Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,833, Prince Crosley, Conn.

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[This is a pre-printed form in tabular form with three columns at the top and two under.]

(8-1776)
SERVICE   [blank] NUMBER
Conn.   Crosley, Prince  W, 24.833.
[blank] Caroline [blank]
_______________
CONTENTS

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[This image is of a two page document. Left side]
Let toJ. Palmer
March 22/51
Reported
Let J. C. Palmer, Jun 24/51

[Right side]
268
Connecticut
Caroline Crosley
widow of Price Crosley
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private
______________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
80 Dollars [blank]
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1848.
_____________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
17 day of June 1848
and sent to 
John C. Palmer
East Haddam
Cont.
__________________
Recorded on Roll pf Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 274 Vol. 1

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State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme Aug. 31, A.D. 1838
There personally appeared before
the Court of Probate for the District of Lyme now
sitting in said Lyme Caroline Crossley aged 68
years and a resident of said Lyme who being
first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by
act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled
"An act granting pensions to certain widows."
That she is the widow of Prince or
Prentiss Crosley formerly of said Lyme deceased
who served as a private in the War of the
Revolution and who was as she is informed and
believed in Capt. Christopher Eil's company in
Col. Straus Regiment of the Continental 
line - that he served in this company for a period
of three years - that before the war he
was a slave belonging to Governor Matthew
Griswold who sold him to a man in New 
Milford in said State - that while he was at
New Milford he enlisted into the aforesaid
Company and served the three years to gain
his freedom - that afterward as she
understood from him he enlisted again and
served during the war - that the time of his
first enlistment as she supposed was in
the spring of 1777 reference being had to
the rolls of said Regiment in the office of
the War Department for further proofs.
She further says that she was married
to the said Crosley in the fall of the year
[1788 crossed out] seventeen hundred and Eighty Eight - that
she was the time eighteen years of age and
that she is now sixty eight - that she had 
a child by the said husband now in his fiftieth year of age -

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that she knows of no further proof of her
marriage than that which is annexed - that the
ceremony was performed by Israel Spencer
Esq. then a Justice of the Peace for the County
of Middlesex in whose family she lived - that
his children are either dead or have moved into
distant parts of the county and that the evidence
annexed is the best that she is able
to find of that fact. She also says that
her husband the aforesaid Prince Crosley
died on the 10th day of March 1818 - that she
was not married to the said Crosley previous
to his last term of service in the Revolutionary
War but that the marriage took place prior
to the 1st of January 1794 and that she
has not been married since the death of
her husband aforesaid.
Sworn & subscribed
the day & year [signed with the note "her mark" and an "X"] Caroline Crosley
aforesaid

Before me
[signed] Chs. Griswold
Judge of Probate
for Lyme Distract
[Image of a seal in lower left corner]

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I hereby certify that Richard E. Selden
Junior before the annexed depositions of John Crosley 
William Spencer and Richard E. Selden were taken
and Charles Griswold before whom the deposition of
Matthew Griswold was taken: are justices  of the peace
for the County of New London and State of Connecticut -
that Henry M. Waite before whom the
deposition of Margaret Lewia was taken is a judge of
the Superior Court and that John C. Palmer before
whom the deposition of Nathan L. Foster was taken and
Ozias Holmes before whom the depositions of Samuel
Lord, Gamaliel R Tracy, and Gurden Ely were taken
are justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex
and State of Connecticut.
[signed] Samuel Ingham [illegible word under signature]
Superior Court
Oct. 15th 1838.

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I John Crosley of Lyme, in the State of Connecticut, aged 47 years, on oath depose and say, that I am a son of Prince or Prentiss Crosley formerly of said Lyme deceased. My father was, before the Revolutionary War, a slave belonging to Governor Matthew Griswold & whom as I have heard from time, he had sold to a man in New Milford a short time before the War commenced. While at New Milford he enlisted with the Army, as he informed me, and served three year to gain his freedom, and after that time of service had expired, he again enlisted, and served during the War. He was personally called at that time Prince Griswold, but his name after he gained his freedom was
Prince or Prentiss Crosley. I cannot say what he would write his name as the time of his enlistment. My father died on the 15th day of March 1818. I was not with him during his last sickness until the day before the night of his death and recorded the time in my bible. My mother Caroline Crosley has never been
married since his death. I have never seen any record of his marriage neither do I believe that there is any. I always understood however from my father & also from my mother that they were married by Israel Spencer of East Haddam and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Middlesex. My mother for many years lived in Esq. Spencer's family and as I think at the time she was not married. There is no record of the fact in the family
bible or among and papers that I am aware of.
[signed] John Crosley

