Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4,715, Allen Watrous, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Watrous, Allen.
S. 4715
CONTENTS
carded.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Watrous, Allen.
S. 4715
carded.
CONTENTS

7889 Ohio Pittsburgh
Allen Watrous.
of Huron Co. in the State of Ohio. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Benton of the Reg't commanded by Col. Sherman in the line of line for
Nine months.
* Conn. (Not Mass.) Records corrected, Apr. 25, 1904.
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio Pittsburgh, at the rate of 30. Dollars 00, Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of April, 1833 and sent to L. B. Sturges, Norwalk. Huron Co. Ohio.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 1833 — 60.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 Sept. 18.00
$75.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W. R. Palmer Clerk Book E. Vol. 8 Page 132.

State of Ohio
Huron County } ss I swear the 27 th July A D 1832
At and before the Supreme Court of said State of Ohio held within said County of Huron
On the 27 th day of said July Allen Watson personally appeared in open Court before said Court - now sitting Allen Watson Resident of Ridgfield in the County of Huron - and State of Ohio - aged Seventy four years , who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to claim the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
That in the fore part of June A D 1780. He enlisted & entered into the Connecticut line of the Militia of the regular Army of the Revolutionary War into a Company commanded by a Captain Benton in a Colonel Sherman's Regiment and in the Brigade commanded by General Parsons that he served as a private Soldier in various places on the North River to work at Peekskill. Connecticut. West Point &c that he was present at the Execution of Major Andre - That he continued to serve as such until the latter part of December A D 1780 when he was Honorably discharged by said Colonel Sherman by a written discharge which he has lost.
That before the time aforementioned he served in the Militia of Connecticut in the Revolutionary War at New London Connecticut about one month. That owing to the length of time which has elapsed & the failure of his memory, he cannot distinctly remember the names of the Captain of the Company, or the Colonel of the Regiment when at New London.
He knows of no person now living who can now testify respecting his revolutionary services. He has no record of his age. Has lived since the revolutionary War in said State Connecticut, removed from thence to New Haven Ohio from thence to Ridgfield, both in the County of Huron, where he now lives. His residence was born in said State in the year A D 1758. He was living in East Haddam Connecticut when he first entered into service.
Allen Watson
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Attest D. Gibbs Clerk Sup. Ct.

Questions put by the Court.
First Question. When and in what year was you born?
Second. Have you any record of your age, and if so, when is it?
Answer
Third. When were you living, when called into service - where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
Fourth. How were you called into service - were you drafted - did you volunteer, or were you a Substitute and if a Substitute for whom?
Fifth. State the names of some of the regular Officers who were with the troops when you served - such Continental & Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your Services
Sixth. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service, and if so - by whom was it given and what has become of it?

Seventh. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighborhood at present who can testify to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares his name is not on the Pension rolls of the agency of any State
Allen Watrous
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Attest D. Gibbs Clerk Sup. Ct.
We H. H. Johnson Clergyman residing in the Lyme Township and George Spicer residing in Ridgfield in said Co. hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Allen Watrous who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and we believe him to be 74 years of age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and we concur in that opinion and that he is a man of truth. Sworn and subscribed the H. H. Johnson I see J. P. May & year aforesaid. Attest D. Gibbs Clerk Sup. Ct.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories presented by the War Department, that the above Applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he has stated, and further certify that it further appears that Francis H. Johnson who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in Lyme in said County of Huron and that George Spicer who has signed the same is a Resident in Ridgfield and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest D. Gibbs Clerk Sup. Ct.
I D. Gibbs Clerk of the Supreme Court of Huron County Ohio do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Allen Watrous for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 6th day of August A.D. 1832. D. Gibbs Clerk Sup. Ct.

State of Ohio Hurn County So Sept 27 th A D 1832
We the subscribers being first duly sworn do declare & testify on oath that we are well acquainted with Allen Patrous of Ridgfield in said County that we consider him a man of veracity and that his reputation in his neighborhood is that he served as a Soldier in behalf of the United States during the Revolutionary War.
Henry Griffee George Spier
Subscribed & sworn to the day and date aforesaid.
Attest D. Gibbs Clerk Sup te Ct.
No 5269
Allen Patrous
Francis Hasler

M. E. E.
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section MEE/eel
October 15, 1928
Dr. James Prime Turner Room 1333, 30 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, Illinois,
Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 4715, it appears that Allen Watrous was born in 1758, in Lyme, Connecticut.
While a resident of East Haddam, Connecticut, he enlisted, June 1, 1780, served as a private in Captain Benton's Company, Colonel Sherman's Connecticut Regiment, and was discharged January 31, 1781. Before the above service, he served one month at New London, Connecticut, dates and names of officers not given.
After the Revolutionary War, soldier lived in Lyme, Connecticut, New Haven, Ohio, and Ridgefield, Huron County, Ohio.
While a resident of Ridgefield, Ohio, he was allowed pension on his application executed July 27, 1832.
There are no data on file relative to his family.

