Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 2392, Ephraim J Wilcoxson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
or Wilcoxson, Ephraim J. Wilcoxson
W 2392
B.L.Wt. 27694-160-55.
Mary
CONTENTS

22.797 Connecticut Ephraim J. Wilcoxson of Stratford in the State of Conn who was a Pro- in the Conn commanded by Captain Paterson of the Co commanded by _____ in the Conn Troops time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 50 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Nov 33 and Ser- G- Tomlinson. Fairfield Conn Arrears to the 14th of Sept 33 $ 200 Semi-ant. allowance ending Nov 4 - 40 $240
Recorded by { Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. } E. D. Bullock Clerk, Book E Vol. 3 Page 47
2

Civ. S. Sherman Oct 11/55
64,682 } Act March 3/53 } Act 13
Mary Wife of son Widow of Ephraim J West son per
Was in the Revolutionary War & a Pensioner Act of June 1832 Applicant is also a Pensioner Act of Congress Feb 3 d 1833 & refuses to application for Pension
Berington
Conn Feb 53- 1359
W. Willoughby May 19/56 B. B. [Signature]
[Large decorative initial letter, possibly 'P']
Isaac Sherman Bridgeport Conn
Vols No 21. 4

1.359 ✓ Connecticut Mary Wilson of Ephraim J Wilson in the Revolutionary war a Pirate
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1842
3 rd February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of Aug 1853 and sent to
Isaac Sherman Bridgeport Ct.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 1842 Page 67 Vol. A
3/53
1832
Certificate corrected and returned to Isaac Sherman at Bridgeport Connecticut Aug 31 31/53 & Penzigt Notified same day A. N. H.

State of Connecticut.
By his Excellency HENRY DUTTON, Governor of said State.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
I know ye, That Stephen L. Booth was on the 14th day of August A.D. 1834, for the term of two years from and after said date appointed a Notary Public
in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to His acts and attestation as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in any court of Court; that the within attestation is in due form and by the proper officers and that I believe the signature of said
Henry Dutton
thereunto to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed, this 7th day of April A. D. 1835, and in the seventy ninth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By His Excellency the Governor,
O. Henry Secretary of State.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF Fairfield
ss. Stratford
On this 27 th day of March A. D., 1855
Notary Public
Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace , duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the County aforesaid, Mary Wilcoxson
aged 78 years, a resident of Stratford - said being in the State of
Connecticut who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Ephraim J. Wilcoxson of Stratford deceased, who was a private in the Revolutionary War and was a pensioner under the Act of Congress of June 7 th 1832 at the rate of Eighty dollars per Annum and proof of his service she refers to his application under said Act for a pension - and that she is also a pensioner of the United States under the 2 nd Section of the act of February 3 rd 1853 at the rate of 80 dollars per Annum that his certificate is dated 17 th day of August 1853 No 1359 and for proof of his death & their marriage she refers to her pension application at the Pension office at Washington City - and that I believe he
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of at least two years and was honorably discharged at on the  day of A. D.,
She further states that she was married to the said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson in Said Stratford on the twenty ninth day of January A. D. 1804 by one Rev. Asahel Baldwin Episcopal Minister , and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Wheeler that her said husband died at Said Stratford on the 16 th day of January A. D. 1838 and that she is now a widow.
She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the "act approved March 3, 1855."
Mary Wilcoxson
WE Miriam Higby and Walker Scott residents of Said Stratford County in the State of Connecticut upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mary Wilcoxson in our presence, and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.
Miriam Higby Walker Scott
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
Stephen S. Booth  Justice of the Peace  Notary Public

I Henry B Bartram of the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age do depose and say that I am well acquainted with Mary Wilcoxson who has executed the annexed application for Bounty Land dated the 27 th of March 1855 that she is a pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency at the rate of Eighty dollars per Annum and that she is now the widow of Ephraim J Wilcoxson and and that I believe the statements in her said application is true — which application is hereto attached
Henry B Bartram
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Stratford ss 1855 personally appeared before me a Notary Public duly authorized by law to administer oaths in and for the County & State aforesaid Henry B Bartram who subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition who I certify is a credible person and that I have no interest in the said Claim of Mary Wilcoxson for Bounty Land
Stephen J Booth Notary Public

