Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 25,463, Josiah Burritt, Conn.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE                                      
Conn                                      

Burritt, Josiah
Curtis, Mabel
(Former Widow)

NUMBER
W. 25,463

CONTENTS
Page 2

733
Connecticut
Mabel Curtis
widow of Josiah Burritt
Con
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
60 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
15. day of July 1848
and sent to
Isaac Sherman
Bridgeport
Ct
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 274 Vol. 1
Reported
Page 3

B
Josiah Burritt
was born November
7th 1761
Mabel Burritt
was Born February 3rd
1768
Josiah Burritt
Departed this Life
March 6th 1813
Elijah Burritt died
March 14th 1794
Lucy Chamberlain
died July 3th
186?? 
Rufus K Amory
Page 4

Josiah Burritt and Mary Baldwin
was Married August the second 1794
Page 5

THE
NEWTESTAMENT
OF OUR
LORD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST
Translated out of
THE ORIGINAL GREEK
AND WITH
THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY
COMPARED AND REVISED
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT
Printed and sold by
HUDSON & GOODWIN
1810
Page 6

A
Lucy Burritt
was born Oct 25th 1785
Philemon Burritt was born
Dec 20th 1787
Elijah Burritt was born
July 5th 1790
Peggy Burritt was born
Dec 6th 1793
Sarah Burritt was born
Mch 3 1796
Phebe Burritt was born
Sept 25th 1798
Sherman Burritt was born
to June 20th 1801
Mary Burritt was born
Jan 22nd 1804
James Burritt was born 
feby 7th 180?
Page 7

Thomas Brothwell of the Town of Fairfield in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut
a pensioner under act of June 1832 Deposeth and
saith that in the spring of 1782, he enlisted in said
town of Fairfield into a company of Connecticut
state guards infantry under command of Capt
Daniel Lacey and served as a private for
8 months in sd Laceys guard in 1782 Commecing
in the spring at a place called Mutton Lane
on Long Island Sound which was on the dividing
line of the towns of Fairfield and Stratford
near the mouth of Newfield now called
Bridgeport Harbour sd guard was stationed on sd
Fairfield side (said Newfield formerly
belonged to the town of Stratford) and remembers
that Lieut Wm Hall commanded a Company
of Guards that was stationed at sd Newfield and
Wells Tounge Isaac Patchin was sergeant of his
Guard that sd Halls guard was in service at sd
Newfield and Wells Tounge the same summer of
1782, that Deponent was in service in Lacey
guard and remembers that the dividing line
between sd Fairfield and Stratford at Mutton
Lane was the dividing line betweens Halls
guard and sd Lacys guard also remembers
that Sherman Burritt and Josiah Burritt
belonged to sd Halls guard at that time who
are now both Dead and that the two Guards
met at sd Mutton Lane when on sentry
Thomas Brothwell
Page 8

Elijah Burritt of the Town of Bridgeport in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 93 years
of age deposeth and saith that he resided during the
revolutionary war near the village of Newfield in the
Town of Stratford in said county which Newfield is
now called Bridgeport and I remembers Aaron
Hawley of sd Stratford was appointed a Lieut
and raised a company of Connecticut State guards
commencing about the beginning of the year 1777
Wm Hall was serjeant of sd Hawleys guard and
deponent thinks sd Hawley served in sd guard as
much as one year or more after which sd Wm Hall
was appointed a Lieut of sd Guard and succeeded
sd Hawley and continued to command sd Guard
untill the peace as long as any guard was kept up
feels confident that sd Hall served through the
whole of the year of 1782, remembers Isaac Patchin was a serjeant under Lieut Wm Hall sd Guard was always
stationed at Newfield. Wells Lounge and Mutton
Lane at the mouth of Newfield Harbour Elijah
Burritt also remembers that 2 cousins of his
Sherman and Josiah Burritt both served
in Lieut Wm Halls guard at sd Newfield in
the summer of 1782,
Elijah Burritt
Page 9

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ⎬ Bridgeport
On this 21 day of March AD 1844.
personally appeared before the Court of 
Probate for the District of Bridgeport in
said County & State Mabel Curtis
a resident of the Town of Huntington in
said County aged 76 years
who being first duly sworn, according to
law, doth on her Oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain
the benefits of the provision made
by the act of Congress passed July 7
1838, and the 23 of August 1842, granting
pensions to widows of persons who
served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the widow of Josiah Burritt
who was a private Soldier in the
Army of the Revolutionary War.
That according to the best of her knowledge
and belief he Enlisted on the first day
of January 1781 into Lit. William Halls
Company of Infantry Coast Guards
for twelve months service which Guard
was stationed at Bridgeport Harbour on
Long Island Sound was in service by
authority of the State of Connecticut & was
attached to Col Saml Whitings Regiment
in Genl Gold S Sillimans Brigade
and that said Josiah served 12 months
faithfully as a private in said Guard
during the year 1781, as I verily believe
That he enlisted again on the 1st day of January
1782 into said Guard for the term of 12 months
which Guard was stationed at said Harbour┃
and was still called Halls Guard but whether
Page 10

said Lut William Hall commanded
said guard during the
year 1782 she cannot say, but Isaac
Patchin was a Sergeant of said Guard
during both years of said Josiah Service
That said Josiah served a private in said
Guard 12 months viz from January
1782 to January 1st 1783 as I verily believe
that she has no documentary evidence
to prove his service but refers to the
Depositions hereto attached for proof that
she verily believes that said Josiah
was in service in said Guard previous
to the year 1781 for this reason that
she remembers to have heard him
remark in his life time that he
& his twin Brother Sherman Burritt 
both Enlisted into said Guard when
they were 16 years of age and that
said Joseph said he continued to serve
in said Guard from year to year
until the peace in 1783 also remembers
to have heard sd Josiah say that he
belonged to said Guard at the time two
men were shot in a boat by sd Guard.
& were killed which happened as I believe 
in the Spring of 1782, at said Bridgeport
Harbour,
That she claims to be allowed for
12 months service as a private Soldier
in 1781 &
12 months Do in 1782
and makes no claim for any other
Service because She cannot get any direct
proof of any other but rests her claim
on the two terms as above stated.
Page 11

