 8 Mos 
That the last of April or first of May 1776 he enlisted to join the troops that were going to New York.  The company of Capt Elijah Bingham in the Regiment of Colonel Samuel Selden in the 6th Connecticut militia. That he enlisted at the said place as Corporal for eight months.   The Company rendezvoused at Lyme & went on board of a vessel at [unreadable] & were landed at New York City some time in May.  Lay in barracks until near the time of the battle on Long Island.  That declarent & his Company were during that battle in a small fort Called Cobble Hill Fort & saw of a distance the battle in which Lord Stirling was taken prisoner.  That Declarents company was at Harlem & White Plains & he continued in service until the expiration of the 8 months & then at the request of his officer the declarant remained one month longer in order to give time for the filling up of the enlistments in the continental drafts & he was discharged at a place called North Castle about the fourth of January. That declarant enlisted
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place called North Castle about the fourth of January. That declarant enlisted
as a corporal & was afterward promoted to be a Sergeant as will appear from the annexed paper marked A signed by his Captain Elijah Bingham & by Jonathan Latimer who was the Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment,  that Col. Selden was taken prisoner on Long Island & died a prisoner in New York. Declarent knew Genl Washington both at Cambridge & New York & was one of the Company of Capt. Coit that turned out to meet him when he first arrived  at Cambridge.  
Fourthly 3 mos.
That in the at Lyne after 1777 then residing at Lyme aforesaid he was drafted for three months under Captain Abel Hall of Lyme & Colonel Jonathan Latimer in the Connecticut State troops.  The company met at Lyme & marched to New Landon where he served out his three months.   That from his best recollection  time he commenced early in June and served till early September. Declarent knows of no living witness by whom he can prove this last service.  
Fifthly 12 Mo.
That in the spring of 1778 as he believes in March he enlisted as a Mariner on board of a brig of sixteen guns called the Sampson that sailed out of Connecticut River commanded by Capt Daniel Brooks - that said brig had 30 marines on board  & 120 or 125 men on board.  That he enlisted for a year & served it out.  That serving as a marine a month or more he was made Carpenters mate & afterwards carpenter in which situation he continued to serve out the residue of his time. That
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he was in a sea fight somewhere in the [unreadable] of Bermuda between the brig Sampson & a British sloop of war called the Swallow which lasted an hour & in which two men were killed & Eleven wounded on board the Sampson.   That while on board said ship she sailed in Company with the Frigates Hancock & Randolph. That he was slightly wounded in that struggle.  
And he further certifies that he has no Documentary proof of his service except the annexed paper marked  A.  That he never had a written discharge. That he knows of no one by whom he can prove his service  in an any shape except by the affidavits of Nathan Boon & Gidean Brock are hereto annexed. 
Declarant was born Oct. 30 1753 at Lyme (North Quarter) in the State of Connecticut. Has no record of his age with him but believes one to exist in the town records of Lyme.   
That he was always a resident of Lyme when he enlisted.  That after the Revolutionary war je removed from Lyme to Earl Haddam Connecticut & lived there 14 years, then to Hamilton Madison County where he lived about 14 months then to I believe the town [unreadable] where he lived about fifteen years, then back to Hamilton where he has lived since for about seven years and does now reside.  
That he has stated as above the names in which he enlisted the service & the name of the  officers & Continental & Militia Regiments he served.  That he never received a written discharge
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or Commission to his recollection.  
Declarant hopes to be able to have by James Williams of Hampden & John Gilmore of Rockfield Madison County where he now resides that he has a good character for good character for veracity & also the belief in his service as a soldier of the Revolution & by John D. Blick & Nathan Boon of Hamilton his character for veracity.  He hereby relinquishes any claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the agency of any State.  
Samuel Phelps
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid  A.S. Sloan Clk 
We John Gilmore of Brookfield & James Williams residing in Hamilton in the County of Madison hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Phelps who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a solider of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion & that he is of good character for truth & veracity.  
James Williams
John Gilmore
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid   A. S. Sloan Clerk
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the Interrogatories propounded by the war department that the above named officiant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further
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certifies that it appears to them that James Williams & John Gilmore who have the signed the foregoing Certificate are each of the said town of Hamilton and of the town of Brookfield &  county of Madison & are each of them credible persons & that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Andrew S. Sloan Clk of the Court of common pleas of the County of Madison do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original procedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Samuel Phelps for a Pension.  
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this ninth day of October 1832
A.S. Sloan Clk
Samuel Phelps
Pension under the act of June 7 1832
Approved 
18248
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State of New York 
