Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16088, Jabez Collins, Conn.
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.

Collins, Jabez

NUMBER
S. 16088

Carded
Page 2

L. T. Pease 15 June 1835
Dropped let agent 15 June 35
Let L. T. Pease 30th June 35
do to J. Charlton July 8, 1837
let to Hon. O. Holt Feb 5, 1838.
do ` do ` Feby 27, 1838
do to Hon. Ed. Davis H.R. Feb 25 1840
To Hon. F. Pierce June 19, 1840
("O. C.")

Connecticut 27.994
Jabez Collins
of Tolland in the State of Cont. who was a Priv. in the ~~ commanded by Captain ~~ of the Regt commanded by Col. Putnam in the Cont line for 6 month. Ctf 27994

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20 Dollars ~~ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of Nov. 34 and sent L. T. Pease Enfield Cont.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep '34   70~
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 35 10.~
______
$80~

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. 3 Page 8
Page 3

State of Connecticut, County of Tollard} Ss.

On this 23rd day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open Court, before Asa Wiley Esq
Judge of Probate for the District of Ellington in said Tollard County, now sitting at Somers in said District, as a Court of Probate Jabez Collins a Resident of Somers in said County aged Eighty seven years, who being first duly sworn according to the Law, doth on his oath  make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated-
1st- That in April 1775, the second day after the battle of Lexington, I went, as a Volunteer to Roxbury, near Boston, Mass.  I was placed in a Company under the Command of Capt. Samuel Felt & Lt. Emory Pease both of said Somers; which Company was annexed to a Regiment under the command of Israel Putnam, his particular rank at that time he does not recollect, that he continued in the service as he now believes Two Months, after the arrival of enlisted Troops, he was discharged - that he performed the Duty in said Company of orderly sergeant, while at that place.
2nd- That in the first days of January 1776 he enlisted to perform a Tour of Duty at Boston, Mass.,
that he marched from Somers on the 15th of Jany 1776, that he was placed in a Company under the command of Capt. Abiel Pease of Somers.  Lt Hall of Stafford, Lt & Ensign Durham of Wellington [illegible],that he was stationed at Cambridge, Mass, that the company marched to Roxbury thence to Dorchester Heights, thence back to Roxbury, and was there dismissed on the 1st day of April 1776; that the company was in [illegible] at Dorchester Heights, in fortifying against the British, that he believes the Troops were under the command of General Thomas, that he continued in the service, Two months and one half and officiated as orderly sergeant of said Company.
Page 4

3d) _ that in the summer of 1776 the precise time not recollected on the arrival of Lord Maurys fleet before New York he was drafted from the Militia of Torring to go to New York, that he belonged to a company of militia under the command of Lieut. Petter Kibber & Ensign Charles Kibber, the Captain of said Company being then absent at Boston - that the Company marched from Somers by way of Hartford to New Haven Ct & went from New Haven to New York by water. That the Company was annexed to a regiment in the command of Col. Samuel Chapman, Ct in a Brigade and in the command of Genl Wadsworth of Hartford Ct. Major Wyllys of Harford was in command at the same place, but he was nearby & say Genl Wadsworth and many of the United States officers & soldiers taken prisoner by the Hessians, that he was in the Sunday retreat from the City of New York, and was in the engagement at Harlem Heights on Monday morning after the retreat that he was discharged at Harlem Heights, after having issued a Tour of Duty, as he now believe of about three months - and officiated of and by sergeant in said company,(that he has no documentary evidence) In answer to  questions propound by the Court in conformity with orders from the Secretary of War sys that he was born at Somers Ct. in the year 1746 that he has no record of his age except in the Town record _ that he has lived at Somers, ever since the revolutionary war _ that he went to Boston the first time as a Volunteer, he 2d time by enlistment, 3d time he went to New York by draft, the whole Militia went to New York. Genl Washington, Genl Wadsworth, Genl Putnam, & Major Wyllys were with the troops with whom he served at New York. that he received no written discharge - that he is known in his present neighborhood by Genl Kibber, Benjamin Phelps, Walter R Kibber, Jehabad Mud Jr Esqs, who can testify to his character for veracity
Page 5

Jabez Collins
Declaration
Page 6

and their belief of his veracity as a soldier of the Revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Luluzl Mims
Asa Willey Judge

We Benjamin Phelps residing in the Town of Somers and Walter Kibber residing in said Town of Somers hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jabez Collins of the Town of Somers, , who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that believe him to be eighty seven years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Benjamin Phelps
Walter Kibber
As Willey Judge

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Soldier of the Revolution and seemed as he states - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Benjamin Phelps & Walter R Kibber who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said Town of Somers & are credible persons and that their statement is entitled the credit - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Brown & Jebedian Kibber who have subscribed the Deposition enclosed herewith and accompanying this Declaration sustain fair characters for truth and that their statements ae entitled to credit.
A Willey Judge

I Moses B Bull clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Ellington in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Anjisscal(?) proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jabez Collins for a pension .
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 23d day of August 1832
Attest Mises B. Bull Clerk
Page 7

I do hereby certify that Moses B. Bull, who has subscribed the foregoing certificate, by him made as Clerk of the Probate Court of the District of Ellington is Clerk of said Court, & that the foregoing signature by him made is true & genuine
WW Ellsworth
M G
Hartford
October 23 1833
Page 8

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss. Somers October 30th 1833

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Tolland, Jabez Collins of Somers, in said county, who being duly sworn, in addition to & explanation of his original declaration, deposeth & saith, that he was born, at said Somers, on the 2nd day of December 1744,

That an error has intervened in his 1st specification of service, to wit, that the Company in which, he served at the Lexington alarm, was commanded by Capt. Emerry Pease, & not by Capt. Tett, that Tett was Ensign in said Company & that by the certificate of the comptroller of Connecticut herewith transmitted, it will appear, that the Deponent served & received wages for 24 days only in that company & that the Deponent, on the 2d day, after the Battle at Lexington, shouldered his muskatt, & marched on fast, 100 miles to Roxbury, & marched home on foot, & is fully impressed with the idea that he was absent from home on that company about two months- precise time he cannot recollect.

