Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,421, Thomas Williams, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Williams, Thomas
S. 6421
CONTENTS
carded

Ohio Pittsburgh 32.405
Thos. Williams
of Lorain in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Co. — commanded by Captain Warner of the Regt. commanded by Col. Canfield in the Cont. — time for 9 mos & 28 days.
33 11 / 100
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio. Pittsburgh. at the rate of 33 Dollars 11 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 rd day of Oct r 1833 and sent to E. Whiton. Elyria, L. Co. Ohio.
Arrears to the 14th of Sep. 1833 — 82.77 Semi-ant. allowance ending 1 Mar 34. 16.56.
$99.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. M. Palmer Clerk, Book C Vol. 8 Page 132

216. 533 22. 405
Thomas Williams Ohio
Adm 9. Mo. 28 days
66.22 16.551 82.77
E. Whiton Elyria Lorain County Ohio.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
15 th October 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas Williams
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     25 May 1779. 1. 14. priv Cap. Brown 7th years   1. April 1780 6. " Cap. Warner Batterburg Traditionary   20 Feb. 1781. 2 14. Braveh Col Canfield Cann  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this                      day of                      personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of                      in the county of                      and State, Territory or District of                      aged (c)                      years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)                      , with                      and served in the                      (e) regiment of the                      line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I                      of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of                      for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of                      &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the                      and C. D. residing in (the same)                      , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with                      , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the                      and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the                      and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,                      Clerk of the Court of                      do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this                      day of                      &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of 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 each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

26. 533.
Thos. Williams
Application for a Pension

The State of Ohio Lorain County ss.
Supreme Court, at the August Term of said Court, held in and for the County aforesaid on the eighth day of August A. 1833.
On the eighth day of August A. 1833. personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the same Court held in and for Lorain County now sitting, Came Thomas Williams a resident of the Township of Columbia in the said County of Lorain aged seventy 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 was drafted into the service of the United States as a soldier in the militia of the State of Massachusetts Connecticut on the 25 th day May A. 1779. and was placed under the Command of place under the Command of Captain Samuel Brunson Lieutenant Daniel Sanford & Ensign Calow all then of the State of Connecticut that he continued in the service of the United States as aforesaid until the ninth day of July 1779. And during that time was stationed at Horse Neck in the said State of Connecticut.
That on the first day of April 1780 this deponent enlisted as a soldier in the service of the United States and was placed under the Command of Captain James Warner Lieutenant Joel Dunbar and Ensign Samuel Sutliff, that he continued in the service as aforesaid until the first day of October of the same year and during that time was on the coast from New Haven in Connecticut to the line of the State of New York for the purpose of guarding the frontier. That the Company to which he belonged was not attached to any Corps. during that time, nor was they in any regular battle.
That on the 20 th day of February 1781. this deponent was drafted as a soldier in the Militia of the State of Connecticut and entered the service of the United States and placed under the Command of Captain Crouch Lieut Daniel Alcott the Ensign from Corps of minutemen  this deponent does not recollect that he was attached to a regiment of Militia Commanded

by Col. Canfield, and that he continued in the service of the United States until the 9 th day of May 1781. That while in the service as aforesaid, the regiment to which he belonged was stationed at Stamford in the State of Connecticut. That during the time of his services as aforesaid he was not stationed with any corps of Continental troops nor in any regular battle.
That he has no documentary evidence of the said services and he knows of no person whose testimony he can prove who can testify to his services other than general reputation. All those by whom he could have proved the foregoing facts are now dead as he verily believes.
That he was born in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty three on the 21 st day of April 1763 in the Town of Watertown and State of Connecticut. That he has no more of his age other than what was taken from a family bible.
That 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 the agency of any State.
That he never received any discharge from the services aforesaid but was dismissed without pay.
That Calvin Goadly, Samuel Hoagly, Amos Rushmore, Benoni Adams, Simon Nichols, & Samuel Hilt- -cock residing in the same neighbourhood can testify as to his morality, and their belief as to his age and services as a soldier of the revolution.
That 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 the agency of any State. 5/18/1818 J. Hiltcock

We Frederick Walker, a clergyman residing in Royalton in Cuyahoga County and State of Ohio - and Calvin Hoadley residing in Columbia in Lorain County and State of Ohio do hereby Certify that we are well ac- quainted with Thomas Williams who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, Frederick Walker this 26 day of September 1832 } Calvin Hoadley
Earl Hickcox Justice Peace
Interrogatories
1 st . where and in what year were you born?
Ans. I was born in the Town of Watbury on the 21 day of April 1763. in the State of Connecticut. -
2 d . Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it?
Ans. I have no record my age except what is taken from a family bible
3 d . When were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now reside?
Ans. I resided & lived in the Town Watbury in the State of Connecticut when called into service and resided there til after the Revolutionary war from there I removed to Whitesborough in the State of New York removed from the State of New York in 1818 to the Town of Columbia where he now resides in the State of Ohio
4 th . How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or give you a substitute?
Ans. The first time I entered the service and the third time I was drafted. The second time as before stated I entered as a volunteer
5 th . Through the loss of memory by old age and infirmity, I can only recollect Col Canfield as a field officer & the other officers as I have stated in my declaration.

Did you ever receive a discharge from the services aforesaid and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Ans. I never received a discharge from the services aforesaid but was dismissed when my term of service respectfully expired
7 th State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution?
Ans. Calvin Hoadly Samuel Hoadly Amos Richmond Benoni Adams Simon Nichols & Samuel Hickcox
Thomas Williams
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department & the examination of the testimony adduced that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier & served as he states - That Frederick Walker the Clergyman resides in an other County & Calvin Hoadly the other witness in the extreme township in this County & that their personal attendance in Court could not conveniently be procured and that Eli Hickcox was, at the time of subscribing the same an acting Justice of the Peace duly Commissioned & sworn -
I Ebenezer Whiton Clerk of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio within & for the County of Lorain do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Williams, for a pension -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this fifteenth day of August A.D. 1873 -
Ebenezer Whiton Clerk

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section. awf aw
December 22, 1923.
Mrs. H. E. Flock, 213 9th St., Lorain, Ohio.
Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 6421 , it appears that Thomas Williams was born April 21, 1763 in Waterbury, Connecticut, and while residing there, he enlisted May 25, 1779 and served as private in Captain Samuel Brunson's Company until July 9, 1779.
He enlisted April 1, 1780 and served in Captain James Warner's Company until October 1, 1780.
He enlisted February 20, 1781 and served in Captain Crouch's Company, Colonel Canfield's Regiment until May 9, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 8, 1833, while a resident of Columbia Township, Lorain County, Ohio. There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.

1923. Dec. 22 - Hist to Mrs. H. E. Fluck ans. See letter in John Howard J. 4/6/58
Rev War
6421 INVALID.
File No. 6421
Thomas Williams Print Rev War
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 408
[Arrangement of 1870.]