Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5394, Abijah Fisk, Conn. Conn. Sea Service Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776) 
SERVICE
Conn
Conn Sea Service
Mass

Fisk, Abijah

NUMBER
S. 5394

carded

CONTENTS
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1669 Inv.
Massachusetts

Abijah Fisk
on board ship Oliver Cromwell
of the navy of the Revolution
Mass and Conn and Conn Sea Service
[lined thru] Captain company of the [/lined thru]
Ratio of disability,
Date of discharge,
Time of closing the testimony

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts
at Six Dollars per month, to commence on the 
1st January 1825

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 of March 1833 and sent to Hon. E. Everett H. of R. [House of Representatives]

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833  588.60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833  36.00
________
$624.60

Act of the 2 March 1833
Recorded in Book D Vol. 2 Page 10

Letter to Pension Agent Mar 8 1833
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Petition of Abijah Fisk
Praying for an Invalid Pension

Jan .  9 . 1832

Repd Comm Invalid Pension
Jan . 18 . 1832
Bill reported -- 14 287

E. Everett 14. Inv. Penn
Page 4

To the honorable the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States of America

Humbly shows Abijah Fisk of Weston in the state of Massachusetts that he enlisted as a Seaman on board the ship of war called the Oliver Cromwell belonging to the state of Connecticut, but in the service of the United States in the spring of the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine, under the command of Captain T. Parker. That after one short cruise & capturing several vessels belonging to the enemy, we were fallen in with [?] the British ship Daphne & two other vessels.
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by whom we were chased [engaged lined thru] & after a battle of five glasses with the Daphne we were captured -- During the battle your petitioner was performing his duty to the best of his ability, & incurred a wound caused by a shot from the enemy through the side of the quarter deck making a splinter which struck him on the breast broke his right arm & broke part out his shoulder & broke his collar bone -- He was kept over a month a prisoner til he was exchanged & returned home -
The petitioner was a long time disabled from any active services & has never been able since to lift his right arm to the height of his shoulder or use it effectively for any hard service. 
The petitioner is now seventy six years of age, & has always been a sufferer in consequence of his said wound - He would state further that he was a soldier in the United States service during several other enlistments in the war of the Revolution & always performed
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his duty faithfully during the whole period of his enlistment -
The petitioner has made various efforts to obtain a pension in consequence of the wound before mentioned, but has not been successful in consequence of not being able to procure the evidence of two witnesses who were present at the time of his receiving the wound, verified by their oaths as prescribed by law, tho he humbly conceives that the testimony of one which he has procured & the certificate of his commander, who is since deceased, & whose oath cannot therefore be obtained, together with the other evidence which he has produced, & to which he begs that reference may be made, is more than equivalent to the required testimony.
He therefore respectfully prays that a pension may be allowed him, & that such further allowance may be made him for his past labor & sufferings as that be deemed suitable to his present advanced years, & to the future of his country.
And as in duty bound &c. [signed] Abijah Fisk
3 Jan. 1832
Page 7

I Abijah Fisk of Weston in the state of Massachusetts [?]roman testify & say that in the year of our Lord seventeen hundred & seventy nine I enlisted as a seaman on board the armed vessel called the Oliver Cromwell, J. Parker Commander, which vessel was fitted out & equipped by the state of Connecticut to cruise in the public service against Great Britain; that I entered sd [said] vessel for that cruise only & for no particular term of time - That during said cruise & after the capture of several vessels of the enemy, we fell in with English Ship Daphne, accompanied by several other vessels, one of which was the English Frigate Delaware. They all gave chase, but the Daphne outsailed the others & came up with & attacked us about 10 o'clock A.M. An engagement ensued & we continued to endeavor to escape, giving however repeated broadsides for several hours -The Daphne after having fallen astern to refit, again renewed the action, which continued to about five o'clock P.M. when
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our ship was surrendered. A short time before the colors were hauled down I was struck by a splinter caused by a shot of the enemy as I was on the quarter deck with my gun before me - by which my arm was broken, my shoulder detached, & my collar bone broken & my head much bruised, & I was stunned & insensible except at intervals for several hours.
We were carried into New York & kept prisoners about seven weeks, when we were exchanged & I was brought to New London in a cartel & I proceeded to Norwich, where I applied to my commander, where his family then resided, for a certificate of my service & of my wounds, which he gave and dated on the 27th of August A. D. 1779, signed by himself, as Captain, John Chapman Lieut & D. Sawyer Deck[?]. The said certificate is annexed to the deposition or affidavit of Shubael Breed which accompanies these documents. Said certificate was addressed to the Governor & Council of Safety of the State of Connecticut, to whom I applied for relief but it was not granted; & I returned home to Waltham in Massachusetts where my widowed mother & family resided. I was for a considerable time under the care of a physician, & was able to work very little till the following spring -
I was afterwards in service in 1780 at Rhode -
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Island three months, & in 1781 five months at West Point. Before the said cruise I had been in service viz, in 1775 eight months & a half in what was called the 8 months service in Gardner's regiment. Afterwards called Bond.
In 1776 I was at Ticonderoga five months in Brown's regiment. In all these instances I served my full time & till I was regularly discharged.
After the war I lived in my native town of Waltham as a farmer till about the year 1793, when I removed to Weston adjoining Waltham & have lived there & been engaged in the same occupation to the present time.
In 1792 I applied to the District Judge in Boston & requested him to take the proper evidence & apply for my pension & he appointed Doctors Eustice & Brooks to examine my case, who gave me a certificate accordingly which is hereto annexed Marked ____, but no pension was granted, as I understand because I was wounded in the state service & was not on the Continental establishment.
About the year 1815 or 1816, I consulted with the District Judge about applying for a pension from the United States, but after some progress I became disheartened in consequence of the great expense & the great difficulty of procuring the evidence required. 
Afterwards in 1817 being advised to apply to the government of Connecticut, I presented a petition to the Assembly, but was again
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disappointed, as will appear by the official certificates accompanying these documents. Since which time I have not renewed my application till having become aged & borne down by increasing infirmities, & having an aged wife & several children dependent on me for support, among whom is a daughter who has been for several years insane & incapable of doing anything to support herself. I have now within a few weeks past renewed my efforts with a hope of final tho' late success. In foregoing on all the attempts made by me to obtain a pension except a petition to Congress in 1818 which was rejected, as I presume for want of the necessary evidence, & I have never obtained any pension or compensation of any sort, & I am not on the pension list of any state.
[signed] Abijah Fisk

