Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,258, Jonathan Waterhouse, Conn. Conn. Sea Service
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(3-1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Conn. Waterhouse, Jonathan S.18.258
Conn. Sea Service
carded
CONTENTS
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17.179
Connecticut
Jonan Waterhouse
of Hebron in the State of Connt [Connecticut]
who was a Mid ship [Midshipman] in Comy [Company] commanded by Captain Chapel of the Reg. commanded by Col. Ely in the Connt [Connecticut] line for
 9 mo. Seaman 
12 mo. Midshipman
3 mo private & Connt. [Connecticut] Sea Service
Inscribed on the Roll of Connt [Connecticut] at the rate of 91 Dollars 44 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Aug 
1832 and sent to A Hendee
Arrears to 4th of Ma [illegible] $194.88 
Semi- anl, allowance ending 4 [illegible] 48.72
$243.60

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by Go C. Stiles Clerk, 
Book E. Vol 3. Page 46
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State of Connecticut, County of Tolland
Probate District of Hebron

On this 30 day of July 1832, personally appeared in open court before Abner Hendee, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron, now sitting, Jonathan Waterhouse, a resident of the Town of Hebron in said District of Hebron, aged seventy four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
He was born in that part of New London now called Waterford in Connecticut June 2nd 1758. And in the year 1776 in the month of August or forepart of September a large part of Connecticut Militia being called and ordered into service, he then was a member of and soldier in a Comp'y commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Comstock of New London. Nathaniel Waterhouse father of the Declarant was Lieutenant - Elijah Waterhouse and Ebenezer Chapel were Sergeants in the Company and all of New London and now all dead. The Regiment was commanded by a Colonel Ely.

Said Company was ordered to march toward the City of New York. And he immediately marched with said Company under the command of Capt Comstock - Went through New Haven - Stratford - Norwalk & to Rye in the State of New York  where the Company were halted for some time & thence marched to Westchester near Kingsbridge where they remained, say, a month - and were then marched to White Plains were they were some time after attacked by the British and a battle ensued. The American Troops remained on the ground till night, and then retreated to North Castle and there encamped – The Declarant was in the action and said the enemy took the west end of our intrenchment, seized our guns & turned them on our army, and cut down numbers - He heard the groans & cries of some carried into the houses for amputation.  The British took their prisoners out of the prison in the hollow, and burnt the Prison  – They buried their dead the next day &  also the Americans who had fallen in battle and soon left the grounds. – The Declarant returned to the place & saw the places where the dead were promiscuously thrown into the pits & partially covered. He remained with said Company in service until the latter part of Nov or first of December following - when he and said Company were regularly dismissed & returned home. No written discharges were given. He has not found anyone who belonged to said Company now living and having many years since removed from said Waterford & resided in said Hebron, does not know of any person living that can testify to his service.

Soon after his return home (viz) on or near the 17th day of Feby 1777 he enlisted in Fort Trumbull in New London for the term of twelve months under
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In October the troops were moved into the woods near the north end of the Island by Howland's ferry, & as many as as many as 12 or 14 nights he assisted in drawing by hand a great number of Cannon from the woods, to the water & put them into Scows which the army under the command of General Spencer alias Granny Spencer so called, was ordered to carry on to the island for an attack and after passing a part of the way on the water were ordered back and the cannon again drawed into the woods this operation was repeated as aforesaid 12 or 14 nights, but no attack was ever made upon the enemy.

[break]

and after being out 14 or 15 days fell in with said Letters of Marque, ran long side of Admiral Kepple & gave them a broadside, the engagement lasted three glasses and she struck - two of our men were killed & and two more mortally wounded and the Declarant was slightly wounded - The Cyrus was soon after taken - struck after the first fire. After sending off the prizes we sailed for Charleston S.C. and there refitted, and sailed on another cruise in the course of which we captured a Brig, a British Transport but without lading. We met with a storm
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which broke and carried away all three of the ships masts - erected Jury masts and made for new London Harbor, where we safely arrived with 145 hands, in October. 1776 where the hands were afterwards dismissed.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.  He is now 74 years old and is known to all persons in his neighborhood who can testify to their belief of his services as a solder of the Revolution
                                        Jonathan Waterhouse

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Abner Hendee Judge Probate Court

We Alpheus Geer a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron and district aforesaid and Sylvester Gilbert of so Hebron hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Waterhouse of S Hebron who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 74 years of age and that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
                                             Alpheus Geer
                                             Sylvester Gilbert

