Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 23,072, John Williams, Conn. Navy
Page 1

(3--1776)

SERVICE
Conn
Navy

Williams, John

NUMBER
S.  23,072
----------------------------------------------------
CONTENTS
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5644
New York
John Williams
of Warren in the State of New York
who was a Pr. & Seam in the Company commanded
by Captain Demon
of the Regt commanded
by Col Waterbury in the Connecticut
line for 15 months Private and
8 1/2 month Seaman
 
Inscribed on the Roll of New York
at the rate of 27 Dollars 66 Cents
per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 14
day of February1833
and sent to Hon B.L Tracy
Hoboken
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 - $131.49
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 43.83
$175.32
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by
Book


Ino Cromwell
Clerk
Vol. 5 Page 25
Page 3

State of New York

County of Genesee Town of Batavia
On this Fifteenth Day of October one Thousand Eight hundred
and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before
the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Genesee
now sitting John Williams a resident of the Town of Danen
in the County of Genesee and State of New York Aged Seventy
nine years and eleven months 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
Stated
following named officers and served as herein
That he enlisted in a company of State Troops commanded by
Capt Davis Dimon in Col Waterbury Regiment, on the
first of May 1775 That he enlisted in the Town of Fairfield
Connecticut where he was born and then lived and marched to
Stamford and joined the regiment, from thence to New York and
encamped about one month. From thence of Hudson
River to
Albany from thence to Ticonderoga, from thence under General
Montgomery to St John, which was captured after a siege
of 7 days he was then discharged having served about seven
months he received a written discharge which was lost while returning home
On the first of April 1776 he enlisted in a company of State troops
under Capt John Mills and served nine months at Black Rock
part in to the Town of Fairfield Connecticut and was discharged about the first of Jan. 1777 verbally 
About the first of May 1777 he again enlisted at Fairfield
in a company of State troops under Lieutenant Isaac Jarvis
in an artillery Company which was kept as a guard in said Town of
Fairfield and was in one engagement with the enemy on
their return from Danbury which they had burnt General
Arnold being then present, was discharged about the first of
December having served seven monthsabout
the 15th of December 1777 he again enlisted as Sailor at
and go on board the
Sam Smedly and travelled to Boston and 
went on Board of which sailed from Boston on the 22 March 1778
She cruised from thence to the vindward of the west India Islands
in company with the ship Oliver Cromwell of 20 Gun and there took
two english ships of 18 and 20 Guns from thence to South Carolina and took two privateers
from thence to Boston when he was discharge
on the first of September having
Page 4

About the first of September 1779 he found a Company as a
substitute in the place of Jonathan Darrow and served as Sergeant
at Black Rock fort in Fairfield under the command of Capt Davis
He was discharged after serving four months
In the three following years 1780, 1781, 1782 he served about
Nine months each year as Guard in said Town of Fairfield
Connecticut under Capt Jarvis in a company of State Troops
during which time he held the rank and did the duty of first
Sergeant The terms of said service from the first of April untill
the first of January in each year said Company was under the
command of General Gold S Williman who lived in said
town and Commanded the Militia and State Troops in that vicinity
He was in no considerable Battles during the last 27 Months
which he served but has had frequent skirmishes with the enemy
at the close of which time the war ended and no written Discharge
States that he was born in the Town of Fairfield
in Connecticut on the 19th day of Nov 1752 which he has no
record of the Records being burnt at the time the town in which
he lived was burnt by the English
That he lived in Town of Fairfield untill AD 1777 at which
time he removed to the Town of Warren in Lichfield County in
State of Connecticut where he lived untill AD 1816 He then
removed to the Town of Pembroke Now Called Davien Genesee
County and State of New York where he now resides
be has no Documentary evidence but knows of three persons
living who can testify to his service whose Depositions he has
procured Viz Aaron Tarney Abel Tarney and John Knapp
That no Clergyman lives in his neighborhood
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 
Jonathan Williams

