Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9584, for Lycus Simons, Connecticut
Page 1

SERVICE
Conn.   

Simons, Lycus 
Julia

NUMBER
R. 9584
Page 2

Left page:

see letter to S.H. Parsons Agent 3d. April 1827

Right page:

2158
Connecticut

Lycus Simons, private,
Connecticut Line in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut, at the rate of - 8 - Dollars per month, to commence on the 6th of April, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th of Augt 1818 and sent to Calvin Goddard, Esqr. New London, Connecticut

Arrearages to 4th Sept. 1818.
4 mos. 29/30  $39.73

{Revolutionary claims,}
{Act 18th March, 1818,}

one year
Page 3

Lycus Symons
Robinson Co. 
Dirkee Rgt
Connecticut Line

Not found on the roll

Hon Secretary of War Department

Admitted 

Lycus Simons
Col John Dirkee's Aug
Page 4

To Calvin Goddard Esq one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut
The petition of Lycus Simons of East Haddam in the County of Middlesex & State aforesaid [illegible]
That he resides in the town & State aforesaid that he served ^more than nine months in the war of the revolution upon the continental establishment as a soldier that he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in need of assistance from his Country for support - that he never has received or been allowed any pension by the laws of the United States & hereby relinquishes all claim to any such allowance except by virtue of the Act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war" & to a pension under which he is desirous of substantiating his claim & prays that the same may be done according to the provisions of said act 
Dated at Norwich this 6th day of April AD 1818

State of Connecticut 
New London ss.
Be it remembered that on this sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen before me Calvin Goddard one of the Judges of the Superior Court of the State of Connecticut personally came Lycus Simons of East Haddam in the County of Middlesex & State aforesaid & made oath to the truth of the following declaration by him subscribed viz - That he enlisted into the Army of the United States in the war of the revolution upon the Continental establishment some time in the month of January AD 1775 for the term of one year to commence January AD 1776 the precise day he does not recollect. but he enlisted for one year into a Regiment commanded by Col John Dickeson in the Connecticut line which he thinks was the 4th. That he belonged to a company commanded by Capt. Robinson That he faithfully during said time of [illegible] sd Regiment & company for the full term of one year for which he had enlisted & his term
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of service expired [illegible] after & he thinks the next day after the battle at Trenton in which he was engaged & at which time he was honourably discharged there from - that his discharge is not now in existence having been burnt as he believes among some papers when his house caught on fire many years ago - That he is by reason of his reduced circumstances in life in need of assistance from his country for his support
[signed] Lycus Simons
Sworn Before [signed] Calvin Goddard a Judge of Supr. Court -

I Andrew Griswold of Norwich in New London County on oath declare that in the year AD 1776 I was a Sergeant in the Army of the United States upon the continental establishment in Col John Durkees Regiment Connecticut line in a company then commanded by Capt Robinson that I well recollect the above named Lycus Simons now present to have been a continental soldier in sd Regiment & Company enlisted for one year - that I remember his being said company in December AD 1776 when I was taken sick & carried to the Hospital in Philadelphia & I always understood from the officers of sd Company that he faithfully served out the term of one year for which he was enlisted - I was afterwards a Lieutenant in sd service, [illegible] & now have a pension under the United States April 6th 1818
[signed] Andrew Griswold
Sworn Before [signed] Calvin Goddard a Judge of Supr Court
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I Calvin Goddard Judge as aforesaid, do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Lycus Simons did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration, against the Common Enemy: and I now transmit the proceedings & testimony taken & had before me to the Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress -
Norwich April 7th AD 1818 -
[signed] Calvin Goddard a Judge of Supr Ct. 

I Silas Goodale of Norwich aforesd on oath declare that I was a Lieutenant in Col John Durkee's Regiment in the year 1776 in the Continental Army that I well recollect the aforesaid Lycus Simons a Black man in sd service - He was engaged in the battle at Trenton December 1776 - I particularly recollect seeing him & two of his brothers in that battle which I remember from the circumstances of one of them having fired at & missed & the other firing & killing in my opinion a Hessian at whom he took particular aim - I had seen & known Lycus before in sd Army & understood that he belonged to those who enlisted for one year into sd army & whose term of service expired in a day or two after said battle Some of them a few days before-
[illegible] at Norwich [illegible] 24th 1818 -
[signed] Silas Goodale
Subscribed & sworn to before me 
[signed] Calvin Goddard Mayor of City of Norwich & Presiding Judge of City Court

I further certify that the above named Lycus Simons is in indigent circumstances
[signed] Calvin Goddard

