Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,243, Obadiah White, Conn.

SERVICE
Conn.
White, Obadiah
NUMBER
S. 15243
carded.
CONTENTS

Connecticut 9665.
Obadiah White
Hebron in the State of Conn. who was a pr: 1st Lt in the Comp: commanded by Captain Wells of the Regt commanded by Col. Spencer in the State Troops Conn.
une for prio: 13. mo: 2. ds — 43. 55. Lev: 4 mo: — 20. 00. 63. 55.
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn. at the rate of 13. Dollars 55. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10. day of June 1833. and delivered to Judge Hendee present
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833. 127. 10. Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept. " — 31. 72
$ 158. 82
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. L. Francis Clerk Book C. Vol. 3 d Page 45.
Died May 23, 1835 Agency book -

Obadiah White's Declaration
copy in Ms. A. 9. 2. 20 v. 10, p. 10

State of Connecticut, TOLLAND COUNTY, SS. HEBRON PROBATE DISTRICT.
On this Eighth day of April  May A. D. 1833, personally appeared in open court before Abner Hendee, Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate, for the District of Hebron, now sitting, Obadiah White a resident of Hebron in the County of Tolland and State of Connecticut, aged 82 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 entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
In April 1775 soon after the Lexington battle, on the general alarm, he turned out as a volunteer, equipped & marched to Rosebury & joined the American troops in the revolutionary war, and served three weeks, when he returned home and at Hebron & on the 15 th of May 1775 enlisted into and joined a Company commanded by Capt Levi Wells of Colchester in New London County, in Col e Spencer's Regiment of East Haddam, which Reg t was afterwards commanded by Col e Samuel Hlyly of Hartford. He immediately marched to Rosebury & faithfully performed duty at that & other places near Boston — He was on the 17 th of June ordered to attend & take care of the wounded, & while in that employ saw the battle on Breed's Hill & the conflagration of Charleston — He enlisted for and served in sd Company the term of seven months; and two days as a private and when his sd term had expired, he at the special request of Gen l — then Col e Spencer, he reengaged & continued & served three months more, principally in the Hospital taking care of the sick and wounded — And he was from the 22 nd of April 1775 till part the middle of March 1776 in constant service as aforesaid when at Rosebury he was verbally and honorably discharged — And he herewith submits the testimony of Doct. John R. Watson & of Stephen Barber to prove this service, & can find no other survivors by whom to prove the same. General Putnam, then Col e commanded the troops near Boston. The Declarant has also the Comptroller's certificate to prove seven months and two days service but can find no living witnesses of his last three months except Doct. John R. Watson. as near as On the 1 st day of Septem r 1776 at Hebron aforesaid — he can not recollect the day of the month — He was drafted by Capt a Joshua Phelps his militia Captain, to perform a tour of three months duty in the State of New York as a private soldier, together with the rest of his Company and with other Companies of Militia — Col e Obadiah Hosford of Hebron commanded the Regiment & Jeremiah Mason of Lebanon was Major & Judah Hildreth was Adjutant of sd Regiment And he marched in sd Company and Regiment to New Haven & through Fairfield to Nyack in the State of New York & thence to New Rochelle, to Westchester and other places — were frequently attacked by the British Troops — The Americans retreated from place to place, and was he was on the 20 th of Oct r 1776 at White Plains during the battle taking care of the sick & wounded, by special order of the Colonel. He served three months in this campaign & was verbally & honorably dismissed at at a place called the Saw Pitts. He herewith submits the affidavits of M c Stephen Barber & the Comptroller's Certificate to prove this service.

In the month of May 1777 on or near the first day of sd month at Hebron aforesaid being a soldier in Cap t Joshua Phelps' Compy he was by his sd Cap t drafted to perform a tour of four months duty in New London in Cap t Levi Wells' Compy of Colchester — Samuel Chapman of Tolland, Colonel commandant of the troops in sd New-London — He joined sd Compy and on the 23 rd day of May 1777 was by sd Col t appointed a sergeant in sd Compy and served in that capacity till the end of his sd term, that is to the first of Septem r 1777 when he was verbally but honorably discharged at New London. The Declarant can find no living Witnesses to prove this service, all with whom he served within his recollection having deceased — This warrant herewith accompanying this is the best evidence this case admits of, no returns of this campaign having been made that can be found.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
He answers to the interrogatories propounded by order of the War Department, as follows:
1. Where, and in what year were you born? At Hebron in the year 1751
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? In my Bible
3. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? At Hebron
4. How were you called into service? Were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? As stated in the preceding Declaration
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served, such Continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service?
This statement is made in my Declaration

