Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 19644, Jonathan Wills, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Comm. Continental
Wills, Jonathan Lydia
W19644
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]

0139

does not recollect whether it was a formal discharge or not;
That in February he believes, 1776, he enlisted into the Army of the United States for one year or for thirteen months, which he does not recollect, under John Durkee (ensign) a son of the Col. Durkee; That immediately after his enlistment he joined Capt. Robinsons Company Col. Durkees Regt. Connecticut Line; That he served as a corporal in said company & Regt. during his time of service; That during his said period of service the Regt. was in the vicinity of Boston, & New York & in New Jersey; That he was taken sick a short time previous to the battle of Trenton & carried over the Delaware River to Newtown where there were a considerable number of the sick under the care of Capt. Tilden; That he remained at Newtown a few days & that his time being nearly expired he took a furlough from Capt. Tilden to go into the country & recruit his strength or return home; That with said furlough he endeavored to reach home in Connecticut, which he accomplished with the greatest difficulty by reason of sickness; That he has lost his said furlough; That he was in the latter part of the battle at Bunkerhill; That he has no other evidence of his said services; That he is in reduced circumstances & stands in need of the expressed approval of the same.
Sworn to & declared before me the 11th day of April A.D. 1918
Dear Sirs: Elmer C. Ladd, Jr. - J. G. W. - Com. V.M.
Mr. Dudley Chase V. Judge as aforesaid do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Jonathan Wills did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the term of nine months or more on the continental establishment; I also certify that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he stands in need of the assistance of his country for support, & I now transmit the preceding testimony taken shall before me to Secretary for the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid Act of Congress.
Dudley Chase V. Judge U.S. Dist. Court Vermont

State of Connecticut, New London County } ss I John D e Witt Clerk of the County Court for said New London County do hereby Certify that Asa Root Esq r before whom the within deposition of Rev d Joseph Ayer was taken was on the 17 th day June 1839 and still is a justice of the peace for said New London County and that his sig- nature thereto Affixed is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Affixed the seal of said County this 24 th day June A D 1839.
John D e Witt Clerk
0182

"Seventeen hundred and seventy eight November fifth - Jonathan Miller & Lydia Perigo -"
State of Connecticut New London County ss. Lisbon June 17 th A.D. 1839.
This may certify that the above is a true copy of record of Hanover Society in Lisbon. kept by Rev. Andrew Lee an ordained minister who was pastor of that congregation. in whose own proper hand writing the records were kept. - with the exception of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible fig- ures, as follows "1778 Nov. 5 th "
Joseph Ayres Pastor
I Joseph Ayres above named Pastor of the said Church and Congregation at Hanover in Lisbon in said New London County & State of Connecticut, do depose and say that on the records of Mar- riages kept by the late Rev. Andrew Lee pastor of the same Church and Congregation. I find in his own proper hand writing the above first named record of the marriage of Jonathan Miller & Lydia Perigo. and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Society with the exception above named. as certified by me.
Joseph Ayres Pastor
Sworn before me.
Asa South Justice of the Peace for New London County -

III. Jonathan Wills Declaration of Intent

Hanover, or The Hanover Society, in Lisbon, New London County, Connecticut.
Soldier's widow, Lydia Wills, was allowed pension on her application executed July 13, 1830, at which time she was a resident of Randolph, Vermont, and aged eighty years.
Soldier and Lydia had children, the only name designated was Mason Wills, aged nineteen years in 1830.
In 1839 one Sally Wills made affidavit in Randolph, Vermont, her age or relationship not stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Date of widow's death not on AB.

Key WIDOW, &c.
File No. 19644 Lydia Mills Widow of Jonathan Mills Dr. New York
Act: M. R. 2d. 1/9
Index:—Vol. M , Page 342
[Arrangement of 1870.]

May 23, 1904
Mrs. J. H. Hugo
1937 May 6. Vist. to E. Welch A.D.Y. Franklin
His to Duluth Minn.