Madison County ss  Nathan Boon of Hamilton in the county of Madison being duly sworn do depose & say that he is sixty five years of age & upward,  that he is a native of the town of Lyme in the State of Connecticut & when young resided near Samuel Phelps now of Hamilton Madison County & who was then as deponent will recollects spoken of in the neighborhood as often about on tour of duty in the land & naval service  of the United States. That said Phelps for the year 1778 was about for a considerable time & it was reported & believed in the neighborhood & deponent verily believes that said Phelps was serving on board a public vessel called the Sampson commanded by Daniel Brooks. That deponents recollection the more strong as to this matter from the fact that he had a brother Samuel who served on board said vessel who were killed in an engagement with some British vessels & he has often since that time heard said Phelps relate the circumstance of his brothers death of the engagement.  That said Phelps he also stood a good character for truth & veracity & is as he believes
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Seventy eight years of age & further he saith not 
Nathan Boon
I certify that on this 15th day of August 1832 Nathen Boon swore to & Subscribed the former affidavit before me, that I am acquainted with him & he maintains a good character as to truth & veracity & is a credible witness 
James B Eldridge first of Madison County 
State of New York  
County Clerk's Office} ss I. Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that James B. Eldridge, before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same, the first Judge of the County Courts in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature.   
Witness my hand and seal of Office this ninth day of October 1832 
A S Sloan Clk
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In Matter of Samuel Phelps a pensioner
Copy of Record
Copy of
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Declaration of Samuel Phelps in order to be placed on the pension List under the act of 18th of March 1818 
State of New York 
Madison County  ss Samuel Phelps on the 8th day of February 1826 personally appeared in open Court, being a court of Record for the County of Madison the said Samul being a Resident in said County aged Seventy two years who being duly sworn according Law Doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818, and the first of May 1820.  That he the said Samuel Phelps enlisted some time in the latter part of April one thousand seven hundred Seventy five and about the twentieth of April in that year (according to the best of his Recollection) in the State of Connecticut in the Town of Lyme in the Company commanded by Captain William Coit in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Parsons whose given name he think was Mansfield in the line of the State of Connecticut the continental establishment.  That he continued to serve in said Corps until some time in the prepart of February thereafter when he was discharged from the service in the Town of Plymouth in the State of Massachusetts having served upward of nine months.  Also that he the said
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Samuel Phelps afterward in the month of April 1776 enlisted in the company commanded by Capt Elijah Bingham in the Seventh Regiment of Foot commanded by Colo Samuel Seldon in the Connecticut line on the Continental establishment and that he continued to serve in said Corps  & in the service of the United States until the latter part of December then next following when he was discharged and that during a part of said last term of service he served as Corporal & a part of the time he served as Sergeant & was discharged at North Castle in that State of New York & was in the battles of Long Island & Turkey [Turtle]  Bay (so called). That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present that his name is not on the Roll of any State and the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension to wit, that in 1818 he employed a person make out his papers for him in order to apply for a pension & that some time afterward in the same year he was informed that those papers were not correct & that he therefore concluded not to apply as long as by any means we could obtain a support.  And in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United
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States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with interest thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of the act of Congress entitled "An to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval services of the United States in the Revolutionary War” passed on the 18th March 1818 & 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 this [unreadable]  hereunto annexed & by me subscribed.   Schedule
one old mare which is lame with    $14.00 
one old waggon                                 15,00 
one old Single Harness                       7.50 
part of an old pair of Joiners Tools    10.00
46.50 
One suitcoat, 2 Coats, 2 vests, 2 pairs of pantaloons,  2 pair Shoes, 2 hats, two pair of stockings  2 Shirts, 2  Handkerchiefs, Razor & strop, 1 pair spectacles.  
My occupation is that of a joiner but am troubled with a dropsy and complaint which produces a swelling of my limbs to that I am unable to pursue my said occupation & able to do but a very little labor.   My family consists of three sons who are all above the age of twenty one years & none of them live with me & are in
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in circumstances & unable to do much for my support,  that since the 18th of March 1818 there has been no changes of my property as I have had no more property then what is above set forth,  that before the year 1818 I had severe sickness in my family & lost my wife & was obliged to dispose of all the property I had to pay the expenses incurred, having previous met with misfortune whereby a greater part of my property was lost.  
Samuel Phelps 
Sworn to and declared of this 8th day of February 1826 before the Judge of said Court & in open Court  
J. G. Curtiss Clk 
I John G Curtiss Clerk of the Court of Common pleas in & for the County of Madison do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said Samuel Phelps did serve in the Revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration against the common in for the term of nine months under one engagement, on the continental establishment, also certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto ant are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further that it is the opinion of the said Court that amount in value in all, of the property so listed in the aforesaid schedule is forty six dollars & fifty cents. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court on this 26 day of Sept 1826 
John G. Curtis Clerk
Page 20