I further certify that the aforesd Lieut Andrew Griswold & Capt Silas Goodale have both been long known by me personally & they are both men of fair character and state veracity -
[signed] Calvin Goddard Mayor
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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 John Hyde Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement 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 John Hyde 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 14th day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty seven
and I farther certify that the signature of sd John Hyde hereto attached is his genuine signature
[signed] Royal R Hinman Secretary
Page 8

State of Connecticut 
County of Middlesex} ss. Middletown Probate District
On the 13th day of June A.D. 1837, personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in said State the same being a Court of Record by the Laws of said State, Julia Simons a resident of Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut aged seventy six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4. 1836: That she is the widow of Lycus Simons, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and a pensioner of the United States at the time of his decease, and for particulars of his service and the time thereof she refers to the files and Records of the War Department, being unable to refer to the precise time when the said Lycus Simons applied for his pension, or to state the Court, before which his application was made.
She farther declares that she was married to the said Lycus Simons on the twenty fifth day of December in the year seventeen hundred
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and eighty, as nearly as she can remember, having no record, by which she can fix the exact time: that her husband the aforesaid Lycus Simons died on the 25th day of November A.D. 1819, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She farther says that although she can not be positive as to the exact date of her marriage, she is positive that the said Lycus Simons served in the Revolutionary Army nearly two years after their said marriage.
Julia Simons her X mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before
[signed] Stillman K. Wightman
Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown.

I farther certify that the above named Julia Simons is a respectable and credible witness.
[signed] Stillman K. Wightman
Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown. 

State of Connecticut
Middletown Prob District
I John Fisk Clerk of the Court of Probate for said Middletown District certify that Stillman K. Wightman Esq. is Judge of the Court of Probate for sd. Middletown District & the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my seal of office & subscribed my name this 5th day of June in the year 1837-
[signed] Jno Fisk Clk Ct. Prob. Mid. Dist.
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V2130
Julia Simons. wid of Lycus [illegible].

95-84

[Jno.] Fisk Esq
Middletown [illegible]

[vertical text:]
Middlesex County. SS> Haddam March [6th 1837] Personally appeared Solomon Wakley subscribe to the foregoing deposition; and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Charles [Arnold] -
a. - Justice of Peace
Page 11

I Solomon Walkley of [Haddam] in the County Middlesex and State of Connecticut of [Lawful] age; depose and say - 
I am well acquainted with Julia Simons; She came to live in said [Haddam] as near as I can recollect in the year 1810; with her Husband Lycus Simons: said Simons her Husband died in the fall of the year 1819; I helped lay out the corpse of said Simons: the said Julia has ever since remained the widow of said Lycus Simons and unmarried; that has has ever sustained a [fair] character for truth and veracity: and further the deponent saith not
Haddam March 6th 1837 Solomon Walkley

Middlesex County. SS> Haddam March [6th 1837] Personally appeared Solomon Wakley subscribe to the foregoing deposition; and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Charles [Arnold] -
a. - Justice of Peace

[vertical text:]
V2130
Julia Simons. wid of Lycus [illegible].

95-84

[Jno.] Fisk Esq
Middletown [illegible]
Page 12

I Nehemiah Dickinson of Haddam in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut of Lawful age depose and say that I am well acquainted with Julia Simons: She came to live in said Haddam as near as I can recollect in the year 1810: with her Husband Lycus Simons; said Simons her Husband died in the fall of the year 1819 - the said Julia has ever since remained his widow and unmarried: that the said Julia has ever sustained a fine character for truth and veracity - and further the deponent saith [illegible]
Haddam March 6th 1837 Nehemiah Dickinson

Middlesex County. SS. Haddam March 6th 1837
Personally appeared Nehemiah Dickinson subscribes to the foregoing [deposition]; and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Charles [Arnold] Justice of Peace
Page 13

I Jared Arnold of [Haddam] in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut; of Lawful age depose and say --
That I am well acquainted with Julia Simons: She came to said town of [Haddam] on or about the year 1810. with her Husband Lycus Simons: said Simons her Husband died on or about the year 1819 - the said Julia Simons has ever since remained the widow of the said Lycus Simons; and unmarried; that the Julia has ever sustained so far as I know a fair character for truth and [veracity] - and further the deponent saith not
Haddam March 6th 1837
[signature] Jared Arnold

