Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17493, Ambrose Hodgkin, Conn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Hodgkin, Ambrose

NUMBER
S. 17493
Carded

CONTENTS
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Connecticut 27921
Ambrose Hodgkin
Middlesex in the State of Cont
was a pr in the compy commanded
Captain Collins of the --- commanded
--- in the Cont
for 9 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut
at the rate of 30 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of Sept 1834 and sent John Fisk Middletown Ct

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 34  105
Semi-anl. allowance ending 2 Mar 35  15
                                         ------------------
                                               $120-
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by N Rice Clerk,
Book E2  Vol. 3  Page 17


Letters
claimant 20 June 1839
do- E. Phelps, July 12 '39 (OC)
To same October 25, 1839
" T Smith March 17 1840 GC


Let. Pension Augt 16, 1838
Page 3

30395

see letter to
John Fisk
9 mos private
$30

John Fisk
Middletown
Ct.
Page 4

I Ezra Wilcox of Madison in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years depose and say that on the first day of April A.D. 1779 - as I believe - Ambrose Hodgkin (then of Guilford in said New Haven County and said State of Connecticut but now of Middletown in Middlesex County in said State of Connecticut)  did enlist at said Guilford into a company of Guards commanded by Capt Dan Callius of said Guilford for nine months  - the name of the Col. of the Regiment to which said company of Guards belonged the deponent does not remember. the deponent was a member of the said Capt. Callius Company - and well recollects that the said Ambrose Hodgkin was also a private in said company - and deponent fully believes that the said Hodgkin did serve the full period of nine months in the said Capt Dan Callius company. And the deponent further says that the said company of Guards was stationed at Guilford at a place called the old wharf upon the shore of Long Island Sound. and that the business of said Guard was to watch the British in the sound - and to take the traders with the British - and further the deponent saith not
Ezra Wilcox

Sworn to and subscribed at Madison this 18th day of January 1834.
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State of Connecticut New Haven County SS Madison January 18th A.D. 1834 -
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said New Haven County and residing in said Madison - Ezra Wilcox of said Madison well known to the subscribing authority to be a person of truth and veracity, and aged seventy one years and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed
before me
Reynold Webb Justice of Peace
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State of Connecticut New Haven County SS Guilford January 18th A.D. 1834
I George Griswold Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Guilford - do hereby certify that Reynold Webb who has taken & subscribed the attestation of the foregoing deposition of Ezra Wilcox is & was at the date thereof a Justice of Peace within & for New Haven County & duly qualified as such, to administer oaths and that his signature thereto is his own proper handwriting.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court of Probate this 18th day of Jany. 1834
George Griswold Clerk Court of Probate Guilford District
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This may certify that I have been personally acquainted with the bearer Mr Ambrose Hodgkin for about thirty years and that he has always sustained a good character and that I believe him to be a man of said truth & verasity
certified by Reuben Ellcot
Guilford Jany 18 1834
Jno. F Meigs
Page 8

