Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 14837, Daniel S Wilson, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Nikon, Daniel S.
S. 14837
carded
CONTENTS
b. Jan. 2, 1757 at Farmington, Litchfield Co. Conn. 9 res. there at end of m. 1832 d. May 25, 1834

55-25 Connecticut
Daniel S Wilson of Hamden in the State of Conn who was a pri in the — commd by Captain — of the Reg commd by Col Gay in the Conn line for State troops 10 th 10 th
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of $4 Dollars 44 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of May 1833 and sent O.S. by Mower, Litchfield lot Arrears to the 4th of March 33 $68,88 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sept 6 33 17 17 $86 05
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E.D. Root Clerk Book 4 Vol. 3 Page 45
May 25, 1834
See letter to P. List Jan. 7. 1832 1839 to 10 Mch 2 Amos Clarke - history - Prior

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
State of Connecticut } At Litchfield Aug t 2 d 1832, County of Litchfield.
On this 2 d day of August 1832 - personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield now sitting (Daniel S. Wilson of Hawnton in said County aged 75 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832
That he enters the service of the United States, and served as herein stated under the following named Officers. (viz)
In June 1776 I enlisted at said Hawnton, into the company of Capt Amos Wilson, which was with other companies raised at that time by the State of Connecticut, to serve six months , in the defence of the City of New York, the period of my enlistment was six months , Capt Wilson's company was in Col Gay's Reg t of Farmington but Col Gay dying, not long after the Reg t was raised, it was then commanded by Lieut Col Hart. The officers of our company were 1 st Lieut Rockwell 2 d Lieut Abner Wilson. Ensign Ch s Goodwin. I marched with the company to the City of New York immediately after my enlistment, but I cannot state the precise time of our march, I will remember however that We had been in the City a considerable time before the British landed on Long Island, We remained in the City till the American army evacuated Brooklyn, when our Reg t was sent to Harlem. but on the

day when the English landed about 3 miles north of the city. We were posted between them & the city. We retreated and attempted to join the main body of the American Army by the way of the North River, but we were overtaken in our retreat by the Enemy & many of our Regt were taken prisoners & among the rest Lieut Col Hart - the Regt reassembled north of Kingsbridge under the command of Major Mott who had been our major during this tour, but it was not called in to the Battle at White Plains, after the battle at White Plains, we retired higher up the Hudson River, and there when our time expired which was if I mistake not the 25th of Dec. We were dismissed, without written discharge - during this tour I was in the service of the United States full six months, Of which I have however no documentary evidence, I send herewith the affidavit of M c Joseph Scoll who was with me in the same company, until he was on account of sickness discharged - At some period during the Revolutionary war, after the burning of Newburgh, but the year I cannot recall to recollection, in March or April, I with from 15 to 20 others, volunteered under Lieut Eli Wilson to guard the sea coast, & went accordingly and spent according to the best of my memory & belief six weeks, in the service of the United States, in keeping guard between West Chester & San Pits, at the latter place I recollect that Lieut Trumbull with a volunteer Comp y put up at the same house with us, we were discharged at San Pits. I have no evidence of this service, all the company being discharged unless it be that one Sergeant Hayden is living, he has, remond for some as I believe a deal unless it be that one Sergeant Hayden is living, he has, remond for some In the summer of 1777, I was drafted to go a tour of two months to Crompond and went accordingly and was at Crompond in the Company of Capt Copley, I spent at this time two months, in the service of the United States in keeping guard at Crompond & at places in that neighborhood until my time expired, but of this service I have at present no manner of proof except my own statement -

In the latter part of September 1777 I volunteered to go to Stillwater and marches in the company of Capt (since Col) Abner Wilson and did duty in it at the north about four weeks. I was present at the battle in which Genl Arnold was wounded. Our Regt (which was Col Adams' if I remember rightly) was not however engaged in the battle that day but was paraded back of the actual fighting - On the next day our Regt with other militia was paraded on the right of the American Army in order to draw out the English to attack us but we were not attacked. I continued with our Army until Burgoyne had surrendered & marched out of them without any written discharge was dispensed to prove this service I send herewith the affidavit of A.W. George Jones. — The Lieut of said company was my brother Eli Wilson, — In our march to the north we went East of Albany through Troy & crossed the North River at a place, called there the Spuyt. Our Regt marched together, We were united before we left Litchfield County —
I was born in Harninton aforesaid Jan 2 o 1757 my age is recorded in my father's account book. I live in said Harninton when called into service as herein before stated & have always there resided since the Revolutionary War & still do reside there
I never received any written discharge
I am known to the Rev: George C Pierce, M.W. William C Abernethy, Doct Joel G. Gaudee & others, who can testify as to my character for veracity and to their belief of my services.
over.

