Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16052, Samuel Blacksle, Conn.Vt.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE CONN. VT.
NUMBER S. 16052
Blacksle, Samuel
       or
Blackslee
carded
CONTENTS
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Connecticut. 22.527
Samuel Blackslee,
…field in the State of Connt
…s a Private, in the Co commanded
.. Captain Gillett of the Rg C commanded
——————- in the Connt
for two years
Samuel Blacksle, Vt. Conn.service
                 Records OK Feby 27 ‘?4
….ribed on the Roll of Connecticut,
…t the rate of 80 Dollars 00. Cents per annum,
….ommence on the 4th day of March,1831.
…ificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Oct.
                    1833, and sent to Geo C.
Woodruff.  Litchfield Connt
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833 - 200.—
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 Mar ‘34.  40.—
                                                                  $240.—
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
…corded by M.R. Palmer Clerk  
Vol. three Page 32,
Date of death not on AB
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Declaration of Samuel Blackslee in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832
State of Connecticut Court of Probate within & the County of Litchfield for the District of Litchfield
On the 29th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open court, before the Hon Frederick Walcott Judge of Probate within & for said District now sitting. Samuel Blackslee a resident of the town of Litchfield in the County & District aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress issued June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as
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In the fall of the year 1778 I returned to Wolcott then called Farmingbury in said New Haven County when my Father's family then resided, I was then till ['the' crossed out] about the 1st of October. when my Brother Zealous Blakeslee returned from that part of the American Army stationed at Readding, Conn, He belonged to the army & procured me to take his place in it, he having enlisted about the last year before ( as near as I can recollect) for three years, I went on & took his place in the Army at s'd Readding in the Connecticut Troops, in Capt Joseph Mansfield's Company in which one Potter was Lieut & Mansfield Ensign, in Col Meigs' Regiment of Leather Caps, Gen Parsons was the Commander, one Barker was adjutant of our Regiment. We wintered at s'd Redding, during which one Jones was hung for piloting the British from Danbury (as was said), after they had burned that place some months before 
In the spring or summer following we marched towards West Point, & encamped with the army opposite West Point at a place called Robinson's Plains, where we remained ready for service keeping guard till the approach of Winter when we were marched to Morristown New Jersey into winter quarters. I remained with my said Company at Morristown till Jan'y 1780 when mt s'd brother Zealous came to Morristown & took his place in the army & relieved me & I then returned to Wolcott, I served as a soldier in the American Army at this time fifteen months.
I went as a substitute for s'd Zealous Blakeslee & for a long time and served to his name as such substitute but for how long I cannot tell, I have no documentary evidence of this service but my only evidence or it is in the annexed deposition of Arunah Blakslee & of Medad Potter, except that which may be found on the rolls at Washington, which may not furnish the required evidence, as I answered a part of the time to my Brother's name with the affidavits of Joseph Minor, Phoebe Parker & A Blakeslee
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In the year 1780 & in June I think Freeman Judd of Waterbury was drafted out of the militia in that town to serve in the American Army for six months The said Judd applied to me & hired me to go as a substitute for him, which I did. I joined the army & was put into Col. Wells Reg't of State Troops, but my company officers I do not recollect, I was in the army under the command of Gen. Washington & was stationed for a time at White Plains N.Y. I was afterwards marched across the Hudson River & stationed at different places on the west side of that River, & I should think at two or three different places, I well remember that I was near when Major Andre of the British Army was hung, I was on guard at the time & was about half a mile distant from the place of his execution. I remained in the army & served at this time for the full period of six months for which s'd Judd was drafted, To  prove this tour of service I annex the depositions of Eli S. Rowley & of Elias Brown
In the summer of the year 1781 but the precise month I cannot tell Joel Norton of Bristol. Conn then called New Cambridge was drafted out of the militia to go to Horseneck in Conn't, to serve in the American Army for two months, He employed me to go as a substitute for him & I accordingly went & served as such in the company commanded by Capt Curtiss of Farmington, I joined the company in the summer of 1781 at Litchfield, Conn, & started from there & marched to s'd Horseneck where I was put with s'd Company into Col Bezazeel Beebe's Regiment, Col Beebe commanded at Horseneck at this time, Our duty was to guard the country in that vicinity from the excursions & attacks of the British he, with whom I was at one time
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engaged in a skirmish, in which we made a
successful attack on them for the purpose of retaking
some cattle which the British had
seized & were endeavoring to drive out of
the country. I served in & about Horse Neck
at this time two months at the end of that time
we were dismissed & I returned to Wolcott
to prove this tour of service I rely on the annexed
deposition of John Allen & the 2d annexed deposition
of William Beebe, & that of John Woodruff
In Aug. 1782 I enlisted, or was drafted, but which
I do not recollect, into a company commanded by
Capt. Gillett, Lieut. Ephraim Harrison & Ensign
Catlin, for two months to serve in the America
Army & went with my company to Stratford
Co. Kenouo duty was to guard the court &
the adjacent country from my attacks which
might be made on it by the British who lay
in the Long Island Sound. There were stationed
there along the court four of five other me
militia companies, & possibly some continental
Troops, I remained at said Stratford in the ser
vice aforesaid till the expiration of the two matts
for which I enlisted or was drafted, when I was
dismissed & returned have, to prove this
tour of service annex the deposition of
John Woodruff who served at the time in the same company with me.
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I never received a written discharge from service
but when my time was out, was dismissed as
parade by an officer, unless I recd a discharge
from the aforesaid Continental service of which is
I did have no recollection & as I served as a
substitute I do not believe I received one
at all events I have none now nor have I any
documentary or other evidence of my aforesaid
services than what I have annexed, but have
annexed all the evidence concerning my ser
vices aforesaid in my power or of which I
1
have any knowledgesince