6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? Never had a written discharge
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?
every Man of my Acquaintance, and especially Revd Peter Griffing and Sylvester Gilbert Esq. of Hebron
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Obediah White
We, Peter Griffing a clergyman residing in the town of Hebron in the County of Tolland, and Sylvester Gilbert residing in Hebron hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with M c Obadia White who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be 82 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 day and year aforesaid.
Peter Griffing Sylvester Gilbert
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 the Rev. Peter Griffing who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the town of Hebron and that Sylvester Gilbert Esq who has also signed the same, is a resident in the town of Hebron and is a creditable person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Cyrus Mann, clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Obediah White for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office, this 8 th day of May A. D. 1833.
Cyrus Mann Clerk.
Declaration

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Obadiah White a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his ( or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 15,243
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Apr. 22 1775 3 mos. Private ✓ ✓ Conn.   May 15 1775 11 mos. " Levi Wells Spencer   " Samuel Wells   Sept. 1. 1776 3 mos. " Joshua Phelps Obadiah Housford   May 1777 4 mos. Sergeant Levi Wells Samuel Chapman  
Battles engaged in, none.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Hebron, Tolland Co., Conn.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 4, 1832.
Residence at date of application, Hebron, Conn.
Age at date of application, b. Mch. 20, 1751 at Hebron, Conn.
Remarks: His claim was allowed. He died May 23, 1835. (Agency lost)
No family data.
Respectfully,
not on battle Bunkerhill - took care of wounded in hosp. " " " White Plains.
Commissioner.

New London June 24 1777 Hemsted and Capt Shaplee was desired By Esq as Dunkin Stuart Esq Late Collector at New London was expected soon to return in a flag to New London to watch him and not let him land till he was searched on their desire a boat was sent to patrol the shore Left Donham commanded the same on the same day they went out the flag came in near the Lile House which was held by my guard there and word sent to me on which I gave notice to the the Comtee of Mr Shaw & Mr Shaplee & my self rode down to the guard house and went on board the flag & Mr Stuart & Mr Winthrop was on board & on examination Mr Stuart was referred to come on board shore and go home Leaving the keys of all the trunks locked up in one place on the next day Mr Stuart went to Lebanon to the Governor to get leave to meet his good & family to England which was granted to him By the Governor

Comptroller's Certificate
20m d
13 mo. 2. ds pri
4 mo. Ser g.

Comptroller's Office Hartford 2 nd May 1833.
I Elisha Phelps, Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Connecticut, do certify that it appears by an authenticated copy of a Pay Roll of the 8 th Co. in the 2 nd Regiment raised by order of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut May 1775, and commanded by Captain Lewis Wells, that Obadiah White enlisted in said Company on the 15 th day of May 1775, & served therein as a private until the 17 th day of December 1775 having served therein seven months & two days.
I further certify that I find the name of Obadiah White & others upon a roll, described to be "A list of Capt. Joshua Phelps Co. in 2 nd Col. Obadiah Hosford's Regiment that marched by order to East Chester in Sept. 1776 to join Gen. Washington's army. But the commencement and termination of this service cannot be ascertained in this Office. This roll appears to be a muster roll, & is signed Jeremiah Mason Major. E. Phelps.

P
15243
INVALID.
1916 Jany. 19. Hist. to F.C. Bissell letter in S. 14,040 John Northam S.
File No. 15243
Obadiah White Sergt: Boer War
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 405
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Heber 6 th
Ill
May 10 th
May 14.
Com
Not
James L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

