Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11537, Joseph Willford, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Willford Joseph Wilford
R. 11537
CONTENTS

Gen Medcalf was Brigadier Gen in 1876 as he believes but cannot recall exactly
This Deponent further saith that from the period of his services from August 1880 until the close of the war in 83 he volunteered his services and was to  Reserve  First  Brigadier  Spencer  and  did not  receive any  any  pay  from the  Govt  Town during that time, that he resided in the Town of Branford in the State of Connecticut that when he was discharged the order was verbal and that he never at any time had a written Discharge, that he has no other documentary evidence except the Commission herewith forwarded that he now resides in the Town of Ellington County at a great distance from the place where his said services were rendered and that he is not now aware of any person being alive by whom he can prove his said services. and he further says that many of the soldiers composing his company of which he had the Command were poor and that they suffered much for the want of clothing and provisions that he this Deponent had money of his own and was at the time in good circumstances as it respects property that he freely advanced his own money and money which he drew as before stated for the to feed and clothe his company for which he has never asked or received any pay since; that he is now poor and destitute of property that he is sick and confined to his house and has been for a long time and is wholly unable to appear at a Court of Record to make this Declaration that he was born in the year 1855 in the Town of Branford, New Haven County State of Connecticut and that his age was recorded at the office of the Town Clerk in said Town of Branford and that when called on to service he was a resident of that Town which lay directly upon the seaward, nearly forty years ago he removed together with his family to the Town of Simsbury County of Rutland and State of Vermont where he resided until he removed to Batavia Si

Grenon County Town of Elkins
We George Bolton a Clergyman residing in Town of Elkins in said County and E. D. Davis residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Welford who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed Declaration that we believe him to be in the seventy eighth year of his age that he is upright and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we are cheerfully to answer in that opinion Subscribed and sworn this 23 day of July 1832 Geo. Bolton before me E. D. Davis
S. O'Wring Judge of Greenlee County Court
I the said Simon O'Wring a Judge of the Grenon County Courts do hereby Declare, that in my opinion after a thorough investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he has above related; and I do further certify that I have long been acquainted with the said Joseph Welford and have no hesitation in saying that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity, and also further certify, that from the infirmities of age and the disease under which

