Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23411, Roswell Adams, Conn Privateer
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn. Adams, Roswell W.23411
Privateer Eunice
CONTENTS
d. Mar 22, 1829 at Brookfield, Orange Co Ok
Page 2

Vermont 3145
Eunice Adams
widow of Boswell Adams
who was a Pri. & Corporal
in the Connecticut line
for 10 mo 26 days Private
       1   "     4 " Corporal
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
Forty - Dollars with thirty si
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the
fourth day of December 1840
and sent to J. K. Parish
Randolph
Vermont
Act of March 3, 1843.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1 Page 24
Page 3

Reported
Page 4

V 2453
Eunice Adams
widow of Roswell
[?]
●
Aft 7 July 38
M 82 d 29
Son
●
10 mo. 26. dy pri
1. 4 - Corpe
12 mon
$40.30/100
no deduction
J K Parish of [?]
Randolph Vt
Page 5

State of Vermont Orange County District of Randolph}
On this 6th day of October AD 1838 personally appeared Eunice Adams aged seventy one years before the Probate Court at a
Session thereof holden at Brookfield in said district of which Brookfield, Orange County
she is a resident 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 7, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay pensions
to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Roswell Adams who was a private & corporal in the war of the revolution as will appear by the proof
hereto annexed for length of service the Court of Pensions is referred to the roll of
Col Motts Regt & the certificate of the Comptroller, the Corporals warrant & also the
statement of services by land & sea [inserted] made by my late husband but a short period before his death which is hereto annexed and in the hand writing of the said Roswell Adams
together with the affidavit of Jacob Bacon.
She further declares that she was married to the said Roswell Adams in Canterbury
Con. on the twenty third day of November Seventeen hundred eighty six and that her
husband the aforesaid Roswell Adams died at Brookfield Vt. March 23d 1829.
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place
previous to the first of January seventeen hundred [?] four [?] at the time above stated
Eunice Adams
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before
William Hebard Register
State of Vermont District of Randolph}
The foregoing declaration was made & subscribed in Probate Court at Brookfield this 6th day of October AD 1838 and the truth
of the same sworn to by the said Eunice Adams who is a credible person.
In testimony I hereunto affix the seal of said
Probate Court & subscribe my name the day & year here written. William Hebard Register
Page 6

We the subscribers of Brookfield in Orange County & State of Vermont of lawful age depose and say that we were acquainted with Roswell Adams in his life time & have heard him state that he was in service during the Revolutionary was as well as being taken a prisoner when in a Privateer we further testify that the said Roswell Adams did on the 23d of March 1829. We have also been acquainted with Mrs. Eunice Adams for several years before the death of her late husband as well as since and that she has not married since her death but still remains the widow of the said Roswell Adams.
Julien Jones
attorney of law [?]
State of Vermont District of Randolph}
The foregoing affidavit of Taber Adams & Hanaka Edson who are credible persons
was sworn to & subscribed in Probate Court
holden at Brookfield in [?] district this 6th
day of October AD 1838
Given under my hand & seal of
said Probate Court the day & year
above written -
William Hebard, Register
Page 7

Town Clerks Office
Canterbury Connecticut
August 28th 1838.
On application for evidence relating to the marriage of Mr Roswell Adams I find upon the records in this Office the following entry.
"Roswell Adams and Eunice Davenport were
" Married Nov. 23rd 1786
Ath Jedediah Johnson Town Clerk
Page 8

I William Adams of the Town of Lisbon in the State of Connecticut, aged 88 years wanting 20 days; and I do on oath testify that in the summer of 1775, I entered the Army of the revolution and served seven months at Cambridge in Maj Johnsons Company and Genl Putnam's Regt. I was well acquainted with Roswell Adams, whose father was half brother to my father. Said Roswell served with me the whole of said time. I am now a pensioner, and for this service my declaration and the evidence are on file in the Pension office.
The widow of said Roswell having made application for a pension for that & other service rendered by said Roswell
I will proceed to add what I know relative to his other service.
In the early part of the summer of 1776, my brother Aiakel [sp] Adams had enlisting orders, and did enlist the said Roswell Adams, as a Corporal, to serve at the Northward-(Ticonderoga). I know that he did enlist, but for what term I do not remember.
After said enlistment, said Roswell & my brother left home together and went away to join the army
Page 9