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme Sept 24, A.D. 1838
Personally appeared John Crosley signer of the
foregoing deposition, proven to me to be a credible witness, and before made oath the truth of the same.
[signed] Richard. E. Selden, Jr.
Justice of peace

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I William Spencer of Lyme in the State of Connecticut aged 54 years and on oath depose and say that I am a Grandson of Israel Spencer formerly of East Haddam deceased. My Grandfather was for many years a Justice of
the Peace for the County of Middlesex as I have understood. At the time of his death his papers came in the hands of my father. Some years after word my father moved with the state of Mississippi and when he went away the most valuable of the old papers in his possession were handed over to me and the rest were destroyed. I have never been able
to find many more that were left any record of marriages performed by my grandfather, and if there ever was any it was probably destroyed. I do not believe that there is anything
of the kind now in existence. My father has died since his removal. I was acquainted with Prince Crosley before his death and also with his wife Caroline Crosley. Before his death they lived together as husband and wife and I
have no doubt but that they were married by my grandfather as is represented by her. She has never been again married.
[signed] William Spenser

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I John Lay of Lyme in the State of Connecticut
on oath depose and say that I am now a
Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States and in the seventy fifth year of my age. In January 1781 I enlisted into Capt Enoch Read's Company in Col Jebular Butler's Regiment for the term of three years. In April 1782, as I think, Prince a coloured [sic] man joined the same Regiment under an enlistment as he informed me at the time, for one year and according to my recollection served the year out. I have no doubt of that fact. He served in
a company of coloured [sic] men commanded by Capt Humphreys. About the time Prince joined the army I was taken out of Capt Read's company and put into Capt Asa Lay's company of light infantry in Col [illegible] Regiment.
Prince was formerly a slave of Governor
Griswold, and was born about a mile from my
fathers. When I was a boy he was sold to a man in the western part of the state. His brother Jim was purchased by my uncle Joseph Sill for another person in that region. I recollect the time when they were sold. After the war Prince returned to Lyme and lived there until he died which was about the time the first Pension law was passed. He often related to me the events that occurred while he was in the service. He informed that before the years service he enlisted in the first place for three years in Col. Starr's Regiment. I had there under on the same time in the same Regiment, one of whom was Col David F. Sill then a Lieutenant Colonel. From repeated  conversations with him and others who were in the service I am satisfied that he served the three years in the Revolutionary army [illegible] the year he served with me.

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The circumstances of his carrying a fiddle when
his knapsack was frequently spoken of by there
who were with him.
Col Mug's Regiment was afterwards commanded
by Col Butler.
[signed] John Lay

State of Connecticut
New London County } Lyme
Personally appeared John Lay and made
oath in due form of law to the truth of the foregoing
deposition by him subscribed. I further certify
that the deponent is personally known to me and
is a credible person.
[signed] Henry M. Waite a Judge of the Lyme Court

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I Margaret Lewia of Lyme in the State of
Connecticut aged 72 years on oath depose and
say that I am a sister of Prince Crosley formerly
of Lyme deceased. Before the Revolutionary War we were slaves belonging to Governor Matthew Griswold. My brother was sold to a man by the name of Platts who lived at New Milford and afterward joined the army by which as I supposed he obtained his freedom.
He came frequently to Lyme after he was
sold and as I always understood from him served most of his time during the War.
After Peace took place he came to Lyme to
live and settled himself in the northern part of
the Town near East Haddam where he resided until his death. Not many years after he came back to Lyme he was married to Caroline Miller of said Lyme with whom he lived as husband and wife until he died. I was not present at the wedding neither do I know at what time it took place, but they have children who are now nearly fifty years of age and it certainly was previous to the year 1794. I never heard the fact of their marriage disputed.
My brother died about twenty years since. I
was not present at the time of his death, but left his home only the night before with my husband.

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His widow the aforesaid Caroline Crosley has
never been married again.
[Signed with the note "her mark" and an "X"] Margaret Lewia

State of Connecticut
New London County}  ss. Lyme Sept. 20 A.D. 1838
Personally appeared Margaret Lewia
signer of the foregoing deposition and before me made
oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify
that the said deponent is personally known to me
& that she is a credible witness.
[signed] Henry M. Waite a Judge of the Lyme Court

