Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 15052, David Hill, Conn. New York
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Conn
New York

Hill, David
Blackman, Chloe
Blockmon

NUMBER
R. 15052

CONTENTS
Former widow
Page 2

Affidavit of Stephen Hill in Pension Claim of Mrs. Chloe Blackmon Act of 7th July 1838 & Sub

[stamp illegible]
Page 3

State of New York}
County of Steuben}ss

On this twentieth day of June A.D. 1863 personaly appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Stephen Hill, a resident of Cameron Mills in the County of Steuben and State aforesaid aged 68 years who being by me duly sworn according to law sais, that he is the son of David and Chloe Hill, now Chloe Blockmon, a resident of Wetherfield Springs Wyoming County N.Y. and an applicant for Pension for his fathers services in the Revolutionary War. That his father and mother the said David and Chloe Hill lived and cohabited together until his fathers death, viz. about the 1st of January A.D. 1813, and that he never heard the fact of their having been duly married questioned or doubted, that they had Six children born as follows. 

Anna Born (month unknown) A.D. 1786
William Born in or about A.D. 1794
Stephen Born October 9th A.D. 1795
Sarah Born in or about A.D. 1797
David A. Hill born in or about A.D. 1802
Maria born in or about A.D. 1804.

That his father, (the said David Hill) told him that he had been a Soldier in the Revolutionary War, and that he went into the service from the town of Redding, Fairfield County Connecticut, that he bore the reputation of having been a Revn. Soldier, & that he has no interest in this claim

his
Stephen Hill
mark
SS
Page 4

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of June A.D. 1863 and I certify that the affiant is a credible witness, and his statements entitled to belief, and that I am not interested in the claim. James Lindsay Justice of the Peace

(SEAL) State of New York Steuben County CLerk's Office 494 } ss.

I, Oscar J Averell, Clerk of said County, and of the Courts of Record therein, do hereby certify that James Lindsay whose name is subscribed to the jurat of the annexed affidavit, was, on the day of the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly authorized to administer oaths for general purposes , and that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to the said jurat is genuine.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, this 20th  day of June 1863
Henry Faucett Dept Clerk,

If anything further is wanted of Stephen Hill address him at Cameron Mills NY or McMaster & Bell Bath Steuben Co NY.
Page 5

Claim of Mrs. Cloe Blackman (widow of David Hill) for Bounty Land under Act of March 3d 1855

[stamp]
Department
of the 
Interior
Aug 6 1812
Pension Office
[end stamp]
Page 6

State of New York
County of Wyoming
ss

On this Sixteenth day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, personally appeared before me a County Judge within and for the county and state aforesaid, Cloe Blackmon, aged Ninety Six years, a resident of Wetherfield Springs in the County of Wyoming, and State of New York, who being by me duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of David Hill, deceased, who was a Private in the Company Commanded by Captain Douglas in the Regiment Commanded by Genl Woostes which regiment served in the State of Connecticut in the war of the Revolution. That to the best of her knowledge and belief her husband Enlisted at Redding, Fairfield County Connecticut about the first day of May A.D. 1775: that he was a part of the time engaged in the team service, in said company and handled provisions for the Armey to Danbury in the said Said State. & that he was honorably discharged at or near Redding on or about the 28th day of November A.D. 1775 which said discharge has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot file it with this her declaration. She further said that her husband David Hill Enlisted at Rishkill in the County of Dutchess, and State of New York, as she believes in the Month of January, A.D. 1780 in the Company commanded by Captain Petrus Roosa, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Johannes Johnson and served in teh said Company and Regiment in the state of New York during nearly all of the year A.D. 1780 a part of the time as Sergeant, and part as a teamster. That she does not recollect in what part of the State her husband Served all of the time but recollects of hearing him say that he visited Major Andre in jail a short time before he was executed. She also states that her said husband was honorably discharged from this service towards the last of the year 1780, probably in the month of December, which said discharge is also lost. She also further states that she was married to the said David Hill in the town of Redding in the County of Fairfield, and state of Connecticut, on the fifteenth day of June A.D. 1782, by one Nathaniel Bartlet, a presbyterian minister, and that her name before her said marriage was Cloe Beebe, also that her said husband David Hill died at Hampton in the County of Washington, and state of New York, on or about the
Page 7

states that she was married to the said David Hill in the town of Redding in the county of Fairfield, and state of Connecticut. on the Fifteenth day of June A.D. 1782, by one Nathaniel Bartlet, a presbyterian minister, and that her name before her said marriage was Cloe Beebe, also that her said husband David Hill died at Hampton, in the county of Washington, and the state of New York, on or about the first day of January A.D. 1813, and that thereafter Viz:  on or about the twenty fifth day of December A.D. 1814, she was married to Elijah Blockmon in the town of Hampton in the county of Washington and the state of New York by Steven Jewett an Episcopal minister, and that she said Elijah Blockmon died at Warsaw in the county of Genesee , now Wyoming, and state of New York on the 15th day of June A.D. 1828, and that she is now a widow.  She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act of March 3rd 1833.  

She hereby appoints A.S. Potter of Hampshire Kane Co Illinois her attorney to prossecute [SIC] this her said claim and to receive her Bounty Land Certificate when issued.
[Signed] Cloe Blackman (S.S.)

We, Ormis Doolittle and John J. Doolittle, residents of Wetherfield Springs, in the county of Genessee now Wyoming  and state of New York upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration and Power of Attorney was signed and acknowledged in our presence by Mrs. Cloe Blockmon, and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that she is of the age above stated and that we have no interest in this claim.
[Signed} Ormis Doolittle (S.S.) 
John J. Doolittle (S.S.)

The foregoing declaration, Power of Attory , and Affidavits, were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I
Page 8

[Continuation of preceding page] 

certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, and that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim (the words, "or about" in two places interlined before signing).  
H.S. Comstock
County Judge of Wyoming County N.Y.

[Attachment with seal (illegible)]
STATE OF NEW-YORK
WYOMING COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

I CERTIFY That H.S. Comstock Esquire, was, at the date of the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instrument in writing, County Judge in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to said certificate is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, this 21st day of May, A.D. 1862.
C.W. Bailey, Clerk
Page 9

Lexington Sept 22nd/62

My Dear Sister Chloe

Your very acceptable letter of August 8th was duly received from which I should think you had neither seen nor heard from any of your friends for a long time and that what little information I am able to give you about them will be as gratifying to you as any thing [sic] I can say to you at this time And in the first place I will inform you that your mother and mine died April 4 [?] in the year 1798 my knowledge of your own Brothers and sisters is not as good as I wish it was.  Your oldest Brother David had a large family of children and moved from Bethel before the death of our mother I have not seen him but once since he left Bethel and that was at his own house 
in the town of Jerico County of Shenango, N.Y. that was about I should [sic] the year 1820 where he died not many years after Brother Edmond Beebe died Aug. 10, 1810, Aged 45 years and his wife Lidie died Sep 30th 1822 aged 63 years they never had but one child a daughter by the name of Rebecca who is now living in Bethel is about 62 years of age her husband's name was Clapp who died about a year ago.  The last time I saw Brother John Beebe he was at my house where I now live in the month of October 1831 he then lived in the town of Parris Onida County N.Y. where he died March 3th [sic] 1861 aged 91 years.  John has had two sons and I believe a daughter none of whom is now living
Sister Sally Beebe married Seth Abbot by whom she had seven
children and died many years ago I believe in the State of Vermont.  Rachael was the youngest of your own sisters she married Hall Platt who was the son of Abril Platt who formerly lived in Bethel [several words scratched out] but had removed to Lanesboro in Massachusetts where I became acquainted with her husband.  I was at their house in the fall of the year of 1801 which was the last time I saw her or have had any direct information about her except that a few years after that they had removed near Scroon Lake, Essex Co N.Y.  I think it cannot be a great ways from where you lived in Washington Co and I think perhaps you know more about her than I do.  I should be very glad to hear whether
Page 10

