Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17380, Reuben De Forest, Conn. New York

Page 1

SERVICE  Conn New York
DeForest, Reuben or DeFrees
NUMBER S.17380
carded

Page 2

Died June 3, 1836 (A.B)
Connecticut 1790 (6)
Reuben Deferest, alias Defrees
Fairfield in the State of Connt.
who was a private in the Comp. (n) commanded by Captain Hunt of the Regt. commanded by Col. Weasefield in the State Troops line for 2 years
private N.Y. and Conn
Inscribed on the Roll of Connt at the sale of 80. Dollars ~~~Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificater of Pension issued the 10. day of Oct. 1833 and sent to Hon. Secty of War
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33 ~~~ 200.00
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar 34  40.00
240.00
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by F. F. Pancion Clerk
Book E. Vol 3d Page 11

Page 3

No 1197
R. Defrees

Page 4

State of Connecticut Court of Probate in the district of Stamford-
County of Fairfield
On this the 25th day of July AD 1832 personally appeared before this court of Probate in & for said district sitting at Stamford in said district Reuben DeForest alias Reuben Defrees [underlined] a resident of New Canaan in the County of Fairfield in the State of Connecticut, aged seventy nine 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 provisions set by the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832: that he enlisted in the Army of the United States - he cannot recollect the year [underlined] except that he knows it was the year in which Cornwallis surrendered, for he recollects the sending up of sky rockets & other rejoicings among the troops when intelligence of that success came - he enlisted as he thinks in the Army, tho' he cannot now state positively thro' the frailty of his memory- the regiment was not filled but till some weeks after his enlistment - enlisted for two months as Declarant thinks - enlisted under Capt. Hemt who belonged to Bedford in N York State - one Gus Dusceeus was one Lieutenant - one Young was either second Lieutenant or Ensign - enlisted as a private & served out the whole term of Enlistment Col. Wiesenfeldt had the command of the Regiment. The other officers of the Regiment cannot recollect. - after enlisting lay a while at North Castle in New york till the Regiment assembled & then went to the northward to Saratoga where we lay the whole Campaign out. Gen. Schuyler had charge of the troops there. was in no engagement during this time - recollects that a spy was taken & hung there - but Do not recollect his name - it was there  we heard of Cornwallis's Surrender - at the end of my term of enlistment received a written Discharge signed by adjutant McCob who lived at Haverstraw but have lost it. -
Before the [illegible] enlistment, Declarant enlisted in a company of infantry commanded by Capt. Platt (who lived as was said at Middle Patent in Westchester County in Newyork) - David Dan of Pound Ridge in Newyork was Lieutenant. - we belonged to a Regiment commanded by Col. Holmes [underlined] who afterwards went over to the enemy -

Page 5

He belonged to Bedford in New york - Declarant enlisted in said Pound Ridge - do not know the Designation of the troops but suppose [underlined] they must have been State [underlined] troops of the State of New york - enlisted for nine months [underlined] according to Declarants recollection & served out the whole time. our service was at Lake George - was in no engagement During the time - This was the first year in troops went to the northward as Declarant thinks [underlined] - it was the year St. Johns was taken by the Americans [underlined] - while we lay at Lake George heard of it capture & saw the prisoners which they brought down as was said from that place - In going to Lake George went by the way of Albany, Half-moon, & Still Water. When the term of service had expired had a Discharge written in birch bark (in want of paper) - Dont recollect who signed it & have lost it - Enlisted in the Spring but cant recollect the month - April or thereabout - 
Afterwards & thinks the next year & in the winter enlisted at said Pound Ridge in a company of which one Stevens of Upper Salem was Capt. but did not do duty as consequence of sickness & Lieutenant Wm. Mosies had  charge of the company - enlisted for two months [underlined] only & served the time out at North Castle & Middle Patent in New york - also at Kings Point in New york where we had an engagement [underlined] with a party of Cowboys [underlined] under Bob Simmons as they called him. This was about Christmas. There was a Lieutenant of the Continental Service there who was killed on a bridge. Declarant cannot positively say what year this was, for he has no document to assist his memory.-
Declarant also in the fall, as he thinks [underlined] of 1775 - he enlisted in a company as he supposes in the Continental service of which Sylvanus Knupp of Stamford in Connecticut was Capt. or acted as Captain, tho' he believes that Nathaniel Webb was captain, but he was absent thro' ill health - Col. David Waterbury [underlined] of said Stamford commanded the Regiment - enlisted for four or five months - am not certain which - & served out the whole time - enlisted at

