Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,698, Joseph Gorton, Conn.
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Service Connecticut
Joseph Gorton
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17952
Connecticut

Joseph Gorton
of New London in the State of Con who was a Pri & Sergt in the com commanded by Captain Huntington of the Regt commanded by Col Chapman in the Conn Troops for 11 mo

Inscribed on the Roll of Con
at the rate of 40 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16 day of October 33 and sent John Gray Lisbon CT

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 33 $100
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4  $20
___________
$120

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7 1832.}

Recoded by E D Bullock Clerk,
Book E Vol. 3 Page 16
Page 3

State of Connecticut, County of New London Ss.
On this 20th day of July 1832 personally appeared in open court before the city court of the city of Norwich in said county now sitting Joseph Gorton, a resident of Lisbon in said county, age 77 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 7th 1832.

That I enlisted early in the spring of 1776 in Capt Joshua Huntingtons company Connecticut State Troops Lieutenant Jacob DeWitt & John Wheatly, Charles Fanning Ensign for eight months. 
Went by water to New York in Capt Harris' vessel where we arrived the day after the Declaration of Independence 5th July. Was in New York several weeks & was moved to Long Island, where we were only two nights, & retreated back to New York. The next morning marched for Harlem, was one of the Baggage Guards during the Battle called the Orchard Fight. Was then detached for duty at the Ferry at Fort Washington under a Sergeant, when Fort Washington was taken we passed with our boats under the opposite bank
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undiscovered to the Ferry at the Highlands. At which place my time of service expired, was paraded & discharged, myself & about a dozen other soldiers started for Norwich next day, our baggage in John Smiths wagon.
Was drafted in the summer of 1777 for a month to go to Providence at the expiration of what time was discharged in Providence. Our Capt Moses Stevens of Lisbon. Was again drafted in the summer of 1778 for Rhode Island for two months in Capt Thomas Wheeley company all of which time served as 3d Sergeant as per warrant enclosed, signed by Col. Samuel Chapman. Specific dates of draft or discharge not recollected, but in every instance served "out my time", was never charged with any offence while in service & was honorably discharged.

That he has  no other documentary evidence except the Sergeant's Warrant which is herewith transmitted. That there are no
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persons whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except Capt Charles Fanning who was Ensign & Enoch Baker, Sergeant which accompany this declaration.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of this state.
So the first interrogatory propounded by the court he answers that he was born in Norwich, County of New London & will be 77 years of age on the 22nd day of August next. 

To the 2nd he says he has no record of his age & knows of none.

To the 3d he answers that he lived at Norwich when he entered the service & since the Revolutionary War has resided at said Norwich & Lisbon the adjoining town & now resides at Lisbon.

To the 4th he answers that he was called into the service as stated above.

To the 5th he answers that his answer is contained in his declaration above.

And his answer to the 6th is also contained in his declaration.

To the 7th he answers that Darius Bottom, Daniel Braynen Esq & Daniel Downing can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution.

[signed] Joseph Gorton

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.
Attest [signed] Alex Lathrop Clerk
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no clergyman having any knowledge of his service can be procured. we Daniel Bramen of Lisbon, county of New London & state of Connecticut & Darius Bottom of said Lisbon, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Gorton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration.
That we believe him to be seventy seven years of age. That he is respected & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
[signed] Daniel Bramen
Darius Bottom

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.
Attest [signed] Alex Lathrop Clerk
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9448
Joseph Gorton
Connecticut

Return i f

9 m private
2 m Serg

John Gray
Lisbon Connecticut
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WAR DEPARTMENT,

Pension Office,
13th June 1833

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 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 Joseph Gorton New London Co. Connecticut

[column titles]
Period when the service was rendered
Duration of the claimant's service.
Rank of the claimant.
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
Country through which he marched.
Place of above when he entered the service, and age at the present period.
Evidence by which the declaration is supported.

Enlist 1776 8 Months Prvt Capt Huntington N. York 77 years Norwich Connecticut  Documentary, 12 Living witnesses, papers not authenticated
draft 1777 1 Month Capt Stevens Long Island, 
Harlem
1778 2 Months Sergt Capt Wheeler General Chapman at Fort Washington, Ticonderoga, Rhode Island

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. Edwards, 
Commissioner of Pensions
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2

REGULARTIONS 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 applicant.
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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3

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.
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In reply to your request of 23 Oct, received 25 Oct for a statement of the military history of Joseph Gorton a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. Sur F. 31,698.

