Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7795, Asahel Holcomb, Conn.
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
Conn.
Holcomb, Asahel
Holcomb, Hannah (former Widow)
NUMBER
N. 7795
CONTENTS
Widow was allowed bounty land for the services of her third husband Jacob Holcomb, Wt. 47.422-160-55.
Page 2

2 och 1832
263
Connecticut

Asahel Holcomb
of Granby in the State of Con. T. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Phelps of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ward in the Cont state line, for the term of 1 year, 4 mo.s 19 days from 1776 to 1778

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 55.34/100 Dollars per [crossed out] month [end crossed out] annum, to commence on the 4 day of Mar 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 of August 1832 and sent to Claimant

Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 1832 ... 55.34
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sept. 1832. 27.67
$83.01
{Revolutionary Claim, [crossed out] Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. [end crossed out]}
Recorded act 7. June 1832
Book D. Vol 3 Page 47
G.N.L
Page 3

6013
Connecticut
____________________
Hannah Holcomb
widow of
Asahel Holcomb
Connecticut 
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
_________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 55. dollars 34
cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
_________________
Certificate of Pension issued 
11th day of Jan'y 1859
and sent to 
Justus Wilcox
West Granby
Ct.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 200 Vol. 36

260682
Page 4

To Hon. J. Minot, Comm'r of Pensions. 
The widow who makes this application is in feeble health & needy circumstances, having lost her late husband, she leaves the domicile provided during his life, & now returns upon the case of a daughter (by said Asahel Holcomb) who had a full share of ease upon her hands before receiving her mother; she will however attend to her wants most cheerfully; while the mother, in her helpless condition, would feel under especial obligation to the Department to attend to her application without delay, & thus enable her to avail herself of the bounty, before its benefits shall be useless to her.
Please direct communications to
Justus D. Wilcox
West Granby
Conn.
Page 5

State of Connecticut
Probate Dstrict of Granby

ss.

On this 13th day of November, AD one thousand eighteen hundred & fifty six, personally appeared before me Joel C. Holcomb, Judge of the court of Probate for the district aforesaid, Hannah Holcomb, a resident of Granby, in the county of Hartford & state aforesaid aged Eighty-three 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 of the 3rd of February AD 1853; that she is now the widow of Jacob Holcomb deceased, & was the widow of Asahel Holcomb, deceased, who was a private in the army of the Revolutionary war & served (as best [illegible] recollection) in a company of dragoons from about the first of January, 1780 until the close of the said war, except when excused from service by discharge. That by reason of age & infirmities she cannot recollect the names of the officers under whom he served, but avers that she has often heard her husband the said Asahel say that he enlisted during the war & was in service from the time he enlisted until excused by discharge as above stated.
She further declares that her said husband Asahel Holcomb applied for a pension under the act of Jun 7th 1832 & obtained a certificate presenting him $55.14 dollars per annum; to which application the department is referred for proof of that service. She further declares that she verily believes & therefore avers that the said Asahel was in service from the time of his enlistment to the [illegible] of the war except when excused by sickness, & was therefore [illegible] the time [illegible] meaning of the law entitled to a full pension of eighteen[?} dollars [illegible] applied
Page 6

She further declares that she was married to the said Asahel Holcomb, she thinks in December of 1803, & is positive that she was married to him in December AD 1803, or January AD 1804, the reason of her doubt is that she had been previously married to one Asa Smith, deceased, to one of [illegible] husbands she was married in December & the other in January, having no record as a guide, she cannot now positively designate between the two dates; that her husband the said Asahel Holcomb, died on the 2nd day of October AD 1832, as will appear by proof hereunto annexed --
She further admits a subsequent marriage to Jacob Holcomb, who departed this life on the 15th day of October AD 1856, as will appear by affidavits hereunto annexed and declares that she is now a widow by the name of Hannah Holcomb
She further declares that she knows of no further evidence in relation to her marriages & the decease of her husbands, but what is hereunto annexed

Hannah Holcomb
X
her mark   

sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before me, & I certify that the foregoing declaration was made & sworn to at the residence of the applicant because from bodily infirmity she cannot attend the court
[illegible] Holcomb Judge

