Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31762, Lot Humphreys, Conn.
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(8-1776)

SERVICE
Conn.

Humphreys, Lot
Or Humphrey

Number 
S.31762

CONTENTS
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17.982
Connecticut
Lot.: Humphreys
of Ct. Windsor in the State of Con who was a Pri in the Conn commanded by Captain Phelps of the  Regt commanded by Col Mead in the Conn Troops for 8 months- 9 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 27 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 18 day of October 33 and sent J H Parsons Heartford

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33              $69.15
Semi-anl allowance ending March 02  13.83
                                                              $82.98
Revolutionary Claim
Act 7, 1832
Recorded by ED Bullock Clerk, 
Book 3 Vol, 3 Page 20
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Abraham Humphrey’s
Depn. de appl 
of 
Lot Humphrey

Sept. to Dec. 1778—0:3:00
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PENSION ACT OF 1832.
Lot Humphrey 14083
Declaration of Lot Humphreys in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, Passed June 7, 1832.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT.} SS Hartford
County of Hartford
On this 6th day of October 1832, before the Probate for the District of Hartford in the County of Hartford Connecticut being a Court of Record, having by law a Clerk and Seal, personally appeared Lot Humphreys a resident of East Windsor in the County of Hartford and the State of Connecticut aged Sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth in his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States as a Sergeant in a company commanded by Captain David Phelps Lieutenant Jonathan Nobles and Ensign Isaac Tuller at Simsbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on or about the first day of September 1778; [strikethrough] that said company belonged to a regiment of        commanded by Colonel         Lieutenant    Colonel     and Major.  [strikethrough] That he the deponent was drafted for three months, and continued to serve in the said Corps, until on or about the month of December 1778 when he was dismissed from the service, at or near a place called Stonington in the County of New London and State of Connecticut; that when he entered the service, he resided in Simsbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and was marched from said Simsbury to New London & from thence to Stowington, where the company served as a guard at Stowington  Parish - and there remained until dismissed by Captain David Phelps. 
Abraham Humphreys of Canton in Said County in Hartford served at the same time and  in the same company and has hereto annexed his affidavit. Rufus Humphreys of Simsbury has annexed his affidavit relative to the deponent being drafted.
 2nd. The deponent further declares that on or about the month of March 1779, he was drafted again at Simsbury aforesaid with the militia company commanded Captain Adonijah Burr of Granby then called Simsbury in Colonel Meads regiment, and went from said Simsbury as a Sergeant to a place
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called Horseneck, now called Greenwich with County of Fairfield and state aforesaid, where he served about four months, and obtained a furlough from his Captain to return home: In  about two weeks he joined his Company at Fairfield in said county of Fairfield and served as a guard about three months guarding and protecting the coast; That he was dismissed about November 1779 and returned home having served about seven months in the whole term. 
Rufus Humphreys of Simsbury, know that I was drafted as above stated and returned home for about four months on furlough, but they said Rufus was away from home when he the deponent rejoined his company at Fairfield and cannot testify  onto that fact. 

3rd. The deponent further declares that, about June or July 1780, he was again drafted from the militia of said Simsbury, and immediately enlisted into the Continental army Lt Col or Captain Commandant John Hait or Hoyt, in he believes the 2nd Continental regiment, and served as a sergeant for the term of six months or there abouts - The Company was marched from Simsbury to West Point, remained there about a month, was then ordered to Morristown  in the state of New Jersey; During this period of service he served as a guard at the execution of Major André at Tappan and was honorably discharged by Colonel Hait: The discharge was given [smudged words], who was, at that time
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Guardian to the deponent, and has never been in the possession of the deponent Rufus Humphreys, knows that the deponent was drafted as above stated & has so stated in his affidavit hereto annexed.
4th,, That he was drafted to go to New London soon after his return from the Continental Service and he served there as a Sergeant about three months in Captain Cases's company of militia and acted as a guard to prevent the enemy [deleted words] This service was performed about July 1781 as nearly as he the deponent can recollect. he has no documentary evidence or proof whatever to support except his own solemn declaration and knows of no person living who served with him at that time.
5th That he went as substitute in 1780 to train for and served in the place of Elisha Cornish in a company commanded by Captain Abel Pettibone about five months when he was dismissed and return to Simsbury. The deponent served as a Sergeant during this time but  he has no evidence excepting his oath to prove it. & can find no person living who were his fellow soldiers at that time.
The deponent served several short tours at New Haven & which he deemed too small to mention at this time- but would remark that he was always ready [deleted words] if his
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Country do willing to sacrifice his property and life in her defense.
 
