Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 25124, for Elijah Steel, Connecticut
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Steel, Elijah
Hannah
NUMBER
W 25124
CONTENTS
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9533
Connecticut
Hannah Steel, decd, widow of Elijah - Con who was a private in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. & Endg October 1st 1843

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of May/54 and sent to J. Avery Skilton
Troy, New York
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and.]
Recorded in Book A, Vol. 2, Page 57

Let. J A. Shilton,
Aug. 21/54
Same Nov 18 1854
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No. 841
Hannah Steel decd 
wid of Elijah 
Connt.
Act 4 July 1836.
No agent known.
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State of Connecticut
Litchfield County ss
Be it remembered that on this 18th day of February 1851 personally appeared before me Allyn N Hungerford Judge of Probate within & for the Probate District of Watertown in said County & State Mrs. Chloe Skilton of said Waterton, aged seventy 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 July 4 1836. That she is the reputed daughter & only child of Elijah & Hannah Steel both late of said Watertown deceased & inherited as their Sole heir at law of both & each of them all the estate which they both & each of left at the time of their deaths respectively - that said Elijah Steel died at said Watertown August 21st AD 1830 & that the said Hannah Steel died at said Watertown October 1st AD 1840 & that after the decease of her husband she was never again, nor but once married - that she was married to said Elijah Steel when her name was Hannah Scovill some time during the first part of the year 1780 And that from the information she has received on the subject she verily believes that her father the said Elijah Steel served as a Private Soldier in the American Revolutionary Army three and one half years in the whole viz seven months & fourteen days in the Militia under Capt Trobridge of the 5th Company of the first Regiment raised by Order of the General Assembly  of Connecticut Enlisted May 6th 1775 Discharged Dec 20th same year four month under Capt Benjamin Richards at New York East Chester
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Ryneck &c &c four months under Capt Trobridge & lieut or Ensign Amos Hickox at West Haven, two months under Capt Joseph [illegible] & lieut or Ensign Noah Richards at Fishkill, Peekskill & contiguous places on the Hudson River, two months at the burning or taking of the following places viz Fairfield Norwalk, Danbury & New Haven. & again at New York after its evacuation by the British at the close of the war for a length of time of which said Chloe has no certain information, & also on the Hudson River at a time subsequent to the time of the service on the Hudson River under Capt Joseph [illegible] when said Steels company were encamped in close proximity to French troops: for a length of time of which said Chloe can give no certain information. And she further declares that except in the case of the service of seven months & fourteen days under Capt Trobridge no documentary evidence of the service of Elijah Steel has been found & that when said Steel enlisted or was draughted his settlement was in said Watertown. She further declares & deposes that she herself is the widow of James Skilton deceased to whom she was married in early life & that her maiden name was Chloe Steel & that she asks said Pension because she is the only child & sole heir at law of Elijah & Hannah Steel decd & because said Hannah never received any pension or stipend of any kind from the Treasury of the General Government, to which this deponent verily believes she was justly entitled under the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Chloe Skilton
Attest. Allyn M. Hungerford Judge-
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State of Connecticut
Litchfield County ss Watertown Feb 22d 1851
I Leman W Cutler Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of said Watertown do hereby certify that Allyn M Hungerford before whom the foregoing affidavit was taken and who signed the same, was at the time of taking the same the acting Judge of Probate for the District of Watertown in said State & County, that I am acquainted with his signature, and know the above to be genuine -
Witness my signature and the seal of our said Court at Watertown day and date as above written
Leman W. Cutler Clerk

This may certify that the deponent, Mrs Chloe Skilton, is a lady of undoubted veracity - of sound mind & memory, and in every respect a credible witness - Also the circumstance, that her father, the said Elijah Steele [Steel], served as a private in the war of the Revolution, is a fact well attested by the older members of this community.
Allyn M. Hungerford.
[Seal]
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JNP
O. W. and N. Division. 

Department of the Interior, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS, 
Washington, D. C.,Sept, 1893 
Sir 
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of Elijah Steele [Steel], a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will please find below the desired information as contained in the application for pension on file in this Bureau. by a daughter for his widow 

[Table column headers are:]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | RANK. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.

May 6. 1775
8 mo
Pri
Caleb Trowbridge
(in first regt)
Conn

It was claimed he served 3 1/2 year but could give no dates & names of Officer, being in N.Y City, on alarms, as burning of Danbury, Fairfield, Norwalk & other places of invasion

Battles engaged in, Siege of Boston,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Watertown, Litchfield Co Conn 
Date of application for pension, by daughter Feby 1851 
Residence at date of application, Watertown Conn 
Age at date of application, 70 years of daughter -He married fore part of 1780 to Hannah Scovill who died Oct 1. 1783 & her husband August 21, 1830 both at Watertown Conn 

Very respectfully, Commissioner. 
James A Skilton Esq
115 Broadway Boreel Building
New York City
7941 b-3 m
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State of New York
Town of Jefferson
Schoharie County ss Sept. 7, 1849
Personally appeared before Henry J Mattice one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County Lucy Gamsey and being duly sworn deposeth & saith. that she now resides in the town of Jefferson County of Schoharie & State of New York. that she is now Eighty three years of age. And that she resided in the town of Watertown, County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut until the year 1795 and further saith that she was acquainted with Elijah and Hannah Steele [Steel] of Watertown, Litchfield County aforesaid and that she was so acquainted before & after their marriage, which took place previous to the close of the Revolutionary War. And further saith that they lived together in a part of the house owned & occupied by David Gamsey, as man and wife previous to the year 1784 in Watertown aforesaid. And further saith that at the time they so lived they had a Daughter named Cloa, which is the only child they had to this deponents knowledge. And this deponent further saith that at the time Elijah & Hannah Steele lived as aforesaid this deponent lived within a mile or two of them, and that she (this deponent) was frequently at their house. & at times
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an entire week or more, and was very intimate with the family. And this deponent further saith that by common report Elijah Steele [Steel] served in the Army of the Revolutionary War. She has heard said Elijah Steele say he had been in the army about the time of the war aforesaid. And that she (this deponent) has head David Gamsey both at the time of the war and after, say that Elijah Steele served in the Army as aforesaid with him (Said David Gamsey) And this deponent further saith that she is sister to David Gamseys wife, who is now deceased. And further this deponent saith not
Lucy Gamsey [Signature]

