Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,624, William Williams, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Williams, William or William R.

NUMBER
R.11,624

CONTENTS
Page 2

State of New York
Madison County } ss

On this 2nd day of February 1844 personally appeared before the subscriber a Judge of the  Court of Common pleas in & for the county of Madison aforesaid; William Williams a resident of the town of Cazenovia in the county of aforesaid age eighty two 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 passed March 18th 1818. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated, that he entered into the company commanded by capt. William Avery on the 17th day of April 1777, for the term of three years that the said company belonged to Col. Ledyards regiment that he remained in the service of the United States the full term of his enlistment. That at the time of his enlistment he was a resident of the town of New London in the state of Connecticut. That he was in the battle at New London at the time of Benedict Arnold's invasion & burning of said plan and received a wound in the said battle by a muskat ball passing through his left leg and fracturing his shin bone; that this declarant was taken to the hospital at New London on account of said wound & placed under the care of Dr. Watrous the surgeon, and remained there on account of said wound untill the month of February following when he had so far recovered of said wound as to be able again to enter into the service and join his regiment and was attached to Col. Meigs' regiment, Col. Ledyard having been killed at Groton fort, that Col. Meigs was called with his regiment to march to West Point but that this declarant was left at Fort Trumbull on account of his not having sufficiently recovered of the aforesaid wound to march with his regiment, and was attached to Col. Butler's Regt. That in the month of June or July 1780 (which of these months he cannot positively recollect) he received a
Page 3

a Furlough from Col. Butler to go to West Point to join the regiment of Col. Meigs & obtain his 
regular discharge That this declarant then went immediately to West Point and reported 
himself to said Col. Meigs and received from him a regular discharge, (which said discharge has been transmitted to the Pension Office at Washington on a former application for a pension by this declarant while living in the town of Pownell, in the County of Bennington and State of Vermont) That this declarant immediately on receiving his discharge from Col Meigs, returned to fort Trumbull and reported himself to Col. Butler, in the latter part of the month of July 1780. That on the same day of his return to Fort Trumbull this declarant reenlisted into the service of the United States as a Fife Major for during the war in Capt Elisha Lees Company, and Col Butlers Regiment, & that he held and discharged the office of fife major untill he was regularly discharged from the army in 1783. That after his aforesaid reenlistment some time in the month of December 1780 (according to this declarants best recollection) he marched with his regiment from Fort Trumbull to West Point and was stationed at fort Putnam where he remained as near as he can recollect about one year and a half, and was then marched with his regiment to York Town, to oppose Lord Cornwallis but did not remain there but few days, before his regiment [strikethrough] to [strikethrough] returned to Fort Putnam when he continued with the regiment untill the latter part of the year 1783, when he was again regularly discharged which discharge this declarant has lost. That this declarant on making his first application for a pension stated only his first term of three years service, as Judge Danforth who made out his papers informed him that his regular discharge which he held for that term, would be sufficient proof of itself to establish his claim, but as he had lost his discharge
Page 4

which he received in 1783, the Pension Department might require him to furnish witnesses to 
prove his last term of service which he might not be able find and by that means fail of getting a pension, which is the reason why this declarant did not state on his first application the whole time which he served, but objections as this declarant has been informed were made as to the validity of his discharge given by Col. Meigs on account of some writing on the back thereof, of 
which an explanation has heretofore been made by the affidavit of Tabor D. Williams showing 
how the said writing came on said discharge, which this declarant supposes is on file among the papers forwarded by him since he received information of the objections to the said discharge

That on failing to obtain a pension on his first application and having removed to the town of Antwerp in the county of Jefferson and State of New York, he again made a new effort to obtain the benefit of the aforesaid Pension act (to which he [strikethrough] knows [strikethrough] 
considers himself to be so justly entitled,) That this declarant has heretofore provided the affidavits of Caleb E. Brooks & Caleb Merrills, who were in the service with this declarant and 
with whom he was well acquainted on which affidavits now on file in the pension office this
declarant still relies for proof of his services, that he has been informed since, Caleb Merrell's affidavit was forwarded to the Pension Office, that it stated that said William Williams was a
Drum major (instead of being a fife major as it should have been) That in the mean time the said Caleb Merrell removed from the State of N. York to Michigan and died so that this declarant would not have the affidavit of Merrells counted by himself, but this declarant has 
procured the affidavit of Thomas Blanchard the justice of the peace who drew the affidavit
of the aforesaid Merrill and administered to him the oath, stating the facts in the case, which affidavit of said Blanchard this declarant hopes will fully explain the discrepancy between the declaration of this declarant heretofore made, and that
Page 5

in the said affidavit of said Caleb Merrell, in stating that said Williams was a drum Major. And this declarant would now state what should have been mentioned in the earlier part of this
declaration, that he this declarant was born in the town of New London in the State of Connecticut