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section. 
June 15, 1925
Mr. Oscar A. Phelps 
621 Albany Avenue 
Hartford, Connecticut. 
Sir:.  
I have to advise you, that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S-5919, it appears that Samuel Phelps was born October 30, 1753 at Lyme, Connecticut. 
While residing there he enlisted April 20, 1775 and served seven months in Captain William Coit's Company, Colonel Parsons' Connecticut Regiment and was in the battle of Bunker Hill. 
Immediately thereafter he enlisted and served two months as a seaman on the ship "Friendship, under Captain Adams. 
He enlisted in April, 1776 and served nine months as a corporal and sergeant in Captain Elijah Bingham's Company, Colonel Samuel Selden's Connecticut Regiment and was in the battle of Turtle Bay. 
He enlisted in June 1777 and served three months in Captain Abel Hall's Company, Colonel Jonathan Latimer's Connecticut Regiment.
Page 21

He entered in March 1778 and served one year as a marine, carpenter's mate and carpenter on the brig, Sampson, Captain Daniel Brooks, and was in an engagement with the British ship "Swallow" in which he was wounded, slightly.   
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832 while living in Hamilton, Madison County, New York. 
Soldier referred to three sons, but their names and that of his wife are not on record.
Respectfully, 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 22

5919 
Revy INVALID. 
File No. 5919 
Samuel Phelps 
Sergt Rev War 
Act: June 7th ‘32 
Index:- Vol.   M, Page 295 
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1893 Aug 21 let to R G Phelps water Iowa  
Sept 20/95 Letter to R. G. Phelps, Com. Nat. Bank Atlantic, Iowa  
Mar. 3, 1902 Julia Frances Lovie Vineland NJ
1910 Sept. 19. Hist. to Mrs Frank H. Yale c
1925 Hist. to Oscar A. Phelps MDC .
Page 23

REJECTED
8177
Samuel Phelps
Consolidated with See (soldier admitted) File 5919
Rejected 7 Oct 1826
See letter to John Foot Hamilton N. York 8177
Page 24

14355 
18248 New York 
Samuel Phelps 
of Madison Co in the State of New York who was a pri & Sgt & Seaman in the Company commanded by Captain Gait [Coit] of the regt commanded by Col Parsons in the Mass* ma  line for  
4 mo  pri  
8 mo sgt
12 mo sea
admitted for $80 only 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 149 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of May 1833 and Sent to Jno G. Storm Connecticut
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  $298.66    
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833  74.66    
$373.32 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by W. L. Williams  Clerk, 
Book E   Vol 4   Page 71 
Connt* &  Privateer 
Records corrected Mch 24, 1905. JS
See letters to Isaac Lawrence and John G. Storm 17 July 1833 O.C. 
Let J.G. Storm 3d June 34
Page 25