Sworn & subscribed before me this Seventh day of September 1849
Henry P Mattice
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that Lucy Gamsey the deponent above named is a Lady of undoubted character for truth and veracity and in possession of her full mental power. And as to the truth of her Statement I am fully satisfied And I further certify that I am well acquainted with said Lucy Gamsey
Henry Mattice
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Town of Jefferson
County of Schoharie ss Sept 7, 1849
Personally appeared before Henry Mallice one of the justices of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid Parthena Judd. And being duly Sworn deposeth and saith that she now resides in the town of Jefferson County of Schoharie, that she is Seventy Seven years of age. And that she resided in the town of Watertown Litchfield County State of Connecticut previous to the year 1795. And that she was acquainted with Elijah and Hannah Steele [Steel] in Watertown aforesaid And that she was so acquainted with them after they lived together as man and wife in the house owned and occupied by David Gamsey previous to 1795. And this deponent further saith that at the time said Elijah & Hannah Steele so lived she (this deponent) lived with said David Gamsey and that she was very intimate with said Steels family. And that said Steels has a Daughter named Cloa which was the only child said Steels had to this deponents knowledge and belief.
And this deponent further saith that while she lived in Watertown aforesaid it was the common report that Elijah Steele had served in the Revolutionary Army. that this deponent has heard David Gamsey frequently say said Steele had served in the Army aforesaid with him
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and this deponent verily believes it to be true And further this deponent Saith not
Parthena Judd
Sworn & Subscribed before me this Seventh day of September 1849
Henry P Mattice
Justice of the Peace

I hereby Certify that Parthena Judd the deponent above named is a Lady of truth & veracity, undoubted character. and in possession of her full mental power and I further Certify that I am well acquainted with said Parthena Judd and as to the truth of her Statement I am fully Sattisfied Dated September 7, 1849
Henry P Mattice
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
County of Rensselaer ss
Elijah S. Skilton of the town of Ravenna Portage County State of Ohio being duly sworn deposes and says that he knew Elijah Steel of Watertown Connecticut in his life time - that he knew said Steel twenty six years during the last of his life time and was a member of his family during seven years of that time - that on different occasions he has had conversation with said Steel that he believes him to have been a man of undoubted veracity possessing sterling principles of morality that he has often conversed with said Steel in regard to occurrences connected with the Revolutionary war - that he has heard said Steel often say that he was a private in said war - and that he served as an American soldier as follows. first at Boston in the year 1775 and afterwards at New York on two different occasions on the Hudson River at West Haven And also that he was alarmed out on several occasions when the British landed on the coast of Connecticut. - that said Steel told said Skilton the following circumstances connected with his service as an American soldier & (s'd Skilton believes them to be true) viz that the s'd Steel enlisted for the first time when about seventeen years of age and was sent to Boston where he was an eyewitness of the battle of Bunker Hill a short time after his arrival. & during which battle he with others picked up round shot fired from the shipping & carried them to the American guns to be fired back again.- that s'd Steel stood about the middle of the company the men being arranged according to the respective height of each, the tallest being
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placed on the right- that he sd Steel was in the city of New York as an American private soldier about one month & it was during warm weather and that during this time there occurred a thunder Storm & two American soldiers were killed by lightning & also that at one time the s'd Steel saw Gen Washington strike an American soldier twice with his cane for interrupting him while conversing with other officers on business, to ask permission to go home to his family- that the command to which he belonged was encamped at Horseneck & [illegible] town and various other places near by - that they were at one time under arms as a [illegible] and saw the wounded men carried by them, in carts, from the battle field. but the Americans being victorious they were not called into action at that time - that the s'd Steel was one of a party who captured a small boat on its way up the Hudson River and that from the captured British were taken several silver utensils. Among them a silver cup which fell into the possession of Capt Joseph Gamsey. And this deponent deposes & says that he has seen a silver cup at the house of Capt Joseph Gamsey said to be the same taken as above mentioned & that s'd Steel told this deponent that Capt Joseph Gamsey was the Captain of his company at s'd time & that David Gamsey was his comrade while on the Hudson & also while at New York the first time.- And also that he knew of two spies being taken & that one of them was said to have swallowed a silver bullet, which was obtained from him, the fires over thereafter & was found to contain a small piece of paper having the letter R written upon it. And that the meaning of the letter was understood to be "Send re inforcements."
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And also that s'd Steel told deponent that while encamped near a body of French troops he saw them kill hogs by slicking them & trowing them while alive into kettles of boiling water which to him was a strange sight - that at one time he was placed as guard over 3  Hessians prisoners who said they were taken when at a farm house in search of mil-uk (milk) as they pronounced it, & that this time was subsequent to the time of the Hessian troops being in the State of New Jersey. And this deponent further deposes & says that Elijah Steel also distinctly told deponent that he the s'd Steel was a private in the army & was in New York City after it was evacuated by the British troops but that his stay there was short,: And that deponent well recollects s'd Steels singular pronunciation of the word evacuated, in speaking of the fact.- that he s'd Steel mentioned the following as the names of some who were his companions in arms. viz Corporal Dunbar, Amos Hickox, Josiah Edwards, Allyn Judd, Demas Judd, Eli Curtis, Stephen Judd, Freeman Judd & David Scott
And this deponent also deposes & says that Elijah Steel never told deponent as far as he recollects [illegible] how long he was in the American Army, but from the various conversations he has had with sd Steel, it is his belief that he served about three years. & further that this deponent has several times in his youth seen a family record purporting to contain the marriage of Elijah Steel & Hannah Scovill & the birth of Chloe Steel their daughter with the dates of each, which deponent does not remember.- that he saw s'd Record at the house of s'd Steel in a family bible & that he afterwards saw sd bible often but the leaf containing s'd record was missing & Hannah Steel expressed regret for sd loss, to deponent.
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And that deponent has heard s'd Steel say that David Gamsey was about the time of the Revolutionary War his companion & friend & that for a time the s'd Steel lived under the same roof with s'd Gamsey And that deponent was about fourteen years of age when he saw s'd record & is now fifty years of age
Elijah S. Skilton [Signature]
Subscribed & sworn before me Nov. 27. 1850.
J.F. Wells Justice Peace Troy N.Y

