Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,550, Joseph Wilkinson, Conn.

SERVICE
SERVICE loan.
Wilkinson, Joseph
NUMBER _____
R 11.550
CONTENTS

Joseph Wilkinson

State of Connecticut, Fairfield County } S.S.
On this 25 th day of July 1852 personally appeared in open court before the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury in the said State now sitting at Danbury within and for the said District the same being a Court of Record, Joseph Wilkinson a Resident of New Fairfield in the said District aged seventy one years and up- wards who being first duly 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 th 1832 — That he was born in Woodbury in the County of Litchfield in the said State on the 27 th day of May 1781 and resided there excepting during his absence in the service of his country during the Revolutionary war until about the year 1785 when he removed to the State of Vermont in the town of Arlington where he resided about three years — He then removed to Newtown in said State of Connecticut and resided there until the year 1799 when he removed to said New Fairfield where he has ever since resided — And that at the several times when he entered the service of the United States as here- inafter mentioned he resided in said Woodbury — That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated — That in the month of June or July he engaged to serve as a substitute in the Connecticut Militia for some person in said Woodbury whose name he cannot

now recollect, for the term of eight months. He has endeavoured to recollect the name of said person but it has for so many years been absent from his memory that it is impossible for him to do so. He immediately after so engaging to serve entered the said service in the company commanded by Captain Walker of Bethlehem in said State of Connecticut, under the command of Col. Mead of Greenwich in said State, both officers in the Militia of Connecticut. Said Company was then stationed at Horseneck in said Greenwich and there were no other troops there. Said company was stationed there as a guard to protect the citizens of the vicinity: and he remained there doing his duty as a private soldier during the whole of said period of eight months - at the expiration of which time he was dismissed but no written discharge was given him.
He returned home about the 1 st day of March 1780 and on the next day after his arrival at said Woodbury was again employed by another person who had been drafted to serve in the Connecticut Militia at the same post at Horseneck the period of two months. And on the same day he was so employed he returned to said Horseneck: and served as a Private in the discharge of the same duty the said last mentioned term of two months. He was again dismissed in the latter part of the month of April: and returned to said Woodbury. The said Post during the said last mentioned term of service was commanded by said Colonel Mead. He does not recollect the names of the Captain or other officers. He was again employed

by another person who had been drafted to serve in the Militia of Connecticut at said Housatuck for the term of one Month —
He again joined the Troops at said post there being still but one company there. On this latter term, the Post was under the command of said Colonel Moad, but Lieutenant Elihu DeForest of said Danbury was an officer in said Company — He served there as a Private in said Guard, from about the 1 st day of May 1780 until the 23 d day of said Month of May — On that day a detachment of Eighty men from Dulaney's Corps, attacked them, killed eleven and took five Prisoners including the said Lieutenant DeForest and the said Joseph Wilkinson: He the said Wilkinson was severely wounded by the cut of a Sabre in the head and a large wound in his head is still visible. He was then with said other prisoners taken to the City of New York and he was put into a Hospital in Queen Street where he remained about two months and until his said wound was cured — When he was taken to the Sugar House until near the termination of his imprisonment he was taken sick and again taken to the Hospital from where being exchanged he was released in the latter part of the month of January following — He remained in imprisonment eight months and either five or seven days — While he was in the Hospital as aforesaid he recollects being attended by Doctor Athelick and Doctor Blunt British Surgeons — When discharged he was sent to Elizabeth Town point in the State of New Jersey — He has no record of his age but from information of his Daughters believes he was
45 Jan 1781

born in said State on the 27th of May 1861 as above said - He is wholly unable to remember the names of the said persons for whom he so served as a substitute - The whole of his Service as aforesaid inclu- ding the time he was detained as a Prisoner was about twenty months - He has no documentary evidence - The officers under whom he served are all dead; and he knows of no person whose tes- timony he can procure who can testify to his said service other than those whose affidavits are hereto annexed - Being examined by the Court, the said Joseph Withinson saith, that it is impossible to remember the names of the persons for whom he so served as a substitute - That all his said service was as a substitute - When he was so wounded, the party on guard with him, being overpowered, and cut to pieces, he threw threw down his gun, and begged for quarters - but a light horse man cut him down with a sabre, and stabbed him, and told him he would give him for -
He further saith, that at the time he caused his original declaration - He saith, he was unable to say definitely in what year he first entered the said Service - but recollects that on said first entry he was in the Service, during the "hard winter" so called - and as he is informed and believes that was in 1779 - 80, he is now confident he first entered the said Service in June or July 1779 - He saith also, that he confidently refers to David Lane, Esq. rendered, David Barnum - Esquire and all the respectable inhabitants of said town of New Fairfield, all of whom he is confident
Joseph Withinson

will testify that he is a man of truth, and that he is generally reputed & believed in the community where he has resided thirty years past to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and to have served in the manner above stated — §                  §                  §                  §                  §
The said Joseph Wilkinson 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. Sworn to, and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in Open Court — Joseph Wilkinson
We, Uriah Mead a clergyman, residing in the town of New Fairfield and Jesse Sudder residing in the same, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Joseph Wilkinson who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventyone years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid in Open Court —
Uriah Mead Jesse Sudder
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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Uriah Mead who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of New Fairfield and that Jesse Sudder Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of New Fairfield and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Attest Edward Taylor Clerk
I, Edward Taylor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Wilkinson for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of my said Office, 26 th day of July 1832. Attest Edward Taylor Clerk