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
William Williams

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
before me 
Talcott Backers Judge of Madison County Common Judge

And I hereby certify that the aforesaid declarant is unable to appear in court by reason of bodily
infirmity and that he is a person whose statements and entitled to credit, and have no doubt that the said declarant was in the service of the United States during a large portion of the Revolutionary war as stated in his pending declaration
Talcott Backers Judge

and I hereby also certify that the apparent erasure on the fifth line from the bottom on the 
second page of the foregoing declaration was not intended for an erasure but was blotted from the other side & intends to read affidavit before said William Williams was sworn

before me
Talcott Backers Judge
Page 6

State of New York
Madison County} ss
In this 2nd day of February 1844 Personally appeared before the Subscribed Talcott Backers a judge of the court of Common pleas in and for the County of Madison aforesaid, Daniel Dennison of the town of Pompey aged fifty six years who first being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with William Williams now residing in the town of Cazenovia who is now making application for a pension and on account of ill heath is making his declaration to obtain the same before the Hon. Talcott Backers a Judge of the court of Common Pleas in the County of Madison aforesaid, That this deponent believes that the said declarant William Williams is eighty two years of age & rising. That he has heretofore resided on the farm of this deponent, and has often heard him speak of his revolutionary service and has seen the scar on his leg which he has no doubt was caused by a wound received at New London at the time of Benedict Arnold invasion that this deponent considers the said declarant a man of truth and veracity whose statements are entitled to credit and has no doubt
that the aforesaid declarant William Williams, served as he has stated in his declaration before Judge Backers which this deponent has now heard read this day in the presence of the said Judge and further this deponent saith not
Daniel Denison

Sworn and subscribed before me this 2nd day of February 1844

And I also certify that I am well acquainted with Dr Daniel Dennison the aforesaid deponent who is a practicing Physician and his statements are entitled to full credit
Talbott Backers
Judge of Madison Common
Pleas
Page 7

State of New York
Clerks Office
Madison County }ss:

I Zadock T. Bentley Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Talcott Backers Esq
the Judge before whom the within and annexed affidavits purport to have been sworn and
whose signature is affixed to the Jurat of said affidavits and also to the certificates hereto annexed was at the day of the date of such affidavits & certificate a Judge of the Madison
County Court duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized by law to administer oaths of
affidavits such Court being a Court of Records. And I also certify that I am well acquainted
with the hand writing of said Judge and verily believe the signature of said Judge to the said
Jurat and certificates are genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court of said County this 6" day of February 1844
Zadock F. Bentley Clerk

There is an attached seal and ribbon.
Page 8

State of New York
Onondaga County} ss

Caleb Merrel of the town of DeWitt in said county being duly sworn before the undernamed a justice of the peace of the said county deposeth & saith that he was acquainted with William Williams a fife Major in Col Butler's regiment of the Connecticut line of Infantry of the standing
army at West Point and Stony Point & at other places from the year Seventy hundred eighty to eighty three & that said William belonged to the army during that time, and that the person now present said deponent recognizes to be the same William Williams above named.

And this deponent further saith that he was in the Revolutionary army & as now a pentioner
Caleb Merrell

Subscribed & Sworn this 17th day of March 1841
before me 
Tho Blanchard Justice of the Peace

We the undersigned have for a long time been acquainted with the above named Caleb Merrell & believe him to be a man of truth and veracity
Tho Blanchard J.P.
Silas Burt
MB Norris
H R Ford
Page 9

I am acquainted with the within named Thomas Blanchard & with  his hand writing & know that the signatures purporting to be his to the Jurat to the within affidavit & to the certificate thereunder written are his genuine signatures & that at the dates thereof he was a Justice of the Peace within & for the County of Onadaga State of New York & duly authorized by the Laws of said State at that time to take depositions & authenticate them. Dated 13 Feby 1842
Victory Brodford 
Member of Congress
Page 10

State of New York
Onondaga County ss}

Taber D. Williams a resident of the town of Pompey in the said County and State having personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace of said County and being duly sworn says, that the William Williams mentioned in the annexed affidavit of Caleb Merrell is the father of this Deponent and is the identical person who was present with Deponent when said affidavit was made & is the identical person who made an application to the War Department for a Pension by Judge Danforth of Vermont, Esq. Ely of Watertown, Jefferson County, and Judge George Pettit of Fabius, Onondaga County.

