Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4246, Joel Humphrey, Conn.
Page 1

Service
Connecticut

Humphrey, Joel
Amelia

Number
W.4246
B.L.W. 13413.160.55
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119.009
October March 3
April 30/55
Amelia Humphrey
Joel Humphrey

Amelia Humphrey, [?]: Joel
Ct. State 
has been pensioner
Conn Feby 48-2419
No:160 acres Dec 28", 1855
Boynton

C. W. Bennett
Present Vol [?] 1218
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Connecticut 27973

Joel Humphrey
of Norfolk in the State of Cont
who was a (?) in the
by Captain                               of the Rgt
by Col Wylly                             in the Cont.
line for 2 years


Inscribed on the Book of Connecticut
the rate of 93 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
Commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of October 34
and [illegible] M. F. Mills
Norfolk,  Connecticut

Arrears to the 4th of September 1834  $326.65
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar :"35       46.67
                                                               $373.32

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nathan Rice, Clerk
Book E2  Vol.3  Page 17
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Connecticut
Amelia Humphrey
of Joel Humphrey
Con
served in the Revolutionary War, as a  priv & Sergt
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Dollars 33
per annum, to commence on 3 February, 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of October 1853
and sent to C. F. Barbour
West Winsted
Ct

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under net
February 3, 1853, Page 60, Vol., a


(320
Page 5

Declaration: In order to attain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 of June 1832.
State of Connecticut
Litchfield County
SS Norfolk Probate District on this Second day of August, 1832 personally appeared in open court before me Michael F. Mill Judge of Probate that said County, Joel Humphrey (? a Resident) of Colebrook in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut aged Seventy-seven years in July last who being duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress (?) June 1, 1832 That in 1775 he entered for six months in Capt Abel Pettibones Company and Samuel Wyllys Regt and served at  Roxbury near Boston at the end of the term was discharged but if he had a writing it is lost That in the spring of 1776 he enlisted with the Company of Capt. Eben. Filch Bissel Jedediah Huntingtons Rgt. for the term of twelve months which he served until the time expired but has no Dis? longer as he knows of service a part of the time as Roxbury part of the time in New York in April or May to New York and march his land to New London and then by by Water to New York when the american army passed to Long Island he with one other of the Company was at work in the shipyard so thus  he did go to Long Island with the Army
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that he continued to work in the ship yard until the American Army left New York was thus march(ing) to Harlem when they made a stand for some days and then come over Kings bridge and some time after crossed the North River to a place then called R? (?Ramapo).
That in 1777 he served two months at Still water was(?) Zoned by a Mr. Abernathy was in Capt. T(?) Whitney Company and  Col (?) Command was at the Battle between Stillwater and Saratoga near there wounded brought down to Albany to this hospital. That in 1778 or 9, he was drafted and served three months at (?) Horseneck under Capt. Lawrence that in the year 1780 he enlisted as their Sargant  in Capt. Abram Bradley Company in Col Bezaleel Beebe  Regt and served the Land Team for Eight Months and his Warrant as Sargant signed his Col. Beebe here produced  in Court and which he wishes to have forwarded with this declarations thus that he was born in the town of Simsbury in the County of Hartford and the State of Connecticut as he was informed by his Father in the month of July 1755 but does not know the day of the month that he resided in Simsbury until 1777 thus he then removed to Norfolk in Litchfield County when he resided for about twenty years and then
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removed to the Town of Colebrook in new Litchfield County when he has resided ever since that he is known by most the inhabitants of (?) Town of Colebrook and well acquainted with the Rev Amariah Clark Clergymen of the Place.
Reuben Rockwell Esquire

who can Testify as his character.

This that hereby relinquishes every claim what was to a [illegible] or annuity except the (?) and declares that his name is not on any pension Roll of the agency of any state.

Sworn and Subscribed before me the day and year aforementioned.
Michael F. Mills Judge

We Azariah Clerk a Clergyman residing in Colebrook and Reuben Rockwell Esquire. 