Accts & Recs. No 36
Sydney Miller widow of Jonathan Miller
who was a pensioner under the Act of 18 th March 18 th and who died on the 7 th day 1836 of Orange in the State of Pennsylvania who was a Pensioner in the Company commanded by Captain [blank] of the 11 th Reg t commanded by [blank] in the [blank] line for [blank]
Increased to $66 2/3 per ann.
Entered on the Roll of [blank] at the rate of ~ 2 Dollars 33 1/3 Cents per annum, to commence on the 14 th day of March, 1836, [blank] amount paid under former certificate [blank] (in lieu thereof) Certificate of Pension issued the 31 st day of [blank] 39 [blank] and [blank] Randolph, Va.
Arrears to the 14 th of March - $159 99 Pension and allowances ending [blank] 21 66 $181 65
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by [blank] Clerk. Book [blank] Vol. 2 - Page 61

Set I. A. Parcel, Sep. 16 '39
Income to $66. 66 per annum - coming 4 th March 1836 - deduct amt. rec d on new form certificate.
New Certificate dated April 20, 1840, and sent to J. K. Parish, Esq. Randolph, Vermont, Set 6 Page 6 J. K. Parish May 20 1840

Vermont 3139
Sydia Niles
widow of Jonathan Niles
who was a Private
in the Connecticut line
for 13 March, —
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of Sixty Six Dollars Sixty Six Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the fourth day of December 1843 and sent to
M c Parlin Hanover Verm.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 32

Lydia Wells - Vermont roll act 1838 p. 4. Sept. 1839 Philomela Lyman Vermont roll act 1838 p. 4. March 1840
Be pleased to say to what time they have been paid Pension of her May 19. 1870.
JH

I Ebenezer Linn of North Haven in the County of Grand Isle & State of Vermont Do hereby & say that Jonathan Hills of Randolph & County of Orange in the was a soldier in the year 1776 & the said Hills was a soldier at the Bunker Hill & was afterwards attached to Colonel John Burke Regiment & Captain Robinson's company and I will know that the said Jonathan Hills did serve one whole year in said company & Regiment further the Deponent saith not Wittness my hand 15 th July 1819
Eleazar Linn
State of Vermont Grand Isle County ss. I personally appeared Ebenezer Linn and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition before me.
Simon Dowsen Justice Peace Wittness my hand 15 th July 1819

State of Vermont Grand Isle County ss
I, Jedidiah Hyde de jur. Clerk of the County of Grand Isle do certify that Lyman Brunson before whom the within deposition was taken is
and was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Grand Isle duly qualified according to law and that full faith and credence is and ought to be given to his official acts as such For witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the common seal hereunto annexed (the Court having no other) this 16 th day of July A D 1819 at Grand Isle
Jedidiah Hyde Jur. Clerk Grand Isle County Court

I Nathan Hutchinson of North Hero County of Grand Isle and State of Vermont Do Testify and say In the year one thou- sand Seven Hundred and Seventy Six in the first part of April the same year I Enlisted as a Soldier In Capt Robinson Company and Colonel John Dusha Regiment and well I knew Jonathan wills from that time to time as a Soldier In said Company and Regiment from the time I Enlisted until the last of December following
Further the Deponent sayth Not North Hero 15 th July 1819 Nathan Hutchinson
State of Vermont Grand Isle County ss. Personally appeared Nathan Hutchinson & made Submincate to the above Dispo- sition. Said Hutchinson is a man of Truth & veracity Before me,
Simon Brownson Justice of Peace North Hero 15 th July 1819

State of Vermont } Grand Isle County ss }
I Judicial Hyde June Clerk of the County of Grand Isle do certify that Lyman Brown before whom the within depo- sition was taken is and was at the time of taking the same a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Grand Isle duly qualified according to law and that full faith and credence is and ought to be given to his official acts as such — For witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the common seal hereunto annexed (the court having no other) this 16 th day of July A D 1819 at Grand Isle
Judicial Hyde June Clerk Grand Isle County Court

Lydia Mills.
6216 220 117

State of Vermont ) On the 9th day of September A.D. 1848 personally appeared before Orange County ss ) J. K. Parish a Justice of the Peace within and for said County & State. Lydia Wells a resident of Randolph in said County aged 89 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 2d March 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war; that she is the widow of Jonathan Wells late of Randolph deceased who was a private corporal in the Army of the Revolution and that she made her declara- tion under the act of June 7, 1848 and drew a pension of $66.66 per annum and she now makes this declaration to obtain a continuance of her pension during her natural life.
She further declares that she is still a widow
Witness J. K. Parish Lydia Wells
her Lydia Wells mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
Before J. K. Parish Justice Peace
I certify that the above named applicant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual who drew a pension as stated by her in the foregoing declaration.
J. K. Parish Justice Peace

State of Vermont
Secretary of State's Office Montpelier September 11. 1848
I hereby certify that Jacob R. Purdie Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his proper hand writing to the foregoing certificates, is & was at the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Orange in said State, duly constituted and commissioned, and that full credence is due to his official acts and attestations as such Justice.
Given under my hand and the seal of this office this 11 th day of September A.D. 1848.
Ferrand H. Merrill Deputy Secretary of State

