Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17498, Solomon Humphreys, Conn.
Page 1

Service [printed]                                                                                                Number [printed]
Conn. [handwritten]                       Humphreys, Solomon [handwritten]         S17498 [handwritten]


                                                                                                                                            carded [printed]
Page 2

17.873              Connecticut
________________________________________________________
Solomon Humphreys
[of] New[?] Hartford in the State of Con
who was a Pri. & Sert in the Com commanded
by Captain _______________ of the Regt Commanded
by Col- Wyllys in the Con
line for 13 mo 7 days ---------------
________________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 49 Dollars 10 cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
____________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of October
1833[?] and sent to[?] [?]
Williams New Hartford ---
_____________________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of September  33 $ 122.75
 
Semi-anl. allowance ending March [?]   24.55
                                                               _____
                                                             $147.30
                                                                                                
                                                  {Revolutionary Claim}
                                                   {Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E D Bullock    Clerk.
Book E    vol. 3    page 19
Page 3

[Handwritten]
New York September 1th 1776

Dear Beloved wife after my kind
Regards to you I would inform you that 
Through the Devine goodness of god I am 
well at present and I hope Thiese few lines
will find you and our Family well as they 
Lieve me their is so much News that I Do 
not know What to write But their has Ben
a [?Brush] on Long island and [the regulars] have killed and 
taken [an number of our men] amongst Whom was [Erastus] Humphrey 
[Carmie] Higley Isaac Alderman Richard 
Humphrey all of thiese are killed or taken 
our men have Retreeted From Long island 
into the Sity of New york and our men 
have also Left goveners island and we expect 
to retreat out of the Sity Before Long the 
Regulars have Not Canonaded the Sity 
yet But we expect it Very Soon
Page 4

my Dear I have Sent too [sic] Letters to you
Before this But I have Not Recived [sic] any
from you But I hope you will not forgit [sic]
to write to me When you have an opportunity
for I want to hear From you as often as I Can
I am Very much troubled a Bout [sic] the Buisness [sic]
at home But I can't help it I Should Be 
glad if you would Send me a Shirt if you
Can have an oppertunity I should Be glad to
have you Send that Shirt that you have 
got made if you Cant git[sic] no other But I
would not have you Send any With out 
you can Send it By Some Body [sic] that you 
Can trust our Company hand Chosen me a Serjent [sic]
in the Company and I Do the duty of an
orderly Serjent Brother Andrew Mills
is Sick But I hope a Little Better Serjent
James Andrus is Very Sick also
Page 5

I Do not [edit above line] know [original line] how Long we Shall have to Stay
hear [sic] But I keep hopeing [sic] that it will Not
Be a grate [sic] while Longer But I can not Tell
how Long it will Be But I Shall not write
Nomore [sic] at present So I Conclude your Loving
and affectonate Husband till Death
Solomon Humphry Junr
Pleas to Remember my Duty to Father
Mother and my Love to all enquiring
if and Such I have
Since I Begun to [edit above line] write [original line] I have heard 
that Brother Andrew Mill
grows worse and I am a Fraid
he wont git well
Page 6

For
Mr Solomon Humphry
att [illegible]      
West Simbsbury
in Connecticut
with Card
Page 7

State of Connecticut, Probate District of New Hartford
On the 18th day of August AD. 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before Isaac Kellogg
high Judge of Probate for said District, Solomon
Humphrey of Barkhamsted in said District
aged 79 years, who being first duly sworn ac-
cording 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 served as
herein stated, viz.
That in 1775, as he thinks in April, & soon after 
the battle of Lexington, he turned out as a vol-
unteer in Capt. Merrell's Company, Amasa Mills
Lieut. Cont. Militia, to go to Lexington [?in] went
as far as Hartford where they heard that the
British had embarked, & they were dismissed [?]
that he spent about one week in that service--
That soon after his return he enlisted for seven
months to go to Roxbury in Massachusetts in Capt.
Abel Pettibone's Company, in Col. Wyllys's Regt. of the
Cont. State Troops, Amasa Mills [?Lt] & [?] Pettibone [?]
Ensign [?] was stationed at Roxbury during the
whole time [?] that after the expiration of the 7 months
he was required to stay longer because the recruits
had not come in, & continued another month--
that while at Roxbury he had a plain view of
the battle of Bunker Hill & the burning of Charles-
town.
That the [?forepart] of Augt. 1776 he went as a volun-
[illegible] in Capt. Zach. Case's Company, Col
Page 8