Residing in said Colebrook hereby certify they are well acquainted with Joel Humphrey of the said Colebrook who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that are be known him to be seventy-seven years of age that he is neighbor and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in  that a honor and that he is a man of fair character and to be (?).
Sworn & Subscribed August 2, 1832      Reuben Rockwell
                                                                AzariahClark
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And the said claim do hereby (?) their (?) that after investigations of the matter and after (?) the (Int?) (?) the war department that the whom names Joel Humphrey applicant was a revolutionary Soldier under Lenin as he states and the (?) that it appears (?) that Azariah Clark who has signed the (?) certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Colebrook and that Reuben Rockwell Esquire who has signed the same is also a resident in the Town of Colebrook and is a (?) and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Michael F. Mills Judge


I Jona H. Pettibone Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norfolk do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Joel Humphrey for a Pension under the Act of Congress passed June of the A.D. 1832.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this second day of August A.D. 1832.
Jona H. Pettibone, Clerk
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1853
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State of Connecticut

I, John P. C. Mather Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth may concern, That Harvey W. Pinney was, from the fourth day of July, A.D. 1853, to the fourth day of July, A.D. 1854, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield in the said State, duly appointed and commissioned having full power and authority by the laws of said State, to take the Acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give Certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations.
And I further certify, That I believe the foregoing signature of the said Harvey W. Pinney to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said State, at Harford, this 16 day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
John P.C. Mather
Secretary of State
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

On the eleventh day of April A.D. 1853

Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, within, and for, the State and County aforesaid, Amelia Humphrey, aged 85 years, and a resident of the town of Manchester state and county aforesaid, who,  being first duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Joel Humphrey who was a Sergeant  in the Army of the Revolution, under Colonel Beebe, and that he served for the term of two years and about 7 months, and for which service he received an annual pension of 3.33/100 dollars, until the time of his death which occurred on the 30th day of December, A.D. 1836, it being the 81st year of his age. She further states that she was married to the said Joel Humphrey in the town of Colebrook state and county aforenamed, on the 20th day of January A.D. 1803, and that her name before her said marriage was Amelia Phillips.
She further states since the death of said Humphrey she has not again married and is still a widow, and that she has no documentary evidence of the above affirmation.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitled under an act of Congress passed A.D. 1853, and believed to have been, in the month of February.
Amelia Humphrey
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforenamed.
Harvey W. Pinney Justice of Peace

We the undersigned, inhabitants of the Town of Colebrook, State of Connecticut and county of Litchfield do hereby certify that we were well acquainted with the above named Joel and Amelia Humphrey, and that they resided at the time of his death and previously, for a long term of years in our neighborhood as man and wife, the which  the which we have no doubt they lawfully were.  We are also at this time well
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acquainted with the above named Amelia Humphrey and know her to be the identical person who has lived a long term of years in our neighborhood as the wife of the above named Joel Humphrey whose widow we believe she now is.
The further state, that, we believe the facts contained in the above declaration to which she has sworn and subscribed here true. The word "believe" was interlined in the above certificate previous to its being signed.
Elijah Grant
Elizabeth Grant
Walter Wakefield
Henry C. Wakefield
Daniel Lawrence
Laura Lawrence

I hereby certify that with the person who have signed their names to the above certificate, I have long been well acquainted, and that they are persons of high credibility. I certify further that I was well acquainted with the said Joel Humphrey and knew him to be a Revolutionary pensioner; and I am also well acquainted with the declarant Amelia Humphrey, and I believe the facts set forth in her declaration are true.
Harvey W. Pinney
Justice of Peace

I respectfully request that all communication respecting the above be, addressed to my attorney, C. F. Barber, West Winsted, Litchfield Co, Connecticut.
Amelia Humphrey
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