Daid Josiah was born in said Town of
Bridgeport in the year 1761. (which was
at that time a part of the Town of Stratford.)
near said Bridgeport Harbour resided at the same
place until the year 1785
when he removed to the State of New York
& Resided there until 1808 when he removed to
Derby Connecticut  where he died March 6 1813.
that I was born in Feb. 3 1768 in the
State of New York & removed to sd Stratford in 1780
my maiden name was Mabel Baldwin.
The reason that I have not made
an earlier application for a pension
is that I Supposed until recently
that no service would intitle me
to a pension except. Continental
Service
And I would further state that Elijah
Burritt of said Town of Bridgeport
was a cousin to said Josiah - that said
Elijah died in the year 1841.
at the advanced age of 98 years
and who lived neighbour to said
Josiah during the Revolution
That I have Records of the births of
my children, said Josiah Burritt &
my own; Also a Record of the death
of said Josiah & our two children, Elijah
& Lucy Chamberlain and also a
Record of our Marriage all of which
are taken from my Bible & hereto attach
Mark A & B. the record mark B was
made at Derly about 12 years ago
from the original Record of the same
that was first made on our family
Bible by said Josiah - which original
Page 12

was unfortunately torn & defaced-- and that was
the reason of making said Record over
and no part of the original Record
has been preserved, but the Records
hereto attach are true Records of our
Marriage & Births & deaths of our children as
therein set down-- That she & sd Josiah
were married by the Rev Robert Ross Pastor of
the Stratford Cong. Church now located in sd
Bridgeport
She also declares that she was married
to the said Josiah Burritt on the second
day of August in the year Seventeen
hundred and Eighty four
that her husband the aforesaid Josiah
Burritt died on the Sixth day of March
AD1813 that she was not married to
him prior to his leaving the service
but the marriage took place previous 
to the first day of January Seventeen hundred
ninety four viz: at the time
above stated
she further declares that after the death of
the husband aforesaid she was married to
Stilis Curtis in the month of November in
the year Eighteen hundred & twenty, that
he died in the month of September AD 1832
that she has no Record of his marriage or
death; and that she is still a Widow,
Attest Mark Moore Clerk           Mabel Curtis
Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and
year above written before me
Attest Mark Moore Clerk
 Smith Trundy Judge
of Probate
Page 13

And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion that said Mabel Curtis
in the former Widow of sd Josiah
Burritt a Revolutionary Soldier and
that he served as sundhe states
Attest Mark Moore Clerk Smith Tracy Judge
of Probate
I Mark Moore Clerk of the Probate ┃
Court aforesaid do hereby certify that ┃ the
foregoing contains the original ┃
proceedings of said Court in the
matter of Mabel Curtis for a
Pension - In testimony whereof
I Have hereunto set my hand & Seal of sd Court
this 21 day of March AD 1844
Attest Mark Moore Clerk
Page 14

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ⎬ Bridgeport
I Mark Moore Clerk of Court of Probate
for the District of Bridgeport in said
County & State do hereby certify that Isaac
Sherman & Timothy B Nicock are both
Justices of the peace in and for
County of Fairfield duly commissioned
& qualified; and that their signatures
to the Depositions of Samuel Beach Sarah
Moore, John French, Thaddeus Hubbell
Lavinia Starr, Wildman Hall, Benjamin
Brothwell, & Levi Worden are all
genuine
In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal
of said Court this 13 day
of April 1844
Page 15

                      WIDOW, &c.
File No.   25463
Mabel Curtis
formerly wid of
Josiah Burritt
Pri  Rev War
 Act: Feb 2d '48
Index:- ol. a   , Page 163, 
(Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 16

9119
Connecticut-
Mabel Curtis, formerly
widow of Josiah Burritt
who was a pensioner under the Act of
and who died on the 6 March, 1813.
of Fairfield Co (in the State of Cont.
who was a private in the ______
commanded by Captain _____________ of the
_______ commanded by ______________ in
the Connecticut line for 18 months
Inscribed in the Roll of Hartford
at the rate of 60 - Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 31st:-- day of
March, 1845 and sent to Isaac
Sherman, Bridgeport, Cort

Total amount,              $300.00
(Act July 7, 1838.)
Recorded by                      Clerk,

Book D  Vol 1 Page 79
Page 17

          10814
Mabel Curtis
County
Set to Isaac Sherman
Sept  20  1844 
Do     Do     19th Novr 1844
 Do     Do       8th Jany   1845
See Lts in claim of
John Porter  W 23336
act July 7 1838.
Page 18

No 10814
Mabel Curtis formerly
Widow of Josiah Burritt
Con
Act 7 July 1838

Adm. 18 Mo private
$60 per ann.