This Deponent further says that he has frequently seen the discharge of the said William Williams which is now in the possession of the War Department. That he has seen the writing upon the back of the said discharge that he knows how the writing came upon the back of it, which was as follows: In the spring of the year 1813, in March, the brother of this Deponent, returned from service on a furlough to his fathers who then resided in Coventry. Tolland County, Conn. On Sunday morning he was called upon by on Perkins Corey who had been in service at Sacketts Harbor & one of whom had a discharge That in conversing about it the discharge of Deponents father was brought out by Deponents brother to see if it was like the one given to said Corey That on that occasion, said Perkins made the writing upon the back of the discharge carelefity. That Deponents father was about
Page 11

That his brother is dead that said Perkins and Corey are also dead. That Deponent is forty six years of age & has frequently seen said discharge before & after said Writing.
And farther says not-
Taber D Williams

Sworn before me & subscribed
this 22nd  day of December 1841}
Levi Wells Comr of Deeds

I certify that I am acquainted with Taber D. Williams above named, & that he is a credible witness.-
Dec. 2nd, 1841. Levi Wells Com of Deeds

I am acquainted with the above named Levi Wells & with his hand writing and know that the signatures purporting to be his to the Jurat & certificate above, are his signatures & that at the date thereof he was a Commissioner of deeds in & for the County of Onondaga State of New York legally Empowered by the Laws of New York at that time to take & certify Depositions.
Dated Feb. 13. 1842
Victory Brodford
Member of Congress
Page 12

Declaration

State of Vermont
County of Bennington}
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7, AD 1832

On this 20th day of May AD 1834 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. the Probate Court for the District of Bennington now sitting William Williams a resident of Pownal in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont aged 71 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 passed June 7th, 1832

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein Stated

That at New London in the County of New London in the State of Connecticut on the last of March or the first of April AD 1777 he enlisted as a private to serve as Musision (a Fifer) in a company commanded by Capt William Avery in Col. Ledyards Regt Connecticut troops continental line for the term of three years That he was mustered soon after and Joined said Regt then stationed at New London That while after said enlistment but how long he do not
recollect this applicant was transfered from Capt Avery company to a company under the command of Capt Elisha Lee in the same Regt That he continued to serve under said enlistment in said company and Regt as mentioned aforesaid until his term of Sevice expired when he was discharged by Col. Meigs Comm’t of the 1st Connecticut Brigade as will appear by said discharge dated the 17th day of April 1780 hereunto annexed That during the said service he occasionally had a Furlough or leave to go home which was about two miles distance from the place where said Regt was stationed That such permission was commonly in writing but that he has not preserved but one which was dated New London July 9th 1779 and signed by Ephraim Shaylor Ensign U. States Infty and is hereunto annexed

That when Fort Griswold was taken by the British which he
Page 13

believes was in the summer of autumn of 1781 he volunteered as a private at New London aforesaid into a company under the command of Capt Elisha Lee in Col Ledyards Regt for an indefinite period and immediately rushed to action which commenced about 7 oclock in the morning and continued until late in the afternoon That during the action he was wounded by a muskit ball which passed through his left ancke and broke his shin bone and took out a piece of it more than an inch in length and considerable fractured it otherwise that he was lame [?] with the wound for 6 or 7 months & that he continued with the Regt. until the next year & was dismissed in the month of September or October 1782 That he has been troubled occasionally from that time to the present with a weakness in the wounded leg especially after walking a few hours but has not suffered a great inconvenience from the wound as he is a cord claimer by profession & which has been his practical business

He further States that he possessed two much property to claim the benefit of the acts of Congress passed in 1818 & 1820 for certain officers & soldiers of the Revolution That owing to the application from the Proud feelings of his wife & children he deferred the application for a pension until now under the act of congress passed June 7th 1832 & that nothing but poverty old age & infirmity of body now induced him to make this application

That he has no documentary evidence other than that mentioned about & whish is hereunto annexed That his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency in any State & hereby relinquishes all claims and annuity except the present

In answer to the interrogatories proposed by the court the applicant declares

1. That he was born at New London in the county of New London in the State of Connecticut on the 1st day of March AD 1763

2. That he has a Record of his age which record is now before the court in his possession

3. That he was living in the Town of New London Connecticut when he enlisted that he lived there about 17 years after he left the service & moved in to the Town of Norwich Connecticut where he resided for five years then moved to Bozrah Connecticut & staid 2 years then moved to Coventry Connecticut & staid there 3 years from there moved to Tolland
Page 14

Connecticut staid one year from there removed to Vernon Connecticut staid 14 years moved from there to Springfield Massachusetts where I staid nearly 3 years from there to Adams Massachusetts where we resided until the first of April 1804 when he removed to Pownal Vermont which he now resides

4th That he was a volunteer in the Service of the United States

5 That he Received a written discharge as before stated which is hereunto annexed

He recollects General Knox in addition to the names of the other officers above stated -
William Williams