State of Connecticut Fairfield County ss. b. b.
I, Clerk Proo f the of Danbury in the said County Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of County and State, do hereby certify to all whom it may concern - that Edward Taylor Esquire who hath signed and certified the foregoing proceedings of the said Court his Clerk of the said Court of Probate and was Clerk as aforesaid at the time of signing and certifying the same - that the said signatures above written which purport to be the signatures of the said Edward Taylor are in truth his handwritings and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such Clerk - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26 th day of July 1852
Edward Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Danbury Connecticut

John Strong Sen. of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut of lawful age deponeth and saith.
That Joseph Wilkinson who now resides as this deponent believes in New Fairfield in said State, was born and brought up in said town of Woodbury in the neighborhood of this deponent, and this deponent knows that said Wilkinson was in the service during the revolutionary war , the particulars of his service or the length of the same this deponent cannot state, his service was in the militia as this deponent believes at different times, and it was matter of publick notoriety at the time that said Wilkinson was wounded and taken prisoner by the British, and this deponent saw him after his release and return home, and saw the marks of the wound on his head said to have been received in the service, which marks are now visible. And this deponent can state that the facts that said Wilkinson was in the Revolutionary army, that he was wounded and taken prisoner, have never been questioned or doubted so far as this deponent has any knowledge July 17 th 1832 John Strong Woodbury

State of Connecticut } } Woodbury County of Litchfield } }
On the 17th day of July A D 1832 before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County Personally appeared John Strong Sen. of said Woodbury and subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the same being sworn in due form of Law. And I certify that said Deponent is of good character and entitled to belief - sworn and subscribed before me
John Strong Sen. Justice of the peace
Lewis Beers of Woodbury in the County of Litchfield and state of Connecticut of lawful age deposeth and saith, That he has been acquainted with Joseph Wilkinson former- ly of said Woodbury and who now resides as this deponent believes in New Fairfield, in said state, from childhood having been brought up in the same neighbourhood with him This deponent knows that said Wilkinson went into the service during the Revolutionary war, but this deponent does not know the partic- ulars of his service or the length of time, but it was matter of public notoriety at the time and never doubted, so far as this deponent knows That said Wilkinson was wounded and taken prisoner by the British, and this deponent saw him after his return and the marks of a severe wound on his his head which is still visible. Woodbury July 17th 1832
Lewis Beers

State of Connecticut } ss Woodbury County of Litchfield
On the 17 th day of July A.D. 1832 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County Personally appeared Lewis Biers of said Woodbury and subscribed the foregoing Deposition and made oath to the same in due form of law, and I certify that said Deponent is of good character and entitled to full credit
Sworn before me John Strong Just. Justice of the peace
State of Connecticut } ss Fairfield County }
I Reuben Booth of Danbury in said County & State Notary Public for said County duly admitted, & sworn do certify that John Strong Esq. before whom the foregoing Depositions of John Strong Esq. & Lewis Biers were sworn, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Litchfield, in said State of Connecticut duly commissioned and qualified authorized to administer oaths & take Depositions I further certify that the several signatures to the foregoing certificates purporting to be his are genuine & in the proper hand writing of the said John Strong Esq.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Notarial Seal at Danbury this 26 th day of July 1832
Reuben Booth Notary Public

Isaac M c Huntington a Representative of the State of Connecticut in the Congress of the United States, do hereby certify that John Strong Jun r Esq. on the 17 th day of July 1832, was and ever since has been now a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Litchfield in the said State, and that the preceding signatures purporting to be his are I believe in his genuine handwriting — Given under my hand at Washington this 5 th day of May A D 1834 I. M c Huntington
Joseph Willson

Roger Huntington Certificates July 1834
Saunder
H. Esq
10

10
Reuben Foote Esq
Danbury
mail 9 single }
Noyes Huntington Conn Oct 11/34 July 1834

State of Connecticut Comptroller's office
Hartford July 9 th 1834
on examination of the Books of this office, it appears that Colonel John Mead commanded a Regiment of militia at Horseneck in 1779 and that his accounts for payrolls, bounties, express, barracking &c of his Regiment while in said service were settled by the Committee of pay table and charged to, and allowed by the United States -
That Colonel John Mead commanded a regiment of militia at the same place in 1780, and that the accounts were not settled, until after his death, and then blended with General Silliman, also dead, that there cannot be any thing definite found in relation thereto -
Certified by Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Accounts

