Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14832, William Williams, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Williams William
8. 14 832.
PL 94-26358-160-55
Carded
CONTENTS

Connecticut 4685.
William Williams
of Fairfield in the State of Conn. who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Godfrey of the Regt. commanded by Col. Simons in the Connecticut line for
6. months.
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 20. Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26. day of Jan'y 1833. and sent to Hon. G. Tomlinson. Senate.
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1832 — $30. 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33 — 10. 00
$ 40. 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Francis F. Francioni Clerk Book 10. Vol. 3 rd Page 74.
In query ans d Hon. G. Tomlinson abt 29 th 1834
See let to Hon. G. Tomlinson March 18. 1836. Is to same, May 24. 1837.
Order to Pay r — 30. Sept 1837.

Act March 3
pay 2333-
112599
24/3
William Williams Pri
Capt. Danl. Godfrey Hill Repts. Bulkeley, set. Lyon & Waldo col. Jonathan Deman
Conn - Mil
various services Rec from 1779 to 1782 War
Born June 32 - 4685
W. Woodbury, 220/50 B.H. Smith
(Large decorative flourish)
Mr J. Turrill
New Milford
Conn
Chas. S. Turrill, Jan'y 3 77/80.
Vol. 11 th page 20.

State of Connecticut County of Litchfield (ss New Milford
On
this nineteenth day of April AD One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid William Williams aged ninety three years a resident of New Milford in the state of Connecticut who being duly sworn according to Law declares that he is the identical William Williams who was a private and served on various occasions from the year AD 1779 to the year AD 1782 inclusive that he served under the immediate command of Colonel Jonathan Doremus in the month of July AD 1779. That in September AD 1779 he served as a substitute for Beriah Jennings under Captain Daniel Godfrey of Northfield then a part of the town of Fairfield and that immediately after he was drafted and served another term of service. and that in the year AD 1781 he was drafted and served as guard at Mill River now the borough of Southport under Serjeant James Bulkley and Seth Syon and afterwards under Serjeant Gushmore Wakeman and at various other times that they were acting as he believes at some or all of these terms of service under

the orders of said Colonel Jonathan — Damon. that said services were rendered in the War of the Revolution on the Southern border of the State of Connecticut on the shore of Long Island sound.
That he volunteered and was drafted on these and various occasions during the period
between the years AD 1779 and AD 1782 inclusive for that as a volunteer of Minute Men under Capt. Ebenezer Dyer in his company in the 4th Regiment of Connecticut Militia he served at the time Danfield was burnt and also at the time New Britain was burnt and on various other occasions in the Regiment in the command of Col. Dyer and that he continued
in actual service in said War for the term of fourteen days and that at the expiration of his various terms of service was dismissed and honorably discharged. That sometime in or about the year 1832 he made application to obtain a pension for for his said services to which application in the Pension office reference may be had for a more particular description of his said services that he is now a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved March 3 d 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress nor made any other application therefor
He further states that he has does not recollect the exact days and times when

he volunteered and was drafted on the exact time when he was discharged further than above stated
The interlineation between the 8 th & 9 th lines above & the erasures after were made before signing
William Williams
We John A Williams and Thomas B Lacey both residents of New Milford in the state of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by William Williams in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that he is the identical person that he represents himself to be
The words "in our presence" above interlined before signing
Thomas B. Lacey John A Williams
The foregoing declaration and affidavit and declarations 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 is the person he represents himself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
John S. Turrill Justice of the Peace
The words "and declaration" erased before signing

