Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 716, Penuel Child, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Child, Penuel
Sabra

Number
W. 716
Page 2

11.782
Burlington Vermont
Penuel Child
of Rutland Co. in the State of Vt
who was a Sergeant in the company commanded
by Captain Waterman of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Durkee in the Vt
line for 2 years
Increased from $88.63
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington Vt.
at the rate of 120 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 day of May
1838 and sent Hon W.
Stade Ho. of Reps.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $840.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. "  60.00
----
$900.00
(Revolutionary Claim)
(Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by D. W. Addison Clerk
Book D  Vol. 3.  Page 60

let to P. Agent
May 9. 1838
Page 3

Penuel Child
Brandon
10 mo. as Lt.
10 .. Serg.
23 .. Private

[illegible]
Admitted.
10 mo. 12 days sergeant $61.97
8 mo Private  $26.66
----
88.63

Letter
Recruiting and term service
not embraced by the act

Col Doudley
Penuel Child
Ent Apl 16, 1777
Disch. " 16 1780
Page 4

STATE OF VERMONT,
RUTLAND COUNTY, ss.
On this 19th day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared
in open Court before the Judg of the Probate Court of Rutland Dist.
now sitting, Penuel Child, a resident of the County of Rutland and State of
Vermont, aged 75 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 7,
1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and
served as herein stated.
In 1775 he lived at Warren Connecticut immediately after the battle of
Lexington, he marched to Cambridge Capt. Tho Lawsons Company, Daniel
Loomis, & about the 1. May he enlisted for eight months & served
in Col. Denkers Regt Capt a Lt. Waterman commanded the
Company, Lt Grovener, Ensign Sprager to whom this deponents
was [illegible]. he served at Cambridge until the 1 Jany 1776.
He was near Leckmers point when the battle of Bunker hill
was fought. The day or next day after his time was out
he again enlisted under Lt. Danl. Loomis for three months, &
served in Col. Denison's Regt & served out the time at Roxbury
& Dorchester, & was discharged at Roxbury. was there
when the enemy evacuated Boston. He thinks his Captain
name was Wills, but is not certain. In 1776, in the spring
soon after the British left Boston, he enlisted in Capt. Barrows
Company, Col. Chester;'s Regt. of Connecticut, Lt. Col. Wills, Maj Ripley,
Lt. Dunham, Ensign Sessions under whom he enlisted. he enlisted
for nine months & was immediately appointed serjeant marched to Norwich thence by water to
New York, was at the battle of Long Island, retreated to the
City & hence to Harlaem where the enemy entered, remained a
Short time at Valentine hill. thence to Whiteplains, was in
the battle of Whiteplains. after which he was sergeant of the
guard at North Castle. then rejoined the Regt. at Haverstown
thence marched to Trenton New Jersey where he was discharged
about Christmas a day or two after the battle of Trenton, in
which battle he was. He then volunteered at the urgent solicitation
of Genl. Washington who [illegible] the troops, to remain in
service, & joined Col. Durgee's Regt. in Captain Clough's Company, Lt.
Sprague, & was in the battle at Princeton. & continued in
said Regt. about six weeks. he then remained at Genl. Putnams
quarters & did business for him as Clerk &c & was encouraged
by him & others to remain with the army under an assurance that he should be
promoted to a Lieutenant, & he remained until they went into Winter
quarters at Valley Forge. During this time he was with Durgee's Regt. at a creek 18 miles from Philadelphia. He then went on the recruiting
service as Lieut. to Providence, Bristol & Union & Hartford &
was engaged in that service until Oct. 1778, when he recd. a furlough
Page 5

& was not again called into service. In 1781 he went with the
main army, in charge of public teams which carried the
baggage of the French officers to Virginia. Stopped a short
time at the head of Elk, from thence by water to Williamsburgh
Virg. Thence marched to York town & was present at the
Capture of Cornwallis whence he returned having been gone from home about 3 months
He never recd. a discharge except from Chester's Regt. which he lost
at Yorktown. He served with the Regt. of Col. Swift, Bradley, Skechum,
Nixon's & serveral others that he cannot distinguish. also Sheldon's
Dragoons. He knew Genls. Washington, Lee, Sullivan, Heath, Putnam,
Lord Sterling, Lafayette, Knox, Nixon, & many others also Pulaski &
Haskiusko. He has no evidence of his services except what
accompanies this. He was born at Woodstock, Connecticut the
7. May 1757, his age was recorded in his father's Bible, which he
copied into his own Bible. He lived at Union, Connecticut until
about 34 years ago, when he moved to Brandon, Vt.
where he has ever since lived and now lives. He is known 
to the Rev. Mr. Ingraham, Seth Keeler Esq & most
of the inhabitants of Pottsford.
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.
Penuel Child
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
R. C. Royce Regs

We Ira Ingraham a Clergyman residing in Brandon
and Seth Keeler residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with Penuel Child who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 75 years of age; that he is reputed and believed,
in the neighourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Ira Ingraham
Seth Keeler
Sworn and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
R. C. Royce Regs

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named
applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies,
that it appears to them that Ira Ingraham who has signed the preceding
certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Brandon and that Seth Keeler Esq
who has also signed the same, is a resident in Brandon, & Post Master
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Rodney C. Royce Regr of the Court of Probate
do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of Penuel Child
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this 24th
day of July A. D. 1832
Royal Regt
Page 6

Sabra Child's
Declaration &
proofs.
Page 7

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
On this 20 day of May A.D. 1853, personally
appeared before a Special Probate Court
holden at Pittsfield in the County of
Rutland aforesd within and for the Probate
District of Rutland which is a court
of record, in open Court Sabra Child
a resident of Pittsfield, in the County of
Rutland and State of Vermont
aged Seventy Six years, who first being
duly sworn according to law, doth
on her oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed on the 3d February A.D. 1853,
granting pensions to Widows of persons
who served during the war of the Revolution,
that she is the Widow of Penuel
Child who was a Sergeant in the
Fifth Connecticut Regiment commanded
by Col. Philip B. Bradley, and was a
pensioner of the United States at the
time of his decease at the rate
of one hundred and twenty dollars
per annum under the act of
the 7. of June 1832 and was paid at the
Burlington Vermont Agency, and
resided at Pittsfield in the County of
Rutland and State of Vermont at
the time he was last paid his pension.
She refers to the evidence filed in the
pension office in his application for
a pension for proof of his services
in the war of the revolution. She further
declares that she was married to the said
Page 8

Penuel Child on the 25 day of October
A.D. 1815, and that her name before her
marriage with the said Penuel was
Sabra Herry, that her said husband
died on the 22 day of April A.D. 1843
that she was not married to him prior
to the second of January eighteen hundred
but at the time above stated
she further declares that she is now
a widow.
Sabra Child
Subscribed & Sworn to before me
this 20 day of May A.D. 1853 in
open court. Harvey Button Judge

We Penuel Child & Mary C. Child
both of Pittsfield in the County of Rutland & State of
Vermont being duly sworn depose & say
that we were personally acquainted with
Mrs Sabra Child, of Pittsfield
aforesaid, and know that she is now and
was on the 3 day of February AD 1853 the
Widow of Penuel Child late of Pittsfield
aforesaid deceased, who was a Sergeant
in the United States service in the war
of the Revolution, to the best of our
knowledge and belief. We further
testify & say that the said Penuel Child
died at Pittsfield in the County of Rutland
aforesaid, on the 22d day of August
A.D. 1843. and was at the time of his
death a pensioner of the United States
Penuel Child
Mary C. Child
Subscribed & sworn to before me this
20 day of May A D 1853. H. Button Judge
Page 9

It is hereby certified that satisfactory
proof has been exhibited before
the Probate Court for the District
of Rutland, in the County of Rutland
and State of Vermont by the affidavit
of Penuel Child & Mary C. Child
of Pittsfield aforesd being personally
known to me, and who are entitled
to credit, that Mrs. Sabra Child
is the widow of the late Penuel Child
who was a Sergeant in the United States
service in the war of the Revolution &
pensioner of the United States, and that the
said Sabra Child is now and was
on the 3d of February 1853 the widow of the
sd Penuel Child to the best of their knowledge
& belief
Harvey Button Judge

State of Vermont
Probate District of Rutland ss.
I certify that the Honorable Harvey
Button before whom the annexed
declaration & affidavit were made and
who hath thereunto subscribed his name
at the time of so doing, is Judge of
the Court of Probate for the District of
Rutland within & for the County of Rutland and
State of Vermont duly commissioned and
sworn, and that the signatures and
genuine. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal
of Court of Probate this 20 day of
May in the year of our Lord 1853.
Henry Hall Register
Page 10

Sabra Childs
Evidence of Marriage
Page 11

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
Town Clerk's office Brandon, County of
Rutland & State of Vermont. I certify
that I have examined the records of
marriages in said town clerk's office
and found there a record of which the following
is a true copy, with the exception of the
date which is expressed on the record in
fair legibal figures as follows, viz,

" State of Vermont
" Rutland County ss.
" Be it remembered
" that at Brandon in the County of Rutland
" and State aforesaid on the twenty second (22d) day
" of October Anno Domini (A.D.) one thousand eight
" hundred and fifteen (1815.) Penuel Child Esq.
" and the Widow Sabra Herry, both of Brandon
" aforesaid were duly joined in marriage
" by me. Ebenezer Hibbard Minister of Gospel
" Recorded February Seventeenth (17) A.D. one thousand eight
" hundred and siteen (1916) by me Nathan Pierce Town Clerk
I Barzillai Davenport of Brandon in the county
[covered by printed sheet]

