Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17961, Ashbel Gridley, Conti. Conn.
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SERVICE                                    NUMBER
Conti               Gridley, Ashbel      W17961
Conn.                            Jemima
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[left side]
Date of death not on AB

[right side]
Connecticut 5771
Jemima Gridley
widow of Ashbel Gridley, decd
who was a pensioner under the Act of 7 June, 1832 and who died on the 27th of March 1835.
Of Hartford Co in the State of Connt who was a Private in the compy commanded by Captain Scott  Conn of the regt commanded by Col. Wyllys in the Connt line for 19 months private.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of September 1840 and sent to Romeo Lowrey, Esq Southington Connt.
Arrears to the 4th of March, 1841
[crossed out "Semi-Annual Allowance ending"]
___________
$316.65

(Act July 7 1838)

Recorded by S. A. Elliot Clerk
Book A Vol. 1 Page 182
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[left side]
Let Hon Jos Trumbull
Jun 30 1840

[right side]
17779
Connecticut

Ashbel Gridley
of Southington in the State of Con who was a Priv in the compy commanded by Captain Scott of the Regt commanded by Col Wyllis in the Con line for 16 mos

Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of Sept 1833 and sent R. Lowry Southington CT

Arrears tot he 4th of September 1833 $158.32
Semi-Anl. allowance ending March 34   $31.66
___________
$189.98

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk
Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 16
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Recd from Romeo Lowrey
Judge of Probate Court
for Southington District
Oct 1
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Declaration of Ashbel Gridley of Southington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 1832.

State of Connecticut
Southington Probate District}ss. Southington

On this 26th day of August AD 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the district of Southington in the county of Hartford in Connecticut, now sitting, Ashbel Gridley a resident of Southington in the district county and state aforesaid, aged seventy three years and seven months 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 and served as herein stated under the following named officers - 
That in the year 1776 his brother Elisha Gridley then of said Southington now deceased, enlisted into the Continental Army for the term of one year in the company of Capt Ezekiel Scott in the regiment commanded by Col. Samuel Wyllys, and that he entered into

[margin note "1st term of service"]
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actual service, and continued four or five months in said company and regiment, when he was taken sick and sent to him requesting him to take his the said Elisha Gridley's place as a substitute to which he agreed and as he thinks left home in the month of June 1776, and went to New York and took his brothers place as a substitute for him and served out the remainder of his term of enlistment, and was dismissed about the first day of January 1777. That he served as a substitute for his brother in the compy and regiment aforesaid. That at the time he joined the regiment it was stationed at New York, that he went with the regiment to Long Island and retreated to New York when the regiment left Long Island and was driven out of New York when the main army left and went to Harlem and continued with the regiment at Kingsbridge and at other placed in that vicinity until dismissed as aforesaid about the 1st of January AD 1777. That he has always thought and believed that the time he was absent on this tour of duty was between six and seven months. And that he served as a private on this tour of duty and knows of no person whose testimony relative to said service he can procure except that of Elijah Royce whose deposition is annexed.
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and That in the fore part of June 1777 he entered into the Connecticut State troops for the term of seven months, and served under Capt Peter Curtiss, and Lieutenants Jonathan Roberts and Nathaniel Churchill, in the regiment commanded by Col. Roger Eno. That he joined the regiment at Norwalk in Connecticut and from thence marched to Peekskill in the state of New York, where and at Fort Montgomery and White Plains and at burn [?] pond we were stationed until we went into winter quarters at Horseneck in Connecticut, where he was discharged the fore part of January 1778, having served out the full term of his enlistment. That he entered and served as a private and that at the time that he entered the service he resided in said Southington. That he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure relative to this tour of duty except Josiah Andrus who was with him and whose deposition is annexed.
[margin note "2nd Term of Service"]