[column titles]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
STATE.
Spring 1776 8 mos Priv. Captain Joshua Huntington Colonel Selden Conn.

1777 7 mos Priv. Captain Moses Stevens Conn.

August 24, 1778 2 mos. 3rd Sergt Captain Thos. Wheeler Colonel Samuel Chapman Conn

Battles engaged in, in retreat from New York

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Norwich Conn.

Date of application for pension, July 20, 1832. cl. al.

Residence at date of application, Lisbon, New London Co. Conn.

Age at date of application, B. Aug 22, 1755

Remarks: No family data.
not incl. in circular sent to C. L. Brockway
(The above noted is the only Joseph Gorton of Conn. found on the Rev War records for [appears to be shorthand marks] of this Bureau.)

Very respectfully,
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Samuel Chapman Esq
Colonel of and Commander of a Regiment of maleathe [militia] Raised by the Colony of Connecticut for the Defense if American Liberty.

Joseph Gordon 
Greeting
By the virtue and Power and authority disposed in me I do by these Presents reposing official Trust and Confidence [illegible] Fidelity Courage and good Conduct constitute and appoint you the said Joseph Gorton third Sergeant in Capt Thomas Wheelers company in which I am conl 
And Commandment you are therefore carefully and Diligently to discharge the Duty of a Sarjant [Sergeant] in ordering and exercising said Company in the service aforesaid Commanding them To Obey you as their Sarjant [Sergeant] and yourself to observe such Orders and Instructions as you shall From time to time receive from me or other your Superior Officers according to the Rules and discipline of war pursuant to the trust reposed in you for which this shall be your Be your sufficient Warrant Given under my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of August Anne Domino 1778.

Samuel Chapman Esq
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N. L. M.

Rev. War Section.

March 4, 1914.

Mrs. E. E. Rogers, 
99 division Street.
Norwich, Conn.

Madam:

In reply to your letter dated the 24th ultimo. you are advised that in order to obtain the date of the last payment of pension and probable date of death of Joseph Gordon, Sur. 
File No. 31698. Rev War. application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department. U.S. Treasury Department. citing the following data:

Joseph Gordon. Rate $40. per annum. commencing March 4, 1831. Certificate No. 17,952. Issued October 16, 1833, under Act of June 7, 1832, at the Connecticut Agency 

Very respectfully,
G. M. Saltzgaber
Commissioner
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Norwich Conn.
99 Division St.,

February 24, 1914

Commissioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Will you kindly send me the date of the death of JOSEPH GORTON, a Revolutionary pensioner. whose name appears on the list of pensioners, 1832, residing in New London County, Connecticut ; Joseph Gorton lived in Lisben in 1834, and died before June 26, 1837. 
Your kindness will greatly oblige
Yours truly,
Edna M Rogers
( Mrs. E.E. Rogers
Historian Faith Trumbull Chapter, D.A.R.)
Page 15

Stamp returned, with circular, to Jm. Burrill.
F.W. Jan 12, 1914

Washington D.C. 
Jan 9, 1915

M James P Burrill
Pension Bureau

Dear Mr Burrill - 
I wish you would look up a matter for me in the Pension Office, if it will not be too much trouble-

I want to find out about the services of Joseph Gorton, certificate 17952, War of the Revolution, Hartford Conn. Agency and the date of his death if possible. My mother was a Gorton, and came from Connecticut, so I would like to trace this matter.
Thanking you in advance
I am 
Yours
C. L. Brockway

Stamp enclosed 
C. L. B.
Page 16

Commisioner of Pensions, 
Washington, D.C
Dear Sir, 
Is there anything among the record in your office regarding 
Joseph Gorton 
who served from Connecticut in 1777 under Capt. Benajah Leffingwell and was later a pensioner in New London County?

Yours very truly, 
Mrs J. G. Nichols
1086 Amsterdam Ave., 
New York City. 

July 5, 1920.

[stamped]
U. S. 
PENSION
OFFICE
C JULY 7 1920
Page 17

[letterhead]
Ford. H. Rogers, President 
George Peck, Vice-President 
J.H Munroe, Treasurer 
E.W. Storey, Secretary

DETROIT WHITE LEAD WORKS
DETROIT VARNISH COMPANY. 

