Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,937, for David Main, Connecticut
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
CONTENTS
assessed
Main, David
NUMBER
of
S.16937
Carded
Page 2

17.086. Connecticut
David Main
to Stonington in the State of Connt
who was a Pri. in the Com commanded by
Captain of the 
the Reg
Comm
Col. Parsons in the Connt
State Troops 14 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of Connt
the rate of 46
Dollars 66 Cents
per annum
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20 day of July
1833
and sent Hon N.
Barber Groton Cont

Arrears to the 4th March 33 $93.32
Semi-ant. allowance ending Dep 433 28.33
$11166

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by E D Bullock
Clerk

Book E  Vol. 3 Page 27
Page 3

I Rufus Main of the Town of Griswold County of
New London and State of Connecticut aged 74 years
being duly sworn according to law do certify declare &
say that I am well acquainted with David Main of
North Stonington who signed the foregoing declaration in
my present and that on the first of August 1777
at Stonington New North Stonington I was drafted for
a least three months duty and was marched and
Stationed at Fort Insweld Near N. London I was attach
ed to Capt Stanley Compt Col Wm Ledyard Regt
and well remember that the above named David
Main was drafted at the same time that I was
and was attached to the same Compt and Rect
that I was and served in said fort Griswold the
term of three months I have always been acquainted with
the sd David Main that signed the foregoing
Declaration in my presents and know him to be the same
person who performed the sd three months to
of Duly as aforesaid
long and subscribed the
Rufus Main
day and year aforesaid before
the Court aforesaid
Asa his Judge
Page 4

David Main
26.098

Admitted
Private 14 mo $46.66

Hon. N Barber
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of David Main
of North Stonington
in the State of Connecticut
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court of Probate
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 74 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[chart]
Period.
May 10th In 1775, enlisted
Aug 1st 1776
Aug 1, 1777

Duration of Service.
Years 
Months 
7
4
3
Days.

Rank.
Private
do
do

Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
May Saml Prentice
Col Saml H Parsons
Capt Thos Holmes
 Col. Oliver Smith
Capt Stanton
Col Ledgard
Conswas

5. In what battles was he engaged? none stated
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? North Stonington
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary evidence, and Five him
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? they are properly authenticated
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
 
Gordon Examining Clerk
Page 6

State of Connecticut
County of New London
Probate District of Stonington

On this 11th day of February AD 1833
Personally appeared in open Court, before Asa Fish Esq
Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington
now sitting at North Stonington in the County and
District aforesaid David Main a resident of North
Stonington in said Stonington District, County of
New London and State of Connecticut aged 74 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 the
7th day of June 1832, that he entered into the
service of the United States under the following
Named officers and served as herein Stated
that on the first monday in
May 1775 at said North Stonington he enlisted for the
term of Seven months as a private in Major Samuel Prenticee Comp Lieut James Eldridge Ensign Babcock and on
or before the 10th day of said month he marched in said
Company to New London C.C. said Company belonged to
Will S. H. Parsons Regt of Connecticut State troops that
said Comp continued at N. London three weeks, he then
marched in said Company through Johnston to Providence Rhode Island, thence to Roxbury in the State of
Massachusetts and there continued in service in sd Compa
and Regt until the Tenth day of December 1775 when he receive
ed an honorable written discharge from Coll Samuel H. Parsons
which discharge has long since been lost or destroyed that while
on this tour of duty he helped build the fort on common hill
but was the most of his time employed in the Army
Shop he being acquainted with the Gun Smiths business,
that while at sd Roxbury he frequently saw Genl Washing
ton and Putnam, that he served on this tour of duty the
full term of Seven months, that there were several other
Regr at Roxbury one of which he recollects was comman
ded by Col Ely, that after he was discharged he returned
to Stonington New North Stonington C.t.) That Allen York
Page 7