That in the campaign, at New York, in 1776m, when the troops were dismissed, the Deponent was was and Invalid, & unable to return home, without help, that his Brother, who was in feeble health, as many of the Troops were at that time, walked home in fact, 150 miles, & returned with a horse. for the Deponent making a journey of 300 miles; that the Deponent was so feeble as to be unable to travel on a horse, but a few miles in a day, & was a long time in reaching home, that by reason of old age & consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively to the precise length of time, in which he served, or received wages in that campaign that he is not servible, that any pay roll exists, & verily believes that he was absent in that campaign, for the term of four months; that he was orderly Sergeant, or Clerk of a Militia Company, in Somers during the revolutionary war, & that he officiated in that office, in all his revolutionary services- but never received a warrant, at any time that at the present time, he knows of no person living, by whose testimony he can further
Page 9

substantiate his services.

Jabez Collins

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

Walter R Kible Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. Tolland November 5th 1833

I Novatus Chapman Clerk of the County Clerk within and for said Tolland County do certify that Walter R Kibble Esquire before whom the within Deposition was taken and whose certificate is annexed thereto was on the 30th day of October 1833 a Justice of Peace within and for said County of Tolland duly qualified and legally authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and that the signature to said certificate purporting to be his is genuine and I believe the same to be his own proper hand writing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office at Tolland the 5th day of November AD 1833.

Novatus Chapman Clerk

Jabez Collins
Additional declaration
No. 2
Page 10

O. W. & N. Division
F.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
S16088 Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., January 9, 1895
Madam:-
In reply to your request for a statement of the military history 
of JABEZ COLLINS a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 
you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his 
widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
April, 1775
Jan, 1778
Summer, "
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
24 da.
2mo. 15da.
3 mo.
RANK.
Sgt.
"
"
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Emery Pease
Abial Pease
Peter Kibbs
COLONEL
Putnam
Not stated
Samuel Chapman
STATE.
Conn.
"
"

Battles engaged in, Harlem Heights.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Somers, Conn.
Date of application for pension, August 25, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Somers, Conn.
Age at date of application, Born, Somers, Conn. Dec. 2, 1744.
Remarks:

Mrs. Lizzie F. Litchfield
Very respectfully,
Niantic, Conn.
Commissioner.
Page 11

William L. Strong
Certificate
Page 12

This certifies that I have been acquainted with Dear Jabez Collins of Tomers Con. for many years & that I have the greatest confidence in the excellency of his moral and religious character, and in his entire veracity.
William L. Strong, Minister of the gospel
Tomers June 2d 1837
Page 13

East Windsor Hill
Hartford County
Conn.

Sir:

Deacon Jabez Collins of Somers, Tolland County Con; is a venerable highly respected man, in the 93 years of his age: he's been Town Clerk near 30 years, a member of the Legislature of this State often, a Deacon of the Congressional Church for half a century.

He was out in the Old French war & in three tours in the Revolutionary War. In the letter he served as a Sergeant. He made application for a pension act 1832, you sent him a certificate as a private, he thought it ought to have been as Sergeant: a Judge Pease; Lorrain T Pease Esq of Enfield; who procured his certificate [unk] to him that it was probably a mistake; that it came to him in that capacity, & that he would take it and send it back & have it corrected, he sent it back & it has never been returned.

Deacon Collins in his old age seems to think a great deal of it
Page 14

thinks you was affronted at his sending it back, or that someone has insinuated somethin against his character: I assured him it could be nothing of either.

As he was a man of genuine patriotism & worth will you have the goodness to review the case a little, & see whether you cannot consistenly sooth his withering heart.

I send a letter he wrote you last year, to gratify the good old man, it is in his own hand writing & entirely of his own composition whether your leisure will admit of reading it tho I cannot say.

With sincere respect Sir I am yours

Jesse Charlton


Jas L Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
Page 15

Payment made
at Hartf
by the P [illegible]: Bank
Agent for pay Pensioners
in the Ag[illegible] of Cont.

Recorded in the Pensions
Office, B[illegible] E2 Vol. 3
Page 8 [illegible] Rice
Clerk
Page 16

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June 1832, Jabez Collins of the State of Connecticut----
who was a Private in the War of the Revolution
is entitled to receive-Seventy-- dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 20 day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty=four.
Lew Cass
Secretary of War
{Examined and Countersigned}
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 17

E. Windsor Mill, Ct.
July 5
Free
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
City of Washington

July 8
Jabez Collins
Conn.
Page 18

I John Brown of Somers in Tolland County, in the State of Connecticut, testify & say, that Jabez Collins of Somers in the year 1776 performed a tour of duty at Cambridge, Roxbury & the vicinity of Boston Mass, from the 15th day of Jany to about the 10th day of April 1776, in a Company commanded by Capt Abial Pease of Somers. Lieut Hall of [unk], & Ensign Dunham of Willington Ct., the company was annexed to a Regiment commanded by Colo Douglas the company was at Roxbury: Cambridge & Dorchester Heights, the Deponent was discharged about the 1st day of April 1776, & the said Collins returned home about one week after the Deponents return- the Company was discharged at Roxbury Mass about the 10th of April 1776 as the Deponent now believes.