Widow Lydia Wills 9082
3139
96666
7140
McLarish Randolph Jt.
Wills, Jonathan Conn - Cont. W1944

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 3d March 1842 granting pensions for one year to certain widows who have received pensions under the act of July 7, 1838
State of Vermont Orange County ss On this 21st day of July 1842 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace of the County of Orange in the State of Vermont Lydia Wills a resident of Randolph in said Orange County aged Eighty four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3d March 1842 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War
That she is the widow of Jonathan Wills who served in the Revolutionary War in the Continental line and was a Pensioner at the time of his death as will appear it is supposed from the proofs & papers in the Pension Office
And that she received a Pension of about sixty six dollars per Annum under the act of July 7, 1838
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Lydia Wills
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above written
Before J. K. Parish Justice Peace
I further certify that the above declarant is to me known and that she is a person of truth and veracity and received a Pension under the 17th. art. so called as the widows of Jon. Wills
J. K. Parish Justice Peace
State of Vermont Orange County ss I Jason State Notary Public within and for the County of Orange & State of Vermont hereby certify that J. K. Parish is a Justice Peace in & for said County duly commissioned and qualified that his official duties commenced on the first day of Decr. 1842 and end on the last day of Decr. 1843 and that the above purporting to be his official designation is genuine and that due credit ought to be given to the same. Witness my hand & official seal at Chelsea this 31 day of July A.D. 1842.

Wills, Jonathan Conn. - Cert. W19644

STATE OF VERMONT, } ss. Perley C. Jones Clerk of the County Court of the Orange County, } ss. County of Orange in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that H. Parish
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was dated on the 11 th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and that his signature above written is genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this August A. D. 1843
8 th day of
Perley C. Jones Clerk.

I Ariel Edgerton of Brookfield in the County of Orange & State of Vermont Do testify & say that Jonathan Diller of Randolph in the County & State above mentioned Did serve as a Corporal in Capt. Robinson, Company & Col John Durkee's Regiment in the Connecticut Line about or at least one full year his service began late in the year 1775 & about the same of the year 1776 D r Diller was taken sick and I saw no more of him and further None the Depnant saith soe Ariel Edgerton
State of Vermont } Brookfield July 6 th 1819 Orange County } Personally appeared Ariel Edgerton a person of reputed truth and was sworn strictly and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed Before Noah Paine Justice Peace
State of Vermont } Orange County }
Randolph Aug. 1819
I hereby certify that Noah Paine above mentioned was at the time of taking the above deposition still is a Justice of Peace for the County of Orange State of Vermont in testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont.
Dudley Chase V er Judge Sup. Court. V er

Lydia Wills
Payment to be made at Montpelier by A. Clark, Esq., Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of Vermont Payable on the 4th March and 4th September in each year.
Issued new Certificate for 20 months $66.66/100 deduct what has been paid
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A Vol 2 Page 61 by
R. Burdine Clerk.
J. K. Dausk Esq Randolph Vt.
1837 38 yrs-
6.50 per mo No. 10000

Randolph Vt. Feb. 24, 1840
Sir,
I enclose the Certificate of the Comptroller of Gen. showing the service of Jon a Wills deceased under Capt. Clark in 1775 for seven months, and enclose with it the Certificate of Mrs Lydia Wills that the amount may be added to her pay agreeable to the letter of the Department under date of Sept. 16, 1839 and hope it will be convenient for the Certificate to be returned as early as possible to enable her to draw at the approaching semiannual payment
I will also respectfully ask the attention of the Department to the case of Mrs. Eunice Adams widow of Roswell Adams. It will be seen by the letter of the Comptroller that the name of Adams is not found on the rolls of Col. Mott's Regt. Col. Mott's Regt. was raised in June 1776 to serve at the North till Dec r . I have been unable to ascertain his Capt y or proof of the length of time he actually served, but I think there can be no doubt that Adams actually served in that campaign I could obtain from many of his neighbors affidavits of his statements of that service made many years previous to his death and of the fact of his getting sick I believe with the small Pox &c. If the Department feel unwilling to allow something for that service will they accept of the testimony above alluded to - J. L. Edwards Esq r Com r of Pensions - Yours Respectfully J. H. Paine

May 18. 1876
Wm South W May 1875
Am 38 4282 Philomela Lyman 4036 Lydia Mills
J. Edwards Esq.
Ohio
Canal Piers
Washington City