Adm. 3 March 1843
$60 00/ per ann

Isaac Sherman
Bridgeport
Con.
Page 19

6740
Connecticut

Mabel Curtis, formerly
widow of Josiah Burritt
who was a private
in the Connecticut line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 60 Dollars
    Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 31 day of March, 1845, and sent to Isaac Sherman, Bridgeport, Cont: -

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2  Page 51.

Repd 31 Mar 45
Page 20

State of Connecticut
January 23 1845
J L. Edwards Esq
Sir I herewith return your Letter of the
8 inst. relative to the Pension of Mabel Curtis, with the best evidence I can obtain under the circumstances as very few people are now living. that had knowledge of the service of at William Hall in 1782 there are some persons still living that Know the fact that sd Hall commanded a guard at Newfield Harbour in the Town of
Stratford for several years but cannot identify the year 1782, I send you Thomas Strattons Deposition which proves conclusively that Liet William Hall was in service in command of God the same year that Sergeant David Lake commanded & served with his guard at said Harbour, and by refering to the Comptrollers
certificate that is with said Mabels Declaration you will find satisfactory evidence that sd Lakes Guard was in service in said Town of Stratford in 1782. and as M Stratton is positive that sd Lake never kept his Guard in the Town of Stratford but one term. and that the time sd Stratton served with him at sd Harbour therefore I think the fact that sd Hall served in 1782 fully proved Mr Stratton being of undoubted truth and veracity has a very retentive memory
but in further confirmation of that fact I would
respectfully refer you to a certified copy of a Deposition that accompany sd Mabels, Declaration given by Thomas Brothwell now decd in which you will find it stated in substance as follows that he sd Thomas was in service in Capt Daniel Lacys Guard in 1782 and that he remembered that the
Guard to which he belonged was stationed in the
Town of Fairfield on the dividing line between Fairfield & Stratford and he served 8 months in 1782 in sd Guard and Testifies that said Guand often met while in said Service the members of Liet William Halls Guard. and that Josiah Burritt & his Brother Sherman Burritt was in service in said Halls Guard at that time in 1782.- Also the fact that Lit Hall was in service as Lit of sd Guand in 1782 is conclusively
proved
Page 21

by the Declaration of Dorcas Worden of said Bridgeport for a pension under Act of July 7 1836. by refering to her declaration she states, I believe in substance as follows that her husband served in Lt William Halls Gaurd in 1782. and States as a reason that she knows the fact is that she was married in the fall of 1781. (If I remember correctly) and also remembers the fact that sd Lit Hall used to come to their house with sd William Wordin
after they were marred while in service together, now Mrs Worden is a woman of uncommon Mind and memory and a member of a Church in this place and of undoubted truth & veracity and as she informs me she has allways resided to this day near sd Newfield Harbour now called Bridgeport Harbour and was well acquainted with ss Hall & with the fact of his commanding sd Guard for several years as her father & Brother & husband all served at diferent times in Halls Guard.
In view of the case as now presented I would respectfully request that you will send me her certificate for such amount as you shall Judge just-without further delay
Isaac Sherman

P.S. The History of sd Halls Guard I understand to be this that he took charge of said Guard with Isaac Patchin as his Sergeant the first of January 1778 and enlisted thereon for 12 months, and that they both continued to command said Guard from year to year until the peace or to Jny 1st
1783, that when sd Guard was not full they enlisted
men into it for various periods, to fill up for any
one year the Guard I believe consisted of about 24 men as for as I understand the Guard serviced on Long Island Sound in the Town of Stratford & Fairfield in the sd War
I do not know of any other continuous Guard but sd Halls the other Guards appear to have often changed and the terms of service various but generally for 9 months
Page 22

but said Halls gourd answered an important post as the enemy had possession of Long Island and the Tories constantly endeavouring to cross from New York Harbor to them for the purposes of trade and the British often sent over an armed force to obtain provisions from said Tories. In 1780 or 1781 the British landed and made prisoner of Genl. Gold. S. Silleman at his own house which was within about 2 miles of said New York Harbour and carried him to Long Island. And I suppose it was necessary to keep said guard in winter as well as summer. As I understand said Halls guard was always stationed at said Newfield Harbour what was in the town of Stratford near the dividing line of Stratford & Hartford, that said guard changed their guard posts from Burroughs to Store to Wells Tongue & Mutton lane but all of said places was in said Harbours.
Page 23

Thomas Stratton of the Town of Bridgeport in the
County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 88
years of age Deposeth and saith that he was
intimately acquainted with Lt. William Hall during
the Revolutionary War and remembers that said
Hall as Lot & Isaac Patchen as Sergeant had charge
of a Company of Coast Gaurd [Guard]at Newfield Harbour
in the Town of Stratford on Long Island Sound
which is now called Bridgeport Harbour, which
Gaurd [Guard] was in service at said harbour for several
years in succession during sd [said] war as I fully believe in
the year 1782, for I remember that said Hall &
Patchen had command of said Gaurd [Guard] at sd [said] Harbour
at the time I was in service in Sergeant David
Lakes Gaurd [Guard] in said Town of Stratford. which I
fully believe was in the Summer of 1782 (as a private)
for said Lakes Gaurd [Guard] was Stationed at Wilcox point
on the East side of said Newfield Harbour and said
Halls Gaurd [Guard] was Stationed at the same time
at said Newfield Harbour called on the West side of said
Harbour both of sd gaurd [said guard] posts  was then in sd [said] Stratford and furthermore  I know that
said Lake never kept Gaurd [Guard] at any other time
at said Harbour or in said Stratford but the time that I served
with him which was the last of the War and as I
believe the last year that any Gaurd [Guard] was kept at
said harbour (cannot say positively what year it was I
Served in sd [said] Lakes Gaurd [Guard] --
Thomas Stratton
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County ⎬ ss           Bridgeport January 22 1845
personally appeared Thomas Stratton who subscribed &
made oath to the above deposition before me who
I certify is a credible Witness well known to me
Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
The words during sd [said] War Harbour, both of Sd Gaurd [said Guard] posts was then in said
Stratford, or in said Stratford were all underlined before execution
Attest Isaac Sherman Justice of Peace
Page 24