County of Rensselaer ss. Avery J Skilton of the City of Troy in said County being duly sworn deposes & says that Elijah S Skilton named in the foregoing affidavit is a brother of deponent, & that he resides in the town of Ravenna Ohio. That he is a man of truth and integrity and good character and of retentive memory, and that he has been so situated as to have ennabled him to be well acquainted with the facts & statements set forth in his said affidavit.
Avery J. Skilton
Subscribed & sworn before me November 27, 1850 and I certify that I am well acquainted with the above named Avery J Skilton and that he is a practising physician in regular practice and good standing in the City of Troy - 
J.F. Wells
Justice Peace Troy N.Y
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STATE OF NEW YORK,
RENSSELAER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss.
I, AMBROSE H. SHELDON, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that J F Wells before whom the annexed affidavit was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County, this 27 day of Nov 1850
A H Sheldon, Clerk &c
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State of New York
Delaware County ss
David Gamsey of the town of Harpersfield in said County being duly sworn deposes and says That he is ninety one years of age and that he was a soldier in the American Revolutionary Army and is now entitled to and receives a pension for his services in said Army -
That he was at the time of his enlistment in the American army a resident of Watertown Litchfield County Connecticut - That he well knew Elijah Steel also of said Watertown -that he was about of the same age as deponent and was brought up in the same town of Watertown and lived very near this deponent - that said Steel enlisted in the Army at the same time with deponent at the time of deponents first enlistment and in the same company in the American Army and that said Steel and deponent were present and in the American service at the taking of New York by the British that they said said Steel and deponent were soon after at East Chester West Chester and and Ryeneck New York and contiguous places that the company was commanded by Capt Benjamin Richards and said Steel and deponent were in service at this time four months
Deponent further says that subsequent to the above service he was in the American Revolutionary service with said Steel at West Haven four months where he and said Steel served under Capt Trobridge and Lieutenant Amos Hickox and that to the best of his recollection he and said Steel were on this occasion drafted. And deponent further says that he and said Steel were also in said service at Fishkill Peekskill and other places on the North River under
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(the Capts name deponent cannot recollect)
Ensign or Lieutenant Noah Richards and were at this time also members of the same company and that said company formed part of a detachment sent in pursuit of the English who were attempting to join the Army of Burgoyne and that said detachment was halted at Redhook for the night when news was received of the surrender of Burgoyne when the whole body of men gave three hurrahs and that deponent and said Steel were in service at this time two months
And deponent further says that he and said Steel were alarmed out on several different occasions as follows At the burning of Fairfield of Norwalk and Danbury and at the taking of New Haven and that he and said Steel were on service during all of said alarms about two months.
And deponent further says that said Steel was drafted again into the service and served therein for some length of time but deponent cannot say how long nor under what officer. Nor can the deponent say that the service above specified are all that said Steel rendered in said war
And deponent further says that said Steel was in the spring of 1780 married to Hannah Scovill and that he recollects it to have been the spring after the hard winter That he was not present at the marriage but that he knew of its occurrence as well as it could be known by one not present at the ceremony Their marriage was a public and notorious fact
Deponent says that he knew said Hannah Scovill before her marriage with said Steel and that they after their marriage lived with
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deponent in the years 1781 and 1782 as man and wife and that they had at that time a child named Chloe the only child they ever had and that said Steel never had a wife except the said Hannah, who survived him
And deponent further says that it is and has been his firm belief that said Steel was in said American army Subsequent to his said marriage and previous to the close of said Revolutionary War but cannot say at what place nor for what length of time
And deponent says that Eben W Judd, Lambert Woodruff, Thomas Merchant, Amos Gamsey and Nathaniel Merrill were also in the same company with deponent and said Steel at Ryeneck and contiguous places under said Capt Richards in the American service 
David Gamsey [Signature]
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th day of December 1849
Nelson L Thorp Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named deponent David Gamsey is personally known to me and that he is a pensioner and a man of good moral character and that he retains his mental faculties well for a person of his age and a man of undoubted veracity
Nelson L Thorp Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Delaware County Clerks Office ss
I Wm McClaughry Clerk of Said County & Clerk of the Supreme Court do hereby certify that Nelson L. Thorp Esqr before whom the annexed deposition purports to have been taken was at the time of taking such deposition a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Delaware Elected & Sworn & duly authorised by law to take the same & that his Signature thereto is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said County this 10th day of December 1849
Wm McClaughry Clerk
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Hannah Steel
Deed from Saml Gamsey & Saml Gamsey Jr Recd to Record March 22d 1792 and Recorded in Watertown 5th Ledger Book Page 455 & 456 
pr A[illegible] Bradley Town Clerk