STATE OF VERMONT,
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, RUTLAND S. S.
I, Frederick G. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland,
being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
Ezra June Esq.
was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached and now is a
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to
foregoing jurat and certificate is genuine; and that the said paper writings are executed
according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer,
he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgements of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of Court, at Rutland, this Seventeenth
day of August Anno Domini, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three
J. W. Hopkins CLERK
Page 12

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
Town Clerk's office Brandon, County of
Rutland & State of Vermont. I certify
that I have examined the records of
marriages in said town clerk's office
and found there a record of which the following
is a true copy, with the exception of the
date which is expressed on the record in
fair legibal figures as follows, viz,

" State of Vermont
" Rutland County ss.
" Be it remembered
" that at Brandon in the County of Rutland
" and State aforesaid on the twenty second (22d) day
" of October Anno Domini (A.D.) one thousand eight
" hundred and fifteen (1815.) Penuel Child Esq.
" and the Widow Sabra Herry, both of Brandon
" aforesaid were duly joined in marriage
" by me. Ebenezer Hibbard Minister of Gospel
" Recorded February Seventeenth (17) A.D. one thousand eight
" hundred and siteen (1916) by me Nathan Pierce Town Clerk
I Barzillai Davenport of Brandon in the county
of Rutland and State of Vermont, depose & say
that I hold the office of town clerk of
town of Brandon, in the county of Rutland
aforesaid and that the above is a true extract
from the records as certified by me
Barzillai Davenport. Town clerk of Brandon

Sworn to and subscribed before me this
tenth day of August A.D. 1853.
E June Justice of the Peace
Page 13

I, Penuel Child junior, of Brandon in the County
of Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 42 years & upwards
do depose, testify and say, that in 1829, when my father
Penuel Child Esqr of the same Brandon, had become partially
blind, so as to be incapable of seeing either to read or to write,
and having also become embarassed in his circumstances and
lost his property, he directed me, and I then wrote down,
from his dictation, a narative of his services in the
revolutionary war, substantially like the declaration to
which he made oath on the nineteenth day of September,
1837, before the Hon. Probate Court of the District of Rutland
in said County; and soon afterwards, I procured a carriage,
and took him to Rutland, a distance of about 16 miles, for the
purpose of employing Robert Temple, as an agent, to put his
declaration into legal form, and to obtain for him a pension,
to which he considered himself to be entitled, under the provisions
of the act of Congress of the 18 of March, 1818. On arriving
at Rutland, and laying the business before Temple, he informed
my father, that it was necessary the paper should be copied,
but that he had not time to do so then, and that we
must call again. Accordingly, I returned home with
my father, and, in a few days, we again called on W. Temple,
who by that time had made out a declaration for my father to
subscribe. But before subscribing, my father requested Temple
to read the declaration; which, with evident tokens of displeasure,
he refused to do, said, [underlined] it was sufficient, and [underlined] wondered
why my father should ask an explanation. My father
did thereupon subscribe the declaration, although he felt
greatly dissatisfied, but did not dare to give utterance to
his dissatisfaction, until he got home; and was
then advised to forbear his complaints, on the ground,
that if he [underlined] crossed Temple in his measures, his influence
Page 14

was so great, that he would do him all the injury he
could. That if the pension was granted, it probably would
be, upon the ground, that the declaration was made agreeably
to the draft I had made for my father, as above mentioned.
My father yielded to the advice of his friends, & forbore to
express any further complaints against Temple. It was several
years afterwards, however, (how long I do not precisely recollect)
before my father obtained a pension, through Temple's
agency: and, what further or other declaration he
afterwards procured my father to subscribe, or whether any,
I do not know. But, I well know, that the declaration
now sworn to before the Probate Court as aforesaid, corresponds
with the relation I have often & repeatedly heared my
father give of his revolutionary services, long before he
ever thought of applying for a pension, as well as
since that time. And further this deponent saith not.
Penuel Child Jun

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss
Be it known, that on this 11th day of
October, 1837, before me the subscriber, a Justice of the
Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the said
Penuel Child junr., to me well known, who hath subscribed the
preceding affidavit in my presence, and made solemn
oath, that the same contains the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth: and I do hereby certify,
that the said affiant is a witness of truth & veracity.
L. Daniels Justice Peace
Page 15

I, Ebenezer Child, of Pittsfield in the County of
Rutland and State of Vermont, aged 68 years and upwards
do depose, testify and say, that Penuel Child Esqr of Brandon
in said County is my eldest brother; he was the oldest child of
my father's family. I have been well and intimately
acquainted with my said brother's history, from my earliest recollection.
From the commencement of the war, until its termination, he
was from home, and in the services all the time, with the exception
of a few short intervals, when he was on furlough, or
was brought home, sick. I was the youngest son of the
family, not old enough to bear arms, and was therefore
obliged to stay with the family; but, my brothers Penuel,
and Pearley, were constantly in service, until the close
of the war. Upon mature and deliberate reflection, I am
unable to recollect any considerable portion of time, that
either of my said brothers were at home, during that
period. I have attentively perused the declaration of
the said Penuel, this day sworn to by him, before the
Hon Probate Court of the District of Rutland in said
County and, from my own knowledge and recollection
of the facts therein set forth, I do verily believe, that 
the said declaration is strictly and literally true.
I have, moreover, during the war, and for many years
afterwards, often and repeatedly heard the said facts
and circumstances recapitulated in the family of my
father, and by the surviving parties thereto, as related
by my said brother Penuel, and having been knowing to many of
the facts, I do verily believe the whole declaration to be true.
I well know, that said Penuel was a Sergent during all
the latter part of the war, and was well acquainted with
the said Jonathan Badger and the circumstances
relating to him mentioned in my said brother's declaration. And further this
deponent saith not.
Ebenr. Child
Page 16

State of Vermont,
Rutland County, SS.
Be it known, that on this 19th day of
September, 1837, before me the subscriber, a Justice of
the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared
the said Ebenezer Child, who hath subscribed the
preceeding deposition in my presence, and made
solemn oath, that the same contains the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth: and I
do hereby certify, that the said deponent is a
credible witness
R Pierpoint Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Rutland County
I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the County
Court in and for said County, do hereby
certify, that Robert Pierpoint is a Magistrate
in and for said County; and, that the
foregoing signature, purporting to be his,
is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto affixed the seal of said
County Court, and subscribed my
name, at Rutland in said County,
this 20th day of September, 1837
R Pierpoint
Page 17

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.  3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. [blank] ,19 [blank] 
[handwritten] Om
Wof16.

In reply to your request of [blank], received [blank] 
for a statement of the military history of Penuel Child
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.

[table]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
Apr 1775
May 1775
Jan 1776
Apr 1776
Dec 1776
Apr 16 1777 to Apr 16 1780
1781

LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
2 wks.
8 mos.
3 mos.
9 "
6 weeks
[blank: 3 years]
3 mo

RANK 
Pvt
"
"
Sgt
Sgt
Sgt
Sgt

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. | COLONEL.
Thos Lawson | [blank]
Lt Waterman | Putnam & John Durkie
Wills |  Devison
Gershom Barrow | John Chester
Hubbard | Philip B Bradley
in charge of teams and went to Seige of Yorktown.

STATE.
Conn.
[end of table]

Battles engaged in, Long Island, Harlem, White Plains, Trenton Princeton & wounded in hand during a skirmish
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Union Conn.
Date of application for pension, July 19, 1832. His cl. was al.[claim was allowed]
Residence at date of application, Brandon Vt
Age at date of application, b/ May 7 1757 at Woodstock Conn.
Remarks: Sol. mar[rried] Oct. 22, 1875 at Brandon Vt. Sabra Henry of
said Brandon. He died at Pittsfield Vt. Aug. 22, 1843 & she was
allowed pen[sion] on her ap[plication] ex. May 20, 1853 while living at Pittsfield VT, aged 76. Soldiers son
Penuel was over 42 yrs of age in 1837, name of his mother is not
stated & there is no further data on file as to be his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 18

CHILD, PENUEL
(CONN.)
W 716
Page 19

[illegible]
Jul 4th 1779
To Lt Penuel Child
You are hereby dismissed and ordered to make Return of
all the Soldiers you have Inlisted together with the moneys
you have expended and if any Soldier at home Send
them to Col. Sheldons Regt. with all their Inlistment
after which you are hereby Dismissed from further Service
untill further Caled for as under the new organization
of the Army You are not required by order of
Maj Genl. Bar [illegible]
[illegible] Yorker Col.

[marginal note] forgery
Page 20

Pension Office
August 23/53
Sir
Please report time
of last payment to on
death of within named
pensioner
Respectfully &
S. Cale
for Commr

F. Burt Esq
3 Aud
Present
Penuel Child, Act 32,
$120. pr an. - Died
22d August 1843,
Paid to his death.
F. Burt 
Auditor
Page 21

May 25/53
Sabra Child,
wid Pennel
11782
Vermt
$120
3. Feb. 1853
Revy.
allowed $120 per an
Conn. Feb 3. 1853
Reuben R. Thrall
Rutland
Vt.