Randolph May 13 th 1840
Sir,
The department will remember that there was a certificate sent to Mrs. Philomela Lyman in lieu of the one first given for too small a sum - Also to Mrs. Lydia Wills to increase hers which was too small both were recently dated - The vouchers were prepared & Mr. Clarke the Agent says he has not recd. notice of the increase of either & besides as they are dated after the 4 th of March thinks he should not pay them - Mrs. Wills has not drawn at the last semi-annual payment -
I was aware of the order of the Department yet, I supposed in the case of correcting a Certificate where the former one was cancelled the Agent would pay in same manner as if the new Certificate was dated at the time the same was allowed - Please advise me on the subject - The Agent has retained the Vouchers to hear I conclude from the Department
Yours & J. H. Paine J. L. Edwards Com d Pensions

J. H. Parkman Randolph Va

Comptroller's Office
New York July 20. 1840
I certify that on application for evidence of the services of Jonathan Mills who claims service in the Revolutionary War under Col. James Clark in 1775 and under Col. Scott - Col. Scott's Regt in - that I have examined the Books of accounts remaining in this Office - And find on "Pay Roll of Col. James Clark's 6th Company 3rd Regiment Raised by order Genl. Schuyler Oct 1775" the name of Jonathan Mills - Commenced service Aug 14 - Date of Discharge Sept 14 having served 7 Months (Seven Months) That I do not find any evidence that within the time or service the services claimed by Mills under Col. Scott.
Henry Wilson Compt.

Hartford July 20 1840
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have Certificate as evidence of the services of Jonathan Wells in Col. James Clark's Company 7 months in 1770. I find Col. Ebenezer Scott was attached to Col. Greene's Regt in 1775 - joined his Col. in July 1776 - just here the particulars of this service. I can do no better than that embraced in the Certificate - As regards the services of Roswell Adams I find him in May Johnson's Company 7 months - As you say you have a Certificate of this service - have not sent one - I find Col. Samuel Mott's Regiment was raised in June 1776 to serve at the North until Decr. You also state that he was at Brattleboro in 1778 without stating in either case the name of the Company. I have examined the few Pay rolls we have in this office for 1776, 77, 78 and his name cannot be found. If you can give us the name of the Captain he was under in Col. Mott's Regiment in 1776 also in 1778 we may find something on our Books to corroborate his service.
The usual Certificate charge is 2 dols. Yours Respectfully Henry Willson Compt
J. H. Park Esq.

Waverly, Me. Sept. 8. 3
Dear Sir,
Sept 13
In ab. vs
Will J. Edwards Esq. Counsel to Plaintiff Washington City

Randolph 7th Sept. 1839.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comr. of Pensions.
Sir The certificate of Mrs Lydia Wills, only gives a Pension for a trifle more than a year Pension for the services of her late husband John Wills. It is believed that he served much longer, indeed years such is the common bluff among his friends here. It is many years since he made his declaration under the Act of 1818. He belonged to the Com. here and if the Department would refer to the Rolls of the Com. troops it is believed they will see that the widow is entitled to a full pension, and if so the new certificate would readily inure.
Your obedt Servt
J. H. Paris
Capt. Clarke. Col. Dunkin 45- Scott. Col. Arnold 75- Canada-

5810 July 7. 1838 Coatbridge Rd Edinb 13
Three
J. H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Pension Office Washington City

Randolph Va. July 19th 1839-
Sir,
Enclosed I send the declaration of Mrs Lydia Wills claiming a Pension under the act of 7th July 1838 and the papers I believe all come up to the rule adopted by the Department except that the Justice before whom the Clergyman made oath neglected to certify to his credibility, and as I have before had a copy of the same Mr Ayer in the case of the widow of Reuben Adams and have been at a good deal of expense in procuring the record of this marriage I send the papers without the certificate & hope the Department in this case will not require the same to be so certified. There are quite a number of children of the deceased residing in this vicinity more than forty five years old.
Yours & J. K. Paul
J. P. Edwards Esq. Comm d of Pensions

FRANKLIN E. WELCH
NEEDHAM 0940
40 COOLIDGE AVE. NEEDHAM, MASS.
COMPLETE INSURANCE PROTECTION
LIBERTY 7225
87 KILBY STREET, BOSTON, MASS.
April 12, 1937
Pension Office, Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
Re. Jonathan Wills File W 19644
I am very desirous of obtaining any information which you can give me relative to the service of the above captioned, particularly the latest address to which the pension might have been sent. I understand this pension was paid in 1818 but do not know whether that was the final payment or the initial payment.
I would also appreciate it if you could furnish me with any information as to whether or not another soldier of the same name residing in Vermont served in the Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance for any information you may be able to give me,
Yours very truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "Franklin E. Welch", written in dark ink.