Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,620, Silas Williams, Conn. Vt.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Conn
Vt.
CONTENTS

Williams, Silas
NUMBER
R11.620
Page 2

Silas Williams

Hon H Everett
HR
Page 3

Letter to
Hon S Prentiss
May 19, 1836
 

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

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 a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
[chart]
Statement, showing the service of Silas Williams
Period when the
rendered.
1775
July, 1776
Do. 1776
1781

Duration of the
claimant's service.
Years
Months
1
3 
1
2 
Days
 15

0.7.15

Rank of
the claimant.
private
do
do

Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
S. McClellan
2 months in company
 Col. Sheldon &
Capt. A. Keys

Col Marth &
LCapt Parkhurst

Age at present,
 and place of abode
 when he entered
80 years
Royalton

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
.
Elisha Phelps
Do Do
claimant.
no testimony on half of the time
┃ Royston
no - testimony
 
Personally
appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the
County of Vermont Silas Williams of Royalton who being duly sworn deposeth & saith
of
old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the person
of his recollection he served not less them the said
mentioned above, and in the following grades: For seven months and 15 days I served as a
and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn to before
Silas Williams
Oel Billings Justice of the Peace
I am, respectfully
Your obedient servant,


J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
July 2d 1834. Royalton Vt. I have delay sending this back untill nor hoping
I should be able to get additional testimony, but have not found any but that of
Elisha Phelps, Mr Williams now claims but 7½ months service as you see
and I trust he will obtain accordingly. It must rest now where it is and
for your desision while I remain your truly Oel Billing
Page 4

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, mucicians 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, Terriory, or District of } ss.
On this
day of
County of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
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.
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 declaration, 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
lutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. D.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
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.
1,
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 commison
; 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 produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

Private in Company seek conveys an idea of military service, that being a branch of the
the service the cavalry service claimed it be allowed as actual service
It appears that the three Regiment of Militia Cavalry ordered out in July 1776 were only held in service until the
and was known have received 20 days unless a full and specific detail
canst be made,
Readiness to serve in a minute man is not with the
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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 services 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
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration 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.
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.
┃ 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.
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.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must nication the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant 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. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
recollection, he served not less than wear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
---
days, I served as a . For months and send a service
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
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
he
thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
┃ The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must fix 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 pubseal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature 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 certificate 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.
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.
note applies to continental troops only.
---
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and went to the War Department, with the declaration

the civil [illegible] the ordered to be [illegible] by the assembly should arive, some of them served
the actual service performed at each to be given a proper decision
the act. He claims nothing but actual service beg 7 ½ mo
Page 6

STATE OF VERMONT,
WINDSOR COUNTY, SS.
On this 15th
day of January
A. D. 1834 personally appeared
in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District
now sitting, Silas Williams
a resident of the county of Windsor
and State of Vermont, aged Eighty
years, who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers,
and served as herein stated.

In the year 1775 I volunteered at Pomfret Connecticut
as private in the Company of Cavelry commanded by Capt
Samuel W. Ellen Lieut Amasa Keyes immediately on the
battle of Lexington Mass and marched to Cambridge and
was stationed at said Hambudge and Roxbury Mass untill the
last of May when we returned home having served one month.
and in two days afterwards I volunteered again in the Commissary
department and was stationed at the time at Norwich C
under the command of Commissary Leffingwell and part the time
at Pawful Ct. under the command of Commissary Stephen Hayes and
I served under the two last above named offices two and a quarter
months, making in all that I served as above three months and a quarter

In the year 1776 I was Drafted as private at Pomfret lot in the
company of Cavely Commanded by Capt Amasa Keyes, Lot
Perley How in Col. Sheldon Regiment and was marched to
New York and stationed at the time at New Rochell and part the
time at West Chester, and I continued on duty aforesaid three
months and was dismissed and returned home
---
In the year 1776 the first of December I was drafted as private in the
Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Aman Keyes Lunt Puby How
in Col Sheldons Regiment and was marched to Providence & Newport
R. Island and was stationed at the two places above named and did
actual duty for One month, when I was dismised and returned home
I cannot get any testimony that I know of to substantiate the foregoing service-
In the year 1781 having removed to Vermont. I volunteered immediately
after the Indians buriel Royalton in the company commanded by Capt
Joseph Parkhurst, Quit Calvin Parkhurst Ensign John Billings
for the term of five months and was continually scouting and patilling
the Country, as we were the frontier town, where any settlement was made
towards Canada, and were constantly in fear of Indians again. I continued
duty untill my time as above named expired, after which
time no more troops in this town were rained for the above service. One half the ┃
line of the above service in the year 1781 I was employed in my own good persuit.
Page 7

