Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 11,866, Abner Woodward, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Woodward, Abner
S. 11,866.
CONTENTS
Carded

Pens. Agent. Apr 13, 1837
9119 Connecticut
Abner Woodward of Ashford in the State of Connecticut who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Allen of the Regiment commanded by Col. Welles in the Connecticut State Troops - 10 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 3 3/4 Dollars 37 1/2 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of March 1837 and sent to Durkley - Ashford Conn
Arrears to the 4th of March '33: $ 66 66 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 11. 33 16 66 $ 83 32
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Burrough Clerk, Book 8 Vol. 3 Page 45

I, Merial Woodward of Ashford, Windham County and State of Connecticut aged Sixty + six years, depose and say, that I well recollect, that Abner Woodward of said Ashford, was drafted in the Revolutionary war and afterwards enlisted under Capt. Aaron Whitmore and was absent from home in the service for the period of one month, under said Whitmore. - At the time said Abner so enlisted as above stated we both resided in the same family. - I cannot precisely recollect the time he enlisted, but it was after he had been out as a drafted soldier, and that I resided at the same place when he returned from said service of one month, as I did, where he enlisted. -
The said Abner was at first drafted at this time, but afterwards enlisted and went away and since as I have above stated and before the above time - and further the deponent saith not.
Ashford Jan. 7. 5 th 1833.
Merial Woodward

State of Connecticut
Windham County ss to Ashford Probate District
At a court of Probate held at Ashford within and for the District of Ashford - on the 5 th day of January A. D. 1833 -
- Present Ichabod Bulkeley Esq: Judge -
Then personally appeared Othaniel Woodward in Open Court, before said Court of Probate on the day and year aforesaid, who being duly sworn, made oath to the truth of the within affidavit by him subscribed in Court - on this 5 th day of Jan y . 1833 -
And the said Court further certify that said Othaniel Woodward, is a man of truth and his testimony is entitled to full credit -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the the seal of said court of Probate at said Ashford this 15 th day of January A. D. 1833 -
W en C. Simons Clerk

Abner Woodward
No. 7
No 2941
Return to be sent to Deborah Bulkley Esq Ashford Connecticut

State of Connecticut Windham County
On this 23 rd day of July 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the county of Windham County now sitting, Abner Woodward a resident of Ashford in the county of Windham and State of Connecticut aged Seventy one 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 th 1832 That he entered the service of the United States in the Revolutionary war under the following named officers and served as herein stated — That he served, the first time he was in the service, under Col. Johnson of Canterbury and Major Benjamin Clark and Major Seretick — Huntington of Windham, and General Spencerfield — Officers — Capt. Nathaniel Lincoln, Lieutenant T. Saltonstall and Ensign M c Call company officers, he entered the service the 10 th day of January A.D. 1778 and left the same (after serving two months at Providence in Rhode Island) in March following, that he enlisted into the State Troops under Major Clark — he was a substitute at first in this term of service for William Bicknell who was drafted but afterwards  refused to enlist as above stated That he again enlisted in the "Sullivan Expedition" at Newport Rhode Island, and served for the period of one month, in 1778. under Col. Johnson, Abner Huntington — Capt. Clark, Worthington, Major Clark, Capt. Aaron Whitmore, Lieutenant Turner — Redoes not recollect the ensign — That he again enlisted into the service, in the State Troops, in the latter part of July 1779 and served about seven months and ended his service at this time, in the latter part of February 1780 under the command of Colonel Levi Willys and Major Buell as field officers Capt. Daniel Allen, Daniel Knowlton Lieuten- ant and Ensign — Forbes company officers

That he marched at this time from Ashford to New London and sued for the above pension at said New-London and at East-Haven in Connecticut and was then released
and that he has no documentary evidence in relation to the above — service - or discharge from the same,
That he was born in Windham 1782 and has a record of his age in his family Bible at home — where He now resides in said Ashford, where he has resided since the war and that he has so never had any discharge — and that he is acquainted with Rev. Ezekiel Skinner and Stephen F. Palmer Esq. — who hereby will testify as to his character for truth & credibility — and that he hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever to a pension or annuity except the present one and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state —
Abner Woodward
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the County Court of the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut. Attest Ammi B. Bolles Clerk
We Ezekiel Skinner, a clergyman, residing in the town of Ashford in Windham County and Stephen F. Palmer, residing in the same town, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Abner Woodward who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 71 years of age, that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and concurs in that opinion —
Ezekiel Skinner
Stephen F. Palmer
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before the County Court of the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut
Attest Ammi B. Bolles Clerk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrog- atories 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 Ezekiel Skinner, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the said town of Ashford, and that Stephen P. Palmer, Esq. who signed the same is a resident in the said town of Ashford, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest Amos Bolles clerk
Amos Bolles clerk of the County Court for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Abner Woodward for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 23 d day of July A.D. 1832
Amos Bolles clerk