We Anson N Holcomb & Eunice Hayes of Granby in the State of Connecticut, of lawful age, after being duly sanctioned & sworn, depose & say that we were personally acquainted with Asahel Holcomb & Hannah Holcomb his wife who cohabited together as husband & wife from about the year AD 1804 to about the year AD 1832, when the said Asahel died, leaving two children the products of said marriage, a son & daughter whose names are [illegible] & Maria, & we never heard the legality of their marriage
Page 7

doubted, we further depose that after the death of said Asahel Holcomb and about the year AD 1836 the said Hannah Holcomb widow of the said Asahel was again married to one Jacob Holcomb, who died at [illegible] aforesaid on or about the 10th day of October last past that the said Hannah Holcomb is now his widow. We further depose that the said Asahel Holcomb was reputed & generally believed to be a Revolutionary soldier who enlisted & served in the war
Anson N. Holcomb
Eunice Hayes

State of Connecticut
Hartford County [illegible] Granby Nov 13th AD 1856 there personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace within & for the County & State aforesaid, duly qualified by law to administer oaths, Anson N. Holcomb & Eunice Hays, whose names are subscribed to the foregoing affidavit & made solemn oath to the truth of the same & certify that I am personally acquainted with deponents, that they are credible witnesses &* & their statements may be relied on.
Justus B. Wilcox, Jus't of the peace  

I, T. Flavel Hayes, of Granby in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut, being duly sworn according to law, depose & say that I have a regular record of all burials in the cemetery located in the western part of said town, extending back to the year AD 1570, when said ground was located, which record is contained in a book possessed for the purpose, by which it appears that Asahel Holcomb died October 2nd 1832, which is expressed in the record as follows "1832 Oct 2 Asahel Holcomb. Age 80. Lot 58" & that the above is a true extract from said record. I further depose that I was personally acquainted with said Asahel Holcomb & Hannah Holcomb when they cohabited together as husband & wife & know that said Asahel was reputed to be a revolutionary soldier.

T. Flavel Hayes
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13th day of November AD 1856
I certify that the deponent is a credible witness.
Justus Wilcox, Justice of the peace
Page 8

I Jarius Case Registrate of the town of Granby in the County of Hartford & state of Connecticut having custody of the records of Marriages, Births & Deaths in said town, do certify that I have made diligent search of those records & can no where this record of the Marriage of Asahel Holcomb Hannah Holcomb & am satisfied that said mare riage took place before a regular record was set however do and among the record of his thou Jacob Holcomb died on the fifteenth day of October D. 1856, which is expressed on the record in fair in the words & figures as follows, "Jacob whom died at Ganey, on the 15 day of October AD. 1850, aged 91 years 11 month and 18 days James Case above named do certify that I hold the office of Register as above stated that the above is a James Case Resworn before me Justus S. Weld Justice of the Peace State of Connecticut County of Herton late of John W. Holcomb, Clerk of the Court of Whitson the district aforesaid, do certify that Joel comble is Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid, duly commissioned & seven, that his com took effect on the 4th day of July D 1830 & will expire on 4th day of July D 1857. & that the signature vision propheting to be his, is his genuine signature - Also that restes D. Wilcox is a herein of the for the County of Barton in the State of not and duly commissioned so, that his took feet on the 4th day of July 1853 & will, on the 4th day of July 1858, & that the signature, purporting to be his is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto my hand & the seal of said Court is 13th day of November 1853 George W Holcomb Clerk
Page 9

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
ss.
On this 31st day of October AD one thousand eight hundred & fifty six, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within & for the county & state aforesaid, Hannah Holcomb, aged eighty three years a resident of Granby in the State of Connecticut, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is now the widow of Jacob Holcomb, deceased, & was the widow of Asahel Holcomb, deceased, who was a private soldier of the Revolutionary war, & a pensioner under the act of June 7th, 1832, & served in the manner stated by him in his application for a pension under said act to which statements the department is respectfully referred for further proof.
She further states that she was married to said Asahel Holcomb in Heasland [?], as stated in her application for the arrears of pension due said Asahel, & remaining unpaid at his decease; to which reference is made for proof of said marriage & of the decease of said Asahel, and that she is now a widow as shown by her declaration of Oct 27th 1856, for bounty land as the widow of Jacob Holcomb, deceased, to which reference is made. She further declares that her said husband Asahel Holcomb had a pension certificate granted from the war Department (she believes), Dated July 15th 1832, for $55.34/100 per annum. 
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act of February 3d 1853
Hannah Holcomb
X 
her mark
Page 10

We, Anson Holcomb and Charles R. Holcomb residents of Granby, in the State of Connecticut, upon our oaths depose that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by Hannah Holcomb in our presence; & that we believe, from the appearance & statements of the application, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. And we further depose that we were acquainted with Asahel Holcomb & said Hannah Holcomb who were reputed to be husband & wife, cohabited together as such, had children who recognised them as such, & that said Asahel Holcomb was generally reputed & believed to be a Revolutionary soldier & enlisted for the war
Anson N. Holcomb
Charles R. Holcomb