Sworn 15 Nov. 1831
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January 25, 1939


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/ady [illegible initials]
Abijah Fisk
S. 5394

Mrs. Dora F. Hansen
818- 63" Place
Kenosha, Wisconsin

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to Abijah Fisk, who served in the Revolutionary War.

The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War claim for pension, S. 5394, based upon service and disability incurred in that war.

Abijah Fisk was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, date, and the names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Waltham, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, Abijah Fisk enlisted in 1775 and served eight and one half months as private in Colonel Gardner's and Colonel Bond's Massachusetts Regiments. He enlisted in 1776, and served five months as private in Colonel Brown's Regiment. While residing with his mother, a widow, and family no names stated, in said Waltham, Abijah Fisk in 1779 entered as a seaman on board the Oliver Cromwell, a Connecticut State ship, commanded by Captain T. Parker; captured several vessels; on July 3, 1779, in an engagement with the "Daphne" off Sandy Hook, and on the quarter deck in line of duty, he was struck by a splinter caused by a shot from the enemy, his right shoulder dislocated, his right arm and collar bone broken and his head badly bruised. from which he was rendered unconscious at intervals for several hours., was taken prisoner, carried into New York, and exchanged in about seven weeks and discharged August 27, 1779, having served three months. He enlisted in 1780 and served three months private, names of officers not given. He enlisted in 1781 and served five months as private, names of officers not shown.

About 1793 he moved from Waltham, Massachusetts, to Weston, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.
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He was living in Weston, Massachusetts, and aged about seventy-six years, in November 1831.

On account of his service and disability resulting from the wounds cited above pension was allowed from January 1, 1825, under the Act of March 2, 1833.

In 1831 Abijah Fisk had an aged wife, and several children, one daughter referred to, no names or ages stated.

In 1792 one William Fisk, a resident of Waltham, Massachusetts, was a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex County, Massachusetts, his age or relationship not shown. There are no further family data.

Abijah Fisk died March 14, 1833.

Very truly yours

A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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INVALID.

Navy

File No. 5394
Abijah Fisk
Ship Oliver Cromwell
Rev War

Act: 2d March 1833

Index:---  Vol. 2d", Page 10

[Arrangement of 1870]

1939 Jan 25 Hist to Mrs Dora F. Hansen A. D. Y.
Page 14

[illegible] & Doctor of Ship
Oliver Cromwell
(1)
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16 May 1792
Certificate of John Brooks M. D. & Wm Eustis M. D. both afterwards Governors of Massachusetts
(6.)

Fisk, Abijah
(Conn.) 5-5394

Docts Brooks and Doc Eustis
Page 16

Abijah Fisk appears to have been injured in the right shoulder & to have had the right collar bone broke by some violent blow- some motions of the arm are impeded & the strength of it in some degree impaired May 16, 1792.

W Eustis
J Brooks
Page 17

Norwich, Aug 27, 1779
This may certify that the bearer hereof, Mr. Abijah Fisk was on board the ship Oliver Cromwell at the time of her being taken by the Daphne. And then the action with said Daphne he was badly wounded by a splinter which broke his collar bone & arm & sent his shoulder out of joint. That in the action he behaved bravely while he was. 

To his Excellency Governor Trumbull
of the Honorable Council of Safety

J. Parker [illegible]
John Chapman - L
D. Tauzin 


FISK, ABIJAH
(CONN.) S - 5394
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Petition of Abijah Fisk
for a Pension

Dec 14 1878
Referred to the Committee as a
Revolutionary Pensions

Jany 5 1829
Report again to his
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled.
The petition and representation of Abijah Fisk of Waltham in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Respectfully showeth
That he is a native citizen of the United States. That in the Revolutionary War in which the Independence of the United States was gloriously achieved he was actively and zealously engaged in the defence of his Country. That his first employment in the public service was as a soldier for eight and an half months in what was called the eight month service, in the year AD 1775. That he was afterwards in the year 1776 in the same service for the further period of five months at Ticonderoga and in the same service the further period of three months in the year 1780 at Rhode Island and in the same service the further period of five months in the year 1781 at West Point. And your petitioner would more particularly represent that in the year 1779, he engaged in the public service of his country as one of the crew of the Oliver Cromwell, an
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armed ship of war fitted out and belonging to the state of Connecticut. That he remained on board said ship in all things doing his duty during her cruize & for the period of three months and until the said Oliver Cromwell was captured by the British Ship Daphne. That in the action which was fought between the Daphne and the Oliver Cromwell your petitioner remained at his station and actively & zealously performed his duty until struck down by a splinter produced by a shot from the enemy and that by the same splinter his collar bone and right arm were broken and his shoulder dislocated and that from the wounds thus received he has not recovered, the same arm being at this day from the effects of the wounds aforesaid nearly useless, and he now despairs of ever being able to recover the use thereof.
And your petitioner further represents that for the wounds aforesaid and the loss of the use of his arm this produced in his Country's service, he has never received any annuity, pension or other compensation whatever, eight from the United States, the State of Connecticut or from any other state, body of men or individuals, whatever. That in his employment and business being a husbandman and deriving his subsistence from tilling & cultivating
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his with, the injury to his arm and shoulder received as above stated, has now in his old age become to him of very serious and daily more anxious consideration and consequence, so much so, that he does though with feelings of reluctance, solicit and request the attention of Congress to make such provision for him in this behalf either by pension or otherwise as they in their wisdom shall think just & honorable to the sinking spirit of a war broken soldier.
And as in duty bound will ever pray,
Abijah Fisk