And in reply to certain interrogatories by the War Department and propounded by the Court, the deponent further declares,
1st That he was born at Simsbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut on the 11th day of April 1764.
2d That the day and year of his birth is recorded he believe in Simsbury but is not confident.
3d. and 4th. That when he was called into service, he resided at the places or towns as herein before stated; and served in the manner set forth in the preceding declaration.
5th. That the general circumstances of his service are detailed in the preceding declaration, and also the names of such officers, & c. he distinctly recollects.
6th. That he received a written discharge from the service from the hand of Lt. Col Hait which was delv to his guardian and is lost.
7th. That he is personally known to The Reverend Ansel Nash and David Grant Esq & many others who are respectable persons in the neighborhood where he now resides and can testify as to his character for veracity, and also their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.

And the said Lot Humphreys hereby relinquishes every claim 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.
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid. Lot Humphreys.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that The Revd Ansel Nash a clergyman of Windsor, David Grant, Rufus Humphreys and Abraham Humphreys whose affidavits are hereto annexed are credible persons, and that their statements are entitled to credit.
I, William Whitman Clerk of the Probate Court for the District of Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter for the application of Lot Humphreys for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 6 day of October 1832.
[Seal] Wm. Whitman, Clk of the Court of Probate for district of Hartford.
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I Abraham Humphrey of Canton in the County of Hartford the state of Connecticut aged seventy years depose & say that I was a private in a company of Militia commanded by Capt. David Phelps of Simsbury. Lieut Johnathan Nobles & Ensign Isaac Tuller. I marched in the Company, the forepart of September 1778, to New London & then to Stonington. I there Served on Guard (while able to do duty), until sometime in December 1778, when the company was honorably  dismissed  & returned home. That my brother, Lot Humphrey of East Windsor served in this Company as I think & believe in the capacity of a Sergeant this whole term, & was dismissed with the rest of us, & we returned home together in December 1778 as near as I can recollect.  & further the department saith not. 

Dated at Hartford this 11th August 1832
Sworn to & Subscribed this day & year [illegible] above written    Abraham Humphrey

Before me En. Parsons Just. Pac
I certify that the above deponent is a credible person. En. Parsons Just. Pac
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31762
Rey INVALID.
File No. 31,762
Lot Humphreys
Pri Rev war
Act: June 7th 32"
Index : -Vol. 2, Page 198
[ Arrangement of 1870.]
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No.14.083
Lot Humphreys
E E P.8
8 mo 9 days
Private

Sam H. Parsons Esq.
Hartford CT
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of  Lot Humphreys which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes

 III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?   yes

V.  *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?   yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  Not with sufficient [preen?] 

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  yes

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

 X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?  yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?  yes

 XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

 XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 

XIV. (cross symbol) If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?   yes 
 Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?  No

XV.  Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?  yes in part

 XVI. (double cross symbol) Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  yes

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes

 EXPLANATORY NOTES. 

* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For - year - - month and - days, I served as a -. For - months and - - days, I served as a - -; and for such service I claim a pension."
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 

(cross symbol) QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. 
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 claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witness, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 

(double cross symbol) QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers. 
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attach to the certificate. 