the Revo
lutionary war I have at all times resided
in the town of Litchfield, I am known
to Capt Wm Beebe, Revd Truman Marsh
Joseph Adams Esqr, Eliada Osborn & Gideon Side
who reside in my present neighborhood & who can
testify to my character for veracity & their belief
of my services as a soldier of the Revolution
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity except the present & declare
that my name is not on the pension of the 
agency of any State James Blackle
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate 
District of Litchell State of
We Truman Marsh a Clergyman residing in
the town & County of Litchfield, Conn & Joseph Adams
residing in the same town, hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with Samuel Blackle
, who has subscribed & sworn to the above
declaration: that we believe him to be 72 years
of age; that he is reputed & believed in the
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neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier of
the revolution, & that we concur in that opinion
And we further certify that his character for
truth & veracity is good
Joseph Adams
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Frederick Wolcott as Probate
District of Sequell County
and the said Court doth hereby declare its opin
ion after the investigation of the matter, after put
ting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department
, that the above named applicant was a
revolutionary soldier & served as he states
and the Court further certifies that it appears to
it that the herd Inman Marsh who has signed
the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident
in sd town of Litchfield & that Joseph Adams Esq
---
who has also signed the same is a resident in sd
town of Litchfield, & is a credible person & that their
statement is entitled to credit
Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate
Herbert of Litchfield, Conn.
bate afore
ing contain
Court in
Blacker
Phinehas Miner Clerk of the Court of Pro
said, do hereby certify that the foregothe
original proceedings of the said
the matter of the application of Samuel
for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & seal of said Office
this 11th day of Dec 1832
Phinehas Morris Clerk
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I Arunah Blackslee of the town & County of Litchfield Conn. being duly sworn do depose & Say, that in the fall of the year 1778 I had a Brother by name Zealous Blackslee in the Continental Army who had enlisted for three years, & that soon after I think in Nov 1778 I went from Litchfield where I then resided, to Wolcott, Conn where my mother resided with her family. At this time the place of residence of my brother Zealous was at North Haven, Conn. When I arrived at So Wolcott I was told by my mother & others of the family that my brother Zealous had returned from the army & had hired my Brother Samuel Blackslee to take his place as a substitute & that Samuel had gone from home & had joined the army as a substitute from [struck through] for Zealous. He was then absent from home & I had no doubt but that he was in the army. I was told at that time, that Zealous was at that time at his residence in North Haven, either by my mother's family or by some member of Zealous's family, but by which I cannot say [illegible] I saw some of Zealous's family & was then satisfied that he was at home. Zealous hried Samuel to serve for him four months, but at the expiration of that time Zealous did not go to take Samuel's place. After Samuel had been given nearly one year I well recollect that I received information from my friends in Wolcott that Samuel had sent from the army by a man named Juttle[?] to Zealous to return to the army & relieve him (Samuel) but that Zealous did not do so. I remember that Zealous [illegible] concluded to go & for that purpose went from North Haven to Wolcott to get my mother's horse to go to the army which  Samuel was to ride back, that Zealous took the horse from Wolcott to North Haven
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but when he arrived there he was induced by the solicitations of his family to remain at home & he accordingly returned the horse to Wolcott & did not join the army at that time.

