Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16844, Phineas Bill, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE 
Conn.
Bill. Phineas
Mercy
NUMBER
W. 16844.
Page 2

24776 New York
Phineas Bill
of Wayne Co in the State of New York 
who was a Private in the Compy commanded
by Captain Stoddard of the Regt. commanded
by Col Ledyard in the Connecticut
line for 21 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of New York 
at the rate of 70 dollars ----Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Feby
1834 and sent Hon S Clark
Ho. Reps

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33- $175.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34  35.
$210.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
Act June 7,1832.}
Recorded by Jno. Cromwell Clerk,
Book E Vol. 4 Page 109

Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of the 6 April 1838
from 4 Sep 1838 to 25 Jany
1839 [Illegible] 15 April
1842.
Page 3

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act
of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.-
State of New York}
Wayne County} ss On this twenty sixth day of
July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun-
dred and thirty two, personally appeared before me Thomas
P. Baldwin a Judge of the County Courts of the said County of
Wayne, Phineas Bills, a resident of the town of Palmyra
in the County of Wayne and State of New York, aged seventy
nine years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on
his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the
benefit of the Act of Congress, passed Jule 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States 
under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That at the commencement of the revolutionary war and 
during its continuance- he resided in the town of Groton in the County of New Lon-
don and State of Connecticut  and in the month of September 
in the year 1776 was drafted by the Militia of that place
to reinforce General Washington's army at WhitePlains in
the State of New York that he did march in a Company
of which, Ralph Stoddard was Captain, Simeon Allen
Lieutenant and Joseph Lewis Ensign, the two last of whom afterwards
fell in the defence of Fort Griswold under Col. Ledyard-
that their line of march from Groton was through the 
City of New Haven on the direct route to the town of
Stanford which adjoins the line of the State of New York
where he was taken sick as was allowed by Col Oliver
Smith whom commanded the Regiment to which his company
belonged to return home, which he did having been 
absent about one month, and before he had regained
his heart the regiment of Col. Smith was dismissed
having been on duty about two months-
That in the month of November 1777 he enlisted
in Fort Griswold in a Company of which William
Latham was Captain, Youngs Ledyard, Lieutenant
and Elias or Elihu Avery Ensign, Col. William Led-
yard Commandant of the Fort- and was killed at its cap-
ture by the Enemy under the Traitor Arnold- He
served under the above named officers in the said Fort
Page 4

for the term of one year which was the term of his enlistment-
That a short time previous to the expiration of the said 
term of his enlistment Col. Ledyard was directed by
Governor Trumbull to enlist another Company to replace
the one that this applicant belonged to, but on account 
of the depreciation of Continental Currency it could not be
done- that thereupon Col. Ledyard was directed by the 
Governor to hire some persons by the day to do garrison
duty at Fort Griswold, that he with others under this arrange-
ment remained and did garrison duty int the fort, ninety
days after the term of his enlistment for one year as above
mentioned, had expired-
That afterwards this applicant was
drafted from the militia of Groton, New London County
Connecticut at two different times for a term of 
service of three months for each draft both of which
terms he served in full in garrison duty in fort
Griswold aforesaid- This applicant cannot recol-
let the months in which he so served under the said
drafts but believes it was between the month of February 
1779 and the capture of the fort - by the Enemy-that
each term of service under the said drafts was served
under the command of Captain William Latham
aforesaid- That this applicant nor any of his fel-
low soldiers did ever receive any written discharge
from any of the above services and has not and knows
not of any documentary evidence relative to them-
This applicant further declares that besides the above
services he has frequently and as he believes as often 
as once in each month in the summer seasons, from
the time the Enemy took possession of the City of New
York untill the capture of fort Griswold, on the firing
of alarm guns from the fort on the appearance of 
the Enemy's shipping off the port of New London, 
with many of his fellow Citizens resorted to
the Fort and did duty there from three to eight days
at at time or untill the cause of alarm disappeared
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at a time or until the cause of alarm disappeared

of which services no account was kept and for which
no pay was received--He hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the
present and declares that his name is not on the
pension roll of the agency of any state.-
Phineas Bill