Sworn and subscribed  the day and year aforesaid

Abner Hendee Judge Probate Court

And the said court do hereby declare their _______ after the investigation of the matter and after _______ the _______ provided by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solder and served as he _______ and the _______ further certifies that it appears to them that Alpheus Greer who has signed the previously certified is a clergyman resident in the Town of Hebron that Sylvester Gilbert who has signed the _______
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is a resident of the Town of Hebron and is a creditable person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Abner Hendee Judge Probate Court

I Cyrus Mann clerk of the court of probate for the District of Hebron do hereby certify that the foregoing contains, the original processing of the said court in the matter of the application of Jonathan Waterhouse for a pension in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  seal of Office this 3rd day of August 1832.

Cyrus Mann Clerk

Hebron Probate District S Hebron Jan 21 - 1833
Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Hebron Jonathan Waterhouse the above named applicants for a pension who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that he does not know of any record of his age - that he lives in New London in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War- afterwards, moved in to Colchester in New London County  then into Hebron aforesaid where he now resides- the tour of duty in Capt. Comstocks Company he perform under the general order for the service of sd [said] Company in the State of New York - in the duty he performed as New London & in Rhode Island in Capt. Saltonstalls & Capt Lathams Companies he enlisted - and he enlisted aboard of this ship Oliver Cromwell and ^never received and discharge nor commission^ The declarant says that by reason of old age and loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his services, but according to  his best recollection he served no less that previous mentions below. (viz) Three months as a ^common^ soldier in Capt. Comstocks Company. Thirteen months in Capt. Saltonstall and Capt. Lathams Company as a common soldier - and ten months as a Gunner aboard of the ship Oliver Cromwell; and for such service he claims a pension.

Jonathan Waterhouse


The above addition was layd [laid] by and instead thereof, a new declaration was made &c Mr. Waterhouse has taken great pains to obtain positive proof but is unsuccessful, though none of his acquaintance have the least doubt of his service as alleged

Sylvester Gibbons

James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Hebron April 13th 1833
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State of Connecticut

TOLLAND COUNTY, SS. HEBRON PROBATE DISTRICT

On this Twentieth day of July A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open court before Abner Hendee, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron, now sitting, Jonathan Waterhouse, a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut, aged 75 years, who 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, and served as herein stated.

"On the first day of Sept. 1776 the most part of the Connecticut militia on the East side of the river, were called and ordered into service of the United States in the revolutionary War, and he there being a private Soldier in and member of an Infantry Company of militia commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Comstock of New London in New London County – His father Nathaniel Waterhouse was a Lieut., and Elijah Waterhouse & Ebenezer Chapel of said New London were Sergeants in said Company in Col Ely's Regiment which was one of the Regiments ordered into service as aforesaid – and on or near said 1st day of Sept 1776 said Company & Regiment marched from said New London toward the City of New York & the Declarant by order in said Company and passed through New Haven & Fairfield & to Rye in the State of New York where said Regiment & Company were halted & on duty a short time, and then ordered and marched to West Chester near Kingsbridge and there remained about four weeks on duty, and were then ordered and marched to White Plains – and on the 20th of Oct. the British Troops made an attack upon the American Army and a bloody battle ensued – The enemy took the west end of Our Intrenchments, seized on our guns & turned them on the Am. Troops, and killed many – but our troops remained on the ground till night, when they retreated to North Castle and there encamped – The Declarant was in this battle, and saw the dead & wounded and heard the groans & cries of those carried into House for Amputation – The British burnt the Prison in the hollow – the next day partly buried the dead & soon after left the ground. The said Regiment was according to Declarant's best recollection ordered to serve three months, and he continued to serve till said Regt. was discharged, which he verily believes was on or about the 1st of Dec. 1776 when he returned home with said Company & Regt. The Declarant avers that he has made diligent enquiry and can not find any survivor of said Comstock's Company nor any person by whom he can directly prove his said Service. The Declarant further declares, that through forgetfulness & the lapse of time he forgot and omitted to state two months service which he performed, in his preceding Declaration (viz) that previous to his enlistment for minimum One year in Fort Trumbull as stated in his Declaration, he entered as a private volunteer for two months in a militia or artillery Company in said Fort Trumbull commanded by Capt. Samuel Thompson – John Hempstead & Nathaniel Waterhouse Lieutenants – Commenced this service the 20th of Dec. 1776 and served in said Company two months and was then (viz) at Fort Trumbull on the 20th Feby 1777 verbally discharged by said
[continued on p 28 of 35]
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[continued from p29 of 35]

said Capt Thompson – All of said officers were inhabitants of said New London & all dead and but one survivor of said Company to my knowledge whose affidavit accompanies this Declaration.

