Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2377, James Covell, Conn.

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(8-1776)

SERVICE  NUMBER

Conn Covell, James  R. 2377
Lucy

CONTENTS

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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford  Probate Court,
Hartford District.
On this 29th day of May, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-five, personally appeared before the Honorable Court of Probate for the District of Hartford, Sophronia Wyllys, a resident of the town of Manchester, in the County and State aforesaid, aged 43 years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the provision due to her mother, Lucy Covell, widow of James Covell, late of Glastonbury, in the County and State aforesaid, under the provisions of the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, and the Acts of the 3d March, 1843, and other acts subsequent, to which she, with the other children of the said Lucy Covell is entitled. That the said Lucy Covell was the widow of James Covell, who was, as I am informed, and verily believe, a Teamster in the War of the Revolution, and served as such for the period of two or three years. And for proof of the service of the said James Covell, I refer to the Affidavit of Samuel Gibson, who personally knew of his performing the alleged service.
I further declare that the said Lucy Covell was married to the said James Covell on the twenty-fifth day of October, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven, and that her name before her marriage was Lucy Hale.

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This application has been delayed for want of evidence which might be deemed satisfactory, as no record of his service had been discovered, though it has been diligently sought, and the only resort for proof was to find a living witness who knew of his service, and an Affidavit from such a witness has been obtained, which accompanies this Application. A Declaration and other documents were prepared several years ago, and forwarded to an agent in Washington, but these papers having been mislaid, cannot now be found.
Sophronia Wyllys

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written, before me,
Henry Perkins
Judge of Probate

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I Aaron Snow of the Town of Glastonbury and Parish of Eastbury in said Town in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut of lawful age being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I am the minister of the Congregational church and Society in said Parish - that among my predecessors in the ministry in said Parish was Rev James Eells whose church records during a long ministry by him in said Parish are in my possession - that in said records in a fair and legible hand writing is recorded the following marriage in the records following to wit October twenty fifth seventeen hundred and eighty seven - James Covell and Lucy Hale were married and that the above is a

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true copy of the record with the exception of the date which is expressed in said record in fair legible figures as follows to wit - Oct 25th 1787 and that I the said Aaron Snow now hold the office of minister of said Congregational Church and Society in and of said Parish and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Parish with the exception above named as certified by me  Aaron Snow
minister of the Congregational church and Society in said Eastbury

Sworn before me this 26 day of May A. D. 1855 at Glastonbury in the County of Hartford and State of Connecticut

Chauncey Goodale Justice of the Peace

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September 1, 1939,

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/ady
Mrs. George S. Mawhinney  R.2377
22 Villa Road  James Covell
Larchmont, New York

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to James Covel, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, of Eastbury, Connecticut.
The record of the only James Covell of Eastbury, Connecticut, that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office is furnished you herein as found in the papers on file in pension claim, R.2377, based upon his military service in that war. All spellings of the surname searched.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of James Covell are not shown.
He married October 25, 1787, Lucy Hale. Their marriage was recorded on the records of The Congregational Church in the Parish of Eastbury, Glastonbury, Hartford County, Connecticut.
He died in said Glastonbury, July 25, 1840, aged seventy-seven years. His widow, Lucy, died in said Glastonbury, February 19, 1854, aged eighty-five years. She was survived by the following children: Flavel Covell, residing in Manchester, Hartford County, Connecticut, in 1855; Molby Covell, then a resident of Glastonbury, Connecticut, and Sophronia, then the wife of George Wylys; the name is shown also as Wyllys.
May 29, 1855, said Sophronia Wylys, a resident of Manchester, Connecticut, and aged forty-three years, applied for pension in behalf of herself and the children named above, on account of the Revolutionary War services of James Covell. It was stated that James Covell served two or three

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years as teamster under Jabin Strong, Conductor of Teams, until near the close of the Revolution.
The claim for pension was not allowed as proof of service was not furnished as required by the pension laws.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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State of Connecticut

By his Excellency WILLIAM T. MINOR, Governor of said State.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know Ye, That Henry Perkins was at the time of election [illegible] the within attestation and now is, a Notary Public, in said State and that he is also Judge of the Probate Court for the Probate District of Hartford ~ 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 give in and out of Conct; that the annexed attestation is in due form and by the proper officer, and that I believe the signature of said Henry Perkins ~ 
William T. Minor  thereunto to be genuine

In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed, this 30th day of May - A. D. 1855, and in the seventy ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America
By his Excellency the Governor,
N D. Sperry
Secretary of State.

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State of Connecticut.

