Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6327, for Seth Lewis, Connecticut
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Lewis, Seth
Rhoda
NUMBER 
R. 6327
CONTENTS
Page 2

This certifies that in a Record of Marriages kept by Rev. William Robinson, former Pastor of the Congregational Church & Society in Southington, Conn. I find under date of 1788, the following entry:
"Mar. 9th Seth Lewis and Rhoda Cole."
Elisha C. Jones
Pastor of Cong. Church in Southington
Southington Oct. 20, 1853.
(over)
Page 3

State of Connecticut
Hartford County ss Southington October 20th 1853
Personally appeared Elisha C. Jones minister at the Congregational Church at Southington and swore to the truth of the within certificate before me
Walter S. Merrell.
Notary Public
[Seal]
Page 4

I Martha Clark of Southington County of Hartford and State of Connecticut being duly cautioned and sworn depose and say, I am Eighty seven years old, I was acquainted with Seth Lewis and Rhoda his wife, born Cole, and lived in the family about three years between 1790, & 1800
They were reputed to have been married, and I never knew it doubted. I know the said Rhoda Lewis widow of the said Seth Lewis that she never married again, and is still living in Southington a widow. I am not interested in any pension the said widow Rhoda Lewis may obtain from government.
her
X
mark
Martha Clark

In presence of Elizabeth Andrews of Southington
Wm H Jones of Aransas Tex.
Page 5

I Laurinda Curtiss of Southington County of Hartford & State of Connecticut being duly cautioned and sworn depose & say I am Seventy four years old last August and have lived here in this house Fifty three years last December. I was intimately acquainted with Seth Lewis during his life, & his wife Rhoda Lewis. They were several years near neighbors, and lived not more than one hundred yards from this house
They were always reputed man & wife, I always considered them so, and never heard any one doubt it. I have frequently heard my husband, before his death, mention that Mr. Seth Lewis was in the Revolutionary Army. I know the said Rhoda, widow of the said Seth Lewis and that she is now living in this town, and has not married again, and is still the widow of the said Seth Lewis.
I am uninterested in any pention the said widow may receive from the United States
Laurinda Curtis [Signature]
Page 6

Town Clerk Office
Southington Oct. 19. 1853-
I hereby certify on oath that I have examined the Records in this office & find no record of the marriage of Seth Lewis.
Attest Jesse Olney Town Clerk

State of Connecticut
Hartford County
Southington October 19th 1853
Personally appeared Martha Clark and Laurinda Curtiss the deponents to whose depositions this certificate is annexed and were duly sworn and deposed as is in their depositions respectively written and by them subscribed before me
And I also certify that Jess Olney is the Town Clerk of the town of Southington and that he made and swore before me to the truth of the certificate by him subscribed to which this is annexed and I also further certify that I am entirely disinterested in any pension which may be obtained by the aforesaid widow Rhoda Lewis.
Walter S. Merrell Notary Public
[Seal]
Page 7

NEW PENSION LAWS.
FORM OF WIDOW'S DECLARATION. No. 1.
STATE OF Connecticut, 
COUNTY OF Hartford ss. 
Rhoda Lewis of Southington in said County makes oath and says that she is the widow of Seth Lewis, of Southington, deceased, who was (2) in the Paymasters' Department of the Army of the Revolution & also served in the Army at New York until Sept. 25th 1776 and ranked as Major in the services according to his statement to myself-  that the said Major Seth Lewis died at(4) Southington on or about the(5) 26th day of March A. D. 1808.
She further states that she was married to the said(6) Seth Lewis in Southington on the 9th day of March in the year 1788 by one(7) William Robinson a minister and that her name before her said marriage was Rhoda Cole and that there are four children of the said Seth Lewis now living, whose names are as follows:(8) Emma Pardee, Rhoda Jones, Harriet Langdon, and Maria Bishop, only surviving children of the said Seth Lewis deceased, and that her husband(9) received no Pension from the United States, that she has remained his widow, having never married again; that there is no living witness of her marriage or public record thereof except the Church Record. 
She furthermore by these presents constitutes and appoints irrevocably F. E. HASSLER, of Washington, D. C., her true and lawful attorney to prosecute and demand from the U. S. Government any pension or money or land that she may have right to-hereby confirming her said attorney's lawful acts in the premises.
Rhoda Lewis [Signature] 

Subscribed, acknowledged, and sworn to and before me, in open court, this 20th day of October 1853 and I further certify I am not interested in this claim.
Walter S. Merrell Judge of the Court of Probate

It is hereby certified, that satisfactory proof* has been exhibited before me the undersigned, Judge of the Probate Court of Southington in the County and State aforesaid, by the affidavits of Laurinda Curtis of Southington and Martha Clark of Southington of the above named County and State, being personally known to me and who are entitled to credit, that Mrs. Rhoda Lewis is the Widow of the late Seth Lewis who ranked as Major in the United States service,(10) in the War of the Revolution and that the said Mrs. Rhoda Lewis is now, and was on the 3d February, 1853, the widow of the said Seth Lewis to the best of their knowledge and belief.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of October in the year 1853
Walter S. Merrell Judge

*The written evidence, upon which the court acts, must accompany the certificate
[Seal]
Page 8

STATE OF Connecticut
COUNTY OF Hartford to wit: Southington Oct 20th 1853
I hereby certify, that the Hon. Walter S. Merrill before whom the annexed affidavits were made, and who ha thereunto subscribed his name was at the time of so doing, Judge of the Probate Court of Southington in the said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Probate Court, this 20th day of October in the year 1853
John Gridley Clerk.