B5 P455 & 456
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To all People to whom these Presents shall come Greeting
Know ye that We Samuel Gamsey and Samuel Gamsey jun of Watertown Litchfield County and State of Connecticut For the Consideration of One hundred & forty pounds four Shillings & eight pence Lawful money Received to full Satisfaction of Elijah Steel of Watertown County & State aforesaid Do give grant bargain Sell & confirm unto Hannah Steel (consort of the sd Elijah Steel) A certain piece of Land in sd Watertown Situated in the Village so called being a part of the fifteenth Lot in number & Originally laid out in the right of Abram And[illegible] Bounded as follows viz beginning at a heap of Stones thirteen rods - North 9 1/2 Deg. W. of the East part of the Barn at a corner for the West Side of Litchfield road and the South Side of the cross highway. And runs W.15 Deg South. Eighty rods & 19 Links to a heap of Stones then South 5 Deg. East. thirty Six rods 14 Links to a heap of Stones then East 1 deg N. forty One rods to a heap of Stones then East. 5 deg N. twenty five rods to a heap of Stones then South 15 deg E three rods & one Link then East. 4 Deg N Eighteen rods & Six Lin to a heap of Stones at the highway then North. 9 1/2 deg W [illegible] five rods to the first mentioned Corner and Will contain Seventeen Acres and thirteen rods of Ground With two Barns standing thereon but note the small Barn and part of the Land above described is Subject to an incumbrance during the life of Desire Gamsey Widow of d[illegible] Jonathan Gamsey deceased. Sd Land will Bound East & North on Highway West. on Jonathan Gamsey & Daniel Gamsey South on Elijah Steels Land To have & to hold the above granted & bargained Premises with the Appurtinances there of unto her the sd Hannah Steel her heirs & Assigns forever to her and their Own proper Use and behoof. And Also we. the sd Grantors do for ourselves Heirs Executors & Adminestrators Covenant with the sd Grantee & her heirs and Assigns that at and untill the insealing these presents we are well Seized of the Premises as a good indefeasible estate in fee Simple and have good right to Bargain & Sell the same in manner and form as is above Written And that the same is free of all incumbrances whatsoever except that of widow Desire Gamsey as above written And furthermore we the sd Grantors do by these presents Bind our Selves & our Heirs for ever to warrant and defend the above granted and bargained Premises to her the sd Grantee & her heirs & Assigns against all claims and demands Whatsoever except the widow above mentioned in Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & Seal this 27 day of February Anno Domini 1792
Samuel Gamsey [Signature]
Samuel Gamsey Jrnr [Signature]
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of -
Eli Cor[illegible]ss
Tho. [illegible]

Litchfield County ss Watertown the day and date above personaly appeared Saml Gamsey & Samuel Gamsey jun Signer & Sealer of the foregoing instrument and acknowlegd the same to be his free act & deed before me Tho. [illegible] Just of the Peace
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This certifies that in the 5th volume of the Watertown Land Records, the 455th and 456th pages, I find the within and foregoing Deed of Land duly recorded, as appears by comparison thereof. this day
Attest
Leman W Cutler
Town Clerk
Watertown Oct 20th 1849
Page 24

Brief in the case of Hannah Steel, decd, widow of Elijah Steel, Litchfield County and State of Connecticut- act July 7 1838-
Claim, ("original,") 
Proof exhibited, (if original.) 
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Service of husband of 7 months and 14 days shown by Certificate of Comptroller of Connecticut [see letter to J. Avery Skilton, July 8, 1853]
Marriage (before January 1794) shown by record proof of marriage of a daughter of the parties in 1799- and parol evidence certified to be credible.
Death of Joseph in 1830 and Hannah October 1 1843, satisfactorily shown by witnesses certified to be credible
Heirship of the claimant shown by Certificate of a Court of Record.
Pension, at rate of $24.87 1/2 c per annum, allowed from 4th March 1836 to October 1st 1843, excepting two years (viz from 4th March 1841 to 4th March 1843) payable to Chloe Skilton, sole surviving child of said deceased widow.

Name and residence of Agent
J. Avery Skilton, Troy, New York.
R Geddes Examining Clerk.
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Litchfield County
Watertown Connecticut ss
Personally appeared this 10th day of Dec 1849 Newton Ensign & Angeline Ensign Wife of the sd Newton, Being duly sworn, Depose & Say That they were present at the time & Witness of the Death of Hannah Steel the Widow of Elijah Steel & mother of Chloe Skilton Widow of James Skilton - And that her Death took place on the 1st day of October AD Eighteen Hundred forty three, in the town & County & State aforesaid
Newton Ensign
Angeline Ensign
The interlineation was made before the signatures
Henry B Skilton Justice of the Peace
Sworn to before me this 10th day of Dec 1849 Henry B Skilton
Justice of the Peace

Oct 16th 1849
Henry B Skilton
Justice of the peace

Oct 20th 1849
Henry B Skilton
Justice of the peace
Page 26

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
LITCHFIELD COUNTY, ss. Litchfield,
I Frederick D Beeman Assistant Clerk of the COUNTY COURT of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry B Skilton is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized to administer OATHS and to take the acknowledgment of DEEDS. And that his his commission was dated on the 18th day of June A. D., 1849 and will expire on the 4th day of July AD 1850 and that the signatures of the foregoing instrument purporting to be his are true and genuine

Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 11th day of December A. D., 1849
Frederick D. Beeman
Assistant Clerk
[Seal]
Page 27

State of Connecticut
New Haven County ss Waterbury Town Clerks Office
October 18th 1849 -
I hereby certify that I have examined carefully the Town Records of the Town of Waterbury & do not find any Record of the Marriage of Elijah Steele [Steel] & Hannah Scovill thereon -
Attest Theodore S. Buel
Town Clerk

State of Connecticut
New Haven County Waterbury October 18th 1849
I Theodore S. Buel above named depose and say that I hold the Office of Town Clerk in the County, town & State aforesaid - 
Theodore S. Buel

Sworn before me
Edward B Cooke, Justice of the Peace

Clerk's Certificate.
Sold by Skinner & Sperry, 154 Chapel Street, New Haven.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
COUNTY OF NEW HAVEN,
COUNTY COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE. ss.
I, Henry G. Lewis Clerk, of the County Court, within and for New Haven County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify :-THAT,
Edward B. Cooke Esquire was on the 18th day of October 1849 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts, and attestations; that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature; and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony Whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court at the City of New Haven, in said County, and State, on this 6th day of November A. D. 1849 
Henry G. Lewis [Signature]
Clerk.
[Seal]
Page 28

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
LITCHFIELD COUNTY, ss. Litchfield:
I Frederick D. Beeman Assistant Clerk of the COUNTY COURT of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Leman W. Cutler of Watertown in said County is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized to administer OATHS and to take the acknowledgment of DEEDS. And that his commission was dated on the 18th day of June, A. D., 1849 and will expire on the 4th day of July A. D., 1850. & that the signature to the accompanying instrument purporting to be his, is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this 2d day of January A. D., 1850.
Frederick D. Beeman
Assistant Clerk
[Seal]
Page 29