My mother died in the year 1781 & soon after her death my brothers Zealous & Samuel & myself met at So Wolcott to agree upon the disposition of her small estate. The matter of Samuel's serving as a substitute for Zealous was then talked about between us. It was admitted & agreed at that time between Zealous & Samuel that Samuel served as a substitute for Zealous for the period of fifteen months & Samuel claimed that it was but reasonable that Zealous should give up his share to Samuel in part payment for his services as such substitute, this Zealous was unwilling to do & there was much conversation between them & myself & others on the subject & it was finally agreed between them that Samuel should have Zealous' share which paid him for four months service, these facts I personally knew & now well remember. It was  at the time & always has been a matter frequently talked of in this family that Samuel did serve for Zealous in the Continental Army in Capt Mansfield's Company in Col. Meig's Regiment for the full period of fifteen months & till Zealous returned to the army & relieved Samuel I cannot state from personal knowledge that he did so serve but I always belived it he  did so & am as confident of this
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truth of it as  Ican be of any fact which I did not personally witness but which I learned from others.

So Samuel soon after the Revolutionary War came to Litchfield to reside & was for a great number of years my neighbor. I have very frequently heard him relate the incidents of the war & of the campaigns which he served. He always [illegible] the termination of his services told me a uniform story repeating his serving for Zealous. He always, & more than fifty years ago, & since claimed that he served the full period of fifteen months as such substitute & this was always believed to be true by the different members of our family. I also well recollect that said Samuel served in the American Army at other times as I have stated in my former deposition.

And further saith not

Dated at Litchfield this 15th day of June 1833

Ariunah Blakeslee

Litchfield County fs Litchfield June 15th 1833

Personally appeared Savannah B[illegible] Arunah Blackslee a person to me well known &  who is entitled to [illegible] & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence.

Before me
Elihu Harrison Justice of the Peace
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Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County
Court within & for the County of Litchfield
in the State of Connecticut, certify that
Elihu Harrison Esq. was on the 15th day
of June 1833 for more than one year last past hath been a Justice of the Peace for said County that he hath a right by law to administer Oath, & that the signature to the preceding certificate which purports to be his is genuine, and his proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof I here unto set my hand and affix the Seal of said Court at Litchfield
in said County this 30th day of July 1833
Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
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I, Phebe Parker of Suffield County of Hartford
& State of Connecticut, being duly sworn do depose & say that (to the best of my recollection) in the summer of 1778, my brother Zealous Blakeslee enlisted in the continental army & that soon after he returned home & hired my brother Samuel Blakeslee as his substitute & the said Samuel went & served in the Army fifteen months at that time as a substitute for my brother Zealous, & that during the time Samuel served in the Army I well recollect that Zealous was at home with his family & I well remember about samuel returning home in a feeble state of health & Zealous leaving his family & going to the Army.
Our family during the Revolutionary war lived in Wolcott County of Newhaven Connecticut &
that I am sister to the said Zealous &
Samuel Blakeslee -Further the deponent
saith not-
Dated at Suffield this 26th day of June 1833.
                                                    Phebe Parker
County of Hartford ss Suffield June 26. 1833
Personally appeared Phebe Parker to me personally known & entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by her subscribed in my presence.
Before me
Edward G. Ufford Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford}ss

I,  Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford, do hereby certify
That Edward G. Ufford Esq before whom the
preceding & within affidavit of Phebe Parker was taken, was on the 26th day of June AD 1833, a Justice of the Peace in & for the County of Hartford aforesaid, duly commissioned & qualified according to Law and that the respective signatures, purporting to be said Edward G. Ufford, are genuine.
                                              
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of County Court
this 28th day of June AD. 1833
Jared Griswold, Clerk
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

                                              September 23, 1924.
.
F. C. Bissell,
1009 W. Boulevard,
Hartford, CONN.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16052, it appears that Samuel Blackle pensioned as Blacksle) was born in North Haven, New
Haven County, Connecticut, May 22, 1760.