original
Claim of Rhoda Lewis widow of Seth decd FOR A PENSION.
ACT OF FEBRUARY 3, 1853.
Act 7 June 1838.
War of the Revolution
Cole
Filed Dec. 15, 1853

F. E. HASSLER, ATTORNEY, WASHINGTON CITY, D. C.

READ THIS.
NOTES.
1. Which must be made before a judge of a court of record in open court, unless applicant is from bodily health unable to appear; it then can be made before the judge, who will certify to the fact of the disability to appear.
2. Must here state, whether a revolutionary soldier, or officer, or pensioner, naming the State where the pension was paid; or if the husband served and died in the service during any war since 1790-naming them thus: Wayne's, or Indian wars prior to 1800; War with Great Britain, 1812; Seminole War, 1817 and 1818; Black Hawk War, 1832; Florida War, 1835 to 1842; Cherokee and Creek Disturbances, 1836, &c.; Mexican War, 1846 to 1848; and giving the name of the Captain, Company, Regiment, and Colonel; and whether militia, volunteers, or regular army; and place of muster, discharge, or death.
3. Deceased person's name and residence.-4. The place.-5. The date of death.-6. Husband's name, or father's name.
7. Name of the minister, or justice of the peace ; and if married in any State or county where any public records of marriages are kept, the marriage should be proved by a duly certified copy of the record, or by the testimony of credible witnesses who were present at the marriage; and where such testimony exists, and is not produced, satisfactory reasons must be stated, under oath, why it is not produced; and, in all cases where record evidence or the testimony of witnesses who were present at the marriage could be procured and is not, the claim will be rejected, unless other testimony of a very full and satisfactory character is produced. If it is shown by affidavit that no record evidence or testimony of eye-witnesses can be procured, the claimant may then produce the best other evidence in her power, such as the testimony of witnesses, who were acquainted with her and her husband during his lifetime, knew them to live together as man and wife, and that they were reputed so to be, and that the fact of their having been married was never called in question by their acquaintances.
In no case, however, will the mere statement of the witnesses, that the claimant is the widow of the deceased, by taken as evidence of the marriage; but the witnesses must state the facts and circumstances from which they derive their knowledge or opinion that she is the widow of the deceased.
A certificate from the clergyman or magistrate who solemnized the marriage is not competent evidence, unless the genuineness of the certificate can be proved, and the person who gave it be shown to have been authorized to solemnize marriages.
9. This black is left, for the purpose of the applicant's stating whether any bounty land or pension has at any time been received by any one ; if so, by whom, and when.
10. Naming the war.
All records or copy of records must be attached to the original declaration by a tape, the ends of which must pass under the seal of the court, in order to prevent the improper addition of any evidence after the papers have been duly executed and certified to by the judge and clerk.
If the widow was re-married, all the facts of both marriages and death of both husbands must be proven.
A probate court is the most convenient court in which to make these proofs.
The law (3d February, 1853) grants pensions to the widows of revolutionary soldiers, without reference to date of marriage, who served six months and over.
This form may be used for Bounty Land applications by changing the word "Pension" to "Land," and striking out the date of the act.
Please conform to the above "notes."
Page 9

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,------------------,19--
Sept 25 1776
Major
received

In reply to your request of-----, received------
for a statement of the military history of Seth Lewis a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in hXis (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau, R. 6327.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF Sept 25 1776
SERVICE:      Sept 25 1776    
RANK:          Major
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED:
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL     Paymasters Corps.
Paymenters Corps
STATE.
Battles engaged in, none stated
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 20, 1853.
Residence at date of application, Southington, Hartford Co. , Conn.
Age at date of application, not stated.
Remarks: he marned in outhington, Conn, Mch 9. 1758. Rhoda Cole, he
died in Southington Mch. 26 1808. He was a member of the society of the Cincinnati,
Hewarty pointed Deputy Portinate of Southington Sept 10 1884, where he was appointed
Superintendent in the Poll Office Apr 16. 1808. Children ving in 1853: Emma Pardee,
to one Daniel Langdon & Maria Birket Rhoster Lower claim or not at-
---
lowed as the failed to Respectfully, furnish satisfactory proof of service as
Alleged,
Commissioner.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
Sept 25 1776
Major
received
19
In reply to your request of
for a statement of the military history of Seth Lewis
a 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, R. 6327.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
RANK,
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
COLONEL.
Paymenters Corps
6 -- 2856
STATE.
Battles engaged in, none station
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Not stated.
Date of application for pension, Oct. 20, 1855.
Residence at date of application, Southington, Hartford Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, not stated.
Remarks: he marned in outhington, Conn, Mch 9. 1758. Rhoda Cole, he
died in Southington Mch. 26 1808. He was a member of the society of the Cincinnati,
Hewarty pointed Deputy Portinate of Southington Sept 10 1884, where he was appointed
Superintendent in the Poll Office Apr 16. 1808. Children ving in 1853: Emma Pardee,
to one Daniel Langdon & Maria Birket Rhoster Lower claim or not at-
---
lowed as the failed to Respectfully, furnish satisfactory proof of service as
Alleged,
Commissioner.
uRo
Page 10

Rev Sec
A J
Keep together save inquiry
[Post card w/postage stamp] Southington CONN Aug 8AM
Bureau of Pensions
Department of Interior
Washington, D.C.-
Page 11