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
in open Court. Timothy Fitch Clerk

We Jonathan Vaughan
Residing in the
an
Town of Davis and Eben North Esqr of the town of [illegible] 
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Williams
who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration
that we believe him to be 79 years old
That he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where
he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and
that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and Subscribed the day
forther Vaughan
year as aforesaid Timothy Fitch then North
in open Court
Page 5

John Williams
18377
Please make [illegible] to Place makers to
Horace W. Soper
Batavia
Genesee Co
N.Y.
Page 6

I cannot state particularly how long nor at what precise
times. Should say he served more or less every year
during the three or four last years of the war
I lived within twenty or thirty rods of the sd Williams during the
Revolutionary war & well know that he was after
much in the service from the commencement to the
end of the war. Should say that sd Williams is now
eighty or eighty one years of age. 
Abel Turney
sworn to & subscribed at Hanfield
this 2d day of August AD. 1832
before me Thomas Osborne Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that I am well acquainted Aaron Turney
& Abel Turney whose portions were taken before me as above
written & that they are respectable men of good character for
truth, whose testimony in the community where they live would be
believed - I also certify that from the enquiries I have made I
believe that John Knapp is on a par with mankind in
general for truth & veracity. Thomas Osborne Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
I Thomas Osborne Clerk of the County Court
within and for the County of Fairfield in said
State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Thomas B Osbone before
whom the foregoing Depositions of Aaron Turney, John Knapp
Abel Turney were sworn is a Justice of the Peace for County
of Fairfield & duly authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions
further certify that the official signatures of the sd Orbone to
the Certificate annexed to said Depositions are all
genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of County
Court in the field this 2d day of August
Thomas Osbone Clerk of the
County Court for said County
1832
Page 7

many years ago, said Williams now reside, as I have
understood in the western part of the State of New York
he has visited the Deponent since he lived in the
State of New York but I cannot now remember the
Town. Deponent well recollects that sd Williams
enlisted at Fairfield into the said Company about
the time I did & marched in sd Company from Manfield
& was with sd Company & did duty therein until after
the taking of St Johns - the Company were enlisted
for seven months & the said Williams served
for that period as is above stated. 

John Knapp
sworn to & subscribed this 2d day
of August AD 1832 before me
at Canfield
Thomas B Osborne Justice of Peace

I Abel Turney of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut
aged in my seventieth year being duly sworn do
testify & say that I was well acquainted with John
Williams who lived in and during the war of the
Revolution, & was well acquainted with him until some
thirty years ago when he removed into the County of Littlefield
from thence into the western part of the State of New York
I know sd Williams enlisted into the Company of State
troops that was raised at Fairfield under Capt
David Dimon in 1775 & that he marched with sd
Company from Canfield & was there until after the
taking St Johns when he returned. I also know
that Williams enlisted & served on board the Ship
Defence under Capt. Samuel Smedley, after this well
recollect that sd Williams served in the guard at
Blackrock in sd Fairfield & in the Town
repeatedly the
Page 8

that sd Williams enlisted into the company of Capt.
David Dimon that was raised at Fairfield in
the Regiment of Col. David Waterbury and Deponent
has always understood that sd Williams marched
in said Company to the northward & was at
the taking of St Johns 
Aaron Turney
sworn to & subscribed at Fairfield
this 1st day of August AD 1832
before me Thomas BOsborne Justice of Peace

I John Knap of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut
aged seventy nine years being duly sworn do
testify & say that on the 1st Monday of May 1775 I
enlisted into the Company of Connecticut State troops
that was raised at Fairfield under Captain David Damon
in the Regiment of Colonel David Waterbury the
Company was mustered at Fairfield & marched to
Hanford & there joined the Regiment, from there
we marched to New York & encamped a short time
from thence up the River to Albany & so on
to St Johns which was captured after a siege
of forty seven days. Deponent enlisted for seven
months & served out his full term & was
discharged at St John, and returned home some
time in December 1775. Deponent further says
that he was well acquainted with John Williams
who lived in Fairfield during the Revolutionary war
was well acquainted with him until he removed
from Fairfield into the County of Litchfield in
Page 9