Sworn to and subscribed}
the day and year aforesaid}
before me-}    
Th P Baldwin a Judge
of Wayne County Courts}

I do hereby certify that the above
named deponent Phineas Bill cannot from bodily
infirmity attend the next Court of Common Pleas of
Wayne County held o the first
day of October next- Dated 22 Sept 1832
Th P Baldwin a Judge of 
Wayne County Courts

I do further certify that I propounded to the
said Phineas Bills the Interrogatories directed by
the instructions of the War Department for carrying 
into effect the Pension Act of 1832 and that his
answers are embodied in his declaration and that
I have no doubt of the truth of his declaration 
also that Burton H Hickox one of the persons
mentionedin and who made the annexed affidavit 
is a resident Clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, in the village of Palmyra and that
Eldridge Havens mentioned in and who made the
annexed affidavit with the Revd Bur Hickox
and also Silas Stoddard and Benjamin Billings
mentioned in and who made the other annexed
affidavits are men of respectability and undoubted
veracity and that their statements entitled 
to credit-- Dated Sept 22. 1832
Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne
County Courts
Page 6

at a time or until the cause of alarm disappeared  of which services no account was kept and for which no pay was received--He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.- Phineas Bill  Sworn to and subscribed} the day and year aforesaid} before me-}  Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne County Courts}  I do hereby certify that the above named deponent Phineas Bill cannot from bodily infirmity attend the next Court of Common Pleas of Wayne County held o the first day of October next- Dated 22 Sept 1832 Th P Baldwin a Judge of  Wayne County Courts  I do further certify that I propounded to the said Phineas Bills the Interrogatories directed by the instructions of the War Department for carrying  into effect the Pension Act of 1832 and that his answers are embodied in his declaration and that I have no doubt of the truth of his declaration  also that Burton H Hickox one of the persons mentionedin and who made the annexed affidavit  is a resident Clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the village of Palmyra and that Eldridge Havens mentioned in and who made the annexed affidavit with the Revd Bur Hickox and also Silas Stoddard and Benjamin Billings mentioned in and who made the other annexed affidavits are men of respectability and undoubted veracity and that their statements entitled  to credit-- Dated Sept 22. 1832 Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne County Courts
Page 7

State of New York Wayne County ss
I Cullen Foster acting Clerk of
said County do hereby certify that
Thomas P Baldwin before home
the foregoing declaration and affidavits
were made and who has given the
foregoing certificates is and was 
at the respective dates thereof a
Judge of the County Courts of said
County- his several
signatures thereto are his genuine 
signatures- In testimony whereof
I have hereto subscribed my name
and affixed the seal of said County
at Lyons the Eleventh day January
1832-
Cullen Foster Acting Clerk
Page 8

State of New York
Wayne County ss. Silas Stodard of the town of
Macedon in the County and State aforesaid aged
72 years having been duly sworn according to law
doth declare and say that at the commencement and
during the revolutionary war with the exception 
of one year that this deponent was absent in Europe
he resided in the town of Groton in New London
County, State of Connecticut that he is well
acquainted with Phineas Bills who has sub-
scribed and sworn to the above declaration and
believes him to be 79 years of age- that this
deponent during that time belonged to the same
company of militia with the said Bills and
knew at the time of his having enlisted to do
military duty in fort Griswold but does not
remember how long he served under said
enlistment- also knows that the militia of
Groton was called out to march to reinforce
Genl Washington's army and that the said
Bills did march for WhitePlains as stated
in his declaration, that from reputation knows
and believes that in the year 1781 the militia
of Groton aforesaid was drafted to do duty in 
Fort Griswold but cannot state it from his
own knowledge as in that year this deponent
was absent in Europe and this deponent
further says that the said Bills is reputed
and believed both in the 
town of Groton aforesaid and in the neighborhood
where he now resides to have been a soldier
of the revolution and that he this deponent
conures in that opinion-
Silas Stoddard
Subscribed and sworn before me
26 July 1832  Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne County
Courts
Page 9

