Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,633, Edward Williams, Conn. Sea Service

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn. Sea Service
Williams, Edward
N. 22,633
Mary
CONTENTS
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Connecticut 1.664
Mary Williams
widow of Edward Williams dec d
Conn. who died on the 4 August 1877 of Farmington in the State of Ct who was a Lieutenant in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Cont line for 14 mos & 10 days New Haven
Inscribed on the Roll of Connecticut at the rate of 108 Dollars — Cents, per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27 day of Dec r 1837 and sent Hon. E. Haley Sec of Reps
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $1092.00 Pemi=annual allowance ending 4th Mo 35. 84.00 $1176.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3
Recorded by N. H. Addison Clerk Book 14 Vol. 2 Page 79

Mary Williams Conn: 4
Act 4 July 36
m 59. d 77.

J. T. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

Declaration. In order to obtain the benefit of the 3 d Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836, State of Connecticut } County of New London } S th Probate District of Stonington
On this 10 th day of February 1837 Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for S th district of Stonington (Now sitting in S th district) Mary Williams of aged 93 years a resident of Stonington State, County and Probate district aforesaid, who being duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. (Viz) That she is the widow of Edward Williams (of S th Stonington dec d ) That he served in the War of the Revolution as second officer on board the Galley Hawk of which Theophilus Stanton of Boston was Captain, and that S th Galley belonged to a Squadron under the command of C ommodore Tupper - Comodore, That her S d husband Edward Williams entered into the Service in the war of the revolution on board of S th Galley Hawk on the first of June 1776, and continued in S th Service until the 24 th day of August 1777, at which time he died on board the Prison Ship at Newport in the State of Rhode Island and was buried on Liberty Island near to S th Port, That she has no documentary evidence of his S th Service except four letters written by him the said Edward to her while which he was in S th Service and which letters are herunto annexed, That she knows of no person who can testify to his S th Service now living except the Amos Gallup, Joshua Williams and Warham Williams whose depositions are herunto annexed She further declares that she was married to the S d Edward Williams on the 15 th day of March 1759 That her husband the aforesaid Edward Williams died on 24 th day of August 1777, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by referents to the proof herunto annexed
Mary Williams
Sworn and subscribed by the S d Mary Williams the day and year above written before me Stephen Hales Judge

(2.) Amos Gallup of Stonington County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 81 years a Revolutionary Pensioner, do on my oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Edward Williams of Stonington in the war of the Revolution I saw him in the Month of June 1776. on board of a Galley at Stonington Point New London Borough I believe the Galley's Name was the Shark, and I know he was the second officer in command on board of her She Stephen Stanton Captain, and my opinion is that when I saw said Edward Williams on board of said Galley in June 1776. that said Galley had just returned from a cruise, I have always under- stood that said Edward Williams died on board of the British Prison Ship at Newport in August 1777. I was well acquainted with the said Edward Williams, he having been my Schoolmaster for two years before he entered the Service on board of said Galley. I have now before me four letters purporting to have been written by said Edward Williams to his wife Mary Williams, while he was in the Service, I was well acquainted with his hand writing at that time and have no doubt but that they were written by him, and I heard after said Galley sailed from Stonington that she in company with other American armed vessels had an engagement with the British near New York in which her officers behaved very gallantly, I have always been well acquainted with Mary Williams of Stonington and know that she is the widow of said Edward Williams and I know that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her husband and still remains a widow I believe her to be 75 years of age and that her statement is entitled to credit
Amos Gallup

State of Connecticut, County of New London ) ss
Probate District of Stonington Feb. 10 th 1837. Personally appeared before the Court of Probate for S t Stonington district, Now sitting in S t District Amos Gallup who signed the fore- going deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me
Stephen Haley Judge
And I further certify that the said Amos Gallup is to me well known to be a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit
Stephen Haley Judge

I Joshua Williams of Stonington County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 87 years do on my oath depose and say that I was well acquainted with Edward Williams of Stonington at at the time that he belonged to the Galley Shark in the war of the Revolution in the years 1776 & 1777. I saw him on board of S p Galley at Stonington (point) Now Stonington Borough and I understood at that time that he was second officer on board her, S p Galley being commanded by Theophilus Stanton of Preston in S p New London County. And I well recollect of hearing that S p Williams died on board the British prison ship at Newport, the exact term of his Service I cannot now recollect. I am well acquainted with Mary Williams of Stonington the widow of the S d Edward Williams dec d . and know that she has remained a widow ever since the decease of her said husband I believe her to be 95 years of age and that her statement is entitled to credit.
Joshua Williams
State of Connecticut } County of New London } ss. Probate District of Stonington Feb y 10 th 1837. Personally appeared before the Court of Probate Now sitting in S d district Joshua Williams who signed the above deposition and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me Stephen Halsey Judge
And I further certify that the said Joshua Williams is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit Stephen Halsey Judge