Nov 20 1818

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Suffolk Ss. Boston [illegible] 1st 1818. Then personally appeared the above named Abijah Fisk and made solemn oath that the aforegoing representation and petition by him above subscribed is true.
Before me
Saml H. Williams
Justice of the Peace
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Affidavit
[crossed out "Certificate"]
of Zach Weston & others
respecting Abijah Fisk

(7)
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We the subscriber, inhabitants and freeholders of the town of Waltham in the County of Middlesex, hereby certify to all whom it may concern that in the year 1779 Abijah Fisk of said Waltham, yeoman, was in the public service and as we believe, a seaman on board the Ship of War Oliver Cromwell. That at the time of his return home, which was about the month of September in the same year, he was very lame in one of his shoulders and was so for a long time after, which lameness he always informed us, and we fully believe, by a splinter [unk] by a shott from a British Ship of War, when he was on board said ship Oliver Cromwell.

We also certify that we have often since that time & very lately heard him make great complaint of his inability to labour by reason of the continuance of said same:-refs.

We also further certify that farming is his principle means of substance for himself & family; and that he is a man of sober life & conversation; and well respected in the Town where he resided; and we believe that full faith & credit ought to be given  to his Declarations.

May 17th 1792

Zach Weston
Sam'l Biglow
Abijah Biglow

Middlesex May 18th 1792-
Then Zechariah Weston, Samuel Biglow, and Abijah Biglow personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the above declaration by them subscribed.

Before me,
Wm Fisk Justice of the Peace
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Affidavit
[crossed out "Certificate"]
of Leonard Williams, Physician
14 May 1792

(4)

FISK, ABIJAH
(CONN) S5394
Page 25

I certify that Abijah Fisk is a native and inhabitant of the town of Waltham &c and I believe I have attended him whenever sick or lame except when he was in his Country's service and when he returned he was very lame in his shoulder and unable for several months to do any labor and am very confident he did not receive the wound in his shoulder since his return from said service and his wound is a great damage to him in his work.
Leonard Williams

Waltham May 14th 1792

Middleton, Ss. May 14th 1792
Leonard Williams, Esq. Personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above by him subscribed.
Before me
William Allen J. Peace
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Affidavit
[crossed out "Certificate"]
of Wm. Allen & others

14 May 1792

(5)

FISK, ABIJAH
(CONN.) S-5394
Page 27

To all whom it may concern,

The subscriber, freeholder and inhabitant of the Town of Waltham in the County of Middlesex and common wealth of Massachusetts hereby certify that Abijah Fisk of the same Waltham, yeoman, is a native and inhabitant of the said Town of Waltham: that for more than one year last past he hath and still doth follow the business of farming, as his principal means of support for himself and family; and that he is according to the best of our knowledge a person of sober life and conversation; and this we subscribe of our own personal knowledge.

William Allen
Wm Fiske
Abner Sanderson

Middlesex May 14th 1792
Then William Allen, William Fisk Esq, and Abner Sanderson subscriber to the above certificate personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the same and I do hereby certify the same and that they are reputable freeholder of the said town of Waltham.

Leonard Williams
Justice of the Peace and of the [unk]
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Abijah Fisk's Papers

The law requires the part of being wounded to be proved by the Affidavit of the Capt or live credible witnesses.

Fisk has the certificate of the Capt & surgeon of the vessel & one other, dated 1779; but this certificate not being on oath, cannot be taken at the Pension Office.
A hard case.
E.E.


No House Report
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Certificate A. Sprine [illegible]
Oct 1817

(8)
Page 30

Watertown Oct 1817
This may certify to all men that Mr. Abijah Fisk during our Revolutionary War received a wound in his shoulder on board the ship Oliver Cromwell as he said, which wound his deprived him of the use of his shoulder joint by what surgeons term an anchylosis and has been ever since and ever must be incurable in the opinion of
Marshall Sprine.
Page 31

J. B. Kristredge M. D.

(9)

8 Oct 1817
Page 32

Framingham October 8 1817
I certify that the bearer Abijah Fisk appears formerly to have received a sever injury in his right shoulder joint, which in my opinion must render him unable to labor as other men.
J. B. Kittridge
Physician

Middlesex: October 8th 1817
Then the above named John B. Kittridge made solemn oath to the truth of the above certificate by him subscribed before me
Eli B. Alvord Justice Peace
Page 33

Abijah Fisk

minutes

Favorable
Page 34

Proof full & conclusive in the case of Abijah Fisk
except it is not given in the form required at Dept
being the Certificates of Capt & Surgeon of the vessel
but not under Oath. Comd Report favorable
Page 35