While a resident of Wells, Rutland County, Vermont, he enlisted in May 1778 and served 2 months in Captain Clark's Vermont Company.

In the fall of 1778 he returned to Farmingbury (later Wolcott ) New Haven County, Connecticut, where his father's (name not stated) family then resided, and served in the Connecticut Troops as follows: 

From October 1778, as a substitute for his brother, Zealous, for 15 months in Captain Joseph Mansfield's Company, Colonel Meigs' Regiment.
From June 1780 for 6 months in Colonel Wells' Regiment.  From the summer of 1781 for 2 months in Captain Curtiss'
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Company, Colonel Bezaleel Beebe's Regiment, and was in a skirmish.
From August 1782 for 2 months in Captain Gillett's Company under Major Strong.
my under Major Strong.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 29, 1832, while a resident of Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut. It is not stated that he ever married.
Soldier's mother (name not given) died in 1781.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.


Note:
Had a bro, Arannah, & a sister, Phebe Parker. UM.
.
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I Joseph Minor of the Town of Wolcott in the
County of Newhaven in the State of Connecticut of Lawful age being duly sworn do depose and say that I have known Samuel Blakeslee from his youth that he formerly resided in the same Town in which I lived and that I knew that the said Blakeslee joined the Continental Army of the United States in
the fall of the year of 1778 that the said Blakeslee served in Col. Meigs's Regiment (it being the same Regiment in which I myself served at the same time) and that I verily believe the said Blakeslee served in said Regiment until sometime in the month
of January 1780 making in the whole about fifteen months. that I the deponent and now seventy seven years of age that I was born in the year 1756 in the Town of Lyme in the State of Connecticut and further the Deponent saith not Dated at Wolcott this 19th day of July 1833
                                                          Joseph Minor
New Haven County Ss. Wolcott July 19th 1833
Personally appeared Joseph Minor a person to me well known and who is entitled to credit and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed in my presence.
Before me
Archibald Minor Justice of the Peace
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I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, That Archibald Minor Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Joseph Minor was taken, is, and at the time of such caption, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New Haven in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to administer oath to witness Deposition of Court and to give certificate that the foregoing signature purporting to be his, is genuine; and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the city of Hartford, in said State,  22nd day of July
in the year of our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and thirty three.
                                                           Thomas Day
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16.718
Samuel Blackslee
Court
Adm 2 years

Geo. C. Woodruff
Litchfield Co
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Samuel Blackslee which require  
further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides" Yes
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? Yes
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
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 amount of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
from any other seal? Yes

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? Yes
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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? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
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?

XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Not on rolls of Meigs Rig Vide quen 14
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes, as to some of them all
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?  Yes
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? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
if not, which of them is not so answered
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes


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 --and days, I served as a----; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase abouts
definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authorities in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. 
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 he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass  tached to the ricitor the setting officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
.
Page 23

State of New York}
Otsego County}ss 
Appeared before me Benajah Davis one of the
Justice of said County Arunah Blakslee and made oath to the following affidavit
that Samuel Blakelee enlisted into the Service
on the 1st of October 1778 and served in Capt
Joseph Mansfield Company and Col Meggs Regis and served until about the 15th of January 1780 and then served as a substitute for Freeman Judge of Watertown of Corn Six month and the he returned & served as a substitute for Jael Norton two month in the year 1781, and in 1782 he enlisted and went Stratford in Conn two month in Capt Setteth Company and the said Samuel Baker States to this deponent that he served two month in
the army at Granden in Vermont under Capt
Clark Company this he stated to me on his
return home and have no doubt but it was
true he being a brother of mine and a man of
truth at that time and this deponent feenth
Saith that Falus stake be hired his Brother Samuel Blaklee to Lion for him the 15 month and did pay him for 4 months serving of the 15 months.
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 1st day of October 1832.                        Araunah Blakslee
Benajah Davis Justice of  Peace

I said Arunah Blakslee not being personally known to Justice Davis, having sided but a short time in his neighborhood side, the next annexed Deposition of Mr. Wm Beebe & the Rev'd Truman Marsh
Page 24

State of New York}
Otsego County}ss
I Horace Lathrop, Clerk of said County do certify that Benajah Davis Esquire before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Otago: And also that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his own proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand
and Seal of Office the 4th day of October 1832.
Horace Lathrop, Clerk,
Page 25