That upon the expiration of said two months service at last aforesaid (viz) on or near the 20th day of Feby 1777 in said Fort Trumbull he enlisted into a Company of matross or artillery stationed in said Fort commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Saltonstall of said New London for the term of one year as a private soldier. Nathaniel Coit was first & Daniel Starr second Lieutenants – Samuel Hempstead, Barry Hempstead & Solomon Rogers were Sergeants in said Company and all of said New London. William Ledyard Esq. of Groton Col. Commandant – Connecticut State Troops. He served in said Company till some time in Sept. following when a detachment from the Troops in New London & Groton was called to go into Rhode Island as a reinforcement under Capt. William Latham of Groton Fort, and the Declarant with others in said Forts marched under command of Capt. Latham and drew with them a 4 pound field piece made of wrought iron to Little Compton in Rhode Island – The British Troops then being in and near New Port – In Oct. our troops were moved into the woods near to Howlands Ferry, the north part of the Island. Genl. Spencer of Connect. had the Command, and by his order Cannon were secreted in the woods, and at night drawn to the Ferry and put aboard Scows to be transported on to the island for an attack on the Enemy, but before reaching the island were ordered back & relanded & secreted. The next night, a similar order was given & the guns shipped aboard, & while on the passage a similar remand before the Scows reached the island – and this movement & removement was several times repeated, night after night, in which the Declarant constantly assisted – but no attack was made on the Enemy. Genl. Spencer was accused of cowardice & defamed for his conduct, and within the month of Oct. Capt. Latham returned to Fort Griswold in Groton and the Declarant to Fort Trumbull in New London & rejoined Capt. Saltonstall's Company & there continued to serve in & about said Fort till his said term of one year had expired – that is, till the first of Feby 1778 when said Company & the Declarant was verbally discharged in said Fort – He can find but one survivor who served with him in said Fort or can testify of their personal knowledge to his service.

The Declarant declares, that in said Fort Trumbull a few days before his last aforesaid term of service had expired (viz) on the twenty-sixth day of Jany 1778 he enlisted under Lieut. John Chapman of said New London to serve at the Cannon on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell then lying in Boston Harbor for the term of nine months, and when discharged by said Capt. Saltonstall on the 1st or 2nd day of Feby 1778 he marched for Boston with others enlisted by said Lieut. Chapman and immediately entered said ship on duty, of which Timothy Parker Esq. of Norwich in Connt. was Commander – Said Chapman was Captain Lieutenant, John Smith 2nd Lieut and one Day Capt. Of Marines. He served in said ship till sometime in March following when she sailed on a Cruise in Company with the Brig Defence – Captain Smedley, Commandant, and near Martineco fell in with two Letters of Marque – The Admiral Keppel, and the Cyrus – The ship ran along side of the Admiral Keppel, and gave her a broad Side, which was returned & the engagement continued three glasses, when the Ad. Kepple struck – Capt. Day was wounded, and died the next day. The Cyrus was attacked & struck after the first fire. The Declarant was slightly wounded

[continued on p 26 of 35]
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6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Never had any written Discharge. but verbally by my commanding officer

7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution? I am known to all persons in my neighborhood who can testify to my veracity & belief of my services - Especially the Revd Alpheus Geer a Clergy man and Sylvester Gilbert Esquire both of said Hebron

Jonathan Waterhouse
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid

We, Alpheus Geer ___ a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron in the County of Tolland, and Sylvester Gilbert Esquire residing in the same Hebron hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Jonathan Waterhouse who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Alpheus Geer
Sylvester Gilbert

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 the Rev. Alpheus Geer who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Hebron and that Sylvester Gilbert who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Hebron and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, Cyrus Mann, clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron, do hereby certifiy that the foregoing contains the original supplementary proceeding of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Jonahans Waterhouse for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 27th day of July A.D. 1833.

