Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21875, for John Osborn, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn

Osborn, John
Jerusha

NUMBER
W. 21875
===
CONTENTS
Page 2

[Left side]
Connecticut 4101
===
Jerusha Osborn,
widow of John Osborn,
Conn.
who died on the 15 August 1843
of Fairfield in the State of Conn
who was a Pri in the Co commanded
by Captain Thorp of the Reg commanded
by Col Waterbury in the Conn
line for 21 Months.
===
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn.
at the rate of 70 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the
15. August 1843.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of
1844 and sent to Th
Robinson, Southport, Conn.
===
Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d }
Recorded  by T. D. Swann
Book C Vol. 1 Page 79

[Right side]
Letter to S. A. Peugh 14th Nov 1849

repo
Page 3

[Left side]
Connecticut 22.547.
===
John Osborn.
of Fairfield Co. in the State of Connecticut
who was a Private in the Co commanded
by Captain Thorpe of the Regt. commanded
by Col'o Waterbury in the Con't
line for 21 mo's
4.643,
===
[In]scribed on the Roll of Connect't.
[at] the rate of 70 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
===
Certificate of Pension issued the 4th day of Oct
1833 and sent to Hon G
Tomlinson, Fairfield Ct
===
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833 - 175.--
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34 35
[total] $210.
{ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Wm R Palmer Clerk,
Book E Vol. three Page 33

[Right side]
let. to Thos. Robinson Sep 18 1843
Page 4

Washington D. C.
1st October 1849.

Col J. L. Edwards
Com'r of Pensions

Sir

The children of Jerusha
Osborne, wid. of John to ascertain if the said Jerusha
was not entitled to a Pension under Act 7th July 1838.

She drew a Pension act "43 & 44, and due 7th Nov 1847.
Will you be pleased to inform me of the date of her declaration &c
that  may know whether to advise her children to make application
under H. Res. 23d Jan'y 1845?

Also if Mrs. Harriet Bennet, Wid. of Henry, of N.Y.
is not entitled to the benefit of the same Resolution,
Mrs. Bennet, is a Pensioner under acts of 44 & '48.

I am very Respectfully &c
S. T. Peugh

1424
Page 5

No. 4.643
Page 6

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss Fairfield

On this 27th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open
Court before a Special Session of the Court of Probate holden at
Fairfield in & for the Probate District of Fairfield in Fairfield
County & State of Connecticut on this 27th day of August 1832 &
now sitting John Osborn a resident of Fairfield in s'd County
& State aged seventy six years, who being first sworn according
to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers & served as herein stated, viz. That
in the month of March 1776 then enrolled in a company of Militia
in s'd Fairfield commanded by Capt Eliphalet Thorp in Col'n
Waterburys Regiment of Fort he served on a Tour of Duty to the
City of New York for two months together with s'd Company
commanded as afors'd & returned home a few months before s'd City
was evacuated by the American Troops, and the Declarant further
saith that in the same year 1776 he was drafted from the same
Company for three months & served the same on Guard of the
sea coast of s'd town of Fairfield under Sergeant James Bulkley
stationed at the Village of Mill River, now Southport in s'd Fairfield
The s'd Company performed another Tour of duty to the City afors'd & was
there at the time of the evacuation but the declarant was not with
them at that time. In 1777 the declarant further saith that he
was again drafted from s'd Company & served for three months
on Guard Stationed at McKenzies Point on s'd sea coast. The
British having the Command of Long Island Sound a constant
Guard was kept up & were obliged to be continually on the alert. The
British during the last mentioned term of service effected a landing
at Compo so called on s'd Coast & marched up as far as the town of
Danbury in s'd Fairfield County & burnt the same We marched up
Page 7