State of Connecticut Fairfield County } ss.
Sworn and Subscribed this 26 day of July 1832 at New Fairfield in said County before me — And I certify that the Deponents are credible witnesses and respectively sustain good characters for truth —
David Bannum Justice of Peace
State of Connecticut
Fairfield County } ss. I Reuben Booth of Danbury in said County a Notary Public for said Fairfield County duly admitted & sworn, do hereby certify that David Bannum Esq. before whom the foregoing Deposition was sworn is a Justice of the peace in & for said Fairfield County, duly commissioned & sworn, and duly authorized to administer oaths, and take depositions I hereby further certify that the above signa- ture purporting to be the signature of the said David Bannum is in truth the proper hand writing of the said David Bannum
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Notarial Seal the 27th day of July 1832
Reuben Booth Notary Public

We the undersigned inhabitants of the town of New Hanfield in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts, being duly sworn, do hereby certify and declare that Joseph Wilkinson who hath applied for a Pension, has resided in said New Hanfield about thirty years past - He maintains a good character for truth - is generally reputed to have been a revolutionary soldier with and among all those to whom he is known - used to have been taken Prisoner - and confined in New York eight months during the war of the Revolution -
Amzi Rogers Calvin Cook Isaac Whitcomb Enoch Bassett Aaron Woodman Saml. T. Barnum Eliab Taylor Deelye Barnum
I Samuel Needham a Representative of the State of Massachusetts in the Congress of the United States, do hereby certify that on the 20th day of July 1832 David Barnum Esq. whose name subscribed to the foregoing is in the said State. And that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is in the genuine handwriting of the said David Barnum. Given under my hand at the City of Washington this 5 day of May 1834
Samuel Needham
R. Bath Esq. Decr 6 - 3
Census 1832 Esq. 1832
He was a Revolutionary soldier with and among all those to whom he is known - used to have been taken Prisoner - and confined in New York eight months during the war of the Revolution -
Joseph Wilkinson
2002

War Department Pension Office May 7 1884
Sir
I have examined the papers of Joseph Mathews and herewith return them for further explanation and proof. The applicant will find in the Comptroller's office at Halifax some evidence which may corroborate his statement, to whom I would advise him to make application.
Yours Respectfully y Otho
J L Edwards
R South Esq. Present

Jan. 4 '38.
Mad Rachel Metcalfe, Pa. To William, Co.
Edward
33
Hn. J. D. Whittlesy Hn
William
Coy. Harbor
M c Clusky
St. Joseph
Jan 15

Muse of Phe.-
Jan. 4, 38 -
J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir -
I will be obliged to you, to know your reasons for rejecting the claim of Vachel Mutealf, State of Penns a . He has now a Petition before our Committee, claiming a Pension for Six months service - & for which he says he was paid by the State of Va. being for militia service from that State -
I also request the Dept t , to inform me the reasons of their rejection of the claim of Joseph Wilkinson, Ct, and also a copy of the papers in his case in the Dept t - or the original at the discretion of the Dept t !
Yours very respectfully
J. J. Whittier -

In Sally Onondaga County N.Y.
I Daniel Weil a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Sally in the County of Onondaga in the State of New York do certify that I am well acquainted with Zachariah Burt, that he is a person of credit and is entitled to be believed under oath
Daniel Weil Justice

State of New York Tully Onondaga County ss 3 rd In the town of Tully in the County of Onondaga in the State of New York being duly sworn says that he is well acquainted with Joseph Wilkinson the person who is applying for a pension - That during the Revolutionary war the said deponent and the said Wilkinson resided in Woodbury Litchfield County in the State of Connecticut and that the said Wilkinson left the said place and entered into the Army and was absent from home for a considerable time and was generally believed to have been in the service of the United States as a Soldier - That after his return home the deponent saw him repeatedly and was shown a scar which the said Wilkinson had upon his head which was about two inches long, and which he the said Wilkinson stated that he had received from a British light Horseman, that the said Joseph Wilkinson in appearance was about five feet nine inches in height, black hair and crippled by being lame in his ankle or foot, And this deponent further says that he really believes that the said Joseph Wilkinson at the time he was absent from the said town of Woodbury was a Soldier in the service of the United States, and that he received the wound aforesaid while in the said service, And further this deponent saith not -
Sworn this 27 th day of March 1834 before me Daniel E. Lill Justice

State of New York } Onondaga County } ss: Clerk's Office }
I Alanson Edwards Jr. Deputy Clerk of said County and of the Court of Common Pleas of said County do certify that Daniel Vail Esquire before whom the within Affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a justice of the peace in and for said County and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the first of said Affidavit and to the certificate hereon written to be his genuine signatures - In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 5th. day of August 1834
A. Edwards Jr. Dep. Clk.

Connecticut Joseph Wilkinson Rejected
Cellu Hon S. Freed
9 Janz 1835. to Wm T. J. Whittlesey, Jan 20. 1838

11.000.
P. O. _____
Joseph Williamson Service: Joseph Wilkinson
Enlisted: REJECTED , 18
Discharged: _____, 18
AOT Aug. 29, 1906
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Cont
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18