Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,620, Silas Williams, Conn. Vt.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Williams, Silas
R 11,620
Vt.
CONTENTS

Silas Williams
Hon H. Everett
HR

Letter to Hon S Pheasant May 19, 1836.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and 12 the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, 10 before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Silas Williams —
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1775 1 private S. M c Clellan 80 years Et. Elisha Phelps   July. 1776 3 Do Capt. Sheldon do do   Dec. 1776 1 do Capt. A. Keyes do do   1781 2 15 Col Marsh Royallston no testimony   0. 7. 15 Capt Parkhurst on half of the time is disallowed as no civil pension    Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Washington Vermont Silas Williams of Royallston aged who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he is of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned above, and in the following grades. For seven months and 15 days I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension.  Silas Williams Justice of the Peace  Sworn to before. — Col Billings
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
July. 2 d 1834. Royallston Vt. I have delayed sending this back until now, hoping I should be able to get additional testimony, but have not found any, but that of Hon. Elisha Phelps. Mr. Williams now claims but 7 1/2 months service as you see above and I trust he will obtain accordingly. It must rest now where it is and for your decision while I remain yours truly Col Billings

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful to the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Private in Company kept conveys no idea of military service, that being a branch of the civil staff of the service. The cavalry service claimed cannot be allowed as actual service. It appears that the three Regiments of Militia Cavalry ordered out in July 1776 were only held in service until the 10 days and none were known to have exceeded 20 days. Unless a full and specific detail cannot be made, Reading to serve as a minute man is not within the

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of the loss of memory, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
the Civil War the troops ordered to be armed by the assembly should arrive - some of them served retard of the actual service performed at each town he given a proper decision the act ... He claims nothing but actual service being 7 1/2 mo.

STATE OF VERMONT, WINDSOR COUNTY, ss.
On this 15 th day of January A. D. 183 4 personally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the Probate Court of Hartford District now sitting, Silas Williams a resident of the county of Windsor and State of Vermont, aged Eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the 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.
In the year 1775. I volunteered at Pomfret Connecticut as private in the Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Samuel M c Ellin. Lieut Amasa H o yes immediately on the Battle of Lexington Mass. and Marched to Cambridge and was stationed at said Cambridge and Roxbury Mass until the last of May, when we returned home having served one month. and in two days afterwards I volunteered again as Private in the Commissary Department and was stationed part the time at Norwich Ct. under the command of Commissary Saffinwell and part the time at Pomfret Ct. under the command of Commissary Stephen H o yes and I served under the two last above named officers two and a quarter months, making in all that I served as above three months and a quarter.
In the year 1776 I was Drafted as private at Pomfret Ct in the Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Amasa H o yes. Lieut. Percy How. in Col. Sheldon Regiment and was marched to New York and stationed part the time at New Rochelle and part the time at West Chester. and I continued on duty aforesaid three months and was dismissed and returned home.
In the year 1776 the first of December I was Drafted as private in the Company of Cavalry commanded by Capt Amasa H o yes. Lieut Percy How in Col. Sheldon Regiment and was marched to Providence & Newport R. Island and was stationed at the two places above named and did actual duty for one month, when I was dismissed and returned home. I cannot get any testimony that I know of to substantiate the foregoing service -
In the year 1780 having removed to Vermont. I volunteered immediately after the Indians burned Rayattow in the Company commanded by Capt Joseph Parkhurst. Lieut Calvin Parkhurst Ensign John Billings for the term of five months and was continually scouting and patrolling the country, as we were the frontier town, whereby settlements was made towards Canada, and were constantly in fear of Indians again. I continued on actual duty until my time as above named expired, after which time no more troops in this town were raised for the above service. One half the time of the above service in the year 1781 I was employed in my own civil pursuit.

Silas Williams
24 Aug
Return to Col Billings, Augustus St.

He was born in Pomfret Connecticut February 4 th 1750 and resided in said town at the commencement of the Revolution, and in the spring of 1781 he removed to Royalton Vermont where he now lives and has lived ever since. He knows of no evidence to substantiate his claim, but that which accompanies this declaration.
He has no documentary Evidence that he knows of, nor any written discharge, or if he ever had one it is lost. The record of his age is in the town Clerks office Pomfret Connecticut and he has one in his good old Bible.
Rev d Asahel C Washburn — and Col Billings will certify as to my Character for truth and veracity and the general belief in the neighbourhood of my service.
I served in the several times before stated in all Nine & three fourths Months.
He 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. }
Edwin Hutchinson Register
Silas Williams
We, A. C. Washburn a Clergyman residing in Royalton, Vermont and Col Billings residing in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Silas Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be eighty 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. }
Edwin Hutchinson Register
A. C. Washburn
Col Billings
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. C. Washburn who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in Royalton, Vermont and that Col Billings who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town Royalton and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Edwin Hutchinson Register
I, Edwin Hutchinson, Register of the Court of Probate for the District of Hartford do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Silas Williams for a Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 15 th day of January
A. D. 1834
Edwin Hutchinson Register

The letter sent by the Pension Office on July 9, 1854, was to the effect that Silas Williams had rendered but 4 mo. and 9 days actual service, and that his application for pension could not, therefore, be admitted. (Six months actual service was required under the act of June 7, 1832.)
Feb. 15, 1896.
Shapleigh.

