Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 22432, for Reuben Peck, Connecticut
Page 1

Conn   Peck, Reuben  S.22432
Page 2

Vermont 854 Reuben Peck of Cornwall in the State of Vermont who was a Pr. Inf. H Drag. in the company commanded by Captain Stoddart of the regt. commanded by Major Bull in the Con. militia line for 7 months Pr Inv 12 days Pr Dragoons
Inscribed on the Roll of Burlington Vermont at the rate of 24 Dollars 89 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Increased from #23.33
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of June 1840 and sent to Hon S. L. Phelps Servate Vt. States
Arrears to the 4th of March 1840  224.01
Semi-annual allowance ending Sep (illegible)  12.44
Former payments to be deducted  236.45
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, Book E.2. Vol. 3 Page 93
Page 3

ct. 1195
B Admitted
Private 7 months
$23.33
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Reuben Peck of Addison County in the State of Vermont
(Act 7 June, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or Judge?  In the County Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he?  72 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period   |   Duration of Service   |   Rank   | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1777 | 3 Months   |  private   |  Gen. Connecticut Militia Capt. Stoddard Maj. Bull
June 1778  |   3 months  |  "  |  drafted under Capt. Dutcher Col not mentioned
not stated   |   1 month   |  "   | names of officers not mentioned, states that he in that period was employed in guarding prisoners.
 7 months
5.  In what battles was he engaged?  Norwalk
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Litchfield Connecticut
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  By tradition
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Papers correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  (signed) John M. Duffield Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Reuben Peck Declaration

hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middleberg this 27th day of July 1832
(signed) Saml Swifte Clerk
Page 6

State of Vermont Addison County ss
On this 24th day of July A. D. 1832 personally appeared in open curt before the Judges of said Addison County now sitting Reuben Peck a resident of Cornwall in said county of Addison and State aforesaid aged about seventy two 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 in the year 1777 in the militia of the State of Connecticut under the following named officers under Capt Stoddard and served for the term of three months and resided in Litchfield in the said State and was drafted into said service under said Capt Stoddard in whose company he served out the said term and was engaged in the battle at Norwalk when it was burnt by the common enemy. Major Bull commanded the regiment to which he was attached and he further declares that in the year 1778 in June as he thinks he again entered the said service by draft in the war of the revolution against the common enemy and served for the term of three months in a company of light horse commanded by Capt Dutchen of Salshing in said State of Connecticut, he then resided
Page 7

at Litchfield in said State when he was drafted as aforesaid and served out the said last mentioned term of three months and was dismissed and he returned home and was employed in guarding the lines at Merinach Bridge from thence to Dobs' Ferry and served one other month in guarding the goal at Litchfield where (illegible) were confined.  His company was attached to a regiment which was (illegible) to the army commanded by Genl. Gatiz and he further states that there he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.  He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll or the agency of any state.  (signed) Reuben Peck
Sworn & subscribed the day hereon aforesaid
(signed) Samuel Swift Clerk
Page 8

We Jehial Wright a clergyman residing in Cornwall in Addison County and Benjamin Sanford residing in said Cornwall, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Reuben Peck who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that (illegible).  (signed) Jehial Wright  Benj. Sanford

Sworn to & subscribed the day above aforesaid (signed) Saml. Swift Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interagatories 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 Jehial Wright who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Cornwall aforesaid and that Benjamin Sanford who has also signed the same is a resident in said Cornwall, and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
(signed) Saml. Swift  Clerk
Page 9

I Samuel Swift Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Peck for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Middleburg this 27th day of July 1832.
(signed) Saml. Swift  Clerk.

Reuben Peck  Declaration
Page 10

Reuben Peck
No 1195 ai my Pension Officer
(854)
Page 11

Case of Reuben Peck
Mr. Phelps
Vt.

