Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32039, Levi Watson, Conn.

SERVICE
born
Watson, Levi
NUMBER
S. 32039
CONTENTS

22.193- Amelicut
Levi Watson
New Hartford in the State of Conn who was a Rec in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Swift in the Conn Troops for 16 mo. 2 mo 6 days 13 days
Inserted on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 62 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6 day of Nov 33 and Sear. Pensioner Forrestord let
Arrears to the 14th of Sep 33. $ 153.25 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar. 4 - 31.65
$186.30
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Buellock Clerk, Book _____ Vol. _____ Page 47
R

please direct to Levi Watson Somersford Con.
on Rolls. Chaudler 26 May 77 to 1 Jan'y 78 7 mo. 11 days on Swifts Heigh 1 July 80 to 9 Nov 80 5 mo. 9 ds.
6 18. 13 2 corp-
H. Summer West
to have been in Bldg in the north town and 1001 and

N o 5390.
State of Connecticut } ss. Probate District of County of Litchfield } New Hartford
On this 18 th day of May A. 1833 Personally appeared before me the undersigned Judge of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid Levi Watson of New Hartford in the district aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following additional declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 — Viz, that he knows of no person living who served with him the tour of two Months at Norwalk under Capt Bidwell — as stated in his former declaration; — but at that time he served as a Corporal and during all the other terms of Service stated as aforesaid he served as a private — and that by reason of Old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear now positively as the precise length of his service, but according to his best recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following Grades: — for one Year & Seven Months as a private & for two Months I served as a Corporal & for which Service I claim a pension
Levi Watson
Sworn & subscribed before me
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate
I Harvey B. Elmore Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of New Hartford do certify that the Within & foregoing contains the Original Subsequent proceedings of said Court in the Matter of the Application of Levi Watson for a Pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 18 th day of May A 1833
Harvey B. Elmore Clerk

State of Connecticut Litchfield County ss
on this 8 th day of August 1832 Personally appeared Sime Watson a resident of the Town of New Hartford before Isaac Kellogg Esq r Judge of Probate for the district of New Hartford present in court holding the same and makes the following declaration on his oath in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed the 7 th day of June 1832 that he is seventy two years of age that he was born in the Town of New Hartford on the 16 day October 1760 as appears by the record kept in my his fathers family Bible that he now resides in the Town of New Hartford - that enlisted in the army of the United States in the month of April 1777 was mustered at Northbury in said County & took the oath of fidelity soon after marched to the Town of Danbury in Connecticut where he remained two or three weeks then marched to the Town of P'kill in the State of New York and there joined the regiment commanded by Col. Chandler Theodore Woodbridge Major and joined a company commanded by Capt. Elisha Munn George & Granger Lieutenants Benjamin Ensign remained at the the Town of P'kill until after the Battle of Brandywine then marched thro' the State of New Jersey into the State of Pennsylvania was in the Battle of Germantown & was near Mudfort at the time it was taken by the English went to Valley Forge in the month of December 1777 assisted in building the huts for the army and returned home about the 15 th of Jan 1778 in a very low state of health.
He enlisted in the year 1780 in the month of March or June & joined a regiment commanded by Col. Horner Swift at or near the Town of Fishkill in the month of May or June joined a company commanded by Lieut. Col. Woodbridge then commander of the regiment Col. Swift being absent having the command of a select regiment spent the greatest part of the summer in the State of New Jersey at Tappan Orange Town & the

neighboring places was in no battle during the summer but had an alarm at the time Genl Arnold left Westpoint I am Maj Andre's assistant discharged the last of December and returned home I have no testimony but my own declaration to prove the first above named terms of service and have lost both of the discharges I had at that time but suppose my name may be found on the muster rolls at the City of Washington
He performed a tour of duty for John Dorr then of the Town of Weymouth same Dorr who was enlisted of Hanson for four months in the Town of Greenwich in the State of Connecticut in a company commanded by Capt Joel Gillett John Dorr Enl the regiment commanded by Col Roger Eno in the year 1778 and was dismissed on parade the last of December in that year to prove which he has the deposition of Harvey Whiting who served with him that he was drafted and served one month in the month of July 1779 at the Town of Horseneck in the State of Connecticut in a company commanded by Capt Giddings Aaron Austin Maj Commandant to prove which I have I have the deposition of Elijah Gaylord who served with me
in the year 1781 I performed a tour of duty for my father Levi Watson of two months he being one of a company called the Alland Post company and was drafted I did the duty for him in the months of September & October in a company commanded by Capt Thomas Bidwell Ozias Brownson Lieut worked at making Haversacks & keeping guard on the coast in the Town of Norwalk in the State of Connecticut the Haversacks it was said were to be used in building forts at or near the City of New York - I have no proof of this service but my own declaration
making in the whole one year & five months in actual service & about four months in muster roll time while at home he relinquishes all claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency for any State sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Isaac Hull Judge of Probate for the District of Middlesex
Levi Watson