State of Connecticut
County of [illegible}     ⎬ Bridgeport
I Philo Hind Clerk of the Probate Court within
& for the District of Brigeport in said County &
State, do hereby certify that Isaac Sherman is a
Justice of the peace in and for said County duly
commissioned and qualified and that his signature
to the foregoing Deposition of Thomas Stratton
is genuine-
Given under my hand & the seal of
Court this 23 day of January AD 1845
Philo Hind Clerk of Court
Page 25

Elijah Peet of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut deposeth and saith that he is 76 years of age and is a pensioner under the act of Jun 1832 and that since he gave his deposition in Autumn 1836 relative to the service of Wm Wordin Deceased Husband of Dorcas Wordin of Bridgeport he has remembered further particulars relative to sd Wm service in the guard in the War of the revolution. Vis he remember sd Wm enlisted the 1st of January 1779 into a guard in Newfield now called Bridgeport which at that time belonged to the Town of Stratford under command of Lieut. Wm Hall. Isaac Patchin was serjant of sd guard and that sd Wm served in sd Halls Guard in the year 1779 commencing the 1st of January at least six months following that time as a private and deponent further states that Lieut. Aaron Hawley first raised a company of guards for one year commencing service at sd Newfield January 1st 1777 and Wm Hall was his first officer and at the end of that year sd Hall succeded sd Hawley in the command of sd guard and was then appointed Lieut. and deponent himself enlisted under sd Hall for 12 months the first of January 1778. and when that year was out he deponent again enlisted the first of January 1779 under sd Hall in the same guard and that at sd January 1st 1779 sd Wm enlisted into sd Halls guard and served at least six months as aforesaid the reasons that he now distinctly remembers the two different terms of service is that when deponent and sd Wm served together one year under Lieut. Aaron Hawley in 1777 his guard was stationed at sd Newfield at Esq Burroughs old store and
Page 26

that when they served together in 1779 said guard was stationed at a place called Mutton Lane near the mouth of sd Newfield Harbour at the Dwelling House of John Hubbell and also remembers that he & sd Wm served together the 2nd term the year the Town of Fairfield in Connecticut was burnt which was in 1779 and further states that he has always uniformly understood that sd Wm Wordin served in the continental army. Deponent does not remember who served in sd Wm Halls guard after the year of 1780 as he himself did not serve after that time but then went into the Coasting trade in a small vessel in carrying grain between sd Newfield and Boston but was occasionally at sd Newfield between sd 1780 and the Peace of 1783 and remembers sd Halls guard was kept up untill the Peace. remembers that in the Spring of 1782 that 2 men were killed by sd guard in a conderay boat in sd Newfield Harbour and he was there and saw them dead which was in the Spring of 1782 remembers Isaac Patchin was an officer in sd guard when sd men were killed. The guard after sd Hall took charge of it was always Halls Guard which guard when it had its full compliment of men consisted of about 24 men and the enlistments for 12 months the longest and for shorter periods as men could be found.
Elijah Peet
I Levi Wordin of the Town of Fairfield, County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut of Lawful age depos & say that the foregoing depositions of Elijah Rugett, Thomas Brothwell, & Elijah Peet are all true copies of their depositions that are attached to the declaration of my mother Dorcas Wordin of sd county made under Act of July 1836 which deposition may be found with said declaration at the pension office in Washington (who are all dead) Sworn & Subscribed by said Levi Wordin this 6 day of April 1844 before me who I certify is a credible witness 

Levi Wordin
Isaac Sherman
Pustice of Peace
Page 27

10814
Mabel Curtis
Con.
Act 7. July 38
m.  94.d 13
9 mo
1781. 9 mo Ss. Halle
1782 9   " Coast Guard
18 mo
Page 28

Benjamin Brothwell of Fairfield in the county of Fairfield & state of Connecticut aged 83 years diposesth and saith that he was a Corporal of a Gaurd that was stationed on the line between the towns of Fairfield & Stratford on Long Island Sound at a place called Fairfield Beach in the state of Connecticut that he was in service in said Gaurd from April to December in 1782. & that his brother Thomas Brothwell was also a private in said Gaurd during the same period who is now dead. & that we were both pensioned for said service under Act of June 7th 1832. And from the above facts I can testify that Lieut William Halls gaurd was in service at Bridgeport Harbour during the time that I served as aforesaid. During the year 1782 that said Bridgeport belonged to the Town of Stratford during the Revolutionary & was then called Newfield Harbour
Page 29


State of Connecticut
County of Harford Bridgeport March
4th 1844. personally appeared Benjamin
Brothwell and Subscribed & made
Oath to the truth of the foregoing
Deposition before me who I
certify is a credible witness well
known to me.
Isaac Sherman
Justice of Peace
-
---
Page 30