State of Connecticut, } ss. LITCHFIELD. County of Litchfield, }
I, Henry D. Gravel • Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify that John S. Merrill
Esquire
whose genuine signature appears to the accompanying instrument,
is and was, at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly elected and sworn, and by law authorized to administer Oaths, and to take the acknowledgment of Deeds; and that all his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Litchfield, this 25 th day of April A. D. 185 5 .
Henry D. Gravel
CLERK.
112 589

reject not 6w

BRIEF in the case of  William Williams  of  Fairfield  in the State of  Conn  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 70 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     July In 1779 10 Gen. Col. Johnson   Sep r 79 2 Col. Jonas Dimes Reg t - Det d   80 2 Capit. Rich d Godfrey Co n - Substitute   1781 not stated   previous to the last 14 Serg t Jas s Buckley   in March 1781 - 3 Serg t G. Wakeman   1782 1 not stated  
5. In what battles was he engaged? at the burning of Fairfield + Norwalk
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Fairfield
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? by witnesses & the traditional evidence of others - one a clergyman - Certified to be credible persons
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Correct
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
E. Stephens
Examining Clerk.

State of Connecticut County of Fairfield ss. District of Fairfield Novm: 26 th 188
on this 26 th day of November 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before the Court of Probate for the District of Fairfield now sitting. William Williams a resident of the said District and State. aged seventy years last September. who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following deposition in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 that he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated.
In July 1778 I with many others of the militia was by the order of Col Jonathan Dimey of Fairfield a militia Colonel. and under his immediate command ordered to Stratford in the County of Fairfield to apprehend some
Levi and noted men such as Capt Samuel Johnson etc who were supposed to hold a treasonable correspondence with the Enemy. This was directly after Fairfield was burnt by the British, several of the Levi and suspected Persons were apprehended and examined by Col Dimey and his Officers.
I served in this Service ten days. In September 1779 I went as a Substitute in the room of Beriah Jennings of Fairfield under Capt Daniel Godfrey of Northfield. Then a part of the Town of Fairfield now a part of Watertown - we staid there and afterwards during the same time of Service at Greensfarms in the Town of Fairfield two months. were
employed at both places to guard the Coast and to repel the occasional attacks of the Enemy. This was by the direction as I believe and at the expense of the State of Connecticut - We served out our terms of Service but had no written discharges - Immediately after the expiration
of the last mentioned term, in 1779 I was drafted for two months to serve in General at Greensfarms in the Town of Fairfield - This was in the Coast or

margin of Long Island Sound. The British or Refugees or parties of both used to make frequent incursions here during the War for Insurrectionary purposes - I served at various times and was dismissed regularly according to the practice of these times, but had no written discharge - In 1781 I was drafted to serve as guard at Mill River, a small Sea Port in the Town of Fairfield, near the Borough of Southport. I served there under Sergeants James Bulkeley and Seth Lyman of Fairfield, who took the charge of the guard alternately, during the months of November and December of that year - And when the term for which I was drafted had expired, I was dismissed, but had no written discharge - For Percussions to the last mentioned term of service, in March 1781 I as one of a Sergeants guard under Sergeant Gershon Wakeman of Fairfield, was employed, and directed by the order of Col Jonathan Dimes, as I believe, to guard some Prisoners for a time at Fairfield, and afterwards to transport them to Danbury in Connecticut, where they were committed to Prison - I was on this Guard of Duty one fortnight - In 1782 I was drafted to serve as one of a Sergeants Guard to guard some criminals and disaffected Persons or Refugees who had been apprehended and were to be tried for crimes. I was engaged in this business one month, during the months of August and September of that year - This was done as I suppose by the other author authority of the the State of Connecticut - as well as the other author others about that x In addition to all these terms of service and when I was not engaged in them, I held myself at all times ready (as a Volunteer and minor Man) as we were then called, to turn out at the command of Capt Ebenezer Dill, who commanded the militia Company to which I belonged,