I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension for annuity except the present & declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
Daniel S Wilson
Before me Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Conn. —
We George E Pierce a clergyman residing in the said town of Haminton & Joel G. Candee residing in the same town hereby certify that We are well acquainted with Daniel S. Wilson who has, subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that We believe him to be 75 years of age & that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that We concur in that opinion, and that the said Daniel S Wilson is a gentleman of good character for veracity & that he is worthy of full credit, —
George E Pierce Joel G. Candee
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. Also the Court further certifies that it appears to them that the Rev. George E Pierce who has subscribed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said town of Haminton & that Joel G. Candee who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Haminton and is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit
Frederick Wolcott Judge of Probate Litchfield District, Conn. —

J. Phinches, Minor Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Litchfield in the County of Litchfield hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Daniel S. Wilson for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this 7 day of August 1832
J. Phinches Minor Clerk

5086
Daniel S Wilson 6.t
Admit 10 mo 10 3/4
36.44
O S Seymour Lilfield Titchfield

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Daniel S Wilson 6 t
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     June 11/36 enlist 2 6 private Cpl Wilson Col Gray 75. born in Litchfield entered there and now lives in S place   after vote 1 12 " Lieut. Wilson   Summer 1837 draft 2 " Cpl Col Gray one surviving witness from first 6 months   Sept 11. vote 2 28 " Cpl Wilson one other from 28 days certificate of clergyman and citizen  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before and State, Territory or District A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d), with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same), who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[t] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. Daniel S. Wilson L.F. 14837
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1776 6 mos Pvt. Amos Wilson Gay Conn.   Summer 1777 2 mos. Copley   Sept. 1777 4 wks Amos Wilson Adams   March or Apr. 1780 being of Stamford 6 wks Lt. Col. Wilson* as coast Guard  
* His brother
Battles engaged in, Stillwater
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Harminton, Litchfield Co. Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 2. 1832 His ch. ad.
Residence at date of application, Harminton, Conn.
Age at date of application, { at Harminton, Conn Jan. 2. 1759
Remarks: { a May 25-1834
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1911 June 20 Hist. So Helen M. Kenny. V.L.M. 1911
Reo man
14837 INVALID.
File No. 14,837
Daniel S. Wilson Priv. Pa. war
Act: June 7 th 1832.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 412
[Arrangement of 1870.]

I Joseph Scovill of Haminton in the County of Litchfield and State of Connecticut aged 80 years, being duly sworn do depose & say that I am and long have been well acquainted with Daniel & Wilson of said Haminton I know that he enlisted for the term of six months into Capt Amos Wilson's company in Col o Gay's Reg t of the Revolutionary army in June 1776. I was a member of the same company and know that the said Wilson served in said company five months at New York & in its vicinity, at the end of about five months, I was taken sick & was discharged from service. I have no manner of doubt but that said Wilson served out his full six months, but have no personal knowledge of his service after I left the company & returned home as aforesaid - our company arrived at New York and were there when the British landed on Long Island, was in the City when the American Army retreated from Brooklyn
Joseph Scovill
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield. p Litchfield July 24. 1832 Then personally appeared Joseph Scovill to me known as a credible person and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed. Before me
Origen S. Seymour Justice of the Peace

I George Jones of Harninton in the County of Litchfield & State of Connecticut aged 77 years being duly sworn depose and say that I am well acquainted with Daniel S. Wilson of said Harninton and know that the said Wilson went as a volunteer in the latter part of August or first part of September 1777 from said Harninton to Saratoga and there was in the service of the United States somewhat more than four weeks. I will remember seeing the said Wilson on the day of the battle in which Col Arnold was wounded. He remained in the army until after Burgoyne surrendered & then returned home. George Jones
State of Connecticut County of Litchfield ss Litchfield July 24. 1882
Then personally appeared George Jones to me known as a credible person & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing affidavit by him in my presence subscribed. Before me Origen S. Seymour Justice of the Peace,
State of Connecticut ss Office of the Clerk of the County Court for the County of Litchfield,
I. Frederick Wolcott Clerk of said Court hereby certify that Origen S. Seymour Origen S. Seymour Esq before me on the foregoing affidavit of Joseph Searl & George Jones appear to have been taken now is & for more than a year last past has been a Justice of the Peace for said County duly authorized to administer oaths & that the signature to said affidavit, which purports to be his, are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this day of Frederick Wolcott, Clerk