Cyrus Mann Clerk.
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[continued from p 28 of 35]

leg – two others were mortally wounded and two killed. Both the prizes were sent to Boston – the Ship continued cruising about eight weeks after the action, when Capt. Parker steered for Charleston S. Carolina and arrived there about the last of May – refitted & sailed on another cruise – captured a British Transport Brig – met with a tremendous Storm – lost all three Ship's Masts – After the Storm erected Jury Masts, and steered for New London Harbor, where we arrived the forepart of Nov. 1778 in safety, but with much labor, there being 145 hands aboard on short allowance. He served from time of his enlistment to the time of his discharge which was at said New London on the 1st or 2nd day of Nov. aforesaid nine months according to his best recollection and was there and then honorably discharged by said Capt. Parker – He can find no person living who served with him on board said Ship and there are no survivors of the Crew to his knowledge – but has found one man who knew he enlisted & saw him in service in said Ship returned to New London.

1. Where and in what year were you born? At New London on the 2nd day of June 1758
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Sarah Waterhouse for
Jonas Waterhouse
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I Sarah Waterhouse of Longmeadow, in Hampden County in the State of Massachusetts, aged sixty eight years testify & say, that my Brother Jonathan Waterhouse of Hebron, in the County of Tolland & State of Connecticut, in the year 1776 lived in that part of New London, CT, now called Waterford & performed a Tour of Duty in a company of Militia commanded by Capt Nathaniel Comstock : my Father Nathaniel Watertown was Lieut in said Company. My Father & Brother left home I should say in the fall of 1776 & went to New York with said company to assist in the Continental Army.  I was living at home when my Father & Brother left & when they returned, the exact time of their service I do not now recall it but should say they were gone somewhere about three months, it was Winter when they returned.
Also that in the Winter 1777, after his return
from New York, he enlisted into the state service & performed a tour of Duty, at Fort Trumbull, Ct, the exact length of time he served, at the fort, I cannot now recollect, but I should say, that he was absent from home, at that time somewhere about one year.  I recollect, that Nathaniel Coit was an officer, in the Company, in which my Brother served, & understood that he was absent a short
time during his service, in Rhode island, but how long, or under whose command,  I cannot say.
Also that, in the year 1778. after his return from Fort Trumbull, he enlisted into the sea service.
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& went on Board a vessell called the Olivier  Cromwell, he interted under a man, by the name of Chapman, but who commanded the ship I do not now recallest. the length of time he was absent I cannot now say, he was absent several
months, & further saith not
Sarah Waterhouse
State of Connecticut
Tolland County [illegible] Jan[?] 18 1833
On this 18th day of Jan[?] AD 1833, personally appeared Sarah Waterhouse & subscribed her name to the Deposition aforesaid in my presence & being duly cautioned, examined & sworn made oath to the truth of the same
before me Walter R Kibbe Just. Peace
I hereby certify that the aforesaid deponent is
personally known to me & sustains a character
for industry, Sobriety & Truth -
attest Walter R Kibbe Justice of Peace
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Tolland County Ct S.S. Clerks office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court
do certify that Walter R Kibbe Esq before whom the within deposition of Sarah Waterhouse (on the 18th day of January 1833 was taken and authenticated & was at that time and still is a Justice of Peace in and for sd Tolland County legally appointed & authorized to administer oaths and take Depositions out of Court [illegible] the signatures to the within certificate I purport [illegible paper seal attached and covering part of the text] the signatures of sd Justice Kibbe are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office
at Tolland this 19th day of January
AD 1833
Jeremiah Parish Clerk
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Nathl Waterhouse for Jona Waterhouse