she is living on not please to give me in your next any information that you can about her or her family.  My Father Ephram Barnum was born August 8th in the year 1773 and died April 17 1817 aged 83 years 7 months and 19 days. My half Brother Joseph Barnum died Aged 58 and I presume you remember the names of all my half sisters that wer at home when you lived there Lucy Marrried a Doctor Burnett had one son by him who is now a merchant in norwalk, Fairfield Co. Conn, Dorcus was never married was always sickly and died in the year 1821 aged 35 years. Ruth married Able Lacy I suppose you know by whom she had a daughter and a son, died November 1861 aged 98 her daughter Irena is about 75 years old was never married  Noah Lacy is a Physician and has two sons who are Physicians Brother Noar Starr Barnum died January 17th 1839 aged 89. Brother Philo Barnum died September 7th 1826 aged 48 years. My sister Rebecca was twice married but died without children October 7th 1831 aged 38[58?] years which leaves myself and brother Peter the only living Members of that branch of that family. You wanted to know whether I had any
children. I answer we never had any children, a wife with whom I had lived happily with more than 60 years who was taken from me on the 20 day of March last by death I trust to a happier world than this where I hope it may be our happy lot to unite with her in singing the praise of him who hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood forever more. I believe dear sister that you Myself and Brother Peter are the last living members of a numerous family which may truly be said belonged to a generation which has passed away and which we must shortly follow. I have for several years been so blind that I cannot distinguish the countenance of my most familiar friends unable to walk about but a very little quite feeble by the infirmities of age. I am obliged to employ some person to write for me. My wife and I gave up housekeeping 7 years ago since which we have boarded with Mrs. Mary Whisple who is a niece of my wife and I expect to board
Page 11

with her while I live. I am pleasantly situated among kind friends and by the blessings of a kind providence provided with the means of a comfortable support as long as I can expect to need it in this life and will send you 20 dollars as a present and token of my friendship for you. I wish to maintain a correspondence with you during the little time we shall be permitted to live and I hope I shall hear from you again soon. I  will write again as soon as I can make it convenient and intend to send you my likeness and that of my wife and will pay you well for your likeness if you will have one taken and send it to me. I coppied the letter you sent me and sent it to Ephraim D Barnum son of my brother Noah Starr with request that he would send it to my Brother Peter and Edmonds Daughter Rebecca and the rest of out friends in Bethel. I have just received a letter from him that he has done so much and says they were all highly pleased to hear that you were yet in the land of the living. My wife's name was Mary Shephard daughter of Dr. Gideon Shephard of Newton, with whom I study the art of healing diseases. she was much respected by all who knew her and for many years she had been a member of the church in this town for more than 10 years she was truly a mother on Israel a friend to the poor and was called Aunt Polly by every body who knew her.  I will now close this long letter with thanks to God for the happiness which I enjoy in holding correspondence with a dear sister whom I had long supposed had been numbered with the dead.
Truly Eder Barnum
P.S. if this letter reaches you soon please mention it in your next
Page 12

[backwards writing showing through paper]
Omit
I do to know these old letters will be of much importance to you in this claim but I would like to have you read them  They go to show that Mrs. Bo family are honest + respectable. They dont throw much real light upon her claim
I have not kept them very neatly for I did not expect they would be need by any person but myself + consequently filed them away in a hurry-
[a stamp shaped like a shield] DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR Feb 24 [year illegible]
PENSION OFFICE
[written on the side]
Copy of a letter written by E Barnham to his half sister Cloe Blackman in where he gives much valuable information relating to her family
Page 13

Mrs Cloe Blackman, claim for Pension under act of July 7th 1838

[stamp shaped like a shield]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Aug 6 [year illegible] PENSION OFFICE
Page 14

State of New York,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
Albany, November 1st, 1861.

I Hereby Certify, That on searching the Records in this office for the Registry of Certificates
issued in pursuance of a law, passed April 27, 1784, entitled "An Act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia for their services in the late war, and for other purposes therein mentioned,” I find the following, viz:

NAMES.
David Hill (Serjeant)
No. OF BOOK.
1
NO. OF - CERTIFICATE.
2629
DATE.
May 10th 1780
L[symbol for pound sterling]
1
S[symbol for shillings]
17
D.[symbol for pence]
4
RANK AND NAME OF COMPANY OFFICER.
Capt. Petrus Roosa
RANK AND NAME OF FIELD OFFICER.
 Col. Johnonnus Johnson

I have examined the Rolls for the items above set forth, and find them to be correct.
Augustus Denniston Clerk.


State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford Dec. 15th 1860
I certify, that on application for evidence of the service of David Hill, in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office, and find the name of David Hill on a list of soldiers discharged in A.D. 1775, from Genl Woosters Regiment, and Capt. Douglass' Company, Nov. 28th 1775.

The Pay Roll of Capt. Douglass' Company is lost, but from documents in this office it appears that the Regiment commanded by Genl Wooster was raised in May 1775 for a service of seven months, and it is believed that the companies belonging to sd Regiment served for the term of seven months,

Philip Phelps Dep Comptroller.
Page 15

I certify that on application for evidence of the service of David Hill, i the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this office, and find the name of David Hill, on a list of soldiers discharged in AD 1775 from Genl. Wooster's regiment, and Capt. Douglass' company Nov. 28th 1775.
The pay roll of Capt. Douglass' Company is lost, but from documents in this office it appears that the Regiment commanded by Genl. Wooster was raised in May 1775 for a service of seven months, and it is believed that the companies belonging to said regiment served for the term of seven months.
Wm. H. Buell Comptroller 
by Geo Robinson Clerk
Page 16

of Wyoming and State aforesaid, aged ninety six years, who being by me 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 July 7th 1838, entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows (for five years from March 4th 1836-continued under act of March 3rd 1843 from March 4th 1843 for one year, and under act of June 17th 1844 from March 4th 1844 for four years, and under the act of February 2nd 1848 from March 4th 1848 during widowhood)
That she is the widow of David Hill, who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Douglass in the regiment commanded by Genl Wooster which regiment served in the State of Connecticut in the war of Revolution. That to the best of her knowledge and belief her husband enlisted at Redding Fairfield County Connecticut about the first day of May A.D. 1775. that he was part of the time engaged in the team service in said company and hauled provisions for the army to Danbury in the said state, that he was honorably discharged at or near Redding on or about the 28th day of November A.D. 1775 which said discharge has been lost or destroyed so that she cannot file it with this her declaration.  She further said that her husband David Hill enlisted at Fishkill in the County of Dutchess and state of New York, as she believes in the month of January A.D. 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Petrus Roosa, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Johannes Johnson, and served in the said company and regiment in the state of New York during nearly all the year 1780 a portion of the time as a Sergeant and a part as teamster, that she does not recollect in what part of the state her husband served all the time, but recollects hearing him say that he visited Major Andre, in jail, a short time before he was executed. 
She further declares that she was married to the said David Hill, in the town of Redding in the County of Fairfield and state of Connecticut on the fifteenth day of June A.D 1782 by one Nathaniel Bartlet, a Presbyterian minister and that
Page 17

nearly all the year 1780 a portion of the time as a sergeant and a part as teamster, that she does not recollect in what part of the state her husband served all the time, but recollects of hearing him say that he visited Major Andre in jail a short time before he was executed. 
She further declares that she was married to the said David Hill, in the town of Redding in the County of Fairfield and state of Connecticut on the fifteenth day of June A.D. 1782 by one Nathaniel Bartlet a Presbyterian minister and that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, [illegible]
at the time above stated. She also sais [sic] that her said husband David Hill died in the town of Hampton in the County of Washington and state of New Yord on the first day of January A.D. 1813. and that on or about the twenty fifth day of December AD 1814 she was married to Elijah Blackman in the town of Hampton in the County of Washington and state of New York, but Steven Jewett, a Episcopal minister, and that the said Elijah Blackman died at Warsaw in the County of Genesee (now wyoming) and state of New York, on the fifteenth day of June A.D. 1828 and that she is now a widow. She hereby appoints A S  Potter of Hampshire Ill as her attorney to prossecute [sic] this her claim, and to receive her Certificate when issued.
Cloe Blackman
Sworn to and [illegible] before me on the day and year first above written, and I certify that the claimant is from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court. the words "or about" in two places and the words "Twenty Fifth" and the word "December" underlined and the words "first" and "January" erased before signing. 
H.L. Comstock, County Judge of Wyoming Co. N.Y. 
State of New York
County of Wyoming
ON this Sixteenth day of May A.D. 1869(?) personally appeared before me County Judge in and for the County of Wyoming in the State of New York within and for the county and State aforesaid.  Orimus Doolittle, who being by me duly sworn according to law sais [sic] that he has been acquainted with the Claimant Mrs. Cloe Blackman, for fifty six years, and that he was acquainted with her husband David Hill for about seven years previous to his death, that he knew David Hill and Cloe Hill (now Cloe Blackman) to live together as husband and wife for about seven years and that he never heard the fact of their having been duly married questioned, disputed, or doubted, he further sais [sic] that David Hill died in the town of Hampton in the County of Washington and the state of New York on or about
Page 18

