Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 17960, Elias Gregory, Conn. Continental
Page 1

SERVICE                                              NUMBER
Conn             Gregory, Elias                 W 17960
                                     Elizabeth
Page 2

17.562
Connecticut

Elias Gregory
of Fairfield in the state of Connecticut
who was a private in the Connet commanded
by Captain Hoyt of the Rep commanded
by Col. Webb on the Connet
time for 19 mos.


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

Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Aug
1833 and -----

Arrears to the 4th of May          $126.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4th '33  $31.66
$158.33
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7. 1832
Recorded by --------  clerk
Book 6, Vol 2, Page 16
Page 3

Connecticut 3858

Elizabeth Gregory
widow of Elias Gregory Conn.
who died on the 24th June 1842 of Fairfield Co in the state of Connecticut who was a private in the co commanded by Captain Hoyt of the Reg commanded by Col. Webb in the Cont line for 19 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 25 June 1842

Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of March '43 and sent Benjamin Isaac, Norwalk Cont

Arrears to the 4th N=Mar '43  $47.45
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep   31.61
_____________
$79.06

{Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1830, Section the 3d}

Recorded by Wm Stewart Clerk
Book 6 Vol 3 Page 74

Refer March 31 '43

[crossed out "Let 6 Benj Isaacs July 18 1145"]

Date of widow's death not on A. B.
Page 4

Connecticut 3858
Elizabeth Gregory
widow of Elias Gregory Conn. who died on the 24th June 1842 of Fairfield Co in the State of Conn
Page 5

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County} Bridgeport 18th April AD 1833
Personally appeared before me
a Justice of the Peace within and for said Fairfield County Ezra Gregory of said Bridgeport aged seventy eight years, to me well known to be a credible & being first sworn testifies and says that in the year 1775 he was in the same Regt & Company with Elias Gregory, now of New Canaan in said state in the service of the United States i the State Troops under the command of Col. Charles Webb of Samford in said state of Connecticut - and that the company to which they belonged was commanded by Joseph Hoyt of said Stamford as Captain and by Allen Wright of Norwalk in said County as Lieut. And that he is knowing to the enlisting of said Elias Gregory and to his remaining in said Captain Hoyts company as a soldier five months and that they were both discharged from said service at Charlestown near Boston in Massachusetts in the month of December 1775.
Ezra Gregory

Fitch Wheeler Justice of the Peace
Page 6

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}Ss. Probate Court - District of Norwalk June 10 1833. Personally appeared the within named Elias Gregory and being duly sworn in open court according to law, depose and says in explanation of my declaration given set forths.
That on the first of June 1775 I enlisted as herein stated in Capt Joseph Hoyt compy, Col Webbs Regt under Genl Heath was marched to Boston and was discharged the first of November having been in constant and actual service as a private soldier five months.
That in the month of August 1776 I was drafted in in same company and served under the same officers as above stated, was marched to New York and was in constant and actual service as a private soldier for two months.
That in the month of May 1777 I enlisted as in service stated in Capt Nathan Gilberts company, Col. John Mead & Col Stephen St. John under Genl. Silliman and was in constant and actual service as a private soldier for more than one year.
Elias Gregory

Sworn and subscribed in open court the day and year aforesaid.
Benj Isaacs Judge

[margin note]
Elias Gregory
No. 3155
Page 7

State of Connecticut,
County of Fairfield,}ss.
On this 3 day of Augt 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Norwalk in said County now sitting, Elias Gregory a resident of Wilton in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged eighty-two years, who being first 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 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated:
That in the spring of the year 1775 I enlisted in said town of Wilton as is it now called at that time a parish of Norwalk into Capt Joseph Hoyt company, Col Charles Webb Regt and was marched to Boston and served four months, did not receive any written discharge. That in the year 1776 was drafted and served two months, was marched to New York and in the year 1777 I entered into Capt Nathan Gilberts company of said Wilton, and served therein to the close of the Revolutionary War in guarding and protecting the sea coast and on the lines. Was in the battled when Danbury and Norwalk was burnt. Have no written discharge nor documentary evidence of my service. Was born in said Wilton Oct 13 1750. Have no record of my age. Have always lived in said Wilton and now live there.
Page 8

The said Elias Gregory hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Elias Gregory

We, Charles J. Todd a clergyman, residing in the town of Wilton and Daniel Betts residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Elias Gregory who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 82 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 day and year aforesaid.
Charles J. Todd
Daniel Betts

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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Charles J. Todd who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Wilton and that Daniel Betts who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Wilton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Benj Isaacs Judge

I, Charles Isaacs, Clerk of the said Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Elias Gregory for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Office, this 2 day of Augt 1832.
Chas Isaacs Clerk
Page 9

5778

Elizabeth Gregory
Con.
Act 4 July '36

Admd
19 mo per.
63.33
Commence on 25 June '42 the day after her husbands death.