which I verily believe was in the the month of June 1776, they were both absent from home until the fall of the year when our family received a letter from my said brother, that he was sick & he desired to be sent for. I took a horse and went for him. When I arrived at Albany the company had not there arrived. I kept on; and at Still Water N. York I met said Roswell with the [crossed out] a part of the soldiers, returning home, and he was then in the service, and he informed me where my said brother was, and in pursuance of his information. I found my said brother, and brought him home with me. Some weeks after Roswell came home too. This, according to my best recollections, was in November 1776, it was before winter set in. My belief is that this was a five months tour, and that said Roswell served the whole tour. I cannot say whether he served as Corporal or Sargent. October 8. 1840
William Adams
Page 10

District of Connecticut, Windham County of Canterbury October 8. 1840.
Personally appeared William Adams Esq signer
of the foregoing affidavit, and made oath to the truth of the same; And I certify that the said Mr. Adams is a credible witness.
Andrew T. Judson Judge of U.S.
for the District of Connecticut

I Paul Davenport of Canterbury in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut, aged 79
years, if I live to next February, and I depose
and say that from my youth I was well
acquainted with Roswell Adams, who is
described in the preceeding deposition of
William Adams Esq. I was not in the
service myself, but as I was a near neighbor of said Roswell, I knew when he
enlisted, when he went away and
when he returned. He went to Cambridge
and was gone 7 months, in 1775-
And in June 1776 he enlisted for a northern
tour with Azael [?] Adams and went away
armed and equiped for the Army - my Cousin [?] Charles Adams went with him also. He returned at the end of about five months, late in the fall, say the latter part of November
I saw him soon after his return, and
Page 11

he told me that he served most of the time as Sergeant. I believe his Capt was one Baldwin, and his Col was Col. Mott. They tried to enlist me, but I was only 15 years old, and my own three brothers were in the army, and I could not be spared.
October 8. 1840 Paul Davenport
District of Connecticut Windham County Jr. Courtertery [sp]
October 8th. 1840 Personally appeared Paul
Davenport, signer of the foregoing affidavit and
made oath to the truth of the same; and I
certify that said Paul Davenport is a credible
witness. Andrew J Judson Judge of the U.S for the District of Connecticut
Page 12

[left fold]
made
Adams

[center fold]
Rerf WIDOW, &c.
---
File No. 23411
Eunice Adams
Wid of
[crossed out Boswell] Roswell Adams
Corp Conn Line
---
Act March 3rd 43
Index: Vol. A Page 4
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right fold]
Genealogical notes
Sept 1883 N. L.
Page 13

Setl. [?] V Parrish, [?]
10:'29-[?] June 7: '29
Page 14

See let to J. K. Parish,
Nov. 6. 1840.
Page 15

Vermont 5865
Eunice Adams
widow of Roswell Adams
who was a pensioner under the Act of [crossed out]
and who died on the 23. March 1829
of Orange Co. in the State of Vermont
who was a Prv. & Corpl. in the company commanded
by Captain -- of the regt commanded
by Col. Mott in the Con.
line for 10 months & 26 Days Prv.
1 month and 4 days as Corpl.
Inscribed on the Roll of Montpelier, Vermont
at the rate of 40 Dollars 36 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of October 1840 and sent to J. K. Parrish Randolph, Vert.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $201.80
Semi-annual allowance ending
{Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2, Page 34
Page 16

STATE OF VERMONT, Orange County,..ss.} I, Perley C Jones Clerk of the County Court of the County of Orange in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
J. K. Parish
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was
dated on the 4th day of November in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two
will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that
his signatures above written
 is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this 8th day of 
August A.D. 1843
Perley C Jones Clerk
Page 17

3044
Widow Eunice Adams
40.36
3145
J. K. Parish
Randolph
Vt
Page 18

State of Vermont Orange County}
M Adams
On this 21st day of July 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the County of
Orange & State of Vermont Eunice Adams a resident of the
town of Brookfield in said Orange County aged seventy six years
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits
of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd
March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who
served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Roswell Adams who was in the
Revolutionary war and in the Connecticut line and was a warrant [?]
officer as will appear by the proofs & papers now supposed to
be in the department. And that she received a Pension of about
the sum of Forty dollars per Annum under the act of
July 7. 1838. This further declares that she is still a widow.
Eunice Adams
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
Before me J. K. Parish Justice Peace
I hereby certify that the above named declarant is known
to me as a person of truth & veracity and as a Pensioner
under the 5 years cut so called.
J. K. Parrish Justice Peace
State of Vermont Orange County}
I, Jason Steele Notary Public for the County of Orange
hereby certify that J K Parish is a Justice Peace for
said County duly commissioned & qualified and that
his official duties commenced the first day of Dec 1842
and ended the last day of Nov. 1843 and that the
forgoing official signature of his is genuine and
that due credit ought to be given to the same
Witness my hand & seal of office this 31st day of July 1843
at Chelsea in sd County
Page 19