The declarant further states that the writing which appears on the back of his said Discharge in the following words to wit
“The troops who served in North America from 1754 to the year 1764 call on Wm P. Cleaveland by the 10th Sept in 1815” were written by a man by the name of Wm P. Cleavland who had my said Discharge - in his hand looking at it on the said 10th day of Sept 1815 and made the said writing before I noticed what he had done. Though this deponent says he did not suppose that his said Discharge was of any value or important at that time
William Williams

Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the Matter & after putting 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 them that said statement is entitled to full & entire credit
Silvanus Danforth Judge of Probate
Page 15

Hon Hiland Hall
am [?] 6: 1834
31.096

I, William Haswell Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Bennington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Williams for a pension. - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 26th day of May, A.D. 1834.
Wm Haswell
Page 16

11624
Page 17

William Williams has provision pretuding

Any Yours Compy

Tropes whoo served in North america from year 1754 to the year 1764 call on W, P. Cleavland By the 10th Sep’t in 1815

Afan Bentany
H. 22

[?] the 19th April 1780

R.11,624

strikethrough [?] strikethrough

JD Lyle
Page 18

William Williams of the 4th Con’t Regiment haven serv’d three years faithfully is discharged from the Army the Commissaries of the Road to Connecticut will pleace to furnish him with eight days provisions
17th April 1780
Litchfield N. Jersey 

Issued the [?] with two days provisions

J Meigs Col
Comd’t
1st Con’t Brigade

17
200
81
-----
3

9.90
806
-------
184
------
150
Page 19

William Williams
R. 11.624
Conn

Towson Discharge
Towson Discharge
Page 20

To whom it may consern who know that William Williams has leave of absence till Sunday the 9 of august 1877 till Six o Clock in the afternoon
Ephraim Shaylor
Ensign U. States Infantry

New London July 9th 1777
Page 21

df. of Furlough
Page 22

P.O.---
William Williams
Service:---

REJECTED

Enlisted: ---, 18 .
Discharged: ---, 18 .

Application filed: ---, 18 .

Alleges: ---

Re-enlisted: ---

Attorney: ---
P.O.---

--- Recognized. --- Contract.
--- Cert. of Dis.  Searched for ---, 18 .
Page 23

Asa Eggleson of the town of Antwerp in the County of Jefferson & State of New York being duly Sworn deposeth & saith that he was 75 years old 19 Feby last that he was a soldier in the revolutionary army - that he was present at the burial of those killed at the time New London was burned that he saw at that time a fifer who was a musician on that occasion & who had a crutch to support him on the left side which was fastened to his arm by black ribbons tied near the elbow to as to allow him to use the left hand - that he did not get acquainted personally at that time with the man - that some four or five years ago [strikethrough] I [strikethrough] he saw William E Williams now of Antwerp aforesaid with whom I got into conversation about the revolutionary struggle & particularly the burning of New London in 1781. I said to him that I was there and at the burial above mentioned - he informed me that he was there and described himself by being a fifer and having a crutch on that occasion fastened to him in the manner that the fifer that I say had - that from W Williams size & age & the circumstances he mentioned when I became personally acquainted with him (4 or 5 years ago) about the burial I
Page 24

have no hesitation in proclaiming that said William is the identical person who was the same fifer that I saw at the burial - that since I became acquainted with him he has shown me the scar on his leg which he said was of the wound he rec’d at New London. that the scar is on the same (left) leg that was lame in the fifer I saw at the burial above refered to & further this deponent saith not
Asa Eggleson

Sworn and subscribed this 24th July 1838 before me
J H Conklin, Justice of peace

The words that “be was 75 years old 19th of Feby last” are enterlined before signed 
J H Conklin Just of Peace

This will certify that I have know Mr Asa Eggleson for 5 or 6 years past and that I consider him to be a credible person and one that can be believed
J H Conklin
Antwerp July 24th 1838
Page 25

Know all men by these presents that I Esther Johnson of Pompey County Onondaga and State of New York, do hereby constitute and appoint F S Evans of Washington D.C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute the claim of William R Williams, deceased, for an amount of pension due to him. And my said attorney is hereby fully authorized to examine all papers in relation to said claim and file at the Pension Office at Washington or Elsewhere and to do all lawful things relating to said claim
Witness my hand and seal this 12th day of March 1852
Esther Johnson 
There is a hand drawn seal

[?]
Levi Wells. - }

State of New York
Onondaga County} ss

On this 12th day of March 1852 Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County & State aforesaid Esther Johnson to me known who acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned
Levi Wells
Justice of the Peace.