on any sudden or special emergency - In this Character I fought the British when they burnt Fairfield in July 1779 - I was also in the battle against the British when they burnt Newark - And on all other occasions. when not engaged in the public service as before stated. by day or by night. on every alarm. I turned out at the call of my Country. to repel the hostile inroads of the Enemy - In many of these encounters there was great hazard and imminent danger of losing life. particularly at Gampo. where Gershon Wakeman was killed. as well as in other before mentioned and others - In all these last mentioned terms of Service as a Volunteer or minuteman. although occasional and for short periods only I am positive. I served during the course of the revolutionary War as many as eighteen months - I served as a private soldier in all the various towns of Service in which I was engaged in the course of the Revolutionary War - I was born in the Town and County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut the 24 th day of September 1762
There is a Record of my birth and baptism in the Records of the Presbyterian Society of Greenwich in said Fairfield I was a resident when called into the service of the United States of Fairfield aforesaid. and have always resided there I have stated in my declaration the names of the Officers under whom I served. but I have no documentary evidence of my service. I shall present the best evidence in my power I can procure to Messrs Thomas Piny. Gershon Wakeman Nathan Bracey and the Honorable Gideon Jencks who can testify as to my character -
William Williams
Sworn to and subscribed in the day of year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight before Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State -
William Williams
Sworn to and subscribed in the day of year of our Lord. before Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid

State of Connecticut p. District of Fairfield November 26 th 1882  We Nathaniel Freeman a Clergyman a resident of the Town of Weston in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and Gershon Wakeman a resident of the Town of Fairfield in said County and State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Williams who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration and believe him to be seventy years of age. That he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion and are also known him to be a man of Truth and Veracity  Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid  Nath'l Freeman Gershon Wakeman  Before Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid -
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 the said Court that Nathaniel Freeman who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Town of Weston in said State and that Gershon Wakeman who has signed the same is a resident of the said Town of Fairfield and that they are credible Persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for the district aforesaid -
I Daniel Hill Jr. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairfield aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Williams of Fairfield for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office at Fairfield aforesaid this 27 th day of November 1882.
David Hill Jr. Clerk

State of Connecticut } ss District of Fairfield November the 26 th 1832 County of Fairfield, Personally appeared Gershon Wakeman a resident of the district of Fairfield and State of Connecticut and being duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say, that I am well acquainted with William Williams a resident of the aforesaid district and State and believe him to be seventy years of age. And knew that he went as a substitute for Burritt Jennings of Fairfield under Capt. Daniel Godfrey. & drafted when he stood some time and afterwards at Green's Farms during the same Service. Some time more, making in the whole two months. They were employed by the state as I understood to guard the coast, and repel any incursions of the enemy - This period of service commenced in September in 1779 - and Immediately after the forfeiting term of service expired, he was drafted for two months to serve as guard at Green's Farms. this was 1779. He went and served out his time and was regularly discharged. In 1781 he was again drafted for two months to serve as guard at Mill River. he served out the time in the months of November and December of that year and was discharged. He was also drafted to serve as one of a guard, to guard some lines and prisoners, at Fairfield, during the invasion of the the coast, when they were there, he served one month at this time during the months of August and September - I also knew that he served as a volunteer and minimum man, in every occasion when called upon and not engaged in other service, as many as eighteen months as he has stated in his declarations - in the time of the revolutionary war - before Gershon Wakeman
State of Connecticut } ss District of Fairfield August 13 th 1832 I Wyatt Banks, a resident of the said District and State aged sixty eight  nine years, being duly sworn, according to law do certify, that I am well acquainted with William Williams a resident of said District and State - and knew that the said Williams and myself and others, composing a Sergeant's Guard, under Sergeant Gershon Wakeman of said Fairfield, were employed about a fortnight some time in the course of the Revolutionary War, in seizing, guarding and transporting to Danbury some Tories and persons disaffected to the Government the particular year is not recollected - sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before me Daniel Hill Judge of Probate for the District aforesaid -
Wyatt Banks