Abijah Fisk
Navy of the Revolution
Invalid Pensioner
6 dollars per month
beginning 1 Jan. 1825.
Mass Roll
Ind for
Hon E. Everett
Nr. Cr.
[illegible] a cert:
Page 36

It is hereby certified that Abijah Fisk, a seaman on board the Oliver Cromwell or State Ship belonging to the State of Connecticut, is rendered incapable of performing the duty of a seaman, by reasons of wounds or other injuries inflicted while he was actually in the line of his duty. viz

By satisfactory evidence and accurate examination, it appears that on the 3d day of July in the year 1779, being engaged with his Britanic Majesty's Ship [unk] &c &c off Sandy Hook, the said Abijah Fisk did receive an injury of the right shoulder, causing a compound fracture of the clavicle, and a dislocation of the outer portion, and in consequence of which the arm is rendered almost useless and its motion {unk} limited and he is hereby not only incapacitated and he is hereby not only incapacitated from military duty but in the opinion of the undersigned, is three fourths disabled from obtaining  his subsistence from manual labour.

Sworn 19 Nov 1831- B R Tinslar, MD Surgeon US Navy

Sworn 21 Nov 1831- G W Palmer asst surgeon MD
Page 37

"Abijah Fisk, at the rate of six dollars per month, to commence on the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twenty five."

A true extract, compared with the Roll in this Office, from "An act for the relief of certain invalid pensioners, therein named." approved March 2, 1833.

Daniel Brent
Department of State,
March 6, 1833
Page 38

The Committee to whom was refered the petition of Abijah Fisk of West. town in the Stat

That upon the examination of the evidence submitted to them by the petitioner, it appears that in the Revolutionary War, in the year 1779, he was one of the crew of the armed ship Oliver Cromwell, commanded by Capt. T. Parker, which was fitted out under the authority of the State of Connecticut to cruise against the enemies of the United States. That while the petitioner was in service on board said ship, she was captured by a squadron of British ships after an action, and the petitioner was severely wounded by a splinter  which broke his collar bone and arm, and put his shoulder out of joint. In consequence of the services and sufferings of your petitioner in the action aforesaid, the commanding officer of said ship recommended him to the notice of the Govenour and Council of Safety of this State; but it does not appear that he received any compensation. The Petitioner represents that he applied to the Government of the United States for relief and was informed that as his wounds were received on board a vessel fitted out and commissioned under the authority of the State of Connecticut.
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the laws of the United States did not extend to his case.

It appears to your committee that the same principles which have induced the general Government to make provision for soldiers disabled in the service of the United States & reward their distinguished actions should give the Petitioner a claim on the liberties of the government of Connecticut, but the amount of commendation the committee  by leave to submit to the consideration of the Legislature.

Signed pr order
Sam'l W Johnson

October Session 1817
In the House of Representatives this report is not accepted.
Attest,
G Tomlinson Clk

Concurred in the Upper House 
Attest 
Thomas Day Secretary

A true copy of the original report on, and of the entries thereon, on file, examined and certified under the State Seal by
Thomas Day Sec of said State
Page 40

Affidavits of
[illegible] Brown &
Wm Howard
Page 41

The deposition of William Howard of [unk] in the District of Connecticut is as follows viz that I was a volunteer on board the State Ship belonging to the State of Connecticut in the month of July 1779 & in the engagement between the above named Cromwell when she was taken by the British Ship Daphne & that I have this say seen a gentleman who calls his name Abijah Fish & have seen his papers viz or certificate signed by T Parker Captain John Chapman, Lieut D Tauzin Dr and an account with the crew of said ship saith A Fisk as an hand on board of said Ship for prize money & I have also heard him relate the incidents of engagement from which I am personally there is no doubt he was on hand on board of said Ship at the time of the engagement aforesaid. I have no personal  recollection of Mr Fisk at this remote period. I do not know that I was ever personally acquainted with him as there were many of the seaman on board said Ship stranger to me.

William Howard his mark X

New London Oct 29th 1831
witness Wm P Cleaveland

New London County New London Oct 29th 1831. Then personally appeared William Howard signer of the above foregoing affidavit and who is personally known to me & is worthy of credit & made oath to the truth of the facts stated on the foregoing affidavit, certified by & sworn before me,
Wm P Cleaveland Chief Judge of the County Court New London County
Page 42

State of Connecticut, New London County

I John Dewitt Clerk of the County Court for New London County do hereby hereby certify that Wm P Cleaveland Esq before whom the foregoing depositions of Wm Howard and Christopher Brown were taken was and still is chief Judge of the County Court for said New London County and that his signatures to said certificates are in his own handwriting. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 4th day of November AD 1831.

John Dewitt Clerk
Page 43

The deposition of Christopher Brown of Waterford in New London County of Connecticut is as follows viz that in the year 1779 he was an hand on board the ship Oliver Cromwell a state ship of the State of Connecticut on a cruise in the Revolutionary War with Great Britain that he was on board when the said ship Oliver Cromwell was taken by the Daphne & that he then kept a journal of all the principle feets which occurred on board said ship during her cruise when when taken & afterwards which journal he was now has by him that he well recollects that there was a man on board sad ship Oliver Cromwell when she was taken by the name of Abijah Fisk and that he was wounded on the engagement when she was taken. This deponent well recollects he was standing by his side when he was wounded that he was on his knee loading his gun ad that from the enemy's ship struck him on that situation & broke his collar bone [unk] him otherwise she was immediatly taken from the greater deck & carried below the said Abijah Fisk was then a young man & the deponent has never seen him since & engagement untill this time & is not able to say that Abijah Fisk for whom he makes this affidavit is the same man who was on board, by that name but he can say that from the various incidents he related respecting & [unk] the crew captured & his age and appearance he has no reason to doubt he is the same person.