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I Samuel Lord of East Haddam in the
State of Connecticut aged 83 years on oath depose
and say that on the 21st day of [September crossed out] April 1777
I enlisted into Capt. Eliphalet Holmes Company
Colonel Isiah Stau's Regiment. General Huntington
had command of the Regiment when I first
enlisted but was afterward appointed General
and Col. Stau took his place. Samuel Prentice
was Lieut. Colonel at first but afterward Col.
David F. Sill was promoted and took his place.
I enlisted for three years and served my time out.
Capt. Christopher Ely had a company in the
same Regiment and he joined us at New Haven.
In Capt. Ely's company there was a negro by the
name of Prince or Prentiss Crosley. He was
in the army by the name of "Gov. Griswold's negro."
He was there when the company joined us at
New Haven and when I came away three years
after. I am enabled to recollect the fact
more distinctly as he always carried a fiddle [underlined]
with him and was well known throughout the
Regiment.
After he left the army he came to Lyme
to live and was married as I always understood
and believe to Caroline Miller his present widow.
I cannot say what year he was married but
it was not long after Peace was declared
and before the year 1794. The matter was one
of common notoriety and no one that ever
knew doubted the fact. The had a large
family of children the oldest of whom must
now be near or quite fifty years of age. His
widow has never been married since his
death which took place fifteen or twenty years
ago.
[signed] Samuel Lord

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State of Connecticut
[New London crossed out] Middlesex County } ss East [illegible due to crossed out words in the original] August 31st A.D. 1838
Personally appeared Samuel
Lord signer of the foregoing deposition and before
me made oath to the truth of the same, and
I further certify that the said Samuel Lord is 
personally known to me and that he is a very
respected man and credible witness.
[signed] Ozias Holmes Justice of the peace.

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Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 24838
Catherine Crosley
Wid of
Prince Crosley
Priv Rev War
Act  Feb 2nd 1828
Index: Vol a, Page 156
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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[This is a prep-printed form with blank fields for written entries. Line at the top is crossed out.]
REJECTED [Stamped at the top]
2505.
P.O. [blank]
Caroline Crosley
Service: widow of Prince Crosley
Original application returned
Enlisted: April 9, 1839 & the, 18
Discharged: widow afterwords
admitted See Admitted
Application filed: File No 24833; 18
April 6. 1882 [illegible]

Alleges: [blank]
[written across the form is] See if name entered on reg book
as Crosley
Re-enlisted: [blank]

Attorney: [blank]
P.O. [blank]

[blank] Recognized. [blank] Contract
[blank] Cert. of Dis. Searched for [blank], 18

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[This is on the back of the document in the next image.]

Deposition relating to
the marriage

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I Elijah Comstock of Lyme in the State of Connecticut being sixty four years of depose and say that I was well acquainted with Prince or Prentise Crosley from my earliest recollections, he lived and his children were born and brought up [the word "close" is crossed out] in the neighborhood where I have always lived. He and his wife always lived together as husband and wife, and I never heard any intimations to the contrary, he was lame in one of his [word crossed out] knees, which I have heard him say was from a wound he received in the battles of the revolution.
Prince died some years ago; his widow still lives in these parts and further the deponent saith not. [signed] Elijah Comstock

Lyme New London County in Connecticut, 7th May 1839, Personally appeared Elijah Comstock signer of the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me and I further certify that he is a credible witness.
[signed] Richard E. Selden Jr. Justice of Peace

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I Oliver Comstock of Lyme in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, being sixty six years of age, on oath depose and say, that I was acquainted with, Prince Crosley from childhood; He built a house on the highway
next to the land of Capt. Metson, whereat my uncle Abner Comstock objected, and Capt. Metson satisfied my uncle Abner with this statement which I have always remembered,
viz. "that Prince had been one of the revolutioners, an old warrior, and deserved to live among folks." Prince and his wife brought up their family in this house. I knew them well; he and his wife lived together as man and
wife, and I never heard the lawfulness of their connections questioned; he was lame in the knee which I always understood was from a wound received in the revolutionary service.
His widow is still living in this vicinity.
[signed] Oliver Comstock

New London county
State of Connecticut } ss. Lyme 7th May 1839,
Personally appeared Oliver Comstock signer of the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same before me and I further certify that he is a credible witness.
[signed] Richard E. Selden Jr. Justice of peace

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I Olive Richards, wife of Henry Richards of Lyme New London County, Connecticut, on oath depose and say, that I am daughter of Prince or Prentice Crosley late of Lyme aforesaid, deceased, and that I am the
oldest child of said Prince and his wife Caroline, and shall be fifty years old the 22nd day of next August. I further depose and say that there were eight other children by the same marriage, five of whom are still
living. My father and mother always lived together as man and wife, as far back as I am able to recollect, and I never heard any intimation to the contrary. There is no
record of the marriage, or of the births of the children, that I ever knew of. My father's service in the revolutionary war was a frequent subject of conversations in the family.
My father was lame in the knee which he always said was from a wound received in battle; he died about twenty years  ago. I was at home at the time of his death and assisted in the various offices necessary on that occasion.
My mother is still a widow. I have heard my father say he was once a slave of Gov. Griswold, and was sold by the Gov. to a man by the name of Platts in New Milford in this
state from whom he ran away and enlisted in the army.
[signed with the note "her mark" and an "X"]

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme May 21, 1839
Personally appeared Olive Richards signer of the foregoing deposition and made oath to the truth of the same, before me, and I further certify that said deponent is a credible witness.
[signed] Richard E. Seldon Jr. Justice of peace

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2683
Caroline Crosleys
papers

Wid. of Prince
Con.
Act 7 July 1838

Married 1788
died 1818
Allow $80 perann
Cont. line. See
rolls.