Litchfield County ss Watertown State of Connecticut
Personally appeared this 20th day of October AD 1849
Henry B Skilton and being duly sworn, made oath that he was present at the time and was a Witness of the death of Elijah Steel the Husband of Hannah Steel, and Father of Chloe Steel, the wife James Skilton, on the 21st day of August AD 1830 - and also that he was present at the time, and witnessed the death of the above named James Skilton, which took place April 9th 1848
Leman W Cutler
Justice of the peace
Page 30

State of Connecticut
Town of Watertown
County of Litchfield ss James Gamsey of the town of Watertown in said county being duly sworn says that in the winter of the year 1779-1780 Elijah Steel of Watertown Conn lived in his fathers family in said town where he said Gamsey was born brought up & has ever since lived & where said Gamsey was living at that time Said Elijah Steel boarded in his fathers family during the whole of the said winter of 1779-1780 & was an unmarried person as deponent says but that in the ensuing spring to wit the spring of the year 1780, but at what precise time deponent does not recollect, the said Elijah Steel was married to Hannah Scovill also of Watertown. that he, this deponent was not present at the ceremony but had previous information & knowledge in regard to its occurrence before & at the time of its occurrence & other information - Knew that was to & did occur & has full recollection of the fact
Page 31

And deponent says that soon after their said marriage the said Elijah Steel & his wife came to reside near the said deponent in Watertown & that they there continued to reside until the time of the death of the said Elijah Steel which took place in August 1830 And deponent further says that said Elijah & Hannah Steel had one child Chloe Steel who was the only child of said marriage & who subsequently married James Skilton Esq of Watertown who is now deceased. And deponent further says that he has heared said Elijah Steel say he was in the American Revolutionary Army as a soldier in the year 1775 or 6 near Boston & at another time near Horseneck & has heared him relate anecdotes & occurrences which took place in the American Army
James Gamsey
Witnesses
Maria E Bassett
Henry B Skilton
Watertown Oct 9th 1849 Personally appeared James Gamsey & made solemn Oath to the above testimony before me
Henry B Skilton Justice of the Peace

I hereby Certify that James Gamsey the Deponent above named is a Gentleman of undoubted character for truth & veracity and in possession of his full mental powers And as to the truth of his statement I am satisfied And I further Certify that I am well acquainted with the above sd James Gamsey
Henry B Skilton
Justice of the  Peace-
Page 32

State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield
Town of Watertown SS
May 5th 1854
I Leman W Cutler Judge of Probate within & for the District of Watertown in said County, hereby certify that Chloe Skilton relict of James Skilton of said Town dec'd, is personally known to me, and that she is also known to me to be the only surviving child & sole heir of Elijah & Hannah Steel of said Town deceased.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this day & year above written -
Leman W Cutler
Judge of Probate
[Seal]
Page 33

Henry P Mattice
Justice of the Peace
September 7, 1849
Schoharie County
Clerks Office ss. I Stephen Maham Clerk of said County Do hereby certify Henry P. Mattice Esquire is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Elected and Sworn that his term of Office as such Justice commenced on the first day of January 1847. And will Expire on the 31st day of December 1850 And that his Signiture above written is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official Seal this 10th day of September A. D. 1849.
Stephen Maham Clerk
Page 34

State of New York
Rensselaer County ss Avery J. Skilton of the City of Troy in said County being duly sworn deposes and says that he knew Elijah Steel of Watertown Litchfield County Connecticut during the last twenty two years of his life & that during such time he resided in Watertown in s.d county & State - that he has often conversed with s'd Steel & on various subjects - that he believes him to have been a man of undoubted veracity & of high moral principle that he has conversed with s'd Steel on many occasions in relation to occurrences connected with the Revolutionary War. - that he has heared said Steel say frequently that he was a private in the American army in s.d war - that on one occasion s'd Steel told this deponent that he was in the Army as an American soldier during s.d Revolutionary war about three years & six months (3 1/2 years) that he did service as an American soldier in s.d Army at various times & places viz at or near Boston, at New York city twice, on the banks of the Hudson River & at several different alarms when the British landed on the coast of Connecticut. And s.d Skilton further deposes & says that s'd Steel told him that he sd Steel was a private in s.d Army when it was driven from New York by the British That he was in s.d city as a soldier subsequently near the close of the s.d war.- And also that at one time while in s'd service the company to which he sd Steel belonged was encamped upon the banks of the Hudson
Page 35

river between Peekskill & New York City in close proximity to a body of French troops - that he s'd Steel was once placed as guard over three Hessian prisoners - that he at some time during his service was engaged in picking up round Shot fired from British shipping as were others also & when they were perceived by the enemy they were fired upon & three officers saw it necessary to  command them to desist.- that he s'd Steel was with his company at Horseneck  Kingsbridge & other places contiguous - that while in New York city he saw Genl Washington strike a solder with his cane, who interrupted his conversation with other officers to ask permission to go home to his family- that for the earlier part of his s'd Steels service he enlisted but that for his last or near the last service he was draughted. that David Gamsey formerly of Watertown Connecticut & now of Harpersfield N York was his sd Steels friend & companion before & during sd war & served in the same company.- that he sd Steel was in N York city as an American soldier once previous & again subsequent to his having the small pox And that he was a private in the s.d American Army at or near the time it was disbanded & was in N York City after it was evacuated by the British And deponent also deposes & says that previous to the AD 1818 he this deponent saw in the house of sd Steel a family Record containing the marriage of the s'd Elijah Steel to one Hannah Scovill that by said Record it appeared that s'd marriage was solemnized in the former part of the year 1780
Page 36

that he this deponent knew said Hannah wife of said Elijah Steel during the lifetime of s.d Elijah some twenty two years & that after the death of said Elijah she remained a widow some thirteen years & until the death of the said Hannah.
Avery J. Skilton