State of New York
Onondaga County } ss

Be it known that on this 12th day of March 1852 before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid Esther Johnson - personally appeared and made oath according to law that she is one of the late William R Williams who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution That she is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as my said attorney above mentioned may use in said claim
Esther Johnson

Subscribed and sworn before me the day and year last above written
Levi Wells
Justice of the Peace.
Page 26

Typed document completed in handwriting

STATE OF NEW-YORK,
Onondaga County Clerk’s Office, } ss.

I Certify, That Levi Wells whose name is subscribed to the Jurat of the annexed instrument, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly qualified and authorised to take the same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe the signature to said Jurat is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 19 day of March 1852
Rufus Cossit Clerk
Page 27

Washington, March 26, 1853

Sir.

We herewith enclose power of Attorney from Esther Williams, [strikethrough] and we [strikethrough] Johnson, and of the children of William R. William, New York Suspended and rejected, Act 7th June 1832, to examen and prosecute said claim.
Very respectfully
Evans & Faut
Page 28

Washington Feby. 14, 1838

Sir.
I send you herewith Judge Danforth’s letter to William R Williams formerly of Vermont, now a resident of this County, containing a copy of his the said Williams pension declaration --

It appears from Judge Danforth’s letter that William’s claim was rejected - the letter containing your decision is lost & he cannot now tell upon what grounds the decision was made - Will you please to give me that information & tell me what is requisite in his claim for a favorable determination of the same - I should be pleased to receive a copy of his discharge
Yours very respectfully
Adriel Ely

J.L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 29

Ovid July 12th 1845

Sir

I enclose an affidavit of Ambrose Grow in favor of William Williams I may be allowed to explain this case, I am informed that in relation to this case that there has been an error, that is that Wm Williams has been called a Drummer as well as Fifer, this error I am informed has been explained in an affidavit of the Justice before whom the paper committing the error were Sworn, that the Justice had full explained this error as being his own & not the witnesses & case, but one thing I do know; & that is, I don’t want a pension if is not justly due, but I believe it is, & that the case from my history of it is fairly made out 
Respectfully Your
Ob’d. Serv’t
Arad Joy

Hon J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions
Washington
Page 30

31,096
Rejected
Let to Hon H. Hall June 6, 1834

A. Ely
Let to Adriel Ely June 16, 1836
to same 22, Sept 1839

Let to George Pettitt Aug: 3, 1840
Page 31

Watertown N York
Aug 21 1838

Sir

I am requested by William R Williams, whose claim to a pension was rejected by letter to the Hon H Hall July 6, 1834 on the grounds that his name does not appear upon the rolls od the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army and that the document purporting to be a discharge per Col Meigs was a base forgery to ask you to review his claim in conexin with this inclosed affidavit. I am aware that they do not prove three years services - they show that he was in the battle when New London was burnt and was wounded of which wound he appears yet lame It is also shown by the inclosed affidavit that the declarant which you say is a forgery is quite an ancient paper and for what purpose forged cannot by me be comprehended - I wish you to compare it again carefully with Col Meigs genuine signatures - for I have examined Mr Williams very closely to ascertain if this might not have copied from one given to him by the said
Page 32

officer & which might have been lost - his answer is that Col Meigs gave it to him at Hartfored when he went for no other purpose than to get it -

Mr Williams says that he served a considerable period after the time he mentioned in his declaration in Capt Elisha Lee’s Company Colonel Barn’s Regiment - but that he did not detail that service because Judge Danforth who made one his declaration told him it was wholly unnecessary that his papers showed two years service which was all that was required

It is his request that he may be allowed to add to his final declaration the other services performed by him in a new statement should you not think favorably of the application before you -

yr obt servt
Adriel Ely

J. L. Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Page 33

William Williams made application for a pension from Vermont under law of 1832 - as [strikethrough] there [strikethrough] were Several of that name, it is at least possible that the proof furnished by this William Williams who was a fife major, or Fifer, may have been filed with the papers of Some one of the others, please examine the pay or affidavits on file of Caleb E Brooks Caleb Merrell, Ambrose Graw & other proofs together with letters & explanation of Mr Joy - please report to me the result himself and his son to think they have furnished all the proof necessary. Mr Williams resides in my town & I desire his case may receive your attention
In hast yours
H. Wheaton
House of Reps: April 6, 1846

J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 34

Cazenovia July 29th 1844

Hon J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions}

Hon Sir

I beg leave to request that you would do me the honor, of favouring me with some information respecting my claim for a pension by corresponding with Mr. Willis Wade of Rome Oneida Co N.Y. whom I have employed to act in the premises for me.