[margin note "3rd Term"]
That in the spring of the year 1778 he
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was residing in said Southington & he entered for the term of one year into the Connecticut State Troops to serve in the Revolutionary War in the company commanded by Capt Asa Bray and in the regiment commanded by Col. Roger Eno, that they were called minute men and were liable to be called out at a moment warning, that soon after he entered he was ordered into service and joined the regiment at Horseneck in Connecticut. That after lying at this place for a short time the regiment marched to White Plains and from thence to West Point where after having been out on duty three months he was dismissed and returned to said Southington. That sometime in the fall of 1778, the regiment to which he belonged was again ordered out on said entitlement, and that he with the rest of the regiment immediately went to Horseneck, and continued stationed there for the term of three months, and were dismissed having in both tours been out on duty under said entitlement six months that he thinks the term of the entitlement was such that they were not liable to be called out more than three months.
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at one time that he entered and served in this enlistment as a private, that he knows of no person whose testimony he can conveniently procure relative to this tour of duty except Moses Mathews who was with him in said service and whose deposition is hereto annexed. That he cannot recollect whether he drew half pay when not in actual service or not, but that they were liable at all times during the year for which he enlisted to be called to actual service.

That he was born in said Southington the 23rd day of February 1759 as appears from a record made by his father in his Bible. That he was living at said Southington when called into the service as before stated, and has resided there ever since the Revolutionary War and now resides there, that he was called into the service as before stated. That he recollects seeing Gen Washington, and Gen Putnam at New York, but that he does not recollect any other circumstances relative to his service which he thinks would be important. That he did not receive a written discharge from any of said services. That he is known to
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Noah Cogswell and Rev David L. Ogden both of said Southington and residing near to him, who can testify to his character and their belief of his services. That he has no documentary evidence of said services. And that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension nor annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Ashbel Gridley

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
We David L. Ogden, a clergyman residing in the town of Southington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut, and Noah Cogswell residing in said Southington, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ashbel Gridley who has subscribed and swore to the above declaration. That we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
David L. Ogden
Noah Cogwell

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
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Elijah Royce of Wolcott in the county of New Haven in Connecticut deposeth and says that he is seventy seven years of age and that he served in the army of the United States in the Revolutionary War more than seven years and now receives a pension from the United States under the act of Congress of 1818. That in the year of 1776, Elisha Gridley, then of Southington in the county of Hartford and state aforesaid, enlisted for one year as a private in the company of Capt Ezekiel Scott and in the regiment of Col. Samuel Wyllys in the Army of the United States and that sometime in June 1776, in consequence of the sickness of said Elisha Gridley, his brother Ashbel Gridley then and now of said Southington took his the said Elisha Gridleys place as a substitute and served the remainder of the year which the deponent thinks must have been six or seven months. And the deponent says that he served in the same regiment and was well acquainted
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with said Ashbel Gridley.
Elijah Royce

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me Romeo Lowrey Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Southington CT,.
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State of New York
Onondaga County}ss. On this 10th day of September 1832 personally appeared before George Pettit, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, Josiah Andrews a resident of the town of Fabius in said county, & being duly sworn before the said Judge, according to Law, doth depose and say that being the age of eighty years next October, that he was well acquainted with Ashbel Gridley, then & now of Southington, County of Hartford, State of Connecticut, in the time of the Revolutionary War and before and since, that the deponent and said Ashbel both enlisted in the Connecticut State Troops, under Capt Peter Curtiss, Lieutenants Jonathan Roberts and Nathaniel Churchill, in the fore part of June 1777 for the term of seven months, and was mustered at Norwalk in said state of Conn, where the company joined a regiment commanded by Col. Roger Enos, which was marched to Peekskill in the state of New York, & while there was ordered to relieve For Montgomery, and followed the movements of the Enemy in that region til the regiment went into winter quarters at Horseneck, where, after some two or three weeks, both were discharged the fore part of January 1778 having both served the full term of seven months. And the deponent well recollects that said Ashbel was absent from home at other times in the revolution, and was reputed then to have been in the army & served at other times and places in the Revolutionary War. & further says not.
Josiah Andrews