John French of the Town of Bridgeport
in the County of Fairfield & State of
Connecticut aged nearly 70 years Deposeth
and Saith that he has always lived
in said Town of Bridgeport.
That when he was a minor he
lived with his father in the 
Neighbourwhood [Neighbourhood] of Josiah Burrett & Mabel Baldwin
in said Town (which at that time
was a part of the Town of Stratford
in said County)--
That he was present at the Marriage
of said Josiah Burrett to said Mabel
Baldwin -- that said Marriage
took place as I fully believe in the
year 1784, in the Summer of that year
by the Revd [Reverend] Robert Ross who was the
Pastor of the Congregational Church
of the Paresh [Parish] of Stratford at that time
the reason that I believe said marriage
took place at the time above stated
is that I believe I was about 10 years
of age when said marriage took place
and I am confident I was not more than
12 years of age when sd Marriage
took place but the fact of their being
married as aforesaid I remember perfectly
well--
John French
State of Connecticut}ss
Fairfield County        }
Bridgeport April 12
1844. personally John French & signed
& made oath to the truth of the above
Deposition before me who I certify
is a credible witness well known to me
Isaac Sherman, Justice of  Peace
Page 31

Thaddeus Hubbell of the Town of
Fairfield in the County of Fairfield
& State of Connecticut a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States under
Act of June 7th 1832 Deposeth and
Saith that he was well acquainted with
Josiah Burrett (who married
Mabel Baldwin) during the
Revolutionary War and since
and I remember that said Josiah
was in Service in Lut [Lieut] William
Halls Gaurd [Guard] the later part of the
War of the Revolution at Bridgeport
Harbour and as I fully believe
he was in service in said Gaurd [Guard]
in 1781 & 1782. I was well acquainted 
with said Hall-- and I Resided during the
Revolution within two miles
of  sd [said] Bridgeport Harbour and remember
there was two men shot by said
Gaurd [Guard] in a boat that was going
to long Island to trade with the 
[army?]--I have no doubt, on my
mind but that said Josiah served two
terms in said Gaurd [Guard].  I believe the
Regular time of Enlisting in to sd Gaurd [Guard]
 was the 1st of January in each year but
men were enlisted at other times when
the Gaurd [Guard] was not full
Thaddeus Hubbell
Page 32

State of Connecticut ⎬
of
County of Fairfield Bridgeport
March 11 1844 personally appeared
Thaddeus Hubbell and subscribed
& made oath to the truth of the
foregoing Deposition before me
who I
certify is a credible witness
well known to me
Isaac Sherman
Justice of Peace
Page 33

Lavinia Starr of the Town of Danburry in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut, being eighty six years of age: deposeth, that she resided with her mother during the Revolutionary War near the mouth of Bridgeport Harbor at Long Island Sound and remember that a guard was kept up at said Harbor from the fore part of said war to the close from year to year. That Lieut. William Hall & Sergeant Isaac Patchin were officers of said guard for several of the last years that said guard was kept. She remembers that Josiah Burritt was in service in said guard as a private, but how long he served or precisely what period of the War she cannot say, but thinks it might have been the two last years of the War; She remembers that the following persons were in service in said guard as privates viz; Thomas Cook, Ebenezer Hawley, Saml Wheeler, Gideon Wells, James Crofoot, John Porter, Josiah Burritt & Sherman Burritt, Denton Seely & others; The reasons that I remember the [unk] composing said guard, are that a room in mu mother's house was occupied by said Liet Hall's guard a part of said war as a guard house that said guard was kept at said Harbor for several years, but changed the guard house several times during the wat, at one point it was stationed at her mother's house, at another at Capt Stephen Burrough's old store, at another at Thomas Hawley's house, all of which guard [unk] more around  said Harbor, another reason that her brother's Saml which was a soldier in said guard.

Levine Starr
Page 34

Fairfield County ss Danbury Feb 21st
AD 1844 Personally appeared Lavinia
Star before me and subscribed & made
solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing
Deposition who I certify is a Witness of the
first respectability and a person of a strong
mind, retentive memory
Timothy B. Hickok Justice of Peace
Page 35

Mabel Curtis
Ad
6740
admitted
Isaac Sherman
Bridgeport
Ct
Page 36

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of 2d of February1848, entitled "An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution;"

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield]ss Huntington

On this 15th day of June 1848, personally appeared before me, a Magistrate in and for the County aforesaid, Mabel Curtis a resident of Huntington in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the  Act of Congress, passed 2d February, 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War:

That she is the widow of Josiah Burrett who was a private soldier in said War and who was a resident of the Town of Derby in New Haven County, State of Connecticut at the time of his durase and for proof of his service & Regiment or Corps, in which he served in said War she refers, to her Declaration for a pension at Washington City under Act of 7th July 1838.

That she received a pension under the act of June, 17th, 1844, at the rate of sixty dollars per annum.

She further declares that she is still a widow.

Mabel Curtis

Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year before written, before me.

Agur Lewis Justice of the Peace

I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above declarant, and know she is the former widow of Josiah Burrett aforesaid and the same individual who drew a pension as stated in the foregoing declaration and that the [unk] of the paper under the words, pension at Washington was done before discharge.

Agur Lewis Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield

I Thomas Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Agus Lewis Esq on the 15th day of June 1848 was a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified: that his commission was dated on the 19th day of June 1847, and that his signature above written are genuine. That said commission expired with the 19th day of June 1848.

Given under my hand, and the seal of said County Court, this 10th day of July 1848, words "the 15th day of June 1848 was" duly underlined.