By complying with the above immediately you will greatly oblige,
Your humble and Most Obedient Servt
William Williams

Hon JL Edwards
Comm Pension
Washington DC
Page 35

Hon JL Edwards
Comm Pension
Washington DC
Page 36

Ovid Sept 9th 1845

Sir

Yours of 22nd Ultimo in the case William Williams, a Fifer is before me; William Williams first applied from Vermont & I may not have mentioned it, at all wants his case is on file as I am informed as per your letter of July 29th 1849 though I have not Seen the letter -- for a history of the case See copy of [?] of the 12th July enclosed - I enclose an affidavit in this case
Respectfully
Arad Joy

Hon JL Edwards
Comm’t of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 37

July 30th 1844

Sir

In behalf of one of the most respectable & truly worthy old Gentleman & defenders of our country -- I do beg leave to transmit the enclosed request - very respectfully, begging of the Department to inform us of the decision of the Commissioner of Pensions upon Wm Williams claim for a pension -- If it is possible to raise any further objections please do us the honor, of favoring us with an answer of the nature of the same -- that they ought to be removed - Please inform me of the exact situation of the claim, as the comm’r views it, - and if anything further is necessary to clear up all objections it shall be furnished immediately - Please direct an answer to my address at Rome Oneida County N.Y.

I have the honor to be very Respectfully
Your humble and thist obedient Serv’t
Willis Wade

Hon JL Edwards
Comm - Pensions
Washington DC
Page 38

Washington City
Apl 30, 1844

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Dr Sir,

I Enclose a letter I received a day or two since, asking information in relation to a pension case, I wish you to look at the case & furnish me the information requested & also What further testimony is required if any to Entitle him to a pension. Please give me an answer as soon as possible that I may transmit it to Mr Beckwith, and very much oblige
Yours Respectfully
Horace Wheaton

PS Please let me hear from the case of Lewis Fleming as soon as possible
H.W.

X admitted - certificate sent to him on 2 May
Page 39

31096
Vermont Wm Williams

Rejected

Let to Hon V Birds:eye Feby 18th 1842
to Hon H. Wheaton May 21/44
sen let to H. Wheaton July 29th 1844
sen let to W Wade Aug 20 1844

act 7 June 32
let to Hon H. Wheaton Jany 20 ‘45
let to Arad Joy Oct 8, ‘45
Page 40

Feb 15 1844

FREE

Hon J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

NY 
Add. evidence
W. Williams

There is a stamp
CAZENOVIA
FEB
[?]
N.Y.
Page 41

Cazenovia Feby 10th 1844

Sir
I send you enclosed the renewed application of William Williams for a pension - any communication which the Pension Department may make on the subject please direct to the subscriber Cazenovia Madison Co N.Y.
James Beckwith

Hon J.L. Edwards
Page 42

Wm Williams
History of Service
Aug 10/44

H. H. [?]
Mr Cole
Feb 22 1851
Page 43

Mr Wade Sir I send you the coppey of the Letter that Mr Wheats rec’d from Washington they Dispute my Claimes By the Roles wich is not so they say that I was not on Migs Role trew I never ser’d under Migs all thow I was transfurde to his Regiment But I Did not Finet on the Count of Beening Lame and after I got my Dischare I find Butler till the war was over they say, that Meigs was a Continental and Ladyord astate Regiment trew it was But after my 3 years was out I inlisted into Butlers Regiment During the war thay say Clame is Disereded by Evidence wich they cannot see they say Everything that they can But Sir my Witness is good they say Meigs late p. m general with his reputed Signature to the discharge is Conclusive of its character Besides the rolls of Meigs Regiment is full
William Williams
Casanovia Aug 9th 1844
Page 44

State of New York
Onondaga County} ss

Thomas Blanchard of said county being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he was an acting magistrate in and for said county in the year 1839, and continued to hold said office untill the first day of January 1843. That some time in the year 1839 Caleb Merrell then a resident of said county a man of respectable moral character made an affidavit before this deponent stating among other matters that he was well acquainted with William Williams a Revolutionary soldier of the United States and that the said Williams served as a Fife Major in the said Revolution, but in what particular line or under what commands this deponent does not now recollect.

That some time after, the aforesaid Caleb Merrell, made another affidavit before this deponent then an acting magistrate as aforesaid, stating the same facts, so as this deponent has been informed the said last mentioned affidavit states that the said Williams served as Drum major, instead of stating that he served as a Fife major & that if the said last witness affidavit so state that fact it is incorrect, for the aforesaid Merrell did actually testify that the said Williams served as a Fife-Major, and the mistake was made by this deponent in drafting the said affidavit.