3mo +5.9 =8.9
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I George Cornish of Simsbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Seventy three years, a revolutionary pensioner of the United States under the act of June 1832 do depose and say, That Lot Humphreys is an applicant for a pension under the act of 1832. Was born in said Simsbury and resides in said town until about thirty years ago when he removed to Farmington near the line of Simsbury and Farmington about two miles from my house - and continued to reside [illegible] until removed to East Windsor & from thence to Hartford. I have therefore known said Humphreys from his birth to the present time.
I further depose & say that from September 1778 (according to my impressions) I know that said Lot Humphreys served as a private soldier three months in Captain David Phelps company at Stonington with State of Connecticut and was discharged I believe in December 1778. Said Lot Humphrey was the substitute of my Uncle Elisha Cornish as I always understood and believe Uncle Elisha Cornish was the Guardian of said Lot Humphreys and was drafted out of Captain David Phelps Company and sent Humphreys as his substitute. I was also drafted from the same company. I served with said Humphreys during the whole period of three months. We both lived in the same town of Simsbury. went to and returned together Mr. Humphreys was a few years younger than myself.
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I afterwards understood that said Humphreys [strikethrough] of Simsbury [strikethrough] served under captain Adonijah Burr. three months as the substitute of my Uncle Elisha Cornish who was his guardian and serviced Horseneck in 1779 according to my [impropous?]- my Uncle was drafted out of  company called "Alarm List Company"-commanded I believe by Captain Roger Case. I am not positive if the {illegible} Captain was Case or David Phelps but know that {illegible} or Phelps was Captain.
3.0 I have always understood that said Lot Humphrey was a soldier under Captain Commandant Hoyt & served nearly six months in 1780 as I have understood.
I have heard of other services performed by said Humphreys-but cannot specify them [truthfully?]. He has always been considered an honest man and I believe his statements, are correct so far as his memory will enable him to state. He went twice as a substitute for my Uncle Elisha Cornish at an early age, The first time I served with him at Stonington as above stated. 
Sworn {illegible} and is this 28 day of August 18[?]3 Before me
En Parsons Just. Pac George Cornish
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Certify that Deacon George Cornish the preceding deponent is a respectable credible man-
En Parsons Just Pac
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WE, Ansel Nash, a clergyman residing in the town of Windsor in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut and David Grant residing in the same town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Lot Humphreys late a resident of said Windsor now of East Windsor who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832; that we believe him to be Sixty eight years of age; that he is generally reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he [strikethrough] now [strikethrough] lately resided to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. and further, that said Lot Humphrey removed from said Windsor to East Windsor about the month of March 1832, where he now resides in; That while a resident of said Windsor he sustained and still sustains a fair character for industry and strict integrity and was a member of the Presbyterian Church of which I the said Ansel Nash am now the clergyman and was in "good standing" as a member of said church. 
Ansel Nash 
 David Grant

STATE OF Connecticut 
COUNTY OF Hartford SS. Windsor
On this 30th day of August before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, personally appeared The Reverend Ansel Nash who is a clergyman residing in the said town of Windsor and David Grant Esq who is a credible person residing in the same town - and made oath that the preceding certificate by them subscribed is true, and I further certify that their statement is entitled to credit. 
Hiram Roberts Justice of the peace
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I Rufus Humphreys of Simsbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut aged Sixty One years do depose and say, that I am well acquainted with Lot Humphreys of East Windsor who is an applicant for a pension under the Act of Congress passed July 1832. I was born in the same town and have always lived in the same place with the said Lot Humphrey and well remember that the said Lot Humphrey was drafted at Simsbury in the Militia under Captain David Phelps and went to Stonington about the month of September 1778 and returned home in about three months - Elisha Humphreys of said Simsbury went at the same time: he is [illegible words] David Phelps went as a [illegible] to this father David Phelps who was Captain of the Company. 