of North Stonington is the person he knows of whose testimo
my he can now obtain to prove this tour of Duty, Except
Wm Steward of Voluntown (2nd tour) That on the first day
of August 1776 he resided at North Stonington being a private
in Capt Amos Mains corps of Militia, Joshua Brown Lieut
Daniel Brown Ensign, and that there was at that time
a general draft of the Militia and that he was drafted
and marched on the 18th day of August N. London, in the
Company now commanded by Capt Thomas Holmes in -
Lieut Col Oliver Smith, Regr from N Lendon he marched
to New Haven Cl. where he staid one week from thence
he marched in Sd Compy to Kings bridge near New York
where he stayed about one week from thence he marched
to Morrisena where he stayed
from thence he marched to White Plains that while at
White Plains he frequently saw Gen Washington and Putnam
that he continued in service on this tour of duty untill
the first day of December 1776 making four months
and then received an honorable verbal discharge from
Coll Oliver Smith, that he then returned home again to
said North Stonington that he knows of no other testimony
which can now obtain to prove this second tour of duty
except that of Allen Block, Jonathan Allen and Jeffhat Brown of North Stonington 
3d tour of Service) That on the first day August 1777 he
resided in North Stonington and was a private in sd
Capt Amos Mains Compt of Militia when he was
again drafted for three months and was marched in
first day of August 1777 to Fort Griswold Near New
London, at that while there he did garrison duty in
Company commanded by Capt Stanton in Col Wm
Ledyard Ray that he continued in service at Fort
Griswold until the first day of November 1777 when
he received an honorable verbal discharge from Capt
Stanton having served out the full term of three months
for which he was drafted and then returned home again to sd
North Stonington - That he knows of no other person
whose testimony he can now procure to prove this
Page 8


his third tour of Service except Rufus Main of the
Town of Griswold New London County Ct
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and declares that his name is not in the Pensions
roll of the agency of any state.
That he was born in North Stonington formerly called Stonington in the year One Thousand Seven Hundred
and fifty two 1752. That his age is recorded in the Stonington Records. That when called into service, in each tour he
was always living in North Stonington. That he has lived in
said North Stonington ever since the revolutionary war
of now resides in said North Stonington. That he voluntarily enlisted the first tour of seven months in 1775- that
he was drafted, the tour of four months in 1776. that he
was drafted the 3d Tour of Service in 1777 & served three
months, that he never was a substitute. That he has
replied to the 5th Interrogatory in his preceding declaration
That he never was but one written dischared. to wit
at Roxbury Massachusetts for seven months service in
1775 signed by Samuel H Parsons, dated Roxbury
December 10th 1775. which discharge he has long since
lost, as before stated that he has no documentary
evidence of his services or any part thereof, and knows
of no persons living whose testimony he is able to procure
except, Rufus Main, of Griswold in s. New London County
by Allen York Wm Steward Allin & Jeptha Brown of
North Stonington, whose testimony he has procured
That he is known to the Minister a clergyman residing in
North Stonington and Latham Hall Esq of North Stonington
who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief in
his services in the Revolution. He has above recited all
claim to a pension except the present.
North Stonington February 11th 1833
Sworn to and subscribed the day &
year aforesaid before the Court of Probate
for the District of Stonington, in the

County of New London State of Connecticut
Asa Fish Judge
Page 9

We Asher Miner a Clergyman, residing in the Town of North Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut and
Latham Hall residing in said North Stonington hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with Capt. David Main who
has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration; that
we believe him to be Eighty years of age, that he is
reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he rensides
to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion.
Asher Mine
Latham Hall
February 12th 1833
Sworn to and subscribed the day and 
year aforesaid before the Court a
foresaid-
Asa Stith Judge

I Allen York of North Stonington in New London County and State of
Connecticut aged seventy Eight years, being duly sworn according to Law do on my oath certify, declare and say that
I am well acquainted with David Main, who subscribed
the above or foregoing declaration, that I have ever been a
acquainted with him since my childhood, & know him to have
been a soldier of the revolution. That on the first Monday
of May 1775. I enlisted as a private in the Connecticut
State Troops for seven months service in the company commanded by Maj Saml Prentice Lieut James Eldredge Lieut
Richard Hewitt in Col Saml H. Parsons Regiment, that on
the 10th of said May 1775. I went from my home in a North
Stonington, then called Stonington to New London and there
joined the said company, that after serving a short period
at New London marched with sd Company, through Voluntown
Connecticut, through Providence, R. Island to Roxbury in
the State of Massa Churches at which place last named and
the vicinity to wit Roxbury, I continued to serve in said
Regiment till the 10th December 1775, when having served
2
seven months the term of my enlistment. I recd a discharge
in writing from Colonel Parsons - That I know the said
David Main enlisted at the same time I did, and served
Page 10