I certify that on the day and year aforesaid, Josiah Andres, swore to & subscribed this affidavit before me that I know him to be the person described therein, and that he is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
George Pettit Judge of Onondaga Common Pleas
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State of New York
County of Onondaga}ss. I Reuben S. Hess, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County do hereby certify that George Pettit before whom the within affidavit purports to have been made was on the 10th day of September 1832 and still is one of the Judges of the said Court of Common Pleas which is a court of record and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name within subscribed is his proper hand writing and signature. Witness my hand and seal of office this 12th day of September 1832.
R. S. Hess Clerk
By A. Edwards Jr. Dep Clk
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I Moses Mathews of Southington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut of the age of seventy five years depose and say that in the month of May 1778 I enlisted for the term of one year into the Connecticut State Troops to serve in the Revolutionary War in the company commanded by Capt Asa Bray and in the regiment commanded by Col. Roger Eno, we were called minute men and were liable to be called out on the shortest notice, and received half pay when not in actual service. That soon after I enlisted our company was called out into actual service and marched the Horseneck from thence to White Plains, and West point where at the expiration of three months from the time we were called out I was dismissed in the fall of the same year 1778. I, with the rest of the company, was again called out on said enlistment, and immediately went to Horseneck in Connecticut and joined a regiment, where we continued
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for three months making in the whole six months, that I was in actual service in said enlistment. And I further state that Ashbel Gridley then and now residing in said Southington enlisted into said company and served with me during the whole time taht I was on duty under said enlistment, and as I am confident for the time of six months.
Moses Mathews

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me, Romeo Lowrey, Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Southington CT
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And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter after 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 said Court that David L. Ogden who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Southington and that Noah Cogwell who has signed the same is a resident in said Southington and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Romeo Lowrey Judge of said Court

I, John Wightman, Clerk of the Court of Probate for Southington District Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ashbel Gridley for a pension. I further certify that said court is a court of record, and that Romeo Lowrey is the Judge of said court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26th day of September AD 1832.
John Wightman
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State of Connecticut
Southington Probate District}Ss. Southington June 12, 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned judge of the courts of probate for said district, Ashbel Gridley of said Southington who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the service length of every term of service mentioned in his foregoing declaration, but according to the best of his recollection he served in the first tour of duty by him mentioned in his said original declaration for a period not less than six months, as a private in the company commanded by Capt Ezekiel Scott and in the regiment commanded by Samuel Wyllys. That in the 2nd tour of duty mentioned in his said original declaration he served as a private in the company commanded by Capt Peter Curtiss and in the regiment commanded by Col. Roger Enos, for a period not less than seven months. That in the third tour of duty mentioned in his said original declaration he served as therein stated for a period not less than six months as a private. That all said tours were performed in embodied corps called into service by competent authority and for such service I claim a pension.
Ashbel Gridley

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me, Romeo Lowrey Judge of Probate for the district of Southington in Connecticut.

State of Connecticut
Southington Probate District}Ss. Southington June 12, 1833
I, Romeo Lowrey, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Southington in Connecticut, before whom the foregoing depositions of Elijah Royce and Moses Mathews were sworn to and subscribed do hereby certify that I am acquainted with said Elijah Royse and Moses Mathews, that they are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Romeo Lowrey

[margin note "11.2.49"]
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No. 4692.3 sec.
Jemima Gridley
widow of Ashbel
Conn.
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State of Connecticut Hartford County Ss. Southington Probate District