This is the history of the only Allen Watrous found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau, and it does not appear that he ever served in the Massachusetts troops.
Respectfully,
E.W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Allen Watson
Pension papers

State of Ohio Huron County So I swear February 18 th 1833
On this day personally appeared before me Timothy Baker one of the Associate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County Allen Watson a Resident of Ridfield in said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following supplemental declaration in addition to his former declaration made on the 27 th of July A.D. 1832 before the Supreme Court of said State then sitting in said Norwalk in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7 th A.D. 1832. That owing to his old age & his consequent loss of memory & recollection he was in some particulars incorrect in his then declaration that that his first service mentioned in his former declaration in Captain Benton's Company in Colonel Sherman's Regiment & General Parsons Brigade was from the first part of June & should say the first of June 1780 to the last of January 1781 or to the last instead of the last December 1780 as mentioned in his former said declaration. He now recollects & declares that when he served in the Militia of Connecticut at New London his Captain was Jonathan Wilbourn. & his Colonel was Colonel (as he thinks) Colonel Joel Worthington. He is certain his name was Worthington.
That when he served at Peekskill, Crumpond, West point &c. Colonel Myllis M'Ginnis of the Connecticut line was there whom he often saw & knew in which was a Captain Garford whom he also knew.
The Declarant says that his meaning in his former declaration That he knew of no person now living who can testify to his Revolutionary services was, that he knew of no person who could so testify & living in said State of Ohio. — That Gordon Rogers & John Watson whose Depositions are annexed to & accompany this & the former declaration, live in Connecticut, between seven & eight hundred miles distant from this place — as also do Russell Dutton & Thomas Boardman the Justices of the Peace before whom said Depositions were taken. & That it would occasion much trouble, expense & delay to procure the regular Certificates of the Clerk of the County of their being in Office. The Declarant says that he has for many years past been acquainted with said Justices Dutton & Boardman & also said Depositions & knows them to be in the Office aforesaid. & also knows the characters of said Depositions to be good as to truth & veracity & in all other respects. The Declarant also says that he is acquainted

with the Rev d T. H. Johnson, Clergyman & George Spicer & also Henry Griffin who live in his Neighborhood, who have in his former declaration testified as to his Character for veracity & their belief of his services as a Soldier of the Revolution
And the Declarant further deponeth & saith, that by reason of old Age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of time he served but according to the best of his recollection that he served not less than the period mentioned below & in the following grades viz for eleven months as a private Soldier Allen Watson
State of Ohio } Huron County } } Subscribed & sworn to before me at Norwalk this 18 th day of July 1833
Timothy Baker Judge of Huron Court Pleas

State of Ohio Huron County
I David Gibbs Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas in said County do certify that Timothy Baker is an Associate Judge of the said Court duly com- missioned & sworn & the signature proceeding, purport- ing to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court & subscribed my name at Norwalk this 18 th day of February A.D. 1833
D. Gibbs Clerk N.C.P.

Gordon Rogers Affidavit de Allen Watson

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex
Easthaddam June the 7 th 1831
Personally appeared Gordon Rogers and made solemn oath that he is personally acquainted with Allen Watrous of Lyme in New London County that he entered the Revolutionary Army in the Connecticut Line in force from June 1780 at Buttskill by joining the Brigade commanded by General Parsons in Col Sherman's Brigade in Capt Benton's Company and continued in the Regular Army until the 24 th day of December 1780 at which time we were Honorably discharged
Sworn before the subscriber a justice of the peace for the County of Middlesex on this 7 th day of June 1831. Russel Dutton Justice of the peace