1.  State of Connecticut County of Middlesex SS Middletown
On this twenty third day of January AD 1834, personally appeared in open court before the court of Probate now sitting in said Middletown in the probate District of Middletown, Ambrose Hodgkin, a resident of said Middletown in said Middlesex County, aged seventy one 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 June 7th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
The first day of April AD 1779 I enlisted at Guilford in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut, in the rank of a private, into a company of guards, in the service of the United States, under the command of Capt. Dan Collins of said Guilford, for the term of nine months. The name of the Colonel of the Regiment to which said company was attached, I do not remember. Timothy Todd of said Guilford was the Sergeant of said Company. Our company was divided int three parts: one portion were stationed at Sackens Head; one portion at Point of Rocks; and another portion in East Guilford Parish. I was among the number stationed in East Guilford Parish. The whole company were then stationed along and upon the shore of Long Island Sound - all in the town
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2.  of Guilford abovenamed. The principal duty of our company was to keep guard, to watch the boats and vessels of the British in said Long Island Sound, and to look out for and take the traders with the British in the Sound and upon Long Island. I continued to serve constantly and faithfully in said company, as a private, in said Guilford, under said Capt. Dan Collins, for the full term of nine months for which I enlisted, eighteen of us, belonging to said company, were stationed at East Guilford; a parish of said Town of Guilford, as follows; six men were stationed at a place called, at that time, for the sake of distinction, Fort Shaddick; six men were stationed at a place (say two miles west of the first named station) which was called Fort Todd, for the time being, that being the name of our sergeant who did duty there: I was one of the six stationed at this last place then called Fort Todd; six men were also stationed say one and a half miles west of us - all of us on the shore of the Sound. Thus stationed and scattered along the coast and each being attentive to the discharge of the duties assigned us, we had comparatively and necessary but little connexion in the company as a great whole. This fact, that we but verily if ever were called to do duty, during the said nine months service, in one solid company and phalanx, in connexion with the fact, that I have not resided in said Guilford since the year 1812, and long ago dismissed the subject from my thoughts, not supposing I should ever receive any thing for my service, during the Revolutionary War - will, I trust, satisfactorily
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3.  account for the further fact, that I have named but two officers in the company. The company, so far as I remember, were all raised in said Guilford. I left that Town in the year 1812. I have just returned to Middletown from a short visit to Guilford, and I find that all the members of the company are dead or gone beyond my reach, except Ezra Wilcox whose deposition I have obtained. He was a private in the same company and served with me during the whole nine months in East Guilford Parish, and was one of the six above named stationed with me at what, as I before observed, we called, for the sake of distinction, Fort Todd. He is already a pensioner and I believe for the same service together with other services, I am very sure we had no officer in East Guilford Parish at either of the three stations, except Timothy Todd Sergeant, as before mentioned. I was discharged from service at said Guilford the first day of January AD 1780, after having served out the full period of nine months the time of my enlistment. I received no written discharge; the company to which I belonged were only verbally dismissed. My wages were forty shillings per month. For proof of my service this tour, see the accompanying deposition of the said Ezra Wilcox attached to this my declaration.
About the 1st of April 1778 my father Thomas Hodgkin (he has been dead eight years) enlisted
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4.  into Capt. Dan Collins Company in said Guilford, for the term of nine months, and served in the rank of a Sergeant in said Company. During this term of service, I often went a substitute for him and served in the rank of Sergeant as a substitute for my father near or quite one half the above named term of nine months service in said last mentioned company. Our business was to guard the coast in said Guilford and to watch the enemy &c. I cannot furnish any proof of this last named service; all are dead and gone who were engaged in that service so far as my knowledge extends, who can testify on the subject. I have stated that the place where I kept guard &c during my service in 1779, was called, for the time being, Fort Todd; it was also called the old wharf; and lay upon the shore of Long Island Sound in said East Guilford Parish.
I have stated all that I suppose to be material to a favorable action upon my case. I have no documentary evidence and I do not know of any person living whose testimony I can procure, who can testify to my service except Ezra Wilcox above named.

To the first interrogatory I reply, That I was born in said Guilford the 16th day of February AD 1762.
To the second " That I have a record of my age in my family
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5.  Bible, and I think also in the Records of said Town of Guilford.
To the third, That when called into service, I was living in said Guilford where I continued to reside until the year 1812 when I removed to Simsbury in this State where I continued to reside until the month of October last when I removed to Middletown before mentioned where I now live.
To the fourth, That in the year 1778 I served often as above stated as a substitute for my father; in the year 1779 I served by enlistment.
To the fifth, That I have stated all I now remember of the material facts and the names of the officers.
To the sixth, That I received only a verbal discharge, as was usual.
To the seventh, I refer to the Revd. Smith Pyne, Noah A. Phelps Esq, Launcelott C. Bradley Esq, all of said Middletown, and then if necessary, to whom I am known in my present neighborhood, and who can testify as to my character for veracity and their belief of my service as a soldier in the Revolution.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present
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6.  and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Ambrose Hodgkin

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Attest Stillman K. Wightman, Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown.

We Smith Pyne a clergyman residing in the Town of Middletown in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut and Noah A. Phelps and Launcelott C. Bradley both residing in the same Town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Ambrose Hodgkin, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that the said Phelps has been acquainted with the said Hodgkin for the twenty years last past and the said Bradley has known him well for the thirty years last past; that we believe him to be seventy one 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 day and year aforesaid.
Smith Pyne Rector of Christ Church Middletown
Noah A. Phelps
Launcelott C. Bradley
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7.  And the said Court fo hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to the that Smith Payne who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Middletown aforesaid, and that Noah A. Phelps and Launcelott C. Bradley, Esqs, who have also signed the same, are residents in the same Town, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest, Stillman K. Wightman, Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown.
I, John Fisk, Clerk of the Court of probate for the District of Middletown, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ambrose Hodgkin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 25th day of January AD 1834.
Jno Fisk Clk
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Con  30395
Ambrose Hodgkins