On this 26th day of November AD 1836 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate now sitting in Southington within and for the Probate District of Southington aforesaid, Jemima Gridley, a resident of said Southington 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 provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 AD 1836. That she is the widow of Ashbel Gridley who was a private soldier in the Connecticut Militia during the war of the Revolution, that in the year AD 1832 he the said Ashbel Gridley, made an application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th AD 1832 for services rendered by him during the war of the Revolution which application was granted as appears by the certificate of the Secretary of War hereto attached and returned and for particulars of the services by him the said  Ashbel Gridley performed reference may be had to his declaration, and the proof accompanying the same.
She further declares that she was married to the said Ashbel Gridley on the 1st day of May AD 1781, that her husband the aforesaid Ashbel Gridley died at said Southington on the 27th day of March AD 1835. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. She further states that a part of the service performed by her said husband during the war of the Revolution was after her marriage with the said Ashbel Gridley, particularly one tour performed in the summer or fall of AD 1781. That in the latter part of the summer or forepart of the fall of the year
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AD 1781 the said Ashbel Gridley was drafted from the Militia of said Southington where we then resided to go on a tour of duty to New Haven in Connecticut. That he immediately went to New Haven where he joined his company and was absent for a time not less than five days. That while at New Haven on duty in the service as aforesaid, he hired one Joseph Bunnel to take his place and perform the remainder of his tour of service for which he was drafted and he returned. She further states that she is not positive that her said husband, her stated this tour of service in the declaration by him made to obtain his said pension as she has heard him state that it was so short a time that he did not know that it was best to be at the trouble of stating, and proving it. She further states that her said husband drew a pension up to the 4th day of March AD 1835. She further states, that she never drew the arrears of the pension due her husband at the time of his decease, and that she hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that her name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Jemima Gridley

Sworn to and subscribed before me.
Timothy Jones, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Southington CT
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I Asahel Landgon of Southington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut aged seventy one years, depose and say that I was born in said Southington then a part of the town of Farmington where I have ever since lived, in the same neighborhood with Ashbel Gridley, until the time of his death which happened in the spring of the year AD 1835. That I was brought up from a child in the same neighborhood with said Gridley, and lived near him until the time of his death. That in the month of September AD 1781 he the deponent and said Ashbel Gridley were drafted from the militia in said Southington to go on a tour of duty to New Haven in Connecticut on an alarm, that the British Enemy were approaching to attack said town of New Haven. That he the deponent and said Ashbel Gridley went immediately to New Haven where we joined the company of Capt Woodford, that he the deponent continued in service under said draft for the term of one month. That after the said Ashbel Gridley had continued a few days in service under said draft, he hired Joseph Bunnel to serve out the remainder of his tour, and he the said Gridley returned home. Said deponent cannot state precisely the time that said Ashbel Gridley continued in service under said draft but that the time was not less than four days. The deponent further states that he believes that said Ashbel Gridley was married to Jemima Gridley, then Jemima Bradley, in the spring of the year previous to the service aforesaid, that the said Ashbel Gridley obtained a pension under
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the act of June 7th AD 1832 and continued to draw a pension until the time of his death as before stated. That Jemima Gridley of said Southington is the widow of said Ashbel Gridley and has never been married since the death of said Ashbel Gridley.
Asahel Langdon

Sworn and subscribed this 26th day of November AD 1836.
Before me,
Timothy Jones, Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Southington CT.

This
Ashbel Gridley & Jemima Bradley were joined in marriage April 1, 1781.
The foregoing is a true copy of an entry in the first book of records in the town of Southington County of Hartford and State of Connecticut.
Timo. Jones Register of said town.
Southington Nov 26th 1836
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Mr. Giles Langdon, Arahel Langdon, and Noah Cogswell all of Southington in the county of Hartford and state of Connecticut, and residing therein hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jemima Gridley who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we have lived in the same neighborhood with her for fifty years and more, and believe her to be seventy eight years of age, that she is the widow of Ashbel Gridely, that said Ashbel Gridley was a pensioner of the United States and died in the spring of the year 1835, that the said Jemima Gridley has never since said Ashbel Gridley's death been married and that she is a credible person and that her statement is entitled to full credit.
Giles Langdon
Asahel Langdon
Noah Cogwell