Thomas Robinson Clerk
Page 37

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr of Pensions
Washington
City
Page 38

State of Connecticut
Bridgeport
J. L. Edwards Esq January 23 1845
Sir. I would respectfully ask your
decission in the case of the Widow Lucy Porter
of Connecticut under Act of July 7 1838, her case
was presented last Spring pleas issue a certificate
for such amount of service as you shall think
Just, without further delay.
---
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman
Page 39


Pension Office
January 8th 1845.
Sir,
the additional testimony in the case of Mabel Curtis
claiming a pension under the Act of July 7th, 1838,
has been examined and filed. It is evident from the
Certificate of the Comptrotter that the services at Stratford
were of a public nature, and that money was allowed to
the selectmen of that Town for the payment of
the men
engaged, but there is no evidence that Lieut William
Hall commanded a company in that service. It should
be proved at least that the officers under whom the
claimants husband is said to have served, was at the
time engaged in the duty specified. The remark at the
end of my letter in which Lucy Porter's name it introduced had reference to the nature of the service, and was
not intended to apply to the duration of any other than the
service set forth in the case of Mabel Curtis
I am Sir;
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
J L Edwards
Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridgeport
Conn
Page 40

State of Cont.
J. L Edwards Esq Bridgeport Nov 29. 1844
Sir in your letter to me
of the 19 of November 1844 relative to
the application of Mabel Curtis
for a Pension, which Letter is this
day returned you remark that
Lucy Porter of Cont can be allowed
a Pension for 9 months service
of her husband in Let Wm Halls
Gaurd in 1781, Mrs Porter will
accept a certificate for 9 months
Service - which you will please
forward to me
-
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman
Page 41

State of Con
J.L. Edwards Esq
Bridgeport Nov 27th 1844
Sir I send you further evidence
in the case of Mabel Curtis which I trust.
will be satisfactory, agreeable to the suggestions
in your letter of 19 Nov 1844 herewith returned
Mrs Curtis will accept a certificate allowing
his 9 months, for services of her husband
in 1781. & Also for his service in 1782 she
will accept for 9 months making her
whole pension for 18 months as a private,
please forward her certificate to me-
Yours Respectfully
Isaac Sherman
Page 42

℗[stamp] HARTFORD CT
[illegible date]
Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridge port
Ct
Page 43

Comptrollers Office
Hartford 25 Nov. 1844

On application for further evidence of the service of Josiah Burritt in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office relating to that war.

And whereas in my certificate, dated 28 Sep 1844, I made an extract from the Books of the late "Pay Table" Office, of this entry 

War.......Dr. 1783 Feb 4. To order in Treasr Off Stratford select men, expense of Coat Guard in 1782.......} $715.16.8" which, it appears, is not received as satisfactory evidence of the public nature of that service. I further certify that there is a corresponding entry in "Harkells Receipts" under the head of 

"The United States Dr to the State of Connecticut, for sundry expenditures for the service and expense of Guards in the Sea Coast for the defense of said State," and in this form

"Date-------Bills & Account-------Purposes--------Price
1783 Feb 4---Select Mem Stratford---Coast Guard at Stratford-----$715.16.8"

And that the book called "Harkells Receipts" is a volume containing some 376 large folio pages principally filled with the names of Officers and the amounts of their payrolls. That after the close of the Revolutionary War, for the purpose of ascertaining the amount that Connt & other earlier States had contributed thereto, "E. Harkell" was employed by Government to receive these pay rolls as vouchers for the claims of these states, "to be forwarded to the Honorable the Board of Treasury," (as expressed)
Page 44

by Commissioner Haskell. He having, in this book, receipted the lists of
all the payrolls, and their amounts, mentioned therein, and forwarded the
rolls to Government.
The number of Payrolls & Accot under the head of "Coast Guard"
(quoted before) is 349. And I have no reason to believe that the public nature of the service described in these rolls was ever called in question, at the
 Treasury department on the adjustment of the Revolutionary accounts of
this State. If so, it will appear on the books of the proper Auditor.
A Carrington, Comptroller
Page 45

can give nothing better and think it must be certificate
Page 46

Pension Office
November 19, 1844

Sir,

The certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut in the case of Mabel Curtis, does not show that the service of her husband Josiah Burrett, under Lieutenant Hall in 1782 in the coast guards was under the authority of the State, or of the United States. It appears for the records in the office of the comptroller that the amount paid to the guard at Stratford was upon the order of the select men of that town, who, no doubt, had organized a guard for their own protection, and the amount paid by them to such guard was subsequently refunded by the State. Before the service in 1782 can be allowed, it must be clearly shown that the company to which her husband was attached, was under the authority of the State or of the United States. The service in 1781 will be allowed, if the length thereof can be ascertained; it could not have been more than none months, and no objection will be to allowing that amount of service. The above is deemed a sufficient answer, in the case of Lucy Porter.

