Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8355, Matthew Beers, Conn.

Page 1

Service
Conn.

Beers, Matthew
Phebe

Number
W.8355
B.L.Wt.26317-160-55

Page 2

2807
Connecticut
Matthew Beers -
of Stratford in the State of Con
who was a Private in the Com commanded
by Captain -- of the Regt commanded
by Col Whiting in the Con troops
for 2 years
Cf 28 0/7

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 9 day of Jany
1834 - and sent Hon G Tomlinson Senate M L

Arrears to the 4th of Sepr 33 $200
Semi-anl. allowance ending Mar 4.34 40
$240

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by E D Bullock Clerk
Book E Vol. 3 Page 49

Page 3

307
Connecticut
Phebe Beers
widow of Matthew Beers
Conn
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the
9th day of May 1853
and sent to D. D. Addison
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
3 Feb 48 Page 57 Vol. A

Act 32

Reg 3 m 55-92917

Page 4

[left side of page]
92.917 Mar. 3. 1833.
Apr 23.

Phebe Beers, widow of
Matthew Beers, Pri.

Capt.
Col.

Ent
Dis
Revolutionary War

Pensioners.
Conn Feb 53-307
W 160 AG M 20/56
Boynton
JM

Stephen S. Booth.
Stratford Fairfield Co. Conn

[written diagonally across page]
No. 26317  May 23/56

[right side of page]
S. S. Booth. Nov 27/55
Let S. S. Booth. Apl. 26/56

Vol. B. 92.

Page 5

State of Connecticut, }
County of Fairfield, } ss. Bridgeport
On this Seventh day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford
now sitting Matthew Beers a resident of the town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield, and State of Connecticut, aged seventy three years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. viz
In the month of May 1776, I was drafted and attached to a company of militia raised by said State commanded by Capt Ebenezer Coe and served therein four months and until I was discharged in September of the same year. Samuel Ufford was Lieut of said company, which belonged to Col Whiting's Regiment and General Silliman's Brigade; during which service I assisted in building a fort at Neck Bridge about half way from the principal village in said Stratford to Stratford point.
In the beginning of April 1777 I enlisted in a company of guards, raised by said State, commanded by Samuel Patterson who was Capt or Lieut of the company (I am not positive which) and served therein eight months, until I was discharged in December next following. This company was raised at the direction of the aforesaid General Silliman & Col Whiting and stationed at said Stratford to guard the coast from the enemy
In the fore-part of April 1779 I enlisted in a company of militia or State guards, as they were then called, under the said Capt Samuel Patterson and served therein eight months & until I was discharged in December of that year - in July I was ordered with a part of said company, to the City of New Haven. I was engaged in the battle there when a British officer & some others were killed, was then ordered to Fairfield when that town was burnt by the enemy, and was there personally in battle against them, where I with 4 other soldiers of my company under Lieut Isaac Brown took 4 of the British regulars prisoners who were sent to Danbury & put in gaol. About the 1st of May 1780 I again enlisted for six months in the company of militia commanded by Capt James Burton and stationed at Stratford aforesd and served therein six months and was discharged in November then next -
And also, in the beginning of March 1781 I enlisted for 9 months in the company of guards or State troops commanded by Capt Robert Walker, Lieut John Benjamin and Ensign Isaac Brown and served therein nine months until I was discharged in December of the same year - During the several periods of my service as above, I received my pay & rations from said State, and served my country faithfully - I have never been

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I John McEwen of Stratford in Fairfield County (now in Court) testify that I am well acquainted with Mathew Beers the within named Applicant now present in Court & served with him four months in the Connecticut State Troops on Guard at said Stratford under Capt Ebenezer Coe in the year 1776 (being further examined) I am sure of the time said Beers served & know that he was in the Guard & I supposed he served as long as I did which was one year on two enlistments of six months each but he states that he served only four months. I am 87 years of age
Jabez McEwen

I Asa Benjamin of the Town of Bridgeford in Fairfield County (now in Court) testify that I was a drummer in the Guards raised at Stratford Connecticut & stationed in Stratford in the summer of 1776 - also in the summer of 1777 & 1778 & 1779 - I was also in the guard in 1781 under Captain Robert Walker. Capt Patterson had the command of the guard during the first periods & I do not recollect being under any except those two officers - I am well acquainted with the within named Applicant Mathew Beers & know that he was a soldier in said Guards under Capt Patterson & Capt Walker how long I cannot say but I have no doubt but what he states concerning the time which he served
Asa Benjamin

