Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11497, Samuel Widger, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Widger, Samuel
A 11497
CONTENTS

11,039
Sam l Widgeon
5.16.
11 Dec '32
Plus.
Mr. W. Matthews Richland Oswego Co N. York

11,039
BRIEF in the case of  Samuel Widgeon - Hastings,  Co of Oswego in the State of New York.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court-  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 85 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.     In 1777 "at various times till close of war ant'y to at least 1 year" private Gen. (Col. Ledyard, Col. S. Allen St. L. Lewis, Ensign Leicester  
 5. In what battles was he engaged?  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Granton, N. London Co., Conn.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Trad.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. Fawcett Examining Clerk.

Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of New York County of Onondaga } On this 24 th day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Onondaga aforesaid, now sitting, Samuel Widger a resident of the town of Hastings in the County of Onondaga and State of New York, aged eighty five years and about nine months 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. That he was under the command of Leagyard who was then of Ripton called Col Leagyard, Capt Simeon Allen, Lieuten- ant Joseph Lewis, and according to the best of this deponent's recollection Ensign John Lewis. This deponent further says that he does not now recollect any other of the field officers, besides the said Leagyard. That as nearly as he can recollect, he entered the Service some time in the 1777. And that he continued in the Service of the United States till the close of the war, That he was engaged but for one time being draft- ed and standing as minute man as they were called at the time being obliged to start at the firing of the alarm. - That he entered the Service in the town of Gran- ton, County of New London and State of Connecticut. That he was stationed near fort Griswold. This deponent further says that he was never engaged in any battle, but was on his way having received the alarm to fort Griswold at the time of the battle at that fort which resulted in the taking of the fort by the British and the massacre of the most of the American Soldiers -

then in the fort, Especially of that Company to which this deponent was at belonged - This deponent well recollects that there were but a very few of the com- pany to which he belonged Escaped - That one Thomas as Lester Escaped And afterwards went with this deponent then one of this deponents comrades, And pointed out to this deponent the course he took And explained to him the mode by which he effected his Escape from the fort, This deponent further says that after re- ceiving the alarm, as in pursuance of his duty he hastened to the scene of action, And when he came in sight of the fort he discovered that it was surrounded by the British Soldiers And therefore impossible for him to render at that time any particular service to the American Cause, And did not and could not engage in the battle, That he never took up any line of March but the Militia, to which he was attached, belonged, and were stationed about the fort aforesaid, And consequently this deponent continued during the whole time of his service in the town wherein first entered the service, - That this deponent can not tell whether there were any Continental Soldiers there with whom he served unless those commanded by the said Sedgwick were such, And this deponent now believes they were - That he cannot recollect how many there were under his command, in the Continental line - This deponent further says that he continued to stand as aforesaid as a minute man from some time in the year 1777 till the close of the war, Some times performing various duties and being engaged for three or four weeks at a time, in scouting parties, Especially when a ship arrived, at other times he would by order of the commandant of the company be on guard watching toils And as they were called Skirmishers and company And this deponent cannot tell exactly the time which the whole time would amount to in actual

Service, being engaged as aforesaid as nearly as he can state the time about four or five years but has no hesitation in saying that by putting the various times he was out together, that his actual Service could not be less than one year. That he cannot tell the number of times he was called out but they were frequent, sometimes he would but just arrive at his home before he would again be called upon to return. That he was acquainted with the General Arnold, and was on the Granton side of the River Thames when Arnold went up the river on the other side to destroy and aid destroy New London. That he saw the flames arise at the burning of New London by the said Arnold, and the burning of other buildings the soldiery having commenced the burning at the upper end of the town and burned clear down through the town. This deponent further says that at the time he entered the Service as aforesaid, he was informed that he was to receive half pay, and that he served under that impression. This deponent further says that he never did receive any pay from the States for his said services. - This deponent further says that he never had any discharge from the Service, the reason why he did not receive a discharge as he has always believed was that the officers under whom he served at the close of the war were all or nearly all dead. - This deponent further says that he was born in the town of Granton, County of New London in the state of Connecticut, on the twenty ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six. That he has a Record of his age, which is not now with him but at his home in the town of Hastings aforesaid. That at the time he was called into the Service he was living in the town of Granton aforesaid. - That he was called into the Service as above stated, not being now able positively to determine whether by