Middlesex County SS. Haddam March 6th 1837
Personally appeared Jared Arnold subscriber to the foregoing deposetion; and made solemn oath of the truth of the same
Before me
Charles [Arnold] Justice of Peace
This may certify that Jared Arnold [illegible] Nehemiah [Dickinson] & Soloman [illegible] the Persons that have subscribed & sworn to the foregoing depositions are persons of the first respectability; and whatever they say is entitled to full credit
D. Charles Arnold Justice of Peace
Haddam March 6th 1837
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State of Connecticut
[] County 
I [] Fisk Clerk of the County Court of [] County of Middlesex
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I Bethnel Seley of Great Barrington, County of 
Berkshire, Mass. of lawful age, do testify & say that I
formerly ^[illegible]^ Lycus Simons, (a colored man) & his wife
Julia, who lived sometime in this town about thirty
years ago, & within a few rods of my home; they were
both industrious & well-behaved; Julia particularly
was respectable. She was regarded as Simons law-
ful wife: I never heard the fact doubted or ques-
tioned that I recollect. She was regarded as in-
dustrious & [illegible] as a woman of truth & verousi-
ty.   Bethnel Seley

Great Barrington April 29, 1837

I Jared Seley of the town, County & state named
in the foregoing affidavit, & brother of the above applicant
or witness do declar & testify that I am knowing to
the facts my brother has testified to & that they are
true.   Jared Seley

Great Barrington Apr. 29. 1837

Berkshire Ss.  Gt. Barrington April 29th 1837
I hereby certify that the above named
Bethnel and Jared Seley appeared be-
fore me and amde Solemn oath
to the truth of the above applicant
my thim Signed - 
Washington Adams Just peace

April 29 1837
I hereby certify that Bethnel
and Jared Seley are men of truth
and veracity - and are in all Respects
competint Witnesses
Washington Adams
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss. I Henry W Bishop Register of 
the Court of Probate in & for said
County of Berkshire do certify that Washington Adams Esquire before
whom the foregoing deposition
was taken was at the time of the 
taking thereof one of the Justices
of the Peace within & for said County

[seal of the court is visible on lower left of this page; text and graphics are illegible]
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duly commissioned & qualified that I am well acquainted with his handwriting and have no doubt that the signed here subscribed to the certificate of the oath of the deponent is genuine - The testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court of Probate this first day of May in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty seven.
Henry W Bishop. Register Probate
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I Othello Burghardt of Great Barrington County
of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts of lawful age do testi-
fy & say that I formerly knew Lycus Simons (a colored
man,) and his wife Julia, who lived sometime in this town
about 30 years ago. I was often at his house: said Simons
was in the habit of speaking of himself as having been a
soldier in the Revolutionary War, & as having witnessed or
been concerned in various transactions in that long & event-
ful struggle, & was believed by others to have been a soldier
in the service of his country: the aforesaid Julia then lived
with him as his wife, was regarded by others as being his wife, &
as being a person of truth & veracity & genrerally of good moral
conduct.

Great Barrington April 29, 1837
Othello Burghardt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire S.S. Great Barrington April 28th 1837. Then the
above named Othello Burghardt made oath 
to the truth of the above statement subscribed by him and I furthermore certify that the above
named Othello Burghardt is of good reputation for
truth and veracity.  Wilber Curtis
Just of peace for
the P County of Berkshire

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Berkshire ss.  I. Henry W Bishop - Register of
the Court of Probate in & for said County
of Berkshire do certify that Wilber
Curtis Esquire before whom the fore=
going deposition was taken was
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at the time of the taking thereof one
of the justices of the Peace within & for
said County duly commissioned & quali-
fied. that I am well acquainted with his
hand writing and have no doubt that his 
signature subscribed to the certificate
of the oath of the aforesaid deponent
is Genuine - In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court of Probate this 
first day of May in the year of our
Lord Eighteen hundred & thirty Seven.
Henry W Bishop - Register Probate
Page 19

Hammond Way of Norwich in the county of New
London & state of Connecticut aged sixty seven years having
been duly sworn according to law doth on his oath testify &
say that in the time of the Revolutionary War he lived in 
the family of Hewitt Simons in the town of Montville
in said county & state remembers well that Lycus Simons
the son of said Hewitt Simons inlisted & served in the
war under Colo. John Durkee and as he then
understood & verily believes was in the year 1775
at Boston & vicinity and afterward at Long Island
& New York & elsewhere & it was always said in the 
family that he was in the army during the war
more than seven years, and he further says that
he was well acquainted with said Lycus Simons &
knew him until his death which was about eighteen 
years ago. he the said Lycus Simons died at Haddam
in the county of Middlesex in said state he the
said Hammond Way being with him when he died
And he further testifies & says that during the war of
the Revolution & he believes it was in 1780 or 1781.
he was present & saw him the said Lycus Simons joined
in marriage to Julia Simons, then Julia Kellogg at
Claverick in the State of New York, by Esquire
Whittecor, the precise time that the wedding was
celebrated he cannot say but he knows that
it was before the storming the fort at New
London by Arnold, & has always understood
that the said Lycus Simons was at New London
at the time of the massacre & continued in the 
war until the close thereof
And furthermore the deponent saith not
Hammon Way
State of Connecticut
New London County }Ss.
Norwich May 11th 1837
Personally appeared Hammon Way, well known to me
Page 20

as a credible witness and signed & made oath to
the truth of the within & foregoing deposition
Before me
John Hyde
Justice of the Peace
Page 21