Saml Phelps
Connecticut
Phelps, Samuel
Conn S 5919
Page 26

These may certify that the Sergt in the Regt I Commanded in the year 1776 as Lt. Colonel Commandant was not General Warrant, which I [unreadable], the reasons why Saml Phelps a Sergt in Capt Binghams Company had not his warrant but this may certify that the said Phelps did Serve in said Compy as a Sergt faithfully and after the death of Sergt Lord P. Phillips being the best Corpl when [unreadable] & that said Phelps ought to have had his warrant as a Sergt & be treated as such.
Given under my hand in [unreadable] 10th March 1788
To whom it may concern  Jona Latimer
This may certify that Saml Phelps did serve faithfully as a Sergt in my Company in 1776 & was Sergt [unreadable] after the death of Sgt [unreadable] which was made then [unreadable] the Campaign & that the Sgt was not generally [unreadable] they ought to have been & said Phillips with the Rest.  
To whom it may concern   Elijah Bingham
Page 27

[stamp] HAMILTON N.Y. JUN 5
June 13
N. Y. 
Saml Phelps
FREE
J L. Edwards Esqr  
Pension Office
War Dept
Washington
Page 28

Hamilton Mad Co. June 9 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
Agreeably to the suggestion in  yours of the third instant I enclose you the Certificate of Samuel Phelps & with the proper one returned.  He has recd $298  which will postpone any payment until next March as I suppose.
Very respectfully yours
Jno G. Storm
Page 29

Mechs & Farmers Bank 
Albany Pension Agency 
July 8, 1836. 
James L. Edwards Esquire  
Commissioner of Pensions 
Sir
Samuel Phelps a Pensioner on the Act of June 7, 1832, claims the balance due him from 4 March 1831 but $80 per annum: in the [unreadable]
It appears by our books that he was last paid to 4 March 1833 at $149.33 per annum & was overpaid at the New York Agency $138.66. The New York agent has requested us to retain that amount for the benefit of his agency.  
It being three years since he was last paid, I have to request your special instructions in the case.  
Very Respectfully Your obt servt
Tho W. Olcott President 
P.S. It would be an accommodation to us to receive the Lists of Invalid Pensioners & then under the act of March 1818 who are to be transferred to this Agency, at as early a day as the convenience of the Department will permit, that we may prepare on Books &c.
Page 30

(This got accidentally cut in two) J. G. S. 
State of New York 
Onondaga County } ss   Gideon Brockway of the Town & County of Onondaga, State of New York being Sworn says that he is now upwards of seventy Seven years of age, that he was born & brought up in the Town of Lime, New London County, Connecticut,  that Samuel Phelps was also born & brought up in said Town & this deponent has been personally acquainted with said Phelps from his childhood up to this time.  That this deponent & said Phelps enlisted in the line of State Troops in the month of April one thousand hundred & seventy six in a company commanded by Elijah Bingham & in a regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Sheldon that they immediately  marched to Brockway Ferry & embarked for the City of New York where they remained until they were ordered over to Long Island.  That they remained but a short time on Long Island & retreated back to New York in the evening.  That afterwards they retreated to Harlem Heights & to White Plains, & were at that place at the time the action took place there but were not engaged in it.  That this deponent in consequence of sickness left the army about five weeks before the expiration of the Eight months for which he enlisted.  That said Phelps served in the army with this deponent from the time of his enlistment in April up to the time when this deponent left it & said Phelps remained with the army when this Deponent returned to his home.  & further this deponent says not 
Gideon Brockway
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 8th day of August 1832 
Oliver R Strong Justice of the peace.
Page 31

Town of Onondaga 
County of Onondaga }  I Certify that on the 8th day of August 1832 Gideon Brockway personally appeared before me & subscribed and swore to the forgoing affidavit in my presence and that I am personally acquainted with said Brockway and believe him to be a man of truth and veracity and I see no reason to act the truth of the foregoing statement.  
Onondaga  8th August 1832 
Oliver R Strong Justice of the peace 
State of New York ss: 
Onondaga County}   I, Reuben L. Hess Clerk of the said County do certify that Oliver R Strong before whom the within affidavit purports to have sworn was on the 8th day of August 1834 a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe the signature "Oliver R. Strong" subscribed to the Jurat of the said affidavit is his proper hand writing and signature.   
Witness my hand and seal of office this 10th day of August 1832. 
Reuben G. Hess Clerk
Page 32