Page 6

said Stamford - the service was wholly in the city of New York - was in no engagement while there - enlisted as a private & [illegible] - when the tour completed received only a verbal Discharge - Peter Smith of said Stamford was in the same Company with me -
The next summer there was a requisition of new militia & Declarant belonging to the militia of Connecticut & to the company in said Stamford went again to the city of New York under command of said Sylvanus Knapp - was in service at the time two months - was in New York when the Americans retreated from the places before the British - It was about harvest (in July) when we went to New York. - this was in the summer of 1776. When Declarant reached Kingsbridge he was taken sick of Dysentery & left the service ~~
Declarant further states that when not engaged as aforesaid and as he thinks [underlined] in the year 1778 or 1779 or in both for one year or more (at least one year) [underlined] he belonged to a company of militia commanded by Capt. Charles Smith of said Stamford & of which Seth Weed was Lieutenant which was almost [illegible] engaged in pursuit of the Cowboys & Detachments of the enemy & in guarding against their incursions - the services then rendered were in said Stamford, & the neighboring towns of Greenwich, Rye &c &c.. on one occasion took from the Cowboys a drove of cattle stolen [illegible] as was said, after a short skirmish with the cowboys.-
Declarant also states that on another occasion that he was two months [illegible] engaged in the public service in the militia under Capt. Chs. Smith in Stamford - [illegible] the time in guarding the Town - the enemy being in the constant habit of making incursions from Long Island. Declarant is unable to say what year this was. - It was after the retreat from New york - the Sound [illegible] full of British [illegible] & we were apprehensive they would land & burn the Town -
In answer to the interrogations prescribed by the War Department Declarant states that he was born in said Stamford December 14th AD 1752 - has a record of his age in a book kept by him in that [illegible] & believes his age is recorded in the public records of said

Page 7

[written sideways up left margin] before & after the
Revol. lived at
Stamford

Stamford - at the time of his second enlistments lived in said Stamford. Since the Revolutionary ^ War have lived in said Stamford for a while but for 34 or 35 years part have lived where he now lives in New Canaan - his enlistments were always voluntary - That he has always stated the names of all the officers he can now recollect & such information as he can now call to mind & has stated all he can in relation to his Discharges ~ his enlistment under Capt Hunt as stated above was at said Pound Ridge - That Peter Smith & Samuel Dean of said Stamford well know me & can testify as to my character for truth & veracity & their belief of my services as a soldier of the revolution - That he knows no clergyman who has lived long enough in the region in which he resides to have acquired any knowledge in relation to the services of the Declarant. The Revd. Dr. Welles formerly of said Stamford, long since decd. [illegible] have had knowledge of my services.
Declarant states that he is called Deforest as well as Defrees & does not know by which name he enlisted
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State  his 
Reuben [cross-shaped mark] Deforest
mark
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Chas Hawley Judge -
State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss. Probate District of Stamford
On the 27th & 28th days of July AD 1832 personally appeared before the Court of Probate in said District Peter Smith & Samuel Dean of Stamford in said District who being first duly sworn according to law Do on their oaths respectively say; viz on the 27th day of said July
The said Peter Smith doth on his oath say that he was in the Continental service of the United States in the War of the Revolution - that in the winter of 1775-1776 he was in said Service in the City of New

Page 8

York & that during said time Reuben DeForest [underlined] alias Defrees [underlined] of New Canaan in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut was also in said Continental service in said City for the [illegible] of four months or more - in Capt. Nathaniel Webbs company of Infantry in the Regiment commanded by Col. David Waterbury - Sylvanus Knapp was Lieutenant & part of the time at least had charge of the company because Webb was sick - This Deponent belonged to the same Company - He thinks the term of service was only four months - Deponent [illegible] the character of said Defrees for veracity to be perfectly good -
Peter Smith

And on the 28th day of said July in open Court [illegible] the said Samuel Dean in like manner doth upon his oath say that he knows & for many years has well known Reuben Deforest or Defrees of New Canaan in Fairfield County in Connecticut - that deponent is sixty nine years old & has always belonged to Stamford in said County & was himself a soldier in the service of the United States during the Revolutionary War ~ that he knows that said Defrees was in the service of the United States during said war in a company commanded by Capt. Hunt in Wiesenfeldts Regiment - Deponent had a brother in the same company & Deponent belonging to a different Regiment was in the same service for sometime - until Wiesenfeldts Regt. went to the Northward to Saratoga - this was in the year 1781 - that in the year 1778 Deponent knows that Defrees belonged to Capt. Charles Smiths Company of State troops which did duty in said Stamford - this term was as Deponent believes for something like four months - - - and deponent has also knowledge of said Defrees's being frequently in service on the lines under said Capt. Chs. Smith - the services of said Defrees of which Deponent has positive knowledge, amounted to one year or more -