The above Depositions of John McEwen & Asa Benjamin subscribed & sworn to in open Court & the same are part of the hearings in the case of Mathew Beers herein certified under my hand & seal of office
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

I Fitch Wheeler Judge of the court of Probate for the District of Stratford County certify the above named Asa Benjamin & Jabez McEwen are credible persons
Fitch Wheeler Judge

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placed on any pension List - I was born at said Stratford in the year 1759, where I have always resided - I have no documentary evidence, and all the officers under whom I served are dead; but several depositions of persons who were with me in the said service are hereto annexed to prove my services viz I am well known to Ephm J Wilcoxon & David Brooks both of S. Stratford who can testify to my character

The said Mathew Beers hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Matthew Beers
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

We, David Brooks, residing in the town of Stratford and __ residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Matthew Beers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 73 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood 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.
David Brooks
R. S. Nichols Clerk

Ephm J Wilcoxon
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 David Brooks who has signed the preceding certificate, is a resident in the town of Stratford and that Ephm J. Wilcoxon who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Stratford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Fitch Wheeler Judge
R. S. Nichols Clerk

I, R. S. Nichols Clerk of the aforesd Court I do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Matthew Beers for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 7" day of August 1832.

R. S. Nichols, Clerk

[seal affixed at left]

I Fitch Wheeler Judge of the Court of Probate within & for this District of Stratford certify that R. S. Nichols is Clerk of [illegible] the above is his signature with the seal of said court annexed -
Fitch Wheeler Judge

Page 8

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County ss } On this 2nd day of August 1833 personally appeared before the court of Probate for Stratford District in said County Nathan Bressott of the Town of Stratford in sd County well known to said Court to be a credible witness & being first sworn testifies & says that he is well acquainted with the within named Applicant Matthew Beers & served with him in the year 1779 nine months under Lieut Samuel Patterson in a guard raised by the State of Connecticut & stationed at Stratford on Long Island Sound - Also that he joined with sd Beers nine months in said guard in the year 1781 under Capt Robert Walker said guard was under discipline & in constant service I have always known the said Beers & cannot be mistaken in the fact that he served in both of said guard tours under Patterson & Walker. I recollect that Asa Benjamin was also in said Pattersons guard Said Beers was a private in said guard He has stated only Eight months service very positive that it was nine Lewis Burlow of Trumbull was also in said guard - all the officers are dead 
Nathan Bressott

On said 2nd day of August 1833 - appeared before said court Ephraim J Wilcoxon of Stratford well known to said court to be a credible witness & being sworn testifies that he served at sd Stratford in the Revolutionary War eight months commencing the fore part of March in a guard commanded by Lieut Samuel Patterson The Deponent believes & is positive this service was in 1782 He well recollects that said Mathew Beers the within named Applicant was a private soldier in said Guard & served therein Said term of Eight months said guard was stationed at Long Island Sound & was in constant services said guard was raised by the state & was [illegible] during the war & was for the purpose of guarding the coast. All the officers are dead
Ephm J. Wilcoxon
The above Depositions of Ephraim J Wilcoxon & Nathan Bressott attached & taken in court on the day & year aforesaid
witness
R. S. Nichols Clerk

[written vertically at right] Matthew Beers Stratford Conn. 2 years 11 months service

Page 9

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } On this 2nd day of August 1833 personally appeared before the Court of Probate in & for the District of Fairfield in said county Mathew Beers & in addition to his former Declaration made on the 7" day of August 1832 further declares that he cannot prove any other testimony to the first period of said War Service under taken in 1776 except that Asa Benjamin & John McEwen who both testify to the same - that said Asa Benjamin also testifies to his 2nd period of service in 1777 & in addition thereto he has produced the testimony of Agur Curtis Junior which is annexed. He has also in addition to the testimony of said Benjamin procured the testimony of Nathan Bennett Lewis Burton & Ephraim J Wilcox & Agur Curtis Jr who all testify to his service in 1781 & 1779. The Applicant from top of memory is not able to give a more full account of his services than is contained in his former Declaration. Should his claim in 1779 be rejected he has still more than 2 years service - He has stated under what officers he served the place where & the precise period of his service He has procured all the Evidence he has been able to find & produced all the services stated by two witnesses except the service under James Burton in 1780 & the terms of service in 1781 & 1779 by three witnesses The witnesses (as was the fact) state that said guards were in constant service & under strict