The foregoing declaration & affidavit was sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written; & I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she presents herself to be, and that I have no interested in this claim.
Justus D. Wilcox, Jus't of the peace

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
ss.
Probate district of Granby
George W. Holcomb, clerk of the court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do certify that Justus D. Wilcox is a Justice of the peace within & for the county & State aforesaid duly commissioned & sworn--That his commission took effect on the 4th day of July 1856, & will expire on the 4th day of July 1858
And that the Signature above purporting to be his, is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said court at Granby this 1st day of Nov 1856
George W. Holcomb, Clerk
[SEAL]
Page 11

State of Connecticut
County of Hartford
District of Granby
ss.
On this 20 Day of July 1832--Personally appeared in Open Court before Jacob Griffin, Esq. Judge of Probate for the District of Granby, now sitting, Asahel Holcomb of Granby in Hartford County, who was formerly Asahet Holcomb 3d of Granby aged 79 years, who first being 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 [illegible] that he served under Cap't Noah Phelps in the Reg't Commanded by Col. Andrew Ward in the line of the State of Connecticut--that he Entered a'f'd Service on the 14 Day of May 1776. That he ser'd one Year & Was Discharged on the 14th Day of May 1777--in the State of New Jersey--that in his term of Service he was in the Battle of White Plains, that he [illegible] in New York City a Few Days & Crossed over into the State of New Jersey--that he again Entered the Service under Cap't Jasoph Fuller on or about the first day of October 1777 & Served Seven Weeks and Was Discharged or at Fish Kill in the State of New York that he again Entered the Service in October 1778 for about one Month; in this tour of Duty We
Page 12

Asahet Holcomb
Declaration

I Joshua R. Jewett Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Granby, Do hereby Certify that the foregoing Contains the Original Proceedings of the Said Court in the Matter of the Application of Asahet Holcomb for a Pension--
In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 20 Day of July 1832
Joshua R. Jewett, Clerk
[SEAL]
Page 13

[SEAL]
I, THOMAS DAY, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and Keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That [crossed out: the Aforesaid] Joab Griffin, Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Document hereto annexed, is, and for more than one year last past, has been, Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the Probate district of Granby in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, that said Court consists of one Judge only, who is by law required to have a Clerk by him appointed area service, and also a Seal to be used for all matters and things proper for said Court; that said Joab Griffin is also a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn;
and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said Judge and Justice in Court and Country.
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the twenty-fourth day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two.
Thomas Day
Page 14

went to [illegible] the troops of Burgoyne through the State of Connecticut to the town of Sharon on the line of the State of New York
That he performed a tour of Duty at Stratford in the State of Connecticut of about two months in the Service of the United States in the year 1778--that he knows of no Witness now living by Whom Can prove this last Militia tour
He further states that from all the aforesaid terms of Service he was Regularly Discharged but he has Lost his Discharges & cannot Produce them--that he was a Resident of the town of Simsbury, now Granby, when he Entered the Services--that he [caret] Entered Services by Voluntary Enlistment--that he has no Documentary Evidence of his Services as aforesaid--
That he hereby Relinquishes Every Claim to a Pension Whatever or Annuity Except the present--& [illegible] that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of Any State--
Sworn to & Subscribed, the Day & Year aforesaid 
Asahel Holcomb
Page 15

We Ebenezer Goddard & Rufus Goddard, both Residing in the Town of Granby in Hartford County hereby Certify that we are Well acquainted with Asahel Holcomb who has subscribed & sworn to the above Declaration & that we believe him to be seventy nine Years of age, that he is Reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he Resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that we Concur in that Opinion--Sworn to and Subscribed the Day & Year Aforesaid--
Ebenezer Goddard
Rufus Goddard
Page 16

Revolutionary War
WIDOW, &c.
________________________
File No. 7795
Hannah Holcomb
Wid
Asahel Holcomb
Privt Rev War
_______________________
Act: Feb. 3d 1853
Index:--Vol. A, Page 343

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 17

Hannah Holcomb
Asahel Cpn.

Official Business
Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Comm'r of Pensions
City of Washington
D.C.

[postmark: WEST CRANB CON]
Page 18

No. 6559
Hannah Holcomb
widow of Asahel 
Connecticut.