Have you any records of Seth Lewis of Southington? 
All that I have found in Connecticutt is that he joined the Society of the Cincinatti July 4, 1787
L.H. von Sahler,
291 South Main Street
, Connecticut
July 31st:
[stamp] PENSION OFFICE G AUG 5 1915 U.S
Page 12

U.S. POSTALCARD ONE CENT 1 JEFFERSON 1
THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS 
SOUTHINGTON CONN. AUG 4 8AM
Per Sec V  AJ
General Pension Office
Washington, D.C.
Page 13

Have you any records of Seth Lewis of Southington?  & all that I have
found in Connecticut is that he joined
the Society of the Cincinnati July
4, 1787
L. H. Van Sahler
291 South Main Street 1915
Southington, Connecticut
July 31st.
[stamp] 
PENSION
G
AUG 5 1915
OFFICE
Page 14

Revolutionary
___________________
Additional Evidence
Claim of
Rhoda Lewis
(widow of Seth Lewis)
Connecticut Suspension Act 1838
act 1838.
Filed Feb 27 1852,
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 15

Washington DC
February 27 1834
Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commr of Pensions
Sir:
In reply to yours of the 21st"[?] of January in the
case of Rhoda Lewis, widow of Seth Lewis under act of
7" July 1838, suspended on the Connecticut list, I have the
house to call your attention to the following viz
Seth Lewis was an Officer and Paymaster and it would
appear that he was employed in the Paymaster General's
Office. In order to ascertain whether any record of his service
existed I have examined Pierce's certificates of depreciation of
pay but do not find his name thereon: the reason for this is
most probably the fact of his being in the Paymaster General's
Office and it being consequently, unnecessary to issue any certificate
but only to pay him the same without any certificate, he filing
his receipt for the amount which receipt was doubtless filed
in the papers and records of the Paymaster General's own Office
which were lost, as will appear from the report to be found
in the American State Papers Class 10 vol 1 Miscellaneous page
252. being a report of the books and papers destroyed by fire
in the War Office in 1800 from which I extract- "Several cases
"containing muster and pay rolls. others containing accounts and
"vouchers of sundry Paymasters and agents for paying troops, and one
"case containing individual settlements made by the late Paymaster
                            ------------------------------------------------------
Page 16


"General and Commissioner of Army accounts"
.
I would also refer you to page 241. Report No 144 of same volume
I also enclose a letter from the 3d Auditor dated January
28 1854 numbered 1.
I also enclose extracts from the Constitution and amended
constitution of the Society of the Cincinnati, numbered 2 & 3, and
refer you to the copy of the Original certificate of the Cincinnati,
signed by Generals George Washington and H. Knox on the 4 July
1784 and the other papers on file in the case
I also enclose a letter of E. Gleason of Hartford, Connecticut,
and call your attention to the report of the committee, consisting
of Jere Wadsworth, Samuel Wyllys & Saml H. Parsons- dated
Hartford July 4" 1787. numbered 4.
I would remark that several of those named in the report of the Committee
have been pensioned.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Servant
F.E. Hassler
Page 17

1915. Aug 11: History
to Mr. L. H von Sahler
M.B.H.
REJECTED

1927
P. O.
Rhoda Lewis
Service:
Enlisted:---- ,18 .
Discharged:----,18.
Application filed:----,18
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
---Recognized. ---Contract.
Page 18

ber 22@.Feb. 1855.
No 15,087
Rhoda Lewis
wid of Seth
Conn.

Let F. E. Hapler Dec 22/53
  "    Same  Jany 24. 54
   "   Same   Mar.9/54
   "   Same   Mar 20 /52
F.E. Hapler 15 Apl.1854.

July 7. 1838
apler 10 June 185
auin.
Page 19

GIDEON GRANGER, POST-MASTER-GENERAL
OF THE
United States of America,
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
Know Ye, That confiding in the integrity, ability and punctuality of Seth Lewis Esquire
of Southington in Hartford County of State of Connecticut
I Do Appoint him a Deputy Post Master,
and authorize him to execute the Duties of that Office at
Southington aforesaid
according to the Laws of the United States, and such Regulations conformable thereto, as he shall receive from me:
To Hold the said Office of Deputy Post Master, with all the Powers, Privileges and Emoluments to the same belonging,
during the Pleasure of the Post Master-General of the United States, for theTime being.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the Seal of my Office
to be affixed, at Washington City, the Tenth day of September
in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight Hundred and Four and of the Independence
of the United States the Twenty Ninth
Gideon Granger
Page 20


Revolutionary
---------------
Additional Evidence
Claim of
Rhoda
widow of
Seth Lewis
Connecticut Sept. 1838
Coh[?]
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Apl 12th 1854
Page 21


Washington City D C
April 12th 1854.
Hon L.P. Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir:
Enclosed please find the
affidavits
Chauncey Lewis &
& Asahel Newell,
which I feel convinced will prove
sufficient to identify the present
Claimant as the widow of the identical
Seth Lewis to whom said certificate
of the Cincinnati was given and
signed by Genl Washington which
act was confirmed & made correct by
the revision of General Parsons,Wyllys
& Wadsworth in 1787. Upon the point
of record proof of service other than the above
referred to, being the Cincinnate certificate
deem it unnecessary to add anything
to my remarks heretofore made
Yours & cer
F.E. Hassler
... pension claim....[illegible]
Page 22