Hy M. Waite
Superior Court

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I Gamaliel R Tracy of Colchester County of New London State of Connecticut aged Seventy nine years depose and say that I enlisted under Capt Eliphalet Holmes the 22nd day of
April 1777 for the term of three years which time I served and was then discharged. We marched with two weeks after I enlisted
to New Haven where Capt. Christopher Ely from Lyme New London County met us. Prince or Printiss Crosly belonged to Capt Ely's company & served in said company until I left
the Army at the expiration of three years. Prince was a slave to Governor Griswold of Lyme Connecticut & by him sold to some
person in Fairfield County Connecticut & by him made free if he would enlist in the service of the Revolutionary War until its close. I very well recollect Prince from this circumstance that he most always carried a Fiddle in the top of his knapsack which he used when at
liberty and further the deponent saith not.
[signed] Gamaliel R. Tracy

On this 3rd day of September 1833 Personally appeared the above named Gamaliel R. Tracy and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed here. I also certify that the said Gamaliel R. Tracy is a
credible person & aught to be believed.

Before me [signed] Ozias Holmes Justice of the Peace

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I Gurdon Ely of East Haddam in the State
of Connecticut and aged 78 years on oath depose and say that I [two words crossed out] was acquainted with Prince or Prentiss
Crosley who for many years lived in Lyme in the County of New London. He [illegible] frequently to speak of his service in the War of the Revolution and said that he served three years at one time to get his freedom and that he afterward enlisted for during the War. Before the War he was a slave and and [the word "at"crossed out] a part of the time belonged to Governor Griswold.
After [word crossed out] the War he lived in Lyme and was married as I always understood and believe to Caroline Miller of said Lyme. I was not present at the marriage neither do I know at what time it took place, but they have [word crossed out] children one of whom must be fifty years old. They always lived together as man & wife and I never heard the fact disputed. Prince died fifteen or twenty years since and his widow has never been married again.
[signed] Gurden Ely

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County }  ss. East Haddam August 31st A.D. 1838
Personally appeared Gurden Ely signer of the foregoing disposition and before made oath
to the truth of the same. And I further certify that the said Ely is personally known to me and that he is a credible witness.
[signed] Ozias Holmes Justice of the Peace

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I, Nathan L. Foster, of East Haddam, in the County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut, of lawful age, depose and say, that I am the Town Clerk, or Register, of the said Town
of East Haddam; and have the custody of the Records of the Marriages, Births and Deaths of said Town: and I further depose and say, that I have carefully examined the Records 
of Marriages in said Town, and that I cannot find the Marriage of Prince, a man of colour [sic], any where recorded in said Records. And further this Deponent saith not.
Dated at East Haddam, September 1st, A.D. 1838
[signed] Nathan L. Foster, Town Clerk

State of Connecticut,
Middlesex County, ss. East Haddam, September 1st, 1838.
Personally appeared the above named Deponent, Nathan L. Foster, to me personally known to be the Town Clerk of said Town, and made solemn Affirmation that the above Deposition by him subscribed, and that matters and things therein contained, are true.
Before me,
[signed] John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

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I Matthew Griswold of Lyme in the State
of Connecticut aged 78 years on oath depose and say that I am a son of Matthew Griswold formerly Governor of the State of Connecticut. My father before the Revolutionary War had a family of slaves [the words "by the" crossed out] one of whom by the name of Prince [the words "or Prentiss" crossed out] was sold as I understood at the time to a man in New
Milford. Since the war I have been acquainted with him and he had called his name Crosley as I have heard. He has told me that he served in the Army and I have understood that he was there the most of [a second "of" crossed out] the War. What his name was before he had his freedom I cannot now state positively but I think it was Crotto or Crotee. He was commonly called Prince Griswold. He was the same person who afterwards called himself Crosley.
He was frequently to be at my house after
he came back to Lyme to live and said that he
was married; but I cannot state at what time it
took place. I have known some of his children and I should think that one of them with whom I am acquainted was [the words "more than" crossed out] about fifty years old.
[signed] Matthew Griswold