I Warham Williams of North Stonington County of New London & State of Connecticut Being Seventy Seven years of age after being Duly cautioned & sworn according to Law To testify & say that I was well acquainted with Edward Williams of Stonington who as I understood in the time of it that he departed this life at Newport on board the prison-ship in the fall of 1777 or Winter of 1778 that there is now before me four letters wrote by said Edward to his wife Date as follows August 18 1776 Second Date October 15 1776 Third July 15 1777 fourth August 13 1777 & I know said four letters to be in said Edward's own hand writing for I was well acquainted with said Edward at his hand writing for I went to School to said Edward two winters before he went into the service of united States & at that time I was well acquainted with said Edward wife & knew them to live together as man & wife as long as said Edward lived & since his death I have been well acquainted with said Mary Williams ever since the death of said Edward & know that said Mary has remained single & unmarried ever since the death of said Edward & still is said Edward's widow & I believe said Mary to be about Ninety five years of age
Warham Williams
State of Connecticut } New London County } ss. North Stonington Feby 10. 1837 Personally appeared Warham Williams signer of the above affidavit who is well known to the subscriber and whose testimony as a witness is entitled to full credit and belief and made solemn oath to the truth of the facts therein contained
Before me Latham Hull Justice of the Peace

(8)
I hereby certify that Latham Hull Esqr before whom the foregoing deposition of Warham Williams was taken is a justice of the Peace in and for the County of New London, C.T. and that his signature affixed thereto I believe to be genuine
Elisha Huley } Member of Congress
And the said Court hereby declare their opinion that the said Edward Williams served in the war of the revolution as stated in the foregoing declaration of Mary Williams, and that he was the lawful husband of the S d Mary at the time when he per- formed said service. That her said husband died on the 24 th day of August 1777. And and that she has remained a widow ever since that period. That she is ninety five years of age and is a credible person whose testimony is entitled to credit
Stephen Huley Judge
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the district of Stonington, C.T. do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original pro- ceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Williams for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 10 th day of February 1837.
Nathan Daboll Clerk.

Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions.
Sir Please to address any communication respecting these papers to Nathan Dabell Esq. Centre Groton C.T.

I hereby certify that Mary daughter of Danl Stanton Jun r was Born January 1 st 1742 as appears by the Records of this town
And I also certify that Edward Williams & Mary Stanton were joined in Marriage by Rev d Eben r Popsita on Thursday 15 th of March 1759 — as appears by the Records of this town John D Noyes town clerk
Honington Feb y 9. 1837.

New York August 18 th 176
My Dear I just Received letter from you with much pleasure and comfort to us all well I am at present Well thanks good there for the night before last we was Ordered up to Guard & fire Ships to the shipping that Lay up the R. River burnt one Schooner and Received orders to proceed to York again a latter day night we got to York Sunday morning the Wind blowing hard the ships came down and join the fleet at Staten Island but not without a General fire from forts and ships and all the Gallies we Chased them Almost in reach of the fleet we rece- ived no Damage then but expect every moment to be attacked by the whole fleet (that they will Bombard the Town) and we will Decide the affair we have got hardened to Cannon ball they seem no more then Snow balls now and by Gods assistance we Escape them Strangers to be Dear and Red Let them go if they can willingly not otherwise the Cause is So good that I am Willing that they may Serve the Colonys in any warlike business our men be have with Courage Incredible our officers Not at all Inferior to any in America our Galley is Not So Very Good She is the poorest Sailer among the whole but Strong for Guns and ammunition We are all Anxious for Honour which makes the Galley Appear Valiant in all Actions but there is some one Galley that strives to Do us all the Scandal possible which we lately Discovered we have Let him no by way of Challenge that we Present it which hath Silenced him for ever
Yours Ever & your Obedient Servant

Brother James I'm afraid will never reach home he is most feeling sick his mind and discomfort is chief about home we have got him on board Mr Hales here I trust he will have good care taken of him and pray he may reach home and recover but more than I expect. There is note four letters aside this and one I wrote John Miner with money is this inclosed. I trust you paid of one money in four or five days by the first opportunity. Shall find your mother James had forty shillings with him and all cloaths it is very likely he had I am in hopes that after one or two more engagements we shall be home again.
I am in a great hurry excuse my bad spelling and writing I remain Sincere in the cause and Till Death Your Loving Husband
P. S. Edward William
Remember my love to the Children and to all Enquiring friends and Mr Williams family. Tell him if Time would allow I should at this time write to him