[stamp in margin]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
PENSIONS [illegible] OFFICIAL BUSINESS
Page 22

Free
L. P. Waldo Esq.
Comr of Pensions,
Washington City
District of Columbia
Page 23

No. 7. 1732
Letter to Agt.
(for proof of Mar)
Aug 5/53
Gray
Act of Feb 3rd 1853
Page 24

Abigail Nott
And
Abraham Nott
File 10821
Rev War

[postmark]
RECORD DIVISION
FEB 4 1921
Page 25

Kind Sirs,
Will you please send
me the war record of
Abraham Nott and Abigail
No 10821
And oblige
Miss Etta J Nott
16 - 7 St.
Charleston
Illinois.
1-28-21
Also, Childs, Penuel, wid Sabra
Rutland Co Vt. W. No 716

[postmark[
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
JAN 31 1921
Page 26

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 716
Sabra Child,
Widow,
Penuel Child,
Sergt. Rev. War.,
Act. Feb. 3. 1853.
Index:--Vol. A, Page 127
(Arrangement of 1870.)

1921. Mar. 11. Hist to
Etta J. Nott. AU
Page 27

[center column; inverted notes on separate image]

No 11.782
Vermont
Penuel Child
of Rutland Co. in the State of Vermont
who was a Priv. & Sergt. in the company commanded
by Captain Waterman of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Durkee in the Connt. troops
for 8 months Private   26.66
10 " 12 days Sergt.     61.97
$88.63
[faint pencil writing] S/P bl $78.66

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont
at the rate of 88 Dollars 63 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of June
1833 and sent to R. Temple
Rutland Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833        117.26
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. 1833 44.31
$221.57
(Revolutionary Claim,)
(Act June 7, 1832.)
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 3 Page 56

[illegible]
Page 28

[inverted handwriting]
let Hon Wm Slade 19 Feby 1835
let Penuel Child 21 March 35
let Jesse Gov 24 March '37
do. Hon W. Slade 5 Apl 1838
Page 29

State of Vermont,
Rutland County, ss.
On this 31st day of October,
1836, personally came before me the undersigned
authority, Penuel Child of Brandon in said
County, to me well known as a man of truth and
a credible witness, who being duly sworn, doth depose
and say, in addition to, and in explanation of, his
former declaration made under the act of Congress,
passed the 7. June, 1832, as follows, to wit: that
about the 1st of January, 1777, he volunteered as
a Sergeant in Capt. Josiah Childs' Company in a
Regiment commanded by Col. Philip P. Bradley of
the Connecticut Line; and that afterwards, in
the month of April, of the same year, 1777, he inlisted
in the same Company and Regiment, for the term
of three years, as a Sergeant, and served out the
time, until the Spring of 1780; as will appear from
the Certificates of the Comptroller of Public Accounts of
the State of Connecticut: one whereof is dated the
29th day of June, 1836; another is dated the 27th day
of July, 1836; and another is dated the 23d day
of August, 1836. Wherefore, he hereby prays,
that his pension may be increased to the amount
to which he would have been entitled by virtue
of the proofs therewith prefered: and he returns,
herewith, the pension certificate issued to him
under the date of June 20, 1833.
Penuel Child
Sworn to, on the day and
year first above written, before
me,
Luther Daniels Justice Peace.
Page 30

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the
County Court in and for said County do
hereby certify, that Luther Daniels
is a magistrate, as above, in and for
said County, and that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his, is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
affixed my seal of office and subscribed
my name, this 2d day of November,
in the year, 1836.
R. Pierpoint

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connecticut
June 29th 1836
On aplication of Mr Penuel Child I have
examined the Books in this office relating to
Revolutionary services and find and certify, That the
name of Peunel Child appears on the Books of
Army accounts or pay table Books, where he is
credited in 1780 & 81 By Balance of wages as per Report of
Committe £63_15_7_ and on the Book of Connecticut
Line he is named as having served three years and
as holding the rank of Sargent
Wm Field Comptroller
Page 31

Hartford Connecticut
July 27th 1836
On aplication of Mr Penuel Child I have examined
the books and papers remaining in this office relating to
Revolutionary services and find and certify, that the
name of Penuel Child appears on the books of the
Connecticut Line under the following head viz.
"Settlement with the 5th Connecticut Regiment Philip
B Bradley Esq Colonel before the 1st Jany 1780"
where he is named as holding the rank of Sargent and
serving in said Regt from April 16th 1777 to Jany 1st
1780 and credited amount of Wages £78--, The name of
Penuel Child also appears on the same book
under the following head "Settlement with the 5th
Connecticut Regiment Philip B Bradley Esq
Col for the year 1780" In this account he is named
as Sargeant and as serving from Jany 1st to
April 16th 1780 and is credited for amount of Wages £8_9-
The name of Capt Josiah Child appears on the army accounts
as is credited by amount of two accounts rendered
£911-147, Feby 12th 1777 he is charged "To order on Treasurer
in acct this states bounty $500" May 1st 1777 "To order on
Treasurer in acct this States bounty £180" July 4th 1777
he is again charged "To Order on Treasurer on acct
this States bounty £150", in all of which he is named
as belonging to Col Bradleys Battalion, there are
also subsequent charges to balance account
Wm Field Comptroller
Page 32

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
On this nineteenth day of September,
in the year, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven,
before the Honorable Probate Court of the District of
Rutland in the County of Rutland aforesaid, now sitting
at Rutland in said Probate District, Penuel Child,
a resident of Brandon in the County and District
aforesaid, aged 81 years on the 7th day of May 1837,
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 7, 1832;
which declaration is supplemental, and in explanation of
his declaration heretofore made for the same purpose,
and is in the following words, to wit:
I, Penuel Child, of Brandon aforesaid, do depose,
testify and say, that in the spring of 1775, I turned out
and went with Capt. Thomas Lawson, of Union in Connecticut,
where I then lived, to Lexington and Concord, Mass.,
in the first alarm of war, and returned home. And,
soon after, I went with Ensign James Sprague, who was
soon after promoted to a Lieutenant in a Regiment called
Putnam's Regiment, which Regiment, after Col. Putnam
was appointed General, was commanded by Col. Durkee;
and the Company was commanded by Lt. Waterman
whom we, of the Company, called Captain. I served as
waiter[?] to Lieut. Sprague, until he went to Canada,
and then I served as a common soldier, until the
month of December, 1775; when I was taken sick, at
Cambridge, Mass., and my friends in Connecticut, sent a
Page 33

carriage for me and took me home.
In the begining of the year 1776, I went with
Lieut. Daniel Loomis, to Cambridge, Mass. I think with
Capt. Wills in Col. Denison's Regiment. From thence,
our Regiment went to Roxbury, near Boston; from thence
to Dorchester, and assisted in building the works there,
where we remained until the enemy evacuated Boston;
and I saw them said out of port. The Regiment was then
discharged, and I returned home, some of the first day of
April. Some time in the summer following I
inlisted under Ensign Abijah Sessions in Capt Barrow's
Company and Col. Chester's Regiment, with the promise of a
Sergeant's birth, and went immediately to New York; and
while at New York, Sergeant Sprague was taken sick with
fits, or falling sickness, was discharged, and I was appointed
Seargeant in his place. We then went to Long Island,
and engaged in the battle there, on the 27th of August, 1776,
and lost my gun in Govin's cove, and returned to New York.
We then moved to Murray's Hill, so called. I being with a
detachment posted, went with them to reinforce Col. Knowlton's party at
Turtle Bay in Haarlem, where Col. Knowlton was killed, in
my sight. After which, I joined my Regiment, at a place 
called Valentine's hill: and after some skirmishing at
East Chester, we removed to White Plains, where we engaged
in the battle fought there, and Corporal Benjamin Sanger was
there killed by my side. We then retreated to North Castle
from thence to North River, and then to Trenton, New Jersey,
where we took the Hessions; and, about this time, our
Regiment was discharged, which was soon after Christmass.
General Washington then solicited the men to remain longer,
and I volunteered, after my time was expired, to stay, and
went immediately to Princeton, took another body of Hessians,
Page 34

was most of the time at Genl Putnam's Head Quarters, being
well acquainted with his boys. Soon after, being out on a
foraging party, I was set as a picket guard, while the others
were loading hay, and I was wounded by one of the British
light horse, in my hand; and being thus rendered unfit
for immediate duty, went home.
In the spring of 1777, my brother Pearley Childs,
Jonathan Badger, and myself engaged to do three years
service, between us: and I inlisted, because I had been in the
service, and did then enlist as a Sergeant. My being lame
from the wound in my hand, my brother took my first
tour, and went immediately to Camp, under Capt Josiah
Child. We expected to serve in Col. Durkee's Regiment; but,
when I found my brother in the fall of 1777, he was in Col.
Bradley's Regiment. During the summer, while my brother
was in the service, I went with Capt. Converse, to Rhode Island,
in what was called Spencer's Expedition. It was a short
compaign; and, on my return home, I went immediately
to relieve my brother, in Col. Bradley's Regiment, at a place 
called Skippak Creek in New Jersey. From whence we removed
to Valley Forge; and my brother went immediately home. At
Valley Forge, we built huts, and lived in them through the winter.
In the summer of 1778, I went home, either on furlough
or by order from my officers, and Badger went to take my
place. But, from some cause, either Badger was not acceptable,
or something else, I went or was sent for, and went soon to camp
again; and, in the fall and winter, we went into the Barns
at Middlebrook, or some such name of a place, and
threshed out grain, and slaughtered cattle, for the support
of the army: and I remained in the service, until the
close of my three years inlistment; which was in the spring
of 1780; when I received a regular discharge, which I had,
Page 35

and a little book of debt & credit; and the balance that
remained my due was paid me at Hartford, Connecticut, at
the Pay Table so called. My Book, Sergeant's Warrant, and
discharge, I lost, on my way to York Town, with the French
Army in 1781, together with my knapsack, and every thing I
possessed, except the clothes I wore; and two French officers
gave me, the one, a shirt, and the other, pantaloons, to come
home with.
As to the statement represented by the Commissioner
of Pensions to be contained in my original declaration, that
"I was a Sergeant in Capt. Clough's Company, Col. Darkee's
"Regiment, until October, 1778, when I remained on furlough,
"and was not out again in service:" the statement is different
from my present recollection of the fact. Nor have I any
recollection of having heard red to me (for I was then blind,
and still am, so as to be incapable of reading either print or
manuscript) any declaration, of the tenor above quoted.
I however do now state, and well know that, if I was called
upon, I did state, formerly, that at the time I volunteered for
further service, upon General Washington's request, as above stated,
the officer who took down my name (for I signed no inlistment) was
Capt. or Majr Clough, or some such name. But, that I ever
served under his immediate command, or belonged to his company
is not within my recollection. The service performed, on
that occasion, did not continue over about a month; and the
only officer I recollect to have paraded under war, as I
now think, a Capt. Hubbard. It was during that service,
and about a week after entering upon its duty, that I was wounded
on the fore finger of the right hand, while employed on
a foraging party, in the vicinity of Princeton, somewhere
between that and Amboy and New Brunswick.
It is further represented, "that in 1781, I had in
Page 36