Allen Watrous
Certificate of Characters

State of Ohio } Huron County }
New Haven July 3 1832
We the subscribers Inhabitants of New Haven in Said County do certify that Mr. Allen Watrous formerly of Lynd in Connecticut resided in New Haven for some time past has since a short time since removed to Ridgfield in said County. That we were well acquainted with him, that as far as our acquaintance extended, we always considered him a good Citizen & Esteemed him an honest man, & of Undoubted veracity & we have perfect Confidence in the truth of his declara- tions under Oath or Otherwise
Elijah Dows-
Richard Frisbie
Benj. M. Norton
John W. Johnston
James B Lewis
Jason C Ames
James Skinner
I hereby Certify that I was well acquainted with Mr. Allen Watrous in the Town of Lynd in Connecticut for a number of years & Can Certify that he always sustained a good Moral Character in every Particulars.
James B Lewis

John Watrous Affidavit de Allen Watrous

State of Connecticut County of Middlesex ss. East Haddam June 6 1831
Personally appeared Mr John Watson and made solemn oath that he is personally acquainted with Allen Watson of Hyme in New London County and that he entered the Revolutionary army with me in the fore part of June 1780. at Peekskill by joining the Brigade commanded by General Parsons in Colonel Sherman's Regiment in Benton's Company and continued in the regular army until the 24th day of December 1780 at which time we were honorably discharged.
Sworn before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County of Middlesex on this 6th day of June 1831
Thos. C. Goodwin Justice of the Peace

Watrous Allen Watrous 7889 Brief objections
Allen County Ohio
Adm 9. No from 1780
Lewis B. Sturges Esq. Morralk Allen County Ohio

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Allen Watrous which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes 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? no V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? no VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes 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? yes

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? Yes
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?
Two witnesses to the first service named in the declaration The last tradition
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? No
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? No
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? Yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 5. 7 Not ans.
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.

Hon. Lewis C. 115  Conf
Secretary of War
City of Washington
Returned

Norwalk 18 Feby 1833
Hon Secretary Alvan
Sir
I now return enclosed to you the papers respecting Allen Watson's Pension Application. I flatter myself the defects mentioned in your brief objections are removed by his Supplemental declaration & affidavit. The only difficulty which can arise in the Department is the want of a Certificate from the Clerk in Connecticut respecting the official character of the Justices before whom the two Affidavits of John Watson & Gundon Rogers were taken. but as I apprehend that according to the requirements of your Department the Testimony independent of those Affidavits is sufficient the Certificate of the Clerk considering the extreme trouble of obtaining it will not be required.
An early decision in this case will much oblige the old Veteran. Yours Respectful Ob d Serv t
Lauro B Sturges
N B. He makes his term of Service Nine Months

Returned
Hon. Lewis C. Conf.
Secretary of War
City of Washington

Room 1333, #30 N.LaSalle St., Chicago, Ill. December 29, 1927
Bureau of Pensioners, Washington D.C.
Revolutionary War Section.
Dear Sir:-
My ancestor ALLEN WATROUS , born about 1756 in New London, Ct. died in Huron Co. Ohio, where he obtained his pension. His name was listed in Mass. S.A.S. spelled Wattrous , served as a Private in Capt. Amos Rathburn's Co. Col. John Brown's detachment, etc.
— Would like very much a copy of same as the record appears in your office with all data therein contained. I have made application for membership in the Sons and they exact this certificate.
Thanking you very graciously for your kindness, I am,
Sincerely,
DR. JAMES PRIME TURNER, Room 1333,
No. 30 N.LaSalle Street, Chicago, Ill.

Rehman ✓
4715 INVALID.
File No. 4715
Allen Watrous ★ Pr. Mass. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Vol. A , Page 391
[Arrangement of 1870.]
★ Conn. (not Mass.) Records corrected, Apr. 25, 1904.
1907. Dec. 26. Visit to Mrs. E. L. Olis for tombstone Fremont Ohio, data from card.
1928 - Oct 15, Visit to Dr. James Prime Turner, M. E. C.

Chicago, Ill.
1 U.S. own's
Office with ons and
go, Ill.

Revhan
4715
INVALID.
File No. 4715
Allen Waters ★ Prin. Mass. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index: Vol. A , Page 391
[Arrangement of 1870.]
★ Conn. (not Mass.) Records corrected, Apr. 25, 1904.
1907. Dec. 26. Heist to Miss E. L. Olis for tombstone Fremont Ohio, data from card.
1928 - Oct 13, Heist to Dr. James Prime Turner, M. E. E.