Respectfully, your obt. servant

J L Edwards

Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Page 47

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield
J L Edwards Esq, Bridgeport October 1 1844

Sir agreeable to your suggestion in your letter to me , Sep 20 1844 herewith returned, relative to pension claim of Mabel Curtis. I have procured a further certificate from the Compt. of the State of Con, the [unk] at your [unk] to be as to the length of service in 1781 & 1782 on William Halls Guards at Newfirth Narbouse that the place where said guard was kept those years. I will state what I understand to be the face relative to the establishment of siad Guard & the time of their enlistment and my belief of his facts that I am about to state are founded on the Compt certificate & the depositions of Elijah Peet & other on the case of Widow Dorcas Worden a pensioner under act of July 1836 for life of said Bridgeport, also to the Pension applications of said Elijah of said Bridgeport, no 1 & 2 under act of June 7th 1832 (said Peet is now dead, & Martha Hall of Connt. I understand the facts to be that said Newfirth Narbouse more called Bridgeport Harbour was in the town of Stratford during the Revolution and all the Guard posts mentioned as planned accepted by said Halls Guard by Mutton Lane, Will Tonsece Capt Burrows at Stone were all in said Town of Stratford near the dividing line between the Towns of Stratford & Fairfield on Long Island Sound.
Page 48

I think the Compt certificate that may be found with the papers of said Peet & said Dorcas, wordin contain other party relative to the establishment of said Guard under Lieut Aaron Hawley. When those in Lieut Aaron Hawley who resided at said Newfield Harbour during the Revolution was accounted  a Lieut by the State and authorized to raise a company of as I believe 24 men, with a Sergeant & a corporal to keep guard at said Harbour which Guard he raised Jany 1 1777, for 12 months, at the end of 12 months, William Hall who  has been said Hawley's Sergeant in said Guard for 12 months was, now appointed to command said Guard in lieu of said Hawley who enlisted his men for said Service Jany 1 1778 for 12 months & so continued to reorganize & command said Guard until 1783, which facts you will find fully proved by the Declaration of said Peet for his own pension & by his deposition to those facts in the case of said Dorcas (said Peet's declaration is most excellent) as regards the pay of the Stratford Guards in 1782 you will see by referring to the Compt certificate herewith annexed that payment was made to the Selectman of Stratford which accounts for the fact that no money was paid to said Hall for his Guard in 1782. I think if you will give all the papers, none in your possession & those referred to relative to the service of said Hall that you will be satisfied as to the amount of pension that said Mabel is justly
Page 49

entitled and on her behalf I wish you to issue in her favor a certificate at your discretion at as little delay as may be as she is indigent and dependent on others for her substance.

yours very respectfully

Isaac Sherman

P.S. you will find the Compt certificate with the application of Elijah Peet under act of June 7 1832, Dorcas Wordin Act of 1836, Martha Bennett act of July 7 1838 all of Connecticut and all obtained to establish service under said Lieut Hall at said Newford Harbour and which certifies some are more full than others tou will observe that said Peet in all his statements declare under solemn oath that the said Guard was, for 12 months, he was the only person within my knowledge that was living, at the passage of the Act June 7 1832 (& he died in Nov 1841) he was a man of undoubted truth & veracity and of a clear mind & memory until his death, his deposition will be found with said Martha Halls declaration, relative to said Guard
Page 50

Stamped:  HARTFORD CT SEP 28

Isaac Sherman Esqr
Bridgeport Ct
Page 51

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Conn. 28 Sep 1844

On application for evidence of the service of Josiah Burrett in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office relating to said war, and find the following entries in the books of the late "Pay Table" officer respecting the guard at Stratford where W Burrett is said to have served, "Feb 14 1778 Lt Aaron Hawley Ct by his account for his Co guards at Fairfield" [should be Stratford] "viz payroll " & etc "L880.15.4"- "April 1 1778, War Dr to order on Treas for Lt Aaron Hawley and his acct for his Co guards at Stratford L85.2.8 3/4" [unk] 8 1778" (in "Haskells Receipts", under head of Expense of Coast Guards) "Lt Wm Hall guard at Stratford L44.0.5"- "Aug 7 1779, Sergt Wm Hall, guard at Stratford L44.19.7"-"& amt 12.1781 Ens Wm Hall, Coast Guard at Newfield L 492.17.8"- "May 19 1781 Ens Wm Hall Coast Guard at Stratford L 214.6.8"- "1782 Nov 25, Segt David Lake, Coast Guard at Stratford L 143.3.5" And in a pay table journal under date of Feb 4 1783, "War Dt to order on Treas for Stratford selectmen expense of Coast Guards in 1782 L715.16.8."

The dates mentioned, are those of the settlement of the acct the period of the establishment of this guard has not been discovered nor any pay roll, a number of men which compared it.

I certify the foregoing extracts and statements to be correct.

A Harrington, Comptroller
Page 52

Pension Office
September 20th 1844

Sir,

In the case of Mabel Curtis, it is satisfactorily made out that Ensign Hall commanded a guard at Newfield for a part of at least of 1781, and the length of that service should be ascertained by the best [unk] evidence.

This may, no doubt, be found in the records of the Secretary's Office at Hartford.

The service being a peculiar one, distinct from that which her husband could be required to [unk] under the Guard law regulating the Militia, the authority for raising it, the terms upon which it was raised, and the payments for the service rendered under it, must be matters of record.

The alleged service in 1782, will not be allowed to any greater [unk] than the

The proof of the date of marriage is satisfactory.