I further depose & say that I distinctly recollect that said Lot Humphrey was drafted the next year, about March 1779 in the Militia Company commanded by Captain Adonijah Burr of Granby then called Simsbury in Colonel Meads regt and went to Horseneck and returned according to my impression  in about four months if not a year later for return.  Richard Andrus who is now dead, and James Humphrey who is also dead, served at the same time from the same town of Simsbury - Andrus was a  pensioner on the Connecticut agency.
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I further depose & say that I distinctly remember that said Lot Humphrey was again drafted from the militia at Simsbury about June 1780 according to my impression and immediately enlisted with the Continental army under Captain [illegible] and John Hoyt, that he went to West Point and returned home to Simsbury in six months or longer about December 1780 - I have often heard him speak of his being present at the execution of Major Andre, I should say that he has told me the story nearly a hundred times  - and also many particulars about his other campaign; I lived in the same house with the said Lot Humphrey when he first entered the service [illegible] many years after the revolutionary war, I was born & [deleted words] brought up with him  - and I know that he sustains a fair character in the neighborhood where both of us reside, and is [underlined] generally  [/underlined]  reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution - Sworn to & subscribed this 15th day of august 1832. Before me, 
                                  Rufus Humphreys
 Samuel H Parsons 
 Notary Public 

And I certify that said Rufus Humphreys is a person of veracity.

Samuel H Parsons Noty Public
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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford

I, Rufus Humphreys of Simsbury solemnly swear that on the 15th day of August 1832 I made oath to and subscribed the preceding annexed affidavit before Samuel H Parson Esq, Notary Public, in relation to the revolutionary services of Lot Humphreys and that the statements herein contained are true. 

 Rufus Humphreys

Sworn to & subscribed this 17th day of May 1833
 Before me 
John O Pettibone Justice of Peace and I further certify that the above named Rufus Humphreys is well known to me as person of veracity.

[Signed] John O Pettibone Justice of Peace
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I Rufus Humphreys of Sainsbury solemnly swear that Lot Humphreys formerly of said Sainsbury now of Hartford who is an applicant for a pension and the act of 7 June 1832 served as the substitute of Elisha Cornish in Captain David Phelps company in 1778. {illegible} a month and that he served as the substitute of said Elisha Cornish in 1779 under Captain Adonijah Burr at Horseneck four months according to my present impression. Elisha Cornish was drafted., I therefore consider said Lot Humphreys as a drafted soldier by way of distinction from a volunteer or enlisted soldier. 
{illegible} in my affidavit sworn to before Samuel Parson Esq. August 12, 1832. I stated that said Lot Humphreys was drafted. I mean to be understood that he was the substitute of a drafted soldier  ver. Elisha Cornish and I hereto have so stated at that time of it had then been deemed important. Lot Humphreys is my cousin and lived during the revolutionary war in the same house with me. {illegible} and returned from Simsbury where we both resided during the war.. I believed I have always understood that said Lot Humphreys served a part of this time as a sergeant. {illegible} that he even received a warrant. Said Lot Humphreys is a very honest man + always means to state the truth according to the best of his memory. such is his general reputation. 
Sworn & subscribed this 28th day of August 1833
Rufus Humphrey

 En Parsons Just Pac

I certify that the above named defendant is a reputable + credible man. Aug. 28 1833 
E. Parsons Just. Pac
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I Lot Humphreys of Hartford in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut a property of East Windsor + also of Simsbury with County  + I have aforesaid do depose + say that I am the same person named in a declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress passed 7 June 1832. Executed & sworn to the 6th of October 1832 before the Probate Court for the District of Hartford aforesaid. 