in the same company from the commencement in May 1775
10th December following, that he was discharged at Roxbury at the same time I was discharged-
That at said Stonington, in the year 1776 he was a
private in the Militia, and on the 1st day of August
said year the militia were ordered out into actual ser
vice, that I marched with the militia company command
ed by Capt Tho Holmes 1st Lieutenant Joshua Brown & Lieut
Christopher Brown, belonging to Col. Oliver Smith, Regiment
to New London on said first day of August, thence north
in company to Saybrook & thence to New Haven Connect
ents & thence marched into the State of New York, to king
under and other places - that Regiment were station
Frank Guard at Morrissena, that he was in the
retreat to White Plains and was present, at the engage
ments foughten with the enemy, that I marched with
Company to North Castle & continue serving at a place
till on or after the 1st December 1776, when I was verbally
discharged at North Castle having served in this town of
duty four months. That I know the said David Main was a
private in Capt Holmes Company, & that he served
in company the whole of said time, and was discharged
at the same time, and that we came home to Stonington
together. That I believe the said David Main is Eighty years
February 12th 1833
Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid before the
Court aforesaid
A. Fish Judge
We Jonathan Allen aged Seventy Eight years and Septhal
Brown aged Seventy four years both of North Stonington
in the County of New London and State of Connecticut being duly
Cantioned & sworn do on our oaths, certify declare and
say that we are well acquainted with David Main of
North Stonington who subscribed the foregoing Declaration for
pension having ever lived since childhood in the same
neighborhood with I David Main, and know him to have
Page 11

been a soldier of the Revolution that we held at North
Stonington, in the year 1776, and belonged as private
to Capt Holmes company, that on the 1st day of August
in year the Militia being ordered out we marched
with David Main, from Stonington in Thos Holmes
Company 1st Lieut Joshua Brown a Lieut Christo Brown
Company being now a part of St Cold Oliver Smith
Regiment to New London Connecticut, after a short
period march to New Haven & thence Westwardly into
the State of New York, and we were in a company
in its different marcher and services, at Kingsbridge
Morrisena and other parts and place till on
or after the 1st day of December 1776, when at North
Title to which place the Americans retired from
White Plains-- we were discharged verbally-- and
then came home-
That we know the said David
Main served the whole time in said Company from
the 3d August to 2d December 1776, as a private
that we know the said David Main is the identical
person who performed service & that we believe him
to be Eighty years old - That we could only testify that
our said service commence on the first day of August or not but
know that we served four months

Jonathan Allen
Jephthah Brown
Feby 12. 1833. Sworn and sub
scribed the day and year afore
Before the Court aforesaid-
Asa Fish Judge

I William Stewart of Voluntown in the County of
Windham and State of Connecticut, aged Eighty one
years and upwards being sworn according to Law
do on my oath certify declare and say, that I am
well acquainted with David Main, who subscribed the above or foregoing Declaration, that he
first monday in May 1775. I lived in North Stoning
on then a part of Stonington in the County of New
London, Connecticut, and on said day. I volunter
Page 12

duly enlisted as a Private for seven months service in
the Connecticut State Troops, in the Company commanded by Capt Samuel Prentice Lieutenants
James Eldredge and Richard Hewitt, Ensign Oliver
Babcock in Colonel Samuel H Parsons Regiment that
about the 10th day of said Mary I joined the said
Company at New London & their continued serving in
Compy about three weeks, thence marched through
Connecticut of the State of Rhode Island to Roxbury &
at Roxbury continued in service in the company
aforesaid & in Col Parson's Regiment, all
on or about the 10th day of December AD 1775
when I was honorably discharged having served
seven months
That said David Main, was also
private in Company that he marched in
company with me from S Stonington to New London
& continued serving in T. Prentices company in
its marches and services, the whole of said Period
of Seven months, and was discharged at said
Roxbury, in Decr
1775, at the time I was also
discharged. That I know the David Main is the
identical person who performed the Seven months
serve, that I believe him to be Eighty years old
North Stonington February 18, 1833
William Seward

Sworn to and subscribed the day &
year aforesd Before the Court afore
Asa Fish Judge
Page 13

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant David
Main, was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as
he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that Asher Miner who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident
in Town of North Stonington in New London County
and Latham Hull Esq. who signed the same is a resident of the said Town of North Stonington and is a
credible person and that their statement is entitled to
credit, and that it further appears to said Court
that Allen York, Jonathan Allen and Jeptha
Brown of sd North Stonington, Rufus Main of Griswold in said New London County, and William New
and of Voluntown in the County of Windham State of Con
necticut, who have signed the certificate preceding are
residents of the Towns respectively, as by them stated and
a credible persons, and that their statements are in
titled to credit

Asa Fish Judge

I Nathan Cabell Clerk of the Court of Probate for the
District of Stonington C.C. do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the Original proceedings of the said
Court in the matter of the application of
David Main for a pension in testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and seal of office this 12th day of February 1833
Nathan Dabell Clerk
Page 14