Sworn to before me December 2 1850
G Robertson Jr  Justice Peace Renss: Co N.Y

State of New York
County of Rensselaer ss James A Skilton of the city of Troy County of Rensselaer State of New York being duly sworn deposes and says that he has made frequent and diligent search among all town parish & family Records where the marriage of Elijah Steel and Hannah Scovill ought to have been recorded and has failed to find any record of sd marriage of sd Elijah Steel and Hannah Scovill, both of Watertown Litchfield County Connecticut
James A. Skilton
Sworn to before me  December 2. 18[illegible]0
G Robertson Jr
Justice Peace Renss Co N.Y
Page 37

Rensselaer County ss I G Robertson Jr the within named Justice do hereby certify that I am & for a long time have been acquainted with Avery J Skilton and James A Skilton the within named deponents & that they are severally men of good standing in the community & perfectly credible witnesses
G Robertson Jr
Justice Peace
Renss Co: N.Y

STATE OF NEW YORK,
RENSSELAER COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, ss.
I, AMBROSE H. SHELDON, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that G. Robertson Jr Esq before whom the annexed Affidavit was made, and whose name is thereto subscribed, was at the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto subscribed is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said County, this Second day of December 1850
A H Sheldon, Clk [illegible]

Compl
Page 38

Troy N. Y. Sept. 11, 1852
To the Comr of Pensions
Sir,
I am desired by a worthy constituent to enquire of you in reference to the Pension claim of Mrs. Cloe Steel of Watertown Conn. who made her declaration for a pension under the Act of July 4, 1836 the papers were sent on to the Department in April 1851. - But the applicant has not been able to obtain any decision on the case - I presume the papers have been mislaid or overlooked in the office - Your early attention is requested. Yours truly
D R S[illegible]
Page 39

State of Connecticut
Comptroller Office
Hartford October 13th 1849

I certify that upon application for evidence of the service of Elijah Steel, in the war of the Revolution I have examined the Books and Documents relating to that war, remaining in this Office and find the name of the said Elijah Steel in a Pay Roll under the following heading viz "A Pay Roll of the 5th Company in the 1st Regiment, rais'd pr Order General Assembly Colony Connecticut May A.D. 1775," and opposite sd name are the following entries viz, |Time Enlisted May 6th | |Time Discharged, Dead or Deserted, including time for the discharged to return home at 15 miles pr day, Decr 20th| Months & days in service 7 mos 14 days | Wages due [Pound symbol]14.18.18 | When recd. Colony Provision June 8th | Days billeted themselves 33 | Billeting due [Pound symbol]0.16.6 | Total amount [Pound symbol]15.15.2.

I find also in the same Pay Roll, the following names viz, Eli Curtis, Clerk. Amos Hicox, Corporal. Joel Judd, Drummer, Daniel Judd Freeman Judd, Demar Judd, Stephen Judd, and Allyn Judd, Privates.
Caleb Trobridge was Captain of same 5th Company.
Abijah Catlin Comptroller
Page 40

Litchfield County ss Watertown State of Connecticut

This may Certify, that I have this day made a careful examination of the Watertown Record of Marriages, and can find no Record of the marriage of Elijah Steel and Hannah Scovill -
Attest 
Leman W Cutler
Town Clerk

Watertown Oct 20th 1849

Litchfield County ss Watertown State of Connecticut
This may Certify that upon the Watertown Record of marriages I find, in words and figures, the following viz. "James Skilton son of Avery and  Parthenia Skilton, was married to Chloe Steel daughter of Elijah and Hannah Steel"
I hereby certify that the above 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 viz
"June 30th AD. 1799."
Attest
Leman W Cutler
Town Clerk

I, Leman W Cutler above named, depose and say, that I hold the Office of Town Clerk, in the County, Town, and State aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
Leman W Cutler
Page 41

Litchfield County ss Watertown Conn. Oct. 20th 1849
Then the within and foregoing was Sworn to before me

Henry B Skilton
Justice of the Peace
Page 42

11.667
Connecticut
Hannah Steel decd, widow of Elijah who died on the - of - in the State of Connt who was a private in the - commanded by Captain - of the - commanded by - in the Revolution for 7 months 14 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford at the rate of 24 Dollars 87 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24" day of May 1854 and sent to J. Avery Skelton
Troy, N. Y.

Arrears to the 4th of 
Semi-annual allowance ending

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by H.R. Weightman Clerk
Book D. Vol. 1. Page 95
Page 43

Rvy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 25124
Hannah Steel wid. of Elijah Steel
Priv. Rev. war
Act: Mch. 3rd 1843.
Index :-Vol. L, Page 250
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 44

1893 Sept 5 Hist to Mr. J A Skelton N.Y. 
[illegible]S.

Mch. 14, 1905 History to John D. Skilton, Phila - Pa.

Apl. 14, 1905 letter to above
Page 45

M[illegible] H. B. Skilton
Page 46

Watertown Oct 9th 1849 Litchfield Co. Connecticut
I, Benjamin H Judd of sd Watertown Depose & say that I am in my Eightieth year & I was knowing to the fact that my father Joel Judd served in the American Army as Drummer near Boston in the year 1775 & also often heard him speak of Elijah Steel of sd Watertown serving with him at the same time & in the same Company & have often heard them relate occurrences & incidents which happened there that they had knowledge of they were often together conversing about the scenes there enacted I also have known the sd Elijah Steel & Hannah, his wife, ever since, until their Death, & testify that they lived together as man & wife until Death
Benjamin H. Judd [Signature]

Witnesses
Huldah Porter [Signature] 
Rhoda Gilbert [Signature]

The interlineations in the above were inserted previous to the signatures above

Watertown Oct 9th 1849 
Henry B Skilton Justice of Peace
personally appeared the above sd Benjamin H. Judd & made solemn Oath to the above written testimony before me
Henry B Skilton Justice of Peace

I hereby Certify Benjamin H Judd the Deponent above named is a Gentleman of undoubted Character for truth & veracity and in full possession of his mental powers And as to the truth of his statement I am fully satisfied And I further Certify that I am well acquainted with the above sd Benjamin H Judd