"charge, a team for the transportation of the Baggage"
"of the French Army, &c." To a certain extent, this
statement is true: while on the march, to Yorktown, with
the army, I was several times detached, as Sergeant
of the guard, and in that capacity and that only, was
I occasionally so employed, in charge of the French Baggage.
If my services in that respect were otherwise represented by
the person who drew my original declaration, it was
erroneous, and was not at the time known to me.
And further this deponent saith not.
Penuel Child
Witnesses to the signing
Wm Hall
Jesse Gove

Sworn to and subscribed in Court, the day and year
aforesaid. And I do hereby certify, that the said
declaration was red to the said Penuel Child, in his
hearing, in a distinct and audible tone of voice, by
Jesse Gove, one of the witnesses to the signing of the
said Child; and I do further certify, that in
my opinion, the said Child is a person of truth
and veracity.
Wm Hall Judge
Page 37

I, Henry B. Towslee, Clerk of the Probate
Court aforesaid, do hereby certify, that that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court, in the matter of the application of Penuel
Child, for a pension. And I do hereby further
certify that the Hon. William Hall is Judge of
the said Probate Court; and that the foregoing several
signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have
hereunto affixed the seal of said
Court, and subscribed my name,
at Rutland in said Probate District,
this 20th day of September, in
the year of our Lord, one
thousand eight hundred and
thirty seven.
Henry B. Towslee
Page 38

Penuel Child's
Declaration
Also Ebenezer Child's
Affidavit
admd
3 year Sargt.
120$
Page 39

Brandon Oct 11 1837
I Seth Keeler of Brandon County of Rutland
& State of Vermont being Sixty years of age
do testify & say that I have been personally 
acquainted with Penuel Child Esq for more than
thirty five years & have been near neighbour
to him for twenty five years & have heard him
state many a time about his being in the
service of the Revolutionary War, & heard
him state in particular with regard to a skirmish
he and & another soldier had with two
British Dragoons. I also have seen his
Finger which he states was cut with the
sword of one of the Draggoons, all of which
I heard him state, long before there was any
thing said in regard to a pention. About
the time R. Temple was employed to procure
his Pentions I heard the sd Childs say
that he did not like the manner in which
Mr Temple did his business & in particular
about his papers & appeared to regret very
much that he sd Child had any thing
to do with him & further this deponent saith not
Seth Keeler
Witness R C Smith

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
Be it known that on this the
11th day of Oct 1837 before me the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in & for said County
of Rutland, personally appeared the said Seth Keeler
to me well known, who hath subscribed the
preceeding affidavit in my presence, & made
Solemn Oath, that the same contains the truth,
the whole truth & nothing but the truth: and
I do hereby certify that the said affidavit is a
witness of truth & veracity
J H Hale Justice Peace
Page 40

I Mathew W Birchard of Brandon in the County of
Rutland & State of Vermont aged forty nine years
do depose, testify & say, that about the time Penuel
Child Esq was applying to Robert Temple of Rutland
to procure his pension he expressed a good deal
of dissatisfaction about Mr Temples arbitrary manner
of doing business & he not being willing to indicate
so particularly & he the sd Child expressed a disposition
to take his papers from Temple & employ
some one else to do his business.
I advised him to let Temple manage for
if he could not get it no one else could
further the deponent saith not
Mathew W Birchard

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
Be it known that on this 11th day
of October 1837 before me the subscriber Justice of the
Peace in & for said County personally appeared
the said Mathew W Birchard to me well known
who hath subscribed the preceding affidavit
in my presence & made solemn oath that the
same contains the truth, the whole truth & nothing
but the truth: & I do hereby certify that the the affiant
is a witness of truth & veracity
J. Halcomb Justice Peace
Page 41

2
Seth Keeler's
Mathew W. Birchard's &
Penuel Child joint
Depositions
Page 42

State of Vermont
Rutland County ss.
I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the
County Court in and for said County
do hereby certify that Josiah W. Hale,
Jedediah Holcomb, and Luther Daniels
are, severally, Magistrates as above
written; and that the signatures
affixed to the three several preceeding
certificates, purporting to be the
signatures of the said Magistrates,
are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed
the seal of said County Court, and subscribed my
name, at Rutland aforesaid, this 11th day of
October, in the year, 1837.
R. Pierpoint
Page 43

I Raswell Strains of Bristol in the County
of Addison & State of Vermont do testify and
say that I was well acquainted with
Penuel Child in the year 1775 then
of Union in the State of Connecticut
now Penuel Child Esq of Brandon in the
State of Vermont. he was then a soldier
a company called Capt Watchmans
company in Col Putnams regiment so
called afterwards Col Durkees Regt
all which we served together until Jany
1776. He then enlisted if I remember
right under a Capt Wills in Col
Dennisons Regiment, then we served
together until the enemy left Boston
I know we were together on Dorchester
Hill when the enemy left Boston, We
soon after (I cant till the day) enlisted
in Capt Gersham Barrows Company
Col John Olmans regiment there and
then did serve at New York Long Island
White Plains and its vicinity until the
close of the year 1776. He then went to the
Southward as a  volunteer I have no more
to say only he did serve as a sergeant
and I left him as such. I did hear
and understand he was a Lieutenant but
dont know

State of Vermont
Addison County ss
Middlebury 3 July 1832 
To the above deposition
of Roswell Strains of Bristol in the County of
Addison State of Vermont was sworn to before me
and I certify that Raswell Strains is known to me
& is a credible witness
Chs Linsley J. Peace
Page 44

State of Vermont
Addison County 
I, Leonard Swift, Clerk of the County Court
for the said County of Addison, do hereby certify
that the within named Charles Linsley before
whom the within affidavit was made
was at the time a Justice of the peace for
said County, and his name subscribed
thereto is his own signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said this 11th day of August AD 1832
Saml. Swift Clerk
Page 45

Union 19th of June AD 1792
Then & there Received of Lieut Penuel Child the sum of three shillings
Lawful Money in full of all Claims and Demands against him from 
beginning of time till this Date I say Received by me
Hadlock Marey

I put this Mainly to show that I was called by my 
title (Lieut) and known by that office title in [illegible] I have [illegible] it
Page 46

Had Mareys
Recpt
Page 47

Rutland, Vt. 21. May 1853
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the
Declaration &c of Sabra Child who
is entitled to a pension under the
act of the 3d of Feb. 1853. If anything
now is required please give me notice
at your earliest convenience and
oblige yours &c
Reuben R. Thrall

L. P. Waldo
Coms. of Pensions
Washington City
District of Columbia
Page 48

Sabra Childs
certificate of
Identity
Page 49

We Barzillai Davenpport & Ezra June
both of Brandon in the county
of Rutland and State of Vermont being
duly sworn depose & say that we are
personally acquainted with Mrs. Sabra
Child, & know that the sd Sabra Child
is the widow of Penuel Child, late of
Pittsfield, in the county of Rutland aforesd
deceased, and that the sd Penuel Child
was a pensioner of the United States
at the time of his death, That
the sd Penuel Child formerly resided in said
town of Brandon, that he married the
sd Sabra while he resided in Brandon
and they lived together as man & wife
from the time of their marriage
to the time of his decease and
that the sd Sabra is still a widow
& is the identical person who has applied for a pension.
Ezra June
Barzillai Davenport

STATE OF VERMONT 
COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE,
RUTLAND S. S.
I, Frederick W. Hopkins, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Rutland,
being a court of record and having a seal, as hereto attached, do certify that
A. A. Nicholson Esq.
was, at the date of the paper writings to which this is attached, and now is a
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE,
within and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; that his signature to
foregoing jurat and certificate is genuine; and that the said paper writings ar executed
according to the laws of this State, and are in due form; and that as such Officer,
he is duly authorized by the laws of this State to take acknowledgements of Deeds and Depositions, and to administer oaths, &c.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of Court, at Rutland, this seventeenth
day of August Anno Domini, one
thousand eight hundred and fifty-three
F. W. Hopkins CLERK
Page 50