State of New York
Judge of Wyoming Co. N.Y.
County of Wyoming 
On this Sixteenth day of May A.D. 1862
personally appeared before me a County Judge in & for the County
of Wyoming in the State of New York within and for the County and
State aforesaid. Arimus Doolittle, who being by me duly sworn
according to law sais, that he has been acquainted with
the Clament Mrs Cloe Blackman, for fifty six
years
and that he was acquainted with her husband David Hill
for about seven years previous to his death, that he knew
David Hill and Cloe Hill (now Cloe Stockman) to live
together as husband and wife for about seven years
and that he never heard the fact of their having been duly
married questioned, disputed, or doubted, he further
sais that David Hill died in the town of Hampton in the
County of Washington and State of New York on or about
the first day of January
A.D. 1813 and that Mrs
Hill was afterward married to Mr Elijah Blackman
Viz: about the twenty fifth day of December A.D. 1814 and
that Mr Blackman died at Warsaw then in the County of 
Geneseo and state of New York on or about the fifteenth day of
June A.D. 1828 he further sais that there is no family
or private records, of the Marriage or death of either Mr
Hill, or Mr Blackman, and that the clament Mrs Cloe
Blackman is the person she represents herself to be, that
he believes she is of the age above stated, and that she is
from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court.
Orimus Doolittle
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year
first above written, and I certify that Orimus Doolittle is a
credible witness (In addition to the interlineations
above noted the words "now Wyoming" were
interlined before the above declaration was written
Signed or sworn to to)
H. L. Comstock
County Judge of
Wyoming County,
State Conneticut
County of Fairfield SS
On this Fourteenth day of July
A.D. 1862 personally appeared before me a Justice of
the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid
Lemuel Sanford who being
Page 19

STATE OF NEW-YORK,SS.
the
" whe
WYOMING COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.
I CERTIFY That H. L. Cornstock
Esquire, was, at
the date of the certificate of proof or acknowledgment of the annexed instruments in
writing, County Judge in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same;
that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signatures
to said certificates is genuine.
IN TESTMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said
County, this 21st day of May A. D. 1862
C. W. Bailey Clerk
State Conneticut
County of Fairfield
On this Fourteenth day of July
A.D. 1862 personaly appeared before me a Justice of
the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid
Lemuel Sanford - who being by me duly sworn
according to Law sais, that he holds the office of
Town Clerk of the town of Redding in the County
and State aforesaid, and that on application to him
for a Certificate of the Record of the Marriage of
David Hill, and Cloe Beebe, which said mariage
is claimed to have been performed by one Nathaniel
Bartlet, in the said town of Redding, on the
fifteenth day of June A.D. 1782, he has made
diligent search of the Town, and Church Records,
of said town, and fails to find any Record of th
Marriage in question, Lemuel Sanford SS

Sworn to and subscribed before me on
the day and year first above written
Francis A. Sanford, Justice of Peace

The word "Litchfield" in 
above was erased, & the
word "Fairfield," substituted
before execution
attest Francis A. Sanford
Justice of the Peace
Page 20

The day and year first above written
Francis A. Sanford, Justice of Peace,

The word "Litchfield" in

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD
County Clerk's Office,
I E. S. Abernathy, Clerk of said Fairfield County, and of the Superior Court in and for said County, the same being a Cort of Record, hereby certify, That Francis A Sanford Esquire, was on the 14th day of July 1862 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sword, having full power and authority by laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other Instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give Certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, and know that the signature to the Instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature; and that said Instrument is executed, acknowledged, and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of Said County, at Bridgeport, in said County and State, on the 15th day of July A. D. 1862
E. S. Abernathy, Clerk
Page 21

Mrs G M Shader
Sima NY Apr
24th 1860
sais David Hill
was in service this
yr that Major Andre
was hung.1780
Page 22

Seima April 24, 1860
To Mr. Potter
Dear Sir:
We received your letter some time since but waited to get an answer from Mother Shader as Grandmother lives with her and she has concluded not to come to Seima. Grand Mother Hill says the most she recollects is her Husband enlisted in the service at the age of twenty one 21, and in the team service almost one year, he was in the service the year that Major Andre was hung he went into the (illegible) where he was, and visited him and also her Husband David hill lived in Reading Fairfield County Connecticut, written in haste excuse all mistakes.
Yours respectfully
Mrs. G. M. Shader
Page 23

{Note - all of the text bears an "X" mark}

Town Clerk of Fairfield CT in relation to records
of the marriage of David Hill & Miss Cloea Beebe in 1783.
_____________________________ 
Probably find the record of church records of the Town of Neader CT
Dec 18th 1860
_____________________________
Page 24

Fairfield Dec 18. 1860
A.S. Pollard, Esq

Dear Sir

     John of the 18th instant reached me yesterday. In answer to the inquiry whether there is or was any record kept of marriages in in my office of the office of the County of Fairfield my reply is that there is a record
kept in the Town Clerks of Marriages Birth & deaths but it only embraces as a general thing the inhabitants of the town. But at the
time you mention, that is, about the time of
1783 there are but few marriages recorded.  I dont know of any County records where marriages are recorded, as most of the records
in Connecticut is kept Town wise.

As you mention that the ceremony of the Marriage you want to prove, was performed in Redding by Nathaniel Bartlett I think it probable that it may be found in the Congregational Church Records of the town of Redding, as it was the practice of the Clergyman to make a Record of marriages performed by them, I think Mr Bartlett was a Congregational Minister.   If you should write to the Clergyman of that place I presume you may obtain the information sought.
Yours Respectfully
Town Clerk of Fairfield
County
---
Page 25

{Note:  The text is marked with an "X"}

Comptroller of CT Sois between 7 & 8 mo [illegible]  of David Hill on rolls of Coln
Hinman Regt 
can have [illiegible] if wanted [illegible]
__________________
Hill served in Coln Hinnman's Rg 

{image}
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Feb 24 18?5
PENSION OFFICE
Page 26

Comptrollers office
Hartford Oct. 23d 1860

A.S. Potter Esq.
Post Master

Dear Sir,

Your letter of the 15th inst, has been received at this office, with the two dollars, inclosed in P.O. Stamps. I have made a careful examination of
the Pay Rolls remaining in this office, and do not find the name of David Hill on the Rolls in 1779 or after that year. On the Pay Roll of Col. Hinmans Regiment, which was raised principally in Fairfield County in 1775, I find the name of David Hill as a soldier, for a service of between seven & eight months, but I do not find his name on any other Roll. Our Pay Rolls for
militia service for the year 1776, 7, 8, & 9 are very imperfect, many of the Rolls having been lost,  We have no evidence of team service in this office.  There is evidence of that service at the Historical Society Room in this city, which I have had examined for Mr. Hills service, but no evidence of it appears there.  Should Mrs. Hill think that the service found in Col. Hinmans Regt may be that of her husband you can have a certificate of it if you wish. I return one dollar
which you sent,
I am very respectfully
Yours a Geo. Robinson
For Court.
Page 27

Comptroller Office
Hartford, Conn.
Oct. 13th 1862
A.S. Potter Esq.
Sir,
Your letter of the 9th inst. addressed to the Comptroller has been this day ricd [sic] at this office. I have made an examination of our documents, but have not been able to find anything to show the town to which David Hill belonged when he entered the service in 1775. General Wooster belonged to New Haven, and his Regiment was raised mostly in New Haven and Fairfield Counties I think, but there is nothing in this office which shows what town any particular company was raised in.
I am sorry that I cannot
Page 28

give you the information which you ask for.
I am, very respectfully,
Your obed serv [sic]
Geo Robinson
Deputy Comp.