[left side]
2453
M82,t29
[right side-upside down]
Roswell Adams
W.+.23411
Conn.
Page 20

Samuel Mott Esqr: Colonel & Commander of the First Regiment of Connecticut Troops destined to Join the Continental Army in the Northern Department-
To Roswell Adams Greeting..
By Virtue of the Power and Authority to me given in and by the Colony of Connecticut, I do by these Presents Reposing
Special Trust and confidence in your Loyalty Courage and Good Conduct Constitute and appoint you the said -
Roswell Adams to be the Third [ink blot] in the Sixth Company in the Regiment whereof I am Colonel. You are therefore Carefully And diligently to attend the said Office and station according to the Duties thereof, and yourself to obey such Orders as you
shall from Time to Time receive from me or the Commander of said Regiment for the Time being or other your superior Officers
Agreeable to the rules & Discipline of War Conformable to the Regulations of the Honorable Continental Congress and
pursuant to the Trust reposed in you for which This Shall be Your Sufficient Warrant.
Given under my hand and Seal at Mount Independance This 19th Day of October AD 1776
Sam Mott Colo
Page 21

[left hand margin] 
Seal not necessary on this

District of Connecticut
Canterbury September 24th 1838
Personally appeared before the [?] Judge of the United States for the District of
Connecticut. Jedediah Johnson Esq. who on oath doth depose and say, that he is the Town Clerk of the said Town of Canterbury, and on such has in his hands, custody and keeping the records of Marriages Births and deaths in said town and that he finds therein recorded the marriage of Roswell Adams in the following words [?] "Roswell Adams and Eunice Davenport were married November twenty third one thousand seven hundred and eighty six" which the said Johnson doth on his oath say that the above is a true copy of the Records aforesaid and he doth by his signature certify the same.
Jedediah Johnson Town Clerk
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year above
first mentioned [?]
Andrew T. Judson Judge
of the United States for
the District of Connecticut
Page 22

I Jacob Bacon of Canterbury in the County
of Windham and State of Connecticut aged
Eighty five years. Depose and say. That in the
year seventeen hundred Eighty one Roswell Adams then of Canterbury aforesaid and the deponent went on board an armed vessel or Privateer named The Happy Return then lying at Providence in the State of Rhode Island to cruise against British Commerce on the High Seas among the West India Islands. And the deponent further says that after said Privateer had been on said cruise for the term of about
three months she was captured by two armed vessels under the British and belonging to British Government and they were carried as prisoners to the Island of Barbadoes where the said Roswell Adams and the Deponent were detained as prisoners for the term of about eighteen months when the said Adams and the Deponent returned home. And the Deponent further says that the said Roswell Adams and himself were in company the whole time as aforesaid.
Hebron Ct Sept 25th 1838
Jacob Bacon
State of Connecticut County of Tolland}  Hebron
Be it known that before me Leonard Hendee a Notary Public for said State came Jacob Bacon
and made solemn Oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed and I hereby certify that he is well known to me and is a person of truth and veracity.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office This twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1838
Leonard Hendee Notary Public
Page 23

Comptrollers Office
Hartford, Connecticut
22 August 1838
On application for evidence of the service of
Mr Roswell Adams, I have examined the papers remaining in this office relating to the Revolutionary War, and find as follows,-
A document headed as follows-"A Pay Roll
of the 4th Company of the 3d Regiment, raised per order Genrl Assembly, Colony Connecticut, May AD. 1775," which is certified to be," a true copy of Majr Obadiah Johnson Original Pay Roll, and settlement" &c. by the Committee of Pay Table. And in which document is the name of Roswell Adams-- who is stated therein to have enlisted as a private on the 16 May, and as having been discharged on the 16 Decem. And as having served
Seven months.
I certify the above to be a correct extract from the document there mentioned.
Henry Kilbourn Comptr
Page 24