State of New York
Wayne County ss. We Burton H Hickox a
Clergyman residing in the village of Palmyra in
the County and State aforesaid and Eldridge
Havens residing in the same place, hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Phineas Bills
who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be 79 years
of age; that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the revolution and that we concur in
that opinion
Subscribed and sworn}       Burton H. Hickox
before me 26th July 1832}   Eldridge Havens
Th P Baldwin
a Judge of
Wayne County Courts

State of New York
Wayne County ss. Benjamin Billings of the town of
Macedon in the County and State aforesaid aged 78
years having been duly sworn according to law, doth
declare and say that at the commencement and during
the revolutionary war this deponent resided in
the town of Preston, County of New London, in
the State of Connecticut, ten miles from Fort Griswold
and is well acquainted with Phineas Bills who
made the annexed declaration, that he believes him
to be 79 years of age, that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a
soldier of the revolution-
Benjamin Billing
Subscribed and sworn before
me 26 July 1832
Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne County
Courts
Page 10

I Bennajah Bill of Lyme in the County of New London
and State of Connecticut aged Seventy two Years on Oath
depose and say that I an well acquainted with Phineas Bill
formerly of Groton in said County but now of the Town of
Palmyra in the State of New York and know that he was in the
service of the United States during the war of the revolution 
I enlisted with Capt Wm. Latham Company under the Commander
Coll Wm Ledyard I served in said Company in Fort Griswold
in the years 1777 and 1778 and well remember that said Phineas
Bill enlisted into the same Company and served one year with
me as a private
Bennajah Bill

State of Connecticut 
County of New London August 6th 1832
Personally appeared Bennajah Bill and subscribed and made
oath to the foregoing deposition
Before me
Same Green Justice of the Peace
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State of Connecticut New London County ss
I John D Witt Clerk of the County
Court for said New London County
do hereby certify that Samuel Green
esqr before whom the within deposi-
tion of Benajah Bill was taken is a
Justice of the Peace within and for said
New London County. And that his 
signature thereto affixed I believe to be
in his own proper hand writing. In
testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal of
aforesaid County this 29th day of August 
AD 1832
John D Witt Clerk
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No 21851
Phineas Bills
New York

e.i. letter
Admitted
Private 21 months
Witness not certified 
credible Oct 22.33

Honorable S. Clark
House Reps
N. Y.
Thomas P Baldwin
Palmyra
Wayne County 
N York
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WAR DEPARTMENT,

Pension Office,

May 27 1833

Sir.:
The evidence in support of your claim, 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 tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew 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.
_______________________________________________________
A Statement, shewing the Service of Phineas Bills Wayne Co NY

9 column table
1st entry
Period when the service was rendered
 1776 Sept Draft
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years, Months, Days
  about 1 month
Rank of the Claimant.
  Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
  Capt Stoddard
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
  Col Ledyard
  Smith
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
  None
Country through which he marched.
  Connt
N Y
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.
  Aged 79 New London County Connt
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary Living Witness

2nd entry
Period when the service was rendered
1777 Nov Enlisted
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years, Months, Days
1 year
Rank of the Claimant.
Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Latham
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
Ledyard
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
none
Country through which he marched.
Fort Griswold
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.
blank
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
blank

3rd entry
Period when the service was rendered
Draft 1779
Duration of the Claimant's service. Years, Months, Days
3 months
Rank of the Claimant.
Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Latham
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers
blank
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.

Country through which he marched.
Fort Griswold
Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period.
blank
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
blank

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J.L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Dyer Castor
Exam Clerk
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line, " "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons, enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to the Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claim-
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of}
County of} ss.
On this -------day of -------personally appeared (a) before ------------------
----------A.B. a resident (b) of---------in the county of ----------and State, Territory or District
of-----aged (c) ------years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
 following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ------, with ----- and
served in the ----------(e) regiment of the --------line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the services; ( and is he serv-
ed under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and per-
sons who belonged to the military, volunteers, navy, & c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of-------------
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolu-
tionary soldier, and served as he states.
I ------------- of the Court of ------------------
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of ------------------ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this -------------
-------day of ------- &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: ------------------
----(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman residing in the ----------and C.D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with--------------------, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ------------------
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revo-
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ----------------
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ---------------------
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,----------Clerk of the Court of ----------do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ------------
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
------of office, this ---------day of-------- &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commit-
sion; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the ser-
vices of the applicant and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service as thy are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 15