return
ans Hon. S. A. Foot
Apl 29th 1834
Page 16

I Ezra Wilcox of Madison in the County of New Haven and State of Connecticut aged seventy two years, depose and say that I well remember serving in a company of Guards as they were termed, during the revolutionary war, under Captain Dan Collins of Guilford in said State of Connecticut, and I distinctly remember that Ambrose Hodgkin then of said Guilford, but now of Middletown also in said State of Connecticut, did serve in the said Capt Collins company with him the said deponent, and that said Hodgkin did as I believed serve constantly in the said Capt Collins company of guards during the full term of nine months. And the deponent further says that he is not now positively certain whether the said Hodgkin's nine months service was performed in the year 1779 or 1780, but deponent well knows that said Hodgkin did serve as above stated. And the deponent further says that he is now drawing a pension for services performed with the said Hodgkin under the said Collins, but from memory he does not know but that in his deposition taken January 18th 1834 he stated positively that he served with the said Hodgkin in the year 1779, but on further reflection would not swear positively whether it was 1779 or 1780.
And the deponent further says that he was stationed with the said Hodgkin and others at a place called The Old Wharf at Guilford and were under the immediate charge of Timothy Todd of said Guilford who was a Sergeant of the Guard. The
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company of Capt Collins, being divided into three or four parties, and put under the charge of the Sergeants, the whole company being seldom all called together. And further the Deponent saith not.
Sworn and subscribed at Madison this 21st day of July 1834.
Ezra Wilcox

State of Connecticut
New Haven County} ss. Madison July 21st 1834
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said New Haven County, and residing in said Madison, Ezra Wilson of said Madison, well known to the subscribing Authority to be a person of truth and veracity, and aged seventy two years, and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed.
Before me
Reynold Webb Justice of the Peace
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I, John Fisk of Middletown in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in said County, of lawful age do depose and say that by the request of Ambrose Hodgkin of said Middletown, who has made application before this Court for a pension and whose papers have been returned by the Department for further proof, I called at the Office of the Comptroller of public accounts at Hartford, Connt., to ascertain of possible from the archives of said State at what time during the Revolutionary War Capt. Dan Collins commanded a company of Guards at Guilford Connt. in permanent service. I saw the Clerk in the office but not the comptroller who was absent. The Clerk informed me that they had examined the papers a number of times for the purpose of finding proof of other similar facts, that the papers were very numerous and in great confusion, and that it was a task to examine them, and that it was in vain to make the attempt. The examination therefore was abandoned. And further the Deponent saith not. Dated at said Middletown the 22d Augt. 1834.
Jno Fisk
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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} ss. Middletown 22d Augt. 1834
Then and there personally appeared, John Fisk, subscriber of the foregoing Deposition, well known to me to be a person of truth and veracity and a credible person, and made solemn oath in due form of law to the truth of said Deposition, before me, attest
Stillman K Wightman,
Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County} I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court of sd County of Middlesex County, do certify that Stillman K Wightman Esq is a Justice of the Peace within & for sd County of Middlesex at sd Court, on file in my Office, & that his name subscribed to the preceding certificate  is his proper handwriting & signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the seal of sd Court this 22d day of July AD 1834.
Jno Fisk Clk
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1. State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex} ss. Middletown
On this 25th day of August 1834, personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate now sitting in said Middletown in the Probate District of Middletown, Ambrose Hodgkin, a resident of said Middletown in said Middlesex County, now aged seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following Declaration in addition and supplementary to and by way of explanation of his first Declaration made before this Court of Probate the 23d day of January 1834, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
I have procured the Clerk of this Court to call upon the Comptroller of public accounts at Hartford in order if possible to show from the archives of the State that Capt Dan Collins commanded the corps, to which I belonged, in actual and permanent service, but I am informed by John Fisk Esq the said Clerk that the Clerk of said Comptroller, the Comptroller himself being absent, did not go into an examination of the old papers and records of those days alleging as a reason therefore that the talk would be extremely irksome and laborious and after all the search might prove fruitless notwithstanding Capt Dan Collins name might
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2. be there and every thing that was desired: that the papers and records were all in confusion, and being myself in very low circumstances and unable to bear the expense of the research even if the comptroller would have made it the attempt was abandoned. John Fisk Esq's Deposition will be attached to this my declaration in proof of these facts.
I have read over my statement in my first Declaration and reflected long and deliberately upon it. I am satisfied that I am right in every respect except in regard to dates; in dates I was mistaken. I have stated that the first day of April 1779 I enlisted at Guilford in the rank of a private into a company of guards in the service of the united States under the command of Capt. Dan Collins of Guilford for nine months. It was the first day of April 1780 that I enlisted in his company as a private for a term of nine months, and I served till the 1st day of January 1781 when I was discharged as stated in my first Declaration. I have thought of the subject a great deal and made enquiries since the return of my first Declaration and I am pretty
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3. well satisfied that in the year 1778 there were no regular, organized Troops stationed in Guilford to guard the coast. The Town of Guilford I know during that year employed thirty or forty of their own inhabitants to guard the coast and I was among the number employed. In the year 1779 the company under Capt Dan Collins, if which my father was Sergeant, was stationed there and I served as a substitute for my father the length of the time and in the manner stated in my first Declaration, I can state a great many particulars concerning my service as a substitute for my father in the rank of Sergeant but it may not be proper and may be useless. It will be perceived by the Department that I put my service as a substitute in the year 1779 and my service by enlistment for nine months in the year 1780. After the expiration of my service the 1st day of January 1781 in the Spring of that year I was drafted a fifer into the continental service for one year and held myself in readiness to go, but was never called out into actual service. Since I rec'd my Declaration in return, I have been to Guilford and seen Ezra Wilcox who
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4. served with me the nine months tour, in 1780 and obtained from him a second Deposition which is attached to this my second Declaration. It was taken before Reynold Webb Esq Justice of the Peace before whom the other Deposition was taken. Mr Ezra Wilcox served with me during the whole term and knows that we served under Capt Dan Collins and is now receiving a pension for those very services. I presume therefore no further statements will be needed from me. If the Department still has doubts and will return the papers I will [unk] to be more minute in my statements. I served faithfully as a soldier for my country, and for many of those services I can never receive any adequate compensation. I have lived to be an old man, my wants are numerous and my means are few. I hope there will be a speedy action on my case for I am needy.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written.
Ambrose Hodgkin
attest- Augustus Cook, Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown

I John Fisk Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the addition to the origin
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al proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ambrose Hodgkin for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 25 day of Augt AD 1834.
Jno Fisk Clk
Page 25

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section                   MMHF

August 16, 1926

Honorable E. Hart Fenn
House of Representatives

My dear Mr. Fenn:
In response to your letter of the 10th instant, with the enclosed letter of Mrs William H. Lewin, 36 Everett Street, New Britain, Connecticut, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17493 it appears that Ambrose Hodgkin was born February 16, 1768 in Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut.
While a resident of Guilford, Connecticut, he served six months from May 1, 1777, and six months from May 1, 1778, on a guard appointed by the Selectmen of said Guilford, and was under their direction and command, for the defence of that town and the coast of Long Island Sound.
His father, Thomas Hodgkin, enlisted April 1, 1779 at Guilford, Connecticut, for nine months as Sergeant in Captain Dan Collin's Connecticut Company, about for months and one half of which service was rendered by said Ambrose as a substitute for his father, engaged in coast guard
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service.
He (Ambrose) enlisted April 1, 1780, served as a private in Captain Dan Collin's Connecticut Company, also in the defence of the coast and of Guilford, and was discharged January 1, 1781.
In October 1833 he moved from Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut to Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut where he allowed pension on his application executed January 23, 1834.
Soldier's father died about 1826. The Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to allow a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the services of said Thomas Hodgkin.
There is no data on file as to the family of Ambrose Hodgkin except the reference to his father.
Herewith is returned the letter of Mrs. Lewin.

Very truly yours,

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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17493
INVALID
File No. 17493
Ambrose Hodgkin
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7 "32
Index:- Vol. 1, Page 181
[Arrangement of 1870]


1936 [unk] 16-Hist to Hon. E. H. Fenn
for Mrs. Wm H. Lewin MMHF
Page 28

Let to Hon. F. Smith
March 17, 1846
Page 29

Simsbury Ct.
Sept 6

Free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington


Ct. Sept 10
addl proof 
Ambrose Hodgkin
for increase
Page 30

Simsbury 5th Sept 1839
Sir
I transmit the supplemental declaration of Ambrose Hodgkin for a pension &c.
I am respectfully your &c.
E. Phelps
Page 31