near that place then over to Ridgefield an adjoining town where we
engaged with the Enemy in which our then Col'n Gould was killed
in which engagement Genl Arnold was present & was an actor
he had a horse shot under him at that time & the Declarant recollects
seeing Gen'l Arnold draw his pistol & shoot the British soldier
who shot his horse & was approaching the Gen'l In the fall of
the same year 1777 the Declarant further saith that he served
on a Tour of Duty to Fishkill in the State of New York for two
months & was there at the time of the Surrendering of Genl Burgoyne
North of him. Recollects of there being a Continental Regiment at
Fishkill at that time but does not remember the Superior
officers. Lieu't Penfield had the command in the Tour to Fishkill
The Col'n of the Regiment at this time was Either Jonathan or David
Dimon. In 1778 the Declarant further saith that he served
on Guard on s'd Sea Coast in Fairfield stationed at s'd Mill River
for at least three months but thinks for a longer time as a
Drafted person from s'd Thorps Company. In 1779 the Declarant
further saith that he was drafted from the same company & served
for a term of three months on Guard as afors'd commencing before
& continuing till after the Burning of s'd town of Fairfield by the
British under Gen'l Tryon. They landed on Fairfield beach
near by where he was stationed burnt s'd town in July of that
year & embarked at McKenzies Point, where we engaged
pretty warmly with them, they then sailed along the Coast as
far as Norwalk & then burnt that town to which place we
had marched under Capt Thorp it being the adjoining town
on the West of s'd Fairfield. In the fall of the same year
the declarant was again drafted & served for two months
under Capt Ebenezer Hill at Newfield then so called now
Bridgeport which was then a part of s'd Fairfield. And the
Declarant further saith that in 1780 or 1781 he served
under Draft as afors'd for three months on s'd Sea Coast under
Capt Abijah Morehouse. He also served once under Sergeant
Page 8

David Osborn on Guard as afors'd but when it was he
cannot tell. He was born in s'd Fairfield on the 24th day of
November 1756 according to a record of his age in his family
bible taken from his fathers, lived in s'd Fairfield when called
into service & has lived in the same place ever since. He
was called into service in manner as above stated & does not recollect
of any other general or material circumstances of his service or of
any other Superior Officers or Regiments that he can particularly
describe, never received any written discharges nor has he any
documentary evidence of his services. He is well known to
David Hill, Jeremiah Sturges Walter Bradley & others of the
most respectable inhabitants of the town of Fairfield afors'd who
can testify to his character for truth & their belief of his service
soldier of the Revolution

And the s'd John Osborn hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his
name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State

John Osborn

Sworn to & subscribed the day
& year afors'd before me
David Hill Judge of the Court
of Probate for the District aforesaid.

We Nathan Beers & Abel Sherwood residing in the Town
& County of Fairfield afors'd hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with John Osborn who has subscribed &
Sworn to the foregoing Declaration & that we believe
him to be seventy six years of age. And further that
he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution
& that we concur in that opinion

Nathan Beers
Abel Sherwood

Sworn to & subscribed the
day & year afors'd before me
David Hill Judge of Probate
for the district aforesaid
Page 9

And the said Court hereby declares its opinion after the
investigation of the matter & after putting the interogatories
prescribed by the War Department that the above
named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served
as he states & the Court further certifies that it appears
to the s'd Court that Nathan Beers & Abel Sherwood
who have signed the preceding certificate are residents
of the town of Fairfield afors'd men of good standing &
that their statement is entitled to credit And the s'd
Court further certifies that Ebenezer Osborn, Hezekiah
Sturgis who have subscribed the annexed Depositions &
Sworn to the same are also persons of good standing &
that their character for truth are indisputable

David Hill Judge of the Court
of Probate for the District aforesaid

I David Hill Jr Clerk of the Court of Probate for the
District of Fairfield in Fairfield County & State of Connecticut
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the s'd Court of Probate in the matter of the
application of John Osborn for a pension. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office the 27th day
August AD 1832

David Hill Jr Clerk
Page 10

I Ebenezer Osborn of the Town & County of Fairfield & State
of Connecticut aged seventy three years being duly cautioned
& sworn do Testify & Say that I am personally acquainted
with the services in the Revolutionary War of John Osborn
of Fairfield. I was with the s'd John Osborn on a Tour
of Duty for two months in Lieut Penfield Capt Eliphalet
Thorps Company, Col'n Dimons Regiment of Foot to
Fishkill in the State of New York in the fall of 1777, at the
time Genl Burgoyne Surrendered up farther North
and further I am personally knowing to his the s'd
John Osborn being frequently drafted from the same
Company in which I was under Capt Thorp & served
on Guard on the Sea Coast of the town of Fairfield afors'd
from three to six months at a time, but cannot tell
all the time he served, the British had possession of
Long Island & the Sound their lines extending along
our Coast, a constant & vigilent Guard was kept up
& we were frequently drafted to serve in the same &
were obliged to be on the alert as we were often annoyed
by the Enemy. From my best recollections I should say
that s'd Osborn during the war served on Guard as afors'd
for at least fifteen or twenty months & further the
Deponent saith not. Dated at Fairfield August 27th 1832