Southington, Connecticut March 25th 1854
I Chauncey Lewis of Southington being duly
sworn depose & say that I shall be ninety-
five years old next June - that I was in
the standing army in the Revolution that
I know Seth Lewis said Seth Lewis was
reputed to have been in the Militia. I have
heard my father say that he was in his
company & served as a Lieutenant or Ensign.
I was not with Seth Lewis during the revolu-
tion. He was in the militia as I was told by one of them and I was in later Harding army. I know Rhoda Lewis of this town.
She is the widow of the said Seth Lewis
and has never married since his decease.
my father kept a roll which I have here
I do not remember whether Sithee is name
was then or not, but I will remember of having
heard in other my that Seth Lewis served
under him either as Lieutenant or Ensign
I am at interested in any pension claim of
the said
Rhoda Lewis
Merrill
Sarah C Lewis
Chauncey his
Sworn to before me
Walter S. Merrell Ray
I further certify that the foresaid Chauncy is is a
ble witness that the interlination as I was told by the
was made before the signing of the affidavit & that I am
the disinterest on any pension claim & the Romans
Page 23

State of Connecticut
Hartford County, ss. Southington March 14th
1854
I Asahel Newell of Southington in the State of
Connecticut being duly sworn deposed and say
that I shall be Sixty six years old next May
that I was personally acquainted with Seth
Lewis who lived and died in this town  -  he was
while living the husband of Rhoda Lewis 
is now living in this town. I am well acquainted with the said Rhoda Lewis, and know that she
is the widow of the said Seth Lewis, and has
remained his widow ever since the decease
of the said Seth Lewis and has never married
again. The said Seth Lewis died many years ago - I should think somewhere from 1808 to 1812.
He was reputed to have been engaged in the
Revolutionary service I should think in the
Pay-Department.
I well remember of his having a Certificate of
the Society of Cincinnati. I have frequently
seen said Certificate hanging in his house, and
have read it. I well remember of having read said
certificate while said Lewis was living.
I am not interested in any claim which the said
Rhoda Lewis has, or may have for pension monies.
Asahel Newell

Sworn to & subscribed before me
Walter S. Merrell Notary Public
-----------------------------------
I also further certify that the aforesaid
Asahel Newell is a credible witness and
that I am entirely disinterested in any
claim for pension of the said Rhoda Lewis
Walter S. Merrell Notary Public
Page 24

GIDEON GRANGER, POST-MASTER GENERAL
OF THE
United States of America,
TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING:
Know YE,
That confiding in the integrity, Ability, and punctuality of the widow Rhoda Lewis
of Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut
tender
I Do Appoint her superintendent
and authorize her to execute the Duties of that Office at Southington,
aforesaid
according to the Laws of the United States, and such Regulations conformable thereto, as she shall receive from me:
To Hold the said Office of superintendent, with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same belonging,
during the Pleasure of the Post-Master General of the United States, for the time being.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused the Seal of my Office
to be affixed, at Washington City, the Sixteenth
day of April
in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight Hundred and Eight and of the Independence of the United States the Thirty second
[signed] Gideon Granger
Page 25

No 4
Evidence from the
Historical Society
of the State of
Connecticut
HARTFORD.CT. 5cts NOV 11 [postmark] 
F. E. Hassler, Esq.
Lewis
Washington
D. C
Lewis
Page 26


The following Extract from one of the Articles
of the General Society of Cincinnati, and adopted
by the Connecticut Society in 1783, is in these words-

"In order to form funds, which may be
respectable and assist, the unfortunate, each
officer shall deliver to the Treasurer of the State Society
one months pay, which shall remain forever to
the use of the State Society, in the Interest, only of
which, if necessary, to be appropriated to the
relief of the unfortunate."
Report of Committee
"The subscribers a Committee of Claims, having
examined the pretentions of Mess. Thos. Lewis,
Seth Lewis, Lieut. Sol_om Cowles Junr. Amasa
Keyes, Elijah Hubbard, Peter Colt & Nehemiah
Hubbard, and we find that by the Institution
of the Cincinnati, they are entitled to become
members of sd. Society, and upon their signing
the Institutions, be and they are admitted
members of S. Society, on their depositing
the sum of their respective Ranks"

"Hartford, July 4th 1787.
"Jere. Wadsworth
"Saml Wyllys
 "Saml H. Parsons."
  Committee
From the Secretary's minutes, it appears that the above
named gentlemen were admitted as members
of
Page 27

the Connecticut Society, July 4, 1787

"At an Annual Meeting of the Connecticut State
Society of the Cincinnati", the other  at Hartford on
the 7th day of July, 1784 _ On motion,
"Voted, as to Direction for the Committee of
Claims, - That officers having served in three
Campaigns in the Continental Army, or in the
Troops raised for the defence of this, or any other
of the United States, and residing in this State;
Officers who have left service with reputation;
and all officers whose accumulated service
amounts to three Campaigns, are entitled
to admission into this Society provided, in
the pension of the Society, or their Committee,
their particular services shall be judged such
as to entitle them to become members."
Page 28

Hartford, Nov. 11, 1853
F. E. Hassler, Esq.
Sir
In answer to your enquirey in relation to Seth Lewis, in your Letter to the
Secy of the Con. Hist. Socy. of the 5th inst., I would observe that is[sic] was put into my hands, by the Secretary, to examine the Records and Papers of the Cont. Secy. of Cincinnati, and find the  enclosed, which I have copied, as giving
the best answers to your enquiries. I do not find on any Record the amount of the Initiation fee from any of the members.
If a Certificate of the facts communicated is wanted, the fee will be $4.
Yours Respectfully
E.  Gleason
Page 29