I William Beebe of the town of County of Litchfield Conn, being duly sworn do depose & say, that for the last forty years I have been well acquainted with Arunah Blakeslee late of said town, Now of Otsego County New York as I suppose, to which place he removed within the last year, from this town, and that said Arunah is a man of integrity & of good character for truth & veracity, and further saith not Dated at Litchfield this 13th day of October 1832
William Beebe

Litchfield County ss Litchfield Oct 13th 1832
Personally appeared William Beebe agen
tleman to me well known & who is entitled to
full credit, & who subscribed the above deposition in my presence; I made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me. G.C. Woodruff, Justice of the Peace


I Truman Marsh of the town & County of Litchfield Conn being duly sworn do depose & say, that for the last thirty years I have been well acquainted with Arunah Blakslee late of said town now of Otsego County, New York, to which place he removed from sd Litchfield about one year since, & that while he resided in Litchfield he was a prisoner in the parish of which I was Clergyman therefore had a good opportunity to become acquaint with his character, & I can unhesitatingly say that his character for veracity is perfectly good his statements are entitled to full credit and further saith not Dated at Litchfield this 29th day of October 1882
Truman Marsh
Page 26

Litchfield County of Lichfield October 29th 1832. Personally appeared the Ten Truman Marsh gentleman to me well known, & who subscribed the forgoing deposition in my presence, & made so oath to the truth of the same, (he being a witness entitled to full credit.
Before me
Geo. C. Woodruff
Justice of the Peace
Page 27

John B. Allen of Washington Litchfield
County and State of Connecticut deposeth
and saith that he is now in the 71st you of
his age and that he served in the American
army of the Revolution he thinks in the
Summer of 1781 in Capt Curtis Company
and Col Barabel Beber Regiment in and about
Bank for the term of at least two months
and that Samuel Blakesley served with him at
the same time and place under the above
named offices and that their business was
to protect the county from the examining
of the British and Cowboy keep guard
and that he was well acquainted with the
said Samuel Blacksley and that he well
recollects that they were in a skirmish with the British in retaking cattle from them-- and he further said that he meet with the said Blacklee John B. Allen

Litchfield County Washington Oct 17th 1832
Personally appeared John H. Allen signer of the foregoing deposition and made at the to the truth of the same before me I am personally acquainted with the John B. Allen and consider him a man of veracity and entitled to credit.
Alvin Brown Justice of Peace
Page 28

William Buber of the County of Litchfield County being duly sworn do depose say that I am the son of Bezaleel Beebe of late of Litchfield decd & who was a in the American Army in the War of the Revolution, and that I am well acquainted with Samuel Baker of Litchfield, that I have often heard my Father Bates Clerk, about their services in the Revolutionary war I have heard my Father say that said Blakeslee served as a soldier in his Regiment at Horseneck, Conn. I have heard said
Blakeslee for many years past claim that he served for some time as a soldier of the Revolution, and he is generally reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been such soldier & never heard
any one expressed doubt in this point. His character for veracity is good. And another saith not... Dated at Litchfield this 8th day of Aug 1832.
                                                    William Beebe
Litchfield County of Litchfield Lot 8th 1832
Personally appeared William Biele a witness to me personally known who is entitled to credit, & who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence her solemn oath to the truth of the same Before me 
G. C. Woodruff
Justice of the Peace
Page 29

John Woodruff of the town of Torrington in Litchfield County by Conn, being duly sworn do depose & say that I am well acquainted with
Samuel Blakeslee of Litchfield in said County & that in Aug 1782, he was a member of a company of Connecticut troops in the service of the United States, I commanded by Capt Gillett, Lieut. Ephraim Harrison & Ensign Catlin, he was with said company stationed at Stratford, Conn, on the Long Island Sound. The duty of said Company was to guard the court & print the British from plundering the property of our inhabitants, their ships were in the sound & they had already landed once or three; there were at Stratford at this time four or for other companies of troops, & some Continental Troops under Capt Collins Major Strong commanded our forces at that place
S.Blakeslee served in this Company at this time
place the month think I served with him at
the same time, in the same company & knew him well personally know that said Blakesler so served. He is a man of truth veracity & his statement is entitled to full credit And further, that from circumstances which said Blakesley has related to me I fully be that said Blakeslee and in Col. Bezaleel Beebe's Regiment at Horseneck in 1781. I served in said Reg
it was there at the time & 1 Blakeslee has related to be circumstances which none but an actual so tales could known; but I do not that said Blakeslee served there from personal knowledge, but believe he did for the national above stated and further saith not Dated at Litchfield this 11th day of Aug 1832
                                                   John Woodruff
Litchfield County of Litchfield Aug 11th 1832
personally appeared John Woodruff a witness to me personally known who is entitled to credit & who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
C Woodruff
Justice of the Peace
Page 30