Ebenezer Osborn

Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & date above written
before me David Hill Judge of
Probate for Fairfield District
Page 11

I Hezekiah Sturgis of the Town & County of Fairfield
& State of Connecticut aged seventy six years being
duly cautioned & sworn Do testify & say that
John Osborn of s'd Fairfield in the Spring of 1776
served for two months in Capt Eliphalet Thorps
Company in Col'n Waterburys Regiment on a Tour of
Duty to the City of New York, it being a few months
before the Evacuation of s'd City by the American
Troops. I was there at the same time. And
further that I have personal knowledge that
s'd John Osborn was frequently drafted from
s'd Thorps Company & served on Guard on the
Sea Coast of s'd town of Fairfield at different
times during the War of the Revolution in the
same guard with myself & under the same
officers, but how many times he served I cant
State & further the Deponent saith not
Dated at Fairfield the 27th day August
AD 1832

Hezekiah Stergys

Sworn to & Subscribed
the day & date above
written before me.

David Hill Judge of
Probate for Fairfield District
Page 12

4036
Jerusha Osborn
Widow of
John Osborn
Con
Page 13

4036
[crossed out: "Jerusha Robinson"]
Wid. of
Page 14

State of Connecticut
District of Fairfield } ss
On this 11th day of November AD 1843 personally appeared
before the Court of Probate specially holden at Fairfield
within and for the District of Fairfield in said State of
Connecticut and now sitting Jerusha Osborn a
resident of said Fairfield in the District and State
aforesaid, aged Eighty six years, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make
the following Declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed July 4 1836. That she is the
widow of John Osborn deceased late of said
Fairfield, who was a private in the War of the
Revolution and served in the Coast Guards of
Fairfield and elsewhere, and was pensioned
under the act of Congress of June 7, 1832 at
the rate of Seventy Dollars per annum during
his natural life, and was a resident of said
Fairfield untill his death. She further declares
that she was married to the said John Osborn
on the sixteenth day of March Seventeen hundred
and Eighty by the Reverend Hezekiah Ripley then
Pastor of the Consociated Presbyterian Church
of Greenfarms then a part of Fairfield, now in
Westport, having been annexed thereto by an act
of the Legislature. That her name before said
Marriage was Jerusha Buckley. That her
husband the aforesaid John Osborn died
Page 15

the fifteenth day of August Eighteen hundred
and forty three and that she has remained
a widow ever since that period, as will more
fully appear by reference to the proof hereto
annexed. That her said husband John
Osborn at the time of his application for his s'd
Pension, and before said marriage and ever
since untill his decease resided in s'd Fairfield

Sworn to and subscribed on
[the day] and year above written

Jerusha Osborn

Wm. Sherwood Jr. Judge
of the Court of Probate for the
District of Fairfield,

And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion
that the facts set forth in the foregoing
Declaration of Jerusha Osborn are true

Wm. Sherwood Jr Judge

I, John A Alvord Clerk of the Court of Probate
within and for the District of Fairfield, Do
hereby certify, that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court
the Matter of the Application of
Jerusha Osborn for a pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the
seal of said Court of Probate
in Fairfield this 11th day of November
AD 1843 John A Alvord Clerk
Page 16

State [of] Connecticut
[District of] Fairfield } ss
[I John] A Alvord Clerk of the Court of Probate
[within] and for the District of Fairfield in
Fairfield County and State of Connecticut
Do hereby certify that Thomas Robinson
before whom the annexed Depositions of
John S Hyde Justus Sherwood and Augustus
Jennings were taken, and whose own proper
signatures as a Justice of the Peace known to
me to be genuine is affixed thereto is now,
and at the respective dates of s'd Depositions,
towit, the 12th day of September & 8th day of
November 1843 was a Justice of the Peace
in and for said County of Fairfield, duly
commissioned and acting as such, and
duly authorised by law to administer oaths
and take the acknowledgment of deeds

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand &
affixed the seal of said Court
of Probate at Fairfield
this 11th day of November
AD 1843