And the Deponent further testifies & says that the aforesaid Jabez Collins performed a tour of Duty at the City of New York, in the year 1776, on the arrival of Lord Harris Flint before that plan- the said Collins belonged to a company of Militia commanded by Lieut Peter Kibbe & Ensign Charles Kibbe both of said Somers, the company was annexed to a Regiment commanded by Colo Saml Chapman of Tolland Ct & annexed to Genl Wadsworth's Brigade; the said Collins was in the entrenchments when the British landed, & was in the retreat from New York; and was near by when Genl Wadsworth & Colo Wyllys & others were taken by the British- & the said Collins was discharged at Madison Heights, & the Deponent believes about the 1st day of October 1776, the said Collins being an invalid did not arrive home, as soon as the Deponent, but was absent about two months, the said Collins performed the Duty of Orderly Sergeant, both at Cambridge & New York.

John Brown his mark X
Page 19

State of Connecticut, Tolland County ss.

On this 3rd day of September AD 1832 personally appeared John Brown, whose genuine mark ir signature was affixed to the foregoing deposition in my presence & being duly cautioned, examined & sworn, made oath to the truth of the deposition of ones and by him subscribed. Taken at the request of Jabez Collins for the purposes of obtaining a pension.

Attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of the Peace, I hereby certify that John Brown the aforesaid deponent, is an inhabitant of the town of Somers, is personally known to the subscriber & sustains a character for truth.

Attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace
Also that the said john Brown sustains a good moral character.
attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss. Tolland

I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court certify that Walter R Kibbe Esq before whom the within deposition of John Brown on the 3d day of September 1832 was taken and executed there was and still is a Justice of Peace within and for Tolland County aforesaid & legally authorized to administer oaths & take depositions, & that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be the signature of sd Justice Kibbe I believe to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 18th day of June 1833.

Jeremiah Parish Clerk


Deposition of J. Brown
Page 20

I Jedediah Kibbe of Somers, in Tolland County in the state of Connecticut testify & say that in the year 1775 about the 20th day of April, in that year, on the 2d day after the Battle of Lexington, the Deponent went to Roxbury Mass as a private in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. Emery Pease of said Somers & officiated as waiter & servant to Capt. Pease & continued to do duty in said company for the term of two months, & was discharged at Roxbury after the arrival of enlisted Troops. In the same company the Deponent knew Jabez Collins of said Somers, who was doing duty in said company as orderly Sergeant of said company, and continued to do duty in said company for about two months,& was discharged at Roxbury, at the same time with the Deponent, after the arrival of enlisted Troops.

Jedediah Kibbe

State of Connecticut
Tolland County} ss. 

On this 6th day of September AD 1832, personally appeared Jedediah Kibbe, whose genuine signature was affixed to the foregoing deposition in my presence, & being duly cautioned examined & sworn, made oath to the truth of the Deposition foresaid by him subscribed. Taken at the request of Jabez Collins for the purpose of obtaining a pension.

attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Jedediah Kibbe, the aforesaid Deponent is an inhabitant of the town of Somers is personally known to the subscriber & sustains a character for truth.

attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that the aforesaid Deponent Jedh Kibbe sustains a good moral character.

attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace
Page 21

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss. Clerks Office

I Jeremiah Parish of Tolland County Court do hereby certify that Walter R. Kibbe Esq before whom the foregoing depositions of John Brown and Jedediah Kibbe on the 3rd and 6th days of September AD 1832 were executed was then and still is a Justice of Peace in and for Tolland County legally appointed and authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and that the signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be the signatures of sd Justice Kibbe I believe to be genuine,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 8th day of September 1832.

Jeremiah Parish Clerk


Deposition of Jedh Kibbe
Page 22

Hist to 
[text cut off] lild
autic, Conn
16.088
INVALID
File No. 16.088
Jabez Collins 
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. 1, Page 439
[Arrangement of 1870]
1895 Jany 9
Mrs. Lizzie F Litchf
Willim
Page 23

Certificate of 
Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public auty
for the state of Connecticut
Page 24

State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford
18th September 1836

On examination of the files of this office, it appears that Collins was clerk of a company of militia under the command of Captain Emery Pease that marched from the town of Somers in Connecticut for the relief of Boston in the Lexington Alarm in April 1775, and was engaged in said service twenty four days, and received pay as a Sergeant, that said Collins and one other man are each entered on the Roll by one name only. That the expence of said company was paid by this state and charged to and allowed by the United States
Certified by Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Accounts
Page 25

Ephraim Sheldon's
Deposition
Page 26

I Ephraim Sheldon of Lee in the county of Berkshire in the state of Massachusetts of the age of eighty years, testify and say that I was born in the town of Somers in the county of Tolland and state of Connecticut and statedly resided there till about the year 1783 during which time I was well acquainted with Jabez Collins of said Somers. The said Jabez Collins and myself enlisted for three months service into a company of Militia, commanded by Capt. Abial Pease of said Somers; said Collins was orderly Sergeant in said company, We marched from Somers, on the first or second day of January AD 1776 and went immediately to Cambridge in Massachusetts and joined the army inder General Washington, and remained there for a time, and were then stationed at Roxbury and remained there till we were dismissed, which was on the first day of April 1776 or very near that time. I often saw said Collins during the time that I was in the army doing the duty of orderly Sergeant, and know that he continued to do so till the time when we were dismissed as above mentioned.