Gen Madsen was Brigadier Gen in 1986 as the Belovis but cannot recall distinctly.
This Respondent further saith that during the period of his services from August 1860 until the close of the war in 1865 he volunteered his services and was  was received. That he  That he  did not  did not  receive  receive  any  any  other  other  benefit  benefit  during  during  that  that  time  time  but  but  did  did  reside  reside  in  in  the  the  Town  Town  of  of  Branford  Branford  in  in  the  the  State  State  of  of  Connecticut  Connecticut  That  That  when  when  he  he  was  was  discharged  discharged  the  the  order  order  was  was  verbal  verbal  and  and  that  that  he  he  now  now  at  at  any  any  time  time  had  had  a  a  written  written  discharge  discharge  that  that  he  he  has  has  no  no  other  other  documentary  documentary  evidence  evidence  except  except  the  the  communication  communication  herewith  herewith  forwarded  forwarded  that  that  he  he  now  now  resides  resides  in  in  the  the  Town  Town  of  of  Ellington  Ellington  Connecticut  Connecticut  at  at  a  a  great  great  distance  distance  from  from  the  the  place  place  where  where  his  his  said  said  services  services  were  were  rendered  rendered  and  and  that  that  he  he  is  is  not  not  now  now  aware  aware  of  of  any  any  person  person  him  him  of  of  alike  alike  by  by  whom  whom  he  he  can  can  prawn  prawn  his  his  said  said  services  services  and  and  he  he  further  further  says  says  that  that  many  many  of  of  the  the  soldiers  soldiers  composing  composing  his  his  company  company  of  of  which  which  he  he  had  had  the  the  command  command  were  were  poor  poor  and  and  they  they  suffered  suffered  much  much  for  for  the  the  want  want  of  of  clothing  clothing  and  and  provisions  provisions  that  that  he  he  this  this  Respondent  Respondent  had  had  money  money  of  of  his  his  own  own  and  and  was  was  at  at  that  that  time  time  in  in  good  good  circumstances  circumstances  as  as  it  it  respects  respects  property  property  that  that  he  he  freely  freely  advanced  advanced  his  his  own  own  money  money  and  and  which  which  he  he  deemed  deemed  as  as  before  before  stated  stated  for  for  clothing  clothing  to  to  feed  feed  and  and  clothe  clothe  his  his  company  company  for  for  which  which  he  he  has  has  never  never  asked  asked  or  or  received  received  any  any  pay  pay  since  since  that  that  he  he  is  is  now  now  poor  poor  and  and  residue  residue  of  of  property  property  that  that  he  he  is  is  sick  sick  and  and  confined  confined  to  to  his  his  house  house  and  and  has  has  been  been  for  for  a  a  length  length  of  of  time  time  and  and  is  is  wholly  wholly  unable  unable  to  to  appear  appear  at  at  a  sup  bank  bank  of  of  Reura  Reura  to  to  make  make  this  this  Declaration  Declaration  that  that  he  he  was  was  born  born  in  in  the  the  year  year  1855  1855  in  in  the  the  Town  Town  of  of  Branford  Branford  New  New  Haven  Haven  County  County  State  State  of  of  Connecticut  Connecticut  and  and  that  that  his  his  age  age  was  was  recorded  recorded  at  at  the  the  office  office  of  of  the  the  Town  Town  Clerk  Clerk  in  in  said  said  Town  Town  of  of  Branford  Branford  and  and  that  that  when  when  called  called  on  on  to  to  service  service  he  he  was  was  a  a  resident  resident  of  of  that  that  Town  Town  which  which  lay  lay  directly  directly  upon  upon  the  the  seaward  seaward  Nearly  Nearly  Forty  Forty  years  years  ago  ago  he  he  remained  remained

together with his Family the the Town of Pittsfield County of Rutland and State of Vermont where he resided until he removed to Barre since Eliza Simon County where he has lived until the Present time a Period of Nearly Twenty years That he hereby renounces every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the present and Declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Army of any State That he has Acquaintances in the Town of Elba among whom are the Rev Geo Colton Charles — Woodworth Col Shubael Dunning E D Davis and others who can attest to his Character for truth and veracity That he was acquainted with General Washington Gen Sullivan Gen Putnam Gen Nixon Gen Glance and many other Officers of the Revolutionary that he served during the revolutionary war for more than five years - in all the services which he rendered
Subscribed & Sworn This 23 rd day of July 1832
Joseph H. Safford
Before me
S. C. Cummings Judge of Genesee County Court

Giles County Town of Elkins
We George Bolton a Clergyman residing in Town of Elkins in said County and E. D. Davis residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Welford who has subscribed and sworn to the annexed Declaration that we believe him to be in the seventy eighth year of his age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we are cheerfully confirmed in that opinion Subscribed and sworn this 23 day of July 1832
Geo. Bolton
E. D. Davis
S. Cling Judge of Greenlee County Court
I the said Simon Cling in 32, a Judge of the Greenlee County Courts do hereby Declare, that in my opinion after a thorough investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he has above related; and I do further certify that I have long been acquainted with the said Joseph Welford and have no hesitation in saying that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity, and also further certify, that from the infirmities of age and the disease under which

Declaration of Marcia Smith, one of the children of Joseph Wilford, a Revolutionary Soldier
H. M. Soper, Atty., Ratam, Genesee Co., N.Y.