On this Sixteenth day of April A.D. 1855, before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Amelia Humphrey aged 87 years, a resident of Colebrook in the County of Litchfield and the State of Connecticut; who being duly  sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Joel Humphrey deceased, who was a Sergeant in the  company of Com. Militia commanded by Captain _________ in the regiment ________ commanded by Col. Bezaleel Beebe in the War with Great Britain declared and commenced in the year 1775 commonly known as the Revolutionary War.
That her husband entered the service at Norfolk, Litchfield Co Connecticut about the  _____ day of _____ and continued in actual service in said War, for the term of two years and seven months and that this deponent as  the widower of the said Joel Humphrey, deceased was placed up on the Pension List of the Connecticut agency at the rate of Ninety three dollars and thirty three cents per annum under the act of the February 3rd, 1853 once to which claim for a pension. She begs to refer for more particular statement of her husbands service.
She further states that she was married to the said Joel Humphrey in Colebrook State of Connecticut on the Twentieth day of January A.D. 1803: by one Chauncy Lee of SW Colebrook a Presbyterian Clergyman; and that her name before her said marriage was Amelia Phillips; that her husband died at Colebrook on the Thirtieth day of December A.D. 1836, and that she is still his widow.
And she further states that there is no public record of her marriage and that there is no private record of her marriage according to her belief. That she cannot file herewith his Certificate of discharge for the reason that it is or ought to be in the Pension Office at Washington.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the 160 acres of Bounty Land to which she may be entitled on account of said service, under the Act passed by Congress March 3rd A.D. 1855.
She also declares she has not received a Warrant for Bounty Land, under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor She also declares that she is inscribed on the Pension list at the rate of Ninety three Dollars and thirty three cents per Annum commencing on the 3rd day of February A.D. 1853, that her certificate is No. 2419 Recorded in the Pension office on the Roll of Pensions under Act of February 3rd, 1853 Page 60 Vol.  A and
She hereby appoints C. W. Bennett, of Washington, D. C. her true and lawful Attorney, with power of substitution, to prosecute this her claim for land, to receive the Certificate or Warrant when issued, and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.
Witness:  Theron B. Wolcott                               Amelia Humphrey

Sworn to and Subscribed before me, on the day and year first above mentioned, and I hereby certify that I know the said deponent Amelia Humphrey and believe her to be as is above stated, that she is of the age above stated; and further, that I am not interested in this her claim as Attorney or otherwise.
Reuben Rockwell Justive of the Peace
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

On this Sixteenth day of April A.D. 1855, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, Laura Lawrence and Daniel Lawrence who are to me well known, and who are credible witnesses, and who being by me duly sworn, depose and say, that they are each well acquainted Mrs. Amelia Humphrey the above applicant for a Bounty Land - that they have known her for 12 years last past. That they were acquainted with Joel Humphrey her late husband, having known him for 12 years previous to his death; that they, the said Joel Humphrey and Amelia Humphrey lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be, that deponents never heard the fact of their marriage disputed or questioned. That the said Joel Humphrey died on the thirtieth day of December 1836; and the said Amelia Humphrey has been since that day, and still is reputed to be his widow which deponents believe to be the fact. That she has never married since her said husband's death, and still is his widow, and that her said husband was the identical man mentioned as a soldier (Sergeant) in her declaration above, and further, that they were present and saw the said Amelia Humphrey execute the foregoing affidavit by Subscribing her name to the foregoing declaration, and making oath thereto in due form of law, and further, that they, deponents, do reside in County aforesaid.
Daniel Lawrence          Laura Lawrence

Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this Sixteenth day of April A.D. 1855
Reuben Rockwell Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
                                        ss. Litchfield County Clerk Office
County of Litchfield

I Hereby Certify, that Reuben Rockwell Esquire, before whom the foregoing Affidavits and Power of Attorney were made and acknowledged, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signatures thereto are genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the County Court, for the County aforesaid, this 23rd day of April 1855
Henry B. Graves
Clerk of the County Court for Litchfield County
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9188
Joel Humphreys
[illegible]

Look an Court notes

Admit as Sergeant

8 mo            .40
111 [illegible]         53.33
                   $93.33


Michael F. Mills
Norfolk Connecticut
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War Department,
Pension Office
14 June 1833

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claims, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tubular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the solicited notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus:). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. [Printed]

A Statement, showing the Service of [printed] Joel Humphrey Litchfield Co Connecticut [handwritten]

Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service (Years, Months, Days)
Rank of the claimant
Names and Rank of the company officers under whom he served
Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers
Battles in which the applicant was engaged
Country through which he marched
Place of abode where he entered the service, and age at the present period
Evidence by which the declaration is supported

Enlist 1775  6 months  Private  Capt Pettibone  Col Wyllys
at the Battle of (?) Georgia   Roxbury, Massachusetts   77 years   (?)