Page 10

discipline - The Applicant knows that said Guards were raised by the State & paid by the State but was not able to prove any evidence on that point except the testimony of Witnesses - One of the Witnesses viz Asa Benjamin whose Affidavit was attached to the original Declaration has been allowed a pension for services in said guard under Patterson in 1779 & also in said guard under Robert Walker The Applicant is authorized therefore on the strength of that precedent as well as sundry others in which service in these same grounds has been allowed to claim a Pension for his service therein - The Applicant served nine months under Capt Walker in 1781 six months under James Burton in 1780 Eight months in 1779 & eight months in 1777 under Samuel Patterson & 4 months in 1776 under Capt Coe -
Matthew Beers

Subscribed & sworn to in Court before me Court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford on the day & year aforesaid Witness
R S. Nichols Clerk

Page 11

Mrs Phebe Beers
widow of Matthew
Act Feb 3d 1853
Connt -

D. D. Addison
Present

Page 12

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 3d Feb. 1853.
State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss.
On this 18th day of February AD 1853 personally appeared before the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford Phebe Beers a resident of Stratford in the County of Fairfield aged 75 years, who, being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed 3d February 1853 that she is the widow of Matthew Beers who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96. per annum, and paid at the Hartford Agency -
She further declares that she was married to the said Matthew Beers on the day of __ in the year eighteen hundred and twenty three that her husband the aforesaid Matthew Beers died on the 24th day of November A.D. 1837. that she was married to him at the time above stated. She further swears that she was a widow at the time of the passage of the Act, and is still a widow and that she has never before made application for a pension Phebe Beers
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me John Goulding Judge of Probate

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State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss. Probate Court District of Stratford

I Claudius B. Curtis Clerk of the court of Probate for the District of Stratford being a Court of record do hereby certify that John 
Goulding before whom the foregoing declaration was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing the Judge of Probate for the District of Stratford, and that he is commissioned and sworn, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine -
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my office as Clerk of said Court this 18th day of February 1853. at Stratford County, and State aforesaid
Claudius B. Curtis Clerk of Probate

[seal affixed at left]

Page 14

State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } Probate Court District of Fairfield
I John A Paddock depose and say that I have the office of Rector of Christ Church in the town of Stratford, County and State aforesaid, and that I have this 18th day of February A.D. 1853 examined the Records of said Church for proof of marriage of Phebe Beers widow of Matthew Beers, who was a Revolutionary pensioner, and find under the head of marriages by Rev Abel Baldwin, the following genuine record - "Matthew Beers to Phebe Thompson 1823" eighteen hundred and twenty three -
John A. Paddock 

Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of February 1853.
Before me - John Goulding Judge of Probate

Page 15

State of Connecticut }
County of Fairfield } ss. Stratford

On this 3d day of April A.D., 1855 Personally appeared before me, a Notary Public peace, duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the county aforesaid, Phebe Beers aged 76 years, a resident of Stratford in said County in the State of Connecticut who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Matthew Beers of sd Stratford deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War and was a pensioner under the Act of Congress of at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum and for proof of his service she refers to his application under said Act for a pension - and that she is also a pensioner of the United States in the sd Section of the act of Feby 3d 1853 at the rate of 80 dollars per annum that her certificate is dated 9th day of May 1853 No 307 and for proof of his death & their marriage she refers to his pension application at the pension office in Washington City - and that I believe he continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least -- and was honorably discharged
She further states that she was married to the said Mathew Beers in said Stratford on the -- day of Jany A.D. 1822 by one Ashbell Baldwin Episcopal Minister and that her name before her said marriage was Phebe Thompson that her said husband died at Stratford on the 24th day of November A.D. 1837 and that she is now a widow.