State of New York } County of Genesee } ss. I, Marcia Smith, of the town of Raton in the said County of Genesee, do, upon oath, testify and declare, to the best of my knowledge and belief, that Joseph Wilford served in the Revolutionary war, and for the particulars of his services she refers to the annexed Certificate of the Compt. of the State of St. and to the Records of the War Department.
I further declare that the said Joseph Wil- ford made application for a Pension under the Act of 1831 and never received any- and that he never received any Bounty Land- and never transferred his claim to it in any manner.
I further declare that he made a Will and bequeathed to this declarant and her sister Elizabeth Wilford, who is now dead, all his claim to any Pension for the Government of the United States. -
There all men by these presents, that I, Marcia Smith, do hereby constitute and appoint Horace M. Soper, of Raton, Genesee County, N. Y., to be my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States any Pension or warrant for Bounty Land that may be due to me as aforesaid and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes therein mentioned.
Marcia Smith

Personally appeared the above named Marcia Smith, subscriber to the foregoing declaration and made oath to the same and in my presence acknowledged the power of attorney thereto, subjoined to her true free act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned -
Edgar C. Dibble County Judge of the County of Genesee -
State of New York } ss. County of Genesee } At a County Court held before me this fifth day of December 1853 it was satisfactorily proved before me by the oaths of Marcia Smith and Sarah R. Smith, of the town of Palmar in said county, that Joseph Wilford was a Revolutionary soldier as they believe, that he died on the 26 th November 1832 - That he did not leave any widows and that the only children surviving him are the said Marcia Smith, Jeremiah Wilford of Athens, Crawford Co. Pa. and Maria A. Wolcott, of Alabama, Greene Co. N.Y.
In testimony whereof I, Edgar C. Dibble County Judge of said county, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal - and I certify that I have no interest in the result of the foregoing application and am not concerned in its presentation.
Edgar C. Dibble County Judge of the County of Genesee -

State of New York } ss County of Genesee }
Jarris Smith and Richard Smith of Batavia, Genesee County, N.Y. being duly sworn do depose and say that they are acquainted with the above Smith who has signed the foregoing declaration and that they saw her sign the same and know her to be the same person described therein -
Subscribed and sworn Jarris R Smith this 5 December 1853 Richard Smith
before me -
Edgar C Dibble County Judge of the County of Genesee
State of New York } ss
I, Morris L. Soper, Clerk of the said County do certify that Edgar C. Dibble was County Judge of said County at the time of taking the foregoing Declaration and affidavits and duly authorized by law to take the same and that I am acquainted with his hand
writing and do hereby believe that his signature to the certificates of taking same are his hand writing - In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal this 5th December 1853 -
M. L. Soper Clk

State of New York } ss Madison County }
Personally appeared before me an Officer in and justice of the peace in and for said County, Elizabeth Barker, a resident of the town of Madison aged 74 years. Who first being duly sworn according to law, does upon her oath depose and say that she is Sister to Joseph Willford late of Ulster County in said State, deceased and formerly of Branford New Haven County and State of Connecticut, and is personally known to well remembers his enlisting in the State Troops of Connecticut soon after the battle of Bunker Hill in the year 1775, she thinks in April or May of that year, for seven months, she does not remember the name of the captain who commanded the company. but she understood & believes, the company in which he served, was attached to a Regiment commanded by a Colonel Hall, of Wallingford New Haven County Connecticut and that he left home, immediately after enlisting for to join the American Army near Boston, and that she assisted in fixing & putting up his cloaths for the campaign and that he was gone seven months, reputed to have been during that time, with the American Army near Boston, and had frequently at different times, after heard him retail circumstances, and incidents that transpired during the campaign, and that she has no doubt but that he served the seven months, in said campaign And, that the next succeeding year 1776, he again enlisted in a company of State Troops, commanded by a Captain Edward Russel, and left home in the spring of the year either in April or May to join the American Army, and marched for New York as was then reputed, and that she remembers that this enlistment was for seven months and that he was absent during that time & something over and understood that he served a week over the time of his enlistment, and also has understood, this from her