John A Alvord Clerk
Page 17

I John S Hyde of Westport in Fairfield County and State of
Connecticut, and of that part of Westport called Greens farms
which untill the month of May 1842 constituted a part of the
town of Fairfield, aged thirty five years, being duly cautioned
and sworn, Do depose and say, that I am one of the Deacons
of the Consociated Presbyterian Church of Greensfarms &
that when there is no settled Pastor, one of the Deacons holds
the Records of said Church, and there being at present
no settled Pastor, I as such Deacon hold said Records -
And I further depose and say that I find on s'd Records
the following entry under the head of "Marriages -
"John Osborn of Fairfield & Jerusha Buckley of Town
Seventeen hundred and Eighty March Sixteenth"
And I certify that it is a true copy of the Record with the
exception of the date which is expressed on the Record
in fair legible figures as follows -

"1780 March 16th"

And I further state that according to my best knowledge
and belief said Record was kept by and is in the hand
writing of the Rev Hezekiah Ripley, who before that
time and then, was, and for a great many years since
has been the Pastor of s'd Church and died in s'd Greensfarms
about twelve years since

I John S Hyde above named depose and say that
I hold the office of Deacon of s'd Church as above stated
and that the above is a true extract from the Records
of said Church with the exception above named
as certified by me. Dated at Westport this
12th day of September 1843.

John S. Hyde a Deacon of the Consociated Presbyterian Church
of Greensfarms

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss
On this 12th day of September 1843 personally appeared
John S. Hyde and made solemn oath to the truth
Page 18

of the facts stated in the foregoing deposition by him
subscribed, and I certify that said John S Hyde
is well known to me and is a credible person

Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace
Page 19

I Justus Sherwood of Fairfield in Fairfield
County and State of Connecticut aged
thirty Eight years, being duly cautioned and
sworn, Do depose and say, that I am
a practicing Physician in Southport in
said Fairfield, that as such I attended
John Osborn late of s'd Fairfield dec'd during
his last sickness - that said John Osborn
died in said Fairfield on the fifteenth day
of August in the year Eighteen hundred
and forty three at a very advanced age.
He the said John Osborn was a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States when he died
and has left a widow by the name of Jerusha
Osborn with whom I am well acquainted
and who is also very aged and has not
since married any other person. The
said John & Jerusha were reputed to have
lived together a long married life. I am
well aquainted with their children, the
oldest, from his appearance I should
according to my best knowledge &
belief must be sixty years old at least
if not more. Dated at Fairfield this 8th
day of November 1843

Justus Sherwood

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss
on this 8th day of November 1843 personally
Page 20

appeared Justus Sherwood and made solemn
oath to the truth of the facts stated in the
foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
and I certify that said Justus Sherwood is
well known to me and is a credible person

Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace
Page 21

I Augustus Jennings of Fairfield in the County
of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged
twenty nine years being duly cautioned and
sworn Do depose and say that I was well
acquainted with John Osborn late of said
Fairfield deceased who was a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States Said John
Osborn died in said Fairfield on the
fifteenth day of August in the year Eighteen
hundred and forty three. He left a
widow by the name of Jerusha Osborn
with whom I am also well acquainted
and who is still the widow of s'd John
Osborn. I am also well acquainted with
the children of said John and Jerusha
and should judge the oldest to be as
much as sixty years old or more
I was present at the funeral of John
and live in the same neighborhood
where he died, and was present & watched
with him at different times during
his last sickness. Dated at Fairfield
this 8th day of November AD 1843

Augustus Jennings

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss
On this 8th day of November 1843 personally
Page 22

appeared Augustus Jennings and made solemn
oath to the truth of the forts stated in the
foregoing Deposition by him subscribed
and I certify that I am well acquainted with
said Jennings and that he is a credible
person. Thomas Robinson Jus of Peace

[written upwards in 2 of 4 folds:]

6036
[crossed out: "Jerusha Robinson"]
wid. of

6036
Jerusha Osborn
Widow of
John Osborn
Con
Page 23

[Left side]
Hurd
SV.C.
[illegible]

[Middle section]
Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 21875
Jerusha Osborn
widow of
John Osborn
Pri Rev War
Act: July 4th 36
Index:-- Vol. H, Page 104
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right side]
Service to Rickard
June 14. 1892.
St Pace
Page 24