Mr Edwards
I hand you herewith a new
Declaration of Penuel Child setting forth his
services in the Revolutionary war, together
with the testimony of Ebenezer Child touching
his said services, and that of Seth Keeler,
Matthew W. Birchard, & Penuel Child Junr
explanatory of the circumstances under which
Mr. Childs original Declaration was drawn
up by Temple, and from which it is
very manifest that Temple made a
declaration to suit himself. It may
seem strange to you that Mr. Childs
should have submitted to attest to the
declaration without hearing it read, but
to me who so well know Mr. Temples
manner on particular occasions, it is
not strange. He probably manifested
indignation that Mr. Child should
doubt that he had correctly transcribed
the statement which had been drawn up
by P. Child Jr & left in his (Temples)
hands; and Mr. Childs, upon the presum[p]tion 
that it was correctly transcribed
Page 51

consented to make oath to it, not being able
read it himself.
It seems to me that, since it is
manifest from the certificate of the Comptroller
of Connecticut that a certain Penuel Child served three
years as a seargeant, you will not with
such evidence of the manner in which
Temple made the original Declaration
give to it such a discrediting effect not
only upon Mr. Childs last Declaration
but upon his presumed identity with
the Penuel Child named in the Comptrollers
certificate, as to put him upon
proof, by two witnesses, of his identity.
There cannot, I think, be a moments
rational doubt that he is the same
Penuel Child mentioned in that certificate
I send also a statement with regard
to the standing & character of Mr Child
made by the leading men of the Town
in which he resides, which it seems
that Mr. Gove did not send when it
was made out because he deemed it
unnecessary having the Comptrollers
certificate which he thought conclusive.
Page 52

I also send a letter of Edward Jackson
to Mr Haight, touching the character of
Mr Child.
I hand you also a letter from Mr Gove
to myself which contains a summary
reference to the papers in the case.
I retain No. 4 of those papers, which
is a copy of the Comptrollers certificate
the original of which I suppose is among
the papers in your office
Your obedient servant
William Slade

J L Edwards Esq
Page 53

Free

Hon. John H. Eaton
Sec'y of War
City of Washington
Pension Office

Rutland Vt.
July 10 1830
Page 54

Rutland 10 July 1830
Sir
Penuel Child, whose application for
a pension for services as Lieut. in Col. Durkees
Regt. was presented by me during my latest
visit to Washington, has handed me the
enclosed paper, to be presented to you
as evidence of his services. He says he
found it among his old papers. Although
I send it at his request, yet I must confess
I have some doubts of its being genuine.
In your letter of the 15 Jany last, you
express an opinion that militia officers
only were put on the recruiting service.
You will see however, by the affidavit of
Maj. John Fuller, which I recently sent
you in another case, that you are
mistake in that opinion.
Page 55

Mr. Child says he gave an affidavit
some years ago to prove the services of
John Laflan, a pensioner on the Connecticut
roll, by receiving[?] to which he thinks you
will find he stated himself to have been
a Lieut. in Durgees Regt at a time when
he had no thoughts of applying for himself.
He thinks it possible you may find his
name in the rolls of Col. Swifts or Col.
Huntington's Regt which you will have
the goodness to examine
I am Sir, respectfully
your [illegible]
R Temple

J. L. Edward Esq
Pension Office
Page 56

Pension Office
July 16th 1830
Addl. proof
Penuel Child
Vt.

[inverted writing]
Penuel Child
Page 57

Mar 9
Vt.

Free

Mr J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 58

Brandon March 2d 1835
Sir,
Esq Child has recd your statement
dated 17th July, questioning the validity
of his service in the Revolutionary war
he wishes to claim for the indulgence of
your Honor if you please by sending to
him the sd Penuel Child a statement
of Evidence now before you; particularly
that of Raswell Stains, Samuel Burnell
Alvin Marey & Samuel Laflin. if those
evidences have or have not been before
you; he is solicitious to know for Burnell
& Stains both swore particularly that he was
a sergeant and they served under him as such
you state if he was a sergeant it [illegible]
those men are still living ... is why he
is anxious again to [???] from you.
he also wishes you to examine Denison Reg
for services done at Roxbury & Dorchester
Your friend & servant, Penl Child Jnr
for P Child
Page 59

House of Reps
April 17, 1838
Sir
I send herewith the affidavit of Jesse Gove
Esq. showing the transmission to your office of the
original pension certificate of Penuel Child,
whose return you required in your letter
to me of the 5th instant before issuing a
new certificate.
I suppose this affidavit will, of
course dispense with the production of
the certificate.
Please send me the new certificate
as soon as practicable, as Mr Child
is poor and sick and in pressing need of
the pension
Respectfully
William Slade

J L Edwards Esq
Page 60

3
Commr of Pensions
24 March 1837
Penuel Child Esqr claim

J L Edwards
Comms of Pensions

Asa Gove Esq
Rutland
Vermont
Page 61

War Department
Pension Office
March 24th 1837
Sir,
The supplemental affidavit of Penuel Child,
contained in your letter of the 5th November last, has been
examined and filed with the original papers. In
all similar cases, when a claim is made to service
not set forth in the original declaration, the claimant
is required to make his statement in a Court of Record
In the original declaration it is stated by the claimant
that he was a Sergeant in Captain Clough's Company
Col Durkee's regiment, until October 1778, when he received
a furlough and was not again in service; that in 1781,
he had in charge a team for the transportation of the
baggage of the French Army, &c. He now states
that he enlisted in April 1777, in Capt Josiah Child's
Company, Col. Philip B. Bradley's regiment, for 3 years,
as a Sergeant, and served out the term of his enlistment
It is very sure that one of these statements must be
wholly erroneous. If Mr Childs intend to establish
his claim to service in Col. Bradley's regiment, it is
important that he should be identified by two credible
witnesses; he should also assign a sufficient reason
for not having described his revolutionary services in
his original declaration, as they are now set forth
I am, respectfully,
your obt svnt
Jesse Gove, Esqr
Rutland
Vermont

J L Edwards
Page 62

Edward Jackson
to
Stephen Haight

[inverted writing]
Hon. Stephen Haight
City of Washington
Page 63

Brandon Sept 12 1837
Hon Stephen Haight

Sir  Esq Penuel Child says
to me that he has made application to you
to assist him in getting his pension
restored to him he was stricken off I
understand at the time Mr Temples
iniquity was found out he says he
has made a new declaration and
it may possibly not agree with the
old one in every respect as at the
time he made the other he could
not see to read it and Mr Temple
read it to him & it might not have
been right & from what I have heard
should think that Temple would have
sent one that would answer the
purpose to say the least
Esq Child
Page 64

is one of our oldest Inhabitants
& I have no doubt states every
circumstance as near as he can
recollect them & I have no hesitancy
in saying that he will not state
any thing wrong knowingly now
Sir if you can assist him to get
it his friends and acquaintances which
are extensive will consider it a very
great favor as he is not very well
off in the world
I am Sir Respectfully
Mr Edw Jackson

The above Edward Jackson is a very
reputable citizen of Brandon, the place
of Mr Childs residence.
William Slade
Page 65

Penuel Child Esq
$88.63
 44.31

Payments to be made
at Burlington
by the Prest. U. S. Br. Bk. I
Agent for paying Pensionors.
in the Agency of Vermont

July 3. 1833 of Brandon
35 yeas - previous of
Union, Con.
Capt Barrows Col. Chester

Recorded in the Pension Office,
in Book E. Vol. 3
Page 56 by D. Brown
Clerk.
Page 66

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States
of the 7th June, 1832, Penuel Child
of the State of Vermont
who was a Private and Sergeant in the
Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Eighty eight dollars and
Sixty three cents per annum, during his natural lie, commencing on
the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and
4th of September, in every year.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United
States, this 20th day of
June one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-three
John Robb
Acting Secretary of War.

Examined and
Countersigned.

J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 67

Rutland Vt. 5 Novr 1836
Sir,
Herewith is transmitted the supplemental
declaration of Penuel Child Esq. of Brandon,
and, together with it, the pension Certificate therein
refered to.
Be pleased to inclose the new Certificate to
my care.
I am very respectfully
Your obedient servant
Jesse Gove

Hon'ble James L. Edward
Com. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 68

Child
Page 69

Brief in the case of Sabra Child widow of Penuel
Rutland County and State of Vermont
act of Feb. 3, 1853
Claim, ("original," [crossed out: or "for increase.")]
Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
[handwritten]
Husband a pensioner under act of 1832 at
$120 per annum
Pri & Sgt.
Marriage proved by cr. witts [credible witnesses]

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
[handwritten]
Death and rep
Identity cr. witts [credible witnesses]

Name and residence of Agent
Ruben R Thrall
Rutland
V.T.