Christopher Brown

New London County fo New London Nov 3rd 1831. Then personally appeared Christopher Brown the signer of the above foregoing affidavit personally well known to the subscribing authority as a man of strict integrity & undoubted credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the facts contained in the foregoing affidavit subscribed by him sworn before & certified by Wm P Cleaveland Chief Judge of County Court for New London County
Page 44

To the Honorable Lewis Cass,
Secretary of the Department of War
Pursuant to the Commission of the
Hon'ab John Davis, Judge of the District Court
of the United States for the Massachusetts
District, dated the 15th day of November
last, which is hereto annexed. I the under-
signed Timothy Fuller one of the 
commissioners therein named have taken
all evidence to me exhibited pursuant
to the rules & regulations of the law of the
United States referred to in said commission
for substantiating the claim of Abijah
Fish of Weston in [??] District therein named,
to be placed on the pension list of the United States
by reason of known wounds received in the
war of the Revolution, while in the actual
service of the United States & in the line of his duty
which evidence so to taken by me consists of
the following certificates & affidavits viz
The affidavit of the said Abijah Fish, taken
& sworn to on the fifteenth day of November
last, the certificate of B. R. Tinslar & G.W.
Palmer, both being surgeons & Physicians reputable 
in their profession, sworn to by the Dr Tinslar
on the 19th & by Dr Palmer on the 21st of [??]November
& the affidavit of Abraham Biglow Esq
Page 45

Sworn to on the 3d day of December with all
which affidavits & certificates are hereto annexed.
And the [?????] Commissioner CAN
testify that in my opinion all the persons
before named, by the Dr Fish, the 
Dr Tinslar, Palmer, & Biglow are persons
of undoubted credibility, being
all of them well known to me.
and I do further certify that the testimony
taken by me as aforesaid was
closed on the third day of December
A.D. 1831
In testimony whereof I have hath
subscribed my name this fifth day
of December in the year of our Lord
eighteen hundred & thirty.
Timothy Fuller
JP Clerk
Page 46

State of Connecticut fs New London County

I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court for said New London County, do hereby certify that Wm P Cleaveland Esq before whom the foregoing deposition of Shubael Bread, Ann Parker and Erastus Perkins were taken, was at that time and still is Chief Judge of the County Court for said New London County and that his signature to said certificates are in his own handwriting. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 4th day of November AD 1831.

John DeWitt Clerk
Page 47

The deposition of Erastus Perkins of Norwich in New London County & [unk] of Connecticut is as follows that Jabez Perkins late of Norwich aforesaid was Father of the Deponent and the Deponent was his Clerk and after the death of his Father administers 's father Jabez Perkins died at Norwich in the year 1795 the said Jabez Perkins when in life in the year 1779 was agent fot the Ship & crew of the ship Oliver Cromwell belonging to the State of Connecticut. The deponent as Clerk to his father kept the books relating to said ship and crew & the same are now before him & from personal examination he finds the amounts and entries therein made generally in his hand writing and particularly the account between the officers and crew & ship Oliver Cromwell with Jabez Perkins Agent for crew and the account between Abijah Fisk and Jabez Perkins a copy of whereof viz both of said accounts are hereto annexed are all in the handwriting of the Deponent search entry therein were made with his own hand and the said copies hereto annexed are true and exact copies taken from the original books by this Deponent and the causes therein [unk] were settled according to this account with Abijah Fisk.
Erastus Perkins


New London County fs New London Nov 1st 1831.
Then personally appeared before the subscriber Erastus Perkins of Norwich aforesaid a gentleman of [unk] respectability and credibility personally known to me signer of the foregoing affidavit and made oath to the truth of the facts contained in this affidavit signed  by him sworn before [unk] by Wm P Cleaveland Chief Judge of County Court New London County
Page 48

The Deposition of Ann Parker of Norwich in Newlandon
County & District of Connecticut is as follows viz that
Captain T Parker Captain of the ship Oliver Cromwell
owned renamed by the State of Connecticut in the late
revolutionary war was the Deponents father that she
was well acquainted with his hand writing [???] has
in her possession papers she knows to be written
with his hand that she has carefully compared
the signature of T Parker Captain on the 
 certificate annexed to Shubael Breeds deposition
dated Aug 27th 1779 from such comparison as well as
from her own personal knowledge of
his hand writing she is fully satisfied the said
Signature to Certificate is the proper hand
writing of her [??] Father J Parker
Ann Parker
Newlondon County of New London Nov 1st 1831
Then personally appeared before me Miss
Ann Parker Signer of the foregoing affidavit
a lady of respectability hereout made oath
to the truth of the facts contained in the deposition
by her subscribed sworn before [????] by
W P Cleaveland Chief Judge of County Court Newlondon County
Page 49

The deposition of Shubael Breed of Norwich in New
London County [?????] of Connecticut is as follows
viz that John M Bond of Norwich a friend was a Brother
of the Deponents & died in the year 1798 that the Deponent
is perfectly familiar with the handwriting of his late
Brother John M Breed that he has examined the
certificate hereto annexed, signed, J Parker Captain
John Chapman [???]
D. Tauzin [??]
dated, Norwich Augt 27th 1779 & he well knows
the body of certificate to be the hand writing of
his Brother John M. Breed Now Deceas'
Shubael Breed

New London County of New London Nov 1 1831
Then personally appeared before me the subscriber
Shubael Breed Esq the signer of the forgoing
affidavit who is personally well known to the
subscribing authority is a Gentleman of first 
respectability [????] made oath to the truth of
the facts contained in the foregoing affidavit by
him subscribed sworn before certified by
Wm P Cleaveland Chief Judge of County Court
for New London County
Page 50

INCREASE OF PENSION.

