Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,726, Aaron Carter, Conn.

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Conn.
Carter, Aaron 
Rachel
W.22.726
B.L.N 5566 issued August 23,1790
no papers

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[column 1]
Connecticut 1341
Rachel Carter widow of Aaron Carter
Conn.
who died on the --1797
of Middletown Co in the State of Connecticut who was a private in the congress commanded by Captain -- of the reg.t commanded by Col Willis in the Connecticut line for the war. 

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 23rd day of Aug 1837 -- and sent to John Fisk Esq. Middletown Conn. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 / 480
Some-unl allowance ending 4 Sept 37-40
$520-

Revolutionary Claim
Act July 4, 1836
Section the 3o

Recorded by Wm. Klison Clerk, 
Book A Vol. 2 Page 66

[column 2]
Order to pay 26th March 1838
Examined with Orig. Rolls Oct 18, 1883 M.ls.

Date of death not on AB.

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V1875
Rachel Carter
Connecticut

on roll Willis
regt. 

admitted 2 year Pn
$80

John Fisk
Middletown Con.

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State of Connecticut
County of Middlesex
Middletown 
On this 28th day of April A.D. 1837 before the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in said County, the same being a Court of Record by (the Laws of the said State of Connecticut by which it was created) personally appeared Rachel Carter a resident of the Town of Middletown in the said County of Middlesex and State of Connecticut aged eighty two years and upwards, who being first duty 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 July fourth 1836: 
That she is the widow of Aaron Carter late of Windlor in the County of Hartford in said State of Connecticut deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolutionary: that said Aaron Carter served in the said Army several years, and so far as the recollection which the now has of facts will enable her to state she thinks that said Aaron entered

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the Army in the year 1777 and that he was discharged in the year 1783. His brother Edward Carter was in the Army during the same time: That the honorable discharge of the said Aaron was in her possession a few years ago, and that she delivered it to Joshua Stow, Esq. for the purpose of endeavoring to obtain a land warrant since which time she has not seen it and presumed it is last: that it is impossible for her at this distance of time to mention the names of the officers under whom the said Aaron served: that she thinks she remembered the name of a lieutenant by the name of Amasa Ransom a Captain by the name of Eells and Col Durkee and Col Dyer; but that her recollection on this point is imperfect: 
The father declares, that she was married to the said Aaron Carter in the year One thousand seven hundred and seventy at Colchester in the County of New London in said state by John Watrous Esq. then a Justice of the Peace for said County of New London, but having no record, she can not state the

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no memorandum of the precise date; and that she had remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before  
written before
her 
Rachel + Carter 
mark
Stillman K. Wightman Judge of Probate for the District of Middletown. 
I farther certify that the deponent is a respectable and credible witness. 
Stillman K. Wightman, Judge of Probate for the District of Midn. [Middletown] 
State of Connecticut
Middletown Probate District   
I John Fisk Clerk of the Court of 
Probate for the District of Middle 
town certify that Stillman K. Wightman 
Esqr. is Judge of sd Court of 
Probate & that his Name subscribed 
to the preceeding Certificates 
markd. A. B. C. are his proper hand 
Writing & signatures - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixd. the seal of sd Court of Probate this 5 day of May 
AD. 1837
JW. Fisk Clk
[paper stamp and ribbon affixed to left side of page]

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Sate of Connecticut
County of Middlesex
ss. Middletown

I Abigail Caples of said Middletown being duly sworn depose and say that I am fifty eight years old; that I am the daughter of Aaron Carter who was a soldier in the army of the Revolution; that the said Aaron died when I was about eighteen years old at Windson in the County of Hartford in said State; and that my mother Rachel Carter the widow of the said Aaron Carter has remained his widow and unmarried ever since the decease of the said Aaron and has resided for more than twenty years last past in said Middletown; and further I say not. Dated at Middletown the 28th day of April, - A.D. 1837
Witness J. Barnes 
Abigail Caples x her mark

Subsribed and sworn to this 28th day of April A.D. 1837 in due form of law by the said Abigail Caples before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Middletown in said State. I further certify that the deponent is a re=

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spectable and credible witness, 
Stillman K. Wightman. Judge.