Examining Clerk.
J L Gray
Page 70

Penuel Child
New Declaration &c

2 yrs Sergt
120$

when certificate
is returned
Issue new cert.
for $120 per ann

Hon
Wm Slade
H R
Page 71

Opt
Feb 20
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
Washington

Hon W Slade
Page 72

House of Reps Feb 19. 1835
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Sir
Enclosed I send you a statement
of Luke Hale Junr., relative to the present
condition of Penuel Child whose statement
I transmitted to you a few days ago.
Mr. Hale is reputable in his standing as a
physician, and as a man.
Yours &c
William Slade
Page 73

Rutland Vt. 19. Aug 1853.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you
the additional evidence of the
marriage of Sabra Child to Penuel
Child & the evidence of her identity
which I trust will be satisfactory.
yours truly
Reuben R. Thrall

L. P. Waldo Esq
Coms. of Pensions
Washington.
Page 74

Civil Authority of
Brandon. their
certificate in favor of
Penuel Child Esq
Page 75

This may certify whom it may concern, that We the
undersigned have been personally acquainted with
Penuel Child Esq, formerly of Connecticut lent[?] moss[?]  of Brandon
Vermont for a number of years last past some of us
for forty years & some of us ten twelve & fifteen years he
has formerly represented our town in the General assembly
of the State of Vermont, has held the office of Justice of
the Peace in the County of Rutland for more than twenty
years successively & gave general satisfaction in all his
official business, has been a professor of the Christian
Religion for many years & is now a member of the
Congregational Church in Brandon in good and
regular standing. He has uniformily related the same
story in relation to his services in the revolutionary 
War and now carries a mark upon his right hand
of a wound said to be received in the Rev. War.
And from all the circumstances in the case his
general character in church & State we have no
hesitation in saying that we believe him entitled to a
pension & have no reason to doubt his statement
in relation to his services in the revolutionary
war.
Brandon V.T. August 27th 1835.
B. Davenport, Town Clerk of sd Brandon &
Deacon & Clerk of sd Church
Asa Backman Deacon
Asahel June Deacon
C Winslow }
D. Merriam Jr }   Justice of the Peace
W W Birchard }
John A Conant. Sheriff of Rutland Co
C W Conant  Representative & Select man of Brandon
Daniel Farrington
Edward Jackson [illegible signature or title]
Page 76

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with
the persons who signed the within certificate and
that they are men of good standing and respectability
and that they hold the several offices next to
their names and that in my opinion full
credit is to be given to their certificate
Nathan G. Sprague Ass. Judge of Rutland
County Court

I am well acquainted with all
the man whose names are on this paper,
who are in point of standing what
the redelitions[?] to their names purport
and I well know Penuel Child &
know him to be what they state him
to be
William Slade
Page 77

P Laflin
Deposition

The magistrate
must certify he
is a credible
witness
Page 78

I Samuel Laflin of Georgia in the County of
Franklin in the seventy fourth year of my age do
testify and say that I have been well acquainted
with Penuel Child Esq for forty years or more we
were young together and lived in the Town of
Union in Connecticut. I was knowing to his
being in Revolutionary War in the year 1775 at
Cabmrdige and the fore part of the year 76 at
Roxbury Near Boston in Massachussetts I also know
he was at New York or thereabout until the first of
the year 1777 I was not with him all times but I
found him in the Army in the fall of 1777 after
Burgoin was Taken we heard the news of Burgoin
Surrender while we tented together after that I
do not know only he went to the Southard he was
a Lieut I understood and was on the recruiting service
it is to long time I have forgot the Regt but
I remember he was with a Lieut Sprague and I
believe in Col Durkee Regt. I am not sertain
however. I know my brother John Laflin went
Page 79

home on furlow was Taken for Debt and
Put into Windham Gaol the sd Penuel
Child went & took him out and sent or
took him to army where he (my brother)
said During the War from those circumstances
& also his clothing & badges he was a commiss
officer he was almost all the time out on
command or something else it is to long I cant
say no more
Saml. Laflin

Georgia County of Franklin State
of Vermont March 1st 1832
This day personally appeared
and subscribed and sworn to the
above before me Samuel Fairbanks
I consider him a good and credable
witnes
Page 80

State of Vermont
Franklin County
Albany August 6th 1832
I Horace James Clerk of the
County Court in said County
do hereby certify to all whom it
may concern that Samuel Fairbanks 
Esqr of Georgia is a Justice of
the Peace in and for said County
duly appointed by the Legislature
of this State, and that the foregoing
Certificate is signed by him in
his own proper hand writing
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto signed
my name and affixed the Public seal of said Court
the day and year above
Horace James Clerk
Justice piece
Page 81

This certifies that I the subscriber have ben
for thirty four years personally and intimately
acquainted with Penuel Child Esq the aplicant
in this case having all that time lived in
the same town and neighbours together, and
that full credit will be given to his statements
by all acquainted with him, also he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he
resides, to have been a soldier in the revolution,
and he has often shown me a saber wound
he received from a British horseman in a
little skirmish on one of the out posts of the
Armery
Brandon July 13, 1832, John Conant.

Sworn to before me. Walter Cooley Justice Peace
Page 82

To whom it may concern Whereas I Jonathan Bagley of Brandon
County of Rutland and State of Vermont (an old Revolutioner and
now draw my Pention) have days out of Mind known Penuel Child Esq and
know he was in Revolutionary War in 1777 or 78 as I belonged to the
Massachussetts Line and he to the Connecticut Line do not recollect
but always that it was Col Durkee & Col. Huntington Regt. there was so many
supernumerary officers & he among the Rangers I shuld not dare to
name his officers but I heard and always heard him calld Lieutenant
& that he was gon to Connecticut & recruiting in 1778 was the last I heard
of him in the Army
his
Jona x Bagley
mark

Dec. the 1st 1829
Altrn Saml. Morgan

With the exception of I was in the hampshire Line instead of Massachusetts
I say the above is as near true as I could write I am and have been
a neighbour to him for thirty years & tho he has been a Man of Business
he has by misfortune become poor and an old man must have
assistance from his friends or the Publick
John Lull

Dec 1st 1829 they subscribed & both the sd.
Jonathan & John & I witnessed[?] the truth of the
same and --

The above named John Lull & Jonathan Bagly accredited as
good witnesses
Mathew W Birchard Jus Peace
Page 83

[I] Samuel Burnal of Brandon in the County
of Rutland & State of Vermont of lawful age
do testify and say that I was and now am
acquainted with Penuel Child Esqr formerly
of Union County of Tolland and State of
Connecticut now of Brandon County of
Rutland & State of Vermont I know he
was in the war of the Revolution in
the year 1776 in Capt Garshom Barrows
Com. in Col John Chester Regt I being
in the Regt was knowing to his serving
though the Company as a Sergent in
3d Company & Regt the term was called
9 month service Our Regt was discharged
on the last of December or the first of
January 1777 at which time I went
home the sd Child went to the South
and I even understood & believe he served
considerable time after but was not with him
& the Deponant further saith not
Samuel Burnell

Rutland County ss. Brandon 13 July
1832 Subscribd & sworn to before
me
Walter Cooley Justice Peace
Page 84

John Conant & Saml
Burnell, 2 of the deponents
within named, are very
respectable magistrates
of Brandon, & both are
members of this church.
Mr. B. has applied for a pension.
Jon. Bagley is dead. he
was a pensioner under
the act of 1818. John
Lull I do not know
R. Temple

[vertical writing]
Saml. Burnal
Deposition
Page 85

State of Vermont
Rutland ss.
I Robert Pierpoint Clerk of Rutland
County Court do certify, that Mathew
W. Birchard & Walter Cooley, were, at
the respective dates of the within
affidavits, Justices of the Peace for sd County
of Rutland, duly commissioned and that
their names subscribed to said affidavits, are in
their own hand writing, respectively.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand &
affix the seal of said Court this 24th day of July 1832
R Pierpoint

[inverted writing]
Saml. Burnal
Deposition

[vertical writing]
John Conant & Saml
Burnell, 2 of the deponents
within named, are very
respectable magistrates
of Brandon, & both are
members of this church.
Mr. B. has applied for a pension.
Jon. Bagley is dead. he
was a pensioner under
the act of 1818. John
Lull I do not know
R. Temple
Page 86

I Alvin Marcy of Woodstock in the County of Windsor
& State of Vermont of lawfull age do testify & say that
I was well acquainted with Penuel Childs then of Union
in the State of Connecticut now Penuel Childs Esquire
of Brandon in the County of Rutland in the State of
Vermont from my youth up to the year 1775
at which time we lived in one family, the said
Childs went to the army at Cambridge near Boston
& returned some time in the fall of the year, did not
stay at home long, he then went with my father
& others, & staid untill the Enemy left Boston.
my father there was appointed Lieut in Col Jno
Chesters Regt & said Childs inlisted with Ensign Abijah
Sessions in said Regt at which time the said Childs and
myself served at Long Island New York, in the
vicinity of White Plains &c, untill the last of December
AD 1796, my time having expired our Regt Discharged I
left the said Childs, & understood he went to the
Southward he was in the army after but how
long I know not
& further Deponent sayeth not
Alvan Marcy

State of Vermont Woodstock March 27th AD 1832
Windsor County ss.
Then the above Deposition of Alvin
Marcy of Woodstock County of Windsor & State of
Vermont was Subscribed & Sworn to before
Page 87

me & the said Alvin Marcy is well known
by me to be a credible & good witness
Walter Palmer
Justice of peace

State of Vermont
Windsor County ss.
Woodstock County Clerks Office July 30 1882
I Benjamin Swan Clerk of Windsor County Court, do
hereby certify that Walter Palmer is one of the Justices
of the Peace within & for said County, and that the
above is his signature
In Testiomony whereof I hereto affix the seal of said Court
and subscribe my name the day & year above
Benj. Swan

[vertical writing]
Alvin Marcy
Deposition

Pen. Child
Mr Swan Clerk
Page 88

Free

Hon. William Slade M. C.
Washington City
Page 89

Hon Mr Slade Sir by the request of the friends of Penuel Child
I am requested to state to you the situation of the said Child for the
time of two years past Stateing to you his situation as relates to his
mental faculties which has been very bad within that time on
the account of a Paralytic Shock which deprived him of the use of
his speech & also the use of his limbs for nearly one whol year and stil
deprives him the use of speech almost at the present time he has
also in the course of that time been deprived of his eye sight for more
than six months of that time entirely and Sir I deem it my
duty to state to you as an attending Physician that if this
statement to you at this tim should vary from his former statement
it will be owing altogether to the loss of mental faculties occasioned
by his Paralytic Shock
yours
Luke Hale Jr Physician
Brandon Feb 12th 1835
Page 90