Rec’d Oct 6 1826
N 0097
Saml Phelps
18 March 1818
John Foot
Hamilton NY
Free
Secretary of the War Department
Washington City
Page 33

Hamilton Sept 29. 1826 
To the Secty of War 
D Sr.  
I enclose you another copy of the Record in the case of Saml Phelps a pension.  You will Recollect that you informed me that the one part last winter was not to be found.  You will place papers upon his claim & write me at Hamilton Madison N.Y as early as consistent.   
I am very respectfully your obt servt
John Foot
Page 34

Capt. Filer 
Can you answer  this question for me? 
Yrs Truly 
J K Boude
May 24, 1892. 
[stamp] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FILES MAY 25 1892
Page 35

The Hotel Collins. 
LISTON COLLINS, Proprietor. 
Opposite G. R. I. & P. R. R. Depot. 
Atlantic, lowa, May 17 1892. 
Dear Knox, 
A particular friend of mine here, R. G. Phelps, wishes to get the record of the service of Samuel Phelps in the Revolutionary war, and does not know where except the Pension office. He thinks he was a pensioner. Samuel Phelps enlisted from Connecticut in General Sullivans brigade. Can you this for him and oblige 
Yours &c 
H. E. Griswold 
For Dr. Boude Med Dir
[stamp] O.W. & N. DIV MAY 24 1892 CHIEF’S DESK
Page 36

3848 Charlotte St. 
Kansas City Mo 
Sep. 7 1910 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Have you any record of the age of the Caleb Pomeroy who served in the Rev War as a private,  Simeon Clapp of his Reg. commanded by Col  David Wells? 
Enlisted May 10. 1777 
discharged July 20. 1777
Page 37

Roll sworn to in Hampshire Co. Mass 
I also wish the age or other means of Establishing the identity of Samuel Phelps who served in Rev. War from North or South Hampton Mass.   Have you a War record of Silvanus Palmer presumably of Duchess Co. N.Y.  
I shall be most grateful for any information
Very cordially 
Mrs. Frank H Yale
Page 38

“The Maplewood” 
Vineland N J 
February 16th 1902 
O. W. N. 
[stamp] Feb 25 1902
The name of my great-grandfather Samuel Phelps, born in Suffield Ct Nov 29th 1742 is on the list of pensioners of the Revolutionary War.  I am seeking information of the date of his death, and where he died, I find from the public records that he enlisted in Parson's Regt (Conn) Capt Coit's Co,  Was present at the battle of Bunker Hill. Reenlisted in Col Selden's Regt. Served one year from Mar 1778 as marine and Carpenter, on board Privateer Sampson, Capt David Brook, that sailed
Page 39

from Conn river wounded in fight with British sloop of war “Swallow.” Removed to New York state after the war.   
I would like to establish my right to become a member of the D A R but I have not the date of his death, which seems to be necessary. Any information concerning my ancestor will be gladly received.  
Yours very truly 
Julia Francis Lavie 
I am a direct descendant on my mother’s side from William Phelps who was born in England Aug 19th 1599 and came to this country in the ship “Mary and John" which sailed from Plymouth Eng Mar 20th 1630, and settled in Windsor Conn.   Was at one time Deputy Governor
Page 40

14355
Page 41

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Samuel Phelps of the State of New York who was a Private, Sergeant and Seaman in the war of the Revolution is entitled to receive One Hundred & Forty Nine dollars and Thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year.   
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 21 day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 
Lewis Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.} 
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 42

OSCAR A. PHELPS 
HARTFORD, CONN. April 7, 1925. 
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE S APR 9 1925
U. S. Pension Office, 
Washington, D. C. 
Gentlemen: 
In looking up my revolutionary ancestors, I find the following record: 
“Conn. men in the Revolution, - p. 631  
Samuel Phelps, Lyme, enlisted in Capt. Coit's Co. Parsons reg't Apr. 1775. Present at Bunker Hill battle; re - enlisted in 1776 in Col. S. Selden's regiment.   Served one year from March 1778 as marine carpenter on board privateer Sampson, Capt. David Brooks, that sailed from Conn. River. Wounded in fight with British sloop-of-war Swallow. Removed to N. Y. state after the war.” 
I also find the following record: "Samuel Phelps, Conn. & privateer service. Serg't and seaman; Madison Co. N. Y. in 1832. File number S. 5919." 
Can you tell me if the Samuel Phelps who applied for the pension as stated
Page 43