Russel Barker, her late husband, who served in the same company during this campaign; and that she assisted also in preparing & putting up his clothes, before he joined his company, and that he served in this as well as in the previous campaign in 1775 as a Sergeant, or was reputed to have served as such. And at another time he left home as a volunteer as she thinks; she does not remember the year, but at the time the British Troops were committing depredations on the coast, between New Haven and New York and joined other volunteers & marched, to attack the enemy, and he was about two months, and a part of the time on board of an armed vessel employed in guarding the coast. And during the last three years of the American War, he was reputed to be a Lieutenant in a company, and employed in securing the country & protecting the inhabitants from depredations of the Tories, and in guarding the coast from depredations of the enemy, and was, for the most part of that time thus employed, and but a small portion of the time at home, but was the principal part of the time in service as above stated, of the State of Connecticut and that this deponent, a part of the time of the services above referred to lived in her father's family, as did her brother Joseph, when at home and during the services of the last three years of the Revolutionary war; this deponent, lived a few miles from her father's, having married; and saw Joseph Wilford frequently, on service and the common reputation there at the time was that he was for the most part of the time on duty, in the field or on board of armed boats guarding the coast, and this she also knows from her husband, who was frequently called upon to serve on expeditions, under the said Joseph Wilford. And that the said Joseph Wilford was several years older than this deponent, but her husband does not remember his exact age.

And that all the above services was rendered the United States during the Revolutionary War, and further saith not.
Sworn and subscribed
this 29 th day of July 1833
before me
Thomas Miller Jr
J. Peace
Elizabeth Barker
State of New York } Madison County } ss
I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Elizabeth Barker who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing affidavit, and that she is reputed in the neighborhood where she lives, to be a person of good moral character, a daftrath and veracity, and entitled to full credit and belief, and that I concur in that opinion
Thomas Miller Jr. J. Peace
State of New York } Madison County Clerk's Office } ss
I Andrew S. Sloan, Clerk of the said County, do certify that Thomas Miller Jr. before whom the preceding Affidavit purports to have been sworn, and also whose name appears to the above certificate, was at the date of the same, one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County. And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said Affidavit and certificate to be his proper hand writing and signature.
Witness my hand and Seal of Office this 13 th day of August 1833.
A. Sloan Clk.

Josiah Wilford, July 23. 1832
1775 Volunteered & was in service 2 weeks
In June of same year, enlisted Compt. commanded by Capt. Hall, served for seven months at or near the town of Boston
Volunteered in Compt. commanded by Capt. Newcomb Moore, went to New York, served 2 months
1776. Enlisted in June under Capt. Edward Nafiel, Col. W. Doug- lass, served for six months (5 mo. 9 day, enlistment) after the battles of Danbury Ct. volunteered under Capt. Foot went to New Haven served for 2 months
1777 May was commissioned as Lieutenant in 3 d Compt. 2 d Regt took command of Bridgefield Guards until October of same year Then volunteered under Capt. Barker & went to Tuckermans & served two months
Between 1777 & 1779 was frequently called out (Time not stated) Fall of '79 made an attack upon a refugee & Skerry did not like it.
1780. August was elected commandant of a Co. of volunteers until 1783 Had the command of Whale Point acted under the commission which is herewith forwarded.

State of New York } ss Greene County } ss
On this 23 Day of July 1882 Personally Appeared before me Simon Cummings an Judge of Greene Common Pleas Joseph Milford a Resident of the Town of Elka in the County of State of New York aged Seventy seven years about two Months who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declarations in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 4th 1872 That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated That he volunteered to go to Boston in the year 1874 started for that place but was discharged before arriving there after a term of Two weeks service, In June of the same year he Enlisted into a Company of State Troops of the State of Connecticut commanded by Capt Hull (since Gen Hull) and served for a term of seven months at and near the Town of Boston was then discharged and returned home. After the Battle left Boston he volunteered into the Company of Capt Reuben Rose of the Town of Bradford 6th went to New York and served Two Months was discharged; he again enlisted June 1876 into the Company of Capt Edward Bruff under the command of Col. Wm Douglas and served for a term of six months and was discharged and returned home to Bradford 6th after the burning of Danbury 6th he volunteered into the Company of Capt Pratt of 6th went to New Haven and served for a term of Two Months and was discharged — In May 1878 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the third Company Second Regiment of the State of Connecticut by Governor Trumbull in June following took the command of the Bradford Guard which service he performed until Oct of same year when he together with the Company of Capt Barker volunteered and went to Fishkill and served Two Months
no officer
7
2
6
2
2 m.