Stamp stating Department of the interior
Feb 24 1865
pension office
Page 29

O Doolittle - No records of marriage or death of Hill or Blackman [illegible] lived in Redding  entered service from there

Westerfield Springs
January 9 1862

W. E. Shader Esq.
Dr Sir
I will answer the inquiries of Mrs Potter as they come in order.  There is no family record of the marriage or death of either Mr Hill or Blackman. What I state in a former letter is [illegible] to the [illegible] is as new as I can recollect.
Mr. Hill lived in the Town of Redding.  Fairfield Co. [illegible] when he entered the service.  The old lady cannot recollect when he was discharged. "He enlisted. not drafted. The old lady thinks he was not
Page 30

in a battle but remembers of his driving team [illegible] provisions to Danbury.
Mrs Blackman was married
D Hill in Reddng. [illegible] by a Mr. Bartlet.  To Blackman in Washington Co N.Y. by a mister Jewette.
The next [illegible] of [illegible] will be on the fourth Monday in April. The old lady will not be able to attend court. 
Very [illegible]
Ormus Doolittle
Page 31

{Note:  The following text is marked with an "X"}
L Sandford [illegible]
[illegible]
Has earned [illegible]
& fails to find
record of Mrs [illegible] 
Marrage

{image}
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Feb 24 1865
PENSION OFFICE
Page 32

Redding Jan12. 1862

A S. Potter, Esq
Dear Sir,
I would State in reply to yours of the 23 [illegible]
that I have examined the Record of this Town & can find no record of the marriage of David Hill & Chloe Beebe.
Respectuflly Yours
Lamuel Sanford
Page 33

Mr. Shader and
Doolittle
Net term "illlegible"
4-month Apl
Mr. Huledonton
to Donany com
Page 34

Dear Sir
Enclosed please find a comm [sic] from Ormus Doolittle Esq
Mother requests me to say she could send you a letter of introduction to Hon. James R Doolittle of Wis. U.S.S. if it would be of any service to you. I do not see how it would! Ormus Doolittle is an uncle by James R. D. 
Hoping to hear from you & of your success.
I remain
Yours Truly
W. E. Shader
To
A.S. Potter Esq
Hampshire Ill
Page 35

Stephen Will
Common Mill
Oct 29 
Is 67 yrs old
had spoken of his being
Revol. Soldier heard him
say so
Hill served at some time
in co B
Stephen Hill is a son
of David Hill & Mrs. Blackman
Page 36

From the only remaining child of the Claimants [husband is crossed out]
(Steuben Co. NY)
Cameron Mills Oct 29 62
W. E. Shader Esqr.
Dear Sir
in answer to your inquiries Respecting David Hill & to what is my age I am sixty seven years old did David Hill ever have the reputation of being a Soldier of the revolution. I have heard him say that he was a Soldier in the revolution do you know of anny evidence of the fact not being I do not do you know that he was the Husband of Mrs Blackman. I know he was do you know of any evidence that Mr Hill serving Conn was the person that married Mrs Blackman. I know that he was her Husband did David Hill ever relate to you any circumstances or incidents connected [illegible word crossed out] with his experience in the war he told me that he served as a teamster in the war do you know of any evidence that he ever inlisted in New York State I do not & give my respects to all friends
Yours Truly [Signed] Stephen Hill

To W E Shader Esqr
Lima N York
P.S
I think it will be necessary to go to Cameron Mills  it will cost but $2. on 3  [Signed] W E Shader
Page 37

From the only remaining child of the Claimants [husband is crossed out]
(Steuben Co. NY)
Cameron Mills Oct 29 62
W. E. Shader Esqr.
Dear Sir
in answer to your inquiries Respecting David Hill & to what is my age I am sixty seven years old did David Hill ever have the reputation of being a Soldier of the revolution. I have heard him say that he was a Soldier in the revolution do you know of anny evidence of the fact not being I do not do you know that he was the Husband of Mrs Blackman. I know he was do you know of any evidence that Mr Hill serving Conn was the person that married Mrs Blackman. I know that he was her Husband did David Hill ever relate to you any circumstances or incidents connected [illegible word crossed out] with his experience in the war he told me that he served as a teamster in the war do you know of any evidence that he ever inlisted in New York State I do not & give my respects to all friends
Yours Truly [Signed] Stephen Hill

To W E Shader Esqr
Lima N York
P.S
I think it will be necessary to go to Cameron Mills  it will cost but $2. or 3  [Signed] W E Shader
Page 38

Affidavit of Eder Barnum M.D. in Claim of Mrs Chloe Blackman for Pension under Act of 7th July
of 1838 & subs yrs.
{illegible stamp dated Jul 31 18??]
Page 39

State of New York
County of Greene
On this day of June A.D. 1863 personaly appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Eder Barnum M. D. aged 83 years a resident of Lexington in the County of Greene, and state aforesaid, who being by me duly sworn according to Law said, that he had a half sister by the name of Cloe Bebee, residing in Redding Conneticut, who was married in that place to one David Hill, about the year A.D. 1782, that the said Hill was also a resident of Redding, and was reported to have been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, from that town, that a few years after the marriage of his half sister to Mr. Hill, they removed to some place which remained unknown to him untill a few months ago, when he assertained that Mrs. Cloe Blackman, now a resident of Wethersfield Springs, Wyoming County, in the State of New York and an applicant for a pension, for the services of her first husband David Hill, is the same half sister who resided in Redding as afforesaid. He also further states that he never knew of any other David Hill, in or near Redding, except the one above mentioned and that he has no interest in this claim
[Signed] Eder Barnum
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
[illegible seal in lower right corner of page]
Page 40

22nd day of June A D 1863 and I certify that the said Dr Eder Barnum is a credible witness and that his statements are entitled to belief, and that I have no interest in this claim
[Signed] Wm W Pettit Justice of the Peace


STATE OF NEW YORK,
Greene County Clerk's Office
[illegible Seal]
I, ELIJAH P. BUSHNELL, Clerk of said County, and also Clerk of the Supreme Court (being a Court of Record) in and for said County, do hereby certify that Wm W. Pettit Esqr before whom the annexed affidavit was made, was at the date thereof a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorised to take the same, and that the signature purporting to be his I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and Court this 23 day of June 1863
[Signed] E.P. Bushnell CLERK.
Page 41

Orinus Doolittle
Affidavit in Pension claim of Mrs Chloe
Blackmon Act of 7 July 1838

[Illegible stamp dated Jul 31 1863]
Page 42

State of New York
County of Wyoming
 On this 16th day of June A. D. 1863 personaly appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State afforesaid
Ornius Doolittle a resident of Wethesrfield Springs Wyoming County and State of New York aged 74 years, who being by me duly sworn according to law said That he knew David Hill, for about seven years previous to his death, which was about the 1st of January A. D. 1813. That he has been acquainted with Mrs. Cloe Blackman, formerly wife and widow of said Hill, for about 57 years.  That he knew the parties  to live together as husband and wife for about seven years, previous to Mr. Hills death and never her the fact of their having been duly married questioned or doubted. That the said David Hill bore the reputation of having been a Revolutionary Soldier from Redding Conneticut 
That he was personaly and intimately acquainted with Mr. Hill, having lived near him and went to school to him and he believes from his acquaintance with and the appearance of Mr Hill, and the reputation he bore as such, that he wa a Revolutionary Soldier.  That he has no interest in this claim
Ormus Doolittle
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day  and near first, above written, and I certify that the applicant is a credible witness and
Page 43

his statement entitled to belief, and that I have no interest in this claim 
Eli Road Justice of the peace

State of New York,
Wyoming County Clerk's Office
I, Charles W. Bailey Clerk of the County of Wyoming and of the Courts of Record thereof, do hereby certify that Eli Rood, Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to said certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and Courts, this 17 day of June A.D. 1863
Charles W. Bailey, Clerk
Page 44

The [unclear] [unclear]
[unclear] 109
JUL 31 1863
[unclear]
Affidavit of Baku
Morris in Pension 
Claim of Mrs Chlae
Blackmon Act July
7th 18338
Page 45

State of New York
County of Wyoming

On this twentieth day of June A.D. 1863 personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace within and for the county and state [illegible] Bupus Morris aged 69 years a resident of Warsaw County of Wyoming and State of New York, who being by me duly sworn according to law said, that he was acquainted with David Hill for about thirty years previous his death, and that he has also been acquainted  with Mrs. [?]hlae Blackman of Wetherfield Springs, in [?]ie County and State [illegible], who is a [illegible] for a Prussion, and who was formerly the wife, and afterwards, the widow of the said David Hill, for thirty years, and that he knew the said parties, to live and cohabit together, for about twenty years, previous to the death of the said Hill, and that he never heard the fact of their having been duly married questioned, or doubted - that the said David Hill, bore the reputation of having been a revolutionary soldier, and that he has no interest in this [illegible].