Page 9

This company of Capt. Smith Deponent thinks belonged to the Regiment of Col. John Mead. - after wards Gen. Mead - Deponent says he considers said Defrees to be about eighty years old & that his character for veracity is & always has been good -
Samuel Dean
Sworn to & subscribed the days & year aforesaid, viz the said Peter Smiths Deposition on the 27th day of July AD 1832 and the said Samuel Dean's on the 28th day of said July - in open Court.
Chs. Hawley Judge -
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court further certifies that there is no [illegible] clergyman [underlined] resident within some miles of the applicants place of abode ~ and that Peter Smith & Samuel Dean who have signed & sworn to the preceding affidavits respectively are residents in the Town of Stamford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut, are well known to the judge of said Court & are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit.
Chs. Hawley Judge -
I Samuel Lockwood Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stamford in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Reuben Deforest alias Defrees for a pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 28th Day of July AD1832.
Saml Lockwood Clk.

Page 10

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield ss. Probate District of Stamford -
On this 1st day of August AD 1832 before the Court of Probate in & for said District personally appeared Ebenezer Dean of Stamford in said District who being first duly sworn doth on his oath depose & say that in the year of the Revolutionary War in which Cornwallis was taken he was a soldier [illegible] five months in Capt. Hunt's Company in Col. Wiesenfeldts Regiment of New York State troops - the service was [illegible] at Saratoga in N York - Reuben Deforest alias Defrees of New Canaan in Connecticut was an enlisted soldier in said Company & Regiment & served during the whole of said five months with this deponent.
Ebenezer Dean
Sworn to & subscribed
the day & year aforesaid
Chs. Hawley Judge -
The foregoing testimony taken since the former proceedings [illegible] the application of Reuben Deforest or Defrees is forwarded in coordination in connexion with the other proofs.
Stamford Probate office Augt. 1. 1832
Ch. Hawley Judge -

Page 11

[text shows through from other side of page throughout]
State of Connecticut
ss County court April Term 1826
County of Fairfield
On this 21st day of April AD 1826 personally appeared in open Court, the same being a Court of Record Reuben De Forest alias De Frees (so customarily called) of New Canaan in said County aged seventy three years 14th Dec~ last, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on such his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th of March 1818 & the 1st of May 1820, that he the said Reuben enlisted for and during the term of nine months, sometime in the spring (the forepart of April as he thinks) in the year 1776 at Pound Ridge in the County of West Chester and State of New york in the Company commanded by Capt. Platts (Christian name forgotten) in the Regiment commanded by Col Holmes (James Holmes as he thinks who afterwards deserted to the enemy in the line of the State of Newyork on the continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the expiration of the Term of enlistment ( the date of which expiration he cannot precisely recollect but it was in very cold weather) when he was discharged honorably

Page 12

but his said discharge is lost or mislaid and he doth not now know where it is; he was discharged not far distant from Fishkill on the Hudson River - that his service during said Term was at and about Saratoga and in the vicinity of Lake George; & that he has no other evidence in his possession or power to his said service than the Depositions of John Fancher and Joseph Munroe hereto annexed that soon after his said discharge (the time not now precisely recollected) he again enlisted for the term of four months in a company of which Nathaniel Webb was Capt., tho in consequence of sickness he did not take the actual command Sylvanus Knapp was Lieut & had the active command - during which second enlistment he served at or near the City of Newyork - that about the month of May of the year before the peace he again enlisted for the term of five months in a Company commanded by Capt. Hunt (Christian name not recollected) in the Regiment commanded by Col. Wiesenfeldt (Christian name not recollected) in the line of the State of Newyork (as he believes) ^ on the continental service (as he believes) that he served during the said term of five months at Saratoga, Fort Edward & Lake George & in their vicinity, that after sd term was expired (the particular time not recollected) he was honorably discharged near Tarry Town

Page 13

on the said Hudson River, but his said discharge is now mislaid or lost & he knows not where it is that he has no other evidence of his said services last mentioned than the said Depositions above mentioned - that he is in indigent circumstances and has need of aid from his Country for support: and the Declarant doth on his oath declare that he has been by occupation a labourer by days work - that he is now and for the greater part of sixteen year last past has been from lameness in his foot (occasioned by the falling of a cannon ball thereon while in said service at Newyork) and from general debility unable to labour - that he has a wife named Hannah aged seventy three - has had sixteen children of whom ten are now living (viz, Huldah Mills, Sally Crofut, Nancy Scofield, Susan Blanchard, Polly Hoyt, Patty Hoyt, Abigail De Forest, Hezekiah De Forest, Selleck De Forest & Elizabeth De Forest the last of whom lives with the Deponent & is from 38 to 40 years of age - there are two older than she & the rest are younger but their several ages this Declarant is unable to state with certainty - Abigail the youngest is aged about twenty five 0 that neither his sd Children