Enlist 1776   1 year                    Fitch, Bissell   Huntington
                                    Roxbury     Hartford County Conn   Documentary

1777              2 months          Whitney              Arnold
                                     New York

of 1778 or 9      2 months           Lawrence
                                     Long Island

last 1780            8 months   Sergeant   Bradly   Beebe
                                     Stillwater


I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions [printed]

The applicant is advised to apply  to the Comptroller of the State at Hartford for proof of service. [handwritten]
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832 [printed]
[Full page printed, nothing filled in}
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8

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts state, I will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
     The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
   1.  Where and in what year were you born?
   2.  Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
   3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
   4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
   5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served;  such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
   6.  {To a Soldier}  Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
        {To an Officer}  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
   7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
     The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
     The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
     The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party.  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
     Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
     Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
     No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the


[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not confirming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer of soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled.  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: -For---year-----months, and-----days, I served as a -----.  For ----months and ----days, I served as a ----; and for such service I claim a pension."
     It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which applicant has 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 three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers and applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.

   In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authentication the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.

Proof of Service.

[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he 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.
     The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule is note [j] applies in continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

Widow, & c.
Revolutionary
Fil No. 4246
Amelia Humphrey
Widow
Joel Humphrey
Sgt Revolutionary War

Act February 3, 1833
Index: Vol. A, Page 355
Page 20

Joel Humphrey
W.
Page 21

.
Page 22

and on the fifty years of American Indepencdance
Page 23

A3418
Page 24

No. 1254
Amelia Humphrey
widow of Joel
Connt

Let C.F. Barber
June 27 /53

Act February 8 1853
Page 25

Pension Office
October 10, 1853

Sir,
Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid; and, if in your power, the date of his death.

Very Respectfully
your obt serv't.
S. Cole
For the Commissioner

(See other side)


Joel Humphrey, October 7t - June 1832 $93.33 per annum.
Died 30th December 1836, paid to his death.
F. Burt
Auditor

F. Burt Esquire
30 Auditors
Present
Page 26

Mill Brook Litchfield County, Connecticut
October 5th, 1853

H. W., L. P. Waldo

Sir,
In this, my third trial in the preparation of Mrs. Humphrey's case, I hope to prove  successful.
I have not procured the Certificate of the Secretary of State in the fact that Harvey W. Pinney was a Justice of the Peace as such certificate was assessed to the first and original declaration made by Mrs. Humphrey, and Mr. Pinney was also the Justice by for whom Asenoth Figler made his declaration the which has been accepted by the Department and his pension granted.
Should such certificate he again required, please return the accompanying papers and the certificate shall be immediately procured and forwarded. Please direct to me as above, instead of West Winsted.
Respectfully Yours.
C. F. Barber
Page 27

Norfolk Connecticut October 4, 1834

Honorable J. L. Edwards Esquire

Sir, I again forward the papers of Joel Humphrey for a pension with further evidence the deposition of Obed Higley should his pension be allowed you will please to and certificate to me and oblige your.