3 will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at- tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex- expected. All applicant will appear before some Court of Record in the Country 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 services. 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv- { en, 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 tes- tiny as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that the 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 , atttend 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 pro- cure, taken and authenticated before a Court the 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 opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.  [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 conforming 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 or solider 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 her 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 and 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: -For-----year-----month, and ------- days, I served as a ------------, For-----------months and----------days, I served as a -------; and for such services I claim a pension." It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the  particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about 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 the 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 authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate myst 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 in note [j] applies to 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.  
Dyer Castor 
[Illegible] Clerk
Page 16

State of New York 
Wayne County ss: Personally appeared before me
yhe undersigned a Judge of the County Courts of
said County Phineas Bills, who being duly
sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of
old age and the consequent loss of memory he
cannot swear positively 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 one month I served as a private in 
the year 1776 in Capt Ralph Stoddard's Company
 of Col. Oliver Smith's regiment of Connecticut 
drafted militia. For one year I served as a private
in Fort Griswold commanded by Col Ledyard
enlisted in September 1777- For ninety days
I served as a private in Fort Griswold immediately after the term
of the above enlistment had expired- For
six months in the year 1799 (1779?) as a private in
garrison at Fort Griswold and besides
the above several terms of services I  served
three months at various times as a private
at Fort Griswold having been called out as a minuteman on
occasion of alarms or the appearance of
the Enemy's shipping appearing off New London- and for
such service I claim a pension - The during 
the said several terms of service he was not
Employed in any civil pursuit - and that 
the said services were performed under the
Page 17

commands of Capt Ralph Stoddard, Capt
Simeon Allen and Capt Thomas Avery
who were successively commanders of the
Company of Militia to which this Deponent
belonged and this Deponent with his fellow
Soldiers were at the said several terms of service
called out by authority of the Governor and
the State of Connecticut-
Phineas Bill
Subscribed and sworn this
2nd day of July 1833 before
me.   Th P Baldwin a Judge of Wayne
County Courts

State of New York
Wayne County ss: I do hereby certify that
the above named Thomas P Baldwin was a Judge
of the County of said County on the day of
the date of the above deposition and that his name
signed thereto is his genuine signature In 
testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed
my name and affixed the seal of said County this
15th August 1833
Cullen Foster Acting Clerk
Page 18

Albany 3243
Mercy Bill
widow of Phineas Bill who is a pensioner 
under Act 7 June 1832
who died on the 25 January 1839
of Wayne Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Stoddard of the Regt commanded
by Col. Ledyard in the Cont.
line for 21 month Conn.
Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 70 Dollars  --- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 26 January 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Feb
1840 and sent to David
Eddy Marion, N.Y.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 39           42.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 6 June 40     35.00
$77.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1836,}
{Section the 3}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2 Page 210

Letter to Hon. T R Strong 5 Feb 1841.
Page 19

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of 5 section of the act of the 4th of
July 1836 and of the 1st section of the act of the 3rd of March 1837

State of New York}
Wayne County} ss
on this 19th day of August 1839 personally appeared before me
Marvin Rich one of the Judges in and for the County of Wayne
in the State of New York Mercy Bill aged 88 Years, who being
a President of the Town of Palmyra in the County of Wayne aforesaid
and State of New York who after being duly sworn according to law
doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed
July the 4th 1836 and an act explanatory of said act passed March 3rd 1837
that she was married to Phineas Bill who was who was a private soldier in
Revolutionary Army of the United States and did received a pension of
seventy dollars per Year under the act of Congress of the
United States of 1832 as the widow already in the possession of the War department
and the accompanying certificate of Pension [Illegible] fully prove
and she further declares that she was married to the said Phineas
Bill on the twenty first day of May
in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy one and that her husband
the aforesaid Phineas Bill died on the 25 day of January
1839 and that she has been married to any other man and
that she still remains a widow as will more fully appear by  reference
to the proof hereunto annexed
her X mark Mercy Bill
Sworn and Subscribed on the day and Year above written
before me  