Page 14

nor his other relations are of ability to support him or aid in his support; & in pursuance of the act of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a Resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 & that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an Act of Congress entitled "an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed the 18th of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed & by me subscribed & that I am now indebted to about the amount of twenty Dollars ~ his
Reuben X De Forest
mark

New Canaan April 17. 1826
The following is an Inventory of all the Estate of Reuben De Forest of the town of New Canaan County of Fairfield and State Connecticut except necessary bedding & clothing, to wit.
2 acres of Land - $50.00

Page 15

1 Dwelling House - 25.00
2 Tables - 1..25
1 Chest - 0..50
1 Cupboard - 2..00
4 Chairs - 0..50
1 Large Wheel - 0..62
1 Small Wheel - 0..50
1 Reel - 0..25
1 Wash Tub - 0..25
2 Dinner Pots - 1.00
1 Frying Pan - 0..50
2 Trammels - 0..75
1 Pair Tongs - 0..40
1 Pair Andirons - 0..70
9 Plates - 0..37
3 Bowls - 0..15
7 Cups & Saucers - 0..12
2 Tin Cups - 0..13
3 Tin Basins - 0..30
1 1/2 Gallon Jug - 0..08
1 Stone pot - 0..25
1 Earthen Pot - 0..06
3 Earthen Platters - 0.18
1 Tin Pail - 0..12
1 Wooden Pail - 0..12
1 Tea Kettle - 0..37
1 Axe - 0..25
$86..73
Subscribed & sworn to in open Court
his
Reuben X De Forest
mark

Page 16

Sworn to and declared in the Court aforesaid Whereupon said Court is on satisfactory proof, exhibited in Court, of opinion that the total amount in value of the property contained in the aforesaid schedule is eighty six Dollars and seventy three Cents and doth order these proceedings to be entered in the Records of said Court
Attest Thos B Osborne Clerk

State of Connecticut ss Fairfield County
I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court for said Fairfield County do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true Copy of the original Declaration and Inventory of the said Reuben De Forest and of the Judgement of said County Court in said Case - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 5th day of May AD 1826

Thomas B Osborne [to the right, a seal and ribbon]

Page 17

I Joseph Munroe of South Salem in the State of New York certify that I have long known Reuben DeForest of New Canaan in Connecticut - that he & myself were both together in the Continental service of this Country in the year 1778 in a Company commanded by Capt. Thos. Hunt - Saml. [illegible] - a Mr G Densleive was also Lieutenant [illegible] Wiesenfeldt commanded the Regiment. Our [illegible] was mostly as the Northward at Saratoga & Fort Edward under the Command of Gen. Schuyler - Said De Forest is now very lame & infirm & mostly unable to labour - has a large family & is very poor & in such circumstances as to need relief. -
Joseph Munroe

Fairfield County (Connecticut) Ss. Stamford Feb. 7th 1826
Personally appeared Joseph Munroe maker of the foregoing deposition subscribed the same in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me -
Chs. Hawley Justice of Peace
Fairfield County ss. Stamford Feb. 7th 1826
I Chs. Hawley the magistrate before whom the foregoing deposition was taken certify that the said Joseph Munroe, whose said deposition is, is a credible person entitled to belief -
Chs. Hawley Justice of Peace

Page 18

Reuben De Forests
Application -
Depositions - -

Page 19

I Jno. Fancher of Pound Ridge - the State of New York Certify & say that I have long known Reuben DeForest now of New Canaan in the State of Connecticut - that in the year 1776 this deponent & said Reuben were both in the Continental service of this Country in a Company commanded by Capt. Platt & a regiment commanded by Col. Holmes - David Dan [illegible] of said Pound Ridge was a lieutenant in said Company - this deponent served in said Company together with said De Forest at Ticonderoga during the Campaign of 1776.- for the space of nine months which was the time to which we enlisted. - the name of Col. Holmes was I think James.- he afterwards deserted to the enemy. - the name of Capt. Platt was Benone or Jonathan which I cannot say. - I further Certify that said De Forest is now very infirm being so far lame in one foot as to be in a great measure unable to labour - that he has a large family - is in circumstances very much reduced - so much so that I believe he has been occasionally relieved by the public, & that he is now in need of relief. - I further Certify that in the year 1778 said De Forest & [illegible] both together in the Continental service for five months in a Company Commanded by Thos. Hunt - Col. [illegible] commanded the Regiment - the service was [illegible] Northward at Saratoga & Fort Edward - Gen. Schuyler was [illegible] Commanding General. -
John Fancher