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written; and I certify that the said [illegible] Morris is a credible witness and his statements entitled belief and that I have no interest in Mrs [illegible].

[in left margin]: There was undoubtedly a mistake made in writing [illegible] the age of this [illegible] the probability is, that [illegible] 79 instead of 69 which would make his statements agree as nearly as would be expected about anything transpiring so long ago. The live [illegible] & Mrs Hill lived together was all thirty years & if Morris is 79 he might have been acquainted with Hill, for nearly thirty years (Morris went to school, to Hill when a small child as I understand from the letters)
Page 46

STATE OF NEW YORK,}s
Wyoming County Clerks Office,}s
I, CHARLES W. BAILEY, Clerk of the County of Wyoming and of the Courts of Record thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That G. H. Jenkins, Esq. before whom the annexed affidavit  . . . was taken, and whose name is subscribed in the certificate of proof thereof, was, at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and of the said County, duly authorized to take the same; that I am well acquainted with his hand-writing, and verily believe that the signature to said certificate is genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County and Courts, this 20th day of June A.D. 1863.
Chas. W. Bailey, Clerk
Page 47

Mr. Drury, Rev. Ep
Chloe Blackman, forty wife of David Hill,
Ills sus 1838 (See B.L. papers)
Mr. Loper
Patrick
Jean look of papy
New be
JDW
Page 48

Hampshire Kane Co'y Illinois September 23d 1869
Hon Geo H Barrett Commisioner of Pensions Washington City, D.C.
Dear Sir
The Claims of Cloe Blackman (widow of David Hill) for Pension under act of 1838 and for Bounty Land under act of 1855 was forwarded to you abt July 31st last, Please inform me if they were duly recd, & if so whether they have been acted upon or not, if not about how soon will they  be reached in [illegible]
Very respectfully
Your Obd Servt
A S Potter
No trace of Bounty land application found on files. Has said (word said is crossed out) application for land been coupled with pension papers
Ans. Not among files non registered under act of Feby 3rd 53
C.
Page 49

Pension Office
September 11th 1869
Sir
The claim of Cloe Blackman family widow of David Hill for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838 and the subsequent acts has been examined and filed.
There is no proof adduced to identify husband as the Soldier bearing the not uncommon name of David Hill, who is credited on the books of the comptroller of the State of Conneticut with service in Captain Douglass' company in the year 1775 and on the books of the comptroller of the state of New York with service as a Sergeant in Coln Johnsons Regiment of the New York militia in the year 1780. It by no means follows that the soldier thus credited with service was Mrs Blackmans husband because he bore the same name without some proof [illegible] the latter with the former, can it be inferred that he was that individual 
If her husband was a resident of the state of Conniticut it is impossible to admit that
Page 50

he could have been drafted to serve in the militia of the State of New York for the latter state had no power to press a citizen of another State into military service.  Her husband could not therefore have been the sergeant who served in Colonel Johnson's regiment.

There is no proof filed to show that Mrs. Blockmon's husband ever had the reputation of having been a Revolutionary Soldier.  Such proof as this will be required  and some evidence showing that the soldier in  Captain Douglas's Company was from the town of (illegible - maybe Redding  should be presented before Mrs. Blockmon can receive the benefits of the service of past soldiers.

More direct & positive proof of her marriage is also necessary.  If it cannot be established by record evidence public or private, or by the testimony of witnesses it must be clearly shown that the relation of husband and wife was sustained, and (if such was the fact) that children were born, before the 1st day of January 1794 to bring this claim within the act of 7th July 1838

Very respectfully  dc
Jos H Barrett
Commissioner

A S Potter Esq
Hampshire Illinois

(Copy)

I send you this that you may see that the segments in relation to the marriage, has been complied with or if not I am unable to see where, or what the commission is & if you will please inform me

Stamped:  Shield unreadable, dated Aug 21 1863
Page 51

[illegible] Co. NY
May 23rd 1862
Dear Sir,
The [illegible] of this Mr. A.S. Potter of Illinois [illegible] Washington for the purpose of prosecuting the claim of Mrs. Cloe Blackman for services rendered by her former husband Mr. Hill during the Revolutionary Warm york the also Ormus and Clanney Doolittle have taken a deep interest in this case, and any assistance that you may [illegible] Mr. Potter to further his efforts in behalf of Mrs. Blackman will be fully appreciated by both your thanks and yours truly
Geo M. Shader
Page 52

Seal 
[illegible] July 31 1883
Cert Comptllr Ct
Genl Woosters Regt. raised by order of Genl Assembly in May 1775 for 7 mos
David Hill was private in Capt Douglass Co of [illegible] Rgt.
Genl W resided in N Haven & Regt raised in N Haven, & Fairfield Co'ys
Page 53

State of Connecticut
Comptrollers Office
Hartford June 15th 1863
I certify that our application for further evidence relating to the service of David Hill in the war of the Revolution, I have reexamined the documents remaining in this office, and I cannot ascertain from them, the town in which the said Hill resided.  It appears from these documents , that Gnrl. Wooster Regiment was raised by order of the Genl. Assembly of Connecticut in May 1775, to serve seven months, that William Douglass was the Captain of one of the companies composing said Regiment, and that David Hill was a private in Capt. Douglass' company, but the documents do not give the residence  of the several soldiers.
General Wooster resided in the city of New Haven, and his Regiment is believed to have been raised mostly in the County of New Haven, and in adjoining County of Fairfield.
Geo Robinson
Deputy Comptroller
Page 54

Ar. S. Hospital Quincy Ills July 21st 1863
Hon Joseph H Barrett Com of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Dr Sir
I enclose the application of Christina Kurtz for Pension for services of her son John H. Kurtz of Co, B 52d Ills, which was made November 13th last. Also Affidavits in claim of Mrs Cloe Blackman for Pension & Land, for services of her former husband David Hill , in the Revolutionary War. I have been sick & in the hospitals at Memphis, St. Louis, & here since Nov 26th is the reason that I have not attended to these claims before.  Please acknowledge receipt of these papers & address all communications to me at Hampshire , Kane Co. as before.
Your letter of 18th Septr [sic] 69 and Novr. 19th in relation to Mrs Blackmans Claims were duly read, but my health has been so poor that I have not hurried the matter along as fast as I intended or ought to have done, beside, I have been a long distance from the witnesses, & have had to write to the parties several times to ascertain [illegible] they could testify to in the case, before I could make out & send the blank affidavits to them which has caused considerable delay. 
You require proof that David Hill was the same who was credited on the Comtroller of C I Books
Page 55

with service in Rev. War. That he was Mrs Blackman's husband. That he bore the reputation of having been a Revolutionary Soldier. That he was from Redding. That (if [illegible] was the fact) children were born before the 1st of Jany A. D. 1794 & The affidavit of Eder Barnum a half Brother of Mrs. Blackman sais [sic] Mrs. B married Hill in Redding abt 1792. That Hill was from (or a resident of) Redding & that he bore the reputation of having been a Rev Soldier That he never knew any other David Hill there & that he claimed is the same half sister who married Hill as afforsaid. Affidavits of Ormus Doolittle & Rufus Morris, to prove the parties lived together as husband & wife & that Hill bore the reputation of having been a Rev Soldier I think, there is a mistake in the affidavit of Morris as regards his age, which I have explained on the maragin. I would send back and have it rectified, but you have the same proof in others, so I do not deem it necessary.
Affidavit of Stephen Hill, a son of the claimant, that his father told him that he was a Rev Soldier & went into the service from Redding, & giving names of the children with dates of their birth. A Certificate from the Comptroller of CT that the Regt in which Hill served was gotten info in New Haven and Fairfield Coys. Now then we have positive proof that the Regt in which Hill served was a portion of it raised in Fairfield Coy. That Hill himself told his son he went into the service from Redding in that Co'y. [illegible] Eder Barnum that he never knew or heard of any other D Hill in Redding & that this same Hill married his sister, the claimant, by Stephen
Page 56