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I Nathaniel Watertown of Longmeadow in Hampden County in the State of Massachusetts aged sixty six years testify & say, that Jonathan Waterhouse of Hebron in the County of Tolland in the State of Connecticut in September 1776 resided in that part of New London CT, now called Waterford, & that in the fall of the same year, the said Jonathan performed a tour of Militia Duty in a Company under the command of Capt. Nathaniel Comstock of said New London, to what Regiment the company was
attached, I do not now recollect -- the said Jonathan equiphed [equipped] -- himself for a Campaign, [crossout] My Father Nathaniel Waterhouse was leuit. [lieut.] in Capt Comstocks company. -- My Father & my Brother Jonathan left home in company & proceeded to New York to join the Continental Army -- I was living in my fathers family at the time. -- My Father & brother were
absent, I should say, about three months & returned together, the first part of the winter following, I think in the month of December 1776 --
Also that in the winter following his return from New York, the said Jonathan enlisted into the Connecticut State service, for what term of time, I do not now recollect, & performed a tour of Duty, in a Company, stationed at Fort Trumbull, Ct. --  I lived at home, in my
father's family. Then my Brother Jonathan enlisted & likewise when he returned from
Fort Trumbull, he was absent, at Fort Trumbull, I should say about one year after his term of service at Fort-
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Trumbull expired, the said Jonathan enlisted into
the State service, & went, on board the ship Oliver Cromwell, & performed a tour of Duty, but how long a term of time he served on board, I cannot now recollect; he was absent from home, I should say some where, about ten months - & further saith not
Nathaniel Waterhouse
State of Connecticut
Tolland County  ss.
[illegible] Jan [illegible] 18 AD 1833
Personally appeared Nathaniel Waterhouse &
in my presence subscribed his Name to the
aforesaid Deposition _ & being duly cautioned,
examined & sworn made oath to the Truth
of the same before me
Walter R Kibbe Just. of Peace
I hereby certify that the aforesaid Deponent
is personally known to me & sustains a character for Industry, Solemnity & Truth
Attest Walter R Kibbe Just. of Peace
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Tolland County Ct. ss    Clerks office
I Jeremiah Parish Clerk of Tolland County Court
do certify that Walter R. Kilbbe Esq before whom
the within deposition of Nathaniel Waterhouse (on the
18th day of January 1833 was taken & authenticated)
was at that time and still is a Justice of Peace in
and for said Tolland County, legally appointed & authorized 
to administer oaths and take depositions out
of Court and that the signatures to the within
certificate purporting to be the signatures of s'd [said] Justice
Kibbe are genuine-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office
at Tolland this 19th day of January
AD 1853.
                         [signed] Jeremiah Parish Clerk
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In reply to your request of .................... received ................
for a statement of the military history of Jonathan Waterhouse
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension 
on file in this Bureau.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT | LENGTH OF SERVICE | RANK | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED |  STATE
|          |          |          | CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. |
Sept. 1 1776 | 3 mos | Private | { Nathaniel Comstock  | Ely | Conn.
                     |            |             | {Lt. Nathl Waterhouse  |      |
Dec. 20, 1776 | 2 mos. |           | Samuel Thompson's | artillery   |
Feby 20, 1777 \|           |           | {Nathl Saltonstall      | Col William Ledyard |
Sept 1777     |  to Feby 1778 |        | {William Latham        |                        |
Feby. 1 1778 | 9 mos | served at a cannon| | Timothy Parker | Ship "Oliver" Cromwell |
Battles engaged in, Engagements with & captured the "Admiral Kepple;" the "Cyrus";
White Plains. and an enlisted Transport (brig)
Date of application for pension, July 30, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Hebron, Conn 
Age at date of application, {born June 2, 1758 at New London Conn, son of the above Lt Nathaniel Waterhouse}
Remarks:  He was slightly wounded in the leg in the engagement with "Admiral Kepple"
                                                             Respectfully,
                                                                            Commissioner.
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State of Connecticut - County of Tolland &
Probate District of Hebron ss