State of Connecticut
New London County} ss. Lyme Aug 31, 1838
Personally appeared Hon. Matthew
Griswold signer of the foregoing deposition and before me made oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that the said Matthew Griswold is personally known to me and that he is a credible witness.
[signed] Chs Griswold Justice of the Peace

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I Richard E. Selden  of Lyme in the 
County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 79 years on oath depose and say that for many years before his death I was acquainted with Prince or Prentiss Crosley. When I knew him he lived with his present widow Caroline Crosley as husband
and wife and had a large family of children.
They were believed in the neighborhood to have been regularly married and I never heard the fact disputed. Where the marriage took place I cannot now say but they have lived together ever since [two words crossed out].
[a word crossed out] I find I knew him and I should think as much as forty or fifty years. They have one child who must now be fifty
years of age or thereabouts. He [a word crossed out] died at said Lyme as much as
fifteen or twenty years since. I was one of the
Selectmen of the Town at the time and was
called upon to assist the family [three words crossed out]. His widow has never been married again.
[signed] Richard E. Selden

State of Connecticut
New London County } ss. Lyme Aug 30th A.D. 1838
Personally appeared Richard
E. Selden signer of the foregoing deposition and before me made oath to the truth of the same. And I further certify that the said Richard
E. Selden is personally known to me and that
he is a credible witness.
Richard E. Selden Jr. Justice of Peace

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David Buell of New Milford in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut being duly sworn deposes and says that he is now in the eighty second year of his age, that he was himself a private in the army of the Revolution in the Regiment commanded by Col. Swift, while said Regt. and other Connecticut troops lay at Redding in this State in 1778, that he has
resided in New Milford since he was three years of age except during the time he was in the Revolutionary Army. That he well recollects a black man of the name of "Prince" [underlined]; who was owned by Samuel Platt
of New Milford previous to the revolution  and remembers the purchase of said Prince by Platt (as it was then said and understood) of Gov. Griswold and that whilst the troops lay at Redding as aforesaid this deponent repeatedly saw him, and conversed with said Prince who was then a soldier belonging to troops but to which of the Regiments this deponent cannot with certainty state. The deponent belonged to the army and was absent from New Milford part of the year 1777 and knew nothing
of the enlistment of said Prince, or of the term for which he enlisted, but he had always understood that the said Prince was a soldier in the army of the
Revolution, and such has always been the
understanding and belief of the neighborhood
in which this deponent resides.
[signed] David Buell

Sworn to and subscribed this 28th day of April 1839
Before me David C. Sanford Justice of the Peace
I certify that the word "was" in the 8th line from the bottom of the above written
affidavit was [illegible] before the said affidavit was subscribed and that the above named deponent is a reputable & credible witness.
[signed] David C. Sanford Justice of the Peace

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Nathan B. Buckingham of New Milford in Litchfield County and State of Connecticut aged seventy three years being duly sworn
deposes and says that a year or two before the  commencement of the Revolutionary war, the father of the deponent, Benjamin Buckingham,
bought of the former Gov. Griswold a negro man of the name of "Jim". And soon after that Samuel Platt who lived about half a mile from said Benjamin's residence, purchased of
said Gov. Griswold the brother of said Jim whose name was "Prince" and the deponent was afterwards well acquainted with the
said Prince until some time after the close of said war. Jim enlisted for "during the war" and died in the service. And the deponent well
recollects that after the enlistment of said Jim, said Prince decided to enlist for purpose of getting his freedom, that his master (Mr. Platt) was opposed to it, and that Prince being discontented with his situation Mr. Platt sold him, and he enlisted for three years. This deponent well recollects these facts as matter of public notoriety at the time but was not present at the time of said Prince's enlistment and cannot tell with certainty to what Regiment he belonged, but is strongly impressed with the belief that it was the Regt. commanded  by Col. Meigs. The deponent further says that after said Prince's enlistment he, said Prince, told this deponent that his enlistment was for three years. This deponent further says that he well recollects the circumstances of Prince's taking leave of his
old master Platt at the time he left the neighborhood to join the Army. And that in the fall of the year 1778 when the troops of the Connecticut line lay in New Milford, the Regt. to which said Prince was attached lay within about half a mile of the residence of this deponent's father and this deponent
frequently saw the said Prince and heard him converse about the events of the war. And knowd [sic] that when the troops left New
Milford said Prince went with them. That in the following year and as this thinks, in the autumn said Prince came home on furlough. And married about three weeks, and then left
with expressed purposes of rejoining the army. This deponent saw nothing more of said Prince until after the close of the war