Fairfield County (Connecticut) Ss Stamford Feb. 7th 1826
Personally appeared John Fancher maker of the foregoing deposition, subscribed the same in my presence & made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me --
Chs Hawley Justice of Peace

Page 20

Fairfield County Ss Stamford Feb. 7th 1826 - I Chs. Hawley, the magistrate before whom the foregoing deposition was taken certify the the said John Fancher whose said deposition is, is a credible person & entitled to belief -
Chs Hawley Justice of Peace

State of Connecticut Ss
Fairfield County
I Thomas B Osborne Clerk of the County Court for said Fairfield County do hereby certify that Charles Hawley who hath signed the foregoing Certificates to the Depositions of John Fancher and Joseph Munroe is and was at the date of said Certificates a Justice of the Peace within and for said County & that full faith & credit is to be given to all his official acts and further that the said signatures are in the proper hand writing of the said Charles Hawley
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said County Court in Fairfield this 5th day of May AD 1826

Thomas B. Osborne

[written sideways down right margin] 19.990
Reuben De Forest, alias,
De Frees. [underlined]

State of Connecticut Ss.
Stratford in the County of Fairfield
May 10 1826.
I do certify that Thomas B. Osborne Esqe who has signed the foregoing certificates is Clerk of the County Court for sd. County of Fairfield, that his attestation is in due form, [illegible, crossed out] that said Court is a Court of record -  Robert Fairchild Chief Judge
of said Court-

Page 21

23176
Reuben Deforest or Defrees
Ct:

aomd.

Charles Hawley
Stamford
Fairfield Co
Ct:

Page 22

76 - Pound ridge - Platts - Holmes - 9 mo-
May 82  Hunts Weisenfeldts  5 mo

Page 23

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing the papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: } ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

A STATEMENT, showing the Service of Reuben Deforest alias Defrees, Fairfield Ct:
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field Officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
| Years. | Months. | Days. |
[illegible] | + | 5 | .. | pr. | Cap Hunt | Wiesenfeldt | | Ct. N. Y. | 79 Stamford | trad / witness
[illegible] | | 4| |
before this - | . | 9 | . . | " | ,, Platt. | ,, Holmes. |  | Stat. - | | | 
[illegible] St Johns [illegible] afterwards |  | 2 | . . | " | ,, Stevens |  | | | 
[illegible] '75 Continental | + | 4 | . .| " | ,, Knapp ,,Webb | - |  | N York | |
Summer '78 | | 2 | | pr | ,, Knapp | - | | "- | | 
[illegible] - '78 or 9 | [illegible] | 2 | . | - pr | ,, Smith - |  | | | |
- | | 2 | . | pr | ,, Scofield | - | | | |
Refer to Cap. Scofield pay roll in the W. office for proof of [illegible] service 
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 24

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of
County of  ss.
On this   day of   personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of   in the county of   and State, Territory or District of   aged (c)   years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1839. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)   with 
  and served in the   (e) regiment of the   line, under the following named officers:

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [pointing hand symbol] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.   A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I   of the Court of   do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this   day of   &c.

If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant. who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the   and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with   , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be    years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.   who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the   and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the   and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,   Clerk of the Court of   do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of   for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal   of office, this    day of   &c.
[following two paragraphs are bracketed by parentheses in the margins] 
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each
the person

[handwritten in the right margin] [illegible] his
the Con
are so [illegible]
credible

[handwritten in bottom margin] a more definite & connected statement of the declarants service
merits of the claim

Page 25

3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a Discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in the case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [underlined]
[the following section [e] is bracketed by parentheses] [e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served [underlined]; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades:- For - year - months, and - days, I served as a - -. For - - months and - days, I served as a - ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. [underlined] Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; [underlined] that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[pointing hand symbol] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[written over/under the following, an illegible signature]
[handwritten in lower margin] * If the claimant served as he states, he must prove some of his services particularly that in 1775 by the Rolls in the office of the Comptroller of Public account at Hartford. The [illegible] of service are so loose & incoherent and some of the details so unusual, if not incredible that further evidence must be adduced.
[written under last line] [illegible] to enable the Department to form an opinion of the

Page 26

April 2, 1935

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. R. T. Mitchell   REUBEN DE FOREST
Box 391   S. 17380
Glenbrook, Connecticut  BA-J/[illegible] am