North River Octob r 15 th 1770
Loving Wife I Gladly Imbrace this Opportunity to let you no that I have Got So well as I have got a board the again Yesterday I came on board I am Very well yet but mind fast we are Now halou a Small bruck upon the high lands where I shall not move from I believe this winter but I dont much Expect to be at home till January but there is some chance to be Clear sooner than is 2 Galley taken our Galley & one more Escaped Very Narrowly we are under cover of fort montgomery We live Very well there is 3 Ships of the ministerial fleet and 3 Fenders and 2 New Galley that Lay off Tarrytown they chased the Galley up the River 25 miles it is thought that they have stop't the passage below that the Ships cant get down the Regulars are Very Still at present there is no firing now but how soon it will begin nobody noes I got James a furlow and sent by John Miner and bag of limbs be Very Carefull and get it James Robert Palmer was with me when I gave him the furlow it was in half an hour after James was gone the furlow was for fifteen Days signed by Col d Tupper Comodore I have get one for myself by no means yet there is talk of Capt Tinkers men coming on board us to stay he one of the Galleys that was taken and if they should come aboard my chance will be Very Good to get a furlow we have never received one copper wages yet I am over

I had as severe fits of sickness as ever any man had I could not stand nor help myself for a week then your baby my flesh is all gone my legs hurts me in mind of Uncle Mazers Legs every time I look upon them but I have get clear of my fever I was six weeks very sick but blessed be God I am greatly recovered I can walk pretty smart with the help of a cane my Doct r Hill and Wood was better then eight hundred dollars money but the Continent must pay all but but about 7 Dollars and the Capt says he will pay half of that I have no news to write to you I received three Day ago from you that was dated the 17th of Sept. You sent to Enoch I send you some a Dollar more I had more I would send I expect everyday the Capt will go down and our waggon if you have a chance to Engage a hog that that weighs 100 or 120 Score and I will pay the Cash as soon as I come So remain your ever Loving husband
Edward Williams
P.S. my fever was the nervous fever and my hand to once and awhile take a jump that spoils my writing E.W.
Remember me to all fathers folks and mr Samuel Williams I want to be there drinking New Cider and all his family & Uncle Mizers

So Edward Williams at Stonington
beg all people to forward this Letter
E. Edward Killian
I have as severe fits of illness as ever any man had I should not think ever had any at all even in my life
Yo... w... y... the... can no go... as... to... fe... as... the... ing

New York
176
Prison Ship at Rhode Island July 15 th 1777
Dear wife i let you no that misfortune has bro't us here in this Dismall ship a great many of us and very Sickly though by the goodness of God we are in pretty good health and our Stomachs very Sharp Victuals is in Very Great Demand here Dear holds up as well as any of our crew but i wish him at home and all of us indeed and that Very much but god Only knows when the time will be i hope you are in health and all the family and I and Dear Remember our love to all we love at Rite what we would our letters are all inspected so excuse my Shortness tow Days after the ship took us she took a Sloop that Joseph page was coming in and is prisoner with us and has lost all his Cloaths every Rag is not Dear hasnt lost any Close except one pair of Trowsers of mine
I Remain Your ever loving Husband till
Death
Edward Williams
I dare say Dear wishes himself at home

To Edward Williams in
Stonington
for favour of Capt Black to leave at Boston Denise for  from now send for out of it Joseph Page Jr
I have as severe fits of sickness as ever any man had I could not stand nor walk any distance
for

Prison Ship, 4 th of August 1777
I Let you through God's will I have the Distemper that Prevails here for 5 taken Down every day We have lost our Gunner and one more Very Dangerous he belonged to Martin's Vineyard poor Jack was taken away on board his Ship by the 1 st Lieut Which was happily taken with some Ship men and some more by our men from Providence Last Sunday We live Very meanly I Received the money which you and a letter but their Barbarity is such that will not let us no any thing till the flag is gone i have sent you by Joseph Page hand three chieff 3 yards of Super fine kattand 3 China cups & Saucers and 7 Dollars in paper With some of my wearing Cloths as a White Shirt a pair bra- ches and a pair Stockings if I had time to send to town i would have sent you a pound of tea and that is Very Good for 8/8 L.M. Per the Dier is Well yet and my Self I hope is at the health I could be exchange for that Lieut that was taken at provide- nce Last Sunday if Uncle Phinehas will go there and get him and the others that was taken with him I will Give 10 Dol- lars beside paying Necessary charges i likewise sent my thick Under jacket if God should pleas to Restore my soon i ex- pect to be at home Very Soon Remember my love to all friends and Neighbors I remain your loving husband till Death Edw Williams