She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855."
Phebe Beers

We Jane Wilcox and Mary E. Wilcox residents of Stratford in the State of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by said Phebe Beers in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Jane Wilcox
Mary E Wilcox

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Stephen S. Booth Notary Public

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Revolutionary War Records Section. 3-525
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions.
Washington, D.C., ___, 19 __

W.F. 8355

In reply to your request of __, received __ for a statement of the military history of Matthew Beers a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.

[five column table] Dates of Enlistment or Appointment./ Length of Service./ Rank./ Officers Under Whom Service was Rendered. Captain. Colonel./ State.

May 1777/ 6 mos./ Ebenezer Coe Whiting/ Conn.
April 1778/ [illegible] mos/ Samuel Patterson
Apr 1779/ 6 or 9 mos. Samuel Patterson
May 1780/ 6 mos./ James Barrett
Mch. 1781/ 9 mos./ Robert Walker

Battles engaged in, [illegible] Fairfield
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stratford, Fairfield Co. Conn
Date of application for pension, Aug 7. 1832 his claim was al
Residence at date of application, Stratford Conn
Age at date of application, born at Stratford Conn in 1759 died Nov. 24 1837 at Stratford Conn
Remarks: He married at Stratford Conn Jany 1822 or in 1823 Phebe She was al pension on app Feby 18 1853 while a resident of Stratford, Conn. aged 75 years. There is no other data as to family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Page 17

[left side of page]
Dec - 8 - 1902
Hon Chas H. Peck
Stratford Conn

1914 July 29 Hist to Robert
L. Beardsley V.L.M.

[right side of page]
Revy Widow, &c.
File No. 8355
Phebe Beers
Wid
Mathew Beers
Privt. Rev War
Act: Feby 3d 1848.
Index: - Vol. A, Page 50

[Arrangement of 1870.]

26.317

Mo ann

Page 18

92.917 Phebe Beers Refd to Mr Boynton Nov 5/55
89.262 Huldah Curtis Refd to Mr Boynton Oct 25/55
90.480 Lucy Tomlinson Refd to Mr Boynton Nov 6/55
90.324 Sally Curtis " Nov 5/55
164.967 Phebe Ufford Refd to Mr Shindel Feby 22/55
164.966 Josiah Hubbell Refd to Mr Shindel Feby 24/56
Stephen S. Boothe
Stratford, Conn

Feb 21st 1853
No 339
Appl of Phebe
Beers widow of
Matthew Beers
Connecticut
Act 3d Feby 1853
Act of 1853
28017
Revolutionary Claim
$80 per annum com
3 Feb 1853

D. D. Addison
Present

[written vertically] Declaration Act 3d Feby. 1853
Revolutionary

Jas Ellcott Esq
Com of Pensions

Page 19

[circle stamp]
Bridgeport Ct Apr

92.917

Free

L. P. Waldo Esq
Com of Pensions
& Bounty Land
Washington City D.C.

Page 20

To the Pension Office
Josiah Peck born 1751 - died 1821 - Helen (Birdsey) Peck b. 1751 - d. 1845. his wife.
She got a pension but no service is mentioned.
All of Stratford, Conn. Please inform me 
also 9894

[square stamp] Dec 1 1902

John Beardsley got a pension in 1832 in Fairfield County - They were in the vicinity of Stratford - Perhaps born in 1760 - perhaps in Fairfield - 
also
Robert Chauncey Beardsley b 1755 - d 1815
Huldah, his wife died 1856 - 101 4/12 years old -
She got a pension - Please inform me
In Stratford
also
Matthew Beers - pensioner of 1832
He was born March 1764 in Stratford - and died here before 1840 - His stone is in Union Cemetery
Charles H Peck, Judge of Probate -
Stratford Conn
28017

Page 21

Society 
Sons of the Revolution
in the 
State of California

San Fernando Bldg.
Room 814

Los Angeles
July 17, 1914.

Hon. G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner,
Bureau of United States Pensions,
Revolutionary War Records Section,
Department of the Interior,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir: -

May I ask one more favor of you? I should like very much to obtain any information possible regarding my great-great-great-grandfather, Matthew Beers, of Fairfield County, Connecticut, who had a son Archepus through whom I descended. In the Pension Roll of 1834 (1st Session 23rd Congress) I find the name of Matthew Beers, Private, Fairfield County, Conn., [written in pencil in left margin: "W8355"] in Connecticut Continental Service, placed on Pension Roll January 9, 1834, pension commenced March 4, 1831, age 75 (?).
Can you give me any particulars as to place and date of birth of this Matthew Beers, or any data regarding his family, which he may have given in his application for pension?
Thanking you very kindly, I am
Very truly yours,
Robert L. Beardsley.