Benj. Isaacs Esq
Norwalk, Con.
Page 10

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield}ss.
On this 30th day of January 1843 personally appeared before the Court of Probate District of Norwalk in said County and State Elizabeth Gregory a resident of New Canaan in the county of Fairfield state of Connecticut aged 82 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 made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836. That she is the widow of Elias Gregory who was a private during the Revolutionary War and was placed on the pension list roll of the Connecticut agency under the act of Congress of June 7 1832 and rec'd a pension certificate granting him sixty three dollars and thirty three cents per annum dated Augt 26, 1833 and No. 17562. And this deponent is his widow drew his back pay until his decease and well remembers that her said husband was in the service of the United States a long time after they were married. And for documents as proof of his service reference is respectfully had to establish her claim, to his declaration and other papers in the War Department at Washington. She further declares that she was married to the said Elias Gregory on the 29 day of December in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six. That her husband the aforesaid Elias Gregory died on the 24th day of June eighteen hundred and forty two. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.

Elizabeth Gregory

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before said Court.
R. A. Williams, Clerk
Page 11

Fairfield County Ss Norwalk Jany 31 1843 Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of Peace in and for said county Minot Crofoot of New Canaan in said county who being duly sworn according to law depose and says that he is thirty four years of age and well acquainted with Elias Gregory late of New Canaan and that said Elias Gregory died on the 24 day of January eighteen hundred and forty two and that Elizabeth Gregory and that she has continued his widow since that period and is now his widow.
Minot Crofoot

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid and that I am well acquainted with said Minot Crofoot and that he is a respectable & credible person and witness. Benj. Isaacs Justice of Peace

Fairfield County Ss Norwalk Feb 4 1843 Personally appeared before me Benj Isaacs Justice of Peace for said Court Charles Thomas of said Norwalk and being duly sworn according to law depose and says that he is fifty one years of age and was well acquainted with Elias Gregory and with his widow Elizabeth Gregory and well remembers that said Elias Gregory died on the 24th day of June eighteen hundred and forty-two and that said Elizabeth Gregory has continued his widow since that period and is now his widow.
Charles Thomas

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid and that I am well acquainted with said Charles Thomas and that he is a credible person & witness.
Benj Isaacs Justice of Peace
Page 12

Elias Gregory was married to Elizabeth Gregory December twenty ninth seventeen hundred seventy six.
Sara Gregory Daughter of Said Elias & Elizabeth born March 5, 1777
Matthew Fitch Gregory son of said Elias & Elizabeth born Augt 2, 1778
James Gregory son of said Elias & Elizabeth born June 24, 1785
The said James Gregory died July 28 1785.

I certify that the above is a true copy of the record with the exception of the date of the marriage which is expressed on the records in fair legible figures as follows vis Dec 29 1776
Benj Isaacs Town Clerk of the town of Norwalk County of Fairfield State of Connecticut

I Benj Isaacs above named depose and say that I hold the office of town clerk of Norwalk in the county of Fairfield state of Connecticut and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception of the marriage above named as certified by me.
Benj Isaacs Town Clerk of said Norwalk

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of February 1843.
Timo. T. [illegible]
Just of Peace
Page 13

I Reuben A Williams Clerk of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Norwalk County of Fairfield State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the proceedings of said Court in the matter of Elizabeth Gregory widow of Elias Gregory deceased, for a pension and that Benj. Isaacs is a Justice of Peace and also Timot. S. Merwin is a Justice of Peace both within and for said Fairfield County duly commissioned and sworn and that their signatures hereto annexed are their genuine signatures. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of said Probate Court this 7th day of Feby 1843.
R. A. Williams, Clerk
Page 14

June 19, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Elias Gregory
W. 17960
BA-J/MLB

Mr. Ralph M. Jones
The Oneida Historical Society
Munson-Williams Memorial Building
Utica, New York

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Elias Gregory who served from Norwalk, Connecticut, and on account of his service, both he and his wife received pensions, also, of Joseph Crofoot (Crofut) who served from Fairfield County, Connecticut, died about 1828 and who, you state, was a pensioner.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land was found based upon service of a Joseph Crofoot, under any spelling, who served from Connecticut and died about 1828. Please designate the list upon which you found his name recorded as a pensioner, also give any additional data you may have in regard to him; a further search of the records will then be made and a report furnished. The record was found of only one soldier named Elias Gregory and it is furnished herein as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 17960, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.