UNDER ONE AND THE SAME OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

DETROIT . CHICAGO . BUFFALO

DETROIT, MICH. March 23, 1908

Commissioners of Pensions, 
Washington D.C. 

Dear Sir, 
Please tell me if the records of pensioners contain the name of 
Jabez Rogers, Middlebury; Vermont

Joseph Gorton, Norwich, Connecticut, ancestor of Ford H Rogers my husband, as serving in the War of the Revolution.

Yours very truly, 
Grace Hayne Rogers 
address -
Mrs. Ford H Rogers,
29 Peterboro Street 
Detroit Michigan 

[stamped]
U. S. 
PENSION
OFFICE
A
MAR 25 1908
Page 18

31698
Revy. INVALID
File No. 31,698
Joseph Gorton
Sergt. Rev War
Act: June 7th, 32"
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 159 
[Arrangement of 1870]

April 11 '08 Hist. to Mrs. Ford H

1914, Mch 4 Edna M Rogers
referred to Aud. for Int Dept. 
for date of death. J. L. M.
 
1914, Apr 15. History to 
Mrs. Carroll E. Miller F. W.

1915 Jan. 12 History to 
C. L. Brockway  F. W.

1920 July 30 - Hist to Mrs. J. G. Nichols - E. W.
 
1923 - June 5 Hist. to Mrs. E . L. Kelley 
MMHF
Page 19

MMHF

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section

June 15, 1935

Mrs. E. L. Kelley
25 Seward St., 
Putnam, Conn. 

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary Wat pension claim S. 31698 it appears that Joseph Gorton was born August 22, 1755 in Norwich, New London County, Connecticut. 

While a resident of his native town he enlisted in the spring of 1776, served as a private in Captain Joshua Huntington's Company, Colonel Selden's Connecticut Regiment and guarded baggage at the battle of Harlem Heights; length of service eight months. 

He enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served one month as a private in Captain Moses Stevens Connecticut Company. 

He was appointed August 24, 1778 Third Sergeant and served two months in Captain Thomas Wheeler's Company, Colonel Samuel Chapman's Connecticut Regiment. 

He was allowed pension on his application and executed.
Page 20

July 20, 1832 while living in Lisbon, New London County, Connecticut.

There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

Date of death not on AB
Page 21

facts of these were ans June 15 25 where I drew this letter

Mrs. Ellsworth Larkin Kelley
25 Edward Street
Putnam, Conn.

May 21, 1925

Department of Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Rev War Section

Gentlemen - 
Will you please send me copy of Rev. War Pension of
Daniel Preston of Lisbon
Pension #S35586

also
Joseph Gorton
Pension #S31698

Very Truly
Mrs. E. L. Kelley
Page 22

MRS. ELLSWORTH LARKIN KELLEY
25 SEWARD STREET
PUTNAM, CONN.

April 6, 1925.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Will you please send me a copy of the Rev. War Pension of 

Daniel Preston Pension #S 35586

Joseph Gorton Pension # 31698

Yours very truly,
Mrs. E. L. Kelley
Page 23

426 Cass St
Cadillac Mich.

April 6 1914

Will you kindly send me copy of the pension of one Joseph Gorton of Norwich Conn. his wifes name was Sussana Hibbard or Lawerence or both, some of the references say one some say the other and some both.

One of his ancestors is awaiting this information
Page 24

to become a member of our Chapter.

Yours very sincerely,
Mrs. Carroll E. Miller
Regent

[stamped]
U. S.
PENSION 
OFFICE
O
APR 9 1914
Page 25

3-595.

Record Division
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,

March 31, 1908

Searched by L. D. Lamporter

Original No. _________
Certificate No. _________
Claimant, _________
Soldier, Joseph Gorton
Service, Conn. Rev. War

Remarks: No claim as above except in #31698

Chief of Division
Page 26

I Enock Baker of Griswold, County of New London & State of Connecticut, of lawful age do testify & say that in the year 1776 seventeen hundred seventy six I was a sergeant in Cap Joshua Huntington Company of Connecticut State Troops.

That Mr. Joseph Gorton of Lisbon belonged to our company & for several months did duty as a soldier & was [illegible] detached for duty at the ferry near Fort Washington.