State of Connecticut, County of Hartford ss.
Probate District of Simsbury
On that 28th day of August AD 1839 personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the district of Simsbury Ambrose Hodgkin a resident of Simsbury in said district aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following supplemental declaration in order to obtain an addition to the pension hitherto allowed him and that in 1777 he served as a private in a guard ordered by the selectmen of Guilford in said State to be raised and stationed for the defence of the sea coast and land & under the direction of Nathaniel Ellis of that town & one of the selectmen thereof and served from the first day of May to the first day of November being six months. This tour of duty he omitted in his first declaration because he understood & believed that such service was not [unk] by the act of Congress. Those who served with him he believed are all dead. The increase he claims to have proved by his own oath & by the deposition of Eunice Skinner.
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That in 1778 he served under the direction and superintendence of said selectmen, in Guilford from the first of May to the first day of November being six months. This service he claims to have proved by his own oath and the affidavits of Eunice Skinner. That he knows of no person now living by whom he can prove this service. This tour of duty was omitted for the reason above stated. It has been stated that Elizar Willard obtained a pension for having served in 1777 or 1778, and were the same guard.
In 1777 or 1778 the enemy landed at Sachons Head, burned the house and barn of Solomon Leet, and killed Ambrose Leet and Simeon Leet in their own house. The enemy left their ship in her barges, landed and committed the above depredations. 
That in 1779 he served as a substitute for his father Thomas Hodgkin from the latter part of July, the exact days is not recollected during the whole months of August, September, October and November 1779 being four months. And that after the expiration of said four months he also served as a substitute for his said father how [unk] days in each week during the month of December 1779, viz, on Fridays and Saturdays and once or twice on Sundays making three days. That the number of days he served in December 1779 were nine or ten days, and that his whole service in 1779 was four months and nine or ten days. His duty was performed in a company commanded by Capt Dan Collins, Luke Field, Levi Meigs, & Ezra Graves, Nathan Wilcox, Leeman Graves &c., all served with me and are dead. That he does not know any person now living with
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whom he served & by whom he can prove these services.
Ambrose Hodgkin

Subscribed and sworn to in open Court the day and year first above written (the 28th day of August 1839).
Before me
John O Pettibone, Judge of Probate for the District of Simsbury

I, Benjamin Ely, Clerk of the Court of Probate for Simsbury District, hereby certify that the foregoing is the original proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the supplemental declaration and application of Ambrose Hodgkin in order to obtain an addition to the pension heretofore allowed to him. I also certify that John O. Pettibone, who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate for Simsbury District.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 28th day of August 1839.
Benjamin Ely Clerk
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June 28
Ambrose Hodgkin's
Ct act 1832
add: aff
27921

Simsbury Ct.
June 25th
Free
J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Page 35

Simsbury Hartford County Con
June 1838

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pension ss.} Dear Sir,
I was informed that without further evidence you could not grant me a greater pension than thirty dollars a year, at the time that was granted to wit 6th of Sept. 1834.
I served in the war of the revolution as a private nine months in the year previous to my serving as a private my father was a sargeant in the army and I served as a substitute for him more than four months.
The evidence to prove these facts are now gone my associates in those days have passed away and I am left but one Step behind them, age has brought upon me those infirmities our natures are heir too, I cannot entertain a doubt but I am entitled to a greater pension than I receive, but I have sought in vain for evidence to prove the facts. One individual who I cannot find and of whose death I have not heard could bear witness in my favour, his name is Jedediah Coe, but I cannot find him. Ezra Wilcox the person by whom my nine months service was proved draws as I am informed $66.66 a year. I have been informed that his pension was obtained by own testimony. I served in the war as above stated at least thirteen months I can produce no further testimony except my own to the facts of that cannot avail me. I cannot expect to receive that show of my countrys bounty I am by Law entitled to my circumstances require aid to provide comforts for my few remaining days, but you as a public officer must be governed by principals which must operate on all alike. I am willing to be qualified to the facts stated above, to wit, that I served at least four months as a substitute for my father and nine months on my own enlistment
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If I forward you an affidavit of these facts sworn to by myself cannot you grant me an additional amount to the pension I now draw, my health is poor and I am not able to get about to hunt up testimony. I have waited now about four years in hopes to find out some one by whom to prove the facts. If I delay a little longer, the aid if it should come at all would come to late to benefit me in this world. Yours Respectfully
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State of Connecticut, County of Hartford ss. Probate District of Simsbury
On this fifteenth day of December AD 1838 personally appeared before John O. Pettibone Esq Judge of Probate for the District aforesaid, Ambrose Hodgkin now a resident of the town of Simsbury in said district, a pensioner of the United States, and residing at the time of his application for a pensions in Middletown County of Middlesex in said State and makes the following declaration in order to obtain an addition to his present pension viz
1st that he served as near as he can recollect from about the beginning of May 1779 until the fore part of November 1777, being not less than six months, in a guard, at Guilford, now Madison, in New Haven County, which was raised by the selectmen of the town for the purpose of guarding the coast against the enemy and to prevent all illicit intercourse with the enemies of the country. This service was not included in his original application not then knowing that this service was within the laws of Congress.
2 that he served six months in a similar guard and for the same purposes, at the same place in the year 1778, commencing some time in May & terminating in November. This service was not stated in his original
Page 38