I, A. D. Sperry ~ 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 Artemas L Strong & Chauncey Goodale ~ AUGs, from the fourth day of July, A. D. 1854, to the fourth day of July, A. D. 1856, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Hartford - in said State, duly appointed and commissioned, 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 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 his official acts and attestations.
And I further Certify, That I believe the foregoing signature of the said Artemas Strong & Chauncey Goodale to be genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said State, at Hartford this 30th day of ~ May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five.
A D Sperry
Secretary of State.

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Samuel F. Jones
Deposition

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I Samuel F Jones of Marlborough in the County of Hartford & State of Connecticut aged Eighty One years Depose and say that I was well acquainted with James Coville who while living resided for a great number of years within two miles where I live - He frequently labored for me & often spoke of being in the teaming service ^of the revolutionary war & showed me his feet which were frozen while in the service & so much injured that they troubled him more or less to the day of his Death - He often spoke of those who were with him & of the Conductor but I cannot recollect names One I recollect & was acquainted with & that was Amos Fox - who often spoke about Covill being with him in the teaming service of the Revolution & of [illegible, crossed out] his freezing his feet & many other circumstances that I cannot remember with sufficient certainty to State
Samuel F Jones
State of Connecticut -
Hartford County ss Marlborough Nov 28th 1856
Personally appeared Samuel F Jones & subscribed & made Oath to the foregoing Deposition & I certify that he is a credible Witness before me - Asa Day Commission Superior Court

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CERTIFICATE OF COMMISSIONER OF THE SUPERIOR COURT,

State of Connecticut, | SUPERIOR COURT, CLERK'S OFFICE,
HARTFORD COUNTY. | ss. HARTFORD, Dec 15, 1856.

I, WAIT N. HAWLEY, Clerk of the Superior Court, within and for the County of Hartford, and keeper of the Seal thereof, hereby certify that

Asa Day - Esquire,

was on the 28th day of November A.D. 1856, ever since has been, and now is, a Commissioner of the Superior Court, within and for the said County, duly appointed and sworn, with authority, by the laws of this State, to administer OATHS, and take the acknowledgement of DEEDS and other Instruments; that I am acquainted with his hand-writing, that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine, official signature, and that the deed hereto annexed is executed and acknowledged according to the laws of the State of Connecticut.

In Testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Superior Court, at Hartford, this 15 day of December A. D. 1856.

Wait N. Hawley Clerk.

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Jabin Strong was Conductor from March 28/79 to Feb. 13./87.
La Fayette's List.

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Hartford, Conn.
Decr. 15, 1856.
Hon. George C. Whiting
Comr. of Pensions,

Sir,
I had the honor of forwarding to the Pension Department, May 31st 1855, the claim of Sophronia Wyllys, of Connecticut, daughter of Lucy Covell, widow of James, for Team service in the War of the Revolution. The answer to this was, the insufficiency of proof to sustain the claim. I may be permitted to suggest in reply to the first part of the Report made by the Department on this case, that very few claims for Team service had been allowed, as Military, previous to his death, in 1840. The widow had been seeking Record proof of her husband's service for some time after that event, and had the papers in preparation in her life time, as stated in the Declaration, and failing to find such proof, the Affidavit of Samuel Gibson was obtained to prove the service of Covell, though that was deemed insufficient, I now forward to the Department the Affidavit of Samuel F. Jones, hoping

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that the two will be sufficient to establish this claim, and will receive your early attention.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Elon Gleason.

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No 15303
Ludy Covell decd,
widow of James
Cont.
Elon Gleason June 7 1855 [crossed out]
Ct [illegible] 11/57 [crossed out]

2377

July 7 1838

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Hartford, May 31st 1855.
Hon. L. P. Waldo,
Comr. of Pensions,

Sir,
Enclosed herewith I have the honor to forward to your Department the application of Sophronia Wyllys, accompanied with the customary documents to sustain the claim for a Pension for the Team service of her father, James Covell, in the War of the Revolution. I trust the papers are made according to the requirements of the Department, and will receive your early attention, and a favorable decision.
I have the honor to be,
Very Respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
Elon Gleason

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Pension Office
June 7 1855
Sir
The application of the daughter of Lucy Covill decd widow of James of Cont. has been examined and filed under the Act of July 7 1838.
It is somewhat remarkable that if her husband had rendered the alleged service he should never have applied for a pension though he lived until 1840, and that his widow, who lived until 1854 should, also, have failed to report a claim, -
The affidavit of Samuel Gibson is not sufficient to justify the allowance of this case. Where no record of the service can be furnished it must be proved by two [crossed out], at least, two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants [crossed out] ^the soldier's entering the service, & the time and manner of his being [crossed out]

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leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, & line to which he belonged. Even the one witness whose affidavit has been filed does not pretend to do this.

[sideways in right margin] Elon Gleason
June 7/55.