Penuel Child
Certificate of his neighbour
Addl. Proof
R Temple

Dav Blackman
& other Certificate
Page 91

We the subscribers of Brandon County of Rutland State of
Vermont being well acquainted with Penuel Child Esq for
thirty years or more do hereby certifiy that he the said Child
was and always has been considered a man of Truth and
accredited as such & sustained a good moral character has
been imploid in Publick business in Town often has
several times represented the Town in General Assembly
of the State, served a Justice of the Peace for twenty years
or more in Brandon aforesd & has always been understood that he was in the
army of the Revolution, much, and there remains no
doubt with us but that he did, for years or more as such
faithfully serve his Country

Asa Blackman Dec C Church [Deacon Congregational Church]
acquaintance 20 years
Walter Cooley Justice Peace

I have been aquainted with said Child about ten
years last past and according to my best knowledge
& belief the above statement is correct
Brandon August 7. 1832
Barzillai Davenport Town Clerk
& attorney at law

Abraham Bregie[?] Select man

I have been acquainted with Penu8el Child Esq
about thirty five years as a Magistrate and Town
Representative, and know the facts above stated
are true. I have always understood that he
was an officer in the Revolution
W H Keeler Marshals Deputy
for the District of Vermont
Page 92

I, Jesse Gove, of Rutland in the County of
Rutland and State of Vermont, of lawful age, do depose
testify and say, that having been employed by
Penuel Child Esq of Brandon in said County, to
assist him in his then pending application to be restored
to the Pension Roll of the United States from which
he had been lately stricken, I drew up for him a
supplemental declaration of his services in the revolutionary 
war, and on the 5th day of November, 1836, I
transmitted the same, through the post office, to
James L. Edwards Esquire, the Commissioner of Pensions,
at the City of Washington, accompanied by a short
note, of that date, and, also, by Mr. Child's original
pension certificate; of both of which, I hereunto attach
copies, taken by me, at that time.
I further depose and say, that afterwards, I received
from the said Commissioner through the post office, his
letter bearing date the 24th of March, 1837, acknowledging
the receipt of my letter of the said 5 of November,
1836, and, of the said supplemental affidavit of Mr. Child.
The said pension certificate was not acknowledged; but,
from the fact, that it was enclosed in the same envelope
with the two papers just mentioned, I do verily believe,
that it was received by the said Commissioner, at the same
time with them. And further this affiant
saith not.
Jesse Gove

Subscribed and sworn to this 11th day of April 1838, before
me; and I do hereby certify that the said affiant is
a credible witness.
R. Pierpoint Justice Peace
Page 93

Rutland Vt. 5 Nov. 1836
Sir,
Herewith is transmitted the supplemental
declaration of Penuel Child Esq of Brandon, and,
together with it, the pension certificate therein
referred to.
Be pleased to enclose the new certificate to
my care.
I am very respectfully
your obt srvt
Jesse Gove

Hon. James L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 94

Copy to
Commr of Pensions
5 Nov. 1836
Penuel Child's Claim
Page 95

"WAR DEPARTMENT. REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY, that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832,
Penuel Child of the State of Vermont, who was a Private and
Sergeant in the Revolutionary War,
is entitled to receive eighty eight dollars and sixty three cents per annum,
during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1837, and payable semi-annually on the 4th
of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 20th day of June, one
thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
John Robb, Acting 
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions."
Page 96

Payments to be made
at Burlington by the
Presl. U. S. Br. Bk. &
Agent for paying pensioners
in the Agency of Vermont
No. 11.782
July 3 1833, of Brandon 35
years - previous of Union Con
Capt Barrows - Col. Chester.
Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E. Vol. 3. Page 56,
by D. Brown, Clerk.
Page 97

State of Vermont
Rutland County
I, Robert Pierpoint, Clerk of the
County Court in and for said County
do hereby certify that the Robert
Pierpoint, before whom the preceeding
affidavit was acknowledged, is a
Justice of the Peace in and for said
County; and that the signature
subjoined to the said acknowledgement,
purporting to be his, is genuine
Given under my hand,
and the seal of said Court, this
11th day of April, 1838.
R. Pierpoint
Page 98

Jesse Gove to
William Slade
Decr. 9, 1837.
Page 99

Rutland 9 Decr 1837
Dear Sir.
I send you herewith the papers of our old,
worthy fellow-citizen, and revolutionary patriot, Penuel Child Esq.,
for restoration to and increase of his pension, under the act of the
7. June 1832. The documents transmitted, and which
Mr. Child particularly desires you will have the kindness to
present to the Commissioner of pensions (numbered in pencil) are:
1. The declaration drawn anew, agreeably to the
suggestion of the Commissioner in his letter to me of the 24th
March 1837: to which is attached the deposition of
Ebenezer Child Esqr. setting forth his knowledge of Penuel's
services.
2. The depositions of Messr Seth Keeler, Mathew W.
Birchard, & Penuel Child jnr.
3. The Commissioners letter, above mentioned.
Adverting now to the concluding part of this letter, requiring
his identity to be proved by two witnesses, it may be stated
here, that if that condition be insisted upon, the claim, just
that it is, must be given up, unless Congress will interpose
its mercy in favor of the applicant. I have written,
under Child's direction, to various parts of the Country,
since the receipt of this letter, without being able to
find any of the numerous persons in life, to
whom he has refered. I trust, however, that the
circumstances of the case, as detailed in the
declaration & accompanying depositions will supercede
the hard necessity of showing from dead men, that
which to my mind at least is apparent from
the word.
4. The Comptroller of Connecticut's Certificates of
services of Penuel Child.
5. The Civil Authority of Brandon -  their certificate
of the standing of Esqr Child. This paper was
brought by the Old Gentleman, in the fall of 1835,
at the time he first applied to me for assistance.
I did not send it in November 1836 (when I
forwarded to the Pension Office a short supplementary
declaration, sworn to before a Justice of the Peace) because
I believed then, as I do now, that it was unnecessary:
in as much as, the case was made out by the Comptroller's
certificate above, N. 4. The circumstances of
Page 100

the case, however, now are somewhat altered by the
requirement of impossible proofs. It will go to shew
the good standing, then, of Mr Childs; and the letter
of Edward Jackson Esq. Post Master at Brandon, to
Judge Haight, will shew the continuation of that
good standing. It may be proper; therefore,
under these circumstances, to present it among the other
documents. Of this, however, you must be the sole
judge. I send with it, for your information, an
open copy of Edward Jackson's letter; and, withal, the
original, sealed, which, if you think the aid there
tendered by the writer, will be of use, be pleased to
present to its address.
I send also the letter to yourself, of
Penuel Child junr. Also a copy of the original
Pension Certificate which was surrendered to the
Court in November last, at the time the supplemental
declaration was prefered. This is sent for your
information. From all which, you will see,
that, under the Certificate surrendered, the applicant
drew $88, 63 per annum, and that now, he claims
$120. per annum, under the new proofs, from 4 March
1831, deducting the payments made at
$88, 63, up to 4 Sept 1834, the time when he was
suspended.
It may be proper to apprise you, that these
several papers will have been forwarded to your
friendly care -- as they were intended -- during the late
special session of Congress. It was however from
various cause not practicable to procure the needful
verifications to the depositions of Messr Keeler, Birchard,
& Child junr., until that session was nearly closed: on
which account, alone, they were withheld, until this present.
Without entering upon an argument of the case, which
I cannot think it requires, I close with a single request for
M. Child: which is, that his case may be attended to as early as
may be convenient; as if allow [smudged] all, he needs a modicum of
the arrears to render him comfortable during the inclemency of
our hyperborean winter.
I am very respectfully
Your friend & obt. srvt,
Jesse Gove

Hon. William Slade
M. C.
City of Washington
Page 101

The following is a true statement
of my services in the Revolution and
so far as I can remember sometime in
the month of April 1776 I lived in Union
State of Connecticut. At the alarm I went
with one Capt Lawson of the Militia in
Union to Concord and Lexingston on our
arrival we heard the enemy had returned
to Boston the Militia then returned home. I
shoud think I was given about two weeks
Directly after I should say in the month
of May Col Putman afterwards General
raised a company and Regiment James
Sprague appointed Ensign in sd Company
I went with him[ [as] a water boy to Cambrig
Near Boston & lived at No 2 fort so called
after the appointment of Putnam General
Col John Durkee commanded the Regiment
Lieut Watterman this Company sometime in
the summer I do not Recolect the time Ensign
Sprague afterwards Lieut set of Kember with
Arnold and others as a detached party to comb
the woods for enemy I being young was sent
back I then did soldiers duty to the end of
the year it being I should think nearly or
quite eight months I then returned to Union
Connecticut 1776 in Jany. I think the Militia
was called for I Engaged with one Lieut
Daniel Loomis went amediately to Cambrige
at the blue College we joined the rest of our
Company Denison the Col and Wills the
Capt I think we stayed at Cambrige a
Month or more. We then marched to Roxbury
Not long after we took possession of Dorchester
Heights. I helped build the works and I also
assisted to fill dry casks with dirt and stones
and place the same around the Hill outside
the fort not long after I was on the
Point A Senstagg[?] and saw the Brittish
fleet go out from Boston and stop
at the Castle
Page 102