State of Connecticut } Windham County } ss. Ashford Probate District
On this 5 th day of January A.D. 1833 - personally appeared in open court, before Ichabod Bullen Esq. judge of the court of Probate for the said District of Ashford now sitting Abner Woodward a resident of Ashford - Windham county and State of Connecticut aged seventy one years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following supplemental declaration (to a declaration made by him before the County Court, for said county and State on the 23 rd day of July 1832) in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832 That he was drafted and served, as related in his former declaration, a private - for the period of Two months - from the 10 th of January 1778 kind left the service in March following - That in he uses the word drafted, meaning that William - Bicknell of said Ashford was drafted and that he served for the above named two months a substitute for said Bicknell -
2 nd Term of service -
That early in the Fall, (the precise time he cannot recollect) in 1778, he enlisted into the Connecticut State Troops in the "Sullivan Expedition" so called, a private, and served for the period of one month - at New Port Rhode Island, under Colo. Worthington, Major Clark, Capt. Aaron Whitmore - Lieutenant Sumner, He does not recollect the name of the Ensign -
3 rd Term of service -
That he again enlisted into the Connecticut State Troops, in the service, in the latter part -

of July 1779 and served for the period of Seven months - a private and left the service at this time, the latter part of February 1780. under the command of Col o Levi Wells and Major Bull field Officers - Capt Daniel Allen - Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton - and Ensign Forbes company Officers - That he marched at this time from said Ashford to New-London in Connecticut, and was stationed in the city of New-London and at "Fort Trumbull" until about the 1 st Jan y . after he enlisted and then marched to East-Haven in S d Connecticut and performed the above service of Seven months at said New-London and at said East-Haven and was then released. Abner Woodward
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before, the court of probate for the District of Ashford, in the County of Windham & State of Connecticut Attest Benj o C. Simmons Clerk
And the said Court of Probate do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, that the above named applicant - was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as He. States -
Attest - Benj o C. Simmons Clerk

I Benj a C. Simmons Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Ashford, in the County of Windham and State of Connecticut do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original Supplemental proceedings of the said court of Probate of the application of Hener Woodward for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said court of Probate, this 5 th day of January A. D. 1833.
Benj a C. Simmons Clerk

Rev War
11.866 INVALID.
Rev War
File No. 11.866
Abner Woodward ★
Briv. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 2 Page 415
[Arrangement of 1870.]
★ Abner Woodward. Records corrected. May 31/05.

Wm Woodward
admit 10 mi o private $ 33.33
L. B. Buckley
Page 85.
FOURTH. VII. Mode of authentication papers.
Every document must be accompanied by the proper affidavit, unless otherwise provided by law. The affidavit must certify to the authenticity of the document, and the official capacity and signature of the person signing the same, and the time and place of signing the same. The time of the signature is not material, but the place of signing the same is material. The person signing the document must be the person who is authorized to sign the same, and the person signing the same must be the person who is authorized to sign the same.
FOURTH. VII. Mode of authentication papers.
Every document must be accompanied by the proper affidavit, unless otherwise provided by law. The affidavit must certify to the authenticity of the document, and the official capacity and signature of the person signing the same, and the time and place of signing the same. The time of the signature is not material, but the place of signing the same is material. The person signing the document must be the person who is authorized to sign the same, and the person signing the same must be the person who is authorized to sign the same.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Abner Waadsworth 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? 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?

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?
It does not appear in each instance
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.

I Phillip Squire of Ashford, in Windham county and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say that Abner Woodward of said Ashford was a soldier with me and served two months in the revolutionary war at Providence in Rhode Island, under the command of Capt Benjamin Clark in the State Troops. Col. Johnson was the Colonel, this was in the year - 1778 and further the deponent saith not when he served as above, and afterwards Capt Clark was promoted to Major. and further the deponent saith not. Ashford July 18 th 1832 - Philip Squire
Windham County
Ashford July 18 th 1832
Personally appeared Philip Squire and made oath to the truth of the above deposi- -tion by him subscribed & I certify said Squire's Testimony is entitled to full Credit - Sworn -
Before me -
Ichabod Bulkeley Justice of Peace
I Sampson Hays of Ashford, Windham county and State of Connecticut of lawful age depose and say, that I was a soldier in the revolutionary war, in the year 1779 and 1780. and served at New London and East-Haven in Connecticut and I well remember that Abner Woodward was a soldier at said New London & East-Haven with me and that he served there, for the period of Seven Months, under Capt Daniel Allen and further the deponent saith not July 23 rd 1832. Sampson Hays
Sworn to July 18, 1832

I Othniel Woodward of Ashford, Windham County and state of Connecticut, of lawful age I say depose that I well recollect that Abner Woodward of said Ashford, was drafted in the Revolutionary war, and after wards enlisted under Capt. Aaron Whitmore Whitmore and was absent from home under him, for one month and further the deponent saith not July 23 d 1832 Othniel Woodward
Windham County
Ys Ashford July 23 d 1832
Personally appeared Sampson Hays and Othniel Woodward, who severally made oath to the truth of the foregoing dispositions by them subscribed — I hereby certify that said Hays and said Woodward are each of them entitled to full credit as witnesses — sworn before me
I Chabod Bulkley Justice of Peace
I Armin Bolles Clerk of the County Court in and for the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut do hereby certify that Chabod Bulkley Esq before whom the within and foregoing affidavits were made is duly enrolled as a Justice of the Peace in and for said Windham County that the foregoing signatures of his name are in his hand writing and that full faith and credit ought to be given to his acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court at Brooklyn in said County this 26 th day of July A.D. 1832
Armin Bolles Clerk