United States.
District, 88.

To Doctor    of    and Doctor    of    in said district.

Pursuant to an act of Congress of the United States, passed the 24th of May, 1828, entitled "An act to revive and continue in force 'An act to provide for persons who are disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes;" you are hereby appointed and authorized to examine who is inscribed on the Pension List of the United States, and is claimant for an increase of pension, conformably to the 5th Section of the act of the 10 April, 1806, revived as aforesaid; and you are to report, in writing, and on oath or affirmation, your opinion of the nature of his dissability, and in what degree it prevents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; and in your proceedings in the premises you are to be regulated and governed by said act.

Given under my hand and seal, at     this     day of in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty-
Page 51

Rules and Regulations for substantiating Claims to Pensions.

Vide "An act to provide for persons who were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War," passed the 10th of April, 1806; revived and continued in force for one year longer, by an act of the 25th of April, 1812; revived and continued in force for one year longer, by the act of the 15th May, 1820; revived and continued in force for six years, by the act of February 4th, 1822; and again revived and continued in force for six years longer, by the act of May 24th, 1828.

"Sec. 2 And it further enacted, That, in substantiating such claim, the following rules and regulations shall be complied with, that is to say: all evidence shall be taken on oath or affirmation, before the judge of the district, or one of the judges of the territory in which such claimant resides, or before some person specially authorized by commission from said judge.

"Decisive Disability, the effect of a known wound or wounds, received while in the actual service and line of duty against the common enemy, during the Revolutionary war, must be proved by the affidavit of the commanding officer of the regiment, corps, company, ship, vessel or craft, in which such claimant served; or of two other credible witnesses to the same effect, setting forth the time when, and place where,  such known wound or wounds were received; and particularly describing the same.

"The nature of such disability, and in what degree it prevents the claimant from obtaining his subsistence, must be proved by the affidavit of some reputable physician or surgeon, stating his opinion, either from his own claimant, on oath or affirmation, which, when necessary for that purpose, shall be administered to said claimant by said judge or commissioner. And the said physician or surgeon, in his affidavit, shall particularly describe the wound or wounds from whence the disability appears to be derived.

"Every claimant must prove, by at least one credible witness, that he continued in service during the whole time for which he was detached, or for which he engaged, unless he was discharged, or left the service in consequence of some derangement of the army, or in consequence of his disability resigned his commission; or was, after his disability, in captivity or on parole, until the close of the Revolutionary war.
Page 52

in the same manner must prove his mode of life and employment since he left the service, and the place or places where he has since resided, and his place of residence at
the time of taking such testimony.

"Every claimant shall, by his affidavit, give satisfactory reasons why he did
not make application for a pension before, and that he is not on the pension list of any
State; and the judge, or commissioner, shall certify in writing, his opinion of the
credibility of the witnesses, whose affidavits he shall take, in all those cases, where,
by this act, it is said the proof shall be made by a credible witness or witnesses. And,
also, that the examining physician or surgeon is reputable in his profession.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said judge of the district, or person
by him commissioned, as aforesaid, shall transmit a list of such claims, accompanied
by the evidence, affidavits, certificates and proceedings had thereon, in pursuance
of this act, noting particularly the day on which the testimony was closed before
him, to the Secretary for the Department of War," &c. &c. &c. "And it shall be
the duty of the judge, or commissioner aforesaid, to permit each claimant to take a
transcript of the evidence and proceedings had respecting his claim, if he shall desire
it, and to certify the same to be correct."

SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That an increase of pension may be allowed
to persons already placed upon the pension list of the United States, for disabilities
caused by known wounds received during the Revolutionary War, in all cases where
justice shall require the same: Provided, That the increase, when added to the pension
formerly received, shall in no case exceed a full pension."

"Every invalid making application for this purpose shall be examined by two
reputable physicians or surgeons, to be authorized by commission from the judge of
the district where such invalid resides; who shall report in writing, on oath or affirmation, their opinion of the nature of the applicant's disability, and in what degree it
prevents him from obtaining a subsistence by manual labor; which report shall be
transmitted, by said physician or surgeons, to the Secretary for the Department of
War," &c. &c. &c.

Extract from an act of Congress of the 25th of April, 1808, entitled "An Act concerning
Invalid Pensioners."

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That any officer, non-commissioned officer,
musician, or private, who has been wounded or disabled since the Revolutionary War, while in the line of his duty, in the actual service of the United States, whether
he belonged to the military establishment, or to the militia, or any volunteer corps,
called into service under the authority of the United States, may be placed on the
pension list of the United States, at such rate of compensation, and under such regulations, as are prescribed by the act, entitled ""An act to provide for persons who
were disabled by known wounds received in the Revolutionary War."" passed April
the tenth, one thousand eight hundred and six."

The act of the 25th April, 1808, is not limited.