Dear Madam

You are furnished herein the record of Reuben De Forest alias De Frees, as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 17380, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Reuben De Forest was born December 14, 1752, in Stamford, Connecticut; the names of his parents are not given.
[written in left margin beside following paragraph] [illegible]
Reuben De Forest resided during the entire period of the Revolutionary War in Stamford, Connecticut. He volunteered at Poundridge, Westchester County, New York, about the month of April, in the year in which St. Johns, Canada was taken, served in Captain Jonathan Platt's company, Colonel James Holmes' New York regiment, and was discharged at the expiration of service of nine months, he volunteered the next year and served four months in Captain Nathaniel Webb's company, Colonel David Waterbury's Connecticut regiment, and was in New York City at the time of the retreat from that city; he volunteered again at Poundridge, New York, served two months in Captain Stevens' company and was in an engagement at Frog's Point with a party of cowboys under Bob Simmons, during the years 1778 and 1779, he belonged to a company commanded by Captain Charles Smith of Stamford, Connecticut, and served at various times protecting the country in and around Stamford, Greenwich and Rye against invasions of the cowboys, and on one occasion for the protection of New York City against the enemy, amounting in all to about one year or less; he volunteered and served two months in Captain Reuben Scofield's company of Connecticut troops; he volunteered about May, 1781, and served five months in Captain Thomas Hunt's company, Colonel Wiesenfels' New York regiment. His entire service was rendered as a private.
The soldier continued to reside in Stamford, Connecticut, for [illegible] after the war then moved to New Canaan, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Page 27

Reuben De Forest alias De Frees was allowed pension on his application executed July 15, 1832, while a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, where he had been living thirty-four or thirty-five years, and was still living in 1835. He died June 3, 1836.
In 1826, the soldier referred to his wife, Hannah, then aged seventy-three years. The date and place of her birth, maiden name and names of her parents were not given. He stated that he had had sixteen children, ten of whom were then living; namely, Haldah Mills; Sally Crofut; Nancy Scofield (the relationship of her husband to Captain Reuben Scofield under whom the soldier served not stated); Susan Blanchard; Polly Hoyt; Patty Hoyt; Hezekiah De Forest; Selleck De Forest; Elizabeth De Forest who was then aged between thirty-eight and forty years and living with the soldier in New Canaan, Connecticut; and Abigail De Forest, the youngest, aged about twenty-five years. The soldier stated that two of the above-named children were older than Elizabeth and the rest younger than she, but he did not give their ages, nor state the given names of the husbands of his daughters.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

- 2 -

Page 28

April 2, 1936

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/[illegible]
Mrs. R. T. Mitchell
Box 271
Glenbrook, Connecticut

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Reuben De Forest (or DeFrees), S. 17380, of Connecticut, and John Conly (Conley, Conely), of New Canaan, Connecticut.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service in that war of a John Conly, of Connecticut, all spellings of name searched. The pension which was [illegible] by John Conly, of Connecticut, was not granted for Revolutionary War service, and since you are interested in Revolutionary War history, it is assumed that you are not interest in this John Conly.
The record has been found of Reuben De Forest alias De Frees which is furnished you herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator

Page 29

Box 271,
Glenbrook
Conn.
March 5, 1936.

Governor John Winthrop Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution
STAMFORD. CONNECTICUT

Rev. War Sec.
Pension Office
Wash.
DC

[circular stamp, center page] RECEIVED
MAR 7 1936
MAIL SUB-DIV
VETS, ADM,
READER 26

Sirs:-
I was advised by Nat'l Headquarters, D. A. R. that you would send abstracts of pensions, upon request, and therefore I am requesting abstracts of the two following Revolutionary soldiers, who are, I believe, my ancestors.
1 [check mark] Reuben de Forest (see also de Frees).
Conn. and N. Y.
S-17,380. (see also Pension Certificate 17,906)
was Private in Conn. Cont. army, placed on pension Oct. 10-1833. commencing Mar. 4. 1831. was 81 years old, living in Fairfield Co.
65 old [illegible] OW Sw. 19942
2 John Conly (Conley, New Canaan [illegible] "Conoly.)
New Canaan ^ Fairfield Conn. list of Pensioners in 1840.
[illegible] RW [illegible]
(John Conly, 10th Co. - fifer, sent to attack on Quebec. May 12 to Sept. 12.).
If there are two John Conleys may I have a copy of each pension.
Thanking you for your courtesy,
I am Very Truly,
Mrs. R. T. Mitchell
Box 271
Glenbrook, Conn.

Page 30

17 380
INVALID.