Hill that they had six children & by O Doolittle & Mr. Morris, that he bore the reputation of having been a Rev Soldier, & that the parties cohabited together as husband & wife. This is certainly conclusive & covers all the evidence required by your letters to establish the Connecticut service. Now for the N. Y. service I know the few days service credited to Hill in NY could not of itself amount to much, but it is supposed he served a year there and about the same length of time in Ct. I supposed that you had a record of this service in your  & that by giving you the Certificate from the [illegible] would put you on track of it, & if it agreed with names & dates [illegible], with that you had, it would of course be same but from your last letters I infer that you have no records of this service, in the office, except the Comp Certs. To establish the fact that Hill serving in N.Y. was same that served in Ct you say we must prove that there was but one Hill of some name, in Redding capable of baring arms & that the New York Hill was from Redding. This, now, I think is impossible more than we have already done & if you do not think the evidence, affidavit to establish the N.Y. service as having been performed by the same Hill, throw this part aside. I think the evidence certainly sufficient to establish the Ct service & I am satisfied that the same Hill served in N. Y.  Mrs Blackman sais [sic] her husband said he served in both states, that he served in N.Y. [illegible] as teamster, & visited Major Andre now this the date of the service there of whatever Hill did serve corresponds exactly with the time of the confinement & execution of Andre
Page 57

& you will recollect that this service was 5 years after the Connt service. It would be nothing strange at all, four years after hill was discharged from Ct that he might have been in the service in N. Y. & then he would have had two years to go back to Redding again before he married Mrs. B. Hill said himself he served in both places, The name is the same & all the circomstances & dates agree that he might have done so, & I should think , both branches of the service should be allowed, however you know best, of course, & if there is no record of only the few [illegible] N.Y. service, it would not amount to much anyway. I can see nothing strange that Hill should have served in two states. How many are there now, from this state, in Mo Regts & also [illegible]. Another [illegible]. Penns is my [illegible] state. I came here two years ago, I am now a sergt in Co C 197th Ills.  The probability is I shall soon be discharged if so I would undoubtedly go back to Pa. Then suppose this war to continue & I should again get my health. The probability is that I should again enlist in Pa. two years after my discharge in Pa I might come back here (to Hampshire) & get married & in thirty years thereafter die there, which would be nothing improbable at all, then my case would be exactly the same as Hills, but enough of this. If you do not think the evidence sufficient in the N.Y. claim, throw it out & if there should be anything further wanting to establish the Ct service let me know.  I shall expect to hear from you soon. Mrs Blackman is very aged, & I suppose was when this claim was commenced, very ready, but while I was tracing out the early history of the case & hunting proof for marriage, I accidently discovered that this Eder Barnum was a half bro of hers, he is wealthy & has sent the old lady some money. P. T. Barnum of N. Y. since he has assertained that he was a nephew of Mrs B, has given her some money. I confess it a little strange, that Mrs B should not have known, she was entitled & applied for her pension before but they had got it into their heads that the second marriage destroyed the claim for pension & so paid no more attention to it, & at the same time this
Page 58

is not as strange as the fact that she should  so entirely loose track of her family & at some time have a half bro residing in the same state for 60 years & know nothing of each other. You will also see by P. T. Barnum's autobiography that he knew nothing of  Aunt, for he mentions the names of all his father's bros and sisters, that he supposed was living, & she resided all his life within a short distance of him. I wrote the P.M. of Bethel Ct thinking perhaps he could procur record evidence of Mrs B marriage, he was a relative and recognized the names of his friends whom he had long supposed dead, he wrote Eder Barnum, & Dr. Barnum addressed a letter to Mrs. Blackman, when he assertained she was his half sister, who he had supposed dead for half a century. I find similar circumstances with most of the old families that I have had any intimate acquaintance with. the facts are these, in an early day when families separated and moved away for a few miles from each other, there was no mail facilities hardly at all & when there was 50 & 25 cts had to be paid on a letter & a correspondence was not attempted and friends soon lost track of each other entirely. I will send you copies of the correspondence from P.M. of Bethel to Dr. Barnum & his to Mrs B & if you wish it , as I have them I will now tell you how I come to be engaged on this claim, & send you the letters to satisfy you in this respect also, if you wish them, as you say Mrs Bs neglect to assert her rights before is not calculated to create a favorable impression, & I suppose you also think she ought to have
Page 59

employed some Aunt near home. The facts are these.  I never saw Mrs. Blackman.  I resided in Pa. I was acquainted with a family by name of Beardsley (David) and one by name of Carl W. Flower, they were both sodiers of 1819. I had done some pension business for them. Mr. Bs daughter married a grandson of Mrs. Blackman and she had the charges, or oversight of the old lady.  She come out to Pa to see her parents & [illegible] Flowers. They sent her to me, to see if Mrs B was entitled to pension, & she employed me to attend to her claim. I suppose this will explain why Mrs. B did not present her claim before & [illegible] an atty [paper damaged] her home. If you wish any more evidence in this claim, or the affidavit of Morris corrected, write me. I [illegible] it is not necessary to write back to Morris for any corrections, for the other affidavits cover the same ground. Please let me hear from you soon, & address as above registered to Hampshire, Ills. 
James [illegible]
Srgt A. S. Potter
Co C 127th Ills Infty
Page 60

Hampshire Kane County Ills July 31st 1862
Hon Joseph H Barrett Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you the Claims of Mrs Cloe Blackman, widow of David Hill, a Revolutionary Soldier, for Pension & Land. I have been a long time as you will see by the Papers in getting the facts in relation to these claims together, I intended to have sent the Claims to you before Congress adjurned, so if necessary you could have refered to the Hon James R Doolittle (a Nephew of Orimas Doolittle whose affidavit is enclosed) who as I am informed is acquainted with all the parties whose names are signed as witnesses - Claimant - Judge &c, The reason of my delay is I have been waiting for two mos for the affidavit of Mr Sonford, town Clerk of Redding Ct, whose affadavit  I have just read annexed to Claim - In the Claim for Pension, the Judge & witnesses failed to State that they had no interest in the Claim. This was an omission of my own I did not notice it when writing the blanks, & not until the papers were returned to me but it is so stated in the Claim for Land & as the witnesses & office were the same, & they were executed at the same time, I presume it will make no difference - The length of service in N.Y. State in 1780 is not given by the comp[]ter. I presume
Page 61

you will find it on record in your office Please acknowledge receipt of these Claims & if there's anything more wanting in relation to them let me know as soon as convent 
Mrs Blackman is said to be intelligent & memory remarkably good for one of her advanced age, & I think you will find the facts set forth by her to be correct She is positive about hearing Mr Hill often tell of visiting Major Andre in Jail - Andre was executed at Topantown N.Y. Oct 1780 which corresponds with the statements in relation to the service - The reason Mrs B has not applied for a Pension before is, she supposed that her marriage with Blackman would deprive her of the benefits of Pension laws until within a few years. I believe she is a relative of the Doolittles at least She has lived with Mr. O. Doolittle for a long time.
Very respectfully
Your Abl Servt
A S Potter
P.S. At the time these claims were executed I intended to have visited Washington personaly, but business is such that I cannot at present do so I will enclose a letter of introduction to Mr Doolittle which was sent me by one of Mr Ds friends If there is any further proof wanting to establish the Claims please let me know & I will foward it if possible
Page 62

Quincey Ills Aug 17th
Hon Jos H Barrett Coms of Pensions
Washington D. C. 
My dear Sir
Your letter of the 7th [illegible] is recd. In the claim of Mrs. Blackman, you require additional proof, that the soldier and applicants husband were from the same town & that there was but one person there at the time by the name, capable of bearing arms. You also say that the proof of marriage is not a full compliance with the requisitions of your letter of 18th Sept last . I suppose you have a brief of that letter but perhaps not a full copy so I will enclose a copy & will send the original if you think it not correct. 
1st you require proof to identify the husband of the claimant as the soldier credited with service on the Books of the Comptlr of Ct. 2nd that Mrs. Bs husband bore the reputation of having been a Rev Soldier & some evidence showing that the soldier was from the town of Redding.  3rd more direct & positive proof of her marriage & if [illegible] was the fact that children were born before 1794. Dr. Barnum testified that Mr. Hill & his sister were both residents of Redding & that they were married about the year 1789(?) (I think) & that the claimant Mrs Blackman was the same person who married the
Page 63