Michael F. Mills
Page 28

I Obed Higley of Caton in Hartford County and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that I am now in my 77 year of age, that from youth I have been acquainted Joel Humphrey for mostly of Simsbury in the County and State aforesaid who now resides according to my belief in the Town of Colebrook in Stitchfield County in said State. That is entered into the war of the American Revolution in the month of January 1776 in a company commanded by Captain Ebenezer Fitch Bissel of Windsor in Hartford County, Col. Jedediah Huntington's Regiment I enlisted for the term of one year and joined the Regiment at Roxbury Massachusetts was stationed then through the winter when we moved to New York and from there we  up the Hudson River and was  engaged in the Battle at White Plains in "76 and  soon after marched into new Jersey and then remained until about December following when company marched to Fishkill or Pitchkill when I was discharged at the end of the term of my enlistment. That while I was at Roxbury, the said Joel Humphrey joined Bissel's Company but what time I cannot distinctly recollect, that he served in that company with me until was discharged as above stated. During the period of my enlistment Capt Bissel's Company was attached to Col. Hutington's Regiment. And further  the
Page 29

deponent says not.  Obed Higley

State of Connecticut
Hartford County of Canton September 26, 1834

Best remembered that on the day aforesaid Obed Higley who doth subscribed the foregoing deposition, appeared before me, and often being examined and continued to speak the whole truth, made solemn oath to the same deposition. And I also verify the said Obed Higley is well known to me to be a person of truth and that his statements are (?) to full (?).
Henry Nash Justice of Peace


State of Connecticut
County of Hartford

I Jared Griswold, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Hartford, do hereby certify that Henry Nash Esquire before whom the foregoing affidavit of Obed Higley, was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in & for a County duly commissioned & qualified according to Law, with full power to administer oaths to, & that the foregoing signature of Henry Nash is genuine.

Given under my hand said office this 1st day of October 1834
Jared Griswold, Clerk
Page 30

I, Ira Mills of New Haven, County of Addison, Vermont, aged seventy two years, being duly sworn, depose and say that during the Revolutionary war, I resided in the town of Norfolk, County of Litchfield, Connecticut. And way then acquainted with Joel Humphrey, who resided in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut until the forefront of the year 1777, when he came to reside in my father's family in Norfolk, have both resided in same house. Before he came to reside in Norfolk, I had learned from time and from others, that he had resided in the year 1775 for the term of six months at Roxbury Massachusetts and that in the year of 1776 he served one year at Roxbury, previous to the (?) of Boston by the British and afterward, at New York. This I learned not only from him, but from several persons, who were in the service with him, from that neighborhood. In the year 1777 when the said Humphrey resided in my father's family, he went into the service, as a substitute for Jared Abernathy, who had been drafted for two months, and was in the service & was wounded at the capture of Burgoyne and served for term of two months.  I was not in the service with him; but I knew of his entering the service, (?) was about, that he returned wounded in his wrist and he states his serving (?) wounded as above mentioned on his return. In the year 1778, the said Humphrey himself were both drafted for one month, into a company commanded by Captain Nehemiah Lawrence and we both served in the same company for one month at Horse Neck, we were drafted in July just at the beginning of things.  In the year 1780, the last of April or first of May, the said Humphrey & myself enlisted  for eight months into a company commanded by Captain Abraham Bradley in a regiment of Connecticut State troops, commanded by
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Colonel Bezaleel Beebe and we served together in the same company for the last half of the said term of Eight months, this service was performed at Horse Neck and that neighborhood. And the said Joel Humphrey served, during the above mentioned eight months as a Sargeant. The first half of the said term (?) served as my substitute.
Sworn to subscribed this 26th day of October 1833, before me and Justify, that the above named Ira Mills is a credible witness.
Samel Swift, Justice of the Peace

State of Vermont
Addison County

I Samuel Swift, Clerk of the County Court for Addison County, do hereby certify the Samuel Swift before whom the above affidavit of Ira Mills was made as a Justice of the Peace, and his name subscribed hereto as his own signature. In testimony when of (?) hereunto set my hand to and affixed the Seal of said Court the 24th day of October 1833.
Samuel Swift, Clerk
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Comptroller's Office
August 14th, 1833

I, Elisha Phelp, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that it appears by an authenticate copy of the payroll of the 7th Co., 2nd Regt. raised by the Colony of Connecticut, by order of the General Assembly May 1775, that Joel Humphrey disinterested into said company commanded by Captain Abel Pettibone on the 9th day of May & was discharged on the 18th day of December 1775, having served therein, as a private, 7 months & nine days.
That on a ledge of the Pay Table is an account headed, "Col. Jedidiah Huntington" Regiment raised January 1776 for one year; containing several charges for pay to Captain Bissel for wages, mileage & tent arms & baggage. Yet there is no pay roll of this regiment to be found.
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That on the journal of the Page Table under date January 24th, 1778 there is charged  to the Funded States sir, "To order on the Treasurer" Captain Tarbull Whiteney for bounty for his Company, Books, Regiment, Mil. N. A. £182, 16, 0.
No pay roll of this Regiment has been found.