Act of 18th April, 1814. -- Depositions substantiating claims to pension may be
hereafter taken before any judge of any of the courts of the State or Territory in
which such person may reside, the certificate of the clerk of the court whereof the
said judge is a member, sufficient to prove his being such judge.
Page 53

ORIGINAL CLAIM.
United States.
Massachusetts DISTRICT, SS.
I John Davis Judge of
the District Court of the United States of America
for the Massachusetts District, by
AUTHORITY of an act of Congress, passed the 24th
day of May, 1828, entitled "An act to revive and
continue in force an 'Act to provide for persons
who were disabled by known wounds received in
the Revolutionary War, and for other purposes,"
DO HEREBY ESPECIALLY AUTHORIZE AND COMMISSION
William P Cleveland of the
county of New London and district of Connecticut Esq and
to take all evidence pursuant to the rules and regulations of the said act for Timothy Fuller of
Cambridge in the District of Massachusetts or either of them
substantiating the claim of Abijah Fisk
of the town of Westen in the county of Middlesex and district of 
Massachusetts to be placed on the Pension List of the United States,
by reason of known wounds received in said war, or since, (as prescribed in the fourth
section of "An act concerning invalid pensioners," passed the 25th of April, 1808,)
while in the actual service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. And
when the same shall be completed, to return the evidence, affidavits, certificates, and
proceedings had hereupon, together with his commission, to the Secretary for the
Department of War.

Given under my hand and seal, at Boston in the
Dist of Massachusetts the fifteenth day of November
in the year one thousand eight hundred and thiry-on
Jn C Davis
Page 54

13 Oct. 1817 [????????]
certifies the signature of
Capt. Parker to N.J.
now deceased - 1836
(2 )

Elisha Tracy Esqr
New Haven
member of Assembly
[written sideways in middle of page]
Elisha Tracy Esq
Member of Assembly
Mr Fisk
Page 55

[???]wich 6Apr'13th 1817
Elisha Tracy Esqr
Sir
The beares of this Mr Abijah Fisk has
shewn me a certificate dated August 27th 1779 in the hand
writing of my brother John & with the Signatures of
T Parker Captain - John Chapman. Lieut D. Tauzin [????]
Officers on board the State Ship Oliver Cromwell during this
Revolutionary War
I have stated to Mr Fish, that the hand writing
of my Brother & of Capt Parker, I recognize perfectly
& he has desired me to state the circumstance to some one of the
members of the General Assembly as he thinks it may
be of some service to him in the application which he
purposes to make for some consideration on account of his
Wounds in the service of the State
I know not whether the State has ever done any thing
heretofore by way of Pensions to invalid Seaman of the
Revolutionary War but I think the Seamen are justly
entitled to the same provisions that have been made for the
Soldiers their Services were at that time as important
& confirmed as much glory & Honor to the Country, as
during the lastWar - In these sentiments I doubt not
you will coincide with me, & if any thing can be done
for Mr Fish that you will gladly erect your
talents & abilities in his favour
Yours respectfully
P.S. I have inclosed the Certificate  Simeon Breed
Page 56

To the Honorable General Assembly
of the State of Connecticut now in session
The petition of Abijah Fisk
of West Town in the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts
Respectfully sheweth
That in the Revolutionary war, in the year 1779, he
enlisted as one of the crew of the armed ship Oliver Cromwell
commanded by Capt. T. Parker and fitted out under the
authority of the State of Connecticut to cruise against the
[envere crossed out] enemies
of the United States; that in the month of July
in that year and while your Petitioner was in service
on board sd ship as one of her crew, she was captured.
After a severe action by a detachment of British armed ships
and carried into New York. That in the action aforesaid
your Petitioner faithfully discharge his duty and while
in the discharge of his duty was badly wounded by a
splinter which broke his collar bone and arm and put his
shoulder out of joint and in this situation was carried into
New York as a prisoner. In consequence of the wound aforesaid,
your Petitioner has through life been disabled. He has
applied to the Government of the United States for relief,
but has been informed that as his wound was
received on board a vessel fitted out and commissioned
under the authority of the State of Connecticut the laws
Page 57

of the United States furnish no relief. In consequence of the
services of your Petitioner in the action aforesaid and
of his sufferings he was by the commanding Officer of
said ship recommended to the notice of the Governour
and Council of safety for this State. He has however
received no compensation for his losses and sufferings
While the soldiers and sailors who may been disabled
in the service of the United States are receiving
pensions from the General Government, the Petitioner
whose services and sufferings in achieving the
independence of his country have not been inferior
to theirs remain unrewarded.
Your Petitioner therefore
prays this Honourable Assembly to take his case
into consideration and grant him such a sum
either by way of pension or otherwise, as your Honours
may deem just and reasonable or that your Honours
would in some other way grant relief.
New Haven. Oct. 14.th 1817.  Abijah Fisk
the
General Assembly
Oct. Session 1817
In the House of Representatives
the Petition of Abijah Fisk is referred to Messrs
E. Tracey, Elton and J. Hall, together with such
Page 58

Gentlemen as the Gov. and council may appoint
to report the facts with their opinion therein
Attest
Gideon Tomlinson Clerk
In the Upper House. The Hon. Mr. Johnson is appointed
to join the Committee above named
Attest
Thomas Day Secretary
In the House of Representatives
the prayer of this Petition is not granted
Attest
G. Tomlinson Clk
concurred in the Upper House
Attest
Thomas Day Secretary
A true Copy of the original Petition and of the
entries thereon, on file, examined and certified under the Seal of the State, by
Thomas Day Secretary
Page 59