or not, but believes it was by draft for during his service as aforesaid he was not liable to be drafted as he has been informed at the time -
This deponent further says that he is acquainted with Samuel W Leonard a Clergyman and Rollin Blount in the neighborhood where he now resides and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution and further that he has no documentary evidence and no known way of proving his knowledge of his said services of the said services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any State.
Sworn to & Subscribe the Samuel W Widgeon marks day and year aforesaid D N Phelan Deputy Clerk
We Samuel W Leonard a Clergyman Residing one half the time in Hastings in the County of Onondaga and State of New York and Rollin Blount residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Samuel Widgeon who has subscribed to the above declaration that we believe him to be eighty six 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 Samuel W Leonard Rollin Blount day and year aforesaid D N Phelan Deputy Clerk

And the said Court do hereby de- clare their opinion, after the investiga- tion of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented by the men de- partments, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as in States - And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Samuel W Leonard who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident one half the time in the town of Hastings. And that Robbins Blount who has also signed the same is a resident in the town of Hastings and is a credible person and that this statement is entitled to credit.
Abijah Skinner } Judges of Assizes A. Freeman } & Courts
I Eric Poor clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Widgeon for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of office this 14th day of September 1832.
Eric Poor Clerk By J. R. Thurber Deputy

11.039
of the matter of Joseph Widley Widley
Pension Papers
Connecticut Militia

State of New York Oswego County } ss. On this 5th day of September 1833 personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Judge of Oswego County Courts, Samuel Widgee who, being duly sworn, deponeth 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 at least one year I served as a Soldier under the Command of Col. Ledyard, and I think most of the time in the company of Capt. Sime- on Allen. I was drafted as a minute man in 1777 and was engaged in the service from that time until the close of the war at a great many different times, as stated as stated in my preceding declara- -tion, but I cannot precisely tell the length of time of the several terms of ser- vice, amounting in all I am positive to at least one year; and for such service I claim a pension. Subscribed & sworn to this his day & year above written Samuel X Widgee before me, Henry  Henry  Shirley  Shirley mark Judge of Oswego Co. Courts

I, Eric Poor, Clerk of the County of Oswego, do hereby certify that Avery Williams Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County (which is a court of record) and that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Judge and verily believe his name subscribed to the head of said affidavit to be his proper handwriting and signature as witness my hand & seal of office this 10th day of Sept. 1835
Eric Poor Clerk By D. M c Pherson Dep Clerk

26
11.039
Samuel Widgeon
11.039
William

11,039
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Pammel Widger which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
It does
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
Hee did
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?
Hee has
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?
Hee has a detailed statement of each term of service required
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Hee has
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?
Hee has
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Hee has
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
Hee has
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?
It is affixed, but not in the manner required.

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? Hee has
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? Hee has
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? Not concurred in the manner prescribed. No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? They are.
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.

W. Minn. Pk Lower S. Dakota Sept. 19th.
Sept. 22nd N.Y. City
J. L. Edwards Consumption Washington

Union Square, Oswego Co. Sept. 20. 1833
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I return you the pension papers of Saul Widge with objections to the same
The papers are originally sent to your department by M. W. Matthews of Richland in this Co. You will please inform me of the result of the application
I am Sir very Respectfully your Obedt Servt
J. D. Edwards Esq. Comm. of Pensions
A. Minner

Rev:
New York
Samuel Widgeon
Suspended not 7 Jan '32
letter 2nd or 3rd
A. Skinner

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
114,97
P. O. Sam. Midser
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18