The Secretary of State office State being absent I paid by the records in his office that the General Assembly of this State at their (?) in January 1780 ordered two regiments raised to serve until the 1st day of January 1781, & appointed Levi Wells & Bazaleel Beebe Cols, & Edward Shipman & Elias Buell Majors. Among the Captains of these regiments, there appointed, were Jacob Whitmore, Ezekeil Sanford and Gershon Hewett who declined, & afterwards in April 1780 the General Assembly appointed Jesse Bell, Abner Smith & Abraham Bradley to fill their vacancies.

I certify that above the journal of (?) under date June 29th
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1781, there is charged to the United States (?) "To order on Treasure & Captain Abraham Bradley account rendered for service in Col. Beebes regiment £1474,8,4 1/2 & that I cannot find any payroll of this company or regiment, or other evidence of the declaration of this service. 

E. Phelphs
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

On this 13th day of August A.D. 1853 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Winchester, State and County aforesaid, Amelia Humphrey, a resident of Winchester in the County of Litchfield and State aforesaid, aged 85 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain by the act of Congress passed on the 3d of February, 1853, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary War; that she is the widow of Joel Humphrey, who was a Private, and subsequently a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Col. Beebe; that she believes he resided in Norfolk, State and County aforesaid, at the time he enlisted the Army, but does not remember the  time of entering or leaving the service; that  he died in Colebrook, State County aforesaid on the 30th day of December 1836, and that he was in the battle of Saratoga which resulted in the capture of Burgoyne, which is all the knowledge she has of his service.
She further states, that she believes he first
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drew his pension about 1831, and for the proof of his service, she refers the department to the evidence filed in his application, and through which his pension was granted.
She further declares that she was married to the said Joel Humphrey, on the 20th day of January 1803, that her husband, the said Joel did as aforesaid, and that she was not married to him prior to the second of January eighteen hundred, but at the home above stated. She further declares that she is now a widow.
She further states, that there was formerly a family record in which the births, deaths and marriages of the family were recorded in which was also recorded her marriage with the said Joel Humphrey, but that it passed into the hands of other members of the family, and that she has made diligent search for said record but has not been  enabled to find it; and for proof of her marriage with or to the said Joel, she refers to the following certificate of her neighbors.
Amelia Humphrey

In the presence of
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Litchfield County
Winchester August 13th 1853

We the undersigned hereby certify that Amelia Humphrey signer of the foregoing application is the widow of Joel Humphrey deceased and is the identical person who signed the said application.

C. F. Barber -  Winchester Ct.
Amos Pierce - Winchester Ct.


State of Connecticut
Probate Court, District of Winchester
August 13th, 1853

Then personally appeared before the said Court of Probate. Amelia Humphrey signer of the foregoing application, and made oath to the truth of the same, which she signed in the presence of C. F. Barber and Amos Pierce, the subscribing witnesses to her said signature; and I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with said subscribing witnesses that they are men of high credibility, and on said 13th day of August 1853, personally appeared before said Court said Barber & Pierce signers of the foregoing certificate, by then subscribed and made oath to the truth of the same
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Roland Hitchcock Judge

We the undersigned, residents of Colebrook, State of Connecticut, County of Litchfield and Probate (?)
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West Winsted, Litchfield County
Connecticut, August 15th, 1853

Honorable L. P. Waldo,

Dear Sir,
In all communications having reference to this claim of Mrs. Humphrey's please address me as above, and believe me to be.
Very respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
C. F. Barber
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