during that term of Service--that he joined the army
at New York, & remained there until they were driven
off by the British--that while Genl. Washington was
retreating from New York with the main body, he
lay with a part of the army behind a Breastwork
on the East River at what was called Turtle Bay,
where they were fired upon by a 48 gun ship
lying abreast of them--that about the middle of
September (on a Sunday) they retreated while exposed
to fire of the British & joined Genl. Washington
& the main body at Harlem plains where he remained
until discharged, as he thinks, the last of October--
That he served at this time nearly three months--
That in Sept. or Octo. 1777, he enlisted, as he believes,
for 3 months ^as a Serjeant^ to go to Providence in Rhode Island in
Capt. Jon [?] Humphrey's company of Cont. militia--
that while on the way to Providence with the Compa-
ny he was taken sick & lay there 5 or 6 weeks & was
then carried home on a horse litter, & continued sick
for 5 or 6 months.
That he enlisted as a minute man, he thinks, for two
years-- during which time he was called out several
times in cases of alarm for a few days, & also at other
times turned out as a volunteer, he thinks in the
whole as much as one month's service.
He further says in answer to interrogations propoun-
ded by the said Court of Probate that he was born
in Symsbury in the County of Hartford & State afored.
in the year 1753--of which he believes there is a record
on the Town Register of said Symsbury, but is not certain.
That he lived in said Symsbury until after the close of
the Revolutionary war, & soon after moved to Bur-
lington in said Hartford ^County^ where he continued to
reside about 30 years, & then removed to said Bark-
hamsted where he has ever since resided.
Page 9

any written discharges That the persons who live in his
present neighborhood who can testify to his character for
veracity &c. are Amos Beecher & Leister Loomis Esquire & [Wm?]
Friend White--
He also states that he has now in his possession two letters
which he wrote to his wife while in the service, which
are herein enclosed.
He further states [crossed out; hereby relinquish] that he knows of no person living
except Reuben Messenger of New Hartford & Wm Taylor [?Esq]
of said Barkhamsted by whom he can prove any part of
his services & that the said Taylor is by reason of the
loss of his mental powers incapable of giving testimony.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity other than the present, & he de-
clares that his name is not on the pension roll of the
agency of any State
Sworn transcribed the day
& year afored. before me. [signed] Solomon Humphrey
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate
for the District of New Hartford

And the said Court doth hereby declare its opinion
after the investigation of the matter, & after putting
the Interrogatives prescribed by the war Depart-
ment that the above named applicant was a
revolutionary soldier & served as he states.
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate
for the District of New Hartford

I James H . Holcomb, Clerk of the Court of Probate
for the District of New Hartford do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Solomon Humphrey for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of [crossed out: office this] said Court this
5th day of September AD, 1832.
[affixed seal][signed] James H. Holcomb, Clerk
Page 10

On this 8th day of July 1833 personally appeared before me
the undersigned a Justice of the Peace for the County of Litch-
field in the State of Connecticut the within named Solomon
Humphrey who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason
of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positive-
ly as to the precise length of all his terms of service, but according
to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods
mentioned below & in the following grades [crossed out: illegible]
For seven days I served as a Soldier in Capt. Merrell's Company
in 1775. For Eight months as a soldier in Capt. Pettibone's Company
Colo. Wyllys' Regt. For Two months & twenty five days
as a Serjeant in Capt. Case's Company Colo. Pettibone's Regt. in
1776. For three months as a Serjeant in Capt. Humphrey's Company
in 1777 ^ & for one month as a minute man ^ & for such service I claim a pension.

Sworn & transcribed this day &               [signed] Solomon Humphrey
year aforesaid before me.
[signed] Wm. G. Williams Just. of the Peace
Page 11

[left side of page]

17498

[printed] INVALID.

[printed] [?] No. [written] 17498
[written] Solomon Humphreys
Sergt. Rev War

[printed] Act: [written] June 7 32
[printed] Index:--Vol. [written] 1 [printed], Page [written] 436
[printed] (Arrangement of 1870.)

[right side of page]
Mch. 29-1900-
History to
Miss A.M. Barbour
Ansonia Conn.
Page 12

                                                             3333
                                                                 77
                                                      __________
                                                       36 10
                                                      __15__
                                                      49 10

10  hr 07 days  fine  [illegible]
  3 rd Levy [illegible]

$49.10    

          9820
          2455
          _________

       122.75


W G William
Page 13

[Bolded, typeface] BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of [handwritten] Solomon Humphrey -------- [bolded, typeface] which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the Declaration show where the applicant resides
Page 15

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase[ italics] three or four months] is too 
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for  pensions merely state they served two years in the militia &c. without specifying the tours;  the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which thee service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit
QUERE XIV. [italics]  Proof of Service.
In every instance where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the department, he must his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the officia charer
Page 16