he further says on his oath of office that he was frequently called out with his Company at different times in cases of alarm from the year 1777 until 1779; in the fall of 1779 this Department was reunited with his Company then under his command to make an attack on a Refuge between them being not far from Branford he did so but the attempt to take it was unsuccessful. This Department was also at East Haven when the British & Tories attempted to burn that place and was also in numerous skirmishes with the Refugees or Tories; he was directed by Col. Russell to take the command of a Company of volunteers and to attack the Refugees and secure them wherever he could find them that he and the Company which he commanded were successful in taking many of them and bringing them to Litchfield. This Department was informed by a friend that the Refugees Board at Sayde Neck offered a reward of 200 Guineas to have him this Department brought to them dead or alive and that he gave One hundred Dollars to the servant of one of the Tories Refugees to find out their Plot and the time they were to be taken to make the attack upon him; the servant gained the necessary information and informed him that they were to land their Boats at a certain time and place and commence the attack and this Department had a severe skirmish with them beat them and took a number of Tories Prisoners and the remainder fled to their Boats and Escaped. This Department further saith that he was appointed Lieutenant Commandant of a Company of Volunteers in August 1780 under the command of Col. Russell and continued in service as such Commandant until the close of the war in 1783 that he was stationed at Branford in Connecticut and had the command of the whole Boats at that place during said last mentioned Period and that he acted under the authority of a Lieutenants Commission which is herewith forwarded and under the command of Col. Russell and General Parsons of Connecticut and in the 2nd Regiment of the state of Connecticut.

Gaines County Town of Elba
Daniel Woodward being duly sworn says that he is a Physician by profession that he has attended Joseph Welford as such Physician about three months past and that from an apparent disease of the liver and an affection of the nervous system he is and has been since I commenced residing here mostly confined to his room and it is probable he will not very soon if ever regain his health so far as to be able to attend court. This deponent further says that he has for a number of years been acquainted with Joseph Welford both personally and by reputation and has no doubt from the information received from him and others that he was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary Army as he has related in his declaration hereto annexed and further that the impression is general in the Town and Neighborhood where he resides that he was an officer in the Army of the Revolution.
Daniel Woodworth
Subscribed and Sworn July 23 d 1832
before me E D Davis a Comr
State of New York Gaines County ss I, Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said county certify that Eleazar D. Davis Esq. before whom the above affidavit (whereof to hand) was taken and made was on the day of the date thereof a Commissioner of Deeds in and for said county and that I am well acquainted with the signature of said Commissioner subscribed to said affidavit and truly believe the same to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official seal this tenth day of November 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk B. Pringle Dep. Clerk

he labors, he is unable to appear in open Court to make this Declaration. I do also further certify that the Rev. Geo. Calton who has signed the preceding certification is a Clergyman and a resident of the said Town of Elba and that B. D. Davis who has also signed the same, is a Resident in the Town of Elba and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
S. Cummings Judge of Genesee County Courts

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
aw to mi
January 7, 1926
H. E. Wilford 1747 East 26th St. Brooklyn, N.Y.
Sir:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 11537, it appears that JOSEPH WILLFORD or WILFORD was born in 1755 in Branford, New Haven County, Connecticut.
1) While a resident of said place he enlisted in 1775 to go to Boston, and served two weeks, no officers stated. 2 He enlisted July 11, 1775, served as sergeant in Captain Street Hall's Company of the Seventh Connecticut Regiment and was discharged December 20, 1775. 3 In 1776 he served two months in Captain Reuben Rose's Connecticut Company. 4 He enlisted in June, 1776, and served six months in Captain Edward Russell's Company, Colonel William Douglas' Connecticut Regiment. 5 After the burning of Danbury he served two months in Captain Foot's Connecticut Company. He was commissioned May 16, 1777, as Lieutenant of the Third Company or Trainband in the Second Connecticut Regiment and served whenever called upon until 1783, during which time he was engaged in many skirmishes.
See Conn. in Rev. { page 6 for 1st service. " 80 " 2nd " " 407 " 4th " " 621 " 5th "
This rejection was a mistake , error in judgment of examiner and everything is proved as above aw