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State of Connecticut
New London Couty SS Colchester July 6, 1837
personally appeared the [illegible] John R. Watrous and makes solemn oath to the truth of this within deposition by him subscribed and I do further certify that the said John R. Watrous is a resident of said Colchester and that he is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
Before me Benj. Trumbull Justice of the Peace
Children of Aaron & Rachel Carter
Aaron son to Aaron and Rachel born Feb 25th 1766
Rachel their daughter born March 10th 1769
Asaph their son born May 10th 1772
[begin crossed out words]
The above is copied from the Records of the Town of Colchester Book marked "births No. [illegible] page 75. Certified by Francis Morgan Town Clerk  Colchester July 8th 1837
[end crossed out words]
The above is a true copy from the Records of the Town of Colchester examined and certified by me
Francis Morgan Town Clerk
Colchester August 1, 1837
State of Connecticut Henderson County (SS Colchester August first AD 1837
Personally appeared the above named [illegible] Morgan and made solemn oath to the truth of the above copy of record

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I John R. Watrous of Colchester in the County of New London, State of Connecticut, now in the 8th year of my office do testify and say that my father John Watrous Esq.r was a Justice of the Peace and legally authorize to perform the the requisite ceromony for uniting in marriage such person as should apply to him for that purpose. That I well recollect, that some times previous to the War of the Revolution, and it is well ascertained to my mind, to have been within the year 1765, I then living in my Father's Family, that Aaron Carter and Rachel Bolles, coloured persons, came to my fathers to be married. There being no objection to their union, the marriage ceremony was performed by the said John Watrous Esq.r in my presence. A circumstance which took place after the ceremony, made a strong impression on my mind that I have never forgotten it, which was, that said Justice reminded them of several person of their colour, who had within a few years, then, past, been married and afterwards had not had that attention to their mutual obligations as was expected and required of married person, that he administered them for sometime on that subject, strongly recommending them not to conduct in so disreputable a manner as others had previously done, some of which cases he mentioned to them. They afterwards living not far from my fathers residence, I knew of their living together as married persons from that time till the commencement of the Revolutionary War. In the year 1777 or therebouts, the said Aaron enlists as a Soldier in the United States services whether for three years or for the war, I do not recollect, I knew him while in the service, as myself belonging to the brigade and I believe the people regiment. I also resided not far distant from them for some years after the War in said Colchester, where they lived and had a family of children, a part of where names are noted on the next page by the clerk of said town. I believe there is no person living in town who was acquainted with the marriage except myself though a number who knew them living together in later years as married person. the Justice who married them, has been dead a number of years an his records have been partly destroyed, that there is no entry to be found of their marriage therein. 
John R. Watrous

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I, Royal R. Hinman, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern, That Benjamin [illegible] Esquire, is, and for more than one month last past, has been a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of New London in said State, duly appointed, commissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and to certify the same ; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof ; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the said [illegible] in Court and Country. 
In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid, hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 3rrd day of August in the year of our Lord, on thousand eight hundred and forty
[handwriting not finished transcribing]

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The National Archives 
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

Bounty Land Warrant Record Card

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name: Carter, Aaron Grade: Private Line: Connecticut

Warrant Number: 5566 (Ree W. 22 726) Acreage: 100 Issued: Aug 23, 1790 to __ not shown__

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relatives to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.