Silas Williams

26 days
Page 8

He was born in Pomfret Connecticutt February 4th 1750 and resided
said town at the commencement of the Revolution, and in the spring
of 1781 he removed to Rayatton Vermont where he now lives and has
livided ever since. He knows of no evidence to substantiate
his claim, but that which accompanies this declaration
He has no documentator that he knows of nor any written
discharge, or if he ever had one it is lost. The record of his
age is in the town Clerks office Pompet Connecticut and the
have one in his good old Bible.
Revd Asahel C Washburn
and Oel Billings will certify as to
my Character for truth and veracity and the general belief in the
neighbourhood of my service
I served in the several times before stated in all Nine & three fourth months
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present,
and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid.
Edwin Hutchinson, Register
Silas Williams
---
We, A.C. Washburn
a Clergyman residing in Royalton, Vermont
and Oel Billings
we are well acquainted with its riding in the same place, hereby certify, that
who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty years of age;
that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the
day and
aforesaid
Edwin Hutchinson Register
J. C. Washburn
Oct Billings
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. C. Washburn
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Royalton, Vermont
and that Oel Billings
who has also signed the same, is a resident in
the same Boyalton
and is a credible person, and that their statement is
entitled to credit.
Edwin Hutchison, Register
Edw Hutchinson, Register
of the Court of Probate for the District
of Hartford
ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Williams
for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office this
day of January
A. D. 1834
Edwin Hutchinson, Register
Page 9

he letter sent by the Pension Office on July 9, 1834, was to the
effect that Silas Williams had rendered but 4 mo. and 9 days actual
service, and that his application for pension could not, therefore, be
admitted six months actual service was required under the act of
June 7, 1832.)
Feb. 15, 1896.
Shapleigh.
Page 10

Silas Williams
Vermont
Rejected
Let to O.Billings
Royalton Vet
July 9 1814
Let to Hon S Prentiss mrh 19 1836

Act June 7 1832
Page 11


Washington, May 14th 1836

Sir
I will thank you for copies of the declaration and
proofs of Silas Williams for a pension. I know nothing of
the merits of the case, but he is desirous to have it presented
to Congress. I should like to have the papers as early as it
may be convenient for you to send them.
I am very respectfully,
Your obedient,
Saml Prentiss

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 12

Feby 17, 1896
Hist Kisty to
Wm Hatchinson, Review

11,620
P.O.
Silas Williams
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
REJECTED
Recognized.
---
Cert. of Dis. Searched for 18
---
18
18
18
Contra-
Page 13

Comptretters Office
March 20th 1834
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public
Account of the State of Connecticut do certify
that it appears by a roll, headed, Marched
from Woodstock for the relief of Boston do in
the Lexington Alarm April 1775, that Silas
Williams served in that campaign twelve days.
the time of the commencement & termination
of the service is not as pressed upon the roll
of these troops Samuel McClellan was Capt.
Amasa Key L. Perley How Cornet, Asaph
Wilder D. Master L.
The Council of Safety on the 2nd day of
July 1776 ordered three the regiment of
Cavalry to march to New York & place themselves
under the command of General Washington &
18
to remain till such time as the Collations ordered
by the Genl assembly for that service shall arrive
& no longer than the General shall judge necessary
" & they can be orderly dismissed. And that under
date October 24th 1776 there is charged to Major
Page 14

Elisha Sheldon, on the books of the Pay Table, for
order on Treasurer in account of his company
light horse to New York $400,,0,0 No roll
these regiment, or of this company has can
or evidence of the duration of their service

E Phelps
Page 15

11620
Page 16

I Asahel C Washburn of Royalton in the County of Windsor
and State of Vermont of Lawfull age testify and say, that I
am well acquainted with Silas Williams of Royalty aforesaid
now aged Eighty years, and have known him ever since I have
been Pastor of the Congregational Church in sd Royalton which is
more than five years. I also find from the Church Records that
William has been a worthy member of Sd Church upwards of
forty years. Since my acquaintance with him, his daily walk,
conversation, and reputation has been that of a devoted
Christian
I therefore firmly believe that any declaration he
may make as to service in the Revolutionary War or any other matter
whether interested or not, due faith and credit ought to be given
to the same.
A.C. Washburn

State of Vermont Royalton Jany 17. 1834
Windsor County  Personally appeared Asahel C Washburn
of Royalton aforesaid and made solemn oath to the foregoing
affidavit by him subscribed

I further certify that sd Washburn is Pastor of a Church in Ray
which I am a member and Clerk of the society
Oel Billings Justice of the Peace
Royalton Jany 17. 1834
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
The following affidavit or depositions
are all the testimony Silas Williams can produce or know
of to substantiate his claim to a pension. If any further
testimony is wanted as to the credibility or Character of Silas
Williams Esq. I would refer you to the Hon. Horan Everett M.C.
who personally knows him. Hoping soon to have a return
of his certificate I remain yours with much Esteem
Oel Billings -
Page 17

I Elias Sterns of Royalton in the County of Windsor
State of Vermont aged Seventy nine years
testify and say, that in the year 1781 I lived
in Royalton Vermont and was then well acquainted with
Silas Williams then and now of said
Royalton. I did not know personally that
he was out in service, as I was not out myself
but I know that Jos. Parkhurst was Captin
Calvin Parkhint Louis and John Billings
was Ensign. as to his military service I cannot
say and did not know that he was in the sum
that year - and further say not
Dec 16. 1833.
Elias Stern

State of Vermont ss 
[illegible] County  Royalton Dec 16th 1834 Then
personally appeared Elias Stevens of RRoyalton afsd
and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing
reportion by him subscribed
Before Oel Billings Justice of the Peace
I further certify that said Elias Stevens is a credible
witness
Oel Billings Justice of the Peace

State of Vermon
Windsor County &
Woodstock County Clerks Office I Benjamin Swen
Clerk of Windsor County Court, do hereby certify
that Oel Billings is a Justice of the Peace in for
said County, and that the above his signatures
In Testimony whereof I hereto affix the seal of
said Court this 15th day of January 1834
Berg Swan Clerk
Sum
over