Elon Gleason Esq
Hartford
Cont

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Hartford, Jany. 6 1857

S. A. Peugh, Esq.
My Dear Sir,
Perhaps I ought to have been more definite. The case is for the service of James Covell, Teamster, in right of Lucy Covell, widow of James. The application is made by Sophronia Wyllys, daughter of Lucy Covell and was forwarded to the Pension Office in the Spring of 1855.
In the Fox case, Mr. Fowler has seen one of the sons, and at a proper time will be ready to make application for Team service. The son tells Fowler that he had given the case to Tainton some three years ago, but thinks he has not done any thing about it. You will therefore have this case in mind in applying the evidence you find in the widow's declaration of service under Jabin Strong, as Conductor, in both cases. Please write me if anything further is wanted. As the session of Cong. is short, I hope you will hurry up all matters we are concerned in.
Yours truly, E. Gleason

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Pension Office
February 11. 1857.

Sir
The affidavit of Samuel F. Jones which accompanied your letter which accompanied your letter [crossed out], of the 6th inst. is not sufficient to render the [illegible] of this office to the admission of the claim of Lucy Conell [crossed out] Covell, decd who was the widow of James, [illegible] by her daughter under the act of July 7. 1838, for Jones was not in a position to have had personal knowledge of James Covell's service as a Teamster, having derived his [illegible] ^from Covell himself. Jat [crossed out] Jabin Strong, under whom C [crossed out] it is alleged Covell served was a Conductor of Teams from March 28, 1778 to February 13, 1781 and an [crossed out] an effort should be made to discover his Rolls. This payroll that some evidence is [illegible] thereto may be ob-

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-tained by [illegible, crossed out] applying to Charles Hosmer, Esq Secretary of the Connecticut Historical Society at Hartford, Conn [crossed out] who is a resident of Hartford.

[sideways in right margin] Elon Gleason
Feby. 11/57

Elon
Ebon [crossed out] Gleason, Esq.
Hartford,
Conn.

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October 21, 1939

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

BA-J/MLB [illegible]
Mrs. George S. Mawhinney
22 Villa Road  James Covell
Larchmont, New York  R. 2377

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of James Covel who, you state, was born in 1742 in Chatham, Massachusetts, married Sarah Hall, moved after 1770 from Chatham to Eastbury, Connecticut, where he was living in 1774, and that he had four children, namely: Mehitable, Zenas, Enoch, and James. You cite a James Covel who enlisted in Charlotte County (name of state not designated) also furnish a report giving other citations in regard to a James Covel or Covil who served in the Light Dragoons from the State of New York and in the Albany County, New York militia.
With the data furnished by you, no record has been identified, definitely, as that of the James Covel in whom you are particularly interested. You were furnished September 1, 1939, the record of the only James Covel, of Eastbury, Connecticut, found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
You are furnished herewith the record of James Covel who served in the Light Dragoons, one of the citations furnished by you, and the only other one found of the name, or of similar spelling, in the Revolutionary War records of this office. It is hope this record may aid you in your research.
Your separate military report is returned, herewith, as requested.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator

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Mrs. George S. Mawhinney
22 Villa Road
Larchmont, N. Y.

Gentlemen -
Will you five me the name of any person receiving a pension for Rev. War Services of a soldier from Conn by the name of James Covel. He was in Eastbury Con in 1774. The name Covel appears under the form of Covvel, Cavvel, Cavvil, Cavell, Cosil, Coval, Covell: but the first name is James [uncerlined]
Respectfully
Alice M. Mawhinney
Mrs. G)
[circular stamp, numbered around the edge 1-12] RECEIVED
JUL 31 1933
MAIL SUB-DIV.
Reader No. 45
VETS [illegible]

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1939 Sept. 1- |
Hist. to |
Mrs. Ger. S. | 2377
Mawhinney |
[illegible] |
1939. Oct. 21 - |
above named | Lucy Covell
add. hist. [illegible] | 
[illegible] | Service: wid. of James
[illegible] in James |
Covel, W.52[illegible] |

Enlisted:  , 18 .
Discharged:  , 18 .
Application filed:  , 18 .
[stamp] REJECTED
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:

Attorney:

P.

Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for , 18 .