David Hill in Redding, & that he bore the reputation of having been Rev soldier. Mr B swears that they were married in Redding, & Mr. Doolittle & Morris testify that they knew the parties to live & cohabit together, & that the relations of husband and wife were sustd for a specified no of years previous to his (Hills) death & also that Hill bore reputation of having been a soldier in Rev. Stephen Hill (a son of the claimant & the soldier) swears that the parties lived as husband & wife, till his fathers death, & gives names and dates of the birth of children, one before 1794 & that his father had told him that he served in Rev war from Redding - from the above evidence that David Hill was Mrs. Bs husband & that he served in the Rev war from the town of Redding. The evidence if taken at all, certainly shows that Hill, & the claimant, were married in Redding, & that he said himself he served in Rev from that town, beside this the relation of husband and wife are clearly shown to have existed between them, for a no of years previous to his death & that children (or one at least) were born previous to 1794. That he not only bore the reputation of having been Rev soldier but had said he were from Redding, also a Cert from complr Ct, that Hills Regt was a portion of it raised in Fairfield Co. Now I have been very sick, am not able to
Page 64

to look into this thing as deeply as perhaps I ought, or otherwise would, but I certainly can see no point or requirement of your letter, but what has been compiled with, except perhaps the single idea that it was possible for two men of the same name to have been in the same company, at the same time, & both from redding, but this requrement was not made in your letter of 18th, & it is hardly fair to suppose, that such a circumstance ever occurred. I don't think the like could be formed now in our larger army - there are in some Cos John Smith - John W Smith - John Smith Jr. & senior in my own Co there is John Taylor 1st & John Taylor 2nd but there is always a distinction made, on the rolls it is strictly necessary, a co'y could not be managed with two men of exactly the same name, with no distinction put upon the rolls.  There could not have been two men of the name of David Hill, serving at the same time, in Capt Douglass Co. Suppose there had, & a discharge had been given David Hill, which would have been discharged, there must have been a difference - a distinction, between men of the same name. I am sure that if you examine the last afidavit sent closely, you will find them to cover all the requirements of your letter of 18th Sept. It will hardly be possible to find proof that there was only one man in Redding capable of
Page 65

4th Page
bearing arms, still it is possible & if so, I will find you such proof. but I think in case it could not be obtained it would be unjust not to allow the claim of a lady nearly a hundred years old, who suffered the [illegible] & hard fore, during the Rev war, entirely on that ground when it was fairly proven that her husband was a soldier from that town & there was no evidence to show that there ever was, or ever would be, another David Hill there.  I do not know where to look for any proof of this kind. I am almost sure there is none in the State Library at Hartford, & if the town records of Redding did not keep the records of Mr. Hills marriage they would not be likely to have anything to show, that there was not two David Hills when we have no reason in the world to suppose there ever was. Dr. Barnum might testify ( & I believe did) that there was but one, to his knowledge but I presume he could not swear positive there was none other.  Please examine those affidavits closely & if you think they do not fully establish the marriage, let me know what particular point they are defective, & the points specifically that you wish proven. I will  look for proof that there was but one Hill of the same name & forward it
Page 66

if I am able to find it. You say- it should be made to appear that the soldier & applicants husband were from the same town.  I have certainly made it appear that Mrs. Bs husband was from the town of Redding, & now if we can produce evidence that there was no other David Hill there, you will of course be satisfied on this point. The next and only other objection you raise, I believe is, that the marriage is not fully established.  You say if it cannot be established by pub or private record, or by testimony of eye witnesses, it must be clearly shown that the relation of husband & wife was clearly sustained & this was done,  I think clearly, by the last proof I sent, if not please specify the particular points
I am very respectfully your obd servt
A S Potter
Page 67

[All below crossed out]
E. D. Barnum
Bethel, Ct
Recd abt  8th Sep 1863[?]
cannot as yet find any additional
evidence in Claim of Mrs B
Went to see an old
Sodr at Redding & [illegible]

[Shield shaped stamp:]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
FEB 24 1865 PENSION OFFICE
Page 68

Bethel Aug 1863
Mr. A S Potter
Dear Sir
Your letter was duly received.  The information you ask for that is that there was but one David Hill in Redding in 1775 I as yet am unable to find. I have been to Redding the second time to search and to enquire but can find no one that knows anything of him or anything of any record of him the last time I went to Redding I went for the purpose of seeing an old woman over 90 years old she was sick and could not see her her sone told me that he would find out by her if she knew any of him and let me know as soon as she was able but I have heard nothing as yet from him but thinking you might be anxious to hear from me I write now. I will write you again if I find anything that will be proof.  I should be pleased to hear from you again
Your Respectfully 
E D Barnum
Page 69

St Louis Mo. February 20th 1865 Dear Sir: In your letter to me of 7th August 1863, in relation to the Claim of Mrs Chloe Blackman for a Pension Act of 7th July 1838, for services of her first husband David Hill, in Revolutionary war, you say - It should be made to appear, that the soldier, & applicants husband, was from the same town, & that there was but one person bearing the name, capable of rendering military service at that time Second - the proof of Marriage introduced is not a full compliance, with the requisition of my your letter of 18th September last, I have the honor to inform you, that I have made diligent search of all public records everywhere; of which I have any knowledge that I thought might give any additional evidence on this claim but have failed to find any. I have however (as you are aware) previous to the date of your letter, forwarded an affidavit of Dr E Barnborn, (a half brother of claiment) stating that Claiment & Hill were marred at Redding, & that Will bore the reputation of having been a soldier of the Rev war, & that he never knew or heard of any other person by the name, in Redding - Also same from O Doolittle, stating that Hill was reported to have been a Rev soldier from Redding, & that the parties lived, & cohabited together as husband & wife, &c. Affidavit from Hills Son, saying his father had
Page 70

said to him that he had served in Rev, & went from Redding. A certificate from [*] of Conn. saying Hill served in Genl Wooster Regt, & a [*] one saying, that next; was raised principally in Fairfield Co. You then have public records, showing that he went into the service from the vicinity of Redding, the evidence of his son that Hill said he went from Redding, that of Doolittle & Barnham; that he was reported to have went from that town, & this same evidence is coupled all the way through, (the affidavits) that the Hill in question was claimants husband. There is no evidence to show that there was two men by the same name, & if there was the proof already filed it appears to me is certainly conclude that the David Hill in question was the claimants husband, & that he served in the The Rev War; & that he resided at the time he went into said service in the Town of Redding. The claimant swears, she was from Redding, Dr Barnham said she was. How can it be proven that there was not, two men by the name of David Hill in Bedding in 1775, when this is not the slightest evidence in any place or farm to show that more was two. It strikes me that the absence of all evidence, showing that there was more than one, ought to be conclusive that there was but one. You have never asked me for this kind of evidence any previous claim, & I have been doing business with your office (or the Pension office) since 1850 not very much lately of course, [*] you to [*], where land warrants for services in War of 1812 have been issued to widows, on similar, & not as positive proof of Marriage, as you have in Mrs Blackmans case; & in no case, did
Page 71