Marvin Rich} one of the Judges
in and for the County
of Wayne

I do hereby certify that the above named Mercy bill by reason 
of old age and infirmities is unable to attend Court
or to write her name therefore made her mark
Marvin Rich} one of the Judges in and
for the County of Wayne
Page 20

     Ralph Hurlbutt of Sedyard in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged seventy two years, being duly cautioned and sworn deposeth and saith, that he was well acquainted with Phineas Bill and his wife, Mercy late of that part o the late town of Groton that was incorporated into Oustown of Sedyard aforesaid in 1836, that they owed from said Groton to Palmyra in the State of New York about twenty years ago that their oldes child (Richard) if living would be about sixty four years old that said Phineas was reputed to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War -
     Deponent further saith that he was well acquainted with Elder Park Allyn late of that part of Groton afore said that is now the town of Leyden aforesaid that said Allyn was Pastor of a church in said Groton for several years, that he died about thirty five years ago, that his church has become extinct, that the meeting house, in which said, Allyn preached has been taken down and disposed of to the Methodist Society and by them removed about since miles and rebuild and is now the house in which Deponent preaches. That Deponent does not know or believe that there are in existence any church records or marriage records that were kept by said Elder Allyn.
 Sedyard Dec 5. 1839
Ralph Hurlbutt
     State of Connecticut ss New London County personally appeared on the 5th day of December A.D. 1839, before the subscribed Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Rev. Ralph Hurlbutt above named and made oath to the t Ruth of the above deposition by him subscribed.        And I certify that he is a credible person and that his testimony is entitled to full credit.
Attestations Samuel W. Wood
Justice of the Peace
Page 21

State of Connecticut 
New London County} ss. Clerks office Probate District of Ledyard December 7th AD 1839.
I Gustavo’s C Newton Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid, do hereby certify that Samuel W. Wood is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London aforesaid and that the signatures, purporting to be his written to the certificates annexed to the depositions of Elisha Morgan Esq. and Rev Ralph Hurlbutt hereto annexed, are in his own genuine handwritings.
     In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. And affixed the seal of aid County
Attest,
Gustavo’s C. Newton Clerk
Page 22

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No ——16.244
Mercy Bill
Widow of Phineas Bill
Private - Revolutionary War
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Act July 4. 1836
Index: Vol. A, Page 63
[Arrangement of 1870]

V. N.York
Mercy Bill
Let to D. Eddy on Nov. 1839

Act July 6 1836
Page 23

Albany
Phineas Bill act June 7. 1832 to what time paid?
PF. 4 Sep 1838
VL
TH
Page 24

To 
The Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
Page 25

In the matter of 
              Phineas Bill

The papers in the case are herewith returned with the amended affidavit of Benajah Bill a living witness of the claimants revolutionary services - As all objections are now obviated it is hoped a certificat e will be forwarded. -  In the matter of Capt. Mathew - son an affidavit of the names of his heirs was forwarded some time since as required, may a certificate by expected soon?
Th P Baldwin
Palmyra 1st Jan. 1833
Page 26

Amended affidavit
of Benajah Bill
Page 27

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 19th 1841

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," The widow of Phineas Bill,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at 
the rate of Seventy Dollars and -----Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838
to tje 25th January 1839.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
to the Commissioner of Pension,
Present.
Page 28

NY Jan 2 1840
Add proof
Mercy Bill

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington City
Page 29

Marion December 26th 1837

Sir:
I enclose you the certificates of the Loran Clerk of the Town of Groton Connecticut, and E. Kiwis of the and Ralph Hurlbutt of Lidyand am a part of Groton which I foresee will be satisfactory.
Mr. Bill did as you will learn by the declaration of Mrs Bill on the 25th of January last if I remember is right therefore she will be entitled to his back pay from the fourth of September 1838 until he died please to end the certificate of pension to me. Directed to the post office at Marion.
                        Yours truly
                         David Eddy

Nov
J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 30

J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 31

Marion Wayne Co N.Y.
August 13th 1839

Sir:

I send you the papers consistently the claims of Mercy Bill for a pension I believe the papers are  complete except with regard to a certificate of her marriage . The records of the Town of Groton Connecticut as those of the Parrish where she was married are undoubtedly lost. The old illegible that certified to her marriage remembers it well, because he said it was the first wedding that ever he attended. Sent you communication a a certificate if you please to Davi Eddy Marion Wayne Co. New York.
Respectfully Your 
David Eddy

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Page 32

feb 4. 1841
J W Evans
T R Strong
[Illegible]

Col J L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.