6036
Jerusha Osborn
Wid of
John Osborn
Con

Let to Thos. Robinson July 31 '44L
Page 25

[faint, some guesswork here]
1 - 2 mo 1776 Capt Thorp Col Waterbury
2 - 3 - 1776 Coast Guard
3 - 3 - 1777 do do
4 - 2 - 1777 Do - Fairfield Col Dimon
5 - 3 - 1778 Coast Guard
6 - 3 - 1779 Capt Thorp
7 - 2 - 1779 - Cap. Hill [?]
8 - 3 1780 or 1781 Cap Morehouse
---
21 mo  [illegible]
Page 26

4.643
22.547 [?]
John Osborn
Cont
Adm 1 yr 9 months
40 [+] 30[=] $70
Hon G. Tomlinson
Fairfield
Conn't
Page 27

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Osborn which require
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout [sic] of pension
he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? No
Page 28

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? No

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining
it? None

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
It does not appear that the best evidence has been produced

XIV. If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under
his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
---
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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."
Page 29

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.

[dagger] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as
well as the regiment, company, and line to which be 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.

[double dagger] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

As the claimant lived in the place where most of
the services were rendered, and did not belong
to the stated companies of Coast guards raised
by  the state, it must distinctly appear that he
was in actual service during the whole periods which
he claims.

[list of numbers, presumed to be months claimed; cf. image 25:]
2, 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 3
Page 30

Southport, Con, August 28th 1844

J L Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions

Sir

I herewith forward a Certificate
from the Comptroller of Pub Acts of this State, as evidence
in support of the Claim of Jerusha Osborn widow of John Osborn
for a pension, which certificate, I trust will be deemed
a satisfactory answer to the requirement in your letter of
the 31st July which is also herewith sent.

I notice that the Certificate mentions Lieut Abijah
Morehouse, and I suppose that the Declarant John Osborn
must have considered him Capt inasmuch as he served
under him as the Commandant of the Guards.

I am very Respectfully
your obedt Serv't
Thomas Robinson
Page 31

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Conn't 21 Aug. 1844.

On application for evidence of the service of
John Osborn in the War of the Revolution, I have examined the
documents remaining in this office relating to that war, and find
no pay roll of Capt. Morehouse's Company, under whom he is said
to have served. But in "Haskells Receipts" at the date of 9 Decem'r
1780, is this entry,

"Bills & Acct  Purposes.  State Money
Lt. Abijah Morehouse - ditto [Coast Guard] Fairfield - 60.4.8"

And I certify that the above extract and statement
is correct.

A Carrington, Comptroller
Page 32

Pension Office
July 31. 1844

Sir

The Act of 4 July 1836, under which Mrs Jerusha
Osborn, widow of John Osborn Claims a pension provides
for those widows only whose marriage took place
previous to the expiration of their husbands service. The
evidence presented in this case shew that the marriage
took place on the 16th March 1780 and the last term of
service set forth by her husband was under Captain
Abijah Morehouse in "1780 or 1781." In order to ascertain
whether the claim can be allowed under the act of 4th July
1836, it will be necessary for Mrs Osborn to produce a
certificate from the Comptrollers Office at Hartford
shewing the precise date the tour of duty under Capt
Abijah Morehouse in "1780 or 1781" was performed.

The date of the Marriage in 1780, and the service
for 21 months is satisfactory.

I am very respectfully,
Your ob Servant
J L Edwards

Thomas Robinson Esq
Southport,
Con.
Page 33

[Postmark] SOUTH PORT CON. SEP 13

free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

[Written vertically at left]
Sept [illegible] 43
Jn'o Osborn
Ct Act '32.
Page 34

Southport, Con, Sept 12 1843

J L Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions

Sir

John Osborn, who was a resident of Fairfield
Connecticut, and died on the fifteenth day of August last past,
was pensioned under the act of June 7, 1832, at the rate of $70 per
annum, and has left a widow named Jerusha Osborn aged about
Eighty six years, who was married to John in the year 1780 and
now wishes to apply for a pension.

As there was no copy taken of said John's Declaration under
the act of 1832 I wish therefore in behalf of his said widow, to
ascertain the dates and length of the different services of said
John, and the names of the officers under whom rendered
as claimed and stated by him in his said Declaration.
It is said that he performed some service after his
Marriage.

The object of the above request is to ascertain under what
Act to apply, whether the act of 1836 or 1838 as well as
to aid in obtaining evidence from the Comptroller of Pub Acs
of this State, if necessary. By complying with the above
request and giving the same an early attention,
you will confer a great favor.