In 1832 the soldier stated that he had moved from Branford, Connecticut, to Tinmouth, Rutland County, Vermont, nearly forty years prior to that date.
He applied for pension July 23, 1832, while living in Elba, Genesee County, New York, but he died November 26, 1832, without having completed his claim.
His wife, her name not stated, did not survive him but the date of her death is not given.
The following children were living in 1853: Marcia Smith of Batavia, Genesee County, New York, Jeremiah Wilford of Athens, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and Maria A. Wolcott of Alabama, Genesee County, New York. A daughter, Elizabeth Wilford, was dead in 1853.
In October 1884, a grandchild, Cornelia A. Shattuck, was living in Galesburg, Jasper County, Missouri.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT Commissioner

GENERAL LAND OFFICE JAN 2 1863 PENSINA OFFICE
Ans! Jan. 8. 63 on instructions - paper w th

In reply to yours of the 8 th inst relative to an application for a pension by your grandfather Joseph Wilfong who served in the War of the Rebs from Conn n you are advised that his application is on file, but no pension was ever granted for the reason that the Service claimed was not established by satisfactory evidence.
Your attention is invited to the enclosed printed Circular which refers to the law that prevents the consideration of the claim in favor of his heirs after his decease.

Suspended
1368

Genesee County } Town of Elba } P
Edward Britton being duly sworn says that he was acquainted with Joseph Milford in the Town of Tenmants County of Rutland in the State of Vermont and that he was always reported in that place to have been a soldier of the Revolution; that he has for a number of years been acquainted with said Joseph Milford in the Town of Elba where he now resides and that he has always been reported in this place to have been a soldier of the Revolution nor has this Deponent at any time heard the same Disputed and further sworn Subscribed and sworn This 23 Day of July 1832 Edward Britton before me
S. Cuming Judge of Genesee County Courts

Genesee County Town of Elba
John Fuller of the Town of Elba being duly sworn saith that he is a Revolutionary soldier and a Pensioner that he has for nearly Twenty Years been acquainted with Joseph Wilford of the Town of Elba Genesee County that this Department has always understood that the said Joseph Wilford was a soldier of the Revolution and it is the general opinion of the Neighborhood and Town where he resides nor has this Department even heard the facts disputed by any Person since his acquaintance with the said Wilford Subscribed and sworn John Fuller July 23 d 1832 before me
S. Cuming
Judge of Genesee County Court
State of New York Genesee County 3 d . I, Timothy Fitch Clerk of said court certify; that Simeon Cummings, before whom the foregoing affidavits of Joseph Wilford, George Colton E. D. Davis, Edward Britton and John Fuller severally purport to have been taken and made was at the date of taking the same one of the Judges of the Genesee County court and that I am well acquainted with the signature of said Judge subscribed to the said affidavits and verily believe the same to be genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official seal this tenth day of November 1832 Timothy Fitch Clerk By B t Pringle Dep. Clk

state the length of time which he served in cases of alarm between the years 1777 and 1779 for this reason; that same time when he was called out he served one or two days some times more at other times less; he further states as before that in the Month of August 1780 he was appointed Commandant of a Company of Volunteers consisting of ninety Men as near as he can recollect and that he served for a term of two years and seven or eight months Ending he thinks in the Month of April or May 1783 that during this Period this Department was enga- ged in taking Refugees Tories and those who were Engaged in the Illicit Trade; this Department had Thomas Osborn the  the Capt of a Refugee Boat and a number of the Boats Crew and took them to General Parsons Quarters at Danbury Connecticut in the Month of August 1780; Osborn was tried and and condemned as a spy; but was promised a pardon on condition that he would bring out all those in that vicinity who were engaged with him; that said Osborn did make a discovery of a great number of names of such Tories Refugees and those engaged in the Illicit Trade and this This Department Recd a written Order from General Parsons to give all those whose names were mentioned in said written Instructions; that this Department During the said two years and seven or eight months above mentioned was stationed at Branford and at the Thimble Islands as a guard and at East Haven Saybrook Lyme New Haven Guilford and Killingworth Connecticut This Department was constantly in the service during the Period of two years and seven or eight months