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Stratford April 8 th 1853 On this 8 th day of April A.D. 1853. Personally appeared before the Court of Probate within and for the District of Stratford in the County & State aforesaid Mary Wilson of said Stratford aged 76 years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, according to the best of her knowledge and belief in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the several pension acts passed by Congress relative to granting half pay of pensions to certain widows passed July 7 th 1838 August 23 rd 1842, March 3 rd 1843, June 17 th 1844, February 2 nd 1848, July 29 th 1848, March 3 rd 1851 and the act relative such widows pensions passed by Congress and approved February 3 rd 1853 together with all other acts & resolutions passed by Congress relative to granting half pay of pensions to certain widows whose husbands served in the Revolutionary war commencing with said act of July 7 th 1838 up to & including said act of February 3 rd 1853 - That she is the Widow of Ephraim John Wilson late of said Stratford, deceased who was a pensioner of the United States on the roll of the Connecticut agency under the Pension act of January 7 th 1832 at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum; and for proof of his service in said revolutionary war, she refers to his declaration for a pension under said act at the Pension office at Washington City, - She further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim John Wilson at Stratford in said County by the Rev. Asahel Baldwin, who was, at that time the Pastor of Christ's Church in said Stratford, on the 29 th day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and four, and that her husband the aforesaid Ephraim John Wilson died in said Stratford on the 16 th day of January in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty eight; and that her maiden name was Mary Wheeler, that she was not married to him prior

to his leaving the service but the marriage took place subsequent to the second day of January A.D. 1800, to wit, at the time above stated -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before said Court
Mary Wilcoxson
And I hereby certify that it has been satisfactorily shown to me that said Mary Wilcoxson is now the widow of said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson
Attest. John Goulding Judge of the said Court of Probate for the District of Stratford
I Claudius B. Curtis Clerk of said Court hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the doings of said Court in the matter of the application of the widow Mary Wilcoxson for a pension -
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 8 th day of April A.D. 1853
Claudius B. Curtis, Clerk of Probate Court District of Stratford,

I, Isaac Wilcoxson of Stratford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 68 years of age do depose & say, that I am well acquainted with the widow Mary Wilcoxson of said Stratford, who is now applying for a pension, and was present and saw the said Mary Wilcoxson married to Ephraim John Wilcoxson in said Stratford, as near as I can remember in the year A.D. 1804 by the Rev. Ashbel Baldwin, who was at that time Pastor of Christ Church in said Stratford, and that said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson died at said Stratford and I believe in the year 1838 and that his widow the said Mary Wilcoxson has not been married since his death and is now his widow; that they lived together in Stratford as man and wife ever since they were married until his death as aforesaid; and the reason that I know the above facts, is, that I have always lived in said Stratford & was intimately acquainted with the said E. J. Wilcoxson & his widow Mary, whose maiden name was Mary Wheeler. Also I have always understood that the said Ephr. J. Wilcoxson was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his decease. Dated at Stratford this 8 th day of April A.D. 1853 Isaac Wilcoxson
State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss Stratford, April 8 th 1853
On this 8 th day of April A.D. 1853 personally appeared Isaac Wilcoxson above named and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition before me John Goulding, Notary Public
I hereby certify that the sd Deponent, Isaac Wilcoxson is a person well known to me and is a credible witness of undoubted truth & veracity John Goulding, Notary Public

John Wilcoxson & Lucius L Wilcoxson both of lawful age & both of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County State of Connecticut do depose and say that we are both sons of Ephraim John Wilcoxson & Mary Wilcoxson his wife that said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson died in said Stratford in the month of January A 1838 we both saw him after his death & both attended his funeral and that S d Mary Wilcoxson has not been married since the death of said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson her husband and is now living as his widow in S d Stratford and who is now applying for a pension as his widow. Also that said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson was a pensioner of the United States on the Roll of the Connecticut Agency Also that said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson & Mary Wilcoxson his wife lived together as man & wife in said Stratford ever since we can remember until his decease the S d John Wilcoxson being now 48 years of age & S d Lucius L. Wilcoxson is 40 years of age —
Also we both do depose and say that it appears on our family bible Record that said Ephraim was born November 15 th 1761 and John Wilcoxson was married to said Mary on the 29 th day of January A. 1804 — the record of which marriage is in the words & figures following viz —
"Ephraim John Wilcoxson Born November 15 th 1761 and married Mary Whuler January 29 th 1804 "
also we depose and say that our mother the said Mary Wilcoxson's Maiden name was Mary Whuler — and that said Ephraim John Wilcoxson died at said Stratford January 16 th A 1838 } Lucius L Wilcoxson