Hon T R Strong
[Illegible]
Page 33

House of Representatives
Feb 2, 1861

For J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Will you be good enough to furnish me an answer to the enclosed? Mrs. Bill widow at Palmyra New York

Respectfully yours

T.R. Strong
Page 34

I Simeon Miner of Groton County of New London and State of Connecticut aged Seventy Years being duly sworn according to law do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Phineas Bill formerly of the Town of Groton in New London County, now of the Town of Palmyra in the State of New York and that in the year 1777 I belonged to a Company commanded by Capt William Latham and was stationed at Fort Griswold on Groton Heights in Connecticut said Fort being commanded by Col William Ledyard that I was stationed at said fort between six and seven months during the whole of which time the aforesaid Phineas Bill was a Private soldier in the same company with me and belonged to the same mess with me; and that he was in said fort at the time when I entered the service there, and that he was honorably discharged at the same time that I was
Simeon Miner

State of Connecticut Ss
County of New London August 28th AD 1832
Personally appeared Simon Miner the above named Deponent and subscribed and sworn to the foregoing deposition 
Before Me    Nathan Daboll Justice of the Peace

I certify that the above named Simeon Miner is to me well known and is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit

Nathan Daboll Justice of the Peace
Page 35

I Joshua Bill of Groton in the County of New London and State of Connecticut aged Seventy years do on my oath Depose and Say that I am well acquainted with Phineas Bill formerly of said Groton in Sd New London County now of the Town of Palmyra in the State of New York and know the said Phineas Bill was in the Service of the United States during in Fort Griswold commanded by Col William Ledyard in the Company commanded by Capt William Latham he having served One year and myself Eighteen months, in the same Company and that he enlisted in the year 1777 into the Revolutionary Service in said Fort Griswold in Connecticut and served the aforesaid term of one year and know that he was honorably discharged 
Joshua Bill

State of Connecticut Ss
County of New London   August 28th AD 1832
Personally appeared the above named Joshua Bill and Subscribed  Sworn to the foregoing deposition

Before me   Nathan Daboll  Justice of Peace
New London County Ss August 28th 1832

I hereby certify that the above named deponent Joshua Bill is to me well known and that he is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit

Nathan Daboll Justice of Peace
Page 36

State of Connecticut
New London County Ss

I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court for said New London County do hereby certify that Nathan Daboll esqr before whom the within before doing depositions of Josha Bill and Simeon Minor were taken is a Justice of the Peace within and for said New London County and that his signatures annexed thereto. I believe to be in his own proper hand writing 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 29th day of August AD 1832
John DeWitt Clerk
Page 37

I Elisha Morgan of Groton New London County State
of Connecticut of Lawful age on my oath depose and
say that I hold the office of town Clerk of said Town of
Groton and that I have carefully examined the records
of Said town for a certificate  of the Marriage of
Phineas bill and Mercy Allyn formerly of said
Groton, and that I have not found any record of
Said marriage nor do I believe that any such record 
exists.
Groton December 3rd 1839- Elisha Morgan Town Clerk
of town of Groton

State of Connecticut ss New London county Dec 3rd 1839.
Personally appeared on the day and year aforesaid, before the
subscriber a Justice of the Peace within and for the County afore
said. Elisha Morgan Esq. above named Clerk of the town
of Groton in the County aforesaid and made oath that the above
deposition by him subscribed is true- and I certify
that he is a reputable person and that his testimony is en
titled to credit.
Attest Samuel W Wood
Justice of the Peace
Page 38