James L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Hebron Con. May 8 th 1833
Dear Sir,
The papers of Mr. Obadiah White of this Town were returned to me noting one mistake in his Declaration —
I made his declaration from report of his friend without seeing him myself, and added to it as I received information — I requested Judge Hendee when he went to swear him to correct the error (if any) but no correction was made. Since the papers were returned I went to see him myself & his mind was then clear, which is not at all times — I soon found another palpable mistake, as to the Captain, Col. d , & Regiment, he served in near New York in 1776 — He had been to the east in Levi Wells' Company in Col. Spencer alias Col. Wyllys' Regim. t & had forgotten that he went to New York in another Company and Regim. t ; but when I saw him he perfectly recollected the Company & Regiment he went & served in at New Rochelle &c He is as honest a man as ever lived, and was a zealous & faith- ful friend to his Country, but is feeble with age.
You say that "The papers appear to have undergone alterations "since they were originally settled before the Court — that such "steps must be discountenanced" &c I admit Sir, that from the appearance of the Declaration, such suspicion might rationally arise, but the fact is not so. Additions or interpolations were made to the original draft, but none to my knowledge after sworn to. I claim Sir, an unimpeachable character & trust that I sustain it, and at the same time intirely approve your cautious & careful inspection. I do not think that I have sent you a single spurious or ungrounded claim — errors as to time there may be. The case of Jonathan Waterhouse can not be established by vive voce testimony, but the circumstances he relates, & the manner in which he relates them with the collateral circumstances that are known, render it impossible to disbelieve him. Ed Indeed every one has the corroborative proof required of a respectable Clergyman & Civilian.
The Old Soldiers have become impatient waiting for their reward, & some have died not having received the promises , but having seen them afar off &c.
With high respect, I am Sir, your friend & humble Servt. L. the Gilbert
Sylvester Gilbert
P.S. In the years 1810 & 19 I had the pleasure of being often in your office on business & received some 40 or 50 pension certificates

State of Connecticut - County of Tolland } & Probate District of Hebron } S
On this 4 th day of August 1832 personally appeared in open court before Abner Hemenbg g Judge of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Hebron now sitting - Obadiah White a President of the Town of Hebron in sd District aged 81 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 th 1832 -  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers, and served as herein stated. That in the latter part of April 1775 soon after the battle of Lexington, on or about the 22 nd of 3 rd months and in consequence of the alarm, & call for aid against the British forces, he turned out as a volunteer, he equipped himself and marched to Roxbury in Massachusetts and there performed military duty in defence of his Country for the term of about three weeks, when he returned home to sd Hebron and there immediately enlisted in a military company commanded by Capt Levi Welles of Colchester in Col Spencer's Regiment, afterwards commanded by Col Sam l Hillyer he enlisted as near as he can recollect for the term of eight months. General Putnam then Col Putnam was principal and Commander of the American troops then near Boston. He enlisted and joined said company in May 1775 and performed constant duty therein at Roxbury and other places near Boston, and was present and saw the battle on Breech's hill, on the 17 th of June 1775 and the conflagration at Charlestown, but was not engaged in said battle being ordered to take care of the sick and wounded in the hospital. He continued in service in said company till his said term of eight months had expired when at the special request of the sd Col Spencer who belonged to East Haddam in Connecticut he consented to continue, and did continue in service until the army should be filled up. And he did so continue and constantly served as aforesaid about three months after his said term of enlistment had expired

He was constantly in the service of the United States from the time he first started as a volunteer (except while returning home as aforesaid) till his 18 Eight months tour and three months continued service had expired - being in the whole eleven months & 1/2 of a month. He further declares at the latter part of August or beginning of September 1776 he was a soldier in a Militia Company in said Helbron under the command of Capt Joshua Phelps by whom he was drafted for a tour of three months duty in the State of New York; he was placed in said Capt Levi Wells Company in said Col Spencer's Regiment and immediately marched with said Company through New Haven, Fairfield, Norwalk &c. to Rye and from thence to New Rochelle also to Westchester & other places  nearby , and were attacked by parties of the British troops and extremely harassed by night and by day; the American troops retreating and the British pursuing so that we had neither peace or rest for nearly  more than a week - One day while hungry & dressing an Ox, his party was attacked by the Enemy, & we ran and left & lost our Beef. He was on duty but not in the Battle at White Plains. At the end of 30 Days the Regiment was dismissed at the Saw Pitts in Rye
In the month of May - 1777 he belonged to a militia Company in said Helbron commanded by Capt Joshua Phelps and was by him drafted to perform a tour of four months military duty at New London in Connecticut and was placed in said Capt Levi Wells Company in Col Samuel Chapman's Regiment who was of Tolland in Connecticut from whom he received a Sergeant's Warrant bearing date the 23 rd day of May 1777 and in which capacity he served in said Company and Regiment being employed in keeping guard, building Forts &c. During the aforesaid term of four months; and at the end thereof at said New London, was honorably but verbally discharged from service. He was called to the Duty of Ordinary Sergeant. The declarant says that he was born in Helbron aforesaid according to private records on the 20 th day of March 1751 - where he has ever since resided and is known by all persons in his neighborhood who can testify to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution. That he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to but a part of his services.
He
He 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 any State the Agency of any State. The Deponent is not known to see him in his
Obadiah his White Mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid ~
Before me Abner Hovey Judge of the Probate Court
We Peter Griffing a Clergyman residing in the town of Hebron, and County of Solland, and Joseph White Esq hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Obadiah White of said Hebron who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 81 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a faithful Soldier of the Revolution and that we fully concur in that opinion.
Peter Griffing Joseph White
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid ~
Before me Abner Hovey Judge of Probate 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 abovenamed applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Peter Griffing who has also signed