State of Connecticut
County of Fairfield } ss Bridgeport April 8 th 1853
Personally appeared John Wilson & Lucius D. Wilson who subscribed and made solemn Oath to the truth of the foregoing Deposition before me. persons I certify are well known to me and are credible witnesses.
Stephen H. Huntington of the Bar.

STATE OF CONNECTICUT, COUNTY OF FAIRFIELD, COUNTY COURT CLERK'S OFFICE,
ss. Bridgetown I, Wm D. Noble
CLERK
of the County Court, within and for Fairfield County, and keeper of the Seal thereof, and of the Commission of Justices of the Peace for said County, hereby certify—THAT
Stephen Sawley Esquire, was on the 8 th day of April 185 3 and now is a Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly appointed, commissioned and sworn, having full power and authority by the laws of this State, to take the acknowledgment of Deeds and other instruments, and to certify the same; also to administer Oaths, to take Affidavits and Depositions out of Court, and to give certificates thereof; that full faith and credit may, and ought to be given to his official acts and attestations; that I am acquainted with his hand writing, and know that the signature to the instrument hereto annexed, purporting to be his, is his genuine official signature; and that said instrument is executed, acknowledged and duly authenticated according to the laws of this State.
In Testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand, and affix the Seal of said Court, at Bridgetown in said County and State, on this — 8 th day of April A. D. 185 3
Wm D. Noble Clerk.

Ephraim J. Wilcoxons Declaration to obtain a Pension

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield
Bridgeport
On this second day of August A.D. 1833 personally appeared, in open Court, before the Court of Probate in & for Stratford District in said County
now sitting, Ephraim J. Wilson
a resident of
Stratford
in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, aged
71 years, who being first 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 in the Month of April 1778 his father was drafted to serve in the company of Lieut. Samuel Patterson of the Connecticut Militia, raised by the authority of said state for the term of six Months At Stratford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut said Ephraim J. Wilso- -son entered the said Patterson's company as a substitute for his father Ephraim Wilson of the said Town of Stratford during the above mentioned term of six months the said Patterson's Guard was stationed at said Stratford for the the purpose of keeping guard in and about the said Town of Stratford on Long Island sound - which service was continuous and faithfully perform- -ed and was discharged at Stratford at the end of said six Months. That he has no documentary evidence to prove this term of service and never had any written discharge - Samuel Whiting of Stratford was the Colonel of the Regiment to which said Patterson's company belonged - Nathan Burritt of said Stratford can testify to my service in said Company
That in the Month of July 1779 he volunteered for the term of one week for the purpose of opposing the British

Troops who at that time landed at New Haven first and afterwords at Fairfield in said State of Connecticut & burnt a part of said Towns - when I was at said Fair- -field there was a skirmish between the British and American Troops in which there was a number of lives lost - In August of the same year I served as a substitute in Captain James Benton's company of the Connecticut State Troops for the duration of the said Town of Stratford & also I served as a substitute for said Stratford during the month of September in all two months - at the end of the said two months I was drafted for three two months service in the Connecticut State Troops to serve under Captain James Benton said James Benton's company mandevoured at said Stratford & from there we were ordered to Fairfield where we remained about one month & from there we were ordered back to the said Town of Stratford where we remained till the expiration of the said term of + three months whilst we were stationed at said Stratford we kept guard in and about said Town during the two months mentioned above a part of the time we kept guard in said Stratford & a part of the time we were employed in making fasciers at a place in said Town of Stratford called old Mill at the end of said five months was discharged at said Stratford has no documentary evidence to prove this term of service & never had any written discharge But John Brooks & Asa Curtis junior have personal knowl- edge that he served three months of service after the term of service
That in the Month of March 1780 he entered as a volunteer into a Company of the Connecticut State Troops commanded by Lieutenant Samuel Patterson of the Town of Stratford in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut for the