Justus D. Wilcox
Nov. 7, 1856
Same Nov. 24, 1856
Same December 10, 1856.

Act February 3, 1853
Page 19

Conn.'52

Hannah Holcomb 263
wid
Asahel

Triplett

Free
Official business
Hon. J. Minot
Comm'r of Pensions
City of Washington
D.C.

[postmark: OANALRAILROAD NOV 1]
Page 20

ad 32-263
Hannah Holcomb
wid
Jacob also Asahel
[postmark: WEST CRANB Nov 12]

Free Official business
Hon. J. Minot
Comm'r of Pensions
City of Washington
D.C.
Page 21

Hannah Holcomb
wid
Asahel
[postmark: WEST CRANB CON Dec 19]

Triplett
Free Official business
Geo. C. Whiting,
Comm'r of Pensions,
City of Washington, D.C.
Page 22

Hannah Holcomb
widow of Asahel--
Hartford Co. Connecticut
[illegible] Act Feb'y 3, 1853 at rate of $55 34/100 per annum, commencing at date of said Act 
Husband private of Infantry
Pay widow
Certificate to
Justus Wilcox Esq. 
West Granby
Connecticut
Page 23

Pension Office, Jan 3/57
The third auditor will please certify the date for which within named pensioner was paid, and name of his widow, if she received arrears
Very respectfully,
John Robb
For Commissioner

3d Auditors Office
Jan'y 8, 1837

Sir:
Asahel Holcomb, Conn, Act 1802, at $55.33/100 per ann, died 2 Oct. 1832, this pension has been paid in full to that date, to his widow Hannah Holcomb
very Resp'y
Geo. C. Whitney, Esq.
Comm'r of Pensions
Page 24

Mil file 7795
Hannah Holcomb--
Oct. 31, 1856 - ae 83 resident of Granby, Conn-widow of Jacob Holcomb who d. Oct 15, 1856 at Granby ae 91 yrs 11 mos, 18 days-she married him Nov. 18, 1836

was the widow of Asahel Holcomb, whom she married at Hartland
{Dec. 1803 or Jan'y 18904} 

(having previously married Asa Smith dec'd.)

Asahel Holcomb d. {Oct 2, 1832 ae 80 Lot 58}
ch. Leeman & Maria
Page 25

B.L. 47422
160-55

June 10, 1856
Jacob Holcomb ae 92
Granby

Vol Simsbury Conn Aug. 20, 1780
Pvt. Capt. Jonathan Case
Col. Noah Phelps

dis Oct. 20, 1780
at New Haven, Conn.

60 days

B. Simsbury Conn 1764

refers to Ebenezer Holcomb
Chloe
Page 26

W. Granby Ct Nov. 14th 1856

To the Court--

This application is forwarded with such proof as can be found in favor of the widows claim--

There is no record to be found of her marriage either of a public nature, or even a family record.
There are very many persons who will testify to the parties having lived together as husband & wife, & that they were universally deemed legally married, but we can find no person as yet who saw them married

over
Page 27

If the proof herewith is not satisfactory, please intimate what further is required, & if within our power we will procure the same

Very Respectfully
Justus D. Wilcox
West Granby
Conn

Hon. J. Minot
Comm'r of Pensions
Page 28

Brief in the case of Hannah Holcomb, widow of Asahel Holcomb 
Hartford County and State of Connecticut
act February 3, 1853

Claim, ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

Husband of Claimant was a pensioner under act of June 7, 1832, at rate of $55.36/100 per annum, and died October 2, 1832--"Hannah Holcomb" having received the arrears, as appears by 3d auditor's report.
Marriage [caret] in 1803 proved by her credible testimony, who also prove that the present applicant is [caret] now the widow of the above named pensioner
Allowance accordingly

Justus D. Wilcox Esq.
West Granby,
Connecticut
Name and residence of Agent


R. Geddes
Examining Clerk.
Page 29

West Granby Dec. 1st, 1856

Hon Geo. C. Whiting
Comm'r of Pensions

Sir,
A communication was received from the pension office bearing date November 24th 1856 in relation to the case of Hannah Holcomb of Connecticut, stating that
"She must prove that she is the widow of the pensioner[underlined] of her husband's name" etc.
In reply, I have to State that the name of the husband of this widow for whose service she claims a pension, was formerly "Asahel Holcomb 3d," but as the senior persons of that name were supposed to be dead before the pension was granted to the husband of this widow, we thought at that time he was known by the name of Asahel Holcomb, & therefore she made her application as his widow. If that is the reason alluded to, will the department be kind enough to inform us that we may have opportunity to make correction?
In this widow's case the following facts can be clearly shown that her former husband by name of Asahel Holcomb or Asahel Holcomb 3d was a Revolutionary pensioner at the rate of $55.34/100 dollars per annum & that she is now a widow, though the widow of a subsequent husband by the name of Jacob Holcomb. we suppose that the subsequent marriage did not bar her claim, if she was a widow at the time of making application.
Very respectfully
J.D. Wilcox
Page 30