State of Connecticut to Probate District of Fairfield November 27 th 1832
I Gershon Wakeman a resident of the district and State aforesaid being duly sworn according to Law. that  depose in addition to what
I stated in my other deposition. that that I was knowing to William to William  going to stratford under Col Jonathan Dimes of Fairfield to apprehend some Tories and disaffected Persons. who were supposed to hold a treasonable correspondence with the enemy. This was clearly after Fairfield was burnt by the British in 1779. He was in the line of duty Ten days. and as I suppose by the Authority and at the request of the State of Connecticut I have to and subscribed in the day and year aforesaid before me Daniel Hill Judge of the Court of Probate for the District aforesaid —
State of Connecticut to the Probate District of Fairfield November 27 th 1832
I Daniel Hill Judge of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid do hereby certify that I well acquainted with Wyatt Banks and Gershon Wakeman. the Persons who have sworn to and subscribed the above immediately preceding depositions that they are men of unquestionable veracity and that their statements in their depositions aforesaid are entitled to full belief —
Daniel Hill Judge of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid
I Daniel Hill Jun. Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Fairfield aforesaid. do hereby certify that Daniel Hill who has subscribed the foregoing Certificate is Judge of Probate for the District of Fairfield and that the signature of his name to the said Certificate is his genuine signature In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Office at Fairfield aforesaid November the 27 th 1832 —
Daniel Hill J. Clerk

5 26,358
} Merlin

admitted by order of Mr. Edwards -
$20 per ann
Hon. G. Tomlinson Senate

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Williams which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. * Has he mentioned 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? — no —
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
no —
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? — no device —

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 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 the 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.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

1 NW April 1 st , 1898.
Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
F. L. Amsworth
Col U S Army
Chief of Office
Inform me you are the custodian of the pension records. I would wish to know if the further mentioned William Williams can be identified from the other Wm Williams by your records who served in the Rev War. Vols?
William Williams was born 27. September 1762 in the town of Fairfield, said to have enlisted there. married while living there Grace Robinson. He was admitted an elector at New Milford Oct. Apr 7. 1834 and died there

Apr 1, 1861. His grandson knew he drew a pension of $96 pr yr. The Conn men of the Rev printed by Authority of Ct-Assembly: W m Williams of Fairfield Ent Jan 7, 1777 pg 286.
W m Williams resident of Fairfield Co pension "Sen Doc 1st sess, 23 d Congress" where further particulars such as age date of death &c is given. Act of Congress App d June 7, 1832. pg 657.
Will you give me what information you can regarding the above which will oblige me. I am very resp y .
D H Van Hook
Hartbutt. Conn.

Answer No. 14832
Page

April 20 th 1898. Second communication.
Commissioner of Pensions Wash. D.C.
Will you please give me what you find on your records in regard to
William Williams born at (Greenfield) Fairfield, Fairfield Co. Ct. End (and served in the Revolution and also War of 1812) in Fairfield was a pensioner on your Census list 1832. In 1834 he removed to New Milford Ct. where he died 1861. drawing a pension until his death. Details of him will oblige -
I am recommended to you thro' the Record and Pension Office War Dept. Truly yours.
D. H. Van Hoosear. Hurlbutt. Ct.

Conn
JW
Ansonia, Conn.,
March 16, 1897.
Mr. D. V. Murphy, Com. of Pensions, Dear Sir: -
Will you please send me the Revolutionary record of William Williams of Fairfield Co. Conn. who is on the Pension list of 1832. I hope will kindly

reply at your my earliest convenience, it will be a my great accommodation.
Respectfully yours,
(Miss) L. H. Cottey, Ansonia, ct.

Oct. 26. 1898. To
24. E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls 1-12-1898.
Hon. Auditor W
Can you give me a detailed account of William Williams who was a pensioner of the war of the Revolution? He was residing in Fairfield Ct. in 1882.
Yours Truly - Elizabeth Corning 24. E. Bayard St. Seneca Falls New York

Jan 17 1898 FILED
PENSION U. S. JAN 15 1898 OFFICE

Apr. 15. 1897 - History to Miss L. H. Cottler. Ansonia, Conn.
Jan. 20/98. To Miss - E - Cowing. Senaca Falls, N.Y.
Apr. 28/98 D. H. Wau Hoosear, Hurlbutt, Conn.
Perkins
14832 INVALID.
File No. 14832
William Williams
Brn. Rev. War.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index: - Vol. 1 , Page 412
[Arrangement of 1870.]