New York August 18 1776
My Dear - I just received a letter from you with much pleasure and comfort to hear you are all well. I am at present well thanks God therefor. The night before last we was ordered up to guard two fire Ships to the Shipping then that lay up the N. River had burnt one Schooner under and received orders to repair to York again a satter day night we got to York. Sunday morning the wind blowing hard the Ships came down and joined the fleet at Staten Island. but not without a general fire from forts and Ships and all the galleys. we chased them almost in reach of the fleet we received no damage then but expect every moment to be attacked by the whole fleet (that they will Bombard the Town) and that will decide the affair. We have got hardened to Cannon Ball. They seem no more than Snow Balls to us and by Gods assistance We escape them strangely so as to Dear and Ned let them go if they can go willingly not otherwise. the cause is so good that I am willing that they may serve the Colonies in any warlike business our men behave with courage incredible our officers not all inferior to any in Americas Our Galley is not so very good she is the poorest sailer among the whole but strong for Guns and ammunition. We are all anxious for Honour which makes the Galley appear valiant in all actions but there is some one Galley that strives to do us all the scandall possible which we lately discovered we have let him go by way of challenge that was resent it which hath silenced him forever. Brother James I am afraid will never reach Home. he is most exceeding sick. his ground and discourse is chiefly about home. We have got him on Board Mr Haley where I trust he will have good care taken of him. and I pray he may reach Home and recover but is more than I expect. I have Rote four letters besides this and one Rote by John Miner with money is this inclosed I shall be paid of one month in four or five days and by the first

Opportunity shall send you more. James had forty Shillings with him and all his clothes. It is very sickly here. I am in hopes that after one or two more engagements we shall live to come Home.
I am in a great hurry excuse my bad spelling and Writing. I remain sincerely in the cause and till death your loving Husband.
Edward Williams
P.S. Remember my love to all the children and to all enquiring friends and Mr Williams family E.W. tell him if time would allow I should at this time visit him
A true Copy examined by N Dabell Feb 10 1837

Copies of Edward Williams' Letters To his Wife
Mary Williams
Taken Feb 7 10 1837

Prison Ship 1 st of August 1779
I let you know Gods will I have the displeasure that foursails her 4 or 5 taken down every day we have left our gunner and one more very dangerous he belonged to to Martins Vineyard poor Jack was taken away on board his ship by the 1 st Lieut. which was happily taken with 2 nd Mr. Sunday we live very meanly & received the money which you and a letter but their barbarity is such that will not us no any thing till the flag is gone & have sent you by Joseph Page 1 hankkerchief 5 yard superfine holland 3 China Caps and Sancey and 7 dollars in paper with some of my wearing clothes as 1 white shirt a pair of breeches 1 pair of stockings. if I had time to send to town I would have sent you a pound of tea that is very good for 8/8 L M P o pound - Dear is well yet and my self I hope is at the health. I could be ex- changed for that Lieut. that was taken at Providence last Sunday if Uncle Phinahas will go then get him and the others that were taken with him I will 10 dollars besides paying necessary charges likewise send my thick under jacket. if God should please to restore me I soon expect to be at home very soon Remember my love to all friends and neighbors I remain your loving husband untill death
Edward Williams
A true copy taken by Nathan Dabell Feb 10 th 1837

These may inform that Edward Williams & Mary Hanton were joined in Marriage by Rev Eben Dyer D.D. on Thursday y t 10 th of March 1789 as appears by Church Records
Honington Oct r 4. 1837. — The foregoing is a true Copy from the Book of Marriages, kept in this Town — John D. Noyes Town Clerk

I Amos Gallup of Stonington County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 82 years do on my Oath depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Edward Williams late of Stonington deceased I know that he was in the Naval Service in the war of the revolution I saw him on board of a Galley at Stonington in S. Connect- icut in June 1776 I think the Name of the Galley was the Shark. She was commanded by Theophilus Stanton and P. Edward Williams was second officer on board P. Galley. I further depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with the P. Edward Williams hand writing as he having been my old school Master and that in February last I saw four old letters which purported to have been written by the P. Edward Williams to his Wife Mary when he was in P. Service and I then did and now do depose that I am fully satisfied that P. old letters were written by the P. Edward Williams in his own proper hand writing and I have now before me the Copies of said four old letters taken by Nathan Daboll Esqr which I am am satisfied are true copies of the old letters which I saw last Feb y . and I further depose and say that P. Mary Williams has remained a widow ever since the decease of her husband the P. Edward Williams in the year 1777. Amos Gallup
Dated at Stonington
October 9 th 1837.
Sworn and Subscribed by the P. Amos Gallup on this 9 th day of October 1837 before me and I certify that the deponent is a credible witness
Stephen Naley, Judge