- 2 -
in the second paragraph is the same man
whose record is given in the first paragraph
Very truly yours,
Oscar A. Phelps
621 Albany Avenue
Page 44

O. W. & N. Div
F.S.
Samuel Phelps – Rev War  
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 28, 1892. 
JWF
Sir:-
In answer to your communication of the 17th instant, addressed to Dr. J. K. Boude and referred by him to this Bureau for reply, in which you request a statement of the military history of Samuel Phelps, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, I have to request that you will please furnish, for purposes of identification, the soldier's place of residence before and after service and also the Christian name of his widow if one survived him.   
Very respectfully, Green B Raum 
Commissioner
H. E. Griswold, Esq., 
Atlantic, Iowa. 
Samuel Phelps resided before service at Hebron Conn and resided afterward and died in Madison Co New York. His widow name was Lydia Porter Phelps & resided in Madison Co New York. I understand that she applied for a pension as widow.  
H. E. Griswold
Page 45

R. G. PHELPS, 
GRAND MASTER OF MASONS. 
ATLANTIC IOWA. May 8th. 1893. 
Commissioner of Pensions; 
Washington, D.C. 
Sir, - 
I received the statement from your office if the military history of Samuel Phelps, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, being addressed to H. E. Griswold, Esq., 
In that history your sheet is marked "W. 21965 O. W. and N. Division”   Will you kindly advise me what would be the fees for a complete copy of the records in this case, including the correspondence. 
Your history gives the name as “Samuel Phillips” which must be a mistake as the rest seems to agree with the case. The widow's name, which is not given by your office in the letter received, should be “Lydia”.   
Awaiting your reply with the above identification of the case.   
I am Very respectfully, 
R. G. Phelps.
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D MAY 13 1893
Page 46

82190
5919
R. G. PHELPS, 
Past GRAND MASTER OF MASONS. 
ATLANTIC IOWA. 
In O. W. & N. Div. 
July 7th, 1893. 
Hon. Wm. Lochren, 
Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C., 
Sir: --  
Yours of the 21st ult received, with the military history of Samuel Phelps, a soldier of the Revolutionary War. 
There are one or more statements which do not correspond with my information of my Grandfather's military history, although so nearly like it as to make me think that I may be misinformed in these particulars, or a transcript of the statements and proofs would make the matter more clear. I had understood that the application for a pension was made about the time stated, but after the death of my Grandfather, and by his widow, Lydia Phelps. She lived near Hamilton, N. Y.   If I could know the names of the applicant, and of his witnesses, or of the officer before whom some of the proofs were taken, I could more exactly determine. 
If this is asking more than the department can furnish, then I would be pleased to know what would be the established fees for a transcript of this case, and I will then, if I may examine into it. 
For the kindness already shown me in this matter please accept my thanks. 
Very respectfully, 
R. G.  Phelps
Page 47

R. G. Phelps
J. S. Harlan
Commercial Bank 
Atlantic. Iowa
September 2, 1895
Phelps
[stamp] U.S.P.B. OLD WAR & NAVY FIELS SEP 9 1895
Sir: -- 
The I wish to get a transcript of the evidence and other papers and letters in the matter of the pension issued to Lydia Phelps Revolutionary Pension.  Kindly advise me of the cost of this service.  
Samuel Phelps was born at Hebron, Conn. 1759 died in Madison County, N.Y. in 1828 leaving his wife, Lydia Phelps, or Lydia Porter Phelps, of Madison County his widow, who died in 1842, at which time I presume the pension stopped. 
I think she applied for and obtained her pension on her husband's services about 1840, but it must have been between 1837 and 1842. 
To Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C. 
Very Respectfully, 
R. G. Phelps.