after the investigation of the matter and after hearing the allegations presented by the Department of War and the last court do hereby declare their opinion, that the within named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and poor. as he states
I Isaac Kellogg Judge of the court of Probate for the district of New Hartford do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Levi Watson for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 5th day of August 1832
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate for the District of New Hartford
We David Miller a clergyman residing within the town of New Hartford within a half a mile of the applicant & William Battell residing in Torrington within one mile of the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Levi Watson who has sworn to & subscribed to the affidavit declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to & Subscribed the day and year above and year aforesaid — and the Court further Certifies that David Miller who has signed the preceding Certificate is a clergyman known to the Court and that it residing in said New Hartford and that Wm Battell Esq. who has also signed the same is a resident in the Town of Torrington near to said New Hartford and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to Credit Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate for the District of New Hartford

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
14.32039
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Levi Watson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Nov 1777 1 mo. Pvt. Abiah Shadrach Conn.   Oct 1778 1 mo. " John Roger "   Feb 1779 1 mo. " " " "   May 1780 9 mos. " " Hezekiah "   Sept 1781 1 mo. Capt. Thomas " "  
not at education of many and many Battles engaged in, Lebanon Residence of soldier at enlistment, Lebanon Date of application for pension, Aug 6 1832 Residence at date of application, Lebanon Age at date of application, Oct 16 1760 Remarks: Soldier was son of Levi Watson
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state 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 shewn 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.
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 authenticates 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 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Elijah Gaylord's Affidavit

I Elijah Gaylord of Barker in the County of Broome & State of Connecticut  New York of lawful age do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Levi Watson of New Hartford in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut & was with him in the Revolutionary army, & I know that he performed one month's service in the Militia at Housatuck in the State of Connecticut in the year 1779 in Capt. Giddings Company, & that in the year 1780 he served nine Months on the continental establishment in the Company commanded by Holdridge in Col. Heman Swift's Regiment, & was discharged in December at the Highlands -
Elijah Gaylord
State of Connecticut } Litchfield County } New Hartford June 15 th 1832. Personally appeared the above named Elijah Gaylord to me personally known as a credible witness & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed -
Before me -
Wm. G. Williams Just. of the Peace
State of Connecticut } Litchfield County } S. District of New Bedford
I certify that Wm. G. Williams is a Justice of the Peace for said Litchfield County qualified to admin- ister Oaths, & that the signature to the above Certificate is the proper hand writing of said Wm. G. Williams Esq.
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate for the District of New Bedford

Litchfield County } State of Connecticut } ss Litchfield Oct 29 th 1833
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned a justice of the Peace within & for said County, Levi Watson of New Hartford in said County who being duly sworn deposeth & saith, that on the 9 th day of Aug. 1832 he made his declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, before the Court of Probate within & for the District of New Hartford; & that on the 18 th day of May 1833, he made a subsequent declaration before said Court for the same purpose, And in an answer to the letter of the Hon. J. G. Edwards dated 13 th Sept 1833, herewith returned, he states that during the third term of service mentioned in said original declaration he served not less than the full period of three months in the Capt Gillett's Company, in the town of Greenwich, as a substitute for said Jehiel Burr, viz, he served as aforesaid through the months of October, November & December 1778.
And said Watson further avers & says that during the 5 th term of service mentioned in said Declaration he served the full period of two months as a substitute for his Father as therein stated. And that immediately on his joining the said Company he was appointed a Corporal in the place of his Father who had been a Corporal in said Company, And that he received a Corporal's Warrant on said appointment, & served through said two months as such Corporal. This Warrant was preserved for many years after the Revolutionary War, but I have lately made diligent search through among his papers for said warrant but cannot find it & presume it is destroyed. And further saith not. Levi Watson
Sworn & subscribed before me this 29 th day of Oct 1833 Geo. C. Woodruff Justice of the Peace