Hon S. S. Phelps Senate U. S.
Page 12

State of Vermont District of Addison SS
On this 22d day of May 1840, personally appeared before the Probate Court for the said District of Addison, Reuben Peck residing in Cornwall in said District, aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn makes this declaration as an addition to his former declaration heretofore made before the County Court for the said County of Addison, for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That in making his former declaration he was advised that it would be of no use to him to state several short periods of service in the Revolutionary war, which he had performed, and they were accordingly omitted in his account of his service - that in addition to the service which he then stated, and for which a pension was granted him, he served as follows, to wit, in the summer of the year 1777, on an alarm, on occasion of the British coming up the Hudson River, with a review, as was understood, of cutting their way to meet the army under Burgoyne, the company of cavalry, to which I then belonged in Litchfield, Connecticut, was called out, and marched to Hudson Rover, and I went with that company, and served not less than a week or ten days, the infantry companies were detained five weeks - but the cavalry a shorter period, but how long I am not certain, but it was not less than the period above mentioned; while absent we were at Fishkill and Peckskill and other places - moving from place to place, as circumstances required; We were under the command of Capt. Moses Seymore, the captain of the company; In the summer of the year 1779, I think, in July, on occasion of the alarm, on account of the burning of Norwalk & Fairfield in Connecticut, I was again called out with the above named cavalry company under Capt. Seymore, and marched to New Haven, and reached that place, just after the British had plundered that place and left it; (illegible) marched in pursuit to Fairfield, but before we reached that place, the British had burned it and left.  We accordingly passed on to Norwalk without stopping at Fairfield, and reached Norwalk before the British arrived. The night after our arrival, the British landed near where we were stationed and fired upon our company; the day following they burned the town and retreated on board their boats.  I served in this expedition, as I am confident three weeks - perhaps more - the length of time I cannot state
Page 13

with perfect certainty; but I am confident it was not less than three weeks.  I have no doubt that I was in the service on these two occasions, at least four weeks, and probably more. In both the foregoing expeditions, John Phelps, father of Hon. Saml. S. Phelps, of the U. S. Senate, served with me in the same company; the evidence furnished by him may shed more accurately the length of each service. (signed) Reuben Peck
Subscribed & sworn the day & year mentioned before the said Court (signed) Saml. Swift, Judge

On this 22d day of May 1840, personally appeared before the said Court, George Peck of the town of Sweden, Monroe County, New York, aged seventy four last November and being duly sworn deposes and says as follows,
  the above named Reuben Peck is my brother and I am nearly six years younger than he is: In the time of the Revolutionary war, I recollect that the said Reuben Peck, and another brother belonged to a company of cavalry in Litchfield Connecticut, under the command of Capt. Moses Seymore - I also distinctly recollect that he was two or three times, called into the service, on occasion of alarms - at one time, I understood he went to Hudson Rover, and at another time, to Norwalk, Connecticut, at the time that place was burned by the British. I recollect that he was absent for some time, but I am not able to recollect how long.  (signed) George Peck
Subscribe & sworn the day & year above written before the said Court (signed) Saml. Swift Judge
And I certify that it appears to said court that the above named George Peck is a credible witness. (signed) S. Swift, Judge
Page 14

State of Vermont District of Addison SS
I, Samuel Swift, Judge of the Probate Court for the said District of Addison, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Peck for an increase of pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 22d day of May 1840. (signed) Saml. Swift, Judge
Page 15

I Solomon Gibbs of the town & County of Litchfield Conn aged 75 years being duly sworn do depose & say that during the whole Revolutionary War I Was well acquainted with Reuben Peck then of the town & now of Cornwall Vt.  I remember that from the year 1776 to the year 1780 inclusive he Peck belonged to the militia companies organized in sd. Litchfield, at first to the infantry & afterwards & for the greater part of the period to the Cavalry Company commanded by Capt. Moses Seymour.  The whole militia was often called out on alarms to march in defence of the county against the British.  Said Peck went on one occasion in with a part of said Cavalry Company on an alarm to protect the county in the vicinity of the Needson River at the time the British were endeavouring to force a passage up that River to meet Gen. Burgoyne who was about that time taken by the American army.  I was in the vicinity of the River serving in the Infantry at the same time.  & tho I can't now remember that I actually saw him yet I have no doubt he was there.  We were neighbors at home & I always & at the time understood that he so served but I cannot tell how long he served.  Said Peck was often at other times called out in alarms with his company to serve as a soldier against the British, but I cannot specify times & places.  I however soon after Norwalk Conn was burned by the British in July 1779 heard him speak of his serving at Norwalk against the British at that time.  & he was generally reputed I believed at that time to have so served.  Dated at Litchfield this 29th day of Sept. 1835.  (signed) Solomon Gibbs
Page 16

Litchfield County SS Litchfield Sept. 29th 1835 Personally appeared Solomon Gibbs of sd Litchfield a witness to me well known & who is entitled to credit & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him in my presence subscribed  before me.  (signed) Geo C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