Samuel Blackslee
Elias Brown
18718-
Page 31

State of Connecticut ss County of Litchfield Nov. 1st 1832

Frederick Wolcott Clerk of Court within & for said County do certify that George C. Woodruff, Ensign Bushnell & Ann Brown whose names are written & subscribed respectively to the foregoing depositions of William Bebee, 
Truman Marsh, Eli S. Rowley, John B. Allen & John Woodruff an were at the dates thereof respectively Justices of the Peace within & for said Litchfield County & duly qualified to administer oath as such that the signature of George C. Woodruff to the foregoing deposition of Truman Marsh, John Woodruff
 with & the two depositions of Wm Buble & the signed time of Ensign Bushnell to the deposition of Eli S. Rowley & the signature of Alvin Brown to the deposition of John B. Allen and speedily genuine. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand the seal of said County Court the day
year aforesaid
Frederick Wolcott Clerk~
Page 32

New Haven County ss Guilford
August 2nd 1832---
Personally appeared before me Medad Petter
a Pensioner of said Guilford and being duly Sworn testified and said, that in the year 1779 He was in the United States service under Genl
Wayne was at Reading in the State of N. York & Robinson plain near West Point and afterward in the Jerseys that Wm Samuel Blakeslee who also claims to have been in service with him but
whom have never seen since these and do not distinctly recollect, as related to him such circumstances as day recollect, has told him who their officers were & who their best mates were & such other circumstance, as fully
induces him to believe that he was in the same service at the same time Viz during fifteen months--
Medad [his X mark] Potter

Sworn to & subscribed before me
this 2nd day of August 1832--George Griswold, Justice of the Peace for New Haven County
Page 33

The Justice cannot certify that Medad Potter is a credible witness & therefore the depontion I suppose cannot be of much importance, 
but such as it,I forward it. July 27th 1833

Geo. C. Woodruff
Page 34

Eli S. Rowley of Washington Litchfield County, Testifies and says that in the year A.D. One thousand eight hundred seven hundred and Eighty, he was well acquainted with Samuel Blakeslee and that he was with the said Blakeslee in the Connecticut State Troops Cauthorded to be said by Congress at White Plains, and various other places, and that he believes the said Blakeslee serve at said places at least six months in succession, under Colonel Wall and also that he the Deponent was acquainted with Freeman Judd of Watertown in Litchfield County, on the year A.D. 1784 and further the Deponent saith not.
                                                   Eli S. Rowley
Litchfield County}ss 
Washington August 8th 1832 Personally appeared Eli S. Rowley, subscribed to the foregoing Deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
The above deposition was taken at the request
of Samuel Blakeslee.
personally known and said Rowley to me is a credible witness.
Attest, Ensign Bashwell Justice of Peace
Page 35

RW & 1812
HEADQUARTERS COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF
SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR COMMITTEE ON MARKING GRAVES
CHARLES R. HALE, CHAIRMAN IS WASHINGTON ST. HARTFORD, CONN.
April 9 - 1931

Chief Clerk
Pension Dept.
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Please send me Revolutionary War
of Samuel Blakeslee Claim $16052 cert, no. 221/2527 issued Oct. 1-1833. We wish to 
get a headstone for this man-Samuel Blacksle
Yours very Truly
Chas. R. Hale 
APR 11 1931
Page 36

HE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION

HON. ERNEST E. ROGERS
Vice-Presidents
ORLANDO H. BROTHWELL
Treasurer
CHARLES G. STONE
Box 847, Hartford
Secretary
FREDERICK DOOLITTLE

Registrar
F. C. BISSEL
375 Laurel St., Hartford
FRANK B. GAY
REV. ORVILLE A. PETTY
Necrologist
LEVERETT BELKNAP
Trustee to National Society
HERBERT H. WHITE

F.C. BISSELL
1009 W. Boulevard
HARTFORD, CONN.