application for the same reason. But finding several had obtained pensions for service in the same guard he has been induced to make this application. That he has recently been in the neighborhood where these services were performed to obtain proof but all those who served with him are dead. The annexed affidavit of Eunice Skinner is the only direct proof he has been able to obtain of these services.
During the aforesaid services, the guards found their own rations and received a compensation therefore he believes, from the selectmen of the town of Guilford; and were under the direction and command.
3 That he in the year 1779 served in a guard in said Guilford as near as he can ascertain not less than four months. This guard was commanded by Capt Dan Collins. The number of men belonging to it, he cannot now recollect. It was called Capt Collins company. The town of Guilford was then an extensive town & contained four parishes. Its extent upon the sea coast must have been not less than eighteen miles. Capt Collins served principally at a place called Point Rocks, a part of his company was stationed at Sachams Head, both in the Hart Parish, my father Thomas Hodgkin was a Sergeant in this company & had command of eighteen men who were stationed in the East parish at three posts, one called the Old Wharf one called Fort Chadwick or Chattuck & the other place called Reubens Rocks. That his father was under the necessity of being absent to procure provisions
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and ammunitions frequently, then he was absent on this business or at other posts, he required me to repair to the old wharf, one of the posts in the East Parish where ten men were stationed. There he served for his father as the commandant of the guard, in his absence, there being no Sergeant or Corporal. He placed me here to command the guard in his absence and to procure whatever might be necessary for the post. He went several times to the port commanded by Capt. Collins to obtain flints & ammunition & any other supplies that might be necessary. That he continued to serve at this post [unk] where his father was there where there was [unk] pressing necessity. Of this service he has no direct proof, as he cannot by enquiry, find any of those who served with him. This service is embraced in his original application. He relies for proof upon his own oath & the charge of Capt. Dan Collins pay rolls to the United States
Ambrose Hodgkin 

Subscribed & sworn to the day & year above expressed.
John O Pettibone, Judge of Probate for the District of Simsbury
Page 40

Resolved by this Assembly that it be recommended and it is hereby recommended to the civil authority and selectmen of the several [unk] situate on the sea coast and sound immediately to set up a sufficient military watch & ward and to order sufficient centrys to be set in all proper places contegous to the sea or elsewhere to make discovery of any attempt of the enemy to make a defent or any of said towns and to take a special care of all the watercraft belonging to any person or persons in their respective [unk] which said craft shall be carefully inspected by said watch especially in the night season & that a copy of this resolve be forthwith sent to the several towns.
The foregoing is a true copy of the record of the resolve passed by the General Assembly of the State of Connecticut at their session in October seventeen hundred seventy six.
In testimony of which I have hereto affixed the seal of this State and signed the same.
Royal R. Hinman Secretary of the State of Connt.
Page 41

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Connt Dec AD 1838
I Henry Kilborn Comptroller of Public Accounts for said State do certify that upon the books of the Office under the date August 19th 1779 the pay roll of Capt. Dan Collins company is charged to the United States, also another pay roll is charged under date October 19th 1779, and also another under date January 1st 1780. And that no roll of Capt. Dan Collins has been found.
Henry Kilbourn Compt.
Page 42

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Con. 3rd Oct 1838
I Henry Kilborn Comptroller of Public Accounts do certify that it appears by the records in this Office, under date April 7th 1778, that there was charged to "War, viz" Dr To order on Treas of S. M. Guilford for expense of a guard L675.4.0 & that the same charge is contained in Haskells receipts.
That under date January 2nd 1781 on Haskells receipts, under head of "expense of coast guards, is charged as  paid to Lt Samuel Lee coast guard at Guilford L940.4.8.
Henry Kilbourn Compt.
Page 43

I Eunice Skiner of the town of Haddam in the county of Middlesex & State of Connecticut being duly sworn do depose & say that I am seventy three years of age that in the war of the revolution I lived in the town of Guilford in Connecticut & that Ambrose Hodgkin did do duty as a soldier in said War part of two years inscription viz. in the years seventeen hundred seventy seven & seventeen hundred & seventy eight six months in each year it was then called State service & he did the duty under the direction of the Selectmen of sd town of Guilford & served under Capt. Dan Collins. Further the Deponent saith not.
Dated at Haddam this 6th day of Nov. 1838
Eunice Skiner her mark X

Middlesex County ss Haddam Nov 6th 1838
Personally appeared Eunice Skiner signer of the foregoing Deposition & made solemn oath to the truth of the same & I do further certify that I have known the said Eunice Skiner for the last ten years & that she sustains a fair character for truth & integrity & is of steady habits.
Taken before me Wm Cook Justice of Peace
Page 44

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal hereof, do hereby certify and make know to whom it doth or may concern,
That William Cook Esq is
and for more then four months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said state, to take the acknowledgements of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take [unk] and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Cook in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 26th day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. And I certify that the signature of said Cook hereunto annexed is genuine.
Royal R. Hinman Secretary
Page 45