Page 22

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } On this 2nd day of August 1833 personally appeared before the court of Probate in & for the District of Stratford in said County Lewis Burton of the Town of Trumbull & well known to said Court to be a credible witness & being first sworn testifies that he is well acquainted with Matthew Beers of the Town of Stratford now present. There in March 1779 the Deponent enlisted for nine months into a company of Guards stationed at Stratford on Long Island Sound in Fairfield county & served therein nine months under Lieut Samuel Patterson Decd And in March 1781 he also enlisted into a guard stationed at said Stratford under the command of Robert Walker Decd & served therein nine months 3 months as a private & six months as a Sergeant - said Guard was raised by the State & was in constant service & under strict discipline The Deponent recollects that said Matthew Beers was with him in said Walkers guard for said nine months & served therein as a private The Deponent also thinks the said Beers served with him in Pattersons guard in 1779 Time of this he is not positive He is confident of the service in 1781 & from what said Beers states he really believes that sd Beers was with him in 1779 All the officers of said guard are dead - Asa Benjamin of Birmingham a Pensioner was also in said Guards in 1779 & 1781 -
Lewis Burton

Fairfield County }
ss August 2nd 1833 } On sd day appeared before the court of Probate for Fairfield District in said County Agur Curtis Junior of the town of Stratford

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in Said county a credible witness well known to said court & being first sworn testifies & says that He is well acquainted with Matthew Beers of sd Stratford now present - There the Deponent enlisted in March 1781 for nine months into the Connecticut State Troops into a guard commanded by Capt Robert Walker & served out said term for which enlisted John Benjamin was Lieutenant and Isaac Brown Ensign & Lewis Burton sergeant in said guard all decd except said Burton The Deponent well recollects the Matthew Beers aforesaid was a private soldier & served in said guard for said period of nine months which the Deponent served in the same - Asa Benjamin a pensioner was also in said guard which was under strict discipline & on constant duty. The Deponent also served six months in a guard stationed at said Stratford in the year 1777 under the command of Samuel Patterson who commanded sd guard. Enlisted in the spring of 1777 for six months under said Lieut Patterson & served out the same The Deponent believes that said Matthew Beers was also a soldier in said guard under said Patterson in the year 1777 but he is not positive He is certain that said Matthew served nine months in 1781 under Walker & from what said Matthew states of circumstances he has no doubt but what he also served under Patterson in 1777 -
Agur Curtis Jr
The above Deposition of Agur Curtis Jr & Lewis Burton Esq subscribed & sworn to in court on the day & year aforesaid Witness
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

Page 24

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } Bridgeport November 4th 1833
Personally appeared before the court of Probate in & for Stratford District in said County Mathew Beers the within named Applicant and being first sworn & on oath further declare & say (viz) That in the month of May 1776 I was drafted by Capt Ebenezer Coe out of a militia Company under his command with four others (whose names I do not remember) to go to Horseneck. The Draft was made by the order of Col. Whiting who had command of the Regiment (which was the 4th Regiment & under Genl Silliman) The Draft was made out of each company & we were to start for Horseneck the next day under Capt. Coe who was to take command of those drafted. When unexpectedly Col Whiting ordered us to go to a place called Neck Bridge in the Town of Stratford on the Shore opposite Long Island Sound & there to be employed in building a fort & to guard the coast. This draft was for six months & is stated in my former declarations incorrectly to have been only four months. I am enabled to say it was six months because I was at the time I was drafted an Apprentice to Samuel Hubbell now Decd & recollect that it was cold weather when the term expired & that my Master had taken another Apprentice & gave me up my indentures after the term expired. Samuel Ufford Decd was Lieutenant & he & Capt Coe were the only commissioned officers I recollect in the Guard (or Company) - Asa Benjamin I think was Drummer in sd company & John McEwen was also a private in said company I have provided the testimony of sd Benjamin (now Decd) & sd McEwen whose