Julia Simons
Wid of Lycua
Cont.
Sur. let. Jno Fisk
July 20 1837
let SH Parson June
7. 1838
Ad 4 July 1836
Page 22

Ex'r.   INVALID

[diagonal stamp: INVALID]

[crossed out: Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878

9.584
P. O.
Julia Simons
Service:

Enlisted:_____,18. .
Discharged: _____, 18  .

Application filed: _____. 18. .

Alleges: _____

Re-enlisted: _____

Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Page 23

Hartford ^Court^ March 15th. 1838

Sir.
Enclosed are the papers of Julia
Symons, the widow of Lycus Symons late
of this State decd an applicant for a
pension under the act of July 4. 1836-
please direct your reply to me at
this place.   Very respectfully
Yr ob ss
Samuel H. Parsons.


J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of pensions
Washington
Page 24

3370
Duplicate
Sen. No 2139


S H. Parson
Hartford
Conn
Page 25

State of Connecticut}
County of Middlesex}  Sc. Haddam March 8th 1838
On this 8th day of March AD 1838 before the Probate
Court for the District of Haddam in said County
of Middlesex, personally appeared Julia
Symons of said Haddam aged seventy eight
years, who being first duly sworn according 
to law, doth on her oath make the following
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions of the Act of Congress passed July 4
1836 and March 3d. 1837.

That she is the widow of Lycus Simons late
of said Haddam decd woh was a private soldier
in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army,
during the war of the revolution, in Colonel Durkees
regiment, & Gen. Samuel H. Parlour Brigades for whose 
services he was placed on the pension roll [illegible]
Connecticut Agency under the Act of March 1818.
and was [illegible] a pension until his death
She further declares that she was 
married to the said Lycus Simons at 
Claverack in the State of New York in the year
1779, but does not recollect the month
and has remained a widow ever since
Page 26

the period of her husband's the said Lycus
Simons deceased which occurred at Haddow
on the 25th day of November 1819.
That she received as his widow the balance
of pension from the 4th of Sept to the 25th November 1819.
through Jon Barner pin Esq of Middlesex as her
attorney -
One Hammond Way of Norwich [illegible]
was present at my marriage with said Lycus Simons than given
his affidavit of the fact which is hereto annexed 
Sworn to & Subscribed this}.  Julia X ^her mark^ Simons
8th day of March AD 1838}   Before me, In Testimony
whereof I have hereunto affixed
the Seal of said Probate Court and
Signed my name, this 4th day of March
1838. and I further certify that
the statements contained in the preced-
ing declaration have been provided
tiny sates fasten. I was personally acquainted
with Lycus Simons before his death & his wife
Julia Symons & know the present applicant
to be the same person - Simon Sharlen Judge

[image of the seal of the County is visible on the lower left side of this page; illegible]
Page 27

Hammond Way of Norwich in the county of New 
London, state of Connecticut aged seventy one years having 
been sworn according to law doth on his oath testify and say 
that in the time of the Revolutionary War he was present at 
the marriage of Lycus Simons of Montville to Julia Douglass 
of Windham both of the state of Connecticut, at Claverack in 
the state of New York by a justice of the Peace by the name 
of Whittaker, the Christian name of the justice forgotten by 
the deponent, which he believes was in the fall of the year 
1780, or 1779, or at any rate it was one or two years 
before Arnold burnt New London and stormed Groton Fort. 
The deponent and Lycus Simons lived together for many 
years and went into the army together & belonged to 
the same Regiment and were in the Col. John Dunkee's 
Regiment, and were at home on furlough at the time 
of the burning of New London, and were both there 
and after that returned to the Army on the North 
River & continued in the Army until the close of 
the war and further the Deponent saith not.
Hammon Way 
State of Connecticut} Ss. Norwich
New London County} 
one this 24th day of February 1838.
Personally appeared Hammon Way and signed 
& made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing 
Deposition, & I certify that he is a credible 
witness. Before me
John Hyde
Justice of the Peace