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when said Prince returned to his neighborhood and wrought on the farm of his old master Platt until the death of said Platt a year or two after the war. When Said Prince left the town with the intention of going, as he said to Lyme. This deponent was intimately acquainted with said Prince after his return from the Army
until he left the town. And heard from him frequently converse about the events of the war. And it has always been and still is
understood and believed in the neighborhood that said Prince was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution and served faithfully until the close of the war. The deponent further says that the name by which said Prince went, and was known in the Army was, as this deponent recollects, "Prince Crosley", and further
this deponent saith not.
[signed] Nathan B. Buckingham

Sworn to and subscribed this 2nd day of May 1839
Before me Daniel C. Sanford Justice of the peace I certify that the word "after" in the 12th line of the above affidavit was inserted before the signing of the affidavit and that the deponent is a credible reputable witness. [signed] David C. Sanford Justice of the peace

Stephen Clark of New Milford in Litchfield County and State of
Connecticut aged seventy five years being duly sworn deposes and says, that his father lived and died about half a mile from the former residence of Mr. Samuel Platt in said New Milford and this deponent was well acquainted with a negro man owned by said Platt about the time of the commencement of the Revolutionary was called "Prince". The deponent also recollects that said Prince wished to enlist into the Revolutionary Army for the purpose of obtaining his freedom, that his master would not permit him to do it and that said Prince became discontented
and finally his master sold him, and he enlisted
as this deponent then understood for three years. This deponent recollects his going away to join the army sometime in the year before the Connecticut troops lay in said New Milford.
That when said troops lay in said New Milford which was in the  fall of 1778, this deponent frequently saw and conversed

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with said Prince who was then a soldier attached to said troops and when said troops moved from said New Milford said Prince
went away with them. The deponent recollects that the next year said Prince came home and remained a short time on a furlough, and then left, and went as he said to rejoin the
army, and this deponent saw no sign of him until after the close of the war when he returned to New Milford and wrought on the farm of his old master Platt until the death of said Platt, and then went away and the deponent has not seen him since. He was known and called after his enlistment, as the deponent thinks ,"Prince Crosley."
This deponent cannot recollect to what Regt, said Prince belonged to but is strongly impressed with the belief that it was the Regt. commanded Col. Miggs. And it has
always been the understanding and belief in the neighborhood that said Prince enlisted for a term of three years and served faithfully [three words crossed out] of his time or the end of the war and further deponent saith not.
[signed] Stephen Clark

Sworn and subscribed this 2nd day of May 1839
Before me [signed] David C. Sanford Justice of the Peace
I certify that the word "in" in the fourth line from the bottom of the above affidavit was inserted before signing and that the deponent is a reputable & credible witness.
[signed] David C. Sanford Justice of the Peace

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[There is an image of a seal in the upper left corner.]

STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
LITCHFIELD COUNTY,} ss. Litchfield

I Origen S. Seymour Clerk
of the County Court [both words bolded] of the Count and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
David C. Sanford Esquire is a
Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and by Law authorized
to administer Oaths [bolded] and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds. [bolded] And that his commission
was dated on the 29th day of May A.D. 1838 and will expire on
the 20th day of June A.D. 1839 and that the several signatures
to the foregoing documents which purport to be
the signature of said Justice are genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of said Court this
2nd day of May A.D. 1839

Page 31

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3rd of
March A.D. 1843, granting pensions for one year to certain widows
who have received pensions under that act of July 7, 1838.

State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex } ss.
On this 19th day of June A.D. 1843 personally
appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the County of
Middlesex and State aforesaid Caroline Crosley a resident of the town
of Lyme in the County of New London in said State aged seventy two
years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath
make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the
provision made by the act of Congress, passed on the 3rd of March
1843, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the
Revolutionary war. That she is the widow of Prince Crosley who
was a private soldier in the army of the Revolution, the Regiment or
corps in which said Prince served the declarant does not recollect
but for particulars would refer to the declaration of said Prince
now on file in the Pension Office, and that as the widow of said
Prince she received under the act of July 7th 1838 a pension of Eighty
Dollars a year [blank field]. She further declares that she is still 
a widow.    [singed with the note "her mark" and an "X"] Caroline Crosley
Subscribed in presence of 
[signed] Eliphalet A. Bulkeley
[signed] Ozias Holmes

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written by the said
Caroline Crosley who is personally known to me, before.
[signed] Eliphalet A. Bulkeley Justice of the Peace

Page 32

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County } I John Fisk Clerk of the County Court of said County of Middlesex do Certify that Eliphalet A. Bulkeley Esq. was on the 19 June last & now is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County of Middlesex as P. Commission on file my Office & that his name subscribed to the preceding certificate is his proper Hand writing & signature.
[An image of a seal is to the left of the following block of text]
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set
my Hand & affixed the seal of the Court
this 3rd day of July A.D. 1843
[signed] Jno Fisk Clerk

Page 33

[These notes are on the back of another document.]