Page 25

Depositions are both annexed to my first Declaration It will also be observed that said John McEwen states the time of service to have been six months - I did no other business that is to say I did not follow any Civil pursuit while in the service - Benjamin Ufford of Stratford now Decd was a Sergeant in this guard under Capt Coe - The Guard House was on Stratford Neck which was one mile from the place where we were Building the Fort - I recollect that it came my turn every fourth day to stand guard with one fourth of Company on the Shore while the rest of the company were at work at the Fort -
In the Month of April in the Spring following (that is to say in April 1777) as my Master had refused to take me back) I enlisted at said Stratford into the Connecticut State Troops for Six months into a company of guards commanded by (Capt) or (Lieut) Samuel Patterson Asa Benjamin & Agur Curtis Jr whose testimony is annexed to my former Declaration were both with me in said guard in which I served two months longer than the time for which I enlisted The reason of this was that the Enemy had landed & it was necessary to keep up the guard but another guard could not be raised for the Winter & it was thought unnecessary to continue the guard through the winter we were therefore requested to continue until the last of December when it became so cold that the guard was dismissed until the Spring following - To that I served 2 months more than the time for which I enlisted that is to say 8 months all which time I followed no civil pursuit but was constantly on duty - Eben. Hows was the orderly Sergeant & Benjamin Ufford the 2nd Sergeant in this guard

Page 26

both long since dead & know no other witnesses to this service except said Asa Benjamin now Decd & Agur Curtis Jr
The next year 1778 I did not go into the service but hired myself out to one Judson Beck as a Day Labourer - But in the spring of 1779 in the month of April I enlisted a second time into the State Troops into a guard commanded by Samuel Patterson for six months or eight months I am not positive which though I now think but for six & that Judge Lanchild who drew my first Declaration put this service eight months by mistake as I stated correctly that in 1777 I served eight months I might have stated this to be eight not observing which year he was inquiring about - Lewis Burton Esq of Trumbull a pensioner for service in this guard testifies as by his Deposition annexed will appear that he was with me in this service & that it was nine months - I am not positive whether it was six or nine - John Bennett whose Deposition annexed also insists that he served with me in this guard nine months in the year 1779 - Asa Benjamin also proves the fact of service - John Whiting Decd was Lieut & Eben Hous Decd Sergeant - During this time of service I was ordered to go to New Haven & to Fairfield as stated in my first Declaration & was at both places engaged in a battle as before stated - Ephm J Wilcoxon has also testified to the fact that he served with me eight months under Saml Patterson but he has stated the year to have been in 1782 which must be a mistake as to the year - I am perfectly certain that I served either six or nine months under Patterson the year 1779 - commencing the 1st of April in that

Page 27

year - The first of May 1780 I again enlisted into the State Troops at said Stratford for six months & served therein six months under Capt James Burton Lieut John Benjamin & Ensign Isaac Brown all Decd - The Applicant has endeavored to procure evidence of this term of service but cannot - one Robert Witmore & Wm Hawley & Samuel Hawley all Decd were in sd guard under said James Burton I am perfectly certain that I served under James Burton & remember that while under said Burton part of the company went into a swamp about two miles from the guard house & were there employed in making machines to be taken to Horseneck or some other place & to be used in building tools - The next spring in 1781 - I again enlisted for nine months under Capt Robert Walker who had the command of the guard at said Stratford where Benjamin was Lieut & Isaac Brown Ensign - I enlisted in the month of March & served the full term of nine months Lewis Burlow Esq of Trumbull was also in sd guard & was three months a sergeant & six months a private in the same said Burlow has given a Deposition to prove this service Also John Bennett testifies to the same I remember distinctly that Lieut John Benjamin & Ensign Isaac Brown were both in the guard under James Burton & Robert Walker - I was not engaged in any civil pursuit during any of the above named services I cannot produce further testimony nor recollect further particulars of service from top of memory - Pensions have been granted to Lewis Burton Asa Benjamin John Bennett Ephr J Wilcoxon & others for service in these guards which were enlisted - & have by the State by reference to my former Declaration it will be seen that the Applicant has complied with the rule requiring that he should relinquish all claim to a Pension except the present -
Matthew Beers
Subscribed & sworn to in court on the day & year aforesaid
Witness R. S. Nichols Clerk

Page 28

Matthew Beers
Stratford
Connt

2 years private
$80

Hon G Tomlinson
Senate US

Page 29

Matthew Beers
Stratford

Page 30

[no hand written transcription required on this form except for the notation at the bottom:]

The regulations must be complied with.