In account of my Servis [sp] in the Revolution war the first year one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five I was at Cambridge first listed in Colonel Putman's
Regiment and after general joined Colonel Putman found a generals Commision when General Washington joined the army and Major Johnson was Colonel of our Regiment and Ephraim Lyon Captain of our Company. I joined the Regiment that Bunker hill was fought.
The year one thousand Seven hundred twenty six I was at Ticonderoga in Colonel Samuel Motts Reg [ink blot]
Captain Baldwen's [sp] Company left the Camper in December and went home sick with the fevernager [sp] which left me in unhealthy State of health a low fever was out of health all winter and not fit to go into the army the next spring and stayed at home and in the Spring in the year one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight went a tour to Rhode Island [?] and in the fall I listed a bond of a privateer and went out a privateering.
Page 25

[top]
Roswell Adams married Eunice Davenport at
Canterbury on Nov. 23 1786 by Rev. Sol. Morgan
Mrs Adams 1767 born 17 Feb.- Roswell Adams died March 23. 1829. aged 75 years
[right margin]
Widow Eunice Adams
letter written Harvey [?]
17, Aug.
Page 26

the account of my services that I did in the
Revolution war.
the first year I was at Cambridge, joined the army that morning that Bunker hill battle was fought
the second year was at Ticonderoga as Corporal came home in December sick and remained out of health so that I was not fit to go into the service the next summer stayed at home
The spring after in the year one thousand Seventy Six went to New london a town in the Spring and the fall after I listed a bond of a privateer and went out a cruise to windend of Barbados cruised about three months and fell in with two British Ships and was taken by them and landed in to Barbados a prisoner of war and put into Cleast [?] prison and
Closely confined about nine or ten months when the Lord Sent a hurricane that Destroyed the land load down the buildings on the island
to gather with the prison which let the prisoners at liberty on the island what want killed but there was no such thing as getting of the island. I Remained there till the British was agoing to take the americans on board the British fleet then I  thought best for me to desert from there a porters and give up my passions [?] and Shurk [?] for my self and keep of from them if I could I Remained on the island nine or ten months secreted from
the British by the assistance of a gentle man's
help was advertised and reward thereof given of three pence [?] a head the Reward in the papers and in every public place
Page 27

At length this gentleman that had assisted
me in keeping Consueled [sp, counselled] gave me a passage aboard his one vessel to Statia [?, Sint Eustatius] and ordered his Captain to get me a passage to some neutral island which he did and went from one island to another till I got to Carolina [?] and from there I got a passage to Philadelphia. I arrived to Philadelphia a few days after General Washington passed by that city with his army to Chesapeake to take Cornwallis.
I was gone a most two years and then come home a prisoner of war deserter.
the hole time that I was in the service by land
and Sea and prisoner was better then three years.
Rel
Length 2 and 1/2
Weith 16 [?]
Chenhaess & grehes [?]
Battle to Bunker hill 1775
Page 28

[top l to r]
Nov 17, 1840
[?]
Vt
R Adams
[page turned]
Randolph Vt
Nov 13} Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 29

Randolph Vt. Nov. 12. 1840
Sir,
I have rec. yours of the 6th in relation
to my inquiry if the Department had allowed
for service of Roswell Adams as a Sargt.
your letter stating that the warrant was that
of Corporal is satisfactory.
The reason of my writing was the recollection
of the warrant, and I had forgotten but that
it was a Sargt. warrant. The department
will be pleased to accept it as my apology.
Respectfully
J. K. Parish
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Com Pensions-
Page 30

Randolph Vt.             Free
June 2d
J.L. Edwards Esqr.
Coms. Pensions
Washington City
[left margin]
June 6
June [?] at Vt.
Page 31

Randolph Vt. June 11th 1839
Sir
In the case of Mrs. Eunice Adams widow of Roswell Adams
your letter of the 10th May states the length of the service in '76 should be
established by the Comptrollers certificate. I had supposed the cert
with the papers & warrant accompanying them would enable the Department
to come to a decision, in the case yet I might rely more on the statement
in Mr. Adams memorandum knowing the reputation he sustained
than would be proper for the Department. I am not informed if
the Records in the Comptrollers office show the services of all classes of
troops in the Conn. line, but suppose should I be at the expense of getting
a new certificate it would be similar to the other.
There can I think be no doubt but that the widow is entitled
to a pension for the services of her husband under the act of July 7. 1838.
The papers now at the Department contain all the facts Mrs. Adams is at
this time able to give. As favorable a decision in point of time of service
as the Department can in accordance with duly make is all the
widow can expect. Should the proof hereafter be found to her
advantage it may be forwarded. Mrs. Adams has no doubt but
that he was in service for the exact length of time contained in
his estimation
Yours Respectfully
J.K. Parish
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Court Pensions
Page 32