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Before me,
Timothy Jones, Judge of the Court of Probate for the district of Southington CT.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above applicant is the widow of Ashbel Gridley, who was a pensioner of the United States under the act of Congress of June 7 AD 1832, that a part of the service performed by said Ashbel Gridley in the war of the Revolution was subsequently to her the said Jemima Gridleys marriage to said Ashbel Gridley, that said marriage took place on the 1st day of May AD 1781 and that she the said Jemima Gridley has never been married since her husband, the said Ashbel Gridleys death
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that the death of said Ashbel Gridley happened on the 27th day of March AD 1835.
The court further certifies that the said Giles Langdon, Arahel Langdon and Noah Cogswell who have signed the preceding certificate are residents in said Southington and that they are credible persons and their statements entitled to full belief.
Timothy Jones Judge of Probate for the District of Southington CT.

I, Henry Jones, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Southington in Connecticut, do hereby certify that the forgoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Jemima Gridley for a pension, that said Court is a court of record and that Timothy Jones before whom said declaration, and depositions and certificates were sworn to, is the Judge of said court of Probate and that the signature annexed to the same and to the finding of said court is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 26th day of November AD 1836.
Henry Jones, Clerk
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11249
Ashbel Gridley
Connecticut


63.33

R Lowry Esq
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

183

Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exits, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A Statement, showing the Service of Ashbel Gridley Hartford County Connecticut

[column titles]
Period when the services were rendered.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Age at present, and place of above when he entered the service.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.

Sub 1776 6 or 7 mo priv. Capt Scott, Col Wyllys.  73 years Southington Connt. Traditionary & 3 witnesses. 1 witness who prove 7 mo service certified as credible. 2 not certified.

Enlist 1777 7 mos Capt Curtiss, Col Enos
Enlist 1778 6 mos minute man Capt Bray, Col Enos

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army and to include under the terms "Continental Line", "State troops", "militia", and "volunteers", all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of }ss.
On this ____ day of _________ personally appeared (a) before A.B. a resident (b) of ______ in the county of ________ and State, Territory or District of ____aged (c) __________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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with ______ and served in the ________ (e) regiment of the ________ line,, under the following named officers:
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _________.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.    A.B.

(And then will follow the certificate of the Court)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I ________ of the Court of ___________ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this __________ day of __________ &c.

If on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declarations, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the ___________ and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ______, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _________ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after 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 A.B. and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ______ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, __________ Clerk of the Court of ______ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of __________ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _________&c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produces such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an Officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution.
The court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declarations before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of state or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. 
_______________
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must state, 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. 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. 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 ___ months and _____ days, I served as a ______. For _______ months and ________ days, I served as a ___________; and for such services I claim a pension."
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 length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the years, 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 shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the services was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not emplo9yed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signatures of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificates must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service
(j) 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company 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 must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the exam of Militia men, Volunteers and state Troops. The proof required by rule in case (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers in the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 30

August 14, 1937

Ashbel Gridley
W. 17961
BA-J/AWF

Dr. Normal G. Gridley
805 Grand Central Avenue
Horseheads, New York

Dear Sir:

The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, W. 17961, based upon the military service of Ashbel Gridley in the Revolutionary War.

Ashbel Gridley was born February 23, 1759 in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut. The names of his parents were not given.

While residing in Southington, Ashbel Gridley served as a substitute for his brother, Elisha Gridley, as private from sometime in June 1776, in Captain Ezekiel Scott's company in Colonel Samuel Wyllys' Connecticut regiment, was in the retreat from Long Island, and was discharged in the month of January 1777. He enlisted early in June 1777 and served seven months as private in Captain Peter Curtiss' company in Colonel Roger Enos' Connecticut regiment. He served three months in the spring of 1778, and three months in the fall of 1778, in Captain Asa Bray's company in Colonel Roger Enos' regiment. He served in the fall of 1781 about five days in Captain Woodford's company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 26, 1832, then living in Southington, Connecticut. He died in Southington, March 27, 1835.