I Aaron Turney of Fairfield in Fairfield County Connecticut
aged seventy eight years being duly sworn do testify
I say that during the war of the Revolution, 
it was in the winter of 1777, he enlisted at Fairfield
as a gunner on board the Ship Defence commanded
by Captain Samuel Smedley in the service of the
State of Connecticut. went on board at Boston
from whence we cruised to the wind ward of the
West India Islands & then into South Latitude
We captured several British Vessels during the
cruise. We arrived at Boston some
time as Deponant
thinks in December of the same year
Deponent
further says that he knew John Williams
who resided in Fairfield during the Revolutionary war
and who now lives as Deponent has
been informed in the western part of the State of
New York. the said Williams enlisted at Fairfield
as a sailor on board of the Defence went on
board when I did served on board the ship
as a sailor during the cruise above mentioned
Deponent further says that the sd John Williams
served at Black Rock in Fairfield & also at
Fairfield in the Town on guard but he cannot
state the years particularly nor the terms for
which sd Williams served - should say Wm served more or
less in the guards kept up on the sea board of said Town of
Fairfields, every year during the three or four last
years of the war. Deponent also well recollec
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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
third the Court further certifies that it appears to them that
Jonathan Vaughan who has signed the preceding certificate and

Eben North Esqr who has also signed the same are residents in
the neighborhood of said Williams and are both credible persons
and that their statements are entitled to credit
Isaachitson
I Timothy
William Mitchell
Robert Carll
Fitch Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of
Genesee County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of John Williams for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
of Office this 15th day of October 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF/HMM

May 12, 1930.

Mrs. Ben Sweet
Darien
Wisconsin.

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim S. 23072, it appears that John Williams was born November
19, 1775, in Fairfield, Connecticut.
While residing in Fairfield, Connecticut, he served with
the Connecticut troops as follows:
From May 1, 1775, seven months in Captain David Dimon's Company
, Colonel David Waterbury's Regiment, and was in the siege of
St. John. From April 1, 1770 nine months in Captain John Mills'
Company; from May 1, 1777 seven months under Lieutenant Isaac
Jarvis as a guard in Fairfield. On December 15, 1777 he entered
on board the "Defence", Captain Samuel Smedley. The cruised
toward the West Indies, captured two English ships, came back to
South Carolina, captured two privateers and carried them to Boston,
service eight and one half months. From September 1, 1779 four
months as sergeant in Captain Jarvis' Company. In 1780, 1781 and
1782, he served nine months each year as 1st sergeant in Captain
Jarvis' Company as a guard in Fairfield and was in sever skirmishes
He was allowed pension on his application executed October
15, 1832, at which time he was living in Darien (which was formerly
Pembroke Genesee County, New York. He moved there from Warren,
Connecticut.
He died May 20, 1830.
There are no data as to family.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 12

[column1]  1930 May 12 
Hist to Mrs Ben Sweet 

[column 2]
Revolution
23.072
INVALID.
File No.
23072

John Williams
pri rev war
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 152
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 13

Mr William
of
New York
admd
Page 14

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Williams
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
which require
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled?
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Not in every the
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? yes
Page 15

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service?
As
XIII. If the clergyman's affidavit
ing it?
not
a
en prot
aced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?

XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? yes
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? yes

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
the 5th not
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: Foryear
months and --- days, I served as a-
For months
and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about the for months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as
the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer
the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
Page 17

Darien, wisc
March 2nd 1930

Commissioner of
Pensions

I would like the Revolution service of
John Williams
Born at Fairfield Conn. 1756-7
Lived at Warren " 1797.

then removed to the Holland Purchase
in 1816
was a tailor by trade
where he probably died
Thanking you very much
Mrs Ben Sweet
Darien
Wisconsin