thereby get out with him and as a matter there is not more than Twenty Men as the Occasion required at the time a part of his Company were stationed as a guard at one place while he with the remainder were sent on an Expedition to some other place that during this Period he was under the Command of Col Russell of the 2nd Regiment of the Connecticut Troops Joseph  Joseph W. W. W.  W. W. Subscribed and sworn to this Third day of November 1832 before me
James Taggart Judge of Genesee Com Pleas
State of New York } Genesee County } ss. I. Timothy Fitch, Clerk of said county
Certify, that James Taggart before whom the above affidavit purports to have been
sworn to on this day and the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county, and that I am well acquainted with the signature of said Judge Subscribed to said affidavit and verify believe the same to be genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my official seal this tenth day of November 1832
Timothy Fitch Clerk By B. Pringle (Dep. Clk)

1834 Octo 14 Mrs Cornelia A Shattuck that Soldier being dead his heirs are not entitled Prior
1921 Jan 7 sent to H. E. Wilford will
REJECTED
11,037
P. O.
Joseph Wilford
Service:
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Rejected list of 1852 gives full reason for disqualification: "Proof of source of his commission - the authority under which he served, & names of officers, and where marched or stationed."
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Wm. P. S. Trace 2/16 82 H.
P 204
Recorded Vol. 8. Page 231.

War department
Pensylvania Ave
Jany 1833
Sir-
I have the honor to inform you that the claim of Joseph Wilford  Samuel Hall has been again examined. You will see by referring to my letter of 20 Nov r . that it was objected to on account of the improbability of his narrative - No evidence or explanation has been afforded which impairs that ground - His claim is therefore suspended & his papers placed in file -
I have the honor to be
Rec d . 10 Jany '33 Act y . June
Dear Mr. Tracy

Joseph Willford applied for Pension Act 1832 - N.H. claim suspended
Joseph Willford
Ex - by Mr Wade Feb 54

Batavia N.Y. January 1851.
Sir,
This is to request that W. G. Ward may be permitted to examine the papers filed in your Office, by my father S t . Joseph Wilford, under act of 1832. - He was a resident of the County of Genesee, State of N.Y. at the time application was made papers are forwarded by
Yours O bt Servt,
Marcia Wilford Smith
Com d Pensions Washington D.C.

Joseph Wiford
Certificate of Services in the Revolutionary War.

State of Connecticut Comptroller's Office Hartford Feb. 26 th 1853
I certify, that on application for evidence of the service of Joseph Wilford, in the war of the Revolution, I have examined the documents remaining in this Office, and find the name of Joseph Wilford on a Pay Roll under the following heading viz, "Pay Roll of Lt. Col. "Street Hall's Company, Seventh Regiment, Anno. Dom. "1775," and opposite the name of the said Wilford are the following entries viz. 1 Rank Sergeant 1 When enlisted, July 11 th 1 When discharged, Dec. 20 th 1 months & days in service was 9 days 1 amt. of wages £12. 14. 4 3 / 4 1 When rec d . Colony provisions Aug. 14 th 1 Days billeted themselves 33 1 - amt. of billeting 16/6. 1 Miles home from camp 150 1 Expenses home 12/6
R. G. Pinney, Comptroller, by Geo. Robinson Clerk.