[left margin]
Nov 4 1840
[main content]
Vt.
Randolph Vermt. Novm. 1st} Eunice Adams Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 33

Randolph Vt. Oct. 29th 1840
Sir,
I have to day [?] the certificate of Mrs. Eunice
Adams for the sum of $40.36 per Annum allowing for services
as Private & Corporal of her late husband Roswell Adams Esq.
I do not now remember the date of the
warrant appointing Roswell Adams as Sergt but supposed,
there would be something due for service after that appointment.
I will therefore respectfully ask that the case may be read and if the widow should be entitled to anything additional for
her husbands services as a Sergt. that a new certificate in his
of the present one may be given her.
Should the present certificate however be
all that she is entitled to I will request the Warrant may
be returned for the gratification of the family of the late
Roswell Adams Esq. and while [crossed out] I suppose it cannot be necessary
it should remain in the files of the Department unless it
constitutes a part of the evidence in the case.
I am Sir Your
Obdt. Servt.
J. K. Parish
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Page 34

2453
Vt. Oct 13
7 July 1838,
Mrs Adams
[vertical script]
Randolph Vt Free
Oct. 7.
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 35

Randolph Vt. Oct. 6. 1838-
Sir
Herewith is the claim of Widow Eunice Adams
for a Pension for the services of her late husband
Roswell Adams. In case the services while at sea are
allowed there will be sufficient performed to make a full
pension. The Comptrollers certificate shows but 7 mo. &
does not allude to the service in any year but 1775
The Corporal warrant shows service in 1776- and on
reference to a statement annexed in the hand writing
of the sd Roswell Adams it will be found that he
States all his services to be more than three years
which will make his service in the Army a
year & a half or more allowing 18 mos. for
sea service.
I hope the Department may be justified
in allowing a full Pension.
Your Obd. Servt.
J. K. Parish
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Coms. Pensions
Compt certificate regd
Page 36

Canterbury Ct }         372
Oct 10 }
J. K. Parish Esqr.
Randolph
Vermont
Page 37

Canterbury Ct. Oct. 8. 1840.
Sir
Mr Adams has placed in my hands your letter
to him, and I have taken the two affidavits herewith
inclosed. They are the best which can be found at
this late day.
Mr Adams has only referred to this session [?]
of Roswell in the campaign of 1775, because there is
now in the hands of the Commissioner, the copy
of a Roll, of that service, which I gave him in
1836, upon which Roswell's name appears
in this witness now remembers. In your letter
you can infer the Commission to that
copy for ample proof of the 1st term of service.
Mr Adams has the original, but he
did not bring it up here with him.
I can get it and send you another affidavit,
if necessary, from Widow Adams, inclosing a
new copy. He lives 5 miles from me
The affidavits inclosed are authenticated, so as to be
recorded as evidence.
Yours [?]
Andrew S. Judson
Page 38

Oct 20 1883
Vt.
[?] proof
Mrs. Adams
Wd. of Roswell
[vertical text]
Randolph Vt }
Oct. 40 }
Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Coms. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 39

Randolph Vt. Oct. 16th 1840
Sir,
I herewith enclose the affidavits of Widow
Adams & Paul Davenport in proof of the
service of Roswell Adams in 1776 at the
now which I think will be satisfactory
to the Department, with the testimony now
there including the Cols Warrant to the
Sd. Roswell, showing what part of the time
from June to Nov. he served as Sergt &
what time Corp. for the 5 or 6 months.
As Judge Judson's letter makes reference to
some other facts I also enclose that.
I hope the Department may find
it convenient to decide this case at an early
day, the widow of the sd. Roswell Adams is 
now quite infirm and the case has been
a long time delayed. As well as considerable
expense incurred and which she is little
able to bear.
I am Sir your obdt.
Servt J. K. Parish
Coms. of Pensions