No. 3

Extract from the Constitution of the Society of the Cincinnati
as amended at the first general meeting convened in Philadelphia in May 1784.
Sec 1.  The persons who constitute this society are all the commissioned and brevet officers of the Army and Navy of the United States who have served three years and who left
the service with reputation: all officers who were in actual service at the conclusion of the war, all the principal staff officers of the Continental army; and the officers who have been deranged by the several resolutions of Congress upon the different reforms of the Army
Sec. 2. There are also admitted into this society
the late and present ministers of His Most Christian Majesty
to the United States &c &c and such other persons as have
been admitted by the respective State meetings.   x x x x
Page 30

Revolutionary
---------------
Additional evidence
Claim of
Rhoda, widow
of
Seth Lewis
Conn. Susp.
Act 1838.
----------
Col

Filed 3d June 1854
F. E. Hassler
Washington
Page 31


Washington D.C.
June April 3d. 1854
Hon. L.P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions. Present
Sir:
In reply to your letter of the 17" April instant[x'd off] disallowing
the claim of Rhoda Lewis, of Connecticut, for a pension
under the act of 1838. I would state, that of the three
requisites to entitle an individual to become a member of
the Cincinnati Society there is but one viz: that of being
in service at the end of the war, that, in my judgment,
presents any doubt as to the length of the service of the
officer, and in order to obviate any objection that may  arise on this point.

{Reduction of the Army 1780}  {No new Appointments after 1780}
 I would call your attention to the fact that in October 1780, the 
Continental Congress reduced the rank of the Army, and 
never afterwards increased it, consequently there could
 have been no new appointment of Officers between 1780 
 and 1783, the close of the war and this clearly proves that any
one who received a certificate of membership from the
Society of the Cincinnati for actual service to the end of
the war, must have been an officer for three years
previous to that date.

{Constitution of Cincinnati Society 1783}
In case the Department should view the services ofSeth Lewis 
as those of a Clerk, they will upon an inspectionof the constitution 
of the Society of the Cincinnati perceive that these services were 
recognized as the services of an
Page 32


2.
Officer in the Army. The first words of the constitution
are as follows "All the officers of the American Amy," &c
American Constitution 1784 }
By the amended Constitution of May 1784 we
notice that a class of officers not heretofore admitted
became privileged to enter this Society: that class is
"all the principal Staff Officers of the Continental
Army". This shows that were Seth Lewis of this class,
he did at the earliest moment, when from the fact of his
being in the Paymaster Generals Department he could
apply, make application for admission into the Society
which request was duly granted as will fully appear
from the original certificate which has been filed in
Certif. of the Cincinnati Society }
your Department, dated 4" July 1784 and bearing
the signatures of General Washington and Knox.
And should it be shewn that Seth Lewis was simply
a clerk in the Paymaster General's Office still as
such his widow is now entitled to a pension at the
rate of $50. per month, which is the amount that
was paid for services of this kind
There might be some weight placed
by the Department upon the words of the
amended constitution of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Section 2 viz: "and such other persons
"as have been admitted by the respective State
"meetings". But these words and cannot apply to this case.
Lewis received his certificate of admission
Page 33

3
under date of July 1784 and had not then been admitted into any State society nor was he admitted until the year 1787 when with others he was admitted until the year 1787 when with others he was admitted
into the State Society of Connecticut after a revision
of his claim for admission by General Wadsworth Wyllis and Parsons.

Resolve of October 21 1780 }

In conclusion I beg leave to refer you to the Resolve of the 21" October 1780 viz: "That the Commander in chief and Commanding Officer in the Southern "department direct the Officers of each State to meet and
"agree upon the Officers for the regiments to be raised by 
"their respective States from those who incline to continue
"in service and where it cannot be done by agreement, to be
"determined by Seniority and make return of those who
"are to remain, which is to be transmitted to Congress, together
"with the names of the Officers reduced who are to be allowed
"half pay for life".  See also proceeding of Congress of
24" November 1778; 3d & 21 October 1780; 10" December 1781;
26" March. 23d Apl & 7" August 1782.
 
Resolve of 23d Apl 1782 }
 The language used on the 23d April 1782 is as follows: viz: "Whereas
"the most strict economy in the public expenditures is
"absolutely necessary for a vigorous prosecution of the
"war, and whereas to that end it is requisite to discon-
"tinue the practice of filling some of the places in
the Staff Departments with persons out of the line
"of the Army, which places may with great savingsereas
Page 34

"to the public be filled by supernumerary Officers "from the line".
The Office remarks that it is singular that
no record of Seth Lewis' service can be found.
To this I may answer that I believe it would be
impossible for the Government to show any record of payments being made to the Paymaster General, and if the Office indicate where any records of the Paymaster
General's own accounts for disbursements made to himself and those under his immediate orders can be found, it will afford me pleasure to cause them to be examined.
As regards the delay in the application I refer you to the accompanying letter of E. H. Bishop of New Haven, Connecticut.
Very Respectfully
Your OO Servant
F.E. Hassler
Page 35

Be it known that Seth Lewis is a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
instituted by the Officers of the American Army, at the Period of its dissolution, as well to commemorate the great Event which gave
Independence to North America, as for the laudable
purpose of inculcating the duty of laying down, in Peace, Arms 
assumed for public Defence, and of uniting in Acts of Brotherly
Affection, and bonds of Perpetual Friendship, the members 
constituting the same.