Term of Eight Months & that he served the united States faithfully for the term of eight months in said Lieutenant Patterens Company during all which term of eight months we kept guard in and about the town of Stratford has no documentary evidence to prove this term of service & never had any written discharge but Nathan Brannett with other Rep ts made verbal knowledge that he performed service for the term of eight months for the United States in said Lieutenant Patterens Company (see page 5 th )
The said Ephraim J. Wilcoxson hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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.
Attest. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Ephraim J. Wilcoxson
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
We, Ager Curtis Junr. a clergymen , residing in the town of Stratford and David Brooks residing in the same, hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Ephraim J. Wilcoxson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reported and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Attest. Sworn and subscribed the day and date aforesaid.
Ager Curtis Jr. David Brooks
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 Ager Curtis Junr. who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergymen , resident in the town of Stratford and that David Brooks who has signed the same, is a resident of the town of Stratford and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Attest.
R. S. Nichols, Clerk
Martha Moore Judge
I, Roswel S. Nichols Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Ephraim J. Wilcoxson for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of this 2 day of August
183 3
Office,
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

The foregoing Depositions of John Brooks Nathan Burnett. Mathew Burns Agur Cuntz Junr. Aaron Judson & Abijah Brandelle all of said Stratford Subscribed & sworn to in open Court, & are part of the Original proceedings in the case of Ephraim J. Wilcoxon the within named applicant therein certified under my hand & seal of office & I further certify that the said John Brooks Nathan Burnett Mathew Burns Agur Cuntz Junr. Aaron Judson and Abijah Brandelle are credible Witnesses & persons of fair character for truth & veracity
Attest, R. S. Nichols, Clerk
I. Mark Moore Judge of the Court of Probate within & for the District of Stratford certify that Roswell S. Nichols is Clerk of said Court That the above & foregoing is his signature with the Seal of said Court thereunto Annexed - Mark Moore Judge

That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1781 in the Month of July as a substitute for Elathan Wilson of said Stratford in a Company of the Connecticut State Troops commanded by Captain Robert Walker of said Stratford for the term of four months and one half That said four months & one half service was performed faithfully for the United States in said Company in said Service at Stratford and Long Island Sound was in a steamer at Stratford point in this campaign with two British Briggs who landed a number of men at said point and took off several cattle, but we soon drove them off to the vessels, had no written discharge nor documentary evidence to prove this four months and one half service for the United States but Walker of Stratford have personal knowledge that I performed this term of service John Benjamin of Stratford and David Bradow said was lieutenant of said Walker's Company & Isaac Bradow of said Stratford was Ensign -
That he entered the service of the United States in the year 1782 in the Month of March By enlistment in a Company of the Connecticut State Troops commanded by Lieutenant General Patterson of the aforesaid Town of Stratford for the term of Eight Months & that during the said term of Eight Months, the Company the said Patterson was stationed at said Stratford in the said County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut on Long Island & kept guard in & about the said Town of Stratford In the course of the above specified term of Eight Months I was personally present & assisted in the taking of Two Boats, & some prisoners one in Stratford harbor and the other at a place in Stratford called Half Moon point (See page 6)

and Abijah Brewster
With an Appendix & Oath - Judson have personal knowledge that I served the United States faithfully during the said term of Eight Months in the New Hampshire Guard have no documentary evidence or written discharge to prove this Eight Months service all my services of the United States were performed as a private soldier. I was born in the year 1761 in said Town of Stratford 15 th of November has a record of his age kept by his father was living in said Stratford when called into service have lived in Stratford since the Revolutionary war and still lives there has went into the service of the United States
as a volunteer, By enlistment & By Drafting and as a substitute - in New Hampshire enrolled under the authority of the State - Capt. Robert Walker, Col. Whiting
Captain James Bunton & Lieutenant Samuel Patterson were some of the officers who were with the Troops where I served. That there is no officer now alive with whom I served & never had any written discharge and the reason that he has not procured the certificate of a clergyman is that there is no clergyman in his vicinity that knows anything of his Revolutionary services - was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the time that I was in the United States service -
  in the first company 6   2 Do. 5 7   3 Do 8   4 Ditto 4 15   5 Ditto 8   31 22 
Ebenezer D. Wilson