On the 28th day of Jany A.D. 1833 personally appeared
in open Court before Abner Hendee Esqr Judge
of the Court of Probate for sd [said] District of Hebron
now sitting, Jonathan Waterhouse a resident of
the Town of Hebron in s'd [said] District aged 74 years
who being first sworn according to law doth on his oath
make the following Declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832
That he was born in that part of New London, Now called
Waterford in Connecticut, the 2nd day of June 1758
and that on the first day of Septem'r 1776 the most
part of the militia on the East side of Connec't [Connecticut] River
within the State were called and ordered into the Service
of the United States-- he then being a private Soldier in and
a member of a militia Comp'y [company] commanded by Capt Nathl
Comstock of s'd [said] New London -- his Father was Lieut of the 
same Comp'y [company], (viz) Nathaniel Waterhouse, Elijah Waterhouse &
Ebenezer Chapel were Sergeants in s'd [said] Comp'y [company], and all of s'd [said]
New London, and s'd [said] Comp'y [company] was in Col Ely's Regiment, and
one of those Regiments which was ordered into service as afores'd [aforesaid]
and on or near s'd [said] first day of Sept 1776 s'd [said] Comp'y [company] and Regem't [regiment]
and the Declarant by order marched from s'd [said] New London towards
the City of New York -- passing through New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk,
to NY in the State of New York, where s'd [said] reg't [regiment] & Comp'y [company]
were halted and were on duty a short time, and then ordered and
marched to West Chester near Kings Bridge, where they remained
about four weeks, and then ordered and marched to White Plains
and on the 28th of Oct the British Troops made an attack
on the American Army, and a bloody battle ensued-- The enemy
took the west end of our entrenchments, seized some of our
guns & turned them on the Am Troops and killed many. But
our Army remained on the ground till night, and then
retreated to North Castle and there encamped - The declarant
was in this battle, and heard the groans & cries of the wounded
and of those carried into Houses for amputations. The British
took the Prison in the hollow, removed their men and burnt
the prison. The next day, they partly buried the dead, and soon
after left the ground. And afterward, the Declarant saw the dead
promisiously thrown into trenches & pits and partially covered
with earth, many limbs & some heads, uncovered. Said Reg't [regiment] & Comp'y [company]
were ordered into service for three months duty, and he remained
in service in his sd Comp'y [company] 3 months and was with them, on or about
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The 1st of Dec. Discharged verbally, and returned home with his Father & Company - No written discharges were given to his knowledge - and he says that he resided in his fathers family during the revolutionary war ins'd New London, but soon after the war removed into Colchester in s'd County & from there into s'd Hebron where he now for thirty 30 years has resided, he has not been able to fine any survivo'rs who belonged to & served in s'd Cap't 
Comstocks Company, all being dead who are within his recollection
 and tho he has perfect knowledge of his service as aforsaid, can nor make any direct or
positive proof thereof. But corroborative proof by those with whom he lived, viz a Brother & Sister. That on or about the 20th day of February 1777 he as New London afors'd 
enlisted into a Comp'y  Stationed in Fort Trumbull, commanded by 
Cap't Nathaniel Saltonstall of s'd New London to serve for the term of 
one year as a private soldier. - Nathaniel Coit was first, and Daniel Starr was 2nd Lieutenants. 
Samuel Hempstead, Benj Hempstead & Solomon Rogers were Sergeants in s'd 
comp'y & William Ledyard Esq'r of Groton Col. Commandant and - All the Comp'y 
officers resided in s'd New London & State Troops. He served in s'd company till some 
time in Sept'r following when a detachment from the troops in New London 
& Groton was called to go into Rhode Island, to reinforce the troops there, Cap't William 
Latham of Groton Fort to take the command of s'd detachment- The Declarant 
went with others volunteered to go-- and marched with a Company under the command 
of s'dCap't. Latham to Little Compton, drawing with them from s'd Fort 
a 4 lb field piece made of wrought iron. The British Troops were on the Island 
of Rhode Island and in New Port. In Oct'r the troops were moved into the woods 
near the north end of the Island and near to Howlands Ferry, so called. General 
Spencer of Connec't was chief in command, and by his orders, a large number 
of cannon secreted in the woods were drawn to the ferry in the night and 
shipped abroad scows prepared for that purpose to be transported  on to the 
Island for an assault upon the enemy, and while on the passage on 
the water were remanded and relanded. The next night a similar order 
was given, and there was a similar movement & again recalled before
landed on the island - and so is proceeded night after night, perhaps a dozen times 
in which the Declarant constantly assisted --  and no attack was made 
on the enemy and the General was called Granny Spencer, a coward &c about the last 
of October Capt Latham returned to Groton Fort, mortified and this 
Declarant to N. London to his Captain Saltonstall's 
Company 
in Fort Trumbull, and there continued till his term of enlistment 
had expired, doing duty in s'd company, and was then and there 
(viz)  at s'd New London on the 1st day of Feby  1770 discharged verbally by 
his Captain. The Declarant avows that he performed the last afores'd service 
in the manner and time last afores'd but can find no direct positive proofs 
but has corroborative prof of his Brother and Sarg't. He has made diligent inquiry but can not find any person 
living who served in s'd Companies with him, and there is no survivor to his knowledge.