The fore proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Hebron and that Joseph White who has also signed the same is a resident in s d Hebron and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Obadiah White Nov 14 '22
Homer Hemenway Judge of said Court
I Cyrus Mann Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Hebron do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Obadiah White for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4 th day of August 1832
Cyrus Mann Clerk.

I John R Watrous of Colechester, in the County of New London, State of Connecticut, testify and say, that I was in the Year 1775, I was in the Army of the Revolution, as Surgeons Mate, in a Regiment of Connecticut Troops, commanded by Colo. Samuel Wyllys - and was stationed at Roxbury, near Boston, in Massachusetts - that I then and there well knew and now know of Norway in s d State Obadiah White, as a Soldier belonging to s d Regiment in a Company commanded by Levi Wells as Captain - My impression and belief is, that said White enlisted for, and served eight Months - the term of the enlistment, which expired the last day of December of said Year 1775 - and according to my best recollection said White re-enlisted for three Months and remained in service till the latter part of March, 1776 when the British Army left Boston for New York - and further saith not - Dated Colechester July 30 th 1832
John R Watrous
State of Connecticut New London County ss, Colechester July 31 st A D 1832 Personally appeared the above named John R. Watrous and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him subscribed
Before me Benj m Trumbull Judge of the Court of
Probate for the District of Colechester
I certify that the above named Deponent John R. Watrous Esq r is personally well known to me, and that he is a credible and respectable Witness - Colechester Nov r 14 th 1832
Benj m Trumbull Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Colechester

Affidavits
I Stephen Barber of Hebron in the County of Tolland in Connecticut, testify and say, that in the alarm immediately after the Lexington Battle in April 1775 I marched with the Company to which I belonged to Roxbury near Boston and according to my best recollection Obadiah White of sd Hebron went in company with us — I remained in service as a volunteer more than three weeks & I know that sd White was there in service. I further say that in the latter part of August or beginning of Septem r 1776 I went with & in the Regiment of Militia commanded by Col o Obadiah Hosford of Hebron on a three months tour of duty to New York, and Obadiah White of Hebron went as a private soldier with us & I believe in the same Company, & we were stationed in New Rochelle most of the time, and during the term we had several skirmishes with the enemy & very hard times & severe suffering. The sd White was there during the whole term of three months, & we were often together, and he was one of the most full faith and persevering soldiers in the Company, & commonly did more than his duty required. Hebron August 3 rd 1832 Stephen Barber
Tolland County ss Hebron August 3 rd 1832 Hebron  Hebron Personally appeared Stephen Barber signer of the foregoing Affidavit and made solemn oath to the truth of the same
Before me
Hosner Hende Judge of Probate Court
I certify that the deponent Stephen Barber is personally well known to me that his statement is entitled to credit & that he is a creditable & a Respectable witness Hebron Nov 13 th 1832
Hosner Hende Judge P. Court

Sergants Warrants of some ancient memoranda - supposed to be Col. Chapman's hand writing
Octavius White S.F. 15243 Conn.

Samuel Chapman Esq r Col o of a Battalion Stationed at New-London for the Time being, draughted from the 12 th 22 nd and 23 rd Regiments of Militia in the State of Connecticut. —
To Obadiah White Esq r .
Greeting.
By Virtue of the Power & Authority to me given, in and by the Governor and Company of the State of Connecticut, I do by these Presents, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, constitute & appoint you the said Obadiah White, to be a Serjeant in Fifth Company in said Battalion. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a Serjeant, in ordering & exercising said Company in the Service aforesaid, commanding them to obey you as their Serjeant, and yourself to observe such Orders, & Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or other your Superior Officers, according to Military Rules & Discipline, pursuant to the Trust reposed in you; for which this shall be your Sufficient Warrant. —
Samuel Chapman (Seal)
Given under my Hand & Seal, this 23 rd Day of May, in the Year of our Lord 1777.