Silas Williams
Vermont
Rejected
let. to O. Pillsbury
Royallston Dist.
July 11 th 1836
Let to Hon. S. Prentiss, Ma. 19. 1836.
Ad June 7. 1837

Washington, May 14 th . 1836.
Sir,
I will thank you for copies of the declaration and proofs of Silas Williams for a pension. I know nothing of the merits of the case, but he is desirous to have it presented to Congress. I should like to have the papers as early as it may be convenient for you to send them.
I am very respectfully, your obedient, &c.
Sam l Prentiss.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Feb 17, 1896 Mil. Lisky to W. Hutchinson, Bd Review.
11,620
P. O. Silas Williams
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Comptrollers Office March 20 th 1834.
I Elisha Phelps Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Connecticut do certify that it appears by a roll, headed, "Marched from Woodstock for the relief of Boston &c in the Lexington Alarm March 1775," that Silas Williams served in that campaign twelve days. The time of the commencement & termination of the service is not expressed upon the roll. Of these troops Samuel M c Clellan as a Capt. Amasa Keyes S t . Perley How Cornet, Joseph Wilder 2 d Master do. do.
The Council of Safety on the 2 nd day of July 1776 ordered three three regiments of Cavalry to march to New York, & place themselves under the command of General Washington; & "to remain till such time as the Col l ct l ons ordered by the Gen l Assembly for that service shall arrive, & no longer than the General shall judge necessary & they can be orderly dismissed." And that under date October 24 th 1776 there is charged to Major

Eliza Sheldon, on the books of the Pay Table, for an "order on Treasurer in account of his company of "light horse to New York $400, 0, 0." No roll of these regiments, or of this company has been found or evidence of the duration of their service.
de S. Williams
E. Phelps

11620

I Asahel C Washburn of Royallston in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont of Lawfull Age testify and say, that I am well acquainted with Silas Williams of Royallston aforesaid now aged Eighty years, and have known him ever since I have been Pastor of the Congregational Church in sd Royallston which is more than five years. I also find from the Church Records that sd Williams has been a worthy member of sd Church upwards of forty years. Since my acquaintance with him, his daily walk, conversation, and reputation has been that of a devoted Christian. I therefore firmly believe that any declaration he may make as to services in the Revolutionary War or any other matter whether interested or not, due faith and credit ought to be given to the same.
A.C. Washburn
State of Vermont } Royallston Jan'y. 17. 1834 Windsor County } Personally appeared Asahel C Washburn of Royallston aforesaid and made solemn oaths to the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed Before Orl Billings Justice of the Peace
I further certify that sd Washburn is Pastor of sd Church in Royallston which I am a member and Clerk of the Society Orl Billings Justice of the Peace
Royallston Jan'y. 17. 1834
Hon. J. L. Edmonds Sir
The following affidavits or depositions are all the testimony Silas Williams can produce or know of to substantiate his claim to a pension. If any further testimony is wanted as to the creditability or character of Silas Williams Esq. I would refer you to the Hon. Horace Everett M.C. who personally knows him. Hoping soon to have a return of his certificate I remain yours with much esteem
Orl Billings

I Elias Stevens of Royalton in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged Seventy nine years testify and say, that in the year 1781 I lived in Royalton Vermont and was then well acquainted with Silas Williams then and now of said Royalton. I did not know personally that he was out in Service, as I was not out myself but I know that Jas. Parkhurst was Captain Calvin Parkhurst Lieut and John Billings was Ensign. As to his military service I cannot say, and did not know that he was in the service that year - and further say not
Dec. 16. 1833.
Elias Stevens
State of Vermont } Windsor County } Royalton Dec. 16 th 1834 Then personally appeared Elias Stevens of Royalton aforesaid and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed Before Oel Billings Justice of the Peace I further certify that said Elias Stevens is a credible witness Oel Billings Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont } Woodstock County Clerk's Office I Benjamin Swan (Windsor County to) Clerk of Windsor County Court, do hereby certify that Oel Billings is a Justice of the Peace in for said County, and that the above are his signatures. In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the Seal of said Court this 15 th day of January 1834 Benj t Swan Clerk
Turn over.