Elias Gregory was born October 13, 1750, in Wilton, Fairfield County, Connecticut; the names of his parents are not given.

While residing in Wilton, then a part of Norwalk, Connecticut, the soldier enlisted June 1, 1775, served as private in Captain Joseph Hoyt's company, Colonel Charles Webb's Connecticut regiment, and was discharged November 1, 1775. He enlisted in August, 1776, marched to New York and served two months under the same officers. He enlisted in May, 1777, served as private in Captain Nathan Gilbert's company, Colonel John Mead's Connecticut regiment, engaged in guarding the seacoast and on the lines, was at the burning of Danbury and Norwalk and served until the close of the war.

[note relating to Joseph Hoyt]
he signed Hoyt - See his cl f. 36587
Page 15

Elias Gregory was allowed pension on his application executed August 3, 1832, while a resident of Wilton, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

In 1832, the soldier was residing in New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut. He died there June 24, 1842.

Elias Gregory married December 29, 1776, place not given, Elizabeth. Their marriage was recorded in the office of the town clerk of Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, and a copy of an extract from that record reads as follows: "Elias Gregory was married to Elizabeth Gregory December Twenty-ninth Seventeen hundred seventy six".

Soldier's widow, Elizabeth, was allowed pension on her application executed January 30, 1845, at which time she was aged eighty-two years and a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut.

The following children of Elias Gregory and his wife, Elizabeth, are referred to in the claim:
Sarah Gregory born March 5, 1777
Matthew Fitch Gregory born August 2, 1778
James Gregory born June 24, 1785, died July 26, 1775

In 1853, one Ezra Gregory, aged seventy-eight years, was living in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut, his relationship to the soldier not stated.

Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 16

E Gregory

admd
19 mo

5 6 16 17
admd
19 mo pri 
$63.33

B. Isaacs

p141.
Page 17

3155

BRIEF [illegible] to the administrator of Pension Claims, of which there answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elias Gregory which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration sow where the applicant resides?

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

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

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

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

-no-

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

no

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
Page 18

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another [illegible] attest to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

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

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

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

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

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

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

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reasons of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reasons 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 service I claim a pension."
Page 19

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which 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.

QUER XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Page 20

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.

3-525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D. C. ,--------, 19---

W.7.17.960

In reply to your request of ............, received............ for a statement of the military history of Elias Gregory a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[column names]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE
RANK
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
STATE

Spring 1775 5 mos. Pvt. Captain Joseph Hoyt, Colonel Charles Webb Conn.
1776 2 mos. marched to New York, no officers stated
1777 to close of war Captain Nathan Gilbert

Battles engaged in: burning of Danbury & Norwalk

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wilton, Conn.

Date of application for pension, Aug 3, 1832, His et al

Residence at date of application, Wilton Fairfield Co Conn.

Age at date of application, born Oct 13, 1750 at Wilton Conn. Died Jan 24, 1842

Remarks: He married Dec 29, 1776 Elizabeth...She was al pension on an app. ex. Jany 30, 1843, while a resident of New Canaan Conn. aged 82 years. Children were: Sarah b. Mch 5, 1777; Matthew Fitch b Aug 2, 1778; James b June 24, 1785, died July 28, 1785.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 21

425 [illegible] St. Utica N.Y.
May 17 '18

Rev Sec JMO

To the Commissioner
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly give me the pension records of the following Revolutionary men.

John Knapp. res Danbury Conn 1738-1810
Jeremiah Hubbard - Conn.
Elias Gregory
Benoni Gregory
James Lindley or Lindsay Conn
Page 22

Also
Lieutenant Stephen Strickland 1719-1805
Thomas Winslow

These later from Mace - that is their [illegible] residence in their states [illegible] might have record in others.

Thanking you in advance for your trouble in helping establish Revolutionary Ancestors.

I am, Sincerely Yours
Mary Merwin
Page 23

[letterhead]
FOUNDED 1876 BY HORATIO SEYMOUR
TO SECURE STATE RECOGNITION OF THE CENTENNIALS OF THE REVOLUTION.
WE NOW SEEK NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR THEM

THE ONEIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MUNSON-WILLIAMS MEMORIAL BUILDING
PARK AVENUE AND ELIZABETH STREET
UTICA, N.Y.

President
Ralph M. Jones
Utica N. Y.

1st Vice-President
Prentiss Bailey
Utica, N. Y.