Litchfield County SS Litchfield Sept. 29th 1835
I Asabel Peck of the town & County of Litchfield Conn aged 73 years being duly sworn do depose & say that I am a brother of Reuben Peck formerly of sd Litchfield & now of Cornwall Vt.  I know that during the Revolutionary War hereunder in sd Litchfield & belonged at first to an Infantry Company & afterwards to a Cavalry Company under Capt. Moses Seymour in the Militia of this state. After the Norwalk alarm I well remember sd Reuben telling that he was there & about the balls whistling about him, tho I do not remember the circumstances of his going.  I have however always understood & believed & it was at the time generally understood & believed in the neighborhood that sd Reuben did serve at Norwalk against the British when that place was burned in 1779.  Said Reuben was often called out on alarms with the companies to which he belonged & served in several other occasions in alarms but I cannot now distinctly remember when & where.  Dated at Litchfield this 29th day of Sept.1835. (signed) Asabel Peck
Page 17

Litchfield County SS Litchfield Sept 29th 1835
Personally appeared Arubel Peck of Litchfield a witness to me well known & who is entitled to credit & who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same. Before me (signed) Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I certify that the year named in the 7th line from the bottom of the said Arabel Pecks deposition was made "1779" before it was signed by him. (signed) Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

Litchfield County SS Litchfield Sept 30th 1835
I Archelus Bissell of Litchfield Conn aged 77 years being duly sworn do depose & say that during the Revolutionary War I was well acquainted with Reuben Peck then of sd Litchfield now of Cornwall Vt. We then both resided in sd Litchfield within 1 1/2 miles of each other. In July 1779 I was stationed at Norwich Conn & on the day before Norwalk was burned by the British myself with 8 or 10 other soldiers were sent from that post under command of a (illegible) to reconnect at Stratford. On the next morning I with two others went to Norwalk & found the British had landed at that place.  Tw then joined a small party of Cavalry who had marched from sd Litchfield to defend that place.  (illegible) that company I found said Reuben Peck & he served there at that time in defense of that place against the British, in the military service of the United States.  We remained there till the British reembarked & then the company to which he belonged & I & my two associates marched to Wilten Conn. On the next day I & my sd companions left sd company & said Reuben with these & returned to Horseneck. Said Peck & I belonged to the same company of cavalry when at home I was serving at Horse Neck having been drafted & sd Peck went to Norwalk on an alarm. Dated at Litchfield this 30th day of Sept 1835 (signed) Archelus Bissell
Page 18

Litchfield County Conn SS Litchfield Se[t 30th 1835
Personally appeared Archelus Bissell a witness to me well known & who is entitled to credit & who subscribed the foregoing deposition in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same.  Before me (signed) Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I Frederick Wolcott, Clerk of the County Court within & for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that George C. Woodruffr esq. before whom the preceding affidavits of Solemon Gibbs, Asabel Peck & Archelus Bissell appear to have been taken, was at their respective dates & now is a Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified & that the preceding signatures next (illegible) which (illegible) is the signature of the said George C. Woodruff and genuine his proper hand writing. Given under my hand and the seal of sd Court this 30th day of September 1835 (signed) Frederick Wolcott, Clerk
Page 19

R. Peck
Payments to be made at Burlington by the Post U. S. B. B'L. Agent for paying Pensioners in the Agency of Vermont

Increased 7 mo pri 12ds Dragoon $24.89 deduct what has been paid. 

Recorded by I. M. Suffield Cledrk, in Book D Vol 4 Page 79

Hon S. S. Phelps  Senate U. S
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT. Revolutionary Claim
  I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th June 1832, Reuben Peck of Cornwall of the State of Vermont who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive twenty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of September, in every year. 
  Given at the War Office of the United States, this twentieth day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.

(signature blocked out)

Examined and Countersigned
Page 21

Reuben Peck Supplemental dec.
77 7h 10 cav. Moses Seymour
79 21 12 ds on nll
Jno Phelps serv with him

77 net
79 as at Norwalk
ser vol Relly - detach? bound
vespun
1777 to 1780
Page 22

Reuben Peck
Vt
Let to Hon S. S. Phelps June 4 1840
Act of June 1832
Page 23

Vermont 854
Reuben Peck of Cornwall in the State of Vermont who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Stoddard of the regt. commanded by Maj. Beele in the Con. militia line for 7 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 23 Dollars 33 Cents per to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of October 1832 and sent to S. Swift
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832  34.99
Semi-and allowance ending 4th March 1833  11.66
$46.65

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by J. M. Duffield Clerk, Book D Vol. 4 Page 79
Page 24

Revolution  22432 INVALID.

File No. 22,432
Reuben Peck  Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol 2, Page 317
[Arrangement of 1870]