In the year 1776 in the month of August the regiment under the command of Col. Samuel Chapman of Tolland was ordered to march immediately to New York. The said Jabez Collins and I marched in said regiment both on the company of Capt Emery Pease, said Collins was orderly Sergeant in said company. We went directly to New York city and remained there till the army marched from the city of New York towards Kingsbridge when I was ordered into New Jersey. So long as I remained with the army said Collins, to my knowledge, did the duty of orderly Sergeant in said Emery Pease's company. I returned home to Somers a few days after the regiment returned. According to my best recollection I was gone about three months. I know nothing of said Collins returning, before the rest of the regiment. I have heard it said by some belonging to said
Page 27

regiment, and verily believe that said Collins remained in said regiment so long as it was stationed in and near New York, and further the deponent saith not. Somers June 14th 1834

Ephraim Sheldon

State of Connecticut, Tolland County, ss. Somers June 14th 1824

Then personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for said Tolland County, Ephraim Sheldon, the deponent above named and being duly cautioned, made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed, said deposition was taken at the request of Jabez Collins therein named, and to used by him in an application made, or to be made by to the United States' Government for a pension for services rendered during the Revolutionary war, by him the said Jabez Collins.

I further certify that I have been many years acquainted with the said Ephraim Sheldon, and know that he deservedly sustains the character of a man of veracity and general integrity among his acquaintance.

Attest Oliver Chapin sd Justice of the Peace for Tolland County
Page 28

[stamp] ENFIELD CT JUNE 26

FREE
Hon J L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions Washington City
DC
Ct June 30
Page 29

Enfield Ct 24th June 1835

Hon J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
Your letter of Nov 15 last was duly rec'd. Instead of enclosing as I expected a new Pension Certificate for Jabez Collins.  It communicates the unpleasant intelligence that his name is stricken from the Roll.  I am the more astonished at this because the reasons given for the measure are precisely those urged against granting the claim in answer to my first application in his behalf.  

You will find in the two letters which I addressed to you before the claim was allowed, to which I beg leave to refer you, that I have therein considered these objectives at some length & endeavored to answer them.  That I had done so in a manner entirely satisfactory to you I had a right to presume because the Pension certificate was forwarded to me as the only response to my last communication.

I have not as yet informed the old Gentleman that his name is stricken from the roll, nor communicated the fact to any other person, nor shall I untill I hear from you again.  I would if possible spare him the pain which he must suffer from treatment which to him, will appear as insult added to injustice and which will probably send him broken hearted to his grave
Page 30

the grounds on which his claim is rejected, he will feel to be a direct empeachment of his veracity.  Indeed It was from receiving the subject in this light that he was induced to persevere after the rejection of his first application.  It is true that he was sufficiently in need of the pecuniary pertain to increase the comforts of old age.  But it was a much higher duty to vindicate a character now for the first time assailed after an irreproachable life of nearly fourscore & ten years.

Respectfully your much obedt Servt
L. T. Pease
Page 31

June 15 Ct.
[stamp] ENFIELD CT JUNE 11

FREE
Hon J L Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D.C>
Page 32

Enfield Ct June 11th 1835

Hon J L Edwards
Commr of Pensions

Sir I enclose to you by request the Pension Certificate of Jabez Collins which was forwarded to me last Nov.  There is an error which doubly originated with the Clerk who made the computation.  You will see by a reference to his declaration & all the evidence accompanying it that Mr Collins never served as a private, but that he was a Sargeant I believe an orderly Sargeant during the whole time of his Service.

The delay in returning the certificate has been owing to my absence from the U.S. to [illegible] I have just now returned and the unwilling[illegible] of the old gentlemen to entrust the [illegible] any other person.

Respectfully yours,
L. T. Pease
Page 33

Connt
Jabez Collins, Claim
Admit as private
6 months $20.00

FREE
Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC

[stamp] FIELD OCT 4 Ct.
Page 34


Enfield Connt Oct 4th 1834

Sir
Perhaps I ought to beg pardon for troubling you again in relation to the claim of the venerable Deacon Jabez Collins. First I am so well convinced of its justice that I cannot consent to abandon it without a further effort.

In reply to my former letter, you say that it appears by the Certificate of the Comptroller that Col Douglass' Regt to which Capt Pease Company belonged was called out only for two months.

Permit me to call your attention to the following historical facts viz.  That at that early period of the Contest very little attention was paid to the organization of Regts, that many companies although nominally attached to certain Regiments neither marched with them nor were embodied with them during the whole tour of service & for the most the men (non-commissioned officers & privates) had no knowledge of the fact that they belonged to any same Regt.

That nothing was more common than for some of the companies to enter the service weeks before & remain there weeks after some other companies in the same Regts.

That about the last of Dec 75 & first of January 76 most of the troops who had previously service in the neighborhood of Boston returned home and that during the whole month of January the new levies were coming in by Companies.

That very little regard was paid to General orders. But that the most Influential whigs were every where engaged in embodying companies urging them forward to the Service & urging their continuum there and that the time of their marching & returning depended much more upon the zeal & ardor of the Company officers & the men who served under them then or any General order.