I, ROYAL R. HINMAN, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, THAT William Cook Esq, is and for more than four months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Middlesex in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgements of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Cook in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 26th day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. And I certify that the signature of said Cook hereunto annexed is genuine.
Royal R. Hinman Secretary
Page 46

State of Connecticut
Hartford County} ss. Simsbury Probate District, Simsbury January 1st 1839
I, John O. Pettibone, Judge of the Court of Probate of said District of Simsbury have directed Benjamin Ely, the Clerk of the said Court, duly to certify that the foregoing are the original papers exhibited to this Court in the application of Ambrose Hodgkin for an addition to his present pension.
John O Pettibone Judge of Probate for the District of Simsbury

I, Benjamin Ely. Clerk of the Court of Probate for Simsbury District, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ambrose Hodgkin for an increase of his present pension. And I also certify that John O. Pettibone who has affixed his name in his own proper hand writing as above, is Judge of Probate for Simsbury District.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal of said Court, this first day of January 1839.
Benjamin Ely Clerk
Page 47

J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner
of Pensions
Washington
Page 48

Simsbury April 29, 1839
To J L Edwards Esqr.
Commissions of Pensions
Honored Sir,
I received a letter from your excellency in answer to the one that I sent you with out signature (through a mistake) yours of August 16th stated that my Affidavit for the four months service as a substitute for for my Father had never been received. My Affidavit was sent with that of my nine months service and you sent me a certificate for the nine months and no more and you assigned no reason for not sending a certificate. My Affidavit was made out by Stillmoman K. Weleman Esqr. Judge of Probate for the district of Middletown in County of Middlesex and John Fisk Esqr. Clerk of sd Court and properly attested to and signed by the Rev Smith Pyne rector of the Episcopal Church Middletown Connecticut where I then resided and L. C. Bradley Esqr. as the law directs.
In 1779 Capt. Dan Collins if Guilford Conn had a commission from the State to enlist a company sufficient to guard the town of which company my Father was a sargeant in sd company and took of charge of 18 men and was stationed in the East parish of Guilford which is set off as a town and now called Madison. At the latter part of the month of July 1779 he was requested by the Capt to provide rations for the men under his care for which reason I took his place and done his duty as a sargeant in sd company from the latter part of the month of July 1779
Page 49

untill the first of Dec. the same year and at the first of Dec my Father took his station again in sd company, untill the first of Jan and the company was then discharged. And the next year 1780 Capt Dan Collins was again commissioned to enlist another company for the same purpose in which I enlisted as a private soldier in sd company and served nine months under Sargeant Timothy Todd at the place as before. For sd nine months service your Excellency granted me a certificate. But for the four months service done for my Father I have received nothing.
Furthermore I will state to you that in the years 1777 and 1778 I serve six months in each year under the superintendent of the Selectmen of the town of Guilford who were authorized by the State of Connecticut to raise a troop sufficient to guard the Town of Guilford which received more damage than any town in the State during the Revolutionary War. Sir will state to your Excellency the reason why I have not petition for a pension for my services in the years 1777 and 1778 were owing to me not being acquainted with the maner in which the troops ware organized but after examining the memorandums with Elisha Phelps Esq at the comptrollers office and finding that the troops ware organized by the State of Connecticut I find the I am entitled to a pension for my services in the years 1777 and in 1778 for which I have sent on to your excellency my Affidavits together with the four months service done in 1779 as a substitute for my Father Thomas Hodgkin.
Mr. Ezra Willcox that certified for me and served with me said in his testimony that it must be in 1780 that he served with me and I find it be so
Page 50

My Affidavits have been sent on some months ago and I have heard nothing. You will have the godness to inform me as I am entitled to a full pension why I cannot receive it without further delay please to attend to the business and let me know and you will greatly oblige you humble servant. 
Ambrose Hodgkin

P S served 25 months faithfully in the Revolutionary
Page 51

Hodgkins

Free
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
War Department
Page 52

Simsbury April 30th 1840
To J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions
I would inform your excellency that I have the letter sent to Mr. Phelps of March 17, 1840 and in that letter you stated that I claimed for services done in the Revolutionary War for service done in 1778 two years that is to say twice over. I would inform you as I have twice before that I was mistaken in the year for in my origal declaration I stated that I served 9 months as a private soldier in 1779 but I was mistaken in the year it was 1780 I servd 9 months and in 1779 as a substitute for the first time I sent my claims you sent them back and I heered John Fisk clerk of probate in Middletown to go to Hartford and examin the controlers office to find my Capts name as you could not find it in the war department but the clerk of the office refused to look for it would be uncertain whether he could find it or not for the papers was so worn out by sarching he totally refused to look and then I went to Guilford to get this sd Ezrah Wilcox to certify one word more that he did absolutely serve with me 9 months in Dan Collins's company and that it was record in with the other services for which he claimed but he often sent his brother on in his room and perhaps he did not serve all of the nine months (that I know not certainly) but he said are you right Mr Hodgkin in the year o believe you are mistaken in the year for I have been lookin over some papers and I believe it was in 1780 that I served
Page 53