That as Fort Trumbull above mentioned, a few days before his term 
of service had expired under Capt Saltonstall above mentioned he 
enlisted under Lieut John Chapman of s'd New London to serve 
as the cannon on board the Ship Oliver Cromwell, then lying in Boston 
Harbor for the term of nine months and immediately after being 
discharged by s'd Capt Saltonstall viz)  the first day of Feby  1778 he march'd for Boston with some others inlisted by s'd Lieu't 
Chapman, and entered s'd ship of which Ensi Norwich was Commander -Chapman Captain Lieu & Jo0hn Smith 2nd Lieut and a Capt Day was Capt of marines. Her served in the ship, till some time in March following when being prepared for a cruise & he
Page 22

sailed in company with the Brig Defence, Captain Smedly Commandant -- and after being out about 15 days near the Island of Martineco fell in with two Letters of Marque, called the Admiral Keppel or Kepple and the Cyrus -- The ship ran along side of the Admiral Kepple and gave her a broad side which was returned and the engagement continued for three glasses when the Kepple struck, and afterwards coming up with the Cyrus, after the first fire she struck. Capt Day of the Marines was shot ^in engagement^ through his arm & the ball enter his body and he died the next day -- Two of our men were killed, and two mortally wounded & the Declarant was slightly wounded ^ in his left leg^. He scrow at the guns during the actions. Both the prizes were sent to Boston. After the Prizes were sent off for Boston -- Capt. Parker sailed and continued out at sea about eight weeks and then made for Charleston, South Carolina and there arrived about the last of May and refitted and then sailed out upon another cruise, and in the course of this voije [voyage], captured a British Transport Brig; but she had no lading. While out on this cruise met with a tremendous storm which carried away all three of the ships masts -- Jury masts  were erected, and then steared [steered] for New London Harbor,  where after much labor & delay the ship safely arrived, with 145 hands about the first of Nov. 1778 -- and soon after the arrival of sd [said] ship the Declarant was then honorably dismissed by the Capt Parker with several other hands -- He was in this service at the guns, as near as he can ascertain Nine months. He has no written discharge. He has made diligent enquiry for officers & Crew of sd [said] ship and can find no survivor of whose names he can recollect.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -- He is 74 years of age, was born in New London, but has no record of his age. Lived in New London when called into service -- since the revolution, a few years in Colchester and was since and now in Hebron, Tolland County -- never received a written discharge or commission -- He is known to 2 clergymen in Hebron and  all my neighbors and acquaintance can testify to my character for virality and their belief of my services as a soldier in the revolution
Jonathan Waterhouse
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid

We Alpheus Geer a Clergyman residing in the Town of Hebron County of Tolland, and Sylvester Gilbert residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with the above named Waterhouse who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration -- that we believe him to be seventy four 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 not only concur in that opinion, but verily believe that he served as he has stated in his  preceding Declaration
Alpheus Geer
Sylvester Gilbert
Page 23

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 Alpheus
Geer who has signed the preceeding certificate is
a clergyman resident in the town of Hebron
also. And that the Hon. Sylvester Gilbert
who has also signed the same is a resident in
s'd Hebron and is a credible person and that
their statement is entitled to credit.
                        [signed] Abner Hendee Judge
I Cyrus Mann Clerk of the court of Probate
for the District of Hebron do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Jonathan Waterhouse for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office this 28th Day of
January 1833

                                [signed] Cyrus Mann Clerk

[written vertically] Jona. Waterhouse
2nd Declaration
Page 24

[on left side]
Dear Sir
Here enclosed Jona'n Waterhouse
papers this day ins't by Mail from
J.L. Edwards you will observe by
his letter to me all the [illegible]
to his claim to a pension
                 Yours truly
                           [signed] N Barber
July 24, 1833

Aom'd
   9 mo Seaman
 12 mo. Matross
__3__   mo  Pri Infy
 24
3744

[on right]]
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Letter to
Noyes Barber Esqr
Jonathan Waterhouse
        Application
I certify that on the 22nd of
Feby 1833 I enclosed & directed
to Hon. Noyes Barber then as
Washington, Jonathan Waterhouse
first & second Declaration for
a Pension The original
Declaration is not in my custody, 
nor within my knowledge
except as above
[signed] Sylvester Gilbert
Hebron July 27th 1833
Page 25

War Department
Pension Office
July 20 1833
Sir
The papers in support of the claim of Jonathan Waterhouse for a pension are herewith returned. The original declaration should accompany them.
They are however objectionable on account of the numerous interlineations and erasures on the face of them.
Whenever they are returned amended and corrected the case will receive a final decision
I am Sir
Yours respectfully
J. L. Edwards