In testimony whereof, I, the President of the said Society, 
have hereunto set my Hand at Mount Vernon in the 
State of Virginia, this 4th day of July, in the year of our Lord 
one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, and in the year of
the Independence of the United States, Ninth.

By order:
Knox Secretary.
                                      G. Washington,
                                               President.

Pension Office
January 25th 1854 
I hereby certify that the above is a true copy from
the original, this day made in this Office

S.P. Waldo
Commissioner.
Page 36

No 2
Extract from the Constitution of the Society of the
Cincinnati adopted in 1783.
        X     X     X     X     X     X    X
All officers of the American Army, as well those who have
resigned with honer after three years service in the capacity
of Officers, or who have been deranged by the resolutions of Congress
upon the several reforms of the Army as those who shall have
continued to the end of the war have the right to become
parties to this institution; provided that they subscribe one month's
pay and sign their names to the general rules in their respective
State Societies, those who are present with the 
Army immediately, and others within six months after the Army shall be disbanded, extraordinary cases excepted, the rank, time of service, resolution
of Congress by which any have been deranged, and place of residence
must be added to each name   x   x   x   x   x
Page 37


Pension Office
Dec. 22, 1853
Sir,
cation of Rhoda Lewis, widow of Seth, for the benefit
of the Act of July 7, 1838, and you are informed that the
service claimed is neither set forth or sustained 
as Required by the regulations:
If he served in the Paymaster's Department, Record evidence
of the past is doubtless extant, and should be produced.
The date of the marriage is satisfactorily established.
I am, very respectfully
Your
Obt Servant
L P Waldo
Commissioner

F.E. Hassler Esq.
2 Present
Page 38

Sir
Pension Office
Dec. 22. 1853
I have examined and filed the application
of Rhoda Lewis, widow of Seth, for the benefit
of the Act of July 7. 1838, and you are informed that the
service claimed is neither set forth or
sustained as Required by the regulationS. If he
served in the Paymaster's Department, Record evidence
of the fact is doubtleSs extant, and should be produced.
The date of the marriage is Satisfactorily established.
I am, very respectfully
                                                             Your Obt Servant
                                                                S P Waldo
                                                              CommiSsioner.
 F. J. Hagler Esqr.
              Present.
Page 39

Letter from E.H [illegible]

Postmarked NEW HAVEN
APR 15

to
Mrs Rhoda C Lewis
Southington
Conn
.
Page 40

New Haven  April 14th 1843
Dear Madam-
Yours was recd  [illigeble]day evening & I was unable
 until to day, to see Mrs. A. Bishop in Octation Co the certificate,
or I should have endeavoured to have answered
it sooner. I called upon Mr. Bishop & asked him for 
the certificate, but instead of giving it to me, which he 
says he will do if necessary, says the records at Washington 
for the year 1782 and 1783 will show that Mr. Lewis was
paid quarterly whilst in the Paymaster Generals office.
Also that the records of the town of Southington
1781 or so, will show what office he had in the
Militia-  Mr. B. thinks Mr Lewis would not have
been of the Society of the Cincinnati unless he had been
called out to service. He would have held no title or 
military rank for his clerkship inthe office. All the 
circumstances might be presented by letter to J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions, Washington city-- He would inform
you whether the pension can be obtained. I suppose 
Mr. Wakeley has all the facts & can state them by letter 
to the Commissioner- I send you
a paper containing the act last passed & Mr Edwards'
direction.
Page 41


By the next mail (Tuesday) I will send you the amount due you from Mr Townsend. He wishes Jim or I to deduct the interest due on your note for the last six months or year-- When you receive it I hope you will send me a receipt for Mr J. or for myself as I shall acknowlege the receipt for you when I receive it.
We are all very well except Maria who had been quite unwell, but is now better-
Maria Louisa & the boys unite in Love to you & all friends. Hoping your own health may improve and expecting you will visit us this spring -
Respectfully
Your friend
E.H. Bishop

Read this
P.S. I would never think of getting any one to go on to Washington upon the subject of the pension, that would be entirely unnecessary and
would cost more than there is any hope of receiving. If an agent should be
wanted at Washington there are plenty of them - But Mr Edwards can & will without expense of postage tell, upon a statement of facts whether any
thing is to be gained & what further evidence is wanted-
Page 42


Treasury Department
Third Auditors the
January 28, 1854.
Sir:
I herewith return to you the letter of the Commissioner of Pensions
which you left with me yesterday, and have to inform you that upon 
examination, the Revolutionary records of this office provide no
 information in regard to the services of Seth Lewis either as an 
officer or otherwise, of the Revolutionary War.
Respectfully
[illegible] Elicot
F Burt
Revolution

F. E. Hassler Esq.
Washington City
Dis[illegible]
Page 43

Washington D.C.
June 2d 1834
Hon. L.P. Waldo
Commr. of Pensions  Present 
Sir,
Your letter of the 15th April in the case of Rhoda Lewis of Connecticut an applicant for a pension under the act of 1838 has been received, I did not deem it necessary to present proof of the exact date of Seth Lewis' death as the affidavits of two of the witnesses showed that it took place before he could have become entitled to a pension and therefore she the widow could only claim pension in her own right. but as this point insisted in by the Department. Therewith respectfully present the [illegible] of administration to Rhoda Lewis upon the estate of Seth Lewis, and other papers which will doubtless be ample to establish it.
The Department says, "the evidence is insufficient to fix the "duration of Seth's [Lewis] services, or the rank in which they were "performed". I beg leave to ask of the Department a careful examination of the words of the Constitution of the Cincinnati Society with the conviction that their plain construction will obviate the first of these objections. The constitution thus reads "All the officers of the "American Army, as well those who have resigned with honor after three " years service in the Capacity of officers or who have been deranged " by the resolutions of Congress upon several reforms of the army. " as those who shall have continued to the end of the war have "the right to become parties to this institution. &c &c"
Page 44