H. U. Dofur Dec 21/53
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

326 Pension Office. 21 st Dec r 1853.
Sir,
The additional evidence in the case of Joseph Wilford dec d of New York, has been received.
The certificate of the Comptroller of Connecticut shows the services of one Joseph Wilford as a Sergeant for five months and nine days . In his Declaration Joseph never asserted one days service as a private Sergeant: and the five months and nine days set forth, are less than the minimum period of time for which a pension is granted. The Act of Congress only provides for those who served six months and one.
H. U. Saper Esqr. Batavia, Genesee Co. N.Y.

Pension Office.
21 st Jany. 1854.
Sir,
The claim of Joseph Wilford of New York, has been re-examined.
Joseph in his lifetime applied for a pension, stating that he has served about (17) seventeen months as a private, and over two years as a lieutenant. His Commission in the latter capacity is found among his papers. He produced no evidence to show that he performed any service in either capacity. It is not to be supposed that he held the rank of Lieutenant for a period so long as he asserts, and yet no record of his service be found in the Office of Comptroller of Connecticut. Recently a certificate has been obtained from the Comptroller of Connecticut, which

indicates the service of one Joseph Wilford as sergeant for five months and nine days : and although he never asserted such a service, yet he has been sufficiently identi- fied with them in to satisfy the Af- fied that he  applicants performed it  there . But without evidence of some other service, this cannot be made available, for six months is the minimum period of service which the act of 7 th June 1832 provides a pension.
Col. Pringle June 21/32
Hon. B. Pringle. H. of Representatives.

Joseph W th Welford
New York
Act 7 June 1832.
Suspended - See
Letter to Hon. Tracy-
Jan y 16. 1833.
See letter 30 Jan '34 to
Hon. G. W. Lay
H. H. Saper 21 st Dec r 1833.
Hon. B. Pringle 21 st Jan y 1834.
11537
B. Pringle

1747 EAST 26TH STREET BROOKLYN, N. Y.
Nov. 22, 1925.
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir,
I beg to inquire whether you have any record of Joseph Wilford of Branford Conn., a soldier in the Revolutionary War, a resident of Vermont from 1787 till about 1816 and of Batavia (Oaksfield) N. Y. until the time of his death.
If you have anything to add from your records, I shall be greatly obliged for the information.
Yours respectfully,
H. E. Wilford.

Joseph Wilford Cov R 11527
Galesburg Jasper Co. Ill. Oct. 8 th 1884
W. W. Dudley, Commission of Pensions
Sir:
My Grandfather, Joseph Wilford was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and expected to receive a pension; but about the time he expected it to arrive he was taken sick and died and willed the pension, which was to arrive, to my Mother and another daughter.
as he served through

The war and raised a company, armed and paid them out of his own fortune, it seems but just that the pension should be granted even at this late day
He was a New Haven Conn. man and was for some months Captain of the Coast Guard with Headquarters at New Haven. He was con- sidered of importance enough to have the British Offer ninety Guineas for his head, dead or alive.
Will you please refer me to a pension attorney and let me hear from

you at your earliest convenience
Respectfully yours
Cornelia A. Shattuck

JONATHAN TRUMBULL, Esquire, Captain-General, and Commander in Chief, of the State of CONNECTICUT, in AMERICA.
To Joseph Willford Gent. GREETING.
YOU being by the General Assembly of this State accepted to be Lieutenant of the Third Company Trumbull in the Second Regiment in this State Reposing special Trust and Confidence, in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, I do, by Virtue of the laws of this State, me thereunto enabling, appoint and impower you to take the said Company into your Care and Charge, as their Lieutenant carefully and diligently to discharge that Trust; exercising your inferior Officers and Soldiers in the Use of their Arms, according to the Discipline of War; keeping them in good Order and Government; and commanding them to obey you as their Lieutenant for the Service of this State. And you are to observe all such Orders and Directions, as from Time to Time you shall receive, either from me, or from other your superior Officer, pursuant to the Trust hereby reposed in you.
Given under my Hand, and the Seal of this State, in Harford the 26th Day of May Anno Domini, 1777
By His Honor's Command,
George Wylllys Sec'y.
Jon. Trumbull