2nd Vice-President
Samuel H. Beach
Rome, N. Y.

3rd Vice-President
G. Linnermann Prescott
Rome, N. Y.

Treasurer
James H. Rollings
Utica, N. Y.

Recording Secretary
Wm. Pierrepont White
Utica, N. Y.

Corresponding Secretary
Abigail C. Dimon

Executive Committee
William C. Wright, Chairman
Rt. Rev. Edward Coley
Capt. William G. Mayer
Dr. James W. W. Dimon
Earl Widtman

Librarian
Mrs. Thomas D. Watkins
1521 Kemple Street
Utica, N. Y.
Telephone 4-9088

June 6th 1935

Veterans Administration Bureau
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Please send us the Revolutionary Record of Elias Gregory, who served from Norwalk Conn, in Continental Regiments in 1775, and was a Pensioner in 1840 and later his wife had a Pension, Please send all personal data.
Please send us the Rev. Record and all family data about Joseph Crofoot (Crofut) who served from Fairfield Co. Ct. he died about 1828. He was a Pensioner.

Yours truly
Ralph M. Jones
President of Oneida Historical Society.
Page 24

Rev

WIDOW, &c.
17960

File No. 17960
Elizabeth Gregory
Widow of Elias Gregory
Pri Rev War

Act: July 4th 36
Index: - Vol. A, Page 290

(Arrangement of 1870.)
May 44 Hist to Mary Merwin
[illegible] 19 Mr. Ralph Jones
Page 25

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield} Ss. Probate Court District of Norwalk Augt 3d 1832. Personally appeared Daniel Betts of Wilton in said county and being duly sworn according to law in open court depose and say that he is well acquainted with Elias Gregory of said Wilton and knew that said Gregory enlisted into Joseph Hoyts Company under Col. Charles Webb and served five months. That in the year 1776 said Gregory and myself were drafted and served in said company. He served tow months and I served three in New York. After which in the year 1777 said Gregory served in Capt Nathan Gilbert company of said Wilton and served through to the close of the Revolutionary War.
Daniel Betts

At the same court, personally appeared Capt Nathan Gilbert aged 84 and being duly sworn in open court according to law depose and say that he is well acquainted with Elias Gregory of said Wilton that entered into my company in said Wilton in the year 1777 that he served in said company under my command in guarding and protecting the sea coast and in the lines until the close of the Revolutionary War.
Nathan Gilbert

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County Ss.
Probate Court District of Norwalk June 10, 1833 [illegible] certify that I am well acquainted with above named Daniel Betts and Nathan Gilbert and know them to be credible and respectable persons.
Benj. Isaacs Judge
Page 26

Benj Isaacs
Feby 18 '35
Page 27

Elias Gregory 17960

Pension Office
July 18 1845

Sir,
Your letter of the 17 enclosing the declaration of Elizabeth Gregory, under the joint resolution of the 23rd of January 1845; and the certificate of the comptroller of Connecticut relating to the service of Captains Knapp & Smith, of Col. Meads Regiment of Cont guards, has been received.
Mrs. Gregory has no claim under the joint resolution. She is in the receipt of a pension for life, under the act of July 4, 1856, and the resolution above named was passed expressly for widows under the act of July 7 1833 who receive 5 years previous.
I return you the certificate from the comptroller of Connecticut that it may be stated for what length of time Col. Mead and the Officers who served under him, were commissioned and served, as now stated, it is of no more use, in determining the length of service of the former husband of Hannah Mead, than a piece of blank paper would be.
Page 28

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefits of the resolution of Congress of the 23 January 1845 Where the act of the JO" of April 1844 Prohibited me from drawing a Pension for the same period during which my husband was a pensioner, I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefit of the resolution above mentioned.I am the widow of Elias Gregory who was a private in the war of the Revolution. I have drawn a pension at the rate of sixty three dollars and sixty three cents per annum from the twenty fifty day of June 1842 and now ask for the amount due me from 4th day of March 1836 to the twenty fifty day of June 1842 when my former pension commenced,. I made my declaration before the 30 day of April 1844 and it was filed in the Pension Office before the 23d of January 1845.
Sworn and subscribed before me on the sixteenth day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty five at Norwalk County of Fairfield State of Connecticut.
Benj. Isaacs Judge of the Court of Probate

Elizabeth Gregory

I certify the declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual as she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
Benj. Isaacs Judge

I Richard B.  Isaacs Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwalk County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Benjamin Isaacs who has signed the foregoing is the Judge of said Court and that the above is his genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 16th day of June 1865.

Richard B. Isaacs Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Norwalk