Ashbel Gridley married May 1, 1781 in Southington,
Page 31

Connecticut, Jemima Bradley. The date and place of her birth and names of her parents were not stated.

The widow, Jemima Gridley, was allowed pension on her application executed August 1, 1840, at which time she was eighty-two years of age and living in Southington, Connecticut.

There is no reference to children.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Jemima Gridley, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data:

Jemima Gridley, widow of Ashbel Gridley
Certificate #5771
Issued September 14, 1840
Rate $63.33 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1836
Act of July 7, 1838
Connecticut Agency.

Very truly yours,
George H. Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 32

August 13, 1937.

BA-J/JLL
Obediah Gridley
W. 16274

Dr. Norman G. Gridley
305 Grand Central Avenue
Horseheads, New York.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letters of June 25, July 11, July 26 and August 6, 1937, in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Ashbel, Daniel and Obediah Gridley.

Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is impossible to make quick responses to each request pertaining to soldiers of that war. In matters of extensive research, the usual procedure is for research workers to call at this office and select data from Revolutionary War claims for pension. You state that you have not been able to do so. This office has furnished you the Revolutionary War records of Asahel, Elijah, Elisha, Hosea, John (2), Beth and Theodore Gridley, and you were informed June 22, 1937, that no record had been found of Daniel Gridley as a Revolutionary War pensioner. The records of Ashbel and Obedia (Obed.) Gridley are furnished you herewith.

It is regretted that your letters could not have received earlier attention.

Very truly yours,
George H. Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 33

805 Grand Central Avenue
Horseheads, New York
August 6, 1937

U. S. Veteran's Administration
Washington D. C.

Gentlemen:
In regard to the records of Obed Gridley and Ashbel Gridley, who served from Connecticut in the Revolutionary War.
If it is not practicable for the office to furnish me with these men's records at the present time, I shall be very glad to pay some one in the office for looking these up for me.
I greatly desire this information as it will complete the Revolutionary War records of my family and it is impossible for me to go to Washington and look this up myself.
I greatly appreciate the information the bureau has furnished me and I would be very grateful if you could have some one in the office look up the records of the above two men and send the information to me along with the statement of charges for this service. If you could have someone do this for me very soon, I would greatly appreciate same.

Respectfully yours,
Dr. Norman G. Gridley

[stamped]
RECEIVED
AUT 7 1937
MAIL.SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER #29
Page 34

*****
From the papers in the pension claim, W. 17961, it appears that Ashbel Gridley was born, February 23, 1759, in Southington, Hartford County, Connecticut.

While residing at said Southington, he enlisted and served as a private with the Connecticut Troops as follows:
From in June, 1776, as substitute for his brother, Elisha Gridley, in Captain Ezekiel Scott's Company, Colonel Samuel Wyllys' Regiment, was in the retreat from Long Island and served until January 1, 1777; from June, 1777, seven months in Captain Peter Curtiss' Company, Colonel Roger Enos' Regiment; from in 1778, six months in Captain Asa Bray's Company, Colonel Roger Enos' Regiment.

It is also stated that he served in the fall of 1781 about five days in Captain Woodford's Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed

-3-
Page 35

August 26, 1833, at which time he was living in Southington, Connecticut. He died there, March 27, 1835.

The soldier married, May 1, 1781, in Southington, Connecticut, Jemima Bradley. She was allowed pension on her application executed August 1, 1840, at which time she was living in Southington, Connecticut, aged eighty two  years. There are no data as to children.

*****

The Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any soldier named Edmund Farwell or Farewell.