File No. 17,380
Reuben De Forest
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7'' 32
Index:-Vol. 1 , Page 93-
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[written down right edge of righthand page] 1936, Apr. [illegible] - sent to Mrs. R. T. Mitchell - [illegible]

Page 31

Reuben Defrees's Case

In this case it will be observed the applicant prays (in his additional declaration) for a pension for so much of his services as shall be found sufficiently proved, if all should but be thought so.-
He has probably furnished all the testimony he can possibly obtain.
It is said he can prove some of his services (particularly those in 1775) by the Rolls of the Comptroller at Hartford - the services in '75 (when St. Johns was taken) were those under Platt in Holmes's Regt. This corps was a New York Corps - It is not to be believed that any evidence of his service in the troops of that State, is to be found in the office of the Comptroller of Connecticut. The same remark may be made in relation to his services in Weisenfeldts Regt. & afterwards in Stevens's company-
His statement is said to be loose & [illegible] & the details unusual if not incredible - In what respects they are unusual or incredible is not pointed out & I am unable to discern - they are details of events very common in the life of a soldier & such as I supposed, gave his statement the [illegible] of truth - If by looseness & incoherency is meant a want of regular consecutiveness the papers are certainly objectionable - His story was written by me just as he told it - & he told it as the parts presented themselves to the enfeebled recollection of a broken down old man of eighty. There can [illegible] be little Difficulty in arranging his services in due order in point of dates -
In .75 nine months ending probably in December -
in .75-6 (the winter as Peter Smith testifies) four months -
in '76 - (the summer) two months -
in '78 two months - (Saml. Dean proves this)
in '81 (Saml. Dean gives the year) 5 months ~
[illegible] (he cannot fix the time) 2 monts
& in Scofields Co. 2 months. (Scofields Rolls in the Department, are referred to for this -
In all 26 months -
As to his proofs - Saml. Dean & Eb. Dean explicitly prove his services under Wiesenfeldt -
Peter Smith proves his services in N. York in winter of '75-6.

Page 32

Saml. Dean proves his services under Chs. Smith in '78. - 
& proves indeed more time than Defrees claims -
his other Services are not indeed shown by this testimony of witnesses - But all give him (what I well know he possesses) a good character for truth [underlined]. And I cannot forbear remarking again that the incidents related by him in connexion with his different statements, must I think [illegible] impress the mind with the conviction of his truth. That the dates [underlined] of his enlistments & services ^ are not precisely recollected is not to be [illegible] considering his great age & any great infirmities -
I cannot but think that the applicant has fully entitled [illegible] to an allowance or a full pension, according to the liberal & just view of the law exhibited on the 2nd page of your printed [illegible] of June 15. 1832 - [underlined] It is thus observed that "to demand positive proof independently of their own statements would be to deprive many of them of the benefit of the act" - "That if the applicant has no living or documentary evidence he should transmit a detailed statement [illegible][underlined] " He has sworn he has given you the best evidence & all the evidence [underlined] in his power - & he has certainly given a much more detailed statement, [underlined] than most applicants have done - He swears that there is no living witness within his knowledge by whom he can prove more -
The rolls of one comptroller would I presume show nothing in relation to his services; as he was but a private [underlined] & I believe the names of privates are not to be found there -
He has given a reason for not obtaining the certificate of a clergyman - I suppose the positive evidence [underlined] of three reputable men, that they knew him in actual service is equivalent to any hearsay [underlined] that could reach the ears of a clergyman. -
Defrees is miserably poor [underlined] - by reason of his age & infirmities certainly helpless [underlined] - There is no man in the United States who needs a pension more than he - I cannot but hope that a review of his papers will eventuate in his obtaining one - at all events an allowance of less than a full pension (if he has not entitled himself to a full one) will be preferable to his present utter destitution -
C. Hawley

Page 33

1.197  19.990
Reuben De Forrest
alias De Frees,
[crescent shaped stamp] FREE
Red May 15. 1826
Charles Hawley
New Haven
Con

Rejected - See letter
16 May 1826.

[traces of circular stamp]

[reading sideways up center page, under preceding text] Hon. James Barbour
Secretary of War
Washington

Page 34

Hon. James Barbour
Sir
Enclosed are the application of Reuben De Forest for a pension & depositions accompanying. Should the application be granted please send the certificate to me at Stamford Connecticut - that being De Forests request -
With much respect
Your obedient servant-
Ch Hawley

Page 35

Connecticut, 17.906
Reuben De Forest, alias Defrees of Fairfield in the State of Connt. who was a private in the comp commanded by Captain Hunt of the Regt. commanded by Col. Weasenfield in the State troops lines for full term N Y
& Conn.

Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of Oct. 1933 - and sent to Sec. of War

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '33 $ 200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 3 M. '34  40
$240
Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by F. T. Franciosi Clk
Book E. Vol. 3. Page [illegible]

Page 36

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield Ss. Probate District of Stamford -
On this 5th day of March AD 1833 before the Court of Probate in & for said District personally appeared Reuben Deforest alias Defrees of New Canaan in said County who being duly sworn doth on his oath testify & say in addition to his declaration for a pension heretofore made before said Court on the 28th day of July 1832 that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service (otherwise than as he has already done in his said former declaration) but he says that he knows with entire certainty that the statement of services by him made in his sd former declaration is in all respects true - that it is impossible for him now to state with certainty from his recollection the years in which his services were rendered more explicitly than he has done - that he knows with certainty that his enlistment under Hunt in Wiesenfeldt's Regt. 
5  was for five months & he served the whole of said time in said enlistment in constant field service - he knows too that his enlistment under Platt in Holmes's Regt. was for 
9  nine months & that he served in constant field service all that time - he knows also that his enlistment under Stevens
2   of Upper Salem was for two months & that he served out the whole of that time in constant field service - he knows too with certainty that his enlistment in 1775 in the company commanded by Sylvanus Knapp & Nathl. Webb as stated in 
4   his first declaration was for four months at least & that he served out the whole of that time in steady field & camp 
2  service - also that he served steadily for two months in the next summer in the militia under said Sylvanus Knapp as stated in his first declaration ~ In the years 1778 & 1779 as stated the declarant was often out on [illegible] in the militia under Charles Smith as stated in his first declaration but he cannot state how often nor how long - but he knows with certainty that he did two months steady field service in the militia of Connecticut under said Charles Smith as stated in his first declaration
Declarant also testifies that in addition to the services by him stated in his first declaration he served in a militia draft in the Connecticut militia under Capt. Reuben Scofield of Stamford for two months according to his recollection in said Stamford & in this time did constant

Page 37

field service. He is informed that Capt. Scofields pay rolls have all been forwarded to Washington with sd. Scofields own application for a pension & he refers to them as evidence of this last mentioned service - Capt Scofield is too old to be able to testify without the aid of his payrolls ~ declarant always resided in said Stamford before the war of the Revolution - Declarant can obtain no testimony to prove his services other than that which accompanied his first declaration - It is possible there may be other witnesses of his services living; but declarant is very old - is so crippled that he can hardly get about & is miserably poor & unable to do more to obtain his pension than he has done & he could have done nothing had it not been for the kindness of his friends. and he honorably [illegible] that he may not be turned off with nothing because old age & infirmities have so impaired his memory that he cannot be more specific as to the precise times when his services were rendered - He always enlisted & always served as a private - He does not ask any allowance except for those periods of service of the length of which he has made positive statements in this or his first declarations -
To the best of his recollection (& he knows) that he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades - for five months I served as a private (in Hunt's company) - for nine months I served as a private (in Platt's company) - for two months I served as a private (in Stevens's company) - for four months I served as a private (in Knapps & Weebs company) - for two months I served as a private (in Sylvanus Knapps company) - for two months I served as a private (in Charles Smiths company) & for two months I served as a private (in Reuben Scofields company & for such service I claim a pension -
And I further declare that for all the periods above stated I was constantly absent from home & on constant duty in the camp or in the field & that on every of the occasions mentioned the troops in which I served were regularly embodied corps, of [illegible], regularly [illegible], established by lawful authority & [illegible] into the service by lawful

Page 38

authority - that is, by the legally certificated authorities of the state of Connecticut, and of the State of New York or of the United States - but I am unable to give any other evidence of such authority - I as well as every body else of those times figures that these things were done by the order of those then having the government in their hands but [illegible] any other old soldier of the Revolution could give record evidence of these matters, or other evidence than that which I give except at an expence which would not be repaid by the pension which is my due - & I must have the benefit of the Country which I am justly entitled to under the laws of my Country, unless the evidence I forward herewith is sufficient for my purpose. And it is my desire that if all my services above stated should not be allowed sufficiently proved, I may have a pension allowed for such time as is sufficiently proved.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year above mentioned
his
Reuben + Deforest
mark
Chs. Hawley Judge -

Stamford Probate Office March 5 1833
I certify that Peter Smith, Samuel Dean & Ebenezer Dean whose depositions accompany this application are all well known to me personally & are all credible persons & that the applicant Reuben Deforest alias Defrees is well known to me & is a credible person
Chs. Hawley Judge

Page 39

I Samuel Lockwood clerk of the Court of Probate in the [illegible] Stamford in the State of Connecticut [illegible] that the foregoing contains the original proceedings [illegible] court in the matter of the application of Reuben Deforest alias Defrees for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office [illegible] day of March AD 1833 -

Saml Lockwood Clk

[written sideways up page] Reuben Deforest or
Defrees
23176

aomd
24 mo. pri
80$