3.
Certified Extract from the
books of the agent of
the Oliver Cromwell
131
Sur F. 5394
.
Page 60

from the Caigants Book
Page 61

1779 [illegible] Officers & Crew of Ship Oliver Cromwell

Sept. 1 | To giving the Officers & Crew Credit | | |

 | Viz 1st Class .. 1 Officer for .. 1 1/2 20th .. (pounds) | 1488 | 12 | 9
 | 2nd Class .. 5 Officers for .. 3 20th .. 595-9-1 | 2977 | 5 | 8
 | 3rd Class .. 7 Officers for .. 2 1/2 20th .. 352-8-9 | 2481 | 1 | 2
 | 4th Class .. 20 Officers for .. 3 20th .. 148-7-3 | 2977 | 5 | 8

 | 71 Men. 1 Shear Each .. is 71 Shares } | | |
 | 10 Boys 1/2 Shear Each .. 5 } | | |
 | 10 [illegible] Shares .. is .. 10 86 Shares } | 9924 | 4 | 10
 | For the 10 [illegible] .. @ 115-8-0 } | | |
 | (pounds) |19848 | 9 | 9
=====

 | To giving the Officers & Crew Credit | | |

 | Viz. 1st Class 1 Officer for 1 1/2 20th .. | 409 | 16 | 4
 | 2nd Class .. 5 Officers for .. 3 20th .. 168-18-6 | 819 | 12 | 9
 | 3rd Class .. 7 Officers for .. 2 1/2 20th .. 97-11-6 | 683 | 0 | 7
 | 4th Class .. 20 Officers for .. 3 20th .. 40-19-7 | 819 | 12 | 9

 | 106 Men. 1 Shear Each .. is .. 106 Shares } | | |
 | 10 Boys 1/2 Shear Each .. 5 } | | |
 | 10 [illegible] Shares .. 10 121 Shares } | 2732 | 2 | 9
 | For the 10 [illegible] @ 22-11-7 .. } | | |
 | (pounds) | 5464 | 5 | 6
=====

Jabez Perkins (Agent for Crew) .. [illegible]

1779
Sept 1 I Pay N proceeds schooner Hazzard [Hazard] & Cargo (pounds) | 2999 | 11 | --
 | Pay N proceeds schooner St. George | 12475 | 7 | 7
 | Pay N proceeds sloop York | 3278 | 18 | 7
 | Pay N proceeds schooner | 1094 | 12 | 7
 | (pounds) | 19848 | 9 | 9
=====

 | Pay N proceeds sloop Ariel | 5264 | 5 | 6
=====
Page 62

Affidavit &
of
Breed
Parker
Perkins
-
Page 63

Service Conn Fisk, Abijah Number S5394
Conn. Sea Service 
Mass.   carded
Page 64

I Abraham Biglow of Cambridge in the county of Middlesex & state of Massachusetts do testify, that I personally know Abijah Fisk of Weston in said county, that he resided in Waltham in said county in the time of the Revolutionary War, that a few years after the peace he removed to Weston aforesaid, where he still resides. His employment is that of a farmer, which he has followed with exemplary industry & sobriety ever since my acquaintance with him, which is not much short of sixty years.
December 3, 1831

Abrm Biglow

Sworn 3. Dec. 1831
Page 65

I Thomas Day, Secretary of the State
of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal
thereof, do hereby certify,
That on the application of
Abijah Fisk of Weston in the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who
enlisted in the year 1779, (as he states) 
as one of the crew of the armored ship
Oliver Cromwell, commanded by Captain T. Parker, and 
fitted out under the authority of the State of
Connecticut to cruise against the enemies of the
United States, during the Revolutionary War, I have
searched the public records of this State, and from
such search and my personal knowledge of the
proceedings of the General Assembly of this State,
I am satisfied and verily believe, that no
grant of money or property, or other reward or
compensation, has been made, by said General
Assembly, to said Fisk, on account of his
services, wounds or sufferings on board said
ship.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State,
at the City of Hartford, the fifth day of
November, the year of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and thirty one.
Thomas Day
Page 66

[postmark] RECEIVED 3:20 DEC 12 1938 MAIL SUB-DIV VETS [illegible]

Kenosha Wisconsin
December 9, 1938.

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington. D. C.
Dear Sir:
Am writing for information regarding
Revolutionary Pensioners of my ancestors in 
order to gain more definite data than I have
in regard to my great grandmother Alice Adams, who married Abijah Fisk, who was a Revolutionary War soldier, from Waltham, Massachusetts. His death occurred Mar. 
14, 1833 and his widow, Alice Adams Fisk died April 4, 1842. I saw Abijah Fisk's name listed on Pension roll Jan 1. 1825 in, 
Pierce's "Fisk or Fiske Family" on page 246,
when looking up his Revolutionary War record 
to get data in order to become a D.A.R. member.
I have a pretty accurate record of Fisk family
received from my grandfather, but the Adams
line is not so completely made out, only that Alice Adams was the daughter or John 
Adams of Lincoln Mass, but doesn't give her
mothers name.
[over]
Page 67

was told that Pension records give quite a bit of information regarding the genealogy etc of applicants for Pensions and any information that your could give that is contained in these pension data would be gratefully accepted.
This Alice Adams was born Dec 9, 1763 was married at Lincoln Mass, Middlesex Co. Sept 11-1783 to Abijah Fisk of Waltham and Watertown, same co.  Abijah Fisk is listed in 1790 census of Mass. as is also John Adams, father of Alice Adams, at Lincoln.
If there are any expenses connected with this data furnished, if it can be found, will be willing to reimburse for such service.
Sincerely
Mrs Dora Fisk Hansen
818 - 63rd Place
Kenosha Wisconsin