After their destruction there we soon returned
home I think the forepart of April I then
went to serve with one Sessions who was
soon afterwards appointed Ensign in Capt
Barrows Comp Col John Chesters Regiment
I joined his Com Marched amediately to Norwich
from thence by water to New York the service
was for 7 or 9 Months I am very sure not
any thing of importance transpired untill
we went to Long Island we went almost
directly to Flatbush so caled. I was in that
action all day I well recollect William Cheny
who was mortally wounded and fell close
by my side. Nehemiah Martin was also wounded
in attempting to cross the Marshy ground I
with others made my escape by crossing at
the Broer Mill General Sulivan & Lord Stirling
were taken prisoners the Marsh was called
Gowanus creek I think in a few days we left the
Island crossed the River in the night, went
to New York stayed one or two nights from
thence to Murray Hill stayd only two nights
thence to East River almost to a place caled
Turtle bay I with others was then attached to reinforce
Col Knowlton soon after we had a sore
engagement Col Knowlton mortally wounded
in a short time I joined my own regiment
at Vallentine Hill not far from Kings Brige
Some time after we marched to the White Plain
I was also in that action though the whole
of the fight retreated in the night to north
Castle Corporal Sangan was kiled in the
above White Plains fight to gather with
two others all three of my company and
mess mates. I then went to Bedford with Stores
some time after our Regiment moved and I
had orders to follow I overtook them at
Haverstraw they had crossed the North River
we then moved on to Trenton then we took
the Hessians we called this fight A
Chrysmas Frolic
Page 103

Our times were now about [illegible] we re
entreated by officers and seen by Washington
in person to tarry longer I consented to
volunteer with others and [illegible] I being
a Sergeant General Putnam and
his two sons Israel and Daniel gave
Encouragement by so doing I would get
a commission by fall 1777 I went under the
command of Capt Manning was left as a gard
on the bank of the Delaware we abandoned
our forts at day break I arrived at Putnams
Quarters at Princeton; a few days after
I went on a foraging party being ordered if
discovered to fire and give the alarm
that our teamates might make their escape
we discovered some of the Enemy on horseback
we fired at them I recd a wound on my
finger split it end from end
I scouted some afterwards with Defense[?]
Officers But soon recd orders to return to
Connecticut with Enlisting Orders also to
take up deserters my hand being lame
I [illegible] joined the army again at a place
called Shipper creek were I think we was
where I heard of the Capture of Burgoin
a great frolic we had. I was with a
Capt Hubbard we then moved on
several of us all invalids to Valley Forge
where the Army soon followed I was yet
some lame and a good deal disappointed
but soon again had orders to return to
Connecticut as before stayed till the summer
of 1778 when Lieut Sprague came home
Informed me he was Ranged out brought
a paper signed by Col Durkee I think notifying
me that it was not [illegible] I should receive
a Commission I was ordered to return and send
soldiers if any had enlisted also all papers
for a settlement: in July 1778
I enlisted or rather volunteered
Page 104

Under Lieutenant Lomis joined
a Capt Grants Company I think went to
Providence State of Rhode island was at
Warren, Tinetown & Bristol and the eastaly
part of Rhode island: after the French fleet
left Rhode island the Militia & Volunteers
were discharged and I went home after
taking some Prisoners to Providence by order
of Gen John Hancock my last service was about
2 or 3 months I think; 1781 having gone with the
French army to Pitchskill I volunteered
at this place with a Capt Foster I think
Expecting to stay at New york we marched
amediately to the head of Elk though
the Jersies Pensylvania & Delaware States
went on board of Vessel to Williamsburg from thence
on foot to Yorktown Joined Skammels
Reg of Rangers: Sammel was kild
in a few days the Officer who then comamand
the Reg I have forgot at the taking of the
 2 Redouts I was in Reserve, not in action
after the Surrender of Corn Wallace the Militia
and Volunteers was dismised my pack
clothing and papers I lost at Williamsburg
the service I think not far from Eight Months
My former statement was made before Robert Temple or
R. Pierpont Esqr Judge of Probate for District of
Rutland County my oath taken by one of those men
which I have forgot I sent by Mr Temple 4 affidavits
which I deposed upon Namely Samuel Laflin
of Georga County of Franklin taken before
Esq Fairbanks. Alvin Mercy of Woodstock
County of Windsor the Justice I do not no it was
sent by mail direct to Temple. those
two men I had not seen for forty years.
[marginal note] 3d
Boswell Stearns of Bristol Adison County
Justice of Peace Charles Linsley of Middleton
[marginal note] 4th
Samuel Burnell Esqr of Brandon County Rutland
to gather with many others swear attached Evidence
which I know not wether he sent to your Honor or not
Page 105

I now live in Brandon Rutland County
State of Vermont and did live there when
I petitioned for my pention and allowed
the same for the sum of Eighty Eight
Dollars fifty three cents the last I draw
was in Sept 1834 My former statement
will differ some most [illegible] from
the present one; on acount of age and
R Temple Esqr thought not worth a while
to be particular in my last services as Volunteer
but it is acording to truth and my best
Reccollection. he Temple and other men
of Business thought my former statement
sufficient to warrant full pay acording to
the Service which I done
Brandon Feby 10th 1835
Penuel Child

I certify that Penuel Child Esq. whose
signature is affixed to the foregoing Statement
has been afflicted with an inflamation
in the eyes, and has been unable to read or
write since about the first of August 1833.
Previous to which time he was a man used
to business and had long been an acting
magistrate in this Town. The above statement
I heard read in his hearing & heard him
affirm that it was correct & saw him
sign the same
Brandon Feby 10. 1835
B Davenport
Page 106

those incidents I wished to have remembered first in August or
Sept. 1775 a detachment was made out of the Army at Cambridge
to go to Quebeck a cross the woods up the Kennebunk. My officer
Sprague being one we March to a Place Caled Shadows Lake or some
such name; under Col Arnold Almot Dead & Starved, a part returned
with Col. Enos & I believe Col Miggs. I knew Col Miggs after
(at Greens farm so cald) near Long island sound. Again
I wishd to noted in a foraging Party. We fell in with D. Lansis [De Lancey's]
Cowboys, a skirmish insued in which I was Wounded in the finger
with the cut of a saber (I should have thought you would have seen my
crooked finger after) I also wish to have noted when you asked me
who inlisted me to stay in seventy seven it is Endless to name the whole
Genl Washington in Person came to our Regt & Did Desire their
stay but my friends that interseeded with me Particular were the
sons of Genl. Putnam & their father I became Acquainted
with them at Cambridge 1775 say. Major Israel. Daniel and
Schuiler Putnams. I staid with a solemn promise to do no soldier
Duty [inserted] & have commission by fall or sooner.  I Staid with Genl Putnams at and about Princetown untill
the Enemy left Brunswick I then went with Different officers
as scouting parties to wach the movement of the enemy untill
they toook possession of Philadelphia at which time I was
at Shippards Creek or some such name there I staid untill
we went to Winter Quarters at Vally forge (I did not go to Germanton
I heard the guns in that action plane) while at Genl Putnams
I became acquainted with Genl D Stuben, Marquis Lafayette Green
Polaskon they soon went to the Southward. I knew by name Genl Knowl
Glover, Huntington, Leon, Sullivan, Lord Sterling. I dont recollect
all say Coln. Swift I believe went to the North. Shilder, Miggs
Sherburne the Southern officers I do not recollect their names
I knew Col. Jenson & Talmage in Sheldens Regt. &c
I wish to have noted 1778 or 1779 (some dispute which) I
volluntierd a subbaltern officer, there was an invallead or alarm
list compd so cald Capt. Solomon Wiles. old Decn Sessions an
officer did not like to go I took his place served with a Capt
Grover Lieut Danl Loomis I a D Lieut. we were at Tivertown. Warren
& Bristol Easterly Port Rhode Island or Edg of Massacusetts, untill the
french fleet left Newport our people left the Island.
while at Bristol I was ordered to guard some prisoners to Providence
Orders signed by Genl Jno Hancock I delvd them to a Col. Vernon
or Forman (Providence) I then proceded by order to Westbury Massachusetts
to Esef. Baker with Bundle of papers I found when there they
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they directed that the stores distined for Rhodeisland should be sent to Hertford
Connecticut (Genl Sullivan commanded) I proseed'd to Hertford of choice. our
guard dismissed Some loads delv'd to a Col. Wadsworth & a Col. Champion
the Regt. Wrote in french I was confined went to the Committee
of Paytable so caled a Mr. Wales & a Mr Mosley. Committee took the rest & gave
Pay Table order for pay I believe I noted in my statement my vollunteerd
and went to York Town by the Hed of Elk near the Bay to Williamsburgh
from that on foot to Yorktown joined Scammels Regt untill he was killed
I think Col Lawrence took the Command I staid 10 or 12 days only Came home
with our Militia with Capt. Foster and others but a few days after Genl
& Lord Cornwallace marchd out I was from home from three to five months
I have forgot how long. I made out my statement to Judg Swifts. Some
10 or 12 years gone when looking of that ???. My memory I should
be fully willing to shew any thing to thro light for I actually servd as aforsd
as nigh as I can remember so long and if was a man had need it is
I.
Helth & Honour be thine is this Prayer of P. Child
R. Temple Esq
Rutland

[marginal note]
Penuel Child
Statement of incidents