Very truly yours,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

1" this letter in James Bugbee W.4798 Japheth Corttes W. 17649 address to Cong. Freeman Acc

-4-
Page 36

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 17961
Jemima Gridley
wid. of 
Ashbel Gridley
Priv. Rev. War

Act July 7, 1838
Index: Vol. A, Page 290

(Arrangement of 1870)
Page 37

1929 Jan 21 Hist to Cong Richard Freeman for Mary B. Bishop See letter in James Bugbee W.479 acy
1937 Aug 14 Hist to Dr. Norman G. Gridley
Page 38

Ashbel Gridley
O MB 31..66

Payments to be made
at Hartford
by Res W. 1. Br. Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of 
Connecticut
Page 39

WAR DEPARTMENT
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Ashbel Gridley of the state of Connecticut who was a Private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive sixty 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 19 day of September, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.

Lew Cass
Secretary of War.

Examined and Countersigned.}
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 40

Rejected
Conn.
See let to Timothy Jones, May 1st 1837
Let to Hon. Jos Trumbull
June 30, 1840
Page 41

War Department
Pension Office
May 1st 1837

Sir:
The claim of Jemima Gridley, widow of Ashbel Gridley decd has been examined & disallowed.

The testimony offered is wholly insufficient to establish the fact of service subsequent to the date of the alleged marriage while his own papers & declaration go to discredit it.

By referring to his papers it is very doubtful whether he was justly entitled to any pension & very certain that he was not entitled to the pension which was unadvisedly accorded to him under the act of 7 June 1832.

The pension certificate is herewith returned as the widow must have possession of it in order to draw the arrears.

I am, very respectfully
yr mos obt st.
J. L. Edwards

Timothy Jones Esq
Southington Connt.
Page 42

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Southington CT
August 14th 1840

Jemima Gridley
paper [illegible] Aug 7
Page 43

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comm Pensions

Mrs. Jemima Gridley has recd a communication from you, & wishes me to say that any inquiries, in relation to her application for a pension recently transmitted to your office, may be directed to me, at Southington CT or any communication on the subject.

Yours Respectfully
Romeo Lowrey

Southington CT
Aug 14, 1840
Page 44

7268
Jemima Gridley
Con

Act 7 July '38
M 78 d 35

asnd
19 mo pri
$63.33/100

No deduction

No. 7268
Page 45

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford} Southington Probate District

On this 1st day of August AD 1849 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Southington in Connecticut the same being a court of record, Jemima Gridley, a resident of the town of Southington within said Probate District aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath making the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed July 7, 1838. That she is the widow of Ashbel Gridley formerly of said Southington, who was a pensioner of the United States, and whose pension certificate was returned to the Pension Office and is now in said office. That her said husband Ashbel Gridley continued to draw his pension to the time of his death which happened on the 27th day of March AD 1835. She further declares that she was married to the said Ashbel Gridley on the 1st day of May 1781. That she made application for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, which application is now in the Pension Office. That she then supposed that her said husband performed a short tour of duty in the war of the Revolution after the date of the said marriage but as she understands that her said husband stated in his declaration upon his application for his pension as aforesaid that his services expired in 1778 prior to the said marriage she believes that she was either mistaken in her statement upon his former application
Page 46

or that the term of service performed after the said marriage was of so short duration that her said husband in his application did not think it of sufficient consequence to forward any claim for services upon it.
She would respectfully refer for proof of her said husband's services to the proof accompanying his said application and for proof of her marriage to the testimony accompanying her former declaration. She further states that she was not married to the said Ashbel Gridley prior to the time stated in his said declaration when he performed his last services in the war of the Revolution but the marriage took place previous to the 1st day of January 1794 viz at the time above stated. And she further declares that she has never been married since the death of her said husband, Ashbel Gridley, but that she now remains his widow.
Jemima Gridley

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above stated.
Before me
Stephen Walkly Judge of Probate for the District of Southington CT.

I further state that I am well acquainted with the above named Jemima Gridley and believe her to be a credible person and that her statement is entitled to full [illegible].
Stephen Walkly, Judge
Page 47

I Lucas Upson Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Southington in Connecticut certify that Stephen Walkly Esq is the Judge of said Court of Probate, that said court is a court of record and that the foregoing certificate purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name this 3rd day of August AD 1840.
Lucas Upson, Clerk