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July 17, 1935
Aaron Carter-W.22726 
The data given below are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim.W.22726, based upon the military service in that war of Aaron Carter, a colored man. 
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of Aaron Carter are not shown.
While living in Colchester, NewLondon County, Connecticut, Aaron Carter enlisted sometime in 1777, and served until 1783, as a private in Captain Eells' Company, Colonels Samuel Wyllys' and John Durkee's Connecticut regiments and in Colonel Dyer's Connecticut Regiment. 
After the Revolution, he continued to reside at Colchester, Connecticut, until 1793. 
He died in 1797, exact date not given, in Windsor, Harford County, Connecticut. 
The soldier married about 1765, in Colchester, Connecticut, Rachel Bolles, a colored woman. 
Soldier's widow, Rachel, was allowed pension on her application executed April 28, 1837, at which time she was aged eight-two years and "upwards" and resided in Middlestown, Middlesex County, Connecticut. 
Children are referred to, the only names given are as follows: 
Son Aaron Carter . . . . . . born February 25, 1766. 
Daughter Rachel Carter . . . " March 10, 1769.
Son Asaph Carter . . . . . . " May 10, 1772. 
Daughter Abigail Carter . . aged 58 years in 1858, and then residing in Middletown, Connecticut, married ---- Caples, Christian name of husband not shown. 
It was stated that soldier's brother, Edward, served with him. There is no claim for pension on file based upon the services of an Edward Carter, who served in the Connecticut Troops. 

This history to be sent if ever called for. It was written just to have a record of negro soldiers.

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Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 22.726
Rachel Carter 
[illegible] of
Aaron Carter
Priv. Rev. War

Act
July 4th 

Index: Vol. A, Page 121

[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 15

Rachel Carter
Connecticut

Suspended
per letter  27 June
1837 John Fisk
(illegible) 20th July 1837.

Page 16

Wt. 5566 - for 100 acres issued Aug 23, 1790 on account of the service of Aaron Carter a Private of the Conn. troops.

There was also Wt. 5575 issued same day for services of  Edward Carter.
no pension papers on file

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Court Middletown May 5 1837
Sir    
Be pleased to inform you of the result of the enclosed application
(signature)
                     Jno Fisk

Page 18

I James Freeman of Chichester in the County of New London  State of Connecticut, being now about seventy four years of age, do testify and say that I was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, and am now on the United States Pension - and that previous to the revolution, I lived in Colchester and was well acquainted with Aaron Carter several years previous to the War he was married to Rachel Bollis ,and lived with her and had several children before the War, that about the year 1777 he enlisted as a soldier in the Army and was in a Regiment commanded by Col. John Durkee, Gen'l Ponnsoon(?) Brigade - that I know said Carter soldier  for three years or more and according to my best recollection he was enlisted for during the War and served till he was regularly discharged at or near the close of the War that I myself was one of the last discharged and Carter being enlisted for during the War was discharged a few months before I was - that I know him living in Colchester after the close of the War with his said Wife Rachel, who is still living as his Widow. 
(signature)
x his mark
James X Freeman

State of Connecticut, New London County, Ss
Town of Chichester
31st day December personally appeared on this day AD 1830 he whose named James Freeman and made Solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed 
Before Benj Trumbell Justice of the Peace
and I do hereby certify that the s-d James Freeman is a credible witness (signature)Benj Trumbell, Justice of the peace

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I Elijah Taylor of Colchester in the County of 
New London, State of Connecticut do certify and say that I was in the Army of the Revolution commencement of the war till the close thereof that I well knew Aaron Carter a soldier in a Regiment commanded by Colo. John Derkee, in Gen; Parson's Brigade, Connecticut Line, and was myself in the same Brigade, and have full recollection that sd. Aaron Carter was in the Army in the year 1776, 1777, and 1778, and I believe longer-and that I knew him to be a married man, and that Rachel Carter who is now about to apply for a Pension, was his Wife previous to the Revolution-and that I am, and have been a Pensioner under the act of Congress of 1818-

(signature)
x his mark Elijah Taylor

State of Connecticut ss, New London County town of Colchester, Personally appeared Elijah Taylor  aforesaid and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed this 28th day of December AD 1830 Before me Benj Trumbell Justice of the Peace and I do hereby certify that the said Elijah Taylor is a credible Witness
(signature)
Benj. Trumbell Justice of the peace