I am very Respectfully
your obedient Servant
Thomas Robinson
Page 35

6036
Jerusha Osborn
Con't
Act July 4th 36
ad'd [admitted]
21 m [months]
priv [private]
$70 pr an [per annum]
from 15 Aug '43 the
day of his death-

Thomas Robinson Esq
Southport
Con't
Page 36

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Washington
Page 37

Southport / Con / Nov 11th 1843
J L Edwards Esq
Comm'r of Pensions
Dear Sir

I forward to you herewith the
Pension claim of Jerusha Osborn of Fairfield Con,
widow of John Osborn. The original claim of
said John Osborn is on file in the Pension office.
He was pensioned under the Act of Congress of June
7, 1832, and was at the date of his application, and
always, a resident of said Fairfield

In behalf of the applicant, who is a worthy person
and in very feeble health as well as poor in a
pecuniary point of view, I would respectfully
request your earliest convenient attention
to her claim.

I am very respectfully
Your obedt Serv't
Thomas Robinson
Page 38

[Faint postmark] FAIRFIELD CONN Augt 29
FREE
James L. Edwards Esq'r
Com. of Pensions
Washington

[Written upward]
C't.
rec'd Sept 2.
Page 39

Fairfield Aug. 29. 1833

Sir

In returning the pension
application of John Osborn with
his explanatory declaration and
the joint affidavit of several
Gentlemen whose character is stated
by Judge Hill, I take leave to commend
his case to your early consideration

With high regard
I am yours
G. Tomlinson
Page 40

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss

On this 28th day of August AD 1833 personally appeared before a special
Court of Probate held at Fairfield in & for the Probate District of Fairfield
in Fairfield County State of Connecticut & now Sitting John Osborn a
resident of Fairfield in s'd County & State, aged now seventy seven years who
being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following
Declaration explanatory of a Declaration by him made on the 27th day of
August AD 1832 before s'd Court of Probate at a Special Session thereof held at
Fairfield in the District afors'd on the 27th day of August AD 1832 in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

In his original declaration the Declarant stated that in the month
of March 1776 then enrolled in a Company of Militia in s'd Fairfield Commanded by Capt
Eliphalet Thorp in Col Waterburys Reg't he served on a Tour of Duty to the City of
New York for two months together with s'd Comp'y & returned home a few months
before s'd City was evacuated by the American Troops. The Declarant now say
that s'd service was truly & correctly stated.

In his original Declaration the Declarant further stated that in the same
year 1776 he was drafted from the same Comp'y for three months & served the same
on guard on the sea coast of s'd Fairfield under Sergeant James Bulkley, stationed
at the Village of Mill River and Southport in s'd Fairfield. The Declarant now says
that s'd service was truly & correctly stated and at this time Lewis was Col
of the Reg't.

In his original Declaration the Declarant further stated that in 1777
he was again drafted from the same Comp'y & served for three months on guard
stationed at McKenzies point on s'd sea coast. The Declarant now says that
s'd service was truly & correctly stated, that Gould at this time was Col of the
Reg't to which Declarant belonged, that Col Gould was killed at Ridgefield
in an engagement with the British to which place Declarant proceeded &
was in s'd engagement as stated in his original Declaration. This Tour of duty
embraced a period of four or five days and [illegible] during the aforementioned
term of drafted service for three months he having left the guard service
for the time to perform this Tour of duty, at this time Danbury was burnt
as he originally stated.

The Declarant further stated in his original declaration
that in the fall of the same year 1777 he served on a Tour of duty to Fishkill
State of New York for two months and was under the command of Lieut Penfield
Page 41

Col Jonathan or David Dimon of the Reg't. The Declarant now states that
s'd service was truly & correctly stated, that he was then attached to Capt Thorps
Company & performed the Tour of duty as aforementioned under Lieut Penfield of s'd
Comp'y

In his original declaration the Declarant further stated that
in 1778 he served on guard on the sea coast of s'd Plainfield stationed at
Mill River for at least three months but thinks for a longer time as a
drafted person from s'd Capt Thorps Comp'y. The Declarant now states
that he is sure that in 1778 he was drafted from s'd Comp'y for a term not
less than three months, stationed as afors'd & served out the full term in guarding
s'd Coast. Dimon was Col of the Reg't at this time.