I Warham Williams of North Stonington County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 78 Years As on My oath depose and say that I was formerly well acquainted with Edward Williams late of Stonington dec d before he entered into the Service in the war of the war of the revo- lution he was my school Master for several years previous to his going his going into the Service. and I well recollect his hand writing. I further say that in February last I was shown four old letters which had been kept by the H on Mary Williams purporting to have been written by the S r Edward Williams to his wife the S ra Mary when on board a galley in the Service of the United States S r letters bearing date 1776 & 1777. and I have not the least doubt but what S r original letters were in the own proper hand writing of S r Edward Williams and from their antique appearance were written at the time they were dated as above. And I am now informed that S r original letters are which I saw last Feb r are now lost and I have now before me the copies of four letters taken by Nathan Daboll Esq r which I am fully satisfied are true copies of S r original letters which I saw last Feb r . And further depose and say that I know that the S ra Mary Williams has remain- ed a widow ever since the decease of her S r husband Edward Williams in the year 1777. Sworn to and Subscribed by the { Warham Williams S r Warham Williams this 9 th day } of October 1837
And certify that the S d Warham Williams is a credible witness
Before me Stephen Naley } Judge

I Joshua Williams Joshua Williams of Stonington County of New London and State of Connecticut aged 88 years do on My oath depose and say that I was former- ly well acquainted with Edward Williams late of Stonington deceased I well recollect that P r Edward Williams was in the Naval Service of in the war of the revolution I saw him on board a Galley at Stonington in P r Connecticut in the summer of 1776 & according to my best recollection Now the name of the Galley was the Shark and the P r Edward Williams was then the second officer on board P r Galley. dated at Stonington this 9 th day of October 1837 — Joshua Williams
Sworn and Subscribed the day and year last above written by the P r Joshua Williams before me and I certify that the P r deponent is a credible Witness
Stephen Naley } Judge
I Nathan Daboll Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Stonington do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Mary Williams for a pension, and also that the four copies of letters attached to her Declaration are true copies of the originals examined by me. In testi- mony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of office this 9 th day of October 1837
Nathan Daboll Clerk

Mary Williams wife of Edward the cont.
Married 1759 Died 1777
14 Mrs. Lucy Rowland $168 per ann.
Commissions of Pension Washington D.C.
J. S. Knowles Esq. Col. Naval Service
A. E. Haley A. R.

Sir
Centre Grafton October 13 th 1897
Mary Williams whose declaration is herewith sent to you is a poor old and forsaken widow, she has waded through poverty and distress from the time of her husband's decease in the revolutionary war until now. She has for a number of years past, lived with her granddaughter who is likewise a poor unfortunate widow and has no means of supporting herself and aged grandmother but by her own industry in needle work, the old lady is now very infirm and unless she obtains something soon it will be of no benefit to her as hold on life is now very small, in February last her grand-daughter in cleaning out an old chest, found in it some very old papers which she had a curiosity to read before she committed them to the flames which she was about to do, and among them was the four old letters spoken of in her declaration and upon which her declaration was in part supported, which letters with her former declaration were sent to the Hon. Eliza Haley then at Washington in Feb r last, and he is sure that he delivered them over to the pension office as he says he noted the time on his memorandum book - but upon application to you the past summer I have been informed they could not be found. And she deferred making out an other declaration from the copies of the letters (which were taken before they were sent away) in hopes that when Mr. Haley went to Washington this fall he would find the originals but he informs me they cannot be found, And as there has so much time elapsed since the first declaration was sent on; it is very desirable to the old lady that her present application should have a speedy decision, in order that if she obtains that portion of her country's bounty which she thinks she is justly entitled to that she may have the benefit of it to make her comfortable in the approaching winter - please to direct the result of your decision in regard to her papers to me at Centre Grafton. C.T.
Y. L. Edwards Esqr
very respectfully yours Nathan Daboll

Abby Williams widow of Edward Wil- liams, of Conn't. act 4 July 1836 Susp?
Adv. 1.
letter quick

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 22,683
Mary Williams widow of Edward Williams Lieut. Rev. War.
Act: July 14 th 86
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 345
[Arrangement of 1870.]