Asahel Holcomb
paper
Depositions
Page 31

I Ebenezer Goddard of Granby in Hartford County of lawfull age depose & say that Asahel Holcomb now of Granby aforesaid Enlisted under Capt Noah Phelps in the Reg't Commaned by Col. Andrew Ward, on [caret] or about the 14 day of May 1776 for one year, that I well know that he was in the Service during the year following & that he was Discharged in the State of New Jersey on the 14 Day of May 1777--
Dated at Granby this 20 Day of July 1832
Ebenezer Goddard

Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid before me--Joab Griffin Justice of peace I certify that Ebenezer Goddard is a credible witness and disinterested 
Joab Griffith Just peace

I Elijah Gillet of Granby in Hartford County of lawfull age Depose & say that Asahel Holcomb now of Granby in Hartford County went a tour of Duty under Cpt Joseph Fuller of Seven Weeks Went to Danbury in Con't & from there to the town of Peeks Kill in the State of New York. 
The term [illegible] to the best of my Recollection was in the latter part of the year 1777--
Dated at Granby July 20 1832
Elijah Gillet
Sworn to and subscribed to the day and year aforesaid before me & I certify that Elijah Gillet is a credible witness & disinterested
Joab Griffin Justice of peace
Page 32

I Benoni Gillet of Granby in Hartford County of lawful age Depose & say that in or about 1778 Asahel Holcomb, now of Granby, in County of Hartford, performed a tour of Duty in the Service of the United States of about one Month--in this tour he went  to engage Burgoyne troops through the State of Connecticut & was Discharged at Sharon in this State--Dated at Granby July 20, 1832
Benoni Gillet
Sworn and subscribed to the day and Year aforesaid before me
Joab Griffin Judge
I certify that the above named Ebenezer Goddard Elijah Gillet and Benoni Gillet are credible witnesses and disinterested
Joab Griffin Judge
Page 33

I Joshua R. Jewett of Granby, in the county of Hartford & State of Connecticut, of lawful age, after being duly cautioned & sworn to speak the truth depose & say that I was formerly well acquainted with one Asahel Holcomb 3d of said Granby, who was a solider of the Revolutionary war, & applied for a pension under the act of congress of June 7th 1832. I well remember that he was formerly known as Asahel Holcomb 3d, but I cannot distinctly recollect whether he applied for a pension under that name or the name of Asahel Holcomb; I however do well remember that I acted as his agent in the application & obtained a pension certificate for him of about fifty five dollars per annum, the precise sum, I do not new recollect. I also remember that the said Asahel died before the money was obtained on his pension certificate & that I went to the pension office in Hartford with his widow Hannah Holcomb & aided her in procuring the money. I further depose that I have  been personally acquainted with the said Hannah Holcomb for many years past, & know that she is the identical person who was the widow of said Asahel; that she afterwards married Jacob Holcomb, who died I think in October last, leaving the said Hannah a widow & that she still remains such; I should judge her to be about eighty five years of age & further deponent saith not. 
Joshua R. Jewett
Page 34

State of Connecticut
Hartford County
ss.
Granby De. 17th, AD 1856
The foregoing affidavit was sworn to & subscribed before me on the day & year above written; & I certify that I know the affiant to be a credible person; & that the said Hannah Holcomb is the person represented to be, & that I have no interest in this claim.
Jarius Case
Justice of Peace

Probate Office
District of Granby
ss.
George W. Holcomb, Clerk of the court of Probate for the district aforesaid do certify that Jarius Case Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Hartford, duly commissioned & sworn, and is now acting in that capacity & further that the signature above written purporting to be his is his genuine official signature. 
[SEAL]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at Granby this 17th day of De. AD 1856.
George W Holcomb Clerk
Page 35

The within affidavit is forwarded in support of the claim of Hannah Holcomb of Granby Connecticut for a pension under the act of Feb'y 3d, 1853, & to accompany her application.
Very Respectfully
Justus D. Wilcox
West Granby
Conn.