Henry B Skilton
Justice of the Peace
Page 47

Written to 31 Dec 1853
Page 48

Troy Nov 1[illegible] 1853

Commissioner of Pensions
Dr Sir
I am in receipt of a copy of a letter addressed to me at Savannah nearly two months after I had left that city, stating that the claim of Chloe Skilton as daughter of Hannah Steel had been allowed for 7 months 14 days under the act of July 7 1838 & that the proof was not deemed sufficient to warrant any further allowance. I wish to know wherein the proofs are not sufficient as I have other testimony to offer.
Meantime I have taken measures to obtain the proper proofs that Chloe Skilton is the only surviving daughter of Hannah Steel
Yours Truly J. Avery Skilton
Page 49

Savannah Ga April 5 1853
Commissioner of Pensions
Some time in April 1851 I sent papers supporting the claim of Chloe Skilton of Watertown Conn to back Revolutionary Pension as heir & only child of Elijah Steel Since mailing them I have been unable to learn anything of them. athough I am pursuaded they are in the Department. at Washington. I corresponded with the Department last summer from Troy NY & was informed that no such papers could be found. I have recently been informed that it is customary to throw one side all papers supporting such claims. whenever said papers & certificates are not attached in a certain manner These papers have been collected at great expense & cannot probably be replaced [illegible]r has been deferred to the widow claimant for two years. Can I hope that immediate search will be made & information given to me whether such disposition of papers is ever made, & if so whether said papers are now in the archives of the Department.
Yours Respectfully
J Avery Skilton
Page 50

No 15.171
Hannah Steel, deceased, widow of Elijah
Litchfield Co. Connecticut.
Admitted Act July 7. 1838.
7 months 14 days as private. at rate of $24.87 1/2c per annum from 4th March 1836 to October 1st 1843, when she died (excepting 2 years)
Pay to
Chloe Skilton only surviving child of said deceased widow -

Certificate to J. Avery Skilton
Troy, New York
Page 51

Troy Jun 10 1853
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir 
I have before me a copy of the letter addressed to D L Seymour on the subject of the Revolutionary Pension claim of Hannah Steel. It seems that the proof is admitted to be sufficient to establish service for 7 months 14 days in 1775 but I obtain no information as to the other service which was proved by living witnesses. I can forward other affidavits in proof of service if it be necessary. Please inform me what more proof is necessary & why that offered is not satisfactory. Also how much the 7 m 14 days service will entitle the heir to receive. I believe the papers contain the date of death of Hannah Steel. I suppos the acceptance of the portion allowed does not effect the claim for the balance.
Your obt Servt
J Avery Skilton
Page 52

Troy Nov 14 1853
Commissioner of Pensions
I wish to know if it be possible to ascertain the names of persons who have obtained or applied for pensions & were residents of Watertown Conn or Litchfield County Conn at the date of their service.
I have become pursuaded that there is evidence in existence among papers on file in the Department sufficient to substantiate the claim of Hannah Steel to the full claim & make the above ing my hoping the papers of the department are in such a shape that said evidence can be tracked
Yours Truly J Avery Skilton
Page 53

P.S. If the question be answerable in the affirmative I desire that an examination of the proofs of such Revolutionary claims be examined for affidavits of or references to the services of Elijah Steel of Watertown
J.A.S.
Page 54

P. Waldo Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Hannah Steel
Cont. [illegible] 36
Page 55

Washington Dec 27 1853
L. P. Waldo Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
In the of the claim of Hannah Steel of Watertown Conn for a Pension under the act of 1836. I have recd notice of the allowance of the same for 7 mo 14 ds under the subsequent act for service, as per Certificate of Comptroller of Conn. I am also informed that the full claim is disallowed on account of some alledged discrepancies occurring between, the statement of David Gamsey a fellow soldier, in his affidavit in this case & the papers filed in support of his own claim for a Pension some time in 1832 or 3 & also because (as is alledged) the strongest papers in the case are dated subsequently to & predicated upon the certificate of the comptroller of Conn.
Now, having had an opportunity to examine said papers I find stronger corroborative evidence of the Justice of said claim than I supposed was in existence, & am able satisfactorily  to explain the apparent discrepancies a part of which arise from errors made in the first examination of the case & would therefore respectfully ask for a reexamin
Page 56

Page 2
ation of the same
If such reexamination be granted some of the most important points that arise are as follows.
Firstly As to the date of Comptrollers certificate & predication of evidence. Before the evidence of service was found at Hartford, it was thought impossible to obtain satisfactory proof enough to warrant the m[illegible]. Conversation had been had with the Watertown witnesses before but the papers may have been dated subsequently in which their evidence was embodied. Again that is not a valid objection because the Department receive the Certificate as positive proof of all [illegible] claim thereby. and do not depend on any collateral proof subsequently obtained to substantiate the service of 7 mo & 14 days at or near Boston certified therein. The subsequent service has nothing to do with this service & therefore the proof of said subsequent service cannot be predicated upon said certificate or aided by the same. The only appearance of predication arises in the following manner. Said Gamsey says in his affidavit that Caleb Trobridge was Capt of a company in which he & said Steel served at a certain time & place, whereas in his own declaration he states that some other Captain commanded the company; all the other items of time, place &c corresponding. Now a mistake like this might be made by a younger man than him where the name of one he did formerly know as a capt in the army from his [illegible] & under whom his intimate friend served although he himself did not actually belong to the company of said Trobridge
Page 57