I am, respectfully, your obt servant,

J L Edwards

Isaac Sherman Esq
Bridgeport, Conn
Page 53

State of Connecticut
Bridgeport
April 13 1844
J L Edwards Esq

Sir

I send you the pension application of widow Mabel Curtis. I have procured certified copies of the Depositions of Elijah Burrett, Thomas Brothwell & Elijah Peet (who are all dead) for the purpose of showing two things viz. 1st that Josiah Burrett was in service in Let William Hall's Guard at Bridgeport during the Revolution and 2.  that said Hall's Guards was in service in 1782 which fact does not so clearly appear by the comptrollers certificate, annexed to her declaration, but the fact that said Guard was in service during the year of 1782, whether said Hall was attach to it that year or not is clearly proved by said depositions. Also by the depositions of Thaddeus Hubbell & Benjamin Brothwell attach to her declaration. If you will refer to the declaration of Dorcas Wordin of Con. under Act of 1836, you will find she has been allowed
Page 54

a pension for her husband William Wordin service in said Hall's Guard in 1782. Also by referring to the declarations of Thomas & Benjamin Brothwell of Con. under Act of 1832, you will find they have both been allowed pensions for their service under Capt Daniel Lacey in 1782, which Guards under Lacey & Hall were stationed near together during the year 1782. Also I believe you will find that Seth Hall who is now dead was pension under Act of 1832 for service in said William Hall's Guard in 1782. Please send her certificate to me.

Yours respectfully

Isaac Sherman
Page 55

State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford 22d Febry 1844
I certify that on application for evidence of the revolutionary service of Josiah Burritt alleged to have been rendered in 1781 and 1782 under Lieut. William Hall in the Coast Guards I have examined the pay table papers but find no Pay Roll or record containing his name.
I find on the Pay Table Journal the following entry viz 1781 Jany 12 "War Dr to order on the reason of William Halls Pay Roll Coast Guards £492.17.8"  also the following 1781 May 19 "War Dr To Order on Treasurer Ensign William Hall Pay Roll C. G. £214.6.8"
These amounts are [illegible] by Harkell as follows "Coast Guards 1781 Jany 12 Ensign William Hall coast guard at Newfield £492.17.8"  1782 May 19 "Ens. William Hall, coast guards at Stratford."
This is an account with Sergt William Hall Coast Guard at Stratford as earl as 1779 but I find no amount after 1787
Gideon Welles Comptr.
Page 56

Wildman Hall of the Town of Weston in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut aged 78 years a Pensioner of the United States under act of June 7 1832 do depose and say that I was well acquainted with the officers & company of Connecticut Coast Guards during the Revolutionary War under command of Liet. William Hall.  said company was raised by authority of the State of Connecticut and was attached to Col Saml Whitings Infantry Regiment in Genl Gold S. Sillimans Brigade.  Isaac Patchen was Seargeant [Sergeant], & Joel Parish Corporal of sd Halls Company --
I enlisted into said Halls Co. of Guard in April 1781 as a private, and served in said Guard at Newfield Harbour now called Bridgeport Harbour from April to November 1781 at which I time I left [sic] said Gaurd [Guard]on a/c of ill health.  I believe the regular time of enlisting into said Company was the 1st of January in each year for 12 months - but I enlisted in April - I remember that Josiah Burrett (the husband of Mabel - whose maiden name was Mabel Baldwin as I believe) belonged to Let. Halls Company of Coast Gaurds [Guards] when I joined said Company and was in service in sd. Company with me and that I left him in service in said Company
Page 57

and that I know that said Josiah Burritt served as a Private faithfully from some time in '78 April to Nov 1781 & as I believe it was the first day of April 1781 I command service in said Guard and left sd Guard as before said about the middle of November 1781.  and that I have no doubt on my own mind that said Josiah Burritt served in said Guard from January 1st 1781 to January 1st 1782. - and Deponent further states that he remembers that the following persons were in service on said Guard with him in 1781.
vz.  Let. William Hall}
Sergt. Isaac Patchen} officers
Corporal Joel Parish}
Privates
Thomas Cook
Ebenezer Hawley
Samuel Wheeler
Zachariah Wheeler
Gideon Wells
James Crawford
John Porter
William Hubbell
Lyman Knapp
Ebenezer Gregory
Wildman Hall
Saml French
Lyman Hall
Ichabod Beardsley
Salmon Patchen
James Gregory 
Josiah Burritt
Sherman Burrett
Denton Seeley
Joseph Haws
Seth Buckley 
John McEnzie
further Deponent saith not
Wildman Hall
Page 58

State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield}  ss Bridgeport
February 7th 1844.
Personally appeared Wildman Hall before me and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition who I certify is a credible witness well known to me
Isaac Sherman
Justice of Peace
Page 59

Sarah Moore of the Town of Bridgeport in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 48 years of age depose & say that I aam a daughter of Josiah & Mabel Burritt.  That the Record from her fathers Bible marked & B. is a true Record as she verily believes of the births of their children their marriage & time of the death of sd Josiah
She further deposeth that sd Mabel has been married to Stiles Curtis since the death of sd Josiah and that said Stiles is dead & that said Mabel is now his widow, and that I verily believe that said Stiles Curtis died in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty-two.
Sarah Moore
State of Connecticut}
County of Fairfield} ss Bridgeport
April 8 1844
personally appeared Sarah Moore & subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me who I certify is a credible witness well known to me.
Isaac Sherman
Justice of Peace
Page 60

I Samuel Beach Clerk of the Stratfield Congre'l. Church now located in Bridgeport Conn't. to hereby Certify that it appears by the Records of sd. Church now in my custody that the Rev Robert Ross was the pastor of sd. Church from the year seventeen hundred & 54 untill [until] the year 1798 & that it does not appear that he ever recorded any marriages solemnized by him during his ministry--
Bridgeport March 23d 1844
Samuel Beach Clerk
State of Connecticut}
Fairfield County} ss  Bridgeport 
March 23 1844.
personally appeared Samuel Beach and subscribed & made oath to the truth of the above certificate before me who I certify is a credible witness.
Isaac Sherman
Justice of Peace