That it appears that in the Campaigns of 75 & 76 such was the irregularity of the service that the time for which any Regiment may be have been ordered out furnishes (If any) a very imperfect criterion of the amount of service of any Company or Individual nominally attached to said Regt
Page 35

I put it to you then for whether an applicant who has proved by documentary evidence that he served twenty four days at the Lexington Alarm and by the testimony of a credible witness that he served in the Winter Campaign near Boston & the summer campaign in & about N York & according to the best recollection & belief of the witness a term of three months at each of those Tours.  And who has himself declared under oath that he served in those several Tours more than six months shall be denied a pension for sin because it appears that the Regt to he minimally belonged in the service near Boston, was ordered out only for two months:

I will add from my own knowledge of local history sound facts which taken in communion with the historical facts I have alluded to above tend to strengthen the declaration of the applicant.

The little Township of Somers in which the applicant has even resided contained at the period of the Revolutionary War a population not exceeding one thousand.  Of this small population during the Campaigns of 75 & 76 more than Eighty men were constantly in actual service & never less than Sixty during any period of the War. 

This I venture to say has few parallels even in those times and furnishes evidence from which it may be fairly presumed, that the little Bands which they sent out were not the last to reach the Post of danger nor the first to leave it.  

I beg you once more to review this case & I cannot but entertain a confident expectation that when you look at it in communion with the historical facts to which I have called your attention you will be satisfied with the truth & Justice of his claim and then I know will with great pleasure send a certificate to this worthy old man now in his ninetieth year yet so far in possession of his faculties as to be keenly [illegible] to what he feels to be a denial of the Justice of his claims.  I am with great respect your most obedt Srvt

L. T. Pease

Hon J L Edwards
Page 36

1776 that of two months at Boston
                "                                         NY
1775 at Lea 24 days



               24
            1.15
             111
             ____
3.20
Page 37

Womers cr
Feby 7 
Free

James L. Edwards Esq
Pension Office 
Washington City

Feb. 15 18(?)4
Connecticut
Page 38

Feby 8th, 1834
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir,
Capt. Jabez Collins knows not what more to say to you, in relation to his application - very aged & infirm, his memory greatly impaired & nearing toward the close of life, he wishes for Justice only & that in common with others, he may enjoy the bounty of his Country.
In his original declaration, it was not in his power to speak definitely in relation to time, it was a subject on the proof gone by.
In his 2nd declaration, he avails himself ot he form prescribed by the department for persons aged & infirm, whose memory are impaired, by reason of lapse of time & consequently cannot speak definitely in relation to subjects which were transacted more than half a century ago. Capt. Collin's sense of Justice & obligation of truth will not permit him, to verily by oath any circumstances not within his recollection; he is very sensible that he was in the service of his country, for a period greater than six months, but he cannot at this great length of time, call to mind, with any degree of precision, the exact amount of time, which he served - therefore in his 3d supplemental declaration [page torn] testimony & circumstances, with as much precision as possible to satisfy the department that he was in the service of his country for a greater period than 6 months.
I have no doubt that there will be many extreme cases, in which Justice cannot take place in consequence of age & infirmity, but I presume the Department will, in all instances, endeavor to do equal justice to all - Capt Collins says "the Department he presumes will do right." If the department can exercise discretionary powers I presume it will ever be in favor of Justice.
Capt Collins, says, that he submits himself entirely to the Justice & impartiality of the Department.
Accept Sir, the assurance of my high respect.
Walter R. Kibbe
Page 39

Revolutionary Claims
FREE
 Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
DC

Tuesday Morning
[stamp] ENFIELD SEP 20 Ct.
Page 40

Enfield Connt 17th Sept 1834

Sir,

Enclosed you will find the Deposition of Ephraim Sheldon & the certificate of the comptroller of Public Accounts of this State, in support of the claim of Jabez Collins of Somers in this State for a pension under the Law of 7th June 1832, his declaration all are on file in your office. He declares for 2 months service at the Lexington alarm, a claim which appeared so extravagant upon the face of it ( to them who know the facts) or undoubtedly tended to discredit his whole statement.  I think when you see by the comptrollers certificate that he did actually serve 24 days a much longer term therein almost any other company contind in service at the alarm, & this being his first tour of service, you can easily believe that a man at the age of 87 might then have been lead to [unk] the time without any intention to misrepresent the facts. The deposition of Ephraim Sheldon which he has now been enabled to obtain proves the time & grade of service claimed to have been performed at Cambridge & Roxbury in the winter of 1776. It also proves as much or more than most of the applicants have been able to prove in regard to the claim for service at N York in the summer & autumn of 1776. The applicant & Sheldon the deponent believe that they gone 3 months. You now have 24 days service proved at the Lexington alarm, count the service at N York from the additional testimony now offered fairly he presumed to be 2 months & 6 days which is all that is necessary to make out the 6 months service as a Sergeant viz at Lexington Alarm 24
Cambridge   3
N York 2.6
-------------
6 as
Page 41

The town of Somers where this applicant resides is adjoining the one in which I reside, the residence of the applicant is 6 miles from my own, and I have been well acquainted with him from my childhood. No man in the community in which he lives sustains a higher reputation for truth & all its kindred virtues, as evidence that he has the esteem & confidence of his fellow citizens he has chosen to & discharged the duties of the office of Town Clerk for nearly 40 years in succession.

I trust that on reviewing this case in commission with the additional evidence now furnished, you will grant the applicant a pension for 6 months service as a Sergeant. If so, please forward the certificate to your most obedt & very humble servt.