Page 3
And if the mistake had any force at all it goes far to confirm the statement of the former intimacy of Elijah Steel & David Gamsey & that they did serve together in the Revolutionary Army tho never together under Capt Trobridge And especially when the name was mentioned to him by me as a capt under whom Elijah Steel undoubtedly served. Understand, that said Gamsey does not claim to have been with said Steel at Boston under Trobridge, either in his own declaration or his affidavit in this case. Neither does he claim as the examiner appears to think that he enlisted when Steel first enlisted. but that Steel enlisted with him said Gamsey at the time of said Gamseys first enlistment. And further the declaration of said Gamsey contains the date of the service at West Haven when said Steel was with him which date was not known or mentioned in the affidavit of said Gamsey supporting this claim but turns out to be subsequently to the birth of the first & only child of Elijah & Hannah Steel. Chloe Skilton
If as claimed that Elijah Steel was in service much later than December 1780 to Feb or March 1781 as Gamsey says he was but this is proof  positive taken with his (said Gamseys affidavit), of service subsequently to marriage by said  Steel
Page 58

Again the dates duration places I think fully correspond in declaration & affidavit
But says the Examiner D Gamseys own claim would not be allowed now on such evidence as he produced. My answer is that it was considered sufficient evidence when allowed & that the Department should not go back of their own acts & now invalidate such evidence when the time during which said evidence might have been rendered [illegible] has passed away.
Again. There are many points perhaps in the preparation of the papers supporting the claim that may seem suspicious to our accustomed to examine papers prepared by accustomed hands, with perfect finish & an eye to the known customs of the department
But the circumstance of the case have not seemed to warrant great [illegible] in its preparation & I hope that full Justice does not depend entirely on unimportant technicalities
Other points might be presented but I hope the proposed reexamination will be so thorough & candid as to render their setting forth unnecessary

Yours Truly
J. Avery Skilton
Savannah, Geo

LP Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 59

Troy May 15 1854
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I transmit herewith the certificate desired in yours of the 8th of July 1853 in the matter of the  Revolutionary Pension claim of Hannah Steel widow of Elijah obtained after a long interval owing the miscarriage & loss of papers sent by mail.
In issuing a certificate of the amount due if it can be made payable at the Albany office the applicant will be better accommodated than if it be made payable at Hartford as it is expected that she will soon be in Troy.
Yours Truly
J. Avery Skilton
Page 60

ISC
W.25124:Rev.War.
April 14, 1905.
Sir:
In reply to your recent communication you are advised that there is no mention of her children in the papers filed by Chloe (Steel) Skilton, widow of James Skilton, only surviving child and sole heir of Elijah and Hannah Steel.
Persons by the name of Skilton do not mention any relationship to claimant, but appear in the case as follows:--
Henry B. Skilton, Justice of the Peace of Watertown, Conn., in 1849.
Testimony filed by James A. Skilton and Avery J. Skilton, residents of Troy, N. Y., 1850, and Elijah S. Skilton (brother of Avery J.), resident of Ravenna, Portage Co., Ohio, aged 50 years in 1850.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

John D. Skilton, Esq.,
Melrose Academy, Oak Lane, Philadelphia, Pa.
Page 61

[illegible]
JAMES A. SKILTON, PATENT LAW,
ROOMS 157, 159 & 161 BOREEL BUILDING,
115 BROADWAY.
(Dictated)
NEW YORK, Aug. 8, 1893.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,
Sir:
Between the years 1848 and 1850 I prosecuted a claim for a pension on behalf of my grandmother, Chloe (Steele) Skilton, as the daughter of Elijah Steele [Steel], a Revolutionary soldier from Litchfield County, Conn., who was at that time a resident I think of the Town of Waterbury, or of Woodbury.  One of my female relatives and a descendant of Chloe Steele desires authentic evidence of her right to membership in one or the other of the societies now in existence composed of daughters of Revolutionary sires, who saw military service in the Revolution. I should like to have an authentic statement from your office as to the service of Elijah Steele, under which the pension was obtained as above stated for Chloe Skilton, for the above mentioned uses, as the rules of the office may permit. These societies I understand require authentic evidence before admitting applicants and I do not know where I can obtain the information except from the Pension Office.
Respectfully yours,
James A. Skilton [Signature]
Page 62

Troy Aug 8 1854
Commissioner of Pensions
Dr Sir.
From information recently received I am led to believe that Elijah Steel of Watertown Connecticut either furnished information or made affidavits [illegible]of the Revolutionary service of Asa Cole of Bethlem Con & Justus Dayton of Watertown Con. If any such persons ever were placed on the Pension list or made application for Pension I should like to have their papers & proofs examined for evidence in support of full claim of Hannah Steel of said Watertown
Yours Truly
J. Avery Skilton

To L.P. Waldo Esq
Com of Pensions:
Page 63

No 7841
Rejected
Hannah Steel decd 
wid of Elijah Connt.
Let Hon D. L. Seymour Sep 1 [illegible]/3-2
J.A. Skilton July 8/53
same Nov 2/53
J.A. Skilton 31st Decr. 1853
[illegible] July 1838
Page 64

W. 25,124
Elijah Steel
ch[illegible]
Feby. 18, 1851 - Watertown, Conn
ae 70
res Watertown Conn
May 6, 75 Conn
Pri. Capt Trowbridge 5 Co
Col - 1st regt.
7m 14d
Capt Benj Richards 4m
Capt Trowbridge 4m
Capt Joseph Gamsey 2m
Page 65

O.W. & N.
R
[Stamp reads:]
U
NAVY
MAR 9 1905
FILES.
P. B.

MELROSE ACADEMY,
OAK LANE,
PHILADELPHIA.
24 February 1905.

Commissioner of Pensions,
United States Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:
I am desirous of establishing my eligibility to membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
I need information as to facts of the service of a Revolutionary soldier named Elijah Steele {Steel]. According to the records I believe he served in the Fifth Connecticut Company.
I am told that a pension was secured for and paid to his daughter, Chloe Steele Skilton.
I have the honor to ask that you will furnish me the information in possession of your Bureau as to the facts of service of the said Elijah Steele and the payment of a pension to his daughter, the said Chloe Steele Skilton.
Have you the records of payment of a pension to any person named Skilton for service in the War of 1812 or the Mexican War?
Very respectfully,
John D. Skilton. [Signature]

[Stamp reads:]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
A
FEB 25 1905
Page 66

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME Steel, Francis
GRADE Private
LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10445
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED April 26, 179? (torn) to __ not shown -

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.