There were then, three classes of officers entitled to admission into this society, 1st those who served to the close of the war, 2d those who resigned with honor after three years service, and 3d those who had been deranged by resolutions of Congress. Can there be any doubt that an officer who belonged to any one of these three classes, would be entitled to a pension?
I think it is beyond question that Seth Lewis did belong to one of these classes, as his widow has presented a certificate to that effect signed by Washington himself as President and Knox, as Secretary.
If the propriety of issuing this certificate be questioned, or if it be doubled whether Seth Lewis complied with the requirements of the Society, I respectfully submit that the onus of proof rests upon the Department.
The proof as to rank held by Seth Lewis may be insufficient,
but it is clear that he served as a commissioned officer, and I therefore respectfully request that the widow may be allowed a pension at least equal to that allowed to the lowest grade of Commissioned Officers
Very Respectfully,
         Your Servant
    F. E. Hassler
P.S. Mrs Lewis having died, as I have been informed, since the
filing of her declaration, upon the allowance of the claim I will present the necessary proofs of heirship
Page 45


360
Pension Office
Dec 22, 1853
Sir,
I have examined and filed the applicaton of Rhoda Lewis, and of Seth, for the receipt of the Act of July 7 1838, and you are informed that the service claimed is neither set forth
or sustained as required by the regulators. If he served in the Paymaster's Department , Record entered of the fact is doubtless & last, and [illegible] a presence. The date of the manage is satisfactorily established.

F.E. Hassler, Esq.
Present.
Page 46

427
Pension Office January 24. 1854
Sir
I have personally examined the application of RhodaLewis widow of Seth Lewis and of the State of Connecticut, under the act of July 7. 1838. The evidence is satisfactory to prove the marriage of Seth
Lewis and Rhoda Cole and the identity of the claimant as the widow of said Lewis. But there is no evidence to prove the service of Seth Lewis. In a personal communication you have spoken of Lewis having been a member of
the Society of the Cincinnati and you claimed this as conclusive evidence of service. But this fact is not of itself sufficent. We must have evidence of his service derived from the usual sources of information in like cases, and cannot depend on mere traditions, evidence however creditable the same from which it is
derived. The fact that a person was a member
Page 47

of the Society of the Cincinnati is strong evidence of reputation, but will not dispense with other evidence of service.
I remain yours to

F. E. Hassler Esq
Present
Page 48

Pension Office
March 9. 1854
Sir,

The additional evidence in
the case of Rhoda Lewis, of Connecticut
has been received and filed,; - but I can
perceive that it alters in the slightest
the position of the case as reported to
you January 24th last.
Very Respectfully
Jr. Obt Sewant
Waldo
Commissioner
to
E. Hassler
PresentPension Office
Page 49


214

Pension Office
15th April 1854.
Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of Rhoda Lewis widow of Seth of Connecticut has been
received.
I would inform you that the evidence is insufficient to fix the duration of Seth's services, and the rank in which they were performed - Monday it shew the date of his death.

F. E. Hassler Esqr.
Washington
D. C.
Page 50

150

Pension Office.
10th June 1854
Sir,
Yours of 20th uttimus in relation to 
the claim of Rhoda Lewis widow
of Seth of Connecticut, has
been received
I have carefully re-examined
this claim, and can see no reason
for departing from the decision
 contained in my letter of 20th
March last.

F. E. Hassler Esq
Presents
Page 51

Pension Office
22d Feby. 1855.
Sir.
The additional evidence filed by
you in the case of Rhoda Lewis widow
of Seth of Connecticut does not suffice
to establish the service of the latter
F. E. Hassler Esqr.
Present.
Page 52

33d CONGRESS,
1st Session.
Rep. No. 173.
Ho. OF REPS.
CHARLES J. DAVIS, ADMINISTRATOR.
To accompany bill H. R. No. 396.
JUNE 19 1854.
Mr. DRUM, from the Committee on Revolutionary Claims, made the
following
REPORT:
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims to whom was referred the petiton of Charles J. Davis, administrator of Captain John Davis, an officer of the Revolution, report:
That the facts of the case are correctly stated in the report of Mr.
Butler submitted at the 1st Session of the 31st Congress, and which is
adopted by this committee. A bill for the relief of the petition
herewith presented.
                                - -----------------
JULY 25, 1850.
The Committee on Revolutionary Claims to whom was referred the petition of Charles J. Davis, administrator of Captain John Davis an officer
of the Revolution, report:
That the petitioner claims, in right of Captain John Davis, the commutation and bounty land promised to certain officers of the army of the Revolution who should serve to the end of the war. The proof in
support of the claim is as follows: The original commission is produced,
dated at Philadelphia, the 10th day of April, 1779, signed by
John Jay, president of Congress, constituting John Davis a captain in
the ninth Pennsylvania regiment in the army of the United States, to
take rank as such from the 15th day of November, A. D. 1776. The
oath of allegiance to the United States, sworn to by Captain John
Davis, of the ninth Pennsylvania regiment, before Major General Lord
Sterling, at Valley Forge, the 28th May, 1778, is also exhibited.
The remains of a journal kept by Captain Davis shows his active
services during the war. Some portion of it is evidently torn off, and
the first date that remains is January 4, 1778. The last date seems
to have been made in South Carolina, January 11, 1782. Captain
Davis was also a member of the Cincinnati Society, as appears from
his diploma dated 31st October, 1785. This is not conclusive that he
served to the end of the war, as by the constitution of that society three
Page 53