Page 31

Brief in the case of Phebe Beers widow of Matthew
Fairfield County and State of Connecticut
act 3 Feb 1853

Claim, ("original,")

Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the act of 7 June 1832 at $80 per annum
Marriage found by certified copy of church records

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
D. D. Addison
Present

Cole Examining Clerk.

Page 32

Washington Feb 21st 1853
Sir
Enclosed herewith you will find the application of Mrs Phebe Beers, widow of Matthew Beers, for a pension under the act of Feby 3d 1853 to which I request your early attention -
Very respectfully
YOS
D D. Addison

J. E. Heath Esq
Com of Pensions

Page 33

92.917.

Page 34

State of Connecticut
Fairfield County
Stratford April 21st 1855

L. P. Waldo Esq
Com. of Pensions
& Bounty Land
Sir I send you the application of the widow Phebe Beers for Bounty Land under act of Congress approved March 3d 1855 please send her Land Warrant to me -
Yours Respectfully
Stephen S Booth

Page 35

State of Connecticut.

By his Excellency Henry Dutton, Governor of said State.
To all Whom it May Concern:
Know ye, That Stephen S. Booth was on the 14th day of August AD 1854 for the term of two years from and after said date appointed a Notary Public - in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned and that to his acts and attestations as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court:
Henry Dutton
[seal affixed at left]

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be herewith affixed this 11th day of April A.D. 1855, and in the seventy ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor.

O H Perry
Secretary of State.

Page 36

Stephen S Boothe
Stratford Conn

Transcript see within

referred to
Boynton

90480 Lucy Tomlinson

90342 Sally Curtis

89262 Huldah Curtis

929[illegible] Phebe Beers

Page 37

Conn Fairfield County
Stratford Mar 20th 1856
J. Minot Esq
Dear Sir I have ben dayley enquired of by those that employe me to obtain their bounty land warrants what has become of my warants -
This is to certify that I am personally acquainted with the widows for whom I have made applications for whom I have made applications for warants for bounty land I was also personally acquainted with their husbands and know that they are and remain the widows still under those they apply for warents -
with two or three exceptions they were all born and brought up in this my native town of Stratford -
the statements they made in their applications for warents in regard to their husbands death their continual widow hood & I know to be true in every particular they are old and feeble two over 90 years of age three blind and most of them poor depending upon their yearly pension for support
J. M. Esq Respectfuly S. S. Booth Notary Public

Page 38

John Brooks Application for Bounty Land No 9970

Phebe Beers is now the Widow of Mathew Beers Aplication No 92.917
Huldah Curtis " " " " " Agur Curtis " " 89.262
Lucy Tomlinson " " " " " Curtis Tomlinson " " 90.480
Sally Curtis " " " " " Joel Curtis " " 90.324
[above noted as] Wife of Revolutionary Soldiers


Phebe Ufford " " " " " Isaac Ufford " " 164.967
Josiah Hubbell " " 164.966
[above noted as] for the War of 1812 - 14

I hereby acknowledge the receipt of three warents one for Whitney Jackson
" " Mrs Helen Birdsey
" " Charles Wells

Please condescend to examine the above statement of your humble friend & oblige as the Applications that have my seal as Notary Public attached are all honest and just yours &c
J. Minot Comm
Stephen S. Boothe

Page 39

92.917.

Page 40

I Seymour Wills of the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Phebe Beers who has executed the annexed application for Bounty Land dated the 3d day of April 1855 that she is a pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum and that she is now the widow of Matthew Beers deceased and that I believe the statement in her said application is true which application is hereto attached.
Seymour Wills

State of Connecticut }
Fairfield County } ss Stratford April 3 1855
personally appeared before me a Notary Public duly authorized by law and administered oaths in and for the County & State of one said Seymour Wells who subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible person well known to me and that I have no interest in the said claim of Phebe Beers for Bounty Land
Stephen S Booth Notary Public