State of Connecticut}
Hartford County ss  }  On  the 9th day of July 1833

Personally appeared before me Ephriam Mills Esq. Justice of the Peace for said County Jarius Burt a clergyman of Canton in said county aged thirty eight years and Hosea Case residing in said Canton aged seventy six years 
who bring duly sworn___  according to the law doth depose and say__ the former that he is well acquainted with Solomon Humphry of Barkhamsted in the county of Litchfield and the state of Connecticut and has been  for six years______ the latter that he has also been well acquainted with said Solomon Humphry for sixty years ____ that they believe the said Humphry to be seventy nine years of age   That the said Humphry  is a man of fair character for truth and is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides & among his acquaintance to have been  a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion__ And the said Hosea Case further says that he was knowing to the fact that said Humphry enlisted for the term of three months according to his best recollection to perform duty in the neighborhood of Providence State of Rhode Island in the year 1777, and that said Humphry returned on account of sickness ___ and that said Humphry was a sarjeant and enlisted him the said Case for said tour of duty
Sworn an subscribed the day & year aforesaid  Jarius Bunt  Hosea Case
                                                                           [their signatures]
Before me Ephriam Mills Justice of the Peace
And I do certify that the said Jarius Bunt is a clergyman resident in said town of Canton &  the said Hosea Case is a resident in said town of Canton & is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit                      Ephraim Mills Justice of the Peace
Page 17

State of Connecticut
Secretary office July 20th 1833

I Thomas Day, Secretary of said State and keeper of the Sal thereof, do hereby certify , that William G. Williams Esq. before whom the forgoing affidavit of Solomon Humphrey and Rueben Messenger were taken and at the times when said affidavit respectively were taken, was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of  Litchfield, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, that Ephriam Mills Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits of Rev. Jarius Burt and and of Hosea Case were taken in and when said affidavits were taken was, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Hartford, duly appointed appointed, commissioned and qualified, and that I verily believe that the forgoing signatures, purporting to be the signatures of said Justices expectively are genuine.

In faith whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of Said State the day and year above written.

Thomas Day

[handwritten]
Page 18

State of Connecticut}
Litchfield County}  ss  on the 20th day of August 1832 personally appeared before me Wm. G. Williams Esqr Justice of the Peace for said County, Rueben Messenger of New Hartford in said County, aged 78 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose & say that he is well acquainted  with Solomon Humphrey of Barkhamsted in said County & was
acquainted with him in the year 1775- that about the first of May 1775 the Deponent and the said Humphrey enlisted for seven months to go to Roxbury in the State of Massachusetts in Capt. Abel Pettibone's company of Connecticut State Troops - that they marched to Roxbury & were stationed there during the said Term - that Col. Wyllys came on sometime afterwards & took the command of the Regiment that after this Deponent & said Humphrey had served out the term of their enlistment they volunteered & served one month longer making in the whole 8 months 
That in 1776, he thinks in the month of August, the Deponent was called out in Capt. Brown's company &  Col. Jonn Pettibone's Regiment of Connecticut's Militia to go to New York - that he went to New York and joined the army there & continued, he thinks, about two months & a half, when he was discharged on account of his sickness & returned home - that the said Humphrey went on at the same time in the same regiment in Capt. Case's company & served during all the time the Deponent was there and remained there after the Deponent left the army - he thinks that the rest returned about a fortnight after he left, & believes that the said Humphrey remained during that time - That the said Humphrey was a serjeant in the said Case's company and did the duty of an orderly serjeant as he understood.             Reuben Messenger  [his own signature]

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid - before me.
Wm. G. Williams  Just. of the Peace
I also certify that the said Reuben Messenger is a credible witness-
Wm. G. Williams Just. of the Peace

[handwritten]
Page 19

I certify that Rueben Messenger who has signed the within affidavit is a resident in the said town of New Hartford and well known to me to be a credible witness _

Isaac Kellogg   Judge of Probate   for the district of New Hartford



[handwritten
Page 20

Mr.                                                                        [illegible]


Solomon Humphry Junr.
  att

West Simsbury  with

C

[Handwritten]
Page 21

Harlem September 17th 1776
Dearly beloved wife after my kind regards to you I would inform you that through the divine good will of god I am well at present but very much fatigued by a battle which we have had at New York we were drew up before a forty eight gun ship with in a stones cast of it and they fired upon us with canon balls and grape shot and we retreated and got out of the way throug the divine goodness of god protecting us but we were abliged to live our packs and all we had besides what we had on our backs we have retreated about eight miles from New York towards Kings Bridge.
I understand by your letter that you sent by Elisha Case that you heard that I was sick but I bless god that he has favoured me with my health even since I came from home.
I would not have you trouble yourself to send me any clothes at present for we hope to be delayed in a few days.
I must not write no more at present so I conclude and remain your loving and affectionate husband till death.
[signature] Solomon Humphry Junior
Remember my duty to Father and Mother and my Love to all enquireering friends
[Handwritten]