In his original declaration the Declarant further stated that
in 1779 he was drafted from the same comp'y and served for a term of
three months on guard as afors'd during which service the Town of Fairfield
was burnt by the British under Genl Tryon, and also Norwalk an adjoining town to which
place declarant proceeded. The Declarant now says that s'd service
was truly & correctly stated, that he was drafted for three months & served
the full term as afors'd taken from Capt Thorps Comp'y Col Dimons Reg't
and that s'd service commenced before & continued till after the burning
of Fairfield which was in July of that year.

In his original declaration the Declarant further stated that
in the fall of the same year 1779 he was again drafted and served for
two months under Capt Ebenezer Hill at Newfield then so called now
Bridgeport which was then a part of s'd Fairfield. The Declarant now
says that s'd service was correctly stated, that he was drafted from
s'd Capt Thorps Comp'y Col Dimons Reg't and served the full term of
two months at s'd Newfield which was then a part of the town of Stratford
and not of Fairfield as stated, they being adjoining towns

In his original Declaration the Declarant further stated
that in 1780 or 1781 he served under draft as afors'd for three months
on s'd sea coast under Capt Abijah Morehouse. The Declarant now
says that he perfectly recollects that he was drafted from Thorps Comp'y
Col Dimons Reg't either in 1780 or 1781 which he can not now say and
that he served not less than three months under s'd Morehouse in
guarding the coast of s'd Fairfield. He also recollects of one service
under Sergeant David Osborn but when it was he cannot now
say, nor how long, and that owing to his old age and consequent
Page 42

loss of memory he cannot give any one material descriptions of his
services. And the Declarant further says that he served in embodied
Corps maintained by public authority, that he always served as a
private soldier and that his services were continuous, his time being
devoted to the services so that he was precluded from attending
to his private pursuits, he being in actual duty or in quarter
that he has procured & herewith forwarded the best evidence that
he knows of and he further says that the reason why he has
not procured the certificate of a clergyman as required is that the
old Clergymen of this Parish and also of the adjoining Parishes
with whom he was acquainted & who could have certified for him
are dead, and that all the clergymen of the town where he resides are
young men with whom he has no particular acquaintance, and
especially with the Clergyman of his parish who is a young man and
recently settled and from whom the Declarant lives at a remote distance
as well as at a remote distance from any other clergyman

John Osborn

Sworn & subscribed the day
and year afors'd before
David Hill Judge of Probate
for the District afors'd

And the s'd Court doth declare its opinion that the above named applicant
John Osborn was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states and
that he is well-known to the Court, as a person of good standing in
Society and possesses an unquestionable character for truth and
the Court doth further certify that Joseph Perry, Jonathan Bulkley,
Jeremiah Sturges & Andrew Bulkley who have signed & made oath
to the annexed certificate are well known to the Court, that they are
men of high respectability and are persons of unquestionable character,
for truth and integrity, and the Court doth for the certify that
Thomas Robinson before whom s'd certificate was subscribed and made
oath to & whose signature known to me to be genuine is affixed thereto
is now and was on the 26th day of August 1833 a Justice of the Peace for
Fairfield County Connecticut duly commissioned
and acting as such

David Hill Judge of Probate
Page 43

I David Hill Jr Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield
in Fairfield County, Connecticut Do hereby certify that the foregoing
explanatory Declaration of John Osborn was subscribed and sworn to
before s'd Court and I further certify that David Hill whose own proper
signature known to me to be genuine is affixed thereto as the Judge
of s'd Court is & for more than one year past has been the
Judge of s'd Court duly commissioned and acting as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my official seal this 28th day of August AD 1833

David Hill Jr Clerk
Page 44

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss Fairfield Aug 26th 1833

We Joseph Perry Jonathan Bulkley Jeremiah Sturges and
Andrew Bulkley all of the town & County of Fairfield
State of Connecticut do hereby certify that we are well
acquainted with John Osborn of s'd Fairfield in s'd County
& State an applicant for a pension under the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832 that we believe him to be
Seventy seven years of age that he is reputed & believed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier
of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
and we further certify that he is of good standing in
Society & possesses an unquestionable character for
truth

Joseph Perry
Jonathan Bulkley
Jeremiah Sturges
Andrew Bulkley

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss Fairfield August 26th 1833
Personally appeared Joseph Perry Jonathan Bulkley Jeremiah Sturges
and Andrew Bulkley and made oath to the truth of the foregoing
certificate by them subscribed and I certify that they are all well known to me and are persons of
high respectability and possess unquestionable character for truth and
integrity.

Thomas Robinson Jus Peace