7 John Brooks of Bridgeport in Fairfield County and State of Connecticut 70 years of age & now a pensioner of the United States does depose and say that he has personally knowledge of the fact that Ephraim J. Wickatson of Stratford in Stratford in said County was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine in Captain James Benton's Company of the Connecticut State Troops that the Deponent was in the same company + with said Ephraim J. Wickatson three months commencing in August or September of said year said three months service was performed in keeping guard at said Stratford on Long Island sound I have personal knowledge that said Wickatson performed + three months service faithfully for the United States in said campaign in said Captain's Benton's Company John Brooks
Watson Bunnit of Stratford in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut 70 years of days age does and says that in the year 1778 he belonged to a company of the Connecticut State Troops of which said Company Lieutenant General Patterson of said Stratford was commander & that he has personal knowledge that Ephraim J. Wickatson of said Stratford belonged to said company & that he the said Ephraim J. Wickatson served the United States faithfully for the term of six months under the said Lieutenant Patterson in the year 1778 in keeping guard

8 in and about the said Town of Stratford & the said Burnett further deposes & says that he belong- ed to the same company with the said Ephraim J. Wilson in the year 1780 & that he has personal knowledge that said Ephraim J. Wilson served the United States eight Months in that year in a company raised by the Authority of the State of Connecticut of said Company Lieutenant General Patterson was the commander - I have also personal knowledge that the said Wilson served the United States four Months and one half in the year 1781 in a company commanded by Robert Walker of Stratford I belonged to said Walker company during said term of four Months and one half & served in said company during the whole said term - I further deposes & say that in the year 1782 I belonged to the same company with the said Ephraim J. Wilson which said company was commanded by the said Lieu- tenant General Patterson of said Stratford & that I have personal knowledge that the said Ephraim J. Wilson served the United States faithfully for the term of eight Months in the year 1782 further the deponent saith not - Watson Burnett
Matthew Beers of the Town of Stratford in the County of Fairfield & State of Connecticut 73 years of age deposes & says that in the year 1781 he belonged to a company commanded by Captain Robert Walker raised by authority of the State of Connect- icut in the Town of Stratford & that Ephraim J. Wilson said Stratford belonged to the said Captain Robert Walker's company that during said a part of the said year 1781 I have personal (See Page 9)

9 th page knowledge that the said Ephraim J. Wilson of did serve the United States faithfully in  during  in  Waltham New York of further the deposit with nat -
Rutha Bous
Agur Curtis junior of Stratford in Fairfield County 72 years of age deposeth & saith that he is well acquainted with Ephraim J. Wilson the within named applicant for a pension that they both belonged to Captain James Burtons Company of Stratford in 1779 for three months, that he has personal knowledge that said Wilson performed said term of service under Capt. James Burtons for the United States in the war of the Revolution as he has stated
Agur - Curtis jr
Aaron Judson and Stratford aged 74 years & Abijah Beundley grand Stratford Aged 69 years depose and say that they are well acquainted with the within-named applicant for a pension Ephraim J. Wilson - that they both belonged to Lieutenant Samuel Pattersons Company for the term of eight months in the year 1782 and have personal knowledge that said Wilson performed said term of service under Lieutenant Patterson for the United States in the war of the Revolution as he has stated -
Aaron Judson Abijah Beundley