L. T. Pease

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 42

Comptrollers Office
October 23rd 1833

I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut, do certify that I find by an authenticated copy of the pay roll of apt. Emery Peases company which marched from Somers for the relief of Boston &c in the Lexington Alarm April 1775, that Peter Kibbe was Lieutenant, Samuel Felt Ensign, & Collins Clerk, & that said Collins served therein twenty four days, due him as wages £18.5 & for clothing £1.60.0 in all £3.14.5,

E Phelps
Page 43

Additional Declaration
J Collins
Page 44

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss. Somers June 17th 1833

Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within & for the county of Tolland, Jabez Collins of Somers in said county, who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that by reason of old age, & 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 periods mentioned below; as orderly sergeant, to wit, in the campaign of 1775, in the vicinity of Boston. Two months in a company under the command of Capt Felt, in the Regiment commanded by Colo Putnam.

In the campaign of 1776 at Boston, Cambridge, & vicinity, in a company under the command of Capt Pease, in the Regiment commanded by Genl Thomas, two months & 15 days.

In the campaign 1776 at New York & vicinity, in a company commanded by Lieut Peter R Kibbe, in the Regiment commanded by Colo Chapman, three months- & for such services I claim a pension.

Jabez Collins

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace
Page 45

State of Connecticut
Count of Tolland} ss. Somers June 17th 1833

I Rodney G Dennis a clergyman residing in said town of Somers, hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Jabez Collins of said Somers, who filed his declaration for a pension, on the 23d day of August 1832, before Asa Willey Esq, Judge of Probate for the District of Ellington, in said county, that I believe him to be eighty seven years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion.

R G Dennis

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace

I hereby certify that Rodney G Dennis who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, residing in the town of Somers, in the county of Tolland, Connecticut; is a credible person & that his statement is entitled to credit. Somers June 17th 1833

Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace

N.B. There was no clergyman in town when the original declaration was filed.

Kibbe
Page 46

Certificate of
Clergyman &
Additional declaration
of
Jabez Collins

3
Jeremiah Parish Clerk
Page 47

State of Connecticut
County of Tolland} ss. Tolland

I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court certify that Walter R Kibbe Esq before whom on the 17 day of Junes instant the foregoing & accompanying deposition of clergyman & declaration of Deacon Jabez Collins were taken & executed then was & is a Justice of Peace legally authorized to administer oaths and take deposition, & that the signature to the certificate purporting to be the signature of sd Justice Kibbe I believe to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 18 day of June 1833.

Jeremiah Parish Clerk


Certificate of clergyman- see additional declaration
Jabez Collins
Page 48


House of Reps
Washington City Feb 8. 1840
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Dear Sir
Will you please furnish
me with a copy of the papers on file in your office relating to the claim of Jabez Collins of Connecticut a soldier of the revolution,
I am with great respect
Your obt servt
Edw Davies
Page 49

War Department
Pension Office
February 25, 1840
Sir:
Agreeably to your request I have
the honor to enclose herewith, certified copies
of the papers in the case of Jabez Collins,
of Connecticut
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully,
Your Obt Servt
J L Edwards
Hon. Edward Davies
House of Representatives
Page 50

Somers, Tolland County Connecticut

To James L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Honored Sir,

AN old man of 93 years old next Dec, begs leave to address to you a few words, being assured by Mr Charlton that you are a man of candor, & always willing to do Justice to the claims of every old soldier.

I was out in the French War, but I understand this form no claim to pension: But I was out 7 months in the War of the Revolution & served all the time as a Sergeant.

I made application for pension & sent my proof, Judge Pease procured me a pension certificate for 6 months as a private but he said it ought to have been as Sergeant & he took the certificate & sent it back that it might be rectified & made right the certificate was never returned.

I feel grieved to have it rest on this manner and Sir I invite your attention to the subject once more That if there is any thing that I can further explain or prove, I may have the opportunity as soon For as you are ready to answer please send the answers to Jesse Charlton of East Windsor
Page 51

Hartford County Conn: who will assist
me to do what you may require as a condition to my receiving Justice
With respect Sir I am yours
Jabez Collins
Page 52

Certificate [crossed out  in favor]
of Mr Dennis
in favor of
athur Jabez Collins
Page 53

I have been acquainted with Deacon Jabez Collins for about eight years & do with great pleasure, bear my decided testimony to the uprightness & high worth of his moral & Christian character & to his conscientious regard to truth.

Although subject to many bodily infirmities, he retains his mental faculties to a degree which is unusual for a person of his years.

Somers Feb 21, 1838

R.G. Dennis, Pastor of the Cong. Church in Somers, Conn.

We the undersigned inhabitants of the town of Somer, having read the above certificate of Revd R. G. Dennis do fully concur therein.

Ichabod Mudge
Amariah Kibbe
Walter R Kibbe
John Phillips
Jonathan Clark
Saml D Chapin
Abiel Jones

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with each gentleman who has signed the above certificate & state cheerfully that they are individually men of the first standing in the town of Somers Ct.
Washington Feby 26th 1838

Onin Holt
Ho Rep
Page 54

Somers July 7th 1836 Honored Sir I am ninety one years and six months old for and could have the Lays of the life of thy servent been Sir these inform that in April [fourth] [fiftyninth] into or sixty one think I inlisted under Col. Phineas Lyman Captain Seth King  both Suffield Connecticut Lieut Thomas Aby Enfield ensign forget went into the Canady World Comp. chiefly at brown I went through all the [sweets] and litters of a [loxy] camppain [Symuit] went from crommpoint through the wild world think  about a 100 miles now [kne] deop without food 3 day. get to a hest was then called number four new charts town got home 27 day of November 
2nd I over went to Hockenbury Dodington farm out one month witness Edgar Shibbe from Stanford record   
3rd [sower] lifted under Capt. Abiel Pease seem 1765 marched January first camp [Kosebury]  sometime in March get onto Doller Hill amast scared full [illegible] all night preparing for battle in the morning, the  [Exome] tree 3 times in boats  to get over we was ready to keive them that was they was [tocat] back everytime by word but believe more by fear Dissmisst they first got home about 5 or 6 of thrill out three months agreeable to our [illegible] Ephraiam Shelton on witness
August [first] 1776 keived [ordered] to warn the company to go to New York for [rebel] any fool  and never took it up into months again my orders was to see that every man was well prepared for war it took all my time till we marched got to new york. our  army moved from new york 13 and 14 of September 15 we about a thousand left in [?] we [illegible] into 
we rode into uninterchment about waft high very Small 7 of the British Ships
way and little from us at the same time the british  were sending  above us they
opened on awfull five upon us they [beaten] down our [best] work was till we were in danger killed
orders was run we run  through a little road we came out into clear Land the British on our
right about 20 rods all prepared for battle they opened afire soon killed and wounded half
our number the British appeared to be about 6 or 7 therefore  their officers came to us put their
hand on our officers shoulders  we were all prisoners I though I had as lives enter my left
by running as to be [lash] and put into prison ship, and Die there from the boats floor  many run
one man fell by my side brided out half & took from him l & lifted him {illegible] his hip was
in a Smaithe Broke to & him   I could not help him he [cried] out them creating i  will command 
kill me in a few minutes I soon got out  of the reach of their bulk We [illegible] into our camp at sunset I think about 12 miles 
the enemy follow us all the after noon got within one mile of our camp
come morning they afford us battle we turned out 2 therefored command battle in half on two 1000 more in half an hour there 2000 more 6000 on each side the won war [january]
on dec
Sir had you have been there I believe you what thought you had out to be
had a small pention we  & god  our Grand Victory or die about two hours  the enemy fled
each of our wounded brought them into Camp I was sick in the afternoon
three of my neighbours died in 2 or 3  days after awhile Com keleigh fever  sick could  not go home, 
my Brother Said he would go home bring my love  and  his own and get me home
he came he got me on my hand and Slowly we got rade  a few minted, in a say I cannot
say when we got home he left or put to bed I was sick with told so my fever
I was dangerously sick two [dockles] how come  Somer Wadsworth Ellington the last of
December some bitter sick weak all winter when I went to new York I left  all my work
with my aged parents & my Father between seventy and eighty a boy 12 years
left all my family he did all he could sat in soon I had my bread to be for
all most a year in June or July after my sickness I was draughted to go to new london
the Docters said I must not go was not able to go through a company had a boy with
me laters when a child lived with me I [illegible] after the said he would go in my Room
I find him all out for War he returned I give him all his wages and 7 month of his time
he died soon after the war closed never had a sent of pension
Page 55

again draghted hired my brother went to North river in now  [apart] and Albany too months
again voted by the town to take the charge of all the soldiers familys that are in
the united states war sir I can prove that my Boy by the name of William
Gowdy was at New london with Col Abiel Pease Capt Samuel Felt
Sir can prove no more  all are Dead sir may it be your pleasure  to add to my bill two
months for the sons of William Gowdy and one month for my Brother
Joseph Collins a sargent in office I cannot say the place he went two months the officers 
under he is dead or they inform that Sarg Pease brought me my pention
bill he said to me it not full it is only one by a privates bill let me have it I will [illegible]
and get it mended to said to him it may be that they had done
all they could for me he says no it is a mistake in the Clerk I give it him and I have
not seen him since I  cannot go no where  he sent word by my daughter that it
would benothing strange if I should never see it again but I had hoped on
Sir I think I have made proof 7 months that I have of in actual service one
month by [illegible] Hibbe from  Santford record Lexington  Savant put Hexbury three months 
the at Hexbury and cumbred by Mr. Ephraim Shelton on there one month 
months at New York one by the witness
Sir I say the truth my continue
bearing me witness I am prove no more all are dead that know anything about me
could life naught not open her mouth you would hear it proclaimed the foregoing
is true sir may it be your pleasure to send me a little reverend that
I may take a little Comfort before I die
I have the honor to be your humble servant Jabez Collins
Sir I fear that you have had something against character if 
you have sir [feeligth]  to send to me and you shall have my character spread tight 
 your Eyes as soon as may be sir  I have found
lastly  a journal of while i was gone from home at the [seventon] [Alum]  and I find that I was gone 32 Days I no kept no journal of the other two 
tours at Roxbury with Capt Pease nor with Capt [to mory] [illegible]at new 
York but this I know I was orderly
Sergant in by every one that went out in
Jabezle Collins
Page 56

C
To Commissioner of Pensions
M. Wm Locken
Dear Sir
Will you be kind enough to send me
the War Record of "Jabez Collins"
Pensioner, who served in the
Revolutionary War from
Somers Connt. He was one
of fifty to leave on the
Lexington Alarms. We
should be very glad to
get the record in time
for
the January meeting
Page 57

of the "Sons"
Will enclose an addressed 
card for refer.
And greatly oblige 
"Fire Daughters"
Mrs.  Lizzie F. Litchfield 
Willemite
Conn
Dec. 18/94
---
Page 58

Jabez Collins
The Petition of
Jabez Collins asking
to
be placed on
the
pension Roll
from which he has
been stricken off
-
April 9 1838
Refd to the Committee
Rev. Pensions
Jan 4, 1840
refd under recd to Comr Rev. Pensions
---
Mar. 5. 1840-- Bill 11. 122
Decr 14. 1840- Refd to com Rev. Pensions
Jany 4 1841
Bill 560
Rept. [illegible]
Dec. 14. 1841
Refd of to Com in Rev pensions
Orin Holt
Hon. O Holt 26
HR
Brockway
pen
Page 59

To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled.

The petition of Jabez Collins of Somers, in the county of Tolland and State of Connecticut, personally showath, that, under the act of Congress of 1832 he made application to the proper officer for a pension for services rendered by him during the Revolutionary War, and received a certificate from the Secretary of War, that his name was enrolled on the pension lost, as a private, as having done duty for the term of six months, and drew the pension then in arrears accordingly; that subsequently being advised that he was entitled to the wages of an orderly Sergeant, which office he held during the whole time that he was in the army, he sent his certificate to Washington with the request that his pension might be increased; that instead of the further aid which he prayed for, he received for answer, that on further examination, it was found that the evidence furnished by him was not sufficient to entitle him to any pension whatever, and his certificate was detained, and has ever since been kept from him; and that to several applications which he has since made, the same answer, substantially, has been returned.

Your petitioner finds himself in a situation as he thinks peculiarly hard and unfortunate.

He knows, for a certainty, that he performed services, in his opinion, enough and more than enough to entitle him to the pension formerly granted him, yet in looking around for some one of his associates in arms to verify the fact, finds them all sleeping in the grave. Under these circumstances, your petitioner thinks it not unsuitable to make his appeal to the Justice and humanity of Congress, for that relief which they only can afford.

In support of the vertitude of his claim, your petitioner begs leave to refer your Honours to the documents accompanying his former application now to be found, as he supposes, in the Pension Office at Washington, especially the affidavit of
Page 60

Ephraim Sheldon of Lee, Massachusetts, who was personally knowing to many of the facts in the case and whose character for truth cannot be impeached. If the evidence above referred to; should not be considered quite sufficient to establish the claim of your petition to a pension, according to existing laws, he confidently trusts, that, in respect to those things concerning which he may, unfortunately be unable at this late period to produce any evidence but his own words, your Honours will not hesitate, from the peculiar circumstances of his case, to give full credit to that, supported as it is by the accompanying certificates of two respectable clergymen; as well of other men, all of whom have been intimately acquainted with his character for many years.

Your petitioner, therefore, begs leave solemnly and in the fear of God, to declare to your Honours, that he certainly did perform the following services for his country during the Revolutionary War.
1st He performed a tour of about one month's service at the time of the Lexington Alarm.
2nd He performed another tour of full three months service in the vicinity of Boston, being there at the time when the British evacuated that place.
3d He afterwards performed a tour of duty in New York, and its vicinity. He has no means of determining precisely the length of this tour, but thinks he must have been absent from home nearly or quite three months. He was taken sick about the term of his dismission, near New York, and unable to return on foot as others did, his brother Joseph Collins left him and came home to Somers & then returned with a horse to bring home your petitioner. How long he remained sick there, or how long they were on the road, he has now no means of ascertaining (his said brother Joseph having been dead many years) but he well recollects it was a very long and painful journey, he being able to ride only a few miles in a day. Immediately after his return home he was confined by a long, dangerous, & expensive sickness, rendering the attendance of two physicians necessary, & rendering him unable to perform any business for nearly six months. Before his health was [unk] far restored, that, in the opinion of his physician it would be safe for him to leave home, he was
Page 61

drafted to go to New London, and at his own expense  procured a substitute, by the name of William Gowdy who performed a tour of two months duty in his stea. In the months of June & July 1775 he went to Boston with a team under the direction of Capt Hezekiah Spencer & was gone fourteen days.

In each of the above named expeditions in which your petitioner was engaged he acted, as orderly sergeant, or clerk of the company, and from the nature of his office, was obliged to spend some time, and in some cases, several days in getting the men together, and in making the necessary arrangements preparatory to marching.

Your petitioner is now far advanced in life, being in his ninety fourth year, and by lameness wholly confined to his bed or chair, and afflicted with many pains and infirmities, and he will not believe that a grateful country will grudge the pittance which would greatly comfort and cheer the last days of one whose unrewarded tails and privations aided in achieving that Independence, by which the country has become great, prosperous & happy. Therefore he prays tour honourable body to pass an act for his relief, directing his name to be restored to the Pension Lost, with the wages of orderly sergeant, commencing Sept 4th AD 1834, being the time when the pension formerly received by him was discontinued with the additional pay of orderly sergeant promoted Mar 4, 1831 to Sept 1834, allowing him pay for as many months, as on a fair examination of the circumstances of his case, shall seem first and reasonable; or, in some other way, grant relief, and he, as in duty bound will ever pray.

Dated at Somers Con. Feby 20th AD 1838

Jabez Collins

Tolland County ss. Somers Feby 20th 1838

Personally appeared Jabez Collins, above names; and made solemn oath that the foregoing statement, by him subscribed (two interlimations having been made on the last page at this request) is according to truth, according to his best knowledge & belief.

Before me

Oliver Chapin Esq
Justice of the Peace for Tolland County
Page 62

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51-
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD Division of Veterans' Administration ARCHIVES
Name *Collins, Jacob
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland

WARRANT
NUMBER 11100


ACREAGE 100

ISSUED August 7 1794
to Henry Purdy, assignee
The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of ""Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800"" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.