I ever know an agent after he had proven that a man served so & so - to prove that there was not two men, of the same name, I do not think to day, that it would be positively proven, in half the towns of the north, that there was not a man, by the same name, of some other that enlisted in the present war, ( at the commencement of the war) of course it might be since, because the towns have been so thoroughly canvassed, & the  enrollment taken often.  It appears to me, that your principal objection to this claim is the one stated in your letter of 19th Nov 1862. You say - The omission of Mrs. Blackman to assert her rights at any time since the passage of the act etc etc is a circumstance not tending to create a favorable impression of the claim itself.  Now so far as this matter is concerned, of course I know but little about it, except what is couched in the letter I enclose from Mrs. Shader, of Lima N. Y. & some subsequent [illegible] of about the same import.  It appears that this Mrs. Shaders son (a young man) who had never done any  of this kind of business & knew nothing at all about it, done something in  relation to Mrs. Bs claim, & because Mrs. B had married a second time, he thought it would deprive her; at all events, the claim was never filed in your office by him & I presume he did not have any correspondence with the office. In looking over my old letters I have also found one from Comlr Ct saying Hill served in Coln Himmans Regt.  I suppose it to be the same, as that designated as Genl  Woosters but it may possibly be of service to you, & I will enclose it. Please examine this claim again, & I think you will evidence
Page 72

enough to establish it; if not, inform me on what points it is deficient. If you still insist an evidence that there was but one D Hill in Redding at the time, & can take nothing in [illegible] of such, I shall have to abandon the claim, because I do not think it possible to find any such.  I will, if this will do, produce a certificate from the Comptroller, that there is no records of but one, & the same from the County Clerk; & from the town clerks of Redding or rather of the Town and County clerks, that there is no records of either.  I will also if you are prejudiced agains the claim & think there is anything wrong about it, go to Washington, and take Ormus Doolittle & Senator Doolittle, to your office in person, & convince you of the truth, & justice of this Claim & the evidence already filed, so for as they are acquainted with the claimant, & the facts set forth; & Ormus D. has been personally acquainted with Mrs. B. for (I think) nearly seventy years; perhaps this would be my best course, & if you desire it, I will attend to it at once, as I can get a furlough for thirty days anytime I wish it.  Please write me & let me know if such a course would be of any interest to you in the matter.  if not; what additional evidence I must produce ( if any) to establish this claim.  Now if Misters Doolittles evidence, in person will be of
Page 73

any service at all to you in this claim, let me know, for I had just as soon go to Washington during the present session of Congress as not.  Address as below
Very respectfully
Your Obd Servt
A.S. Potter
Hon Joseph H. Barrett
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.
Page 74

Hon. James K. Doolittle
Washington
D.C.
Page 75

Comptrollers Office
Hartford June 15th 1863
A. S. Potter Esq.
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 9th last, addressed with Comptroller has been rec'd at this office. I have made a new search in this office, and in the State Library, through the documents relating to the war of the Revolution, to find if possible some evidence of the residence of Mr. Hill, but have not been able to find anything to show it.  Genl Wooster was born in Fairfield County, but resided in the city of New Haven at the time he was in Service, and it is understood that his Rgt was raised in
Page 76

county and in Fairfield County.
Our fee for a certificate is one dollar, and for a search of our documents the fee is also one dollar.  I have spent a good deal of time in making this additional search and think it right that you should send me another dollar for it. 
I am, very [illegible]4YOur obedt Srvt,
Gen Robinson
[illegible]
seal
Department of the interior
Feb 24 1865
Pension office
Page 77

[Below notes are both crossed out]
Wm Gaylor Donbury Ct
Cannot assertain any additional

Wm Gaylor Esqr
Donbuty Connt. 
Feby 27 1864
Cannot Procure Any additional evidence in Claim of Mrs. Blockmon

[Shield shape stamp:]
DEPARTMENT
OF THE
INTERIOR
Feb 24 1865
PENSION OFFICE
Page 78

Danbury Feb 27th 1864
A.S. Potter Esq.
Dr Sir
Yours of the 22nd is at hand & contents noted.
Soon after the receipt of your letter I went to Redding with the view & hope of obtaining the necessary evidence either by record or [illegible]. I could not find the record evidence but I found there an old lady by the name of Gray who is almost 100 years old. From whom it was thought perhaps we might obtain the desired information & I left the papers in the hands of a very intelligent gentleman who was intimate with her to attend to the matter - and he thought he might succeed in the effort - but today he has informed me that the old lady has lost her faculties so that he would not have done to take her affidavit - he says she is not capable of testifying intelligently - therefore he has returned the papers to me - I have made various inquiries & been unable to find any one who will give the requisite evidence & therefore I return them to you
Yours W Taylor
Page 79

The below notes are all crossed off

Mrs. G.M. Shader
[illegible] N.Y. Mar 21
Mrs Shader died in February
Have tried to get Mrs. Bs claim before but failed on acct of not having had to do it, I [illegible]
R Morris & M Dool reside in Warsaw
Page 80

Lima March 21 1863
Mr. A. S. Potter
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 14th is now before me and the contents noticed. I am glad to hear you are intending to prosecute the claim of Mrs B. it is time it was attended to as old folks suddenly drop away. Mother Shader passed away about five weeks ago and there is only one child living out of Mrs. Blackmans Family Stephen Hill. I want you should attend to the claim soon as possible.  The old lady is destitute and depends upon the mercy of people, the claim is an honest and just one they have tried to get it before and gave it up on account of the second marriage
Page 81

but I found out it did not make any difference, but during the time Mrs. B. lived with the second husband it would go to Mr. Hills Children you have succeeded well thus far and I hope you will accomplish it for I know you have been to considerable expense and any information you want you shall have if it can be obtained. Mr. Ormas Doolittle said he stood ready to do anything if he could and also Munson Doolittle we have received no letter from Mr. Rufus Morris he resides in the same place of Munson Doolittle Warsaw Village Wyoming County New York
I have the letters Mrs. Blackman received from her Brother, if they will be any use I will send them to you.  Please give the address as I shall have to do my own writing as W. E is away
there will be no use of trying to get anything on the York State claim but on the other, that you will get I presume
Yours respectfully
Mrs. G. M. Shader
Page 82

Chloe Blackman formerly widow of David Hill.
New York [illegible cross out]
Suspended.
Let. A.S. Potter Sept. 18. 1862.
Same Nov. 1[?]. 1862
Same Aug. 7. '63
A.S. Potter Apl. 25 1865
Act 7th July 1838
Page 83

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1878.
Revy
15052
[Stamped in Black ink center of page] REJECTED
P. O. Chloe Blackman
Service: formerly Widow of David Hill
Enlisted: Revy Conn
Discharged:
Application filed: 
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.  _____ Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for ____18__.

[Written sideways on right side of page]
1931 May 5. Photos mailed to Kate Curry & Fin. Div. ntfd. A.D.Y.
1931 May 16. Photos mailed to Donald Lines Jacobus, through Philip M. Smith & Fin. Div. ntfd. A.D. Y.
Page 84

Bureau of Pensions                     May 12, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section    
                                                                  541
                     xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx



Rev. War pension claim, David Hill, R. 15052     Actual        1 of each page 

[illegible] - Philip W. Smith
                  Wash .D.C


Mail photostats to
        Donald Lines Jacobs
             P.O. Box 647
                  [illegible]
                                                                   $0.45                3 pages
               xxxx

Kindly leave margin of 1 1/2 inches
at top of each page and return 
papers in each case with correspond-        Chief of Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ing name and number.                              
The word "omit" is written in pencil 
on those pages which are not to be 
copied.
Page 85

May 11, 1931

Cash - 45 cents
Finance Division
Bookkeeping Desk
May 12, 1931
Bureau of Pensions

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Please send me uncertified photostatic copies of three pages from Rev. War pension claim, David Hill, R. 15052.

Very truly  yours,

Remitter:  Philip M. Smith
                 Washington, D. C.

Received payment
45 cents
May 11, 1931
Mrs. Christine Stokes
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

Photostats to Donald Lines Jacobus
P.O. Box 647
New Haven, Conn
Page 86

List to Philip M. Smith:
Letter dated Lexington Sept. 22/62 signed Eder Barnum.
3 pages ____ .
Page 87

April 28, 1931
Bureau of Pensions,
Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
541
Rev. War claim for pension of David Hill
File No. R.15052.
Actual 2 of each page.
positive and
negative copies.

$1.20.............4 pages
xxx

Kindly leave margin of 11/2
in. at top of each page and
return papers in each case in
folder with corresponding name.     Chief, Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
and number.
The word ""Omit"" written in
pencil on those pages which are
not to be copied.
Page 88

April 28, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Cash_$1.20
FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK-KEEPER'S DESK
APR 29 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

Dear Sir:

Please furnish me uncertified photostatic copies,
positive and negative, of four pages from Revolutionary War
pension claim of David Hill, R. 15052.

Very truly yours,
Kate S. Curry
1420 Girard St. N.W.
Washington D.C.

Received payment
J. L. Lerch
$1.20
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
Page 89

List to Kate Curry:
Letter dated Lexington Sept. 22,/624 signed Eder Barnum.
4 pages