That in afor'd declaration it was stated that I served 3 months as a drafted soldier under Captain David Phelps in 1778. I want to now amend, by stating that I served as the substitute of one Elisha Cornish who was drafted for the period of 2 months. He was my Guardian. My father + mother died when I was three years of age, as I was informed and I was immediately placed under the Guardianship of my Uncle Elisha Cornish. 
2nd In 1779 my Uncle Elisha Cornish was again drafted to go to Horseneck. I consented to go + serve as his substitute and  I did serve as such for the period of four months.  
3rd InJuly 1780. I was drafted & served under Captain Commandant John Hoyt. I was first drafted at Simsbury + then entered into the company commanded by said Hoyt. + received ten dollars State money for bounty.  [I haffears?]
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by the Comptroller Certificate that I served under Captain Hoyt from July 1 to December 9, 1780.
4. My next service was under Captain Case at New London. I was then a substitute for Reuben Tuller of Simsbury now des'd + served three months in 1781. Tuller was drafted at Simsbury.
5. I was [strikethrough] afterwards [strikethrough] a substitute for Elisha Cornish a few months before in {illegible} served under Captain Abel Pettibone at Fairfield-. two months at least. I thought it was longer but believe that I am mistaken. during several tours I acted and did the duty of a Sergeant although {illegible}  a warrant.  I was enrolled as a private {illegible} be satisfied with the pay of that rank because I cannot produce a warrant to know my service and because I enrolled as a private. 
It is true that I commenced my military service at an early age. but it was at the request of my Guardian. I was an orphan. without experience
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education or fortune. I was most dependent on my Uncle. he was drafted + sent me to serve as his substitute. I obeyed + served the services as stated in my declaration dated October 6, 1833. that is a I served 3 months as a substitute for Uncle Elisha Cornish under Captain David Phelps -  at New London + Stonington
2nd 4 months as a substitute for said Cornish under Adonijah Burr at Horseneck.
3rd - I served (as appears by Comptroller Certificate) July 1 to December 9, 1780 under Capt Com't Hoyt as an enlisted soldier at West Point [?]
4th - I served 3 months as the substitute of Rueben Tuller under Captain John Case at New London.
5th -  I served 2 months & I think longer under Captain Abel Pettibone at Fairfield as the substitute to my Uncle Elisha Cornish. I was enrolled as a private during the second campaign but did the duty of a sergeant. I never received a warrant. If I did I have lost it.

Lot Humphreys

Sworn + subscribed to before me this 28 day of August 1833 
En Parsons Just Pac.
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State of Connecticut County of Hartford to Hartford
 On this 15 day of May 1833 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County of Hartford formally appeared Lot Humphreys late of Windsor now of  {illegible} whose claims for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832 hereto annex + dated October 6, 1832 and made solemn oath that by reason of old age and consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than three periods mentioned below, under the following grades 
For three months at least he served as a Sergeant in Captain David Phelps' company of infantry & {illegible} of the Colonel another Field Officer he cannot remember. 
2-That he served at least four months as a Sergeant in Captain Adonijah Burr's company of foot  in Colonel Meads regiment.
3rd - That he served at least 6 months under Col. Com't. Hoyt and was Sergeant of the company the whole period
4th. That he served at least three months in Captain Jonathan Case's company as a Sergeant of the name of Colonel he cannot remember.
5th -  That he served at least five months as a Sergeant in Captain Abel Pettibones
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Company of foot the name of Colonel not recollected.
That the aggregate of his service {illegible} Sergeant with revolutionary war amounts to at least twenty one months.
3 months as a Sergeant under Captain David Phelps.
4 months as a Sergeant under Captain Adonijah Burr
6 months as a Sergeant under Liet Col. Comm Hoyt
3 months as a Sergeant under Capt. Jonathan Case
5 months as a Sergeant under Abel Pettibone
and for such services I claim a pension 

Lot Humphreys

Sworn and subscribed this 15 day of May 1833. 
Before me 
En Parsons Just. Pac
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Seal on paper
I, Thomas Day, Secretary of the State of Connecticut and Keeper of the Seal Thereof, do hereby verify that Hiram Roberts Esq before whom the foregoing affidavits of Rev. Ansel Nash and David Grant Esq. were taken, John O. Pettibone Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Rufus Humphrey was taken, and  Enoch Parsons Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit of Lot Humphreys was taken, are, and at the times when said affidavits were taken were Justices of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford; and Samuel A. Parsons Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Rufus Humphrey was taken, is, and at the time of taking said  affidavit was a Notary Public within and for the County of Hartford; all of said officers having been doing appointed, commissioned and qualified, with full power and authority to administer oaths to wit offices and to take affidavits out of court and to certify the same; and that I verily believe that the foregoing signatures purporting to be the signature of said Justices and said Notary respectively are genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of said State at Hartford, the 23rd day Of May, A.D. 1833



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