C. Crosley

Written

John C. Palmer
East Haddam
[illegible letters]

Page 34

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County ss.
On this Eighth day of May One Thousand
Eight Hundred and Forty Eight personally appeared before the
Subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said Middlesex
County and State aforesaid Caroline Crosley a resident of
the Town of Lyme in New London County and State of 
Connecticut aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make the following Declaration
in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act
of Congress passed on the 2nd February 1848 granting Pensions to
Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of Prince Crosley who was
a private in the Connecticut Continental Line during the
Revolutionary War and served therein in Capt. John Ely's Company and
in other companies for more than three years as she believes, but she is
unable to state the particulars. That said Prince Crosley died in the year
1818.
That she drew a pension of Eighty Dollars per annum under the Act
of June 17th 1844  and she refers to her application and the proofs therein
annexed for a more particular description and proof of her claim.
She further declares that she is still a Widow.

In presence of                    [signed with the note "her mark" and an "X"]
[signed] George W. Crosley
[signed] John C. Palmer

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
before me and I certify that Caroline Crosley the Declarant
is personally known to me an is a credible person and her
statement me be relied on.
[signed] John C. Palmer Justice of the Peace

Page 35

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County } ss. I Elihu Spencer Clerk of Middlesex
County Court and State aforesaid do hereby certify that John C. Palmer
is a Justice of the Peace for said County, and that his Commission
be an date the 17 day of June A.D. 1847, and will expire on the
[A seal is to the left of the following block of text.] 
20th day of June 1848 and that the signature to the
within certificate purporting to be his is his own
genuine and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
official signature and the seal of said County Court this
15th day of May A.D. 1848.
[signed] Elihu Spence
Clerk of County Court

Page 36

State of Connecticut
Middlesex County } ss. Personally appeared before me
William D. Shipman a Notary Public in and for the
State of Connecticut residing in East Haddam in said County,
Caroline Crossley, who being first duly sworn declares that
she is the Widow of Prince Crosley of Lyme New London
County deceased, who was entitled to a pension under the law
of the United States of March 18th 1818 of Ninety Six Dollars
per annum. That said Prince Crosley died in the month of
March 1819 and that she is now receiving a pension as his
Widow under the Act of February 2nd 1848 of Eighty Dollars
per annum only. That she claims under the Joint 
Resolution of July 1st 1848, the same rate of Pension as was
granted her deceased husband by said Act of 18th March 1818,
to wit the sum of Ninety Six Dollars per annum
and for proof she refers to her application for a pension under act July1838.
In presence of
[signed] John C. Palmer
[signed] William D. Shipman
[signed with the note "her mark" and an "X"] Caroline Crosley

Signed and sworn to before me this 10th day of March
A.D. 1851, and I hereby certify that she is the identical
person she represents herself to be and is still living and is
the Widow of Prince Crosely deceased.
[A seal is affixed] [signed] William D. Shipman
Notary Public

Page 37

[This is written on the back of another document]

V 2638
Caroline Crosley
Con.
Act 7 July 38

Page 38

Lyme Coun [sic, County] March 28, 1839
Sir
The papers relating to the application of Caroline Crosley were prepared by my son Morrison R. Waite, who has since removed to Maumee, Ohio. Upon his leaving, he requested me to take charge of his unfinished business. I am satisfied that her husband served in the Revolutionary war, and am the more confirmed
in that opinion, from a conversation, today, with Judge Griswold, now in his eightieth year, whose father was the original owner of Prince. I cannot but think that the mistake with respect to the company in which he served may be explained, possibly by the witness, who have already testified, at any rate it is horrible, that they may give some information which may lead to a correction of the pension.
Although I may have seen the application &
testimony & possibly may have sent them to you for my son, yet I have no recollection of the facts in the case, nor do I, at all recollect who were the witnesses for her.  If therefore her application & documents await [illegible], can be returned to her or me, I will see that some competent person is employed to inquire into the facts & ascertain if he can where the error lies. As it has become
necessary for her to obtain a new assistant, he 
will much more readily see what is necessary

Page 39

& to be done with the papers than without them.

Respectfully Yours
Henry M. Waite

Page 40

Lyme Conn. March 5, 1839
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
As the time has come, when the 
pensioners are receiving their semi annual payments,
Mrs. Cone, Mrs. Havens, Mrs. Beckwith,
& Mrs. Crosley (whose papers were prepared by
my son Morrison R. Waite) have become very
impatient for their pensions. They have relied
much upon what they are expecting to
receive, and have been waiting with anxious
solicitude for their certificates. If you will
have the goodness to give their cases as
early attention as possible, you will
very much oblige them.