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State of Connecticut,
County of Hartford,

On this 29th day of May, A.D. 1855, personally appeared Samuel Gibson, in the 89th year of his age, a resident of the city of Hartford, in the County and State aforesaid, who being sworn, according to law, deposes, testifies and says, that he was born in the town of Glastonbury, in said County and State, where he has always resided until within a few years; that he was personally acquainted with James Covell, of said Glastonbury, and from personal knowledge knows that he was a Teamster in the War of the Revolution, and from his best recollection, he was in that service two or three years, and his belief is, that he was driving a Team, in carrying provisions, military stores, baggage, &c; and he recollects that he was engaged in going with the baggage of the French Army, when they left Hartford, I think in 1781, and was in service till towards the close of the War; that he does not recollect to what company of Teamsters he belonged, but remembers many persons who were engaged in the Team service, particularly, Capt. Jabin Strong, of Marlboro', who raised a Company, and that Amos Fox was in

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Capt. Strong's Company; Jabez Talcott, of Glastonbury served in the same company with James Covell; he also recollects Capt. Isaac Goodrich, of Glastonbury being a Conductor of Teams; recollects of Covell's going to Providence, Albany, and other places; that he usually took his loading from Hartford, and would be absent several weeks, and in a few days set out on another journey to some place where he was directed; that he well remembers of being with Covell when he had returned from his journeys and saw his Cattle and was about among them. Afterwards his (Gibson's father,) purchased a farm in the East part of the town, called the "Diamond Pond Farm," where he removed, and was near the Covell family, and at this time his personal intimacy with James Covell was increased; that he recollects many incidents which occurred during Covell's service, and one in particular, of Covell's dog setting out on one of his tours, I think to Albany, and of his returning without him - and shortly after his arrival back with his Team, the dog came home almost dead, having travelled, it is supposed, back in such haste that he was hardly able to move the next day.

Samuel Gibson

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State of Connecticut
County of Hartford | Hartford May 29th 1855.
I Henry Perkins, Notary Public in & for said State hereby certify that Samuel Gibson signed the with and foregoing affidavit in my presence and made oath to the truth of the facts therein contained before me. And I further certify that he is a credible person.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and seal of Office
Henry Perkins
Notary Public

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We Mima Hills and Martha Warner residents of the town of Glastonbury Hartford County and State of Connecticut hereby certify that we were well acquainted with Lucy Covell, widow of James Covell, late of Glastonbury, and that she died on the 19th day of February, 1854, aged 85 years. And we further certify that Flavill Covell, of Manchester, Molby Covell of Glastonbury, and Sophronia Wyllys, the wife of George Wyllys, of Manchester, all of Hartford County and State of Connecticut, are the only surviving children of Lucy Covell, widow of James Covell, deceased.
Mima Hills
her
Martha X Warner
mark
Sworn to before me, this 28th day of May, 1855, at Glastonbury

Artemas L. Strong Justice of the Peace.
I certify that Mima Hills and Martha Warner who subscribed the above certificate are credible persons.

Artemas L. Strong Justice of the Peace.

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We Mima Hills and Martha Warner residents of the town of Glastonbury, Hartford County and State of Connecticut, hereby certify that we were acquainted with James Covell, late of Glastonbury, and that he died in Glastonbury on the 25th day of July, 1840 aged 77 years. Mima Hills
her
Martha X Warner
mark
Sworn to before me this 28th day of May 1855, at Glastonbury

Artemas L. Strong Just. of the Peace
I certify that Mima Hills and Martha Warner who subscribed the above certificate are credible persons.
Artemas L. Strong Just. of the Peace

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We Esther Gibson and Elizabeth A. Strickland residents of the City of Hartford Hartford County and State of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the declaration of Sophronia Wyllys was signed in our presence and that she was the daughter of Lucy Covell, widow of James Covell, who was as we believe, a Teamster in the War of the Revolution

Esther Gibson
Elizabeth A Strickland

State of Connecticut
Hartford County | Hartford May 29th 1855.
Personally appeared Esther Gibson & Elisabeth A Gibson [crossed out] Strickland signers of the above affidavits & made oath to the truth of the same and I certify that they are credible persons.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office
Henry Perkins
Notary Public

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I do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Sophronia Wyllys, one of the children of Lucy Covell, widow of James Covell, deceased. And do further certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, by the affidavits of Samuel Gibson, Esther Gibson, Elizabeth A. Strickland, Mima Hills and Martha Warner, hereunto to annexed that James Covell was in service as a teamster in the War of the Revolution; that he died on the 25th day of July 1840, aged 77 years, leaving surviving a widow whose name was Lucy Covell, and that the said Lucy Covell, widow of said James, died on the 19th day of February, 1854, aged 85 years; and that Flavel Covell, of Manchester, Molby Covell, of Glastonbury, and Sophronia Wyllys, the wife of George Wyllys, of Manchester, all of Hartford County and State of Connecticut, are the only surviving children of the aforesaid Lucy Covell, deceased. And I further certify that satisfactory ^evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that James Covell and Lucy Hale were married on the 25th day of October, 1787, by the affidavit of Aaron Snow, hereunto annexed. And I further certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that they are all credible persons.

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No 15,303

Lucy Covell decd
Widow of James
Cont

July 7 1838

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In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this thirtieth day of May, eighteen hundred and fifty-five.
Henry Perkins.
Judge of Probate