2
H. Rep. 173.
years' service and an honorable discharge, as well as service to the
end of the war, entitled officers to membership. There is parol
proof, however, which, in addition to the facts above stated, is entirely
satisfactory to the committee that Captain Davis continued in the service
until the end of the war, particularly as there is no evidence
among the public records or otherwise that he ever resigned his commission,
or was discharged until the army was finally disbanded after
the peace.
There is no evidence that Captain Davis ever applied for or received
his commutation or bounty land. He was highly respectable
and his pecuniary circumstances were such as not to make it necessary
for him to avail himself of the provisions made by his country for those
who, like himself, had served her in her hour of need; and with a patriotic
feeling of independence he abstained from making the claim
during his lifetime. He had married a daughter of John Morton, one of the
signers of the declaration of independence, and was for many
years an associate judge of the courts in Chester county, Pennsylvania.
After his death, which took place about the 1st of September, 1827,
his family became reduced in their pecuniary condition, and now feel
justified in calling for what is justly due from the government. The
committee, upon a careful examination of the subject, find that the
case is brought within the resolves of Congress granting commutation of
bounty land. The committee report a bill accordingly.
Page 54

Revo Pension
Rhoda Lewis
Widow
Seth
Connecticut
Suspended
act 1838
Cole
filed 15 Feby 1835
F. E. Hassler
Attorney
Page 55

Washington City DC
Febry 15 1833.
Hon LP Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
I respectfully call your attention
to the annexed report of a committee of
the House of Representatives, as applicable
to the case of Mrs
Rhoda widow of Seth Lewis. act.
1838. Connecticut suspended rolls.
& settling the doubt that may exist
as to a service of 3 years being a prerequisite
to a membership of the Cincinnati
it having been heretofore argued that such
certificate showed service to the end of the war but was not conclusive of 3 years, service.
at any previous period. =
I amyrobt Sevt
F. E. Hassler
Page 56

State of Connecticut}
County of Hartford}   Southington

On this 12th day of December, 1853 personally
appeared before me Mrs. Polly Hart and
Mrs. Mary A. Butler both of said Southington
known to be persons of credibility, and believed
to be entirely disinterested, who being duly sworn
declare each for herself that, that Rhoda Lewis
who acknowledged in our presence, that she signed
the annexed application for pension on account
of the revolutionary services of Seth Lewis, is
well known to be the identical Rhoda Lewis
whom we have long known as the widow of the
said Seth Lewiiz

Polly Hart
Mary A. Butler

Before me
Walter S. Merrell, Judge of Probate.
Page 57

Order of limitation
Creditors of
Seth Lewis due
F. E. H.
Page 58

At a Court of Probate holden at Farmington in the district of Farmington on the 27th day of April AD 1808 -----------
On motion of Rufus Hitchcock & Rhoda Lewis Admins on the estate of Seth Lewis late of Southington in S.d district due
This Court do directs said Admins. to give public notice
by Advertising in the Connecticut Herald & Connecticut
Courant & by posting notice in S.d Town of Southington
to the Creditors of sd deed to bring in their claims against the same, to the Sd admins. or either of them, within eight
months from the date of such notice that time being
hereby limited for that purpose
A true Copy of Record
Post
Martin Bull, Clerk
Page 59

Letter of Admin
Seth Lewis due

Additional Evidence
Claim of Rhoda Lewis
Conn Susp. 1838

F.E. Hassler
Washington
Page 60

John Treadwell ESq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Farmington in the State of Connecticut in New England, holding the Said Court.
To Rhoda Lewis & Rufus Hitchcock  GREETING.
WHEREAS Seth Lewis late of Southington in S.d district deceaSed, having while he lived and at the Time of his Death, Goods, Chattels, Credits, and EState in S.d District  now lately died inteState; by virtue whereof the Power of Administration, and full Disposition of all, and Singular the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Eflate of the Said deceafed; and also the hearing, examining and allowing the Accounts of the AdminiStration thereof appertains unto me:  And I being desirous that the Goods, Chattels, Credits and the EState of the Said deceased shshould be well and truly adminiStered, 
I do therefore, (trusting in your Fidelity and Care) commit unto you the said Rhoda Lewis & Rufus Hitchcock full power to administer the Goods, Chattels, Credits and EState of the Said deceaSed, which to him while he lived, and at the time of his death did appertain: And to pay all debts in which the deceased Stould bound, So far as his Goods, Chattels, Credits and EState can extend, according to the value thereof; and to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels, Credits, and Estate of the said deceased, and exhibit the same into then Registry of the said Court of Probate, on or before the 27th day of June next ensuing:
And also render to the said Court a true and plain Account of your Administration, on before the 27th- day of April Anno Domini 1809  And I do, by these presents ordain, depute and con[illegible] you Administrators of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels, Credits and Estate aforesaid. In witness whereof, I have caused the Clerk of Said Court to Sign these presents, and fix the Seal of Said Office thereunto, this 27th day of April in the Year of Our Lord 1808

By Order of the Judge   Martin Bull  Clerk