Respectfully Yours &
[signed] Henry M. Waite

Page 41

Newmillford [sic] May 2nd 1839
Hon Henry M. Waite

Dear Sir, Your favour [sic] of the 12th ulto
arrived during my absence, and since my return the severe illnesses of my wife and mother have prevented me from attending to its contents until the present time. I have taken and inclose [sic] all the testimonys [sic] relative
to Prince's revolutionary services which I have been able to find in this vicinity. Two of the witnesses whose affidavits are inclosed think, as you will observe that Prince belonged to Col. Miegs, Regt. I have not been able to find any member of that Regt. living in this vicinity, but I think [underlined] there are several in Litchfield or the adjoining towns. Should you think further evidence necessary you can, if you please, address a letter to Col Woodruff Esq. [illegible] Litchfield, who I presume will
promptly attend to it. If the applicant for the pension is [underlined] eventually successful these deponents will expect some  compensation for their trouble, otherwise not. For my trouble & checks for certificate the charge will be $3. If therefore the pension is obtained you may if you please, send me $4, otherwise $3. 
Respectfully I am yours
[signed] D. C. Sanford

Page 42

East Haddam July 15th 1843

James L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir,
Inclosed are the declarations of Olive
Hungerford and Caroline Crosley to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress of March 3rd 1843 granting pensions to certain widows &c.
Any communication on the subject may be addressed to me at
East Haddam Connecticut.

Very Respectfully yours
[signed] E. A. Bulkeley

Page 43

Late M. R. Waite
[word crossed out] November 25 39
do [illegible] Apr. 9 '39

2505.

Page 44

East Haddam March 24, 1851

Hon. J.E. Heath
Comm. of Pensions
Dear Sir:
I am in receipt of your favor of the 22nd enclosing certificate of Caroline Crosley.
Her husband served in the Connecticut Line 3 years, in Col. Herman Swifts Regt. from Aug 8th 1777 to Aug 8th 1780. He died soon after the Pensions under the Act of 1818 such
application for their Pensions. His enlistment services appear on the rolls in the Comptrollers office, and I would desire to be informed if his
Widow is not entitled to a full pension and to Bounty Land.
Your Obedient Servant
John C. Palmer

Page 45

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Apr. 20 1839
Sir,
Your favor of the 12 was duly received and I have examined the records of the Connecticut Line for Prince Crotto or Prince Crottee Prince Griswold or Prince Crosley, neither of which can be found. You enquire if there is any evidence that a Law or role was made by which a Slave enlisting for a term of years or during the War might thereby obtain his freedom. I have never seen the Law but we have had frequent applications for evidence of service stating that fact as a Condition of Service. If Prince served in the Connecticut Line he must have enlisted in some other name than that sent me. His services must have been in the Regular Army to obtain his freedom, not in the Militia.

  Yours Very Respectfully
   [signed] Henry Kilbourn Clerk

Hon Henry M. Waite  
Lyme

Page 46

State of Connecticut
East Haddam March 10, 1851
Hon. Jas E. Heath,
Comms of Pensions

Dear Sir,
I have the favor to
forward the applications of Mary [illegible] of this Town and Caroline Crosley of Lyme for an increase of Pension. Please address Certificate or any communications on the subject to
Your Very Obedient Servant
[Signed] John C. Palmer

Page 47

Lyme Conn   Oct 17 - 1838

Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
At the request of my son, Morrison
R. Waite, who is now absent, I send you
the Application of Caroline Crosley for a Pension under
the law of the last session of Congress together
with the testimony in support of it.
Respectfully Yours,
[signed] Henry M. Waite

Page 48

Connecticut 3515
____________________________
Caroline Crosley
widow of Prince Crosley, dec.
who was a pensioner under the Act  of [blank field]
and who died on the [blank field] 1818
of New London County in the State of Connct.
who was a priv. in the Co commanded
by Captain Elys of the regt .commanded
by [blank field] in the Con. line
line for 2 years.
_____________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of Hartford Ct.
at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank field] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
___________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of July
1839 & sent Henry M. Waite
and
Lyme, Connecticut.
___________________________
Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1939 $240.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep '39 $40.00
                                             $280.00
{Act July 7,
1838}
Recorded by D. Mc. Curdy Clerk
Book A. Vol. 1, Page 173.

Page 49

[This is a two page document. The left page is blank except for the note]
Rept. Oct 27
[The right page]
2490
Connecticut
__________________
Caroline Crosely
widow of Prince Crosley
who was a Private
in the Conn. line
for 2 years.
____________________
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars [blank field]
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.
____________________
Certificate of Pension issued the
27th day of Oct. 1843
and sent to
E. A. Bulkeley
East Haddam
Conn.
_________________
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 1  Page 64.