On this 30th day of September 1853, before me a Justice of the Peace for said County, personally appeared Amelia Humphrey, who being duly sworn according to law, with oath declared and say. That she is the widow of Joel Humphrey, that she was married to the said Joel in Colebrook County, above named on the 20th day of January 1803; that they resided in said Colebrook some 33 years, and in the West School District in said Colebrook for the space of about 33 years: that which they resided in said District their house was on the pebble road leading directly from Norfolk through Colebrook to[illegible] all in the  [illegible above named, that for about 28 years their nearest neighbor was on the East, Osborne Stillwater and on the West Frederick Brown; that they subsequently resided about one half of a mile West of their first named residence, and that the building nearest to this, their last place of residence as man and wife, were
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the dwelling of Luther Phelps on the East and the school-house in said West District on the West; that its their place of residence last described, her husband the said Joel Humphrey died on the 30th day of December 1836; that after the decease of husband the said Joel, she removed to Winchester in the county before named about two miles North of the Village of West Winsted where she now resides: she further states that her husband the said Joel Humphrey was a Revolutionary pensioner and that he was pensioned subsequent to her marriage with him the said Joel, she further states, that she remove of in person now living who was present at their marriage, and that she has no record of her marriage, she further states she is now in the 85th year of her age, and that her husband the said Joel, died in the month of December 1836, aged 81 years.
She has been thus particular in the descriptions of her husband and herself and their places of residence
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in order to more plainly and perfectly make manifest her identity as the widow of the pensioner Joel Humphrey than she has heretofore done.
In testimony whereof she has set her hand this 30th day of September 1853.
Amelia Humphrey

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year last above named.

Harvey W. Pinney, Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I was well acquainted with the before named Joel and Amlie Humphrey, during their residence in the West School District in said Colebrook, and to their places of residence in [illegible] by[illegible described; that they lived as man and wife the which I believe subsequently 3 words[ illegible] the said Joel  to be a revolutionary pensioner.
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State of Connecticut
County of Litchfield

We the undersigned resident and subscribed of Colebrook, County above named being first duly sworn according to law, do on our oath declare and say that we were well acquainted with the before named Joel and Amelia Humphrey, at the home of their residence in the West School District of this town, and that they was of residence of in said School District West were and still are familiar with, and declare description of the same and herein before stated by the said Amelia, to be same. We further state, that during the long term of years the said before named Joel and Amelia resided in said School District of Colebrook, county above and they lived together as husband and wife the which we believe they faithfully were.
We further declare and say, that the before named Amelia, now residing in Winsted as by her, here in before described in Winchester County, above named, is the identical person who resided in the West School District of Colebrook, county above named, with, and as the wife of before name Joel Humphrey.
We further declare and say, that
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the herein before named Joel Humphrey was a Revolutionary pensioner.
In witness thereof we have hereunto set the hand with this 3rd day of October 1853.

Osborn Stillman
Elijah Grant
Asaph O. Pinney
Chas B. Phelps

Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year last above mentioned.
Harvey W. Pinney
Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that with Messrs Stillman, Grant, Pinney and Phelps who have this day sworn as above before me, I am well acquainted and that they are persons of unquestionable veracity and of the highest credibility.
Dated at Colebrook this 3d day of October 1853
Harvey W. Pinney Justice of the Peace [handwritten]
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Brief in the case of Amelia Humphrey, widow of Joel Humphrey Litchfield [handwritten] County and State of Connecticut [handwritten] act 3d February 1853 [handwritten]

Claim, ('original" [crossed out"]

Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either , state substance.

Husband was a pensioner under the act of June 7, 1832 at $90 33/100 per annual [illegible] [handwritten]

Marriage (Jan 20 1803) inferred from the parties having lived together in the marital relation for a number of years, as proved by Harvey W Pinney, Osborn Stillman, and Elijah Stillman, only certified the audible witnesses [handwritten]
(If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so what?

C.F. Barber Esqr West Winsted [handwritten]

Name and residence of Agent  Connecticut [handwritten]    Rhodes [handwritten]  Examining Clerk.