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I John Watrous of Colchester in the County of New London, State of Connecticut, do testify, and say, that I will recollect, that in the year 1770, possibly a year or two previous, Aaron Carter and Rachel Bolles came to my Father (John Watrous Esq)-for the purpose of having the marriage ceremony performed, that they at that time were married-a circumstance that occurs to my mind, on that occasion, makes it more strong in my memory, is that being colored persons, the Justice took the liberty to address them on the subject of Continency towards each other, which understandable had a good effect on them, and to my knowledge, they lived together as Man and Wife for several years previous to the War of the Revolution-and they continued to love together in Said town of Colchester till the year 1793, except the time that he the said Aaron was a Soldier in the United States Army- I knew him well before the War, while he was in service and after the close of the War-my impression is, that he first enlisted in a Regiment commanded by Colo, John Durkee which regiment on a deduction of part of the Army in 1770, as amalgamated with the 3rd Connecticut Regt commanded by Colo. Samuel Wyllys-afterward, denominated the first Connecticut Regt- Colo Zebulon Butler was Lieut. Colo. in the same Regiment -The Regiment was afterward commanded by Colo. Thomas Grosvenor-according to my last recollection said Carter enlisted and served during the War.
Colchester May 11th, 1837-
(signature)
John R Watrous

State of Connecticut, New London County, (ss), Colchester
May 1st, 1837 personally appeared John R. Watrous who has subscribed the above deposition and made oath to the truth of the same
Before me Benj. Trumbell Justice of the Peace and I do hereby certify that the said John R. Watrous is a credible witness and that full credit is to given to his testimony
(signature)
 Benjn Trumbell Justice of the Peace

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State of Connecticut County of Middlesex | ss Middletown

I Joshua Stow of said Middletown being duly sworn depose and say, that Rachel Carter of said Middletown is a respectable colored woman and a person of truth and veracity. She is the widow of Aaron Carter a colored man, who was a private in the Revolutionary Army. Some years since she gave me the honorable discharge of said Aaron from the Army signed by General Washington. For what purpose it was given to me I can not now distinctly remember, and whether I returned it, I can not say. I can not now find it. My [underlined] impression [/underlined] is that I received the discharge for the purpose of endeavoring to obtain a land warrant. When the said Aaron died I do not know, but it must have been more than twenty years since; and further I say not. 
Middletown April 28th A. D. 1837
J Stow. 

Subscribed and sworn to in due form of law by the said Joshua Stow, Esq. this 28th day of April A.D. 1837, before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace duly appointed and sworn dwelling in said Middletown. I further certify that the deponent is a respectable and credible witness. 
Jonathan Barnes
Justice of the Peace

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State of Connecticut
Middlesex County
I John Fist clerk of the County Court of said county of Middlesex do certify that Jonathan Barney Esq is a Justice of the Peace within & for said county of Middlesex as and Com on file in my office and that his name subscribed to the preceeding (sic) certification is his proper hand writing & signature. 
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my Hand and  affixed the Seal of  court this 28 day of April 1832. 
John Fisk Clk

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I, Royal R. Hinman, Secretary of the State of Connecticut, and keeper of the Seal thereof, do hereby certify and make known to whom it doth or may concern,
That Benjamin Trumbull Esquire, is, and for more than six months last past, has been a Justice of Peace within and for the County of New London in said State, duly appointed, comissioned and qualified, having full power and authority, by the laws of said State, to take the acknowledgement of Deeds and to certify the same; also to administer oaths to witnesses and to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; and that full faith and credit may and ought to be given to the official acts and attestations of the Benj. Trumbull in Court and Country.

In testimony whereof, I have, in my capacity of Secretary as aforesaid hereunto set my Hand, and affixde the Seal of said State, at the City of Hartford, in said State, the 4th day of May in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and 07. 

And I the said Secretary further certify that the signature hereunto annexed purporting to be that of Benjamin Trumbull is genuine. 

Royal R Hinman Secretary of State

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Aug 8 add.l Ev. 
M. Stuart
Rachel Carter

Commissioner of pensions
Washington City

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Middletown fou. Aug. 4 1837

Sir
I forward you the enclosed as further proof on the application of Rachel Carter

Yours Tr.
Jno Fisk

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[circular stamp] MIDDLETOWN CON JUL 8
[handwritten] 1875 July 11 [illegible] Rachel Carter

[perpendicular] Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

[stamp] FREE

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Middletown Cont. July 7' 1837
W.
I enclose you additional proof as to the Marriage of Aaron Carter. 
Mr. Jno. Fisk