Griswold July 10th 1832
Enoch Baker

New London Ss Griswold July 18 1832.
Personally appeared Mr. Enock Baker signer of the above & made solemn oath to the truth of the same.
Before me
John Gray, Justice of Peace
Page 27

I Charles Fanning of Griswold County of New London & State of Connecticut of lawful age do testify & say that I was Ensign of Capt Joshua Huntingtons company Connecticut State Troops in the year seventeen hundred seventy six. That Mr. Joseph Gorton of Lisbon was a soldier belonging to said company. He arrived with me in New York the 5th of July of that year & did duty till after the Orchard Battle so called & was then detached for duty at the Ferry at Fort Washington.
That the enlistment to the best of my recollection was for eight months & service was about eight months. That the said Gorton was a good soldier.
Charles Fanning

Griswold July 18 1832

New London Ss Griswold July 1832
Personally appeared Charles Fanning Esq signer of the above & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.
John Gray Justice of Peace
Page 28

State of Connecticut Ss. New London County July 20 AD 1832
I John DeWitt Clerk of the county Court for said New London County do hereby certify that John Gray Esq the magistrate before whom the foregoing depositions were acknowledged was at that time and still is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & that the signatures by him subscribed are in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County the day and year abovewritten.
John DeWitt Clerk
Page 29

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 Samuel Beaman and Darius Bottom both of Lisbon County of New London who have signed the preceding certificates are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Alexander Lathrop Clerk of the Court of the City of Norwich do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joseph Gorton for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 20th day of July 1832.
Alex Lathrop Clerk
Page 30

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Washington
Page 31

Lisbon Sept 1833

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions}

Sir
Your fav of 13 June last with Mr. Gortons papers owing to my above came only last week to hand, contents particularly observed.
Herewith you have the required additional paper certificates & seal as directed which hope may be satisfactory & immediately procure the relief the favor [illegible] of a man so much needs.
You now have all which can be done in the [illegible] as to evidence the company papers having been lost at the Orchard fight & let me beg of you in the name of humanity to expedite his business, so that he may receive his pension this month, he has agreed to pay in all this month nearly all coming to him in small sums, is very feeble indeed. I doubt if he lives six months calculating on his pension he has bought a horse & wagon & will be severely mortified should he not receive in all this months.
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All which I state at his express request & add from the mortified, excitement he feels, in his really feeble state that unless he receive his pension very shortly the generosity of his country will to him have been an injury rather than a benefit.

I am aware of the system necessary in conducting so delicate a business, when all are impatient & propriety requires strict examination & a routine difficult to preserve, if special care are to break in upon it. But could not refuse to state his case in his own way trusting that you will if possible & consistent with official duties expedite his business.

Vry Respectfully
John Gray
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New London Ss Lisbon Sep 5 1833
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Justice of Peace of Lisbon in the County of New London & state of Connecticut, Joseph Gorton of said Lisbon who being duly sworn, deposeth & saith that Col. Selden was his Colonel for the period not mentioned in his declaration. That the officers have told me that the listing orders & other papers the commissions of some of the officers were lost in the Orchard fight & that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise date & length of service but according to the best of his recollection served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades - 

For eight months in Capt John Huntingtons company Co Selden State Troops in the year 1776 & 

One month at Providence under Cap Moses Stevens as a soldier in 1777 & 

for two months in Rhode Island under Capt Thomas Wheeler Col Samuel Chapman as 3d Sergeant in the year 1778

& for such service I claim a pension.
Joseph Gorton

John Gray, Justice of Peace
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New London County --- Lisbon Dec. 5 1833

I hereby certify that Charles Fanning  bef me Enoch Backer & Joseph Gorton, signers of the accompanying depositions taken before me of July 18 1832 & of this date are credible witnesses of which fact do not believe a doubt was ever raised where they were known.

John Gray, Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut
New London County
I John DeWitt Clerk of the County Court in and for said New London County do hereby certify that John Gray Esq came before the foregoing and annexed depositions of Enoch Baker & Joseph Gorton was taken was an Justice of the Peace in & for said County and that his signatures thereto affixed as also to the above Certificate are in his own proper hand writing.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said county this 4th day of September AD 1833.
John DeWitt Clerk