with you in Capt Collines company under sargeant Timothy Todd but I will not be certain and so the mater was left but I have examined further and i find it was in 1780 that served 9 months and in 1779 that I served as a substitute for my Father in Capt Collenses company sd Collins had a Capts commissions two years runing in 1779 and in 1780 but we are all liable to mistaken I would not have your excelllency think that I am an man that would certify any thing that was not true I am sure that i have been recommended suffiently by the first characters in town where I belong as for my services done under the selectmen of the town of Guilford I know not wheather I am intilled for that service I know not but by the memorandum in the controlers office in Hartford it appears so and Elizar Willard of that part of Guilford now called Madison told me that I was but you stated I was not and if so I do not expect it but my service done as a substitute I think I ought to have it. Abel Meigs of Madison draws a pension of thirty dollars per year for services done as substitute I know not when he served for my part but his father was one of my Father's men in 1779 that I well remember but he is no more I done no service after 1780 but in 1781 I was drafted to go into the continental service for one year but as I had been in the state service four seasons runing I pled off and for some other reasons so I never went. This from your servant and friend.
Ambrose Hodgkin
Page 54

Hartford County Con. June 1838
To J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions Washington City D.C.} Sir
This may certify that we the subscribers have been personally acquainted with Ambrose Hodgkin of Simsbury in sd Hartford County for twenty five or thirty years last past. That his habits of life are temperate steady and industrious his deportment steady gentlemanly and virtuous in his dealing upright and honest his character for truth and veracity above suspicion,
Yours &c.
Elisha Phelps
Calvin Barber
Edmund Holcomb
Joel C. Holcomb
G C Holcomb
Henry Ely
Page 55

Ambrose Hodgkin
Bly Jc. JR Jewell
Terd to 9 Oct 1838
11 Rec p. 100 - Selectmen
# of Guilford 1778 apr 7

H. P. 1016 St. 8 Sec 1781 Jan 2
102 do June 13
c. St. Abm Scrafton '82 Jan 16
C. Marker Lord .....17
103 C Giles Meigs Feb 4
L. Timo Field 22
6 St. Jos. Weld Mh 12
Ct. Aug Collins Apl 1
Selectmen of Gd 1783 May 1

Militia
106 Cl Jno Smith 1778 Jan 15
6 Cl Jno Brooke 15
109 C. S Camp 1782 Aug 5
Simeon Parsons 12
Cl Chs Norton -
Page 56

War Department
Pension Office
August 16, 1838
Sir,
I have received a letter without signature, accompanied by a certificate of several persons in your favor. The letter stated that there is enclosed an affidavit of the writer. It did not however accompanying it. Presuming that the letter was from you, I address this to you in order that you may be informed that your affidavit has not been received.
I am, very respectfully, yr. mo. obt. st.
J L Edwards


Mr. AMbrose hodgkins
Simsbury
Connt
Page 57

Sixty-Ninth Congress
----------------------
E. Hart Fenn, Chairman
Clarence J. McLeod, Mich.
Robert L. Bacon, N.Y.
Hays B. White, Kans.
Lloyd Thurston, Iowa
William R. Johnson, Ill.
Frederick W, Magrady, Pa.
Henry L. Bowles, Mass.
Florence P. Kahn, Calif.
Edward Coigt, Wis.
John E. Rankin, Miss.
Arthur H. Greenwood, Ind.
George C. Peery Va.
Ralph F. Lozier, Mo.
Meyer Jacobstein, N.Y.
Virgil Chapman, Ky.
Samuel Rutherford, Ga.
J. Robert Conroy, Clerk

COMMITTEE ON THE CENSUS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D. C.

183 Ann St.,
Hartford, Conn.,
Aug. 10, 1926

Hon. Winfield Scott,
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Mr. Scott:-
I enclose herewith letter from Mrs. William H. Lewin of 36 Everett St., New Britain, Connecticut, asking for certain data in the pension record of one Ambrose Hodgkin, S 17493. This is probably a Revolutionary Soldier and this information is needed in connection with the Daughters of the American Revolution. If it is possible to supply it will you please send same to me so that I may forward it to Mrs. Lewin, and oblige,
Yours very truly,
E. Hart Fenn