State of Connecticut Hampden County ss Bridgewater Octobr 23 1833. Personally appeared Ephraim J. Wilcox on the within named applicant for a pension before The Court of Probate in & for Stratford District in said County & being first sworn makes this further Declaration to wit. That in the 2 d town of one week when Hampden was burnt he belonged to Capt Stiles Judsons Militia company of said Stratford Col Samuel Whiting's Regiment. That all the terms of service which he performed under Patterson, Judson, Burton & Walker were in regular embodied corps raised by Authority of the of the State of Connecticut and belonged to Col Samuel Whiting's Regiment in Genl. Godd's Sillamans Brigade all his service in the Revolution in said campaigns was in keeping guard as he has stated that he was in regular service in said guards and as he considers in field or Garrison by being on Dall every day and regularly on Guard by day & Night allways ready to March at a Moments Warning was not employed in any civil pursuit during said campaigns that he has performed the best testimony he can to his Revolutionary Service
Ephraim J. Wilcox
Subscribed & sworn in open Court on said 23 day of Octobr 1833 before me
Mark Moore Judge
Attest
R. S. Nichols, Clerk

Ephraim J. Wilcoxons Declaration to obtain a Pension

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Ephraim J. Wilson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Wid. F. 2392.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     * Apr. 1778. 6 mos. Pri. Lt. Saml. Patterson Samuel Whiting Conn.   July, 1779 1 mo. " Stiles-Judson Samuel Whiting "   Aug. 1779 5 mos. " James Bunton - "   March, 1780 8 " " Lt. Saml. Patterson - "   July, 1781 4 1/2 mos. " Robt. Walker - "   March, 1782 8 " " Lt. Saml. Patterson - "   * Substituted for his father Ephraim Wilson  
Battles engaged in, Skirmishes with British vessels near Stratford.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Stratford, Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 2, 1833. Cl. cl.
Residence at date of application, Stratford, Fairfield Co. Conn. at Stratford, Conn.
Age at date of application, Born Nov. 15 1761 at Stratford, Conn. Died Jan. 16, 1838.
Remarks: He mar. at Stratford, Conn. Jan. 29, 1804 Mary Wheeler. She was allowed pension on an ap. ex. Apr. 8, 1853 while 76 yrs old and a res. of Stratford, Conn. Children: John, age 48 yrs., Lucius L., age 40 yrs., in 1838.
Very respectfully,

State of Connecticut Fairfield County
Bridgewater May 19 th 1853
Sp. P. Waldo Esq. Chair. of Pensions
Sir I. sent to the com d . of Pensions the application of Mary Wilson of Stratford dated April 8 th 1853 for a pension - Since sending application I have learned from your circular of the 18 th of January 1853 that you require the certificate of the officers before whom an application for pensions are proved that they have no interest in or are not concerned in the prosecution of such application to meet that requirement I herewith send to you such certificate - Please send her certificate to me -
Yours Respectfully - Isaac Sherman

State of Connecticut Stratford April 8 th 1853
To Isaac Sherman of Bridgeport Connecticut Sir I wish you to send my Declaration & other papers for my pension to the commission of Pensions and he is hereby requested to send my certificate for a pension to you —
Mary Wildeson

State of Connecticut Bridgeport August 29 th 1853
L. P. Waldo Esq. Comm r . of Pensions
Sir I. re the enclosed certificate for Mary Wilson for a Pension dated 17 th of August 1853 which certificate I return to be corrected - you will see by referring to her declaration for a pension dated April 8 1853 that her husband's name was Ephraim John Wilson - in the certificate herewith returned his middle name is omitted. please correct said certificate and return the same to me as soon as practicable —
Yours very Respectfully Isaac Sherman

James L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions

Fairfield Oct. 28. 1833.
Sir, At the instance of Isaac Sherman Esq. I herewith return the pension applications of Ephraim J. Wilson & Asa Curtis Esq. reputedly accompanied by explanatory declarations which it is hoped will remove every objection to the allowance of their claims. The applicants are highly esteemed members of this community. In my judgment, they cannot be justly suspected of having wilfully misrepresented their revolutionary services.
With great regard, I am your obedt Servt. G. Poulson
J. L. Edwards Esq.

Nelson

Brief in the case of Mary Wilcoxson, widow of Ephraim, Fairfield County and State of Connecticut, act 3 d Feby, 1853.
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner, under the act of 7 th June, 1832.
Parol proof of marriage.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Isaac Sherman Esq., Bridgeport, Ct.
Name and residence of Agent
S. C. Boynton, Examining Clerk.