Hon Noyes Barber, Groton County
Page 26

State of Connecticut ss.Tolland County 
On this 1st day of July 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Probate for the district of Hebron now sitting. Richard Chapman of Lempster in the county of Sullivan in the State of New Hampshire aged seventy five years who being first duly sworn doth depose & say
That in December 1776 the precise day I cannot recollect I was a soldier in the Artillery company of Fort Trumbell in New London County Commanded by Capt Samuel Thompson, John Hempstead Lieut. Nathaniel Waterhouse was second  Lieut. where I served for two months & was discharge in the month of February 1777 having served the two months as a private of Artillery. On the day of my discharge in said February 1777 I [illegible] under Capt Nathaniel Saltonstall for one year in the company of artillery [illegible] to find Fort Trumbull by the State of Connecticut & served there the full time of one year and was honourably [honorably] discharged in the Month of February 1778 having preferred the service I enlisted [illegible] & I well remember that Johnathan Waterhouse then was in said Fort & served the first two months as waiter to Leut Waterhouse in Capt Thompson's company & for one year in Capt Saltonstall's company of Artillery. I well remember him there & know him now to be the same person who served with me for fourteen months in said fort & further this defendant saith not
And {strikethrough] further this defendant states that he knew said Johnathan Waterhouse to inlist [enlist] onboard the Ship Oliver Cromwell in the month of February 1770 as soon as he was discharged by Capt Saltonstall & saw him in
Page 27

in said Ship several times before she sailed & in the fall of 1778 said ship returned under jury Marts I than saw him at duty onboard said ship & know he returned in her - said ship returned to the port of New London.
Sworn and subscribed
Richard Chapman

State of Connecticut Tolland County [illegible] Hebron Probate District
Personally appeared in open Court before Abner Hendee Esq Judge of the Court of Probate for sd [said] District. Richard Chapman signer of the foregoing affidavit and made solemn oath that the said contains the truth + nothing but the truth + this Court certifies that Alto sd [said] Richard Chapman appeared like a respectable man + a man of truth + whose statement is entitled to credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand affixed the seal of sd [said]Court this 27th Day of July AD 1833
Cyrus Mann Clerk
Page 28

R 18258
INVALID.
File No. 18258
Jonathan Waterhouse
Matross Rev. War
Act: June 7" 32
Index: - Vol. 1, Page 396
(Arrangement of 1870.)
1908 Nov. 21. Hist to Alice R Comstock [symbol letter c with line through it] 1909 Feb. 16. to above - relative to Nathl Waterhouse [symbol letter c with line through it] and official circulars to make copies of record.
Page 29

169. West 78th St. N.Y
Nov 8th 1908
[stamp reading: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 10 1908]
Secretary,
Dear Sir,
I have made an aplication [application] to become a Member of the Daughter's of American Revolution and of the Daughter's of 1812 - will you be so kind as to render me any assistance you can. I am the Great Grand Daughter of one Johnathan Waterhouse
Page 30

died Nov 28, 1880 - my Grandmother. (His wife) Matilda Moor-Watrous Born Feb. 17. 1804
Died Jan 29 - 1891 - 
She was one of the last six old Pensioners of 1812 - - If you have any record of Johnathan Waterhous [Waterhouse] of the Revolution - a soldier of Connecticut - I would
Page 31

of Hartford Connecticut who was a soldier of the Revolution - the Grand Daughter of - Johnathan Bissle Watrous [Waterhouse] - The name was corrupted in the spelling) and used as Watrous [Waterhouse]. Born Sep 28 1775 Died Nov 28, 1880
He was a Pensioner of 1812. Lived at Hollesterville Wayne Co. State of Pennsylvania
Page 32

be thankful for the same
We have an old Powder Horn which my Great Grand father Johnathan Waterhouse carried, and carved during the Revolution, and which, my Grand Father Johnathan Bissel - Watrous carried in the war of 1812- it has been often in the Historical Rooms at Boston on Loan. If you will look these Records up
Page 33

for me I would esteem it greatly. It will be easy enough to trace my Grand Father + Grand Mother - Johnathan B. Watrous [Waterhouse] + Matilda His Wife 
Pensioners of 1812 - The man who always made out their papers was Squire A. Hollister
Page 34

of Hollisterville
Wayne Co Penna
Yours very Sincerely
Alice R. Comstock
169. W. 78th St
New York
[stamp reading: U.S. PENSION OFFICE A NOV 10 1908]
Page 35

Record Division.
February 16, 1909.
Mrs. Alice R. Comstock,
# 169 West 78th Street,
New York City, N.Y.
Madam:
In reply to your letter dated the 1" and received the 2" instant, you are advised that in his application for pension, (claim Sur. File No. 18,258) Jonathan Waterhouse referred to his father Nathaniel Waterhouse, as Lieutenant of Captain Nathaniel Comstock's company, but did not give any further particulars concerning him, and a careful search of the Revolutionary War pension records fails to show that a claim was filed on account of the services of said Nathaniel Waterhouse. 
It is not possible to furnish you blanks as requested; persons desiring similar official statements should apply over their own signatures.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.