I Harvey Whiting of New Hartford Litchfield County State of Connecticut of lawful age do depose & say that I am well acquainted with Levi Watson of New Hartford in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut & was with him in the Revolutionary army & I know that he performed three or four months service in the town of Granville in the State of Connecticut in a company commanded by Capt. Joel Gillette John Burr Esq. Regiment under the command of Col. Roger Jones in the year 1778
This company was enlisted for one year with an agreement we were to be at home one half the time and we were to receive half pay when at home Mr. Watson performed one half a year from agreeable to the enlistment and further saith not Harvey Whiting
State of Connecticut
S. Litchfield County ss } New Hartford 8 day of August 1852
Personally appeared the above named Harvey Whiting well known to me as a credible witness and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed — before me —
William Bates Justice of the Peace

State of Connecticut } p. Probate District of Litchfield County } New Hartford
I certify that W m Battel is a Justice of the Peace for said Litchfield County, qualified to adminis- -ter Oaths, and that within signature is the proper hand writing of said William Battel Esq.
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate for the District of New Hartford

We John Marsh of Barkhamsted in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut & Roswell Marsh of New Hartford in said County of lawful age do testify & say that we are well acquainted with Levi Watson of said New Hartford & were with him in the Revolutionary army, & do know that in the year 1780 he served nine months on the continental establishment in Col. Heman Swift's Regiment, but in what company we do not recollect, & was discharged in December at the Highlands, & further saith not. John Marsh Roswell Marsh
State of Connecticut } New Hartford June 15, 1832. Litchfield County ss. } Personally appeared the above named John Marsh & Roswell Marsh to me personally known as credible witnesses & made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit by them subscribed, before me.
Wm G. Williams Just. of the Peace
State of Connecticut } District of Litchfield County } New Hartford
I certify that Wm G. Williams is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Litchfield qualified to administer oaths, & that the signature to the certificate above is his proper hand writing of the said Wm G. Williams Esq.
Isaac Kellogg Judge of Probate for the District of New Hartford

I Frederick Wolcott Clerk of the County Court within and for the County of Litchfield in the State of Connecticut certify that George C. Woodruff Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for said County, legally commis- sioned & qualified to that his signature to the Certificate an- nexed to the preceding Affidavit of Levi Watson is his genuine signature. I further certify that Wm. G. Williams & Wm. Basset Esqrs. now are and for more than two years last past have been Justices of the Peace for said County, legally commissioned & qualified, to that the prece- ding signatures which purport to be theirs respectively are genuine & are respectively their proper hand writing, to wit: and to the best of my knowledge that of the said Geo. C. Woodruff, Wm. G. Williams & Wm. Basset Esqrs. have ever been au- thorized to administer Oaths. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the Seal of said Court this 29 th day of October A. D. 1833 Frederick Wolcott, Clerk -
John H. Russell, Clerk

5326
Levi Watson
5390.
63.33 16 m o 13 d s per m o 144  54.77 2 m o corporal 733  62.10 5-9-10-16
3.66 3.66 733
12620 31.05  135.25
Claimant John Langford Spirit of the Morning - Leon

5390
Return this
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Levi Watson which require further proof or explanation.
 I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  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?  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?  VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?  VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?  IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? — no —  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? — no — 

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? 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? XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? — no — XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
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.

War Department. Pension Office. 13. September. 1853.
Sir.
Therewith return your pa- pers for the purpose of having them authenticated agreeably to the enclosed rule, and for a more precise desig- nation of the length of your third term of service.
I am respectfully your obedt. Servt. J L Edwards
W. Levi Watson. New Hartford. Connect.

Augusta Me. Dec 18 th
Sir,
Please send me the pension record of Levi Watson who served in the 7 th Connecticut Regiment commanded by Col. Herman Swift from

July 1, 1780 to December 9, 1780.
Miss W. A. Farlow Augusta Hancock Co. Illinois Box 255;

Hon. S. P. Edwards Comm ee of Pensions Washington D.C.
The Revolutionary Claims

Litchfield Conn. Oct 29 th 1833
Rev S. J. Edwards
Sir I return to your Department Levi Watson's application for a Pension. He has complied with the requisitions of your Letter of the 13 th Sept ult. (herewith returned) as may appear by his affidavit prefixed to the accom- panying depositions . He wishes your answer to be directed to him at Torrington Conn I remain Your Ob t Serv t Geo. C. Woodruff

32039 Rev INVALID.
1913 Dec 27 Hist. Soc. Mus. W. O. Foulon V. L. M.
File No. 32,039
Levi Watson
Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32"
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 488
[Arrangement of 1870.]