26 558
E. J. Wilson
Lycium spinosum
G Tomlinson

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
5 th Octo 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 E. Whitcomb
   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.      
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 days 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 here a 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.
[i] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Connecticut Hartford County Bridgeport April 11 th 1853
To the Commissioner of Pensions at the Pension office Washington City D. C.
Sir I send you the application of the Widow Mary Wilsonson for a Pension. Please send her certificate to me Yours Respectfully Isaac Sherman

State of Connecticut Hartford County Bridgeport July 9 th 1853
L. P. Waldo Esq., Com r of Pensions
Sir yours of the 29 th June 1853. is rec d . in the case of the Widow Mary Widow of Ephraim John Weston Weston for a pension in which you require official proof that John Goulden of Stratford was a Public Notary at the time a part of her papers were executed before him as a Public Notary. — I herewith enclose to you the certificate of the Secretary of State. To prove that fact. Please send her certificate to me. —
Yours Respectfully Isaac Sherman

April 13. 10
App. of Mary Wilcoxson widow of Ephraim John
Fairfield Pa.
Count:
22777
Act 3rd Secy: 1853
$80, Per Annum
Comm. 3rd Feb: 1853 Rev. 1853
Isaac Sherman Bridgeport Count:
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Official Business

✓ 27694
3 Mrs. Ans

N o 1277
Mary Wilson widow of Ephraim J. Court.
Let to J. Sherman 29 th June 1853
Act February 3 rd 1853

Stratford Conn To the Pension Bureau - Mrs Lavinia Wilcoxson Smith would like the copies of the service of Elnathan Wilcoxson and Ephraim John Wilcoxson - Both buried in Union Cemetery Strat- ford - born Aug 4 1749 - d 1740 " Nov 15 1761 - d 1838 Both are on the pension roll of 1832 -
Please write Mrs address Mrs K K Smith Post Office Stratford Conn - Box 525 -

State of Connecticut.
By his Excellency THOMAS H. SEYMOUR, Governor of said State.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know ye, That John Goulding of Stratford in said State was, on the third day of June A.D. 1852, appointed a Notary Public for two years in the said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that to his acts and attestations as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given in and out of Court: that the within attestation is in due form and by the proper officer; and that I believe the signature of said thereto, to be genuine.
Thos. C. Bymont
In testimony whereof, I have caused the public Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed, this eighth day of July A. D. 1853. and in the seventy eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America.
By his Excellency the Governor
Wm. P. C. Martin, Secretary of State.

State of Connecticut. Hartford County Probate office for the District of Stratford in said County. —
we hereby certify that in the matter of the application of the widow Mary Wilcoxson for a pension (which application was dated April 8 th 1853)
That we have no interest in the result of said application and are not neither of us concerned in the prosecution thereof — Witness our hands and Seal of said Court at said Stratford this 17 th day of May A 1853
John Goulding, Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Stratford Claudius Bliss, Clerk of said Court.
I John Goulding do hereby certify that I have no interest in the result of the aforesaid application for a pension and am not concerned in the prosecution thereof —
Witness my hand and Notarial seal of office at said Stratford this 17 th day of May A 1853
John Goulding, Mary Bliss
I Stephen Hawley a justice of the peace for said Hartford County do hereby certify that I have no interest in the result of the aforesaid application of Mary Wilcoxson for a pension and am not concerned in the prosecution thereof. Witness my hand at Bridgeport in said County this 19 th day of May A 1853. (This said application was dated April 8 th 1853) Stephen Hawley Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut Fairfield County Bridgeport April 11 th 1855
L. P. Waldo Esq. Comm r of Pensions & Bounty Land
Sir I send you the application of the widow Mary Wilson for Bounty Land under an act of Congress approved March 3 rd 1855. Please send her Bounty Land Warrant to me Yours, Respectfully Isaac Sherman

Mar. 30, '08. Hist to Mrs. H. H. Smith.
Pay WIDOW, &c.
File No. 2392
Mary Wilcoxson, Widow.
John Wilcoxson, Prio. Rev. War.
Act. Feb. 3, 1853.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 337
[Arrangement of 1870.]