DELEGATES
Clarence Horace Wickham, at large
Edward W. Beardsley
Eli C. Birdsey
Robert F. Bradley
William H. Burr
F. Joseph Chatterton
Frank A. Corbin
Edgar J. Doolittle
George S. Goddard
A. McClellan Mathewson
John M. Parker, Jr.
Edgar L. Pond
George H. Sage
Charles E. P. Sanford
Andrew J. Sloper
Levi T. Snow
Alfred Spencer, Jr.
Major Charles H. Sprague
Rev. Harris E. Starr
Tracy B. Warren
Martin Welles
William S. Welles
Arthur E. Woodruff
Rollin S. Woodruff
OTHER MANAGERS
William H. Allen
Isaac W. Birdseye
John C. Brinsmade
John N. Brooks
George F. Burgess
Louis R. Cheney
Charles Hopkins Clark
Albert F. Corbin
William H. Corbin
Frederick A. Doolittle
Wilson H. Lee
William Maxwell
Edward J. Morgan
Henry F. Parker
Charles A. Quintard
George C. Ross
Malcolm D. Rudd
Frank E. Sands
Charles G. Stone
Earnest C. Simpson
Harry R. Williams
Secretaries of Local
Chapters, ex-officio

                                           Dec. 18, 1924

U. S. Pension Office
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Please send revolutionary record of Samuel
Blakeslee who was a pensioner in Litchfield, Conn. 1840, aged 80 years.
Sincerely,
F. C. Bissell, Registrar

PENSION
U DEC. 19 S.
1924
OFFICE
Page 37

THE CONNECTICUT SOCIETY of the SONS of the AMERICAN REVOLUTION

President
HON. ERNEST E. ROGERS
Vice-Presi-
ORLANDO L. KENWELL
HON. L WALES LEE
MALCOLM D. ROLD
Secretary
FREDEK A DOOLHILE
117 Mile St. Hubert

Registrar
F. CLARENCE BISSELL 1009 W. Boulevard,
375 Laurel St., Hartford HARTFORD, CONN.
Historian
FRANK B. GAY
Chaplain
REV. ORVILLE A. PETTY
Neurologist
LEVERETT BELKNAP
Trustee to National Society
HERBERT H. WHITE

DELEGATES
Clarence Horace Wickham, at large
Edward W. Beardsley
Eli C. Birdsey
Robert F. Bradley
William H. Burr
F. Joseph Chatterton
Frank A. Corbin
Edgar J. Doolittle
George S. Godard
A. McClellan Mathew
John M. Parker, Jr.
Edgar L. Pond
George H. Sage
Charles E. P. Sanford
Andrew J. Sloper
Levi T. Snow
Alfred Spencer, Jr.
Major Charles H. Sprague
Rev. Harris E. Starr
Tracy B. Warren
Martin Welles
William S. Welles
Arthur E. Woodruff
Rollin S. Woodruff

OTHER MANAGERS
William H. Allen
Isaac W. Birdseye
John C. Brimmade
John N. Brooks
George F. Burgess
Charles Hopkins Clark
Albert F. Corbin
William H. Corbin
Frederick A. Doolittle
Wilson H. Lee
William Maxwell
Edward J. Morgan
Henry F. Parker
Charles A. Quintard
George C. Ross
Malcolm D. Rudd
Frank E. Sands
Charles G. Stone
Earnest C. Simpson
Harry R. Williams

Secretaries of Local
Chapters, ex-officio


                                                   Sept. 18, 1924
U. S. Pension Office,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Please send copy of Revolutionary record of Samuel Blakeslee of Litchfield, Conn. in 1840.
Respectfully,
F. C. Bissell
Registrar

PENSIONS
U. SEPT, 19, 1924 S.
OFFICE
Page 38

Record and Pension Office
DEC. 13, 1897
501604

New Haven, Conn.
Dec 12, 1877
Samuel Blakeslee}
Hezekiah Brackett} of Conn.

Mrs. George F. Newcourt request copy of Pension records of these men, also names of their wives  as of records.
DEC 18 1897
FILES.

RECORD AND PENSION OFFICE,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, December 14, 1897

Respectfully returned to
Mrs. George F. Newcourt,
No. 90 York Square,
New Haven, Connecticut.

Applications for information relative to pensions should be addressed to the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C., who is the custodian of the pension records of all
wars, and whose office is separate
and distinct from the Record and Pension
Office of the War Department.

BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
F.C. Aninonk
Colonel, U.S. Army, Chief of Office

Per a
(300a)
Page 39

New Haven. Conn.
90 York Square
Dec. 12, 1897

Commissioned F. C. Arnett


Dear Sir:
Will you send me a copy of the pension record of Samuel Blakeslee of Litchfield Co (Probably) Conn. and of Hezekiah Brackett Fairfield Co. (Probably) Conn.
In the name of his wife as either is given,- it will
 be of service.-

Yours  truly
Lydia B. Newcomb
(Mrs. George F. Newcomb)
Page 40

sent through our records to
the wrong Department
Page 41

To Conn.  P/

16052
INVALID
=========
File No. 1632
Samuel Blakeslee
Pri  Rev War
=============
Act: June 7"" 32
Index: -- -Vol. 1,  Page 432

[Arrangement of 1870]

Samuel Blakeslee W. Conn. Service
Records corrected Feb. 27


Jan. 3/98. Hist to Mrs. G.F. Newcourt, New Haven.
-------------------------------------------
1908 Mar. 13. Hist. to Mrs. Martha
Eggleston letter in W.F. 17748 & 1924, Sept 25 - Hist. F.C. Bissell
---------------------------------------------
1931 - May 15. Tombstone data to J Chas. R. Hale, Esq.
Page 42

May 15, 1931

                               Rev. & 1812 Wars Section EEL

Mr. Charles R. Hale        
131 Washington Street
Hartford, Connecticut

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in  Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 16052, that Samuel Blakeslee all (the name also appears as Blakeslee) was born May 22,
1769, at North Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. In 1770, he moved to the State of Vermont.
While residing in Wells, Rutland County, Vermont, he enlisted in May, 1778, and served two months as a private in Captain Clark's Vermont Company.

In the fall of 1778, he moved to Farmingbury (later Wolcott,) New Haven County, Connecticut, enlisted there and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as
follows: from about October 1, 1778, fifteen months as a substitute for his brother, Zealous, in Captain Joseph Mansfield's Company, Colonel Meigs' Regiment; from June,
1780, six months in Colonel Wells' Regiment; from sometime in the summer of 1781, exact date not stated, two months in Captain Curtiss' Company, Colonel Bezaleel Beebe's Regiment and was in a skirmish; from August, 1782, two months in Captain Gillett's Company under Major Strong.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 29, 1832, while residing in Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut, where he had resided ever since the Revolutionary War.

Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 43

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

                                                       January 7, 1925
F. C. Bissell
1009 West Boulevard
Hartford, Conn.

Sir:
I have to advise you that owing to the lack of a
clerical force available for such a purpose, it is
not the practice of the Bureau to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution more than once to the same  person.
You were furnished on September 23, 1924 the history of Samuel Blakeslee (pensioned Blackslee), S. 16052, a pensioner of Litchfield, Connecticut. He did not sign Blakeslee,
The above noted is the only pensioner of Litchfield, Connecticut, by that that name under any spelling.

Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 44


In reply to your request of Mar. 6, received Mar. 9. 1908 statement of the military history of Samuel Blacksle (Pensioned as Blackslee)
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF                        
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.                  LENGTH OF SERVICE
May 1778                              2 mos
*Oct. 1, 1778                        15 mos
June 1780                             6 mos
Summer 1781                        2 mos
Aug. 1782                              2 mos

RANK  OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS 
                                              RENDERED.
  "                              CAPTAIN        COLONEL
                                   Clark            
   "                   Joseph Mansfield      Meigs
                                  Curtiss     Bazeleel Beebe
                                  Gillett
STAFF
VT
Conn.

*Served as substitute for his brother Zealous

Battles engaged in, none mentioned.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wells, Rutland Co. Vt.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 29, 1832. Claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Litchfield, Conn. since the war.
Age at date of application, born May 22, 1760 at North Haven, Conn.
Remarks: Soldier's Araunah and sister
Phebe Parker, testified in the case. [No further family]
Page 45

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
FORM VAN-51     DIVISION OF VETERANS
12-5-41                ADMINISTRATION ARCHIVES

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME: Blacksley, Caleb GRADE: Private
LINE: Connecticut

WARRANT NUMBER: 5446 ACREAGE: 100

ISSUED: Nov. 2, 1791 to Jonathan Tuttle

*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 resolution of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates,   Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department file [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.