This deponent also further says that the aforesaid William Williams was present with the said Caleb Merrell at the time the aforesaid last mentioned affidavit was taken by this deponent that the aforesaid William Williams now resides in the town of Cazenovia in the county of Madison as that deponent has been informed and duly believes. That this deponent was well acquainted with the aforesaid Merrell & that he was a man whose testimony might be relied on that the said Merrell removed from this county in the year 1841 to the State of Michigan and is now dead as this deponent has been informed and believe and further saith not.
Thomas Blanchard

Subscribed & sworn this 7th day of September 1843 before me James H King} J Peace

I also certify that the above deponent Thomas Blanchard is a man of respectable character whose testimony may be relied on
James H King J.P.
Page 45

I also certify that the interlineations (one of which extends on the margin) were made to the written affidavit before signing
James H King J Peace

State of New York
Onondaga County} SS:

I Charles T. Hicks Clerk of said County do certify that James H. King Esqr. 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 duly elected and qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit to be his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 25th day of September AD. 1843.
Cha’s. T. Hicks, Clerk

Thomas Blanchard
Affidavit

There is an attached seal.
Page 46

Fabius Onondaga County
N.Y. July 25 1840 -

J. L. Edwards Esqr -

Sir

I am requested by the Son of William Williams, otherwise William Edward Raymond Williams, an applicant for a pension, to write you in order to know the State of his application - The Son lives in this place & the Father is expected. The application was commenced five or Six years ago by a Judge Danforth of Pownal, Bennington County Vermont, where the applicant then also resided.

About a year afterwards, he removed to Antwerp Jefferson County NY & employed Adriel Ely of Watertown, same county as, his Agent - It is said that a copy or rather a duplicate of one of his discharges was forwarded by Danforth’s & affidavits of Caleb, or Michael Brooks or Easterbrooks, of Gunemus Jefferson County [strikethrough] and [strikethrough] were forwarded in Aug 1838, by Ely & also one of Caleb Merrill, of Dewitt, Ononandaga County was sent down by him last January, & that both were full, to the fact of Williams service as a revolutionary Soldier. Suspicions are entertained that all has not been fair on the part of me or both of the Agents. Will you be so kind as to state the condition of the application - and in what act the application was made, the objections that embarrass it, and what is required of him in order to remove them & give it success together with such other facts in the case, as are necessary for me to know, in order to enable me to take charge of it and bring it to a definite decision.
I am very Respectfully
George Pettit
Page 47

Hon H. Wheaton
Pompey Hill
Onondaga Co
N.Y.

FREE

There is a stamp
ONONDAGA
NOV
18
N.Y.
Page 48

James Beckwith
Nov. 1844

NY

Hon H. Wheaton
HR

Hon H. Wheaton
H. Rep
Page 49

Cazenovia Nov 9th 1844

Dear Sir

I have not been able to obtain any more evidence in the case of Mr. Williams and it would appear from the communication from the pension office to you of July 29th that it would be of little use  that he is a kneedy worth claimant I have not a doubt Mr Meril formally of Manlius States that he knew Mr Williams in the service in Col Butlers Regt and that he was then personally before him and knew him to be the same man and there is multitudes in Manlius sho can certify to the good caracter of Mr Meril  Mr Williams says his capt Avery and Col Ledyard were both killed in the battle of New London and Groton himself was wounded and did not recover so as to do duty until his first enlistment expired after the death of Ledyard Col Megs was sent to take command of that post that he Mr Williams received his discharge from him whether the Megs that took the command at New London was the one that was afterwards Ps General I cannot say but if it was I think by comparing the signature to Mr Williams discharge with other signatures at that period of life they will agree the old jentleman declares positively that he served after his last enlistment in Col Butlers regt as fife Maj’r- was attached to Capt Elisha Lees Comp was generally stationed at fort Putnam near Westpoint

If you can do anything so as to obtain his pension and make returns to me I will see that you are well satisfyed for you trouble and you will confer a great favor on an old revolutionary Soldier
your respectfully
James Beckwith

Hon H. Wheaton
Page 50

State of New York
County of Onondaga} ss

Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Ambrose Grow of Fabius in said County aged Eighty Eight years after being duly sworn according to law depose and says that he was - during the war of the revolution personally acquainted with William Williams who has made application for a Pension from & for State of New York that this deponent well and distinctly recollects that the said William Williams was Fife Major and he service in the war of the revolution as such that this deponent sometime in the service as Fife Major. That in 1779 this deponent well recollects of seeing the said Fife Major the said William Williams in Col Butlers regiment serving in it as fife Major  that the present applicant William Williams is the identical person whom this deponent saw in the service as Fife Major in Col Butlers Regiment and that he was called then Billy the Fifer
Ambrose Grow

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 10th day of July 1845
Adier Howe Justice of the Peace

I certify that the named Ambrose Grow is a respectable person and that he seemed to recollect every part stated in his affidavit
Adier Howe Justice of the Peace
Page 51

[Strikethrough]State of New York
Onondaga County,
Onondaga County, [strikethrough]

State of New York
Onondaga County,
Clerks Office, -} ss:

I certify that Adier Howe Esquire whose name is subscribed to the within affidavit was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County Commissioned and sworn & that his signature within is genuine Given under my hand and the Seal of said County, at Syracuse, this 11th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five,
Lewis J. Gillet Dep Clk
Clerk about,

There is an attached seal.
Page 52

State of New York
Jefferson County Clerks office ss}

I, Peleg Burchard Clerk of said County do hereby certify that J H. Conklin Esq 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 Said County commissioned and Sworn and duly authorised to take the same and further that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his Signature subscribed to the same to be his proper hand writing

Witness my hand and the seal of said County this 27th day of July 1838.
P. Burchard Clerk
Page 53

Nancy King & Leonard Williams being duly Sworn depose and say that they are children of William Williams the former thirty five years last September & the Latter thirty years old the 17 Oct last - that they have each often seen a paper in the possession of their father said to be a discharge from the revolutionary army from their certain recollections - that they have [strikethrough] several [strikethrough] often heard their father converse with Revolutionary Soldiers and have seen the discharge shown to them as many as 24 or 25 years ago
X her mark
Nancy King
Leonard Williams

Sworn & subscribed, this 24th of July 1838 before me
J H. Conklin Justice

This will certify that I am personally acquainted with Nancy King and Leonard Williams and I consider them to be credible persons & those that can be believed
Antwerp July 24th 1838
Rensselaer Hall

This will certify that I am acquainted with Mr. Rensselaer Hall, and that I know him to be honorable & credible person and on that can be believed
JH. Conklin
Page 54

State of New York
Jefferson County ss

On this 15th day of August 1838 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Caleb E Brooks of Gouverneur in the County of St Lawrence who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath say that he is in the 75th year of his age = that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army from 1780 to 1783 = That he was well acquainted with William R Williams of Antwerp New York = That he was acquainted with him in the time of the war = that he was in New London in March or April 1780 and then saw the said Williams who was at that time a solder in the service as he then told him and was a fifer & had his fife with him - That he had a conversation with the said Williams about [there is a tear in the paper} Enlist into Capt {there is a tear in the paper} ny & served in various places and the next year [strikethrough] was [strikethrough] 1781 was stationed at the point below New London and was then then the British Army under Arnold effected their landing & burnt New London = the next day saw the said Williams who was then a member of Capt Elisha Lee’s Company a fifer in said company and to leave from a wound he had received the day before that he and a crutch -

That he saw the said William at various times after that. That he saw him again in New London in the year 1800 at the then residence of the said Williams and staid all night at his house = that since that time he has not seen [strikethrough] him [strikethrough] the said Williams
Page 55

until above four weeks since, when the said Williams called on him for my Evidence of [strikethrough] his [strikethrough] service
Caleb E Brooks

Sworn & Subscribed this 15th day of August 1838 before me
Marinus W Gilliard Justice peace

I certify that the above deponent is a credible person
MW Gilliard

In the matter of William R Williams affi’dt
A. Esq 
Agt
Page 56

31,096
William Williams
Vt
Act 7 June 32

William R Williams
Page 57

Declaration

State of Vermont
Bennington County} 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832

On the 20th day of May AD 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Hon. the Probate Court for the District of Bennington now sitting Wm R Williams a resident of Pownal in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont aged 72 years, who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 That he entered & served in the army of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein states

That at New London in the county of New London & State of Connecticut the last of March or the first of April AD 1777 he entered as a private to serve as a musician (a Fifer) in a company commanded by Capt William Avery in Col Ledyards Reg’t Connecticut troops continental line as he believes for the term of three Years That he was mustered soon after & joined the said Regt Stationed at New London

That some time afterwards this applicant was transferred to accompany under the command of Capt Elisha Lee same Regt.

That he continued to serve in said Regt at said New London under said Enlistment until the 17th day of April AD 1780 when he was honorably discharged by Col Meigs commandant of the 1st Connecticut Brigade as will appear by said Discharge hereunto annexed

That when Fort Griswold was taken which this applicant believes [?] in the Autumn of 1781 he volunteered as a private in to a company commanded by Capt Elisha Lee Col Ledyards Regt and fought through the whole action between the British & American Troops at New London & was severely wounded by a musket ball which passed through his left ancle just above the ancle joint & broke the shin bone and carried away a piece of the shin bone an inch long that he continued through the action not withstanding the severity of the wound

The above is a copy of the first Declaration made by Williams before me as Judge of the court the original declaration accompanied with his discharge was sent to Washington & the claim rejected of which I was in formed by letter which letter I delivered to Williams &
Page 58


I have not had it since that time.  The original discharge that I Enclosed with the papers & sent to Washington has never been returned to me.

Most Respectfully Yours
S. Danforth

Pownal 16th Nov 1837