February 23, 1932
BA-J/AWF
Mrs. Rai Christopher
2412 Fourth Avenue
Pueblo, Colorado
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to
David Main, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein are obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S. 16937, based
upon the Revolutionary War service of David Main.
He was born in 1752 in Stonington, Connecticut.
While a resident of said place he enlisted May
1, 1775, and served as private in Captain James Eldridge's
company in Colonel Samuel H. Parsons' Connecticut regiment
, and was discharged December 10, 1775. He enlisted
August 1, 1776 and served as private in Captain Thomas
Holmes' company in Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut
regiment, and was discharged December 1, 1776. He
listed August 1, 1777 and served as private in Captain
Stanton's company in Colonel William Ledyard's connecticut
regiment, and was discharged November 1, 1777.
He was allowed pension on his application executed
February 11, 1833, while a resident of North
Stonington, Connecticut.
There are no data as to his family.
Very truly yours
Assistant to Administrator
Page 15

In reply to your request of
received
of the military history of
David Main
the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 16.37

[Chart]

DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
RANK.
May 1, 1775 to Decr. 1775
Aug 1, 1776 to Dec 1 1776
Aug. 1777 to Nov 1 1777

LENGTH OF SERVICE.

RANK
.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
 James Eldridge
Thomas Holmes
Stanton

COLONEL.
STATE.
Samuel H Parsons
Oliver Smith
William [illegible]

STATE
Conn

In 1776 & 1777 drafted from Capt Amos Main's Company

Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stonington, New London Co.Conn
Date of application for pension, Feb 1883. his claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, North
Stonington, Conn.
Age at date of application, born in 1752 at Stonington, Conn what has age was recorded.
.
Remarks:
8 -- 2856
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
Page 16

1812 War Section

March 7, 1925

Mrs. L. E. Leach
25 Seward St.
Putnam, Conn.
Madam;

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16937, it appears that David Main was born
in 1752 at Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, where his
age was recorded.
While a resident of said place he enlisted May 1, 1775, as
private in Captain James Eldridge's Company, Colonel Samuel H. Parsons
' Connecticut Regiment, and was discharged December 10, 1775.
While belonging to Captain Amos Main's Company of Militia he
enlisted August 1, 1776, as private in Captain Thomas Holmes' Company
, Colonel Oliver Smith's Connecticut Regiment, and was discharged
December 1, 1776.
While belonging to Captain Ames Main's Company of Militia he
enlisted August 1, 1777, as private in Captain Stanton's Company,
Colonel William Ledyard's Connecticut Regiment, and was discharged
November 1, 1777.
He was allowed pension on his application executed February
11, 1833, while a resident of North Stonington, Connecticut.
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner
Page 17

[stamp] PUTNAM, CONN
JAN 30
1-30P

POST CARD

[stamp] PUTNAM JAN 30
1130 CONN

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington DC

[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE C JAN 81 1825

THIS SIDE FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY
Page 18

25 Seward St
Putnam
Conn
Jan 29. 1925

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C
Will you please send me copy of
pensions
44573 Elijah Bailey
1693 David Main

yours truly
Elijah Bailey
Page 19

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON

RECORDS DIVISION
IN REPLY PLEASE QUOTE
R - 6602 - ND

February 12, 1932.

Veterans Administration,
Director of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
Sirs:

The attached communication dated January 25, 1932,
from Mrs. Rex Christopher, 2412 Fourth Avenue, Pueblo,
Colorado, relative to the family data of Elisha Palmer
and David Main of N. Stonington, Connecticut, is referred
to your office for consideration and reply.
The writer has been advised of this reference.
Respectfully,
 
W. Richardson
Chief, Records Division.

RECEIVED
FEB 16 1932 PENSION FILES SUB-
Page 20

[Stamp] RECEIVED GAO JAN 29 32

[Stamp] RECORDS DIVISION Misc. Case #
Claim #
No Cann N.H.
DEPT RECORD:

2412 Fourth Ave
Pueblo, Colo
Jan 25 1932

Chief
Old Record Division,
gen, accounting office
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-
Kindly give me the family data as given for pension. Reference census of pensioners 1840.
W26287
Elisha Palmer age 90 in 1840. N. Stonington, Conn, living in family of Elisha Palmer. David Main age 88 in 1840. Stonington, Conn living in family of David Main

Yours truly
Mrs Rei Christopher

[stamp]
RECEIVED FEB 16 1932
RECEIPT SECTION
PENSION FILED OUR [ILLEGIBLE]
Page 21

16937

INVALID.
fIle No.
16937
David Main
Pri Rev War

Act June 7 '32

Index: -- Vol. 1
Page 245

Arrangement of 1870.)

1914 Apl. 23. Hist. to J. Quincy Ames
through S. G. Brooks letter in S. File
11979 Nathaniel Ames.
1925
Mar. T. Hist to
Mrs.-
Perth
1932 - Feb. 23 Hist to Mrs. Rice
Christopher