State of New York}
Wayne County} Ss

On the 12th day of August 1839 personally appeared before me Silas Stoddard aged 80 years and after being duly Sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Mary Bill of the Town of Palmyra in the County of Wayne and with her husband for more than sixty years last part and that he was present when the aforesaid Mary Bill was married to Phineas Bill on the 21st day of May 1771 and that they have lived together as husband and wife until her husband Phineas Bill died on the 25 day of May 1839 and that she has remained a widow ever since
And further this deponent saith not only that the this deponent is a resident in the Town of Macedon in the County aforesaid
Silas Stoddard
Sworn and Subscribed before me this 12th day of August 1839
Marvin Rich} One of the Judges in and for the County of Wayne

I do hereby certify that the above deponent is a man of good character and worthy to be believed
Marvin Rich} One of the Judges in and for the County of Wayne
Page 39

State of New York}
Wayne County} Ss
On the 12th day of August 1839 personally appeared before me Eldridge Havens an inhabitant of the Town of Palmyra in the County of Wayne and after being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he has been acquainted with Mary Bill for 39 years last past. and knows that she is the widow of Phineas Bill deceased and that they have made search in the records of the Town of Groton County in the State of Connecticut to find the record of her marriage, but it cannot be found he verily believes and furth this deponent saith not
Eldredge Havens

Sworn and Subscribed before me this 12th day of August 1839

Marvin Rich } One of the Judges of the Court for the County of Wayne
Page 40

State of New York
County of Wayne Ss

I certify that Marvin Rich Esq before whom the within affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the dates thereof a Judge of the County Courts of said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to take the same and that his signature to the Jurat of the aforegoing affidavits are genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of
office this 13th day of August 1839
Cullen Foster Clerk
Wayne County Courts
Page 41

State of New York
County of Wayne Ss

I certify that Marvin Rich Esq before whom the within affidavits purport to have been sworn was at the dates thereof a Judge of the County Courts of said county duly commissioned and sworn and authorized to take the claims, and that his signature to the Jurat of the aforegoing affidavits are genuine.
given under my hand and seal of 
office this 13th day of August 1839
Cullen Foster Clerk
Wayne County Courts
Page 42

4678
Phineas Bill

Payments to be made at New York by the Presd. Mech BK
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of
Married 21 Maay 1777
Husband died 25 January 1839
[illegible word] 21 Mary 1781
Husband died 25 January 1839

New York 
Admitted
Private 21 months


Recorded in the Pension Office
in Book E Vol. 4 Page 109 by
Jno. Cromwell
David Eddy Esq Clerk 
Marion 
N. Y.
Page 43

WAR DEPARTMENT

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Phineas Bill of the State of New York who was a Private in the Revolutionary Army 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 20th day of 
February one thousand eight
hundred and thirty four.
Lew pap
Secretary of War.

Examined and |
Countersigned}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 44

State of Connecticut     Lyme
New London County Ss 
On this 6th day of December in the year 1833 personally appeared before the subscriber Marshfield S Parker a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of New London in the State aforesaid Behajah Bill of Lyme is said County who having been duly sworn doth depose and say that he is Seventy four years of age, and that he is well acquainted with Phineas Bill formerly of Groton in said State but now of Palmyra in the State of New York and knows that the said Phineas Bill was in the service of the United States during the war of the revolution that he enlisted with this deponent in Captain William Latham's Company under the command of Colo William Ledyard and served in said Company at Fort Griswold as a private soldier one year in the years 1777 & 1778 and further this deponent saith not
Benijah Bill

Subscribed & Sworn this 6th day of
December 1833 & I certify that the
said Deponent is a credible witness
Marshfield S. Parker Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
New London County Ss
I John DeWitt Clerk of the county courts of said County do certify that Mansfield S Parker esq before whom the above affidavit was taken, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in & for said Coounty
Page 45

duly commissioned and sworn and that his name subscribed  
thereto is in his own proper handwriting- In witness whereof
I have hereto set